Best Broadway Shows for Teenagers (2026)
Finding a Broadway show that appeals to teenagers can be tricky — too young and they'll roll their eyes, too mature and it's awkward. These 19 shows hit the sweet spot for teen audiences.
19 shows | Last updated: October 2026
How We Rank
Rankings are based on CriticScore, an aggregate of professional reviews from 400+ outlets including The New York Times, Vulture, and Variety. Top-tier outlets carry the most weight in the composite score. Each show needs a minimum number of reviews to qualify. Scores are recalculated weekly. Learn more about our methodology.
Critics hail Hamilton as a groundbreaking masterpiece that revolutionizes the Broadway musical through hip-hop storytelling. Miranda's audacious, electrifying work about the Founding Father earns near-unanimous raves for its innovation and artistry.
Critics hail "The Book of Mormon" as a hilariously offensive triumph that subverts musical theater conventions while celebrating faith. Most praise its clever songwriting, expert staging, and surprising sweetness beneath the profanity and sacrilege.
Critics hail this stripped-down revival as wildly entertaining and pulse-racing, with top-flight performances bringing fresh vitality to Kander and Ebb's dark musical about celebrity and crime.
Critics embrace this charming robot rom-com as a refreshingly original gem, praising its emotional depth, intimate storytelling, and stunning visual design. Criss and Shen shine in this tender, innovative musical that proves sweetness and substance can coexist.
Critics hail Julie Taymor's staging as a theatrical marvel, with visionary puppetry and stunning visual spectacle that transcends its animated source. While some find it less engaging emotionally, most agree it's an astonishing achievement.
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre · 1h 20m
Closes Nov 15, 2026
Critics praise this vibrant Broadway revival as funny and heartbreaking, with Whitney White's direction elevating Bioh's predictable but sharp comedy about colorism and girlhood into an exuberant celebration featuring standout performances.
Critics hail this folk-opera retelling of the Orpheus myth as a stunning, inventive triumph with gorgeous music and visionary staging, though a few find it emotionally distant. Mitchell's score and Chavkin's direction earn widespread praise.
Critics find SIX energetic and fun, with strong vocals and catchy pop songs that give Henry VIII's wives a feminist spin. However, some cite a thin book, weak choreography, and gimmicky concept that wears thin over 80 minutes.
Critics praise the intoxicating Cuban music and dazzling choreography as transporting and joyful, but note the book is wispy and clichéd. The show works best as a sensory celebration that prioritizes sound and dance over storytelling.
Jonathan Groff dazzles in this slick but formulaic Bobby Darin bio-musical, with critics praising his charismatic star turn and energetic performances while noting the show treads familiar jukebox-musical territory.
Critics largely embrace this loving Golden Age musical parody as joyful and clever, praising its sharp wit and Christopher Gattelli's choreography, though some find the meta-humor overstays its welcome on stage.
Critics embrace this zany British import as a clever, high-energy crowd-pleaser, with five actors juggling dozens of characters in a farcical WWII spy story. Some find it exhaustingly hyperactive or too clever by half, but most praise its wit and unexpected heart.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Longacre Theatre · 2h 15m
Closes Nov 29, 2026
Critics find this British two-hander a charming, modest rom-com elevated by its leads' chemistry, though some dismiss it as slight and formulaic. Most praise its sincerity and emotional depth beneath the sweet surface, calling it a potential sleeper hit.
Critics mostly embrace this vampire musical as a visually spectacular, high-energy spectacle that breaks Broadway's vampire curse, though some find the book and score lacking bite beneath the dazzling aerial effects and rock aesthetics.
Critics find this Studio 54 revival energetic and well-performed, with Luke Evans' magnetic Frank-N-Furter a standout, but many note the show's transgressive shock has faded with time, leaving a fun yet somewhat quaint nostalgia trip that struggles to recapture the original's ana
Critics find this Max Martin jukebox musical a bubbly, exuberant guilty pleasure that reimagines Juliet's story with girl-power themes and pop hits. While some dismiss it as lightweight kitsch, most admit its infectious energy and chart-toppers are hard to resist.
Critics are divided on this adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, praising Danya Taymor's visceral direction and the thrilling rumble choreography, but many find the familiar story competent yet forgettable, inevitably recalling "West Side Story."
Critics are divided on this effects-heavy prequel, praising its spectacular stagecraft and technical wizardry while questioning whether the convoluted plot works for non-fans. Most agree it's a sensory spectacle, but opinions split on substance.
Critics find this lavish Gatsby musical visually dazzling but emotionally hollow, prioritizing spectacle over substance. The production delivers impressive sets and costumes but struggles to capture Fitzgerald's deeper themes.