We can’t wait for our 2024-25 Broadway season season to start this August, featuring a spectacular lineup of 12 remarkable productions (10 of which are musicals), including Broadway’s newest blockbusters. Our current Drexel Co-Op intern, Ashley Waddy, selected her favorite song from each show to give you a taste of what to expect musically this year. All these songs can be found on our 2024-25 Broadway Spotify Playlist.
1. “I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables
Haley Dortch as Fantine - Photo Credit Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
Undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals, the story of Les Misérables is one of love, courage, and redemption. In this iconic lament, the tragic character of Fantine daydreams about a simpler time and sings about the naive innocence of youth. Since the show’s Broadway debut in 1987, many famous musicians have covered this song, such as Josh Groban, Susan Boyle, and Aretha Franklin. Don't miss the Tony Award®-winning musical phenomenon that is Les Misérables at the Academy of Music, playing from August 27 – September 8, 2024.
Watch Carrie Hope Fletcher’s rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” when she played Fantine in Les Misérables: The Staged Concert.
2. “Baptize Me” from The Book of Mormon
(L-R) Keke Nesbitt as Nabulungi and Sam Nackman as Elder Cunningham - Photo Credit Julieta Cervantes
[Contains explicit language.]
The Book of Mormon is an outrageous musical comedy that has become an international sensation since its Broadway debut in 2011. In this smash hit that The New York Times has described as “the best musical of this century,” two Mormon missionaries attempt to spread their faith in Uganda. In the hilarious duet “Baptize Me,” Elder Cunningham and local Nabulungi wrestle with shyness and nerves over their feelings for one another. Witness satire take the stage at the Academy of Music from October 1 – 6, 2024!
Here’s “Baptize Me” performed by the London cast of The Book of Mormon at West End LIVE 2021!
3. “We Know” from Hamilton
Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
This beloved musical follows Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. In this number, rivals Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr accuse Hamilton of embezzling funds from the United States Treasury. Hamilton attempts to clear his name; however, he does himself no favors when he confesses to having an extramarital affair! Come experience Lin-Manuel Miranda’s epic saga at the Academy of Music from October 29 – November 23, 2024. Tickets are available here.
Here is Lin-Manuel Miranda, Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr., and Okieriete Onaodowan of Hamilton performing “We Know” in the Disney+ exclusive film.
4. “Welcome Christmas" from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
James Schultz as THE GRINCH and the Touring Company - Photo Credit Jeremy Daniel
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is a record-setting Broadway holiday sensation that the The New York Times called “AN EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE! 100 times better than any bedtime story.” In the whimsical town of Whoville lives a mean and scheming creature named The Grinch who decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. The song “Welcome Christmas” is instantly recognizable, as it’s from the beloved 1966 animated special. Get tickets for the stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale at Miller Theater from November 26 – December 1, 2024! Single tickets go on sale June 28.
Here’s “Welcome Christmas” from The Old Globe’s 2021 production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.
5. “Forever in Blue Jeans” from A Beautiful Noise
Amber Ardolino as Marcia Murphey - Photo Credit Julieta Cervantes
Created in collaboration with singer-songwriter Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is an energy-filled musical memoir that tells the uplifting true story about how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. In the powerful number “Forever in Blue Jeans,” Diamond’s ex-wife, Marcia Murphey, sings about choosing love over wealth. Learn how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career, at the Forrest Theatre from December 10 – 22, 2024! Click here to add A Beautiful Noise to your Broadway Series subscription.
Here’s Robyn Hurder and the cast of A Beautiful Noise performing “Forever in Blue Jeans” at the 2023 Curtain Up Broadway Festival!
6. "Billie Jean" from MJ The Musical
Jamaal Fields-Green as MJ - Photo Credit Matthew Murphy
MJ the Musical offers a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit of one of the greatest entertainers of our time: Michael Jackson. The production goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, centering around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The hit song “Billie Jean” is just one of the many famous songs covered in this production, which The Washington Post described as “a riveting adrenaline rush!” See the Philadelphia premiere of this Tony® Award-winning new musical at the Academy of Music from January 8 –19, 2025!
Here’s “Billie Jean” performed on The Tamron Hall Show.
7. "Me & the Sky” from Come From Away
Addison Garner as Beverly Bass - Photo Credit Matthew Murphy
This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Experience cultures clashing, uneasiness turning into trust, and music soaring into the night as gratitude grows into enduring friendships. In this beautiful song, Beverly Bass tells the empowering tale of how she became American Airlines’ first female pilot and reflects on how the recent attack has changed her relationship with flying. Don’t miss this breathtaking musical, coming to the Academy of Music from February 4 – 9, 2025.
Here’s Jenn Colella performing “Me and the Sky” in the live stage recording of Come From Away.
8. "Since U Been Gone" from & Juliet
Lorna Courtney and the cast of & Juliet - Photo Credit Matthew Murphy
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from Schitt’s Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? This romantic comedy bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems; it’s hard to choose just one song to highlight! In their rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone”, Juliet reveals to Romeo that she's engaged to Francois, a character made just for & Juliet. Come see what Time Out New York refers to as “a dream of a musical” at the Academy of Music from March 25 – April 6, 2025! Tickets are available here.
Here’s Lorna Courtney and the cast of & Juliet performing “Since U Been Gone” at the 2023 Curtain Up Broadway Festival!
9. "A Darker Shade of Blue" from Some Like It Hot
Adrianna Hicks with the Original Broadway Company - Photo Credit Matthew Murphy
Winner of 4 Tony Awards®, this Broadway standout is the stage adaptation of the 1959 film of the same name. Set in Prohibition era Chicago, Some Like It Hot tells the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. In this sultry song, character Sugar Kane laments about her tendency to fall for male band members. See this Tony-winning smash success at the Forrest Theatre from May 20 – June 1, 2025!
Here’s Adrianna Hicks as Sugar Kane performing her outstanding rendition of “A Darker Shade of Blue.”
10. "Ease on Down the Road” from The Wiz
(L-R) Kyle Ramar Freeman as Lion, Avery Wilson as Scarecrow, Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, and Phillip Johnson Richardson as Tinman from the pre Broadway tour production - Photo Credit Jeremy Daniel
The Tony® Award-winning Best Musical that took the world by storm is back. This groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway—from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and 70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. “Ease on Down the Road” is a dynamite combination of “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” and “We're Off to See the Wizard” from the golden-age film starring Judy Garland. Get into the groove at the Academy of Music from June 3 – 15, 2025!
Here’s Diana Ross as Dorothy Gale and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow performing "Ease on Down the Road” in the 1978 movie.
Watch all these videos on our Top Tunes from Our 2024-25 Broadway Series YouTube playlist!
Ashley Waddy is a third year at Drexel University, studying English.