When the whole family is  packing the car this summer redirect the GPS from the Cape to the Concrete Jungle, New York, New York. The heart and soul of New York is undoubtedly the Yankees, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Broadway. Here are some shows that take into account your tiny attention spans, your love for crude humor, and what’s hot on Broadway.

10. An Act of God– He typically plays the nerdy scientist character on the “Big Bang Theory” which most people have heard of, but now Jim Parsons is taking on a role everybody knows, the one the only, God. In an Act of God the creator himself takes on the body of Jim Parsons to answer all the questions you and all of mankind are wondering. An Act of God is the first show based on, well, a Twitter account (@TheTweetOfGod). If you wanna know why you exist, you don’t have much time, you have until August 2 to get over to Studio 54.

9. Matilda– You read the book, you saw the movie, you freaked out when the movie stars recently tweeted a selfie together. You have one more step to being a “Matilda” superfan; go see the musical. With the same beloved characters like Matilda, Miss Honey, the Wormwoods, and the not so loved Miss Trunchbull the show revisits the classic story as told by Roald Dahl, this time through music. Through the silliness of this story you can reveal a plot any high schooler is happy to relate to; questioning authority. Though she may be small, Matilda is filled with intelligence far beyond her age, and integrity that she will not let anyone take away, including her evil head mistress. The fact that 11-year-olds are starring in Broadway shows and you spared your life savings to get a seat will be blinded by the talent within them, so don’t be afraid to buy that ticket to the Shubert Theatre.

8. It Shoulda Been You– “It Shoulda Been You” takes every part of a wedding that little girls dream about and twists it upside down, gives it a few spins, and pushes it out on stage at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Starring TV icon Tyne Daly and Neil Patrick Harris’ better half, David Burtka this musical comedy will beat your expectations of expecting the worse. It tells the story of Rebecca Steinberg and Brian Howard on their wedding day. The obvious difference in last name descent is only where it begins. We deal with seriously clashing families, the uncalled for arrival of the bride’s ex, a prenup and a surprise that will have you gasping, choking on the Coke in your souvenir cup, and even questioning your ethics. Though it may have been snubbed by the Tony Committee, this story, the laughs, and most especially the exceptional performers within this cast is something you do not wanna pass on next time you’re in the Big Apple.

7. The Book of Mormon– From the creators of the hit TV series South Park comes that same raunchy comedy that any stereotypical high school boy would love, in a musical. “The Book of Mormon” follows Elder Price and Elder Cunningham in Uganda, where they’ve been sent to try to convert the citizens to their Mormon religion, which they find out is not the easiest job to do in such a society as the one they’re in. “The Book of Mormon” has quickly become a modern day classic, with nine Tonys, including best musical, and over four years on Broadway under its belt.The Eugene O’Neill Theatre does hear its fair share of profanity and jokes that will leave you with some explaining, so invite who you will. Otherwise, call your age-appropriate and not-easily-offended friends and meet in the Empire City for “The Book of Mormon.”

6. Wicked– What kind of theater review would this be if I didn’t mention probably the only non-Disney show you’ve heard of? Get ready to find love for the Wicked Witch side and some sympathy for the flying monkeys. Set over the rainbow in Oz, the show tells the story you never knew you were dying to know of the wicked and good witches prior to Dorothy’s visit. We watch them go to college, fall in love and encounter the almighty himself…The Wizard of Oz. This show was not called “the best show of the decade” by Entertainment Weekly because, unlike most theatres, the Gershwin Theatre sells Pringles. It gained this title because of the extravagance that it truly is. You are physically and mentally overcome with lights, talent, and scenery that “defy” anything else on Broadway. Step into history and see this blockbuster show in its original Broadway run.

5. Mamma Mia– Being the 8th longest-running Broadway show, this icon will have you saying, “I know this song, I know that one too” and “This song is on Broadway?”  The musical is about a soon-to-be married girl who wants her dad there on her wedding day. Easy, right? Not so much. The question becoming less and less obscene of who is the biological parent brings back three men her mother was hoping to never cross paths with again. You can only imagine what chaos is to come, while knowing love (and of course science) will prevail in the end. You have till September 12 to get yourself down to the Broadhurst Theatre where you can “dance and jive” to “Mamma Mia.”
6. Hedwig and the Angry Inch– Do you wanna be a Hedhead? That’s right, the fans of Hedwig proudly own that title. Hedwig is an East German, internationally ignored, transgender song stylist. We meet Hedwig in full glamour, which includes a series of magnetic wigs, fishnet stockings, and 8-inch heels. Throughout the show while stripping away her clothes and wigs, she strips away parts of her story and her soul. The title role is far from a debut role, while on Broadway the lead has been played by favorites such as Neil Patrick Harris, Michael C. Hall, and currently Darren Criss, but halfway through the summer stage and screen star, Taye Diggs will rock the Belasco Theater as Hedwig. This cult phenomenon took home best revival at the Tonys last year. Go find out why.
7. Hand to God– If you are looking to take your little siblings to a Nathan Lane-esque Broadway musical, you’ve come to the wrong place. “Hand to God” is far from jazz hands and kick lines, in the best way possible. Hand to God is about a Christian student from Texas, Jason, who innocently makes a hand-puppet at the Christian Puppet Ministry. The puppet, Tyrone, takes on a personality that is unpredictable, the Devil. From here forward all hell breaks loose (no pun intended), Jason’s relationships with the people around him, most especially his mom, are strongly affected by Tyrone’s influence. Huffington Post called it “The best play of the season,” and the Tony committee agrees, giving it five nominations this year, including Best Play. So forget your morals and head on over to the Booth Theatre.
8. Fun Home– Tied for the most Tony nominations this year at a rosing 12 nominations, “Fun Home” is arguably the hottest ticket on Broadway right now. Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Home is about Alison writing the memoir and her reliving the difficult moments of her adolescence, most prominently her complicated relationship with her father and discovering her sexuailty. “Fun Home” is like nothing else on Broadway in the sense that it is performed entirely in the round, meaning unlike the typical one visible side of the stage, there’s three sides of the stage with seats. This coming-of-age tale is something that any high school student could find themselves somewhere in, so go find yourself at the Circle in the Square Theatre this summer.
9. Hamilton– This show is life changing. That’s all anybody can say about it so far, including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Bon Jovi and Jerry Seinfeld. It is rap/hip-hop music about the life of Alexander Hamilton. Yes, rap about a founding father can alter your life. The show spent most of this year Off-Broadway and will move to Broadway this summer, officially opening August 6. The show’s writer, Lin Manuel-Miranda, writer of In the Heights, also stars as Alexander Hamilton in the show. The show features characters that any American is familiar with, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. So reserve your tickets at the Richard Rodgers Theatre now and though Madonna may have done it, don’t text in the audience.