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The best Broadway shows to see for Mother's Day

Treat your mom to a show that tells a mother/daughter or mother/son story, an emotional family drama about moms, or a fun musical with songs your mom will love.

Erin Cavoto
Written byErin Cavoto

Instead of buying your mom another pair of slippers or a robe, get her a Mother’s Day gift that she actually will use this year — tickets to a Broadway show. Experiences are genius gifts because you can do them together and make a special memory. Any mom or mother figure in your life will appreciate not only the ticket, but also the time spent with you. Turn it into a full day of fun by making dinner reservations, or make a full day of things to do in NYC that she'll enjoy.

Need inspiration? We’ve rounded up the best shows to see for Mother’s Day. From intergenerational crowd-pleasers to nostalgic throwbacks, these Broadway shows will make for a special Mother’s Day you’ll both remember for years to come.

Get Broadway tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Summary

  • Some of the best Broadway shows for Mother's Day include Beaches; Wicked; Just in Time; & Juliet; Death Becomes Her; and MJ The Musical
  • Most of these shows feature classic Broadway spectacle and/or familiar songs moms will love
1.

Wicked

2.

Beaches

3.

& Juliet

4.

MJ The Musical

5.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

6.

Just in Time

7.

Titanique

8.

Death Becomes Her

9.

The Lion King

10.

Six

11.

Ragtime

12.

The Great Gatsby

13.

Every Brilliant Thing

14.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

1.

Wicked

Broadway
Musical
Page to stage
Stage to screen
Award winner

Moms can double as our best friends in life, seeing us through all the ups and downs thrown our way. Wicked celebrate exactly that, as unlikely friends Elphaba and Glinda learn how important they are in each other’s lives. And, if you’re like my mom and me, who cried through the Wicked movies together, it makes sense to see the show that started it all. After, head to a karaoke bar and perform your own renditions of the songs!

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Wicked

2.

Beaches

Broadway
Musical
Page to stage
Screen to stage

“Because you’re the wind beneath my wings...” Cue sobbing! Moms are exactly that, buoying us when we need it the most. Beaches, adapted from the '80s movie, follows two unlikely BFFs whose bond holds strong during some of the most challenging moments. In the end, they come together for Bertie’s daughter when Bertie gets sick, showing that a mom is someone who shows up for you, whether or not you’re related.

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Beaches

3.

& Juliet

Broadway
Jukebox musical

In this unofficial Romeo & Juliet sequel, Juliet doesn't die, but instead charts a new story and discovers who she is on her own. Juliet's own mother figure, the Nurse, is key to her journey, making this the perfect musical to see with the person who taught you confidence and independence.

Plus, & Juliet is packed with early-aughts pop hits you and your mom will love, like "I Want It That Way," "Oops!...I Did It Again," and "Since U Been Gone."

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& Juliet

4.

MJ The Musical

Broadway
Jukebox musical
Award winner

Among the many showstopping moments in MJ The Musical, about the life and artistry of Michael Jackson, is the number "I'll Be There." Jackson's mother sings it to remind him she'll always support him, even amid the pressures of stardom and growing up. She and you might cry a little, but the rest of the time, you can rock out to all the other Michael Jackson hits your mom may have listened to in her own youth.

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MJ The Musical

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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.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Broadway
Jukebox musical
Screen to stage
Award winner

Did you or your mom watch the heartbreaking love story of Christian and Satine in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge!? You'll want to see the show on Broadway. Moulin Rouge! The Musical includes tons of pop songs your mom will recognize, like the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” and a medley of Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" and Madonna’s "Material Girl.” Plus, she’ll love the new spins on the movie’s classic numbers, like “Elephant Love Medley” and “Come What May.”

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Moulin Rouge! The Musical

6.

Just in Time

Broadway
Jukebox musical
Award winner

Make Mother’s Day a multigenerational event by bringing your moms, grandmas, and aunts to Just in Time, about the life of famous crooner Bobby Darin. Even younger theatregoers might know his '50s and '60s hits like “Beyond the Sea,” “Splish Splash,” and “Mack the Knife.” The musical might bring your mom back to the days when she used to dance to these songs with her friends, and now, she'll get to do so with you.

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Just in Time

7.

Titanique

Broadway
Jukebox musical
Comedy
Award winner
Screen to stage

Near, far, wherever you are, you should set sail for Titanique this Mother’s Day. If you or your mom love the Titanic movie, take her to Titanique for a version of the story she's definitely never heard before. This hilariously ridiculous parody musical tells Jack and Rose’s story from Celine Dion’s perspective and features her most famous songs. You'll both be belly-laughing the entire time.

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Titanique

8.

Death Becomes Her

Broadway
Musical
Comedy
Screen to stage
Award winner

If your mom loves a cult classic movie as much as mine does, seeing Death Becomes Her on Broadway is a no-brainer for a Mother’s Day treat. The musical adaptation of the '90s film follows frenemies Helen and Madeline, who inadvertently sign up for immortality — together. You’ll both appreciate the fabulous costumes, hilarious bits, and impressive vocals, and you’ll have the music stuck in your head for days to come.

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Death Becomes Her

9.

The Lion King

Broadway
Musical
Disney
Screen to stage
Award winner

If your parents raised you on Disney movies, check out The Lion King, a classic Broadway show that major and casual theatre fans will enjoy. Brought to life with stunning puppetry, the Broadway musical showcases the animated film as a great family show you can even bring your own kids to. After all, parent-child bonds are at the heart of this musical, so it’s a perfect Mother’s Day outing for everyone.

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The Lion King

10.

Six

Broadway
Musical
Award winner

Six is one of Broadway's best "girls' night out" shows, and why not have a girls' night with your mom? The musical reimagines the six wives of Henry VIII as a girl group performing a concert, where they sing about motherhood, childhood, and sisterhood with pop flair. It's fun, it's energetic, and it's 80 minutes long, so there’s plenty of time to add in another activity or two.

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Six

11.

Ragtime

Broadway
Musical
Award winner

Take a theatre-loving mom to see the revival of Ragtime, which has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Set at the turn of the 20th century, Ragtime follows three main characters — a gifted Black ragtime pianist, a Jewish immigrant, and a wealthy white mother — and their families navigating a pivotal moment in American history. With intergenerational family stories at its core, Ragtime an especially meaningful show to see with the person who fought to give you the best life they could.

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Ragtime

12.

The Great Gatsby

Broadway
Musical
Stars on stage
Award winner
Popular show

For moms who instilled in you a love of reading, The Great Gatsby is the perfect musical to treat her to, bringing a classic book to life on the stage. With big, jazzy numbers and dazzling design, this production perfectly exemplifies the glitzy spectacle associated with Broadway and gives this English-class classic a refreshing spin. Afterward, grab a drink and discuss the book-to-stage changes.

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The Great Gatsby

13.

Every Brilliant Thing

Broadway
Play
Stars on stage
Interactive

Perhaps instead of an over-the-top musical, you’re looking for something more subtle and heartfelt. Enter Every Brilliant Thing. This play, currently starring Daniel Radcliffe before Mariska Hargitay takes over on May 26, focuses on what makes life worth living. The main character begins making lists of small joys for his depressed mother, but it becomes a theme throughout his life as he reflects on the moments that got him through — especially the small things. The show will be a beautiful reminder to cherish each other and your time together.

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Every Brilliant Thing

14.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Broadway
Musical
Romance
Comedy

Any mom who appreciates a sincere, crowd-pleasing love story will enjoy the earnestness of Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). It follows Dougal, a kind, naive British guy in NYC for the first time for his estranged father's wedding. He meets Robin, the practical, jaded sister of the bride-to-be, and the two end up on a journey through the Big Apple. The sweet and sometimes silly voicemails Dougal leaves his mom will also tug at your heartstrings.

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Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)