Best Broadway shows for teenagers: a parent’s booking guide

Start with interests instead of a universal teen ranking

Ask the teen to choose two things they want from the outing: a story they know, music they like, a new discovery, or a shared experience with friends or family. Then ask what would put them off. Someone excited by a novel adaptation may have little interest in a show chosen purely for its chart recognition.

Make a two-show shortlist together rather than handing over a list of ten and asking for a verdict. Read a short synopsis and, for a musical, try a brief official music sample. You can preserve surprises while still giving enough information for an informed choice.

Allow for different tastes within the same age group. A 13-year-old who enjoys complex stories may choose differently from a 17-year-old who wants a light evening. Age helps you check rules and guidance; it does not reveal a person’s attention span, emotional readiness, or enthusiasm for a particular style.

The Outsiders: for a teen interested in belonging and loyalty

The Outsiders places Ponyboy, Johnny, and the Greasers in conflict with the Socs in 1967 Tulsa. Its sources are S. E. Hinton’s novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s film. That gives a reader of the book a concrete reason to be curious about what happens when the story becomes a musical.

Ask what interested them in the story: friendship, class divisions, identity, or the choices people make under pressure. Those answers can help distinguish a genuine wish to see this adaptation from a general desire to see whatever classmates are discussing. If the novel was assigned at school, let the teen decide whether returning to it sounds appealing.

Read the production’s advisories together where appropriate. They include suicide, domestic abuse, and violence, alongside flashing lights, loud sounds, stage smoking, and haze. Its general age recommendation is ten and older, but that number does not cancel those considerations. Give a teen room to choose another show without having to explain a sensitive personal reason.

Source: The Outsiders: story and adaptation; The Outsiders: content and sensory advisories; The Outsiders: age guidance and duration

• Book The Outsiders tickets →
• Compare The Outsiders and Hadestown →

Hamilton: for a teen curious about history and musical storytelling

Hamilton follows Alexander Hamilton through a score combining hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway styles. The production’s New York FAQ recommends ages ten and older because of strong language. It lists two hours and 45 minutes including intermission.

Our suggestion is to consider it when the musical approach or the historical personalities already spark interest. Familiarity with a few names and the broad setting can help someone orient themselves, but preparation should make the visit more inviting rather than turn it into a test. Listening to an official sample together is a practical way to find out whether the sound appeals.

If the teen already knows the recording, ask what they hope to experience on stage. That answer may influence the seat choice: a closer perspective on performers or a broader view of the full staging. If they have never encountered the music, leave enough time to investigate before committing the whole family’s budget.

Source: Broadway League: Hamilton story and musical styles; Hamilton Broadway: running time and age recommendation

• Book Hamilton tickets →
• Compare Wicked and Hamilton →

Wicked: for a teen drawn to friendship, reputation, and fantasy

Wicked looks at Oz through Elphaba and Glinda and the friendship that develops between them. For a teenager interested in how people acquire labels or navigate popularity, that premise gives the fantasy a personal point of entry. The official Broadway recommendation is eight and older, with an approximately two-hour-45-minute running time including intermission.

Consider it for a mixed-interest family if the central relationship appeals across generations. The useful question is whether the teen wants to spend an evening with these characters, not whether an adult remembers enjoying a different Oz story. A recognizable setting can help a first-time theatergoer feel oriented without dictating their response.

If interest comes from a film version, approach the stage musical as its own experience. Read the Broadway show page and check the actual performance details rather than assuming a screen running time, cast, or presentation carries over. Keep the conversation about what they hope to see, instead of promising that every familiar moment will work in the same way.

Source: Wicked: Broadway story; Wicked: duration and age guidance

• Book Wicked tickets →
• Gershwin Theatre seating guide →

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: for a wizarding-world fan

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child introduces a new generation through Albus Potter and his friendship with Draco Malfoy’s son. This Broadway production is a play, so choose it for the story and theatrical presentation rather than expecting a musical. A teen already interested in the fictional world has an obvious starting connection.

The official FAQ lists about two hours and 55 minutes including intermission, recommends ages eight and older, and requires an accompanying adult for children under 15. It also identifies strobe lighting and other visual and sound effects. Check those details before planning a younger teen’s independent outing.

For a newcomer attending with a devoted fan, a brief introduction to the central characters can make the visit more welcoming. Let the fan share enough context to help without explaining the whole plot. Then plan a meal and arrival time that suit the longest production in this shortlist rather than fitting it into a day already full of timed commitments.

Source: Harry Potter: Broadway story; Harry Potter: duration, effects, and adult accompaniment

• Book Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets →
• Lyric Theatre seating guide →

Choose the seats as a family decision

Agree on whether everyone needs one continuous block of seats or whether nearby pairs would work. If an adult needs to sit beside a particular teen, protect that requirement before considering a cheaper layout. Nearby seats in separate rows are not interchangeable with seats immediately next to one another.

Inspect the seating options offered for your performance, including section, row, and individual locations where provided. Compare viewing notes and access routes as well as price. A seat close to the stage can be exciting, but closeness alone does not establish a clear view for a shorter guest or comfortable access for another family member.

Set the total budget before letting a favorite seat become the expectation. If suitable adjacent seats are unavailable, try another performance date before splitting the family into a layout no one wanted. Discuss compromises openly; a slightly different day may matter less than enjoying the show together.

• How to book seats together →
• Compare Orchestra and Mezzanine seats →

Plan enough space for the visit and the conversation afterward

Choose a performance time that fits the teen’s real day. A late arrival in New York, a long sightseeing itinerary, and a lengthy evening show can be a poor combination even when the production is ideal. An afternoon performance may be worth comparing if it leaves everyone more alert.

Before entering, explain the practical basics: when to put phones away, how intermission works, and where to meet if someone steps out. Check the theater’s policies for any access device the guest uses. Clear expectations reduce anxiety without turning the visit into a lecture about theater etiquette.

Leave room afterward for an honest reaction. Ask which character or moment stayed with them, rather than whether the tickets were worth the cost. They may love a different aspect from the one you expected, or dislike a show you enjoyed. That conversation is useful information for choosing the next visit together.