NY trip - lottos vs. tickets ahead of time

Hi guys, I am headed to NY for a little over a week (from May 16-25) and fully intend to see as many shows as possible. I've searched for up to date lotto/student rush info on BWW boards, but for many of the shows I couldn't find the info I was looking for.

My question is, for the following shows, would you advise getting tickets ahead of time, taking a chance with a weekday lotto/rush, or even chancing it for weekend lotto/rush tickets? I'm not asking for precise probabilities, but just rules of thumb...

39 Steps
Adding Machine
August: Osage County
Avenue Q
Boeing-Boeing
Catered Affair
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Chorus Line (I have never seen it!)
Curtains
Gypsy
In the Heights
Legally Blonde
Passing Strange
Phantom of the Opera (again I have never seen it!)
Sunday in the Park with George

Also, I'd be curious to know if there are other good shows you'd recommend that aren't on my list. Thanks for your help.

PS Long-time lurker, but I rarely post. I'm hoping to avoid snarky comments from LizzieCurry et al, but I suppose that would make my initiation on the BWW boards complete. :)

ETA - Thanks for the great advice so far.

Updated On: 5/13/08 at 02:29 PM

For the things I really want to see, I get tix ahead of time. I usually find discounts online. (I use theatermania the most) Outside of that, I just go to TKTS. Not sure if the nominations will boost sales, but I would get the August: Osage tix ahead of time. And for a fun time, see Fuerzabruta if you can. I really enjoyed it. And take someone with you if you can. Have fun!

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My two cents via my experience -
August: Osage County - when I walked by the rush last Sunday there were atleast 20 people, I don't know how many they give out though.
Avenue Q -When I lottoed this probably 3/4 of the people who were there won- even if you dont win they have discounted tickets and it's aa small theater so anywhere should be good.
Boeing-Boeing - Wouldn't bother rushing because you need to see a view that th box rush doesn't offer- by the mezz tickets for 26.50 and you'll have a perfectly acceptable view.
Catered Affair - not popular enough- I went at 5:30 when there was a 7 o clock show and got rush tickets
Chorus Line (I have never seen it!) - I was literally the only one who rushed the sunday performance I went to, really disappointing actually
Gypsy - When I rushed this there were 15 people there by the time of the box office opening,
In the Heights - I won both times I lottoed but if you do happen to lose the price will go up pretty high as the mezz tickets sell out quickly- the view from the mezz is fine that's where I saw it the first time and I was happy
Legally Blonde - losing popularity, rush isn't nearly as difficult as it used to be
Passing Strange - rushed this after I lost Wicked lotto, it was like 6 ish? for an 8 o clock show and they still had tickets
Sunday in the Park with George - The night before I rushed this I went at 7 30 to ask about rush policy and they wanted to know if I wanted one for that evening because they had plenty available - not difficult to get rush.

Updated On: 5/13/08 at 02:56 PM

Check out Wicked while Stephanie J. Block is still with the cast.

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bump

I would get the tickets for In the Heights ahead of time. A Chorus Line has rush, and it's usually not hard to get.

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When I was at Ave Q - I won the lotto, and even after they offered people who lost cheap seats. it's up to you though