"The Library" at The Public Theatre (Must see) "Heathers" (most entertaining show I've seen this season) "Rocky" (most innovative show I've seen) "Cabaret" (great source material/production) "Bullets Over Broadway" (fun, "classic" broadway!)
I've also seen Lady Day, Bridges, Beautiful, and Gentlemans Guide. Those were also wonderful.
The only thing I've seen that I don't recommend is If/Then (or Oof/Theem)
Recently I'd say: - Bridges of Madison County (I love the score, it is absolutely beautiful and memorable) - Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (this show is funny, and the lyrics are so witty) - Cripple of Inishmaan (I prefer musicals, but I enjoyed this play so much. It is funny and touching at the same time. And the entire cast is phenomenal!)
After Midnight, A Raisin in the Sun, and while I didn't find it to be entirely successful, I'd highly recommend The Library for the performances alone.
"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe."
-John Guare, Landscape of the Body
I'm not saying people can't think that, but if one lists the "best shows you have seen recently," omission alone means you aren't recommending that show, no?
Bullets Over Broadway (one of those shows I loved every second of and was caught up in) Bridges (the score is one of the most soaring and beautiful scores in recent memory, and Kelli O'Hara is astounding) Cinderella (saw this with the original cast so I can't comment on the new cast, but this show was one of the most magical evenings I have spent in the theatre) Matilda (an absolute must see. Easily my favorite show on Broadway within the last 5 years)
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
Hedwig blew my mind. I also enjoyed Beautiful & Rocky - both shows are not without flaws but I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Also the more shows I see the more my appreciation for A Gentleman's Guide grows. I also really loved A Raisin in the Sun - although that could have much to do with the fact that I was expecting a trainwreck and it exceeded my expectations. My favorites of the longer running shows are Once and Jersey Boys - I could see them again and again.
I loved IF/THEN, even in its Washington, DC incarnation. Another one that I think is terrific, believe it or not, is the touring version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Many of us Phantom "phans" have heard terrible things, but I was blown away, in a positive sense. I didn't agree with all the changes, most notably the decision to remove the staircase, but the high-tech set is extraordinary. Also, even though I saw the back-up Christine and a cover Phantom, the cast was first-rate.
I've seen some top-notch local shows lately, interestingly, several of them productions for children. You can read my Broadway World reviews on the Washington, DC page.
Audrey, the Phantom Phanatic, who nonetheless would rather be Jean Valjean, who knew how to make lemonade out of lemons.
I've really been loving the current Bway season, so naming my faves of those (like Bridges, Beautiful, Rocky, Gentleman's Guide...) would start just being the entire list of new shows.
My true answer to this question though is "The Most Happy Fella" at Encores!. it was spectacular and I am heartbroken that I cannot buy a cast recording.