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Best Broadway shows in New York in May 2026

Discover new Broadway shows and Off-Broadway shows to check out across New York City in May 2026, including star-studded plays, original musicals, and more.

Gillian Russo
Written byGillian Russo

May is the height of the theatre awards season — now that all this season's Broadway shows have opened ahead of the June 7 Tony Awards ceremony, it's campaign time, so keep an eye out for articles, subway ads, posters, and more featuring the hopeful honorees everywhere you turn. But even though there are only a few new musicals and plays starting up this month, that doesn't mean there's any lack of theatre to see.

You can still catch performances of numerous shows that opened throughout the season, many of which are contenders for the Tony nominations that will be announced May 5. We're recapping a few critically acclaimed hits below. There are also plenty of Off-Broadway shows opening anew, so why not check some of those out and go to a theatre you might not otherwise visit? Here are our picks for Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre to see in May, and visit the links below to discover even more hot shows playing now.

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Summary

  • Broadway shows to see in May 2026 include critically acclaimed from productions from this theatre season like Cats: The Jellicle Ball; Ragtime; Every Brilliant Thing; Titanique; and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
  • New Off-Broadway shows to see in May 2026 include The Maids starring Bridgerton's Yerin Ha; New Born starring Hugh Jackman and more; and a musical parody of Heated Rivalry
1.

Every Brilliant Thing

2.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball

3.

Ragtime

4.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

5.

Titanique

6.

The Lost Boys

7.

Hamlet

8.

New Born

9.

The Maids

10.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody

11.

Indian Princesses

12.

The Receptionist

13.

The Emporium

14.

Small

15.

Animal Wisdom

16.

||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||

1.

Every Brilliant Thing

Broadway
Play
Stars on stage
Solo show

Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe's uplifting and endlessly versatile one-person show about love, loss, and finding joy in the small things is different every night with its warm-hearted audience participation. Daniel Radcliffe stars until May 24, with Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) succeeding him from May 26 to June 28.

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Every Brilliant Thing

2.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Broadway
Musical
Dance
Award winner

This revival deserves 10s across the board! The ballroom-themed production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical is filled with fierce fabulousness and dazzling new choreography, as well as all the classic songs from the lovable and eccentric characters. It’s the cat’s meow!

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Cats: The Jellicle Ball

3.

Ragtime

Musical
Broadway
Award winner
History
Drama

"And there was distant music, simple and somehow sublime..." Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens’s American epic set at the turn of the 20th century continues through August 2 in Lear deBessonet's all-encompassing production. Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Brandon Uranowitz lead the outstanding ensemble cast of this critically acclaimed revival.

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Ragtime

4.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Musical
Broadway
Comedy

This heartwarming two-hander was a hit in London and is now delighting New York, the city where it takes place. The excitable Dougal travels to the Big Apple for the wedding of his estranged father and is greeted by Robin, the bride’s sister, for a whirlwind city adventure that deepens the pair's unlikely bond.

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Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

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09:00

Breakfast at Liberty Bagels

Regularly named one of the city’s best bagel shops, the unassuming Liberty Bagels is the perfect spot to get a classic NYC breakfast sandwich.

10:00

Macy’s Herald Square

One of the world’s largest stores, Macy’s is a sight to behold, especially when it’s decked out for the holidays.

5.

Titanique

Broadway
Jukebox musical
Award winner
Comedy

The Ship of Dreams has successfully docked on Broadway without hitting an iceberg! Join Jack, Rose, and their fellow passengers on the voyage of a lifetime, scored by all of Celine Dion’s greatest hits in this outrageous parody of the 1997 blockbuster movie. Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande, and more star opposite multiple acclaimed cast members from Titanique's Off-Broadway premiere.

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Titanique

6.

The Lost Boys

Broadway
Musical
Screen to stage
Thriller

Horror fans will find much to sink their teeth into with the stage adaption of the 1987 cult-favorite film about a family that moves to a new town with an active vampire population. With spectacular design, feats of flying, and an '80s rock-inspired score by The Rescues, it's a bloody good night out.

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The Lost Boys

8.

New Born

Off-Broadway
Play
Stars on stage

Hugh Jackman stars alongside Sepideh Moafi (The Pitt) and Marianna Gailus (Vanya) in Ella Hickson’s trio of monologues. The innermost thoughts of three strangers — a tree surgeon in love, a woman searching for her lost friend, and a new mother who meets a celebrity by chance — collide in mysterious and beautiful ways.

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New Born

9.

The Maids

Off-Broadway
Play
Drama
Stars on stage

Visionary director Kip Williams’s (The Picture of Dorian Gray) production of Jean Genet’s thrilling play about female power and domination comes to St. Ann’s Warehouse following an acclaimed run at London’s Donmar Warehouse. The starry cast features Yerin Ha (Bridgerton), Phia Saban (House of the Dragon), and Olivier Award nominee Lydia Wilson.

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The Maids

10.

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody

Off-Broadway
Musical
Comedy
Screen to stage

Are you addicted to the steamy hockey romance books and TV series? Then you won’t want to miss this power play. This musical comedy is inspired by all of Shane and Ilya’s greatest moments on and off the rink, accompanied by an upbeat original score. Get your ginger ales and tuna melts ready!

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Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody

11.

Indian Princesses

Off-Broadway
Play
Comedy
Drama

Set in a summer camp for girls of color to bond with their white dads, Eliana Theologides Rodriguez’s satire, based on her experiences in a similar real-life program, is set in 2008, during the summer before Barack Obama’s first election, and explores themes of family, race, and girlhood in warm and witty new ways.

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Indian Princesses

12.

The Receptionist

Off-Broadway
Play
Satire

Adam Bock’s dark comedy about workplace politics follows a friendly and efficient receptionist (two-time Tony winner Katie Finneran) whose workday is turned upside down by an unexpected visitor from head office. It definitely won’t be just another day at the office — or just another evening at the theatre!

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The Receptionist

13.

The Emporium

Play
Off Broadway
Satire

Thornton Wilder’s final, unfinished play makes its Off-Broadway premiere with help from playwright Kirk Lynn. During the heyday of the American department store, a man named John travels to the big city in search of a job but finds there’s no way of entering The Emporium for an interview. John's adventure brings all sorts of theatrical tropes together under one roof, and you're invited along for the ride.

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The Emporium

14.

Small

Off-Broadway
Solo show

Roberto Montano’s Drama Desk-nominated solo play tells the story of his childhood dreams of being a jockey — a profession in which his height is an asset — to finding his identity as a Broadway dancer. Small is powerful!

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Small

15.

Animal Wisdom

Off-Broadway
Play with music
Solo show

Two-time Obie Award winner Heather Christian’s unique theatrical concert, starring Tony Award nominee Kenita R. Miller, blends obscure Methodist hymns, a Catholic mass, gospel, folk music, and more to showcase the power of ritual and unravel the mysteries of life with a gothic flair.

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Animal Wisdom

16.

||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||

Play
Off-Broadway
Drama

Pulitzer Prize finalist Eisa Davis’s new play tells the story of four girls who meet at a prestigious and competitive summer camp for young musicians. When the cloistered sanctuary is threatened by an emergency on the horizon, can their friendship and creativity survive?

Check back for information on ||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :|| tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

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