Becky

Not much planning time for this trip--we will be there on Sat, the 13th with 17 and 11 year old. Last time we saw Phantom, Kiss Me Kate, and Lion King. What appropriate shows do you think that we could get tickets for? I already checked on Blue Man with no luck. Hotel question: Is the Palace for $189 a good choice? Or Roosevelt for $129? Thanks!

Howard

Both hotel rates are good ones. Personally I'd splurge for the extra $60 (plus tax) a night and stay at the elegant Palace!
As for shows, you might try The Music Man, 42nd Street or Les Miserables. Or perhaps Stomp, which is off-Broadway.

Becky

Thank you, Howard! We only have one night, so I was thinking like you on the Palace. There will be four of us, but even if room size is smaller at the Palace(I don't know), it sounds like more of an "experience." We will be taking the train out of Grand Central, so Roosevelt would be convenient, but with luggage, a taxi from Palace will work. Which section of Palace should we request--tower or older? Do you know if the Playbill 42nd St. Package is a good deal? It is around $120 pp and includes ticket , meal, and more that I can't recall.

Kathy

Last April we saw the Music Man with 15, 13 and 11 year old and they all enjoyed it. It's a little corny but a fun family show.

Sheryl

How about Beauty and the Beast. Great for any age.

Ellen

Just a thought. If you are staying at the Palace, the concierge may be able to get you the otherwise hard to come by tickets. In most of the nicer hotels, the concierge has usually come through for us.

Simone

My vote is for Stomp. And maybe you should try Blue Man again. Have you called them?

Becky

I called The Blue Man ticket office earlier this week --they did have a few seats, but not 4 together. We are a little skittish now about this trip--trying to take a wait and see attitude depending on what happens between now and Sat., but planning to go on living our lives! We should make it from LGA by mid-afternoon--maybe we should just go to the TKTS booth to see what they have instead of planning ahead too much this time.

Jason

I saw 42nd Street this summer and it was fantastic. The costumes and lighting are so bright that I often had to squint. The tap dancing is equally impressive. It is appropriate for people of all ages and is fast-paced enough to keep your attention.

kim

How about De La Garda (sp?) for the family? It is supposed to be a fun show.

tommy

I vote for the Music Man also.

Howard

Becky, what are the restaurant options with the Palybill #120 offer?

Caitlin

De La Guarda does not allow people under 16 to attend.

Becky

Howard, I posted a separate message about the Playbill offer, after I went back to look up the details, since someone else might be interested. The restaurants are Chili's, Planet Hollywood, Joe Franklin's, or Lucille's Grill @BB King's Blues Club. No Joe Allen's or Becco! Also includes Madam Tussaud's and a 24 hr. Metrocard. $119.42, plus $10 more for Sat. night. Not a deal for us, since we are not planning to go to Madam Tussaud's.

Howard

Becky, I'd skip it, even if you were going to Madame Tussaud's!

Bill

We were in NYC with our kids (11 and 15) last Spring. We got excellent seats for Stomp over the Internet ahead of time. The kids LOVED the show! A good alternative to Blue Man.

Got pretty good seats, discounted, for Les Miz the morning of the show at TKTS. They liked it OK, but not as much as we (their parents) did.

Becky

What time does the TKTS booth open on Sat.? Times Square is the only location now, right?

Howard

It opens at 10 a.m. for the matinee tickets. I would recommend getting in line by 9:15 a.m. The line builds up rapidly. It opens at 3 p.m. for the evening performances.

Bill

Don't be discouraged by a long, snaking line at TKTS. It moves quite quickly. There are usually street musicians performing for tips, which keeps the crowd reasonably entertained, but I brought my NYC guidebook to do some reading. Actually, there are two separate lines, one on each side of the kiosk. Cash-only, as I recall.