Best of What's Running

all right so before i start with new shows as i see them, here's the best of what I saw last semester and prior:

• next to normal and the revival of hair are the two best shows on broadway, hands down. moving, brilliant, original pieces of theater. i will probably spend most of my time at the booth and hirschfeld theatres this year.
• west side story is great, if you can be sure to see tony award winner karen olivo and josefina scaglione. i hear the show's not worth it without them.
• 9 to 5 is great fun! but by the time anyone reads this (ever?) it will be closed.
• billy elliot was excellent, as the awards say (although i find next to normal superior). i saw kiril kulish as billy and enjoyed him very much.
• in the heights is a great show, although i haven't seen it without lin-manuel miranda, original writer and star. south pacific is great if you can get tickets, although i'd recommend waiting for kelli o'hara to return. wicked is great the first time if you haven't seen it.