Visiting New York City in early March 2026 offers a thrilling mix of long-running blockbusters and high-profile new productions in their preview periods. Since your free evenings are Tuesday through Friday (March 3–6), you have excellent options, including a chance to catch a major star-studded premiere on your final night.
Top Picks: The Hot Tickets
These are the buzziest shows for your specific week, featuring major stars and limited engagements.
Chess (Musical Revival)
- The Draw: Starring Lea Michele and Aaron Tveit. This explosive revival of the cult-classic musical about Cold War chess championships involves politics, romance, and a legendary score by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. Expect this to be the hardest ticket to get.
- Schedule: Typically plays Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings.
Every Brilliant Thing (Play)
- The Draw: Starring Daniel Radcliffe. Fresh off his Tony win for Merrily We Roll Along, Radcliffe returns in this moving, interactive solo play about a man making a list of everything that makes life worth living. It will be in previews during your trip, meaning you are among the first to see it.
- Theater: Hudson Theatre.
Death of a Salesman (Play - Friday Night Only)
- The Draw: Starring Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. This massive revival of Arthur Miller’s classic begins performances on Friday, March 6. If you can secure a ticket for your final night, you will be at the very first preview performance—a major theatrical event.
- Theater: Winter Garden Theatre.
The Big Plays
If you prefer drama or spectacle over song-and-dance, these are the heavy hitters.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
- The Vibe: A jaw-dropping prequel to the Netflix series, set in 1959 Hawkins. It centers on a young Jim Hopper and the origin of Henry Creel. The special effects are reportedly unlike anything else on Broadway.
- Theater: Marquis Theatre.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- The Vibe: The magical continuation of Harry's story. It’s a visual masterpiece with spellbinding stagecraft. Note that it is a long show (runs about 3.5 hours with intermission).
- Theater: Lyric Theatre.
Oh, Mary!
- The Vibe: A dark, hilarious, and fast-paced comedy reimagining the life of Mary Todd Lincoln. It has been the sleeper hit of the last year, perfect if you want to laugh.
- Theater: Lyceum Theatre.
New & Notable Musicals
Fresh additions to the Broadway lineup that are currently running.
Death Becomes Her
The Vibe: Based on the 1992 film, starring theatrical powerhouses Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard. A campy, effects-heavy musical comedy about eternal youth and rivalry.
Theater: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
Buena Vista Social Club
The Vibe: A vibrant musical featuring the legendary music of the Cuban group. It tells the true story of the band's recording sessions in Havana.
Theater: Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.
The Reliable Blockbusters
If you have never seen them, these classics play every night you are available (Tuesday–Friday) and guarantee a spectacular experience.
- Hamilton: Still the gold standard for modern musical theater.
- Wicked: The untold story of the Witches of Oz; massive spectacle.
- Hadestown: A haunting, jazz-infused retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth (Tony Winner for Best Musical).
- Moulin Rouge! The Musical: A high-energy pop spectacular with incredible set design.
- The Lion King: The Disney classic, essential if you want pure visual artistry.
Weekly Schedule at a Glance
- Tuesday, Mar 3: Most shows have a 7:00 PM curtain. Hamilton and Lion King are reliable Tuesday options.
- Wednesday, Mar 4: The standard "Two-Show Day." If you finish business early, you can catch a 2:00 PM matinee. Evening shows typically start at 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM.
- Thursday, Mar 5: Usually a 7:00 PM curtain for most shows, making it great for a post-work dinner and show.
- Friday, Mar 6: Almost all shows start at 8:00 PM. This is the specific date for the Death of a Salesman first preview.
Recommendation: For a mix of star power and bragging rights, try to book Chess for a mid-week slot and Death of a Salesman for Friday. If you want pure entertainment, Stranger Things or Death Becomes Her are excellent choices.
Backgrounder Notes
Based on the article provided, here are several key concepts, terms, and historical references explained to provide further context for the reader:
Previews In the commercial theater industry, previews are a set of public performances that occur before a production officially "opens" to critics. This period allows the director and creative team to make final adjustments to the script, pacing, and technical elements based on live audience reactions.
Revival A revival is a new production of a play or musical that has previously been presented on Broadway. Unlike a film remake, a theatrical revival usually retains the original script and score but features entirely new direction, set design, and artistic interpretation.
Arthur Miller Mentioned as the playwright of Death of a Salesman, Miller (1915–2005) is considered one of the three "pillars" of 20th-century American drama. His work is best known for critiquing the American Dream and exploring the moral responsibilities of the common man.
Tony Award Formally known as the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, this is the most prestigious award in the U.S. theater industry. It is the theatrical equivalent of the Oscars (film), Grammys (music), and Emmys (television).
Concept Album Context for Chess: Before becoming a stage musical, Chess was released as a highly successful "concept album" in 1984. This strategy was common in the 1970s and 80s (used also for Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita) to generate funding and public interest in the music before attempting a costly stage production.
Buena Vista Social Club This refers to both a members' club in Havana that closed in the 1940s and a specific ensemble of veteran Cuban musicians recorded by Ry Cooder in 1996. The resulting album and 1999 documentary sparked a massive global revival of interest in traditional Afro-Cuban musical styles like son and bolero.
Orpheus and Eurydice The source material for Hadestown, this is an ancient Greek myth concerning a legendary musician who descends into the Underworld to retrieve his deceased wife. The central tragedy of the myth hinges on the condition that he may lead her out, but must not look back at her until they reach the surface.
Matinee Derived from the French word matin (morning), this term refers to a theatrical performance held in the afternoon. On Broadway, the traditional "Two-Show Days" featuring matinees are Wednesdays and Saturdays, though Sunday afternoon performances are also standard.
