"In a year marked by political unease, cultural whiplash, and an industry still recalibrating its sense of purpose and underlying economics, New York theater often looked backward even as it searched for new ways forward. This list reflects the ten best Broadway and OffBroadway shows that opened in 2025. Thus, it does include shows that were part of the 2024-2025 season but opened in 2024, including Maybe Happy Ending and Sunset Boulevard."
"1. Ragtime: In a year crowded with revivals, Ragtime distinguished itself by feeling not merely relevant but necessary. Expanding last year's City Center concert into a fully realized Lincoln Center production, the musical's portrait of early20thcentury Americariven by racism, antisemitism, inequality, and political radicalizationlanded with startling immediacy. Lear deBessonet's cleareyed staging, the restored orchestration, and towering performancesespecially Joshua Henry's galvanizing Coalhousemade the revival feel both artistically complete and morally urgent."
"2. Dead Outlaw: One of the year's boldest originals, Dead Outlaw began as a critically acclaimed OffBroadway oddity before transferring to Broadway the following year. The darkly comic, bourbonsoaked musical turned the bizarre afterlife of early20thcentury outlaw Elmer McCurdy into a sharp meditation on American mythmaking, powered by a gritty, genreblending score and wickedly smart book. Its early Broadway closure, despite major awards and strong reviews, underscored how precarious daring new work remains."
A year marked by political unease and cultural whiplash left New York theater looking backward even as it sought new directions. The season’s ten best shows include productions that opened in 2025 and some from the 2024–2025 season, such as Maybe Happy Ending and Sunset Boulevard. Musical revivals dominated the slate, alongside a galvanizing youth-driven play, a sharply realized film-to-stage adaptation, an offbeat rock musical that closed early, and a multimedia star turn pushing theatrical form. Ragtime expanded into a full Lincoln Center production, portraying early-20th-century America riven by racism, antisemitism, inequality, and political radicalization. Dead Outlaw moved from Off-Broadway oddity to Broadway with a darkly comic, bourbon-soaked take on Elmer McCurdy and a gritty, genre-blending score, yet closed early despite awards and strong reviews.
Read at www.amny.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]