The 2009 Broadway season ended in late April, and there are still six months in the calendar year to comprise a “Best of Broadway” for January to January. But what has stood out as the highlights so far? And while you're checking this out, check out my lists of must-see musicals and plays.

1. Billy Elliot

1. Billy Elliot

Notable So Far:Billy Elliot earned a record-tying 15 Tony nominations and won 10. But beyond awards, it connects with audiences in a way only a few musicals do.
Looking Ahead: Expect Billy Elliot to settle into a multi-year run and duplicate The Producers by going from a movie to a musical then to a movie-musical.
Getting Tickets:Billy sells out all the time. There’s a student rush but no general rush, lottery or standing room. So the best advice is to plan ahead.More »

2. God of Carnage

2. God of Carnage

Notable So Far: It’s not fair to say God of Carnage is the surprise hit of 2009.1. The playwright, Yasmina Reza, is a Tony-winner for her last Broadway play, Art. But the onstage chemistry of the James Gandolfini-led all-star cast and the consistent sell outs make this one worth noting.
Looking Ahead: The show will play out its extended limited run November 14, and is on hiatus in August. Is a movie a possibility? Yes.
Getting Tickets:God of Carnage sells more than 100 percent of its tickets, which lets you know there are standing room tickets available.More »

3. Blithe Spirit

3. Blithe Spirit

Notable So Far: The Tony-winning performance of a Broadway legend - Angela Lansbury - is enough. (She truly is amazing as the so-called mystic, Madame Arcati.) But Noel Coward, Rupert Everett and Christine Ebersole just put this one in the stratosphere.
Looking Ahead:Spirit closes July 19 so get moving. Plus Ebersole’s cover of Coward’s songs which are used as interludes in the show are slated for CD release at some point.
Getting Tickets: About two-thirds of seats are sold nightly. Discounts abound. Get one and see it if you can.More »

4. Next to Normal

4. Next to Normal

Notable So Far:Next to Normal deserves note because of the twisted path it took to Broadway success. First, its subject matter (bi-polar disorder and its devastating effects on anyone near it) is dark. Second, it was a middling-reviewed off-Broadway show a year ago, retooled for Washington D.C., and then moved to Broadway where it opened to raves. Plus, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey stunned the world by taking the Best Score Tony from Elton John and Lee Hall of Billy Elliot.
Looking Ahead: Cast CD? Of course. Long run? Sure. Bright horizons for all involved? Yup.
Getting Tickets: Believe it or not, discounts are available almost all the time.More »

5. Rock of Ages

5. Rock of Ages

Notable So Far: What, you may ask, is this show doing on this list? All Rock of Ages has done is pile up a bunch of ‘80s, hair-band songs; wrap them around a silly plot; move from off-Broadway to Broadway; and delight anyone who sees the show. If you don’t get it, go see it, then you’ll get. You don’t have to like ‘80s music (I don’t). You do have to like well-executed silliness.
Looking Ahead: This show will tour forever.
Getting Tickets: It almost sells out, but discounts are readily available.More »

6. Bonus Pick - Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark

6. Bonus Pick - Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark
Notable So Far: First, the good news. A stellar creative team: Julie Taymor, Bono, The Edge. Great stars: Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming, so far. Now, the bad news. A reported $54 million tab. If true, it will be the most expensive Broadway show by a factor of about three.
Looking Ahead: Slated to open in February 2010.
Getting Tickets: Get in line now.