Don't despair if you can't catch your favorite Broadway show in New York City. These days, the best shows take to the road, visiting as many as 140 cities each year. From the Paramount in Seattle to the new Carnival Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, old-fashioned theaters and grand auditoriums bring Broadway to your doorstep. Don't miss these fabulous productions. - Becca Hensley

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Sweet Charity
Hey, Big Spender, grab your gal and head to the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Molly Ringwald stars as Charity Valentine in this oldie but goodie about the virtues of optimism in a sometimes troublesome world. Choreography is by Wayne Cilento of Wicked and Aida fame. It plays through October 8.
www.sweetcharity themusical.com

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Phantom of the Opera
Sure, it's been around for a while, but this successful and quintessential of all Broadway shows has never been to Las Vegas - until now. It opened at the Venetian in June with a shorter length (95 minutes - yet not one song was cut) and a breathtaking stage presence. www.phantom lasvegas.com

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The Color Purple
You knew it wouldn't be long. Beginning in April 2007, Oprah delivers her long-awaited box-office pleaser to the Windy City. After a year's run at the Cadillac Palace, the musical, based on the novel by Alice Walker, will tour numerous cities. One original cast member, Felicia P. Fields (Sofia), plans to resume her role. www.colorpurple.com