🎭Birthday Broadway Binge!
7 Broadways shows in 6 days
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My love for musical theater runs deep. My grandmother introduced me to the classics—Carousel, Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers—and anything with Gene Kelly. I grew up watching An American in Paris, Grease, Newsies, and Annie on repeat, along with The Sound of Music, West Side Story, The King and I, and The Music Man. I also performed in musical theater throughout my childhood, but since touring Broadway productions rarely made their way to Colorado Springs, I didn’t see a professional show until Ryan and I started dating in San Francisco.
His dad worked for a local radio station and often received tickets to productions, and since Ryan was an only child, he got to bring a guest. Once we started dating, I became that guest in lieu of a buddy from school! In those early years, we saw The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, and Jersey Boys, which remains one of my all-time favorites. We also saw Wicked during its first U.S. tour, long before we knew how iconic it would become.
When I love a musical, I go all in. I listen to the soundtrack on repeat, track the original Broadway cast’s careers, watch their Tony Award performances, and follow them on Playbill to see what they do next. As much as I enjoy a good movie musical (The Greatest Showman is the best one released in the last 20 years, and no, I did not love La La Land), nothing compares to the experience of seeing a production live on stage.
My First Time On Broadway
Despite all my trips to New York for work, I never prioritized Broadway. I was often traveling alone, only in town for a short time, and—given my health struggles over the years—usually too exhausted to go out at night. I also didn’t realize how easy it was to get single tickets, often at a discount. That changed when we took our kids to New York last June, and I finally saw my first Broadway show: The Lion King. Walking up the escalator into the theater, I nearly cried.
After that, I made it a personal goal to see a show every time I visited the city. Over the next year, I saw MJ, Six, and & Juliet, so when Ryan asked how I wanted to celebrate my 40th birthday, I knew exactly what I wanted: a Broadway trip.
Enter Operation Broadway Birthday Binge
At first, we considered a tropical vacation with a few friends, but as I watched the Broadway performances during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, I was reminded of just how much I love live theater. I cried during the performance of The Outsiders. But then again, that doesn’t hold a lot of weight considering I get teary in all shows, tragic or joyful.
That’s when we made the decision. Ryan took over the planning, securing five shows in advance, knowing we might add more once we arrived. We left Saturday open, thinking we’d explore museums and restaurants, but after hearing about the app Theatr—where people sell last-minute tickets—we couldn’t resist filling the gaps. Between that, StubHub, and a few other sites that release last-minute seats, we ended up seeing even more. One of those turned out to be my favorite of the trip.
The Shows
The Outsiders
We kicked off the trip with The Outsiders, and it was stunning. I never read the book or saw the movie like many high schoolers did, so I went in knowing only the basic premise. I have a personal rule: if I know I’m going to see a show, I won’t listen to the cast recording beforehand. I think it spoils the experience.
At first glance, the set design seemed minimal, but as the show progressed, it became clear how masterfully it was constructed. The pebbles and the rain! The choreography—especially during the brawl scene—was breathtaking, and Brody Grant’s vocals (PonyBoy) were nothing short of extraordinary. The story is both heartbreaking and deeply moving. Highly recommend.
Watch a sneak peek! | See it on tour!
Death Becomes Her
I remember loving the dark comedy movie when it debuted in the ‘90s with Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. And I have been a longtime fan of Megan Hilty (known for playing Glinda in Wicked and the lead in Smash on NBC). This Broadway adaptation delivered exactly what I hoped for—campy, over-the-top fun with big dance numbers, extravagant sets, and fabulous costumes. The show leaned fully into the absurdity, recreating iconic moments from the film while adding a fresh flair. Plus Michelle Williams (of Destiny’s Child) was fabulous. We laughed the entire way through—it was pure Broadway fun.
Redwood
This one didn’t quite land for me. While the set was visually striking and really unique, I didn’t connect with the story or music as much as I’d hoped. I love leaving a theater with songs stuck in my head, and unfortunately, none of the melodies were particularly memorable. Given the show’s themes of motherhood and the loss of a child, something I know intimately, I was expecting something more emotionally resonant, but it never quite reached the depth I was hoping for.
Sunset Boulevard
I had heard incredible things about Nicole Scherzinger in this revival, and I didn’t want to miss it. I wasn’t familiar with the original, but I knew it had a dark, Hitchcockian feel—especially since she ends up covered in blood. While I think I would have preferred Glenn Close’s production with its elaborate staging, this version was much more minimalist and a bit avant-garde for my taste. That said, Nicole Scherzinger was, in fact, phenomenal. Her vocal performance was stunning. Have I listened to the soundtrack since? Only one song: Just One Look. I actually left singing “Music Of The Night” on the walk home.
I typically don’t gravitate toward darker shows unless they have comedic relief (Death Becomes Her is more my style), so I likely wouldn’t see it again, but I’m really happy we experienced it.
Maybe Happy Ending
This was the unexpected gem of the trip. My friend Jonathan, a Broadway aficionado, insisted I couldn’t miss it. It wasn’t in our original lineup, but I had a feeling I’d regret skipping it—so we grabbed matinee tickets last minute. I’m so glad we did. The show has been described as having the emotional depth and beautiful artistry of a Pixar film, and I completely agree. The story was whimsical yet deeply moving, blending humor and heartbreak in a way that felt effortless. Darren Criss (of Glee fame) was phenomenal, and his co-star Helen J Shen, making her Broadway debut, was just as remarkable. The set design was like nothing I’d ever seen on stage. I bawled walking down the street afterwards, as it all set in. The soundtrack isn’t out yet, but I’m counting down the days until I can listen to it again.
If you have the chance and it continues its run : GO SEE MAYBE HAPPY ENDING!
& Juliet
This was my only repeat show in NYC, but it was too fun not to see again. We found last-minute tickets from a seller who couldn’t attend, and while picking up physical paper tickets felt very 2005, we held our breath until they scanned successfully. I saw & Juliet last year and knew Ryan would love it, so I happily saw it again. It’s written by a Schitt’s Creek writer and packed with Max Martin’s biggest hits from the ’90s and early 2000s (think any Brittney Spears or Backstreet Boys song you know), making it one of the most fun Broadway experiences I’ve ever had. The cast, the energy, the humor—everything about it is a joy. If you haven’t listened to the soundtrack yet, I highly recommend it.
Wicked
Our final show was Wicked, and I had been dreaming of seeing it on Broadway in New York for 20 years. I became obsessed with the Original Broadway Cast recording after seeing its first run in San Francisco, memorizing every single word and lyric. Of course, I’ve watched the movie ten times, but I had forgotten some of the nuances in the second half and wanted a refresh before Part Two comes out in November.
What made this night even more special was that it was Mary Kate Morrissey’s (a good friend of my friend Annie) final performance as Elphaba after a year on Broadway and multiple years on tour. I knew it would be an emotional night, but I had no idea that four other principal cast members—Glinda, Madame Morrible, Boq, and Nessarose—were also completing their contracts. The energy in the Gershwin Theatre was electric, with their closest family and friends in the audience to cheer them on. It felt like such a privilege to witness it all in the show’s original home.
To me, Wicked is the ultimate story of friendship and what it means to be judged for being different. The Ozdust ballroom scene gets me every time, and I can’t wait to see how Jon M. Chu brings Part Two to life this fall.
Broadway Show Recommendations
If you’re planning a Broadway trip and aren’t sure where to start, here are my top recommendations based on different experiences:
• First-Time Visitors: Wicked is a must-see for its sheer spectacle and emotional depth.
• A Fun Girls’ Trip: Six and & Juliet are both high-energy, hilarious, and filled with pop anthems.
• Something Unexpected: If Maybe Happy Ending gets an extended run, it’s a must.
• For Dance Fans: MJ is a masterclass in choreography and energy. Even if you aren’t a die-hard Michael Jackson fan, the performances are outstanding.
• For Families: Aladdin and Lion King are both a fantastic choice for kids, with vibrant sets, incredible special effects, and songs everyone knows.
Other Tips
Download the Theatr App and Today Tix for last minute deals. You can set alerts and just keep yourself available and close to the theater district in case something pops up a couple of hours before showtime.
I love front row (usually A) in the middle of the Mezzanine over the Orchestra. The vantage point with being slightly above the stage is always so fun to me and you can really take it in.
Broadway is dark on Mondays. If you’re planning a trip around shows, be sure you’re either flying in Monday night or leaving on a Monday.
Matinees for most shows are only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you want to do a double header like we did, you’ll have to it on one of these days. The matinees are usually around 1pm-3pm and night shows start between 7:30-8pm. You’ll have plenty of time to grab dinner in between since most theaters don’t let ticket holders in much before showtime unless they have a large lobby.
Best Birthday EVER
This trip confirmed what I’ve always known: there is nothing like live theater. I told Ryan all week that we were there that it was the best birthday present ever and the best trip we’ve taken. I was beaming the entire time. I already have a running list of shows to see next, and I can’t wait for my next Broadway adventure. I was so bummed that Smash the show was starting the week after we left. Ryan also really wants to see Operation Mincemeat.
In the meantime, I’m asking for a season pass to Broadway SF for Christmas so I can see shows I missed as they come through. Suffs and Hadestown are longstanding on my list!
If you’ve seen any of the shows above, let me know your thoughts! Any you’re dying to see?
xo
Danielle
That’s my kind of Birthday celebration! Loved reading your recaps of the shows. The Outsiders and Maybe Happy Ending are on my watch list. If you haven’t seen Hadestown yet, I highly recommend!
Saw Six this past week after winning the Broadway lottery. Sat second row mezzanine and I prefer it to orchestra.
Hoping to win the Hamilton lottery one day. And am probably going to pay full price to see Jonathan Geoff’s new one because my girls are obsessed w his co-star Gracie Lawrence.