As 2022 comes to a close, theatre lovers begin thinking about all the amazing shows that Broadway has provided for us and what the future brings. Along with the killer actors in the Big Apple, many shows have incredibly talented casts in their touring ensembles. Next year, many of Broadway’s big-name shows are heading straight to us at the Durham Performing Arts Center, also known as DPAC. Here are all the must-see shows coming to the theater in 2023!

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

“The Tina Turner Musical” is a jukebox show about the untold story of Tina Turner and how she went from being an ordinary person to a global phenomenon. If you were a fan of the new movie “Respect” or are bouncing in excitement for “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” then this is a musical you won’t want to miss. It was nominated for a grand total of 12 Tony’s including best musical. This show is coming to DPAC from Jan. 3 through Jan. 8 and tickets start at $35. 

Come From Away

“Come From Away” is the true story of 7,000 passengers on planes during the 9/11 terrorist attacks who were forced to make an emergency landing in a small town in Canada. Once the townspeople and passengers meet, their different cultures collide and friendships form. This show has brilliant technical elements and you’ll be left in awe at the diverse abilities of the cast and crew to utilize the same actor and chair to create 10 different moments. “Come From Away” is coming to Durham from Jan. 18 through Jan. 22 and tickets start at $31. 

Cats

“Cats” is a record-breaking musical spectacular that ran on Broadway from 1982 to 2000. It remains the fourth longest-running Broadway show and had over 7,000 performances. “Cats” is about a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who have to make a choice about who will ascend and come back to a new life. If you’re worried about the strong distaste the recent film production garnered, don’t be. The is a beloved musical that creates a world of fantasy that can only be truly understood on the stage. It is coming to DPAC from Jan. 31 through Feb. 5 and tickets start at $30. 

The Book of Mormon

“The Book of Mormon” is a musical comedy about two mismatched missionaries who are sent to Uganda to convert the citizens to the Mormon religion. This musical is the sixth-highest grossing musical of all time and has won 9 Tony Awards. If you love to laugh, then this is the show for you. Its time at DPAC will be from Feb. 14 through Feb. 19 with ticket prices starting at about $45. 

Jagged Little Pill

This musical is the story of a modern family and their struggles with addiction, trauma, empowerment, and their path of healing together. If you love pop and miss the powerful undertones of 90s hip-hop then you’ll find it hard not to jam out to this jukebox musical’s soundtrack written by Alanis Morissette. “Jagged Little Pill” will have its time in the spotlight from Feb. 28 through March 5 and tickets start at $30. 

Les Miserables

“Les Miserables,” which is ‘the miserable ones’ in French, is a heartbreaking tale of Jean Valjean and his quest for redemption after spending nineteen years in jail. He agrees to raise the daughter of a dying woman and later joins the fight for freedom in the French Revolution. This musical has had over 6,000 performances on Broadway, has won 8 Tony Awards and is definitely a favorite among thespians. This show will be in Durham from April 4 through April 9 and tickets start at $40. 

Beetlejuice

This musical is the story of Lydia Deetz, a very strange and unusual teenager, who is obsessed with death. She and her family move into a haunted house, possessed by the previous tenants, and she calls upon a demon to help drive her unbearable dad and stepmom away. What she does not know is that this demon has a plan to shake things up. If you love the original 1988 movie, this adaptation should definitely be on your must-watch list. This musical comedy will get its time in the spotlight from April 11 through April 16, with tickets starting at $30. 

Chicago

“Chicago” is set in the Roaring Twenties’ jazz age, but jazz is not the only thing on people’s minds. Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly are on trial for murder and they both compete for the spotlight of the press in their cases. This killer musical is the second longest-running Broadway show with over 9,000 performances and has been gifted with 6 Tony Awards and a Grammy. This is the show for murder mystery fans and music lovers all across the world. If you’re curious to figure out ‘who-done-it,’ “Chicago” will be hitting DPAC from April 28 through April 30 and tickets start at $38. 

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Set in Paris, at the turn of the century, an American writer named Christan is in search of inspiration. He falls in love with Satine, the sparkling diamond of a popular nightclub named: Moulin Rouge. What makes this jukebox musical so special is its use of popular songs from many different genres and decades. Some of my personal favorites are “Roxanne” and “Rolling in the Deep.”If you’re a music junkie, this is the show for you! “Moulin Rouge” will appear in Durham from May 3 through May 14 and tickets start at $35. 

1776

Tired of living under British rule, John Adams tries to persuade Congress to vote in favor of American Independence. This award-winning musical displays an important part of U.S. history but also has lots of representation in it with many different races, genders and ethnicities. If you loved Hamilton, here’s another diversely cast show that will keep you from dreading history class. “1776” will be coming to DPAC from May 30 through June 4; tickets have yet to go on sale, so keep an eye out for them.

Six: The Musical

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. After living in the shadow of their husband for five hundred years, the six wives of Henry VIII take back the microphone and tell their own stories in an epic and modern way. This pop musical is the ultimate girl power twist on the lives of royals who lived a long time ago. This one act is a personal favorite of mine and, after asking around, is what people are most excited about this coming DPAC season. This empowering musical has drawn the attention of Broadway lovers everywhere and people in the Triangle are excited to experience it themselves next year.  If you are looking for some sick beats and some powerful women, this award-winning musical is on the road and will stop in Durham from June 20 through July 2, with tickets starting at $35. 

Wicked

We all know the story of the magical land of Oz, right? What if it was told from a different angle? “Wicked” tells the story of the two witches at the center of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ giving us the backstory of what happened before Dorothy arrived. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, later named Glinda the Good Witch, are initial rivals at school. As time progresses though, they become the unlikeliest of friends, that is until the land of Oz turns its back on Elphaba. “Wicked” is the second highest-grossing musical of all time and has been open on Broadway since 2003. This musical is a must-see on every theatre lover’s list because of the strong, powerful leads that inspire people to be themselves as well as the undertone of fighting racism. This magical show will be arriving at DPAC on August 23 and will stay until Sept. 17; tickets have yet to go on sale, so keep checking the DPAC website.

All of these fantastic musicals are well-known by Broadway lovers and are must-sees on their lists. With all of these shows coming to town, don’t miss the chance to expand your love for musicals. Check out these great shows next year and tell us which one was your favorite!