Must-see musicals in Buenos Aires’ theater scene

Starring Florencia Peña, Juan Ingaramo, and cast. Directed by Ricky Pashkus.

Vivian is a prostitute who meets Edward, a millionaire with whom she forms an immediate connection. After their first night, he offers her a significant sum of money to accompany him to various events. Vivian accepts and enters the exclusive world of the upper class, where she must face prejudices and difficult situations. Gradually, Edward changes, and together they experience events that will change their lives forever.

Fun fact: The musical is an adaptation of the hugely successful 90s film Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

Where: Teatro Astral. Tickets, here.

Starring Albana Fuentes, Evelyn Botto, José María Listorti, Osvaldo Laport, and cast. Directed by Ariel del Mastro.

Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale comes to life with all its magic on Buenos Aires stages in an impressive family show. It tells the journey of Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton, who, fascinated by the human world, makes a pact with a manipulative witch to surface and win the heart of her great love.

Fun fact: Disney released the animated The Little Mermaid film in 1989 and in 2023 a new live-action version starring Halle Bailey, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy.

Where: Teatro Gran Rex. Tickets, here.

Starring Octavio Murillo, Trini Montiel, Tomás Wicz, and cast. Directed by Fer Dente.

Germany, 1890. In a world controlled by adults and framed within a puritan society, a group of teenagers faces the awakening of their sexuality, family oppression, religious guilt, the pressure of the educational system, and misinformation. While trying to continue their lives, they seek answers in a hostile environment where they must test their strength and values.

Fun fact: This musical, based on a play written over 100 years ago, became an iconic piece for a generation and remains deeply relevant. It won 8 Tony Awards and a Grammy.

Where: Teatro Ópera. Tickets, here.

Starring Walter Canella, Christian Gimenez, Melania Lenoir, Andrea Lovera, Ivana Rossi, and German Tripel. Directed by Daniel Casablanca.

A true all-star cast of national musical theater plays elderly residents in a nursing home in 2050 who spend their days doing rehab exercises, taking medicine, and reminiscing. However, once the nurse leaves, the spirit of rock takes over these lovable seniors who decide to defy time with an unbeatable weapon: music.

Fun fact: This is the 13th season of this musical featuring hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, including songs by Queen, The Beatles, Bob Marley, and many others.

Where: Teatro Picadero. Tickets, here.

Starring Marisol Otero, Alejandro Paker, Carna Crivelli, Lula Rosenthal, and cast. Directed by Ricky Pashkus.

This musical based on the popular songs of the iconic Swedish group ABBA became one of the most attended and successful in the country. Donna lives with her daughter Sophie in an inn they run in Greece. She has kept the identity of Sophie’s father a secret all her life, but when Sophie decides to marry, she invites three possible candidates in hopes of finally discovering the truth.

Fun fact: The film version of Mamma Mia premiered in 2008 starring Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth.

Where: Auditorio Belgrano. Tickets, here.

Starring Sol Montero, Brenda Bonotto.

A short musical play to the rhythm of tango and milonga about two Italian immigrant sisters who share everything: house, work, men, and the dream of being part of cinema history. While trying to climb the artistic ladder and make their mark in Buenos Aires’ 1937 theater scene, they also take responsibility for caring for their mother in her final days, showing that even an antagonistic duo can function as a unit.

Fun fact: This unique musical written by Brenda Bonotto premiered in 2024 at Teatro del Pueblo and has been playing to full houses ever since.

Where: Teatro del Pueblo. Tickets, here.

Starring Federico Couts, Lucien Gilabert, and Pedro Velazquez. Directed by Ariel del Mastro and Marcelo Caballero.

An autobiographical journey through the story of Jonathan Larson, creator of Rent, who died suddenly of an aneurysm in 1996 just one day before the premiere of his brilliant work. Tick, Tick... Boom! invites us to peek into Larson’s creative process in a portrait of bohemian life in the 90s, when AIDS was epidemic and homosexuality was still taboo.

Fun fact: In 2021, Tick, Tick... Boom! premiered in cinemas starring Andrew Garfield and directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the new Broadway musical icon and creator of Hamilton.

Where: Paseo La Plaza. Tickets, here.

Starring Denise Cotton, Marcelo Albamonte, Laura Montini, Silvana Tomé, Estefania Alati, Florencia Róvere, and cast. Directed by Lali Vidal and Fede Fedele.

A musical comedy to laugh out loud and leave the theater singing. New Year’s Eve arrives and Mónica prepares everything to welcome the women of her family hoping for a peaceful celebration. But like any family gathering, emotions run high and truths come out quickly. Between toasts, laughter, entanglements, and reproaches, each woman will try to assert her place while the family is put to the test.

Fun fact: This highly local, nationally produced musical had a successful run in Spain before returning to Argentine stages for its fourth consecutive year.

Where: Teatro Maipo. Tickets, here.

Starring Candela Boto, Victoria Luberto, Valentina Raimundi, Luján Sá Dono, Deby Tescione, Camila Véliz Paz, and cast.

A musical for lovers of great 80s hits featuring songs by Whitney Houston, Guns N’ Roses, and other legendary artists. The characters coexist in a struggling, rundown TV channel in recession. The implicit fight for power, the desperate search for self-love, and ambition are tested in this fast-paced story full of bizarre situations with a surprising ending.

Fun fact: This “made in Argentina” work was created by Juan Manuel Besteiro, who was part of casts like The Wizard of Oz, La Parka, and HI 5, among many other musicals and plays.

Where: Patio de Actores. Tickets, here.

Starring: Tomás Wicz, Débora Turza, Paloma Sirven, Julia Tozzi, Juan Manuel Barrera, and Beatriz Dellacasa. Directed by: Marcelo Albamonte.

An emotional play that delves into the world of a small family where a mother of two young adults receives news that shakes her world: she's getting smaller, and sooner or later she's going to disappear. With humor and sensitivity, we become spectators of this journey that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, exploring family relationships.

The tip: The cast is made up of a selection of musical comedy actors who have demonstrated their talent in various productions.

Where: Teatro Metropolitan. Tickets, here.

Starring: Maiamar Abrodos, Lucía Aduriz Bravo, Manuel di Francesco, Emiliano Figueredo, and Tomás Wicz. Directed by: Juanse Rauch.

Saraos Uranistas was the term used by the medical and police systems in the early 20th century to describe the nighttime parties where queer men and trans women of the time gathered. These gatherings provoked moral outrage in early 1900s society and were documented in archives that emphasized their supposedly depraved and deviant nature. This musical emerges from the wild idea of imagining an improbable historical encounter between a Buenos Aires trans woman and her friends with a member of the police medical corps, allowing fantasy to seep into historical narrative.

Fun fact: After two sold-out seasons at Nun Teatro, this acclaimed musical is now being staged at El Galpón de Guevara.

Where: El Galpón de Guevara. Tickets, here.