Ranking the Broadway shows I’ve seen this year

Recapping And Just Like That… too!

Hi, new subscribers!! I love how much people love SATC, love-hate AJLT, and have opinions on Carrie’s outfits. I will keep talking about it all — I’ve recapped the latest AJLT below — but today’s a swerve because I spent too much time and money on theater this year to not share my thoughts before the Tony Awards tonight.

I’m far from a Broadway expert. Seriously, I’ve never seen a production of Wicked, so I have no idea what the second movie has in store. But I've caught lots of shows in recent years and enjoyed basically all of them.

I didn’t grow up a musical theater person. Theater people have so much energy, they intimidate me. I’m an introvert. I get stage fright! I’ve always been a movie musical person though. West Side Story, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Grease, Grease 2 (low-key my favorite Grease), Chicago, Cabaret, Oliver!, even that god-awful Rent.

People travel across the world to see Broadway shows and I live here, so I try to take advantage of it. I get choked up at every curtain call. They’ve worked their whole lives for that moment. To make it more affordable, I sign up for discount programs, enter all the lotteries, and I'm willing to go alone on a weeknight. The Theatr app is also good for last-minute tickets.

If you’ve seen any shows this season or even if you haven’t, I want to hear your opinions! Tell me your favorite play or musical. Spoilers and prices below.

Ranking the 2024-25 Broadway shows I’ve seen

#13 - Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends

Price: $35 (Manhattan Theatre Club’s under 35 program)

This is a revue, basically Sondheim’s greatest hits from Company, Into the Woods, Gypsy, etc. It stars Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga (she was out for my show 😩) and was a helpful primer on some iconic shows I’ve never seen.

I learned that I don’t hate the songs from Sweeney Todd, I just didn’t like the Johnny Depp movie. But because it’s only a revue and not a full narrative show, Old Friends gets last place. Sorry, Old Friends.

#12 - Dead Outlaw

Price: $33 (lottery win)

Even shows at the bottom of my list are a B- at worst. Dead Outlaw is a New York Times Critic’s Pick, so maybe don’t listen to me. I just didn’t connect with it but I was electrified by Andrew Durand’s energy performing the “Killed A Man In Maine” number.

The main character is a wannabe outlaw who dies during the first third of the show. His body is then used as an attraction at wax museums and amusement parks for 60+ years. It’s about exploitation and greed. Durand spends most of the show completely motionless in a coffin, as you know, a dead outlaw. He’s receiving a lot of praise for his ability to be still for like an hour straight but sorry, I’d rather watch someone actively perform.

I love when original IP succeeds, however, I didn’t think this story was that compelling.

#11 - The Last Five Years

Price: $44 (lottery win)

Nick Jonas is in this, if that matters to you.

The Last Five Years is a story of a marriage from each person’s perspective, one at the beginning of the relationship, one at the end. They meet in the middle for a single song. If I hadn’t seen the Anna Kendrick/Jeremy Jordan movie version, I would’ve been totally lost.

When the reviews of this production came out, they were all like “NICK JONAS FLOP.” And he is miscast. He doesn’t have the typical Broadway belting voice but he hit the comedic beats well. His biggest issue is that his co-star Adrienne Warren is on another level. I’d never seen her in anything before but I’m here for her in the future.

#10 - Boop!

Price: $32 (had a $30 off voucher)

This is about Betty Boop (slay) leaving her black-and-white 1920s cartoon world and time-traveling to 2025 because she needs a break from being Betty Boop. She gets involved in the New York City mayoral race. It’s very silly.

The actress playing Betty, Jasmine Amy Rogers, is a star and deservedly nominated for a Tony. Boop! didn’t blow my mind and actually it made me sad because the theater was the emptiest I’ve ever seen on Broadway (it was a Sunday matinee to be fair). A little too family-friendly for my taste. Still, this show has some fun dialogue and helped me combat the Sunday scaries.

Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe were at my performance and they got MOBBED. I always enjoy a celeb sighting.

#9 - Gypsy

Price: $99 (full price)

Gypsy is a well-known story and despite loving Bette Midler, I wasn’t familiar with it. It’s about a stage mother who’ll stop at nothing to make her daughters successful in show business.

You guys, I’d never heard Audra McDonald sing until I saw this (!!). Unless we’re counting that one episode of Carpool Karaoke (the things I say keep getting worse!). I told you I don’t know shit. Clearly she’s immensely talented and has the most Tony Awards of any performer for a reason. Material-wise, it’s not my favorite but I was impressed by the performances. I saw Gypsy during previews and I’m sure it’s only gotten better.

#8 - Maybe Happy Ending

Price: $45 (lottery win)

I know, I know. This is everyone’s favorite musical this year. Maybe Happy Ending is a meet-cute story about two robots with obsolete technology. It stars Darren Criss who seems to have avoided the Glee curse. I’m happy for him.

INCREDIBLE set design and a perfect ending. You should see it. Just about anyone would enjoy this. It’s in eighth place because MHE is too sweet for me. I like a bit more edge.

#7 - Eureka Day

Price: $39 (Manhattan Theatre Club’s under 35 program)

This is a witty play poking fun at anti-vaxxers, with some loving jabs toward progressives too. It’s about an elementary school’s board of directors trying to determine what their vaccine policy should be after a mumps outbreak.

Eureka Day was supposed to transfer to the Kennedy Center but with Trump at the helm, it of course got canceled. A hilarious scene plays out over a Zoom meeting (and this was written pre-pandemic!). Maybe it’ll tour. See it if you get the chance and want to lol while raging about the state of public health.

#6 - Death Becomes Her

Price: $40 (lottery win)

I’m not even obsessed with the Meryl & Goldie movie but I had the best time, as did Drew, who doesn’t love musicals. If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably heard the “That was rude. That was pretty fucking rude” sound, which is from this. There’s so much impressive illusion and technical work needed to pull off the legit stunts they’re doing in Death Becomes Her (the iconic stair scene, the hole in Helen's stomach).

The dad from Two of a Kind is in this, along with Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child!! Legend.

#5 - The Hills of California

Price: $39 (Manhattan Theatre Club’s under 35 program)

Another story about a pushy stage mother. Directed by Sam Mendes (Kate Winslet’s ex). This stopped running back in December, so I won’t belabor you with details about a show you can’t see.

I will say it had the best needle drop I’ve seen on stage (I didn’t know the stage could DO needle drops). Spoiler: it’s “Gimme Shelter.” Gave me actual goosebumps, which I feel like is something people say but doesn’t actually happen. It did! To me! You think “Gimme Shelter” is overused in pop culture? It’s not.

#4 - Oh! Mary

Price: $69 (full price)

This show is deranged. I mean that as a compliment. Cole Escola plays Mary Todd Lincoln as a melancholic homicidal alcoholic with a closeted husband (you know, Abe). Super fun. Burst out laughing when Cole started on “She’ll be coming ‘round the mountain...” I liked it so much, I sent Drew on his own. He loved it enough to stagedoor, and Cole signed his playbill with a sweet note for me (“Thanks KG, you bitch!”). It’s hanging on our wall.

#3 - John Proctor Is the Villain

Price: Free! Drew’s cousins generously got us tickets. Thanks, Sara and Tim!

Has Lorde seen this yet?? I just said The Hills of California had the best needle-drop but I lied, that belongs to John Proctor Is the Villain. I don’t feel right spoiling the ending. Prioritize this if you’re near the city.

John Proctor (starring Sadie Sink) is about a 2018 honors English class studying “The Crucible.” You could say this is a #MeToo play but that’s an oversimplification and an undersell. It’s funny, resonant, emotional, and stunning. I had to hold myself back from sobbing at the end from pure catharsis.

This will probably lose Best Play to Oh! Mary. Both are deserving but I’m the kind of person to favor something that makes me cry vs. something that makes me laugh. I should probably unpack that…

#2 - The Picture of Dorian Gray

Price: $44 (lottery win)

This is some crazy shit.

Sarah Snook (Shiv from Succession) plays every single character — all 26 of them. She’s on stage the entire time. She’s running backwards, doing costume changes, dancing, singing, screaming, sweating. No question she’s taking home a Tony.

Sarah is supported by onstage camera operators projecting her live performance and prerecorded video onto screens. There’s a lot of controversial camera work this season, but I’m into it. Why not push the boundaries of live theater?

#1 - Sunset Blvd.

Price: Free (thanks, Dad), $132 (full price), $46 (lottery win), $46 (lottery win), free (thanks, Drew)

I’m not a super earnest person. I’m like Gen Z in that way, at least that’s what I tell myself. So hear me when I say: THIS IS LIFE-CHANGING THEATER. I’ve seen this FIVE times. I’d never repeated a show before. I’m at risk of the cast recording topping my Spotify Wrapped. Quick, Taylor Swift, release another 30-song album!!

Sunset Blvd. is divisive. It’s stripped down, no staging, monochromatic wardrobe, and heavy use of screens. Elephant in the room. Nicole Scherzinger liked Russell Brand’s Instagram post of a MAGA-like hat AND an RFK Jr. post. Don’t love that but unfortunately she’s giving the performance of a lifetime. Ferocious.

I recently watched the film version (liked it) and I honestly think this is a genius stage adaptation. You should plan a trip to New York before it closes July 20th. Don’t get mad at me if you hate it!

Lots of spoilers:

• This musical has opening credits! Over a car chase! I gasped.

• I cry every time Nicole sings “With One Look.” And “As If We Never Said Goodbye.” If you sit in the orchestra, her voice is so powerful, it vibrates your whole body. She receives at least two mid-show standing ovations every time. Never seen that before.

• Tom Francis looks like if God made a straightforward version of Jeremy Allen White. They’re both hot.

• Let’s not underplay that Tom sings OUTSIDE on the chaotic streets of NYC every show. A camera follows him as he descends through the theater and makes his way outside, prowling along 44th Street to perform the titular song. S/o to the camera woman who walks backwards to record this, as the audience watches inside on a screen. This happens whether it rains or snows. As Tom returns to the theater and walks through the orchestra, the audience goes crazy realizing it’s live. Incredible.

  

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I also saw some off-Broadway shows and older Broadway productions this year:

• Back to the Future. Literally the only show that made me go, this is bad. This is not at the level. The flying car was cool though.

• A Streetcar Named Desire. It’s a very shouty show but I’m glad I saw it. Paul Mescal, so hot right now.

• The Outsiders. Won the Tony last year for Best Musical. I rushed the show with friends, we had a great time. Worth it for the rumble scene.

• The Great Gatsby. Not terrible! Looks expensive. This is a good intro to Broadway if you’re taking a teen or your parents.

• Hold On to Me Darling. Adam Driver! Heather Burns! A 3-hour show (oof) and yet I really liked it. Grateful I won this lottery since tickets were $300.

• Cabaret. The theater is transformed into a Berlin club with neon and complimentary shots upon arrival. Cabaret is one of my favorite musicals and I highly recommend the current production.

And Just Like That… season 3, episode 2

Episode two was better than the first because there was nowhere to go but up! Here are my thoughts:

• Strong start: Carrie in a sparkly dress (bra peeking out, classic), strutting on the cobblestones. SATC vibes.

• She grabs a drink with her former neighbor Lisette, who chucks her phone across the bar and just…doesn’t go retrieve it. Everyone on this show behaves like an alien.

• Charlotte and Lisa have a storyline centered around their kids. I simply don’t care about the children. I assume Charlotte will get a meaty arc eventually. It’s been random nonsense so far.

• I loved when the principal called out Charlotte for having Charlotte eyes because that is Kristin Davis’ only form of expression. Her “Anthony, you have a place! This is thrilling!” in the bakery was one of the worst line deliveries I’ve ever heard. I feel bad being so negative!

• The rat infestation storyline is overdue, I approve. But I was on edge all ep, worrying the cat would eat the rat poison.

• Carrie’s new place is too big. I miss the era of storing sweaters in the oven.

• Would you read her fiction book based on this snippet? I wouldn’t.

  

• Miranda obsessed with a reality show is a fun callback to her Jules & Mimi fixation in the original SATC

• Anyone else triggered by all the talk-to-text scenes?

• Mario Cantone (Anthony) is 65 years old! Gorg.

• Charlotte’s outfits are stiff and uncomfortable looking. Pussy bows and oversized belts and tweed and poofy sleeves. She used to be so effortlessly elegant.

• Obsessed with all of Seema’s looks except that demure floral moment

• Love this British lawyer Miranda has a crush on. Compared to all the clunky American acting, she breezed in like a breath of fresh. Looks like an English Amy Ryan.

• Cheri Oteri!! Calling everyone “kitten!!”

• This ep made me want guacamole

• I know Aidan’s a furniture designer but why does Carrie need his permission to buy a table? They’re on a fake break!

• SJP looks beautiful but this denim skirt is atrocious

  

One last thing

• This Variety article that reunites Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood to address the unfollowing-on-Instagram controversy is a fascinating read and reminder that actors are a different breed.