Suggestions for the summer?

Our family visited New York last summer for the first time - my husband and I and our 2 boys aged 10 and 13. This time last year I posted on this message board for help with choosing shows and got great feedback. We didn't act on all the advice, but took it all in and it was great. In fact it was so successful that the family has decided they want to come back again this summer...

So I am again hoping to get your help

Last summer, we saw How to succeed with Daniel Radcliffe and it was a huge huge hit with the whole family. We saw Rent which husband and youngest enjoyed but oldest and I loved - the two of us did the 'stage door' thing and that was also a great part of the experience. We also saw Priscilla which we collectively felt was our least favourite. We decided that what we didn't like about it was the randomness of existing songs being forced into a story, and that it was based on a movie that my husband and I both enjoyed, but we thought was better suited to the movie.

If Rent is still playing in July, oldest son and I are going to go and see it (does anyone know if it is expected to still be running?).
I would prefer not to pay too much more than $100 per ticket - psychologically if I have payed more than $500 for the families night out I will spend more time trying to assess if it was worth it but open to suggestions from here of what might be 'worth it'. We like front row mezzanine - too far back for a lower price is also 'not quite worth it' for us.
I am thinking Anything Goes. My husband would like to see Chicago and/or book of mormon. Youngest wants to see Wicked but I don't think I can find tickets in our price range.

We are fine with more adult content for the kids (i.e. some people last time cautioned against Rent and even Priscilla as possibly inappropriate, but we were fine with it).

Against that backdrop... any suggestions?

thank again!
Annie

Chicago's weaknesses are the production and the stunt casting (I'm not sure who will be playing the leads in June). It's not much to look at, and the choreography isn't too involved. The stage is minimalist, and I don't recall many (if any) props. You're getting more of a concert than a theatrical production with this show.

I agree with tmbyru about Anything Goes, especially if you, your husband, or your kids enjoy dancing. There's a lot to look at, and you will definitely leave the theater humming the songs.

I would show the kids the Once movie or let them listen to the songs before you decide whether to buy for them; your 13-year-old might be alright, but I don't know if it would hold the attention of a 10-year-old.

When I did the lottery for Rent, they had $40 lottery loser tickets, so even if you don't win, you'll still be getting a cheaper ticket.

I think you definitely should not miss Peter and the Starcatcher- it's a show for both kids and adults. Your boys are old enough not to get lost in the constant word play, and there are some great adult jokes in there for you and your husband. The show is more play than musical, but, as someone who doesn't usually go to straight plays, I found it incredibly enjoyable. It's both hilarious and heartfelt, and I think you would be missing out on one of the season's highlights if you skipped it.

For discounts, I assume you know about the TKTS booth. broadwayforbrokepeople.com tells you about lottery/rush, but those are a risk and I'm not sure if you want to do that. To buy in advance, you can check broadwaybox.com or theatermania.com. They usually have discounts anywhere from 35%-50% off.

Hope you have a good trip this year!

I was not too happy with Newsies, in fact was disappointed for the price of tickets I paid. But it is getting a lot of good feedback so it all depends right?

Here is the link I was referring to for the $50 RENT tickets: http://rentmusicalsale.com/Site/rentmusicalsale.com.html

Updated On: 4/30/12 at 02:18 PM

Annie, if you happen to have an iPhone or an Android, download the free TKTS app. It's really fun! You can't purchase discount tickets through the app, but you can see what's available at the three booths in real time. Also, there is a new feature, the "go list." From the main list, touch the little gold star next to the name of the show to add it to your list. Then, next time you click on your list, you can instantly see which of your shows are available at the booth. It's really neat.

Of course, you may prefer to get tickets in advance, which is not possible at TKTS.

Thanks for that insight FJL2 We will have to mull that one over re: fit for the younger one. Last year at Priscilla the potentially 'shocking sexual situation' aspects went over the younger ones head, and the older one we handled with a combination of 'lets use this as a teachable moment' and 'that isn't something you are old enough for me to explain to you' which he was happy to leave at that... We'll give it some thought though