We might watch Cats tonight...
You Can Watch Broadway Shows from Home Right Now for FREE. Here’s How!
Updated on Nov. 23, 2023
We’ve already baked a ton of bread, cleaned the refrigerator (multiple times) and made all kinds of comfort food. But until the COVID-19 vaccine is more widely available, we’re still spending a lot of time indoors. It’s time to kick back and enjoy some entertainment!
Movie fans have Hallmark’s upcoming Spring Fling marathon to look forward to, with rom-coms galore! But if Broadway is more your thing, you’re also in luck. You can find free Broadway shows online—from Kinky Boots to The King and I, Cats and more. It’s the perfect way for theater fans to keep socially distancing until shows are tentatively back in May 2021.
How to Watch Theater at Home
If you want to nab this deal, head to BroadwayHD, which has a selection of around 300 shows. You can sign up for a seven-day free trial to stream all of the shows and plays you can handle. Bet you can watch a lot of shows in one week! After the free trial, the service will set you back only $8.99 per month.
If British productions of The Tempest or The Crucible are more your speed than Bye Bye Birdie, you might want to check out Digital Theatre, too. It’s not free, but if you have your heart set on a particular show, you easily can rent it.
Where to Find More Entertainment
We know that watching performances on the small screen isn’t the same as watching live shows in a theater, but with Broadway on pause, we’ll take culture anywhere we can find it.
Even museums have been adapting to the coronavirus outbreaks by offering digital exhibitions that “visitors” can look at from their couch. If you’re more of a multitasker, listen to audiobooks while organizing your pantry or going on a cleaning rampage. (Check out the food books we’re recommending.) Audible even has a 30-day free trial for your listening pleasure!
Snacks to Eat While You Catch a Show
Nacho TotsThese totchos use a number of ingredients, but they're quite easy to prepare. They're a colorful, fun and flavorful way to switch up your snack routine.
Super Chunky CookiesChocolate lovers will go crazy over these cookies that feature loads of chocolate! When friends ask me to make "those cookies," I know exactly what recipe they mean. —Rebecca Jendry, Spring Branch, Texas
Loaded Baked Potato RoundsI was trying to create an appetizer that could be served at my teenaged daughters birthday party that the kids would love but that would appear elegant enough for the adults to be interested as well. These are made with simple ingredients yet yield a sophisticated result. Feel free to get creative with the flavors. Try shredded white cheddar in place of mozzarella or thyme instead of the rosemary. Take it up another notch by topping the rounds with smoked fish. —Amanda Digges, South Windsor, Connecticut
Caramel CornLearning how to make a caramel corn recipe is surprisingly easy! Follow our step-by-step guide for perfect kernels.
Santa Fe Chicken Pizza PieGive your pie a southwestern twist when you slather on the taco sauce and top with black beans, green chiles and kicked-up chicken strips. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Favorite Banana Split SmoothiesI try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa
Soft Giant PretzelsThis giant pretzel recipe creates big soft pretzels that are perfect for any Oktoberfest celebration. Pair the bread machine pretzels with an ice-cold lager and a side of beer cheese sauce for dunking.
Chocolate Mocha Dusted AlmondsI love to make recipes with nuts. These are chocolaty with a hint of coffee—elegant and addictive! I give them away as gifts; I've even made them for wedding favors. —Annette Scholz, Medaryville, Indiana
Cheeseburger DipOur cozy, creamy, comforting cheeseburger dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. A slow cooker keeps things simple for you!
Popcorn CookiesIt's so much fun to surprise people with the crushed popcorn in these yummy cookies. They're definitely a distinctive cookie on the holiday tray.—Leigh Anne Preston, Palmyra, Indiana
Fruit and Cheese PlatterQuick, easy and totally irresistible, this fruit and cheese platter is the perfect grazing board for your next party.
Lemony Snack MixI'm on a gluten-restricted diet. I came up with this snack mix one day when I wanted something fast and easy that tasted like lemon bars. It makes a great gift, and folks love the light and fresh citrus flavor. —Patricia Sensenich, Olanthe, Kansas
Apple-Gouda Pigs in a BlanketFor New Year’s, I used to make pigs in a blanket with beef and cheddar. But now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
Pretzel Bread Bowl with Cheese DipOur town is known as Pretzel City—even our local sports teams are known as The Pretzels. I came up with this dish for an annual community recipe contest. People couldn’t believe that the delicious bread had pretzels in the mix! For variety, try using different flavors of pretzels. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois
Mustard Pretzel NuggetsThis quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It's a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and football gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri
Chunky Banana Cream FreezeEveryone loves ice cream, but we all know it doesn't make a great after-school snack. Until this! With its sweet banana-almond flavor and chunky texture, this appealing banana peanut butter "ice cream" is a crowd-pleaser. People who ask me for the recipe can't believe how easy it is to make. —Kristen Bloom, Okinawa, Japan
Strawberry SalsaThis strawberry salsa is versatile, fresh-tasting and colorful. Salsa made with strawberries might be unexpected, but it's excellent over grilled chicken or as a dip with corn chips.
Oatmeal Molasses CrispsWhen I found this recipe in an Amish cookbook, I had to try it. It’s traditional in regions with Amish populations—Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Upper Midwest. Now it’s a staple for our family and the folks at our church fellowship, too. —Jori Schellenberger, Everett, Washington
Chocolate-Mint PopcornI wrote a book called “20 New Ways to Enjoy Popcorn.” When I poll friends, they favor this recipe, a delicious treat for after-dinner coffee. — Polly Brunning, Thaxton, Virginia
Chicken FriesKid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Zesty Snack MixReveals Jeanette Grantstein of Wichita, Kansas, "This crisp snack mix is a mouthwatering combination of sweet and spicy. I've taken it to numerous gatherings. Make a bowlful when the munchies hit."—Jeanette Grantstein, Wichita, Kansas
Snickerdoodle Ice Cream Sandwich MinisMy husband absolutely loves ice cream sandwiches and snickerdoodles, so I combined them into one fun treat. Here’s how we build this cool dessert. —Heather Pilon, Winslow, Maine
Deep-Fried Mac & Cheese ShellsI created this deep fried mac and cheese recipe for my husband. He describes this recipe as unbelievably delicious because of the crispy deep-fried coating on the outside and the creamy richness on the inside. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida
Chocolate Cherry CookiesWhen you want chocolate and tangy cherries, make these chocolate cherry chunk cookies. A thick cookie base studded with rich chocolate chunks and dried cherries is a satisfying snack or dessert.
Marshmallow-Peanut PopcornMy brother calls this combo of popcorn, marshmallows, peanuts and pretzels the “perfect popcorn." The taste is reminiscent of a Big Hunk candy bar. —Julie Perez, Idaho Falls, Idaho
BBQ Chicken Waffle FriesThis is one of those dishes that sounds so wrong but tastes so right! Trust me—barbecue chicken leftovers are fantastic with the fries. We like it with lettuce, tomato and pickle, but you can add almost any toppings you like. —Janet Telleen, Russell, Iowa
Monster CookiesWho can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M's and peanut butter? If your appetite isn't quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. This is the world's best monster cookies recipe. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana
California Dream SmoothieIt's sunshine in a smoothie! This one's a true California treat—sweet and tangy from start to finish. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
No-Bake Cornflake CookiesI grew up on a farm where we hand-milked cows and had plenty of milk and cream to use for cooking, so sometimes we'd substitute light cream for the evaporated milk in this recipe. We'd rarely let these cookies cool before sampling them, and a batch never lasted a day! —Denise Marnell, Hereford, Texas
Sugar CookiesThink sugar cookies are just for the holidays? Think again! Learn how to make sugar cookies from scratch that you can enjoy all year long.
Waffle Fry NachosMy husband and two grown sons really enjoy these fun nachos—they can devour a platter of them in no time. They're also fun to make when friends come over. —Debra Morgan, Idaho Falls, Idaho
The Ultimate Grilled CheeseThis grilled cheese with cream cheese makes for a simple, satisfying twist on the traditional recipe.
Garlic-Cheese FlatbreadUnless you plan to make two, don't count on leftovers. As an appetizer or side, this cheesy flatbread will be devoured in less time than it takes to bake. And that's not long! —Suzanne Zick, Maiden, North Carolina
Bananas Foster Crunch MixBananas Foster is one of my favorite desserts. So I thought that a crunchy, snackable version would be a hit. It is heated in the microwave and takes just a few minutes to make. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California
Ginger-Maple Roasted PecansUse these spiced nuts as a snack, in a salad or as a coating for fish. They're a smart ingredient to keep on hand. —Angie Thanopoulos, Arlington Heights, Illinois
Chicken NachosFlavorful and hearty chicken nachos feature delicious layers of protein, cheese, salsa and sour cream. They’re ideal for sharing and satisfying big crowds.
Sweet Chipotle PretzelsPretzels are a great snack food. I love this recipe because it is sweet as well as spicy, but not too spicy. It's a great combination for munching. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Strawberry MilkshakeGrab your spoon: this strawberry milkshake is thick, bright with strawberry flavor and infinitely customizable.
Loaded Baked Potato DipI never thought of using waffle-cut fries as a scoop for dip until a friend of mine did at a baby shower. They’re ideal for my cheesy bacon and chive dip, which tastes just like a baked potato topper. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Mango Avocado SalsaMango avocado salsa takes your favorite chip dip and elevates it, thanks to the addition of sweet, tropical mango. You can double or quadruple this recipe to feed a crowd.
Mocha Pumpkin SeedsRoasted pumpkin seeds are a classic fall snack. Kick them up a notch with instant coffee and cocoa powder for a mix that’s mocha genius at any time of year. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
Brownie Batter DipOur brownie batter dip gives you all the flavor and none of the bake time of true brownies. It's perfect for when you're craving brownies but don't want to turn on the oven.
Chili-Lime Snack MixWhy buy a pricey bagged snack mix when you can easily make a better-tasting one at home? Create a Southwestern sensation with chili powder, cayenne pepper and a twist of lime. —Julie Beckwith, Crete, Illinois
Hot Buttered Rum Party MixA spicy mix of crisp cereal, soft marshmallows and rum extract make this a delicious treat to nosh on with friends, while studying or when watching a movie. —Susan Tite, China, Michigan
Marinated Cheese with Peppers and OlivesCheddar cheese, red peppers and pitted ripe olives make a tasty, rustic appetizer when marinated overnight and served with decorative toothpicks. —Polly Brunning, Thaxton, Virginia
Cheddar-Pecan CrispsLots of holiday treats are sweet. For a change of pace, I fill goodie bags with my cheese crackers. The recipe has a large yield, but you can freeze the dough logs to bake later. —Heather Necessary, Shamokin Dan, Pennsylvania
Chutney-Topped Cream Cheese SpreadI've had the pleasure of introducing many of my friends and family to chutney, that sweet and savory fruit sauce. Prepare this spread even faster by using chive-flavored whipped cream cheese. —Michelle Torkelson, Ham Lake, Minnesota
Nacho PopcornMy husband and I like to munch on this while watching TV. The nacho flavoring is a zesty alternative to butter and salt. —Linda Boehme, Fairmont, Minnesota
Thyme-Sea Salt CrackersThese homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina
