Anything Goes and How to Suceed in Business Without Really Trying are classics for american musical theater. I would see one of those if you like musicals...and braodway is the place to see them. I do not know how these versions are.
Folks in san francisco liked American Idiot. I didnt see it.
I havent heard reviews of Fela but I bet the music and dancing are great. Good for getting a better understanding of an overseas culture too (for me, anyway).

You might want to consider putting the word "musicals" in the title for your item, as folks might not understand that you are asking about theater in NYC when you say "play".

Given your list, (and I've seen many of the shows you liked) I'd recommend How to Succeed. I saw it last year with Daniel Radcliffe. The first few scenes were a bit slow but it picked up and was really fun. Check broadwaybox.com for discounts and to see what shows are still open. Some on your list have closed.

Anything Goes is brilliant. How to Succeed was great with the original cast -not sure about the current cast. Sister Act was boring.

War Horse is serious - not sure if this is what you want.

Why not have a look at PLaybill.com to see reviews?

American Idiot, Fela, Catch Me if You Can, Next to Normal, and Scottsboro Boys have all closed.

I would really think about Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (especially since you liked Mama Mia. Priscilla is better, in my opinion.) Really fun, good heart, amazing costumes, and some major talent.

War Horse has a simple book but completely phenomenal puppets. But as another said, it's serious and pretty sad.

I adored Once Off-Broadway and have heard good things about Broadway production, so I'd also consider that (it's based on the movie Once and the music is just lovely.)

Anything Goes and How to Succeed: I actually didn't love either of these, with the exception of one or two numbers. I know I'm in the minority, but I found them both a bit boring.

Warhorse is very good, but its not a musical.

What about the revival of Evita? I think that would be fun, especially if you've never seen it.

of course, you haven't mentioned a budget...if money is no object, I'd go to a re-seller and get tickets for Book of Mormon

Anything Goes, Sister Act, Priscilla, Anything Goes are all frothy fun musicals Based on what you said you "really really liked" (Jersey Boys and Billy Elliott) which have more than a bit of "grit" to their stories not sure if these frothy ones are your best options.

Spiderman got skewered by the critics but if you enjoy visual pyrotechnics, some people love that about it. Ghost the musical hasn't opened but that could be a contender. I haven't seen it but Once sounds like another good option. I agree that the Evita revival might also be a good one for you.

Here's a list of what's currently playing or about to open with clickable links to a brief description. A lot of these can be bought at discount using either Playbill codes (you must register for free on their website) or go to the left column of broadwaybox.com

Yikes, loads of typos and no list. Sorry. Here's the list http://playbill.com/events/listing/1/Broadway-Shows/

http://www.didhelikeit.com/ is a good site that I use for reading reviews. We've seen several of the same shows that you have and have the same opinions of them. We just picked up tickets to War Horse. I wanted Book of Mormon, but the tickets were incredibly expensive.

When are you going to be here? There are several things opening up soon, and discount tickets are available if you are here at the right time. I just got an offer yesterday for Leap of Faith (based on the Steve Martin movie). Brand new musical.

We are seeing Newsies (among others) in May while we are there so you might look at that.

I'd add Peter and the Star Catcher and Porgy and Bess to your list.

Wow - thanks for all the help. I've made a revised list - taking off the ones that have ended - and adding the others that people have mentioned. I started looking at the sites mentioned for reviews. It is going to be hard to narrow our choices down to 4 plays.

I especially appreciate everyone that noted what I liked when helping me with suggestions, the new suggestions, and the links.

I don't know how I traveled before fodors.

Oooh! I agree on Book of Mormon! Cant wait for that to get to san francisco!

Here's a summary of the current plays I'm thinking of including your suggestions:


?Anything Goes - classic – brilliant-boring- frothy
?How to Succeed – classic –great - boring
*War Horse – serious, sad, phenomenal puppets
*Spiderman – visual pyrotechnics
Sister Act – boring-frothy
*Priscilla, Queen of the Desert- Really fun, good heart, amazing costumes, and some major talent-frothy
Once
Book of Mormon –through re-seller
Ghost – if it has opened
Peter and the Star catcher
Porgy and Bess
*Newsies

We could squeeze in a 5th play if we go to two on Wednesday. But that might be too much.

I took off Evita as I've seen it (regionally), but didn't think to have it on my list.

I'm leaning towards the ones with * or ?. I wonder if the (?) Anything Goes or How to Succeed should be eliminated because they are older and I am more likely to see them elsewhere.

I do like spectacles. As someone mentioned, I also like "grit."

I can say I saw "Anything goes" a week or so ago. It was amazing and we loved it. If you like musicals of course. I thought it was adorable, cute, funny and it was a great day. I have seen "Jersey Boys" and Mamma Mia, and I liked this better. Some you mention I have not seen so I cannot compare of course. Whatever you see enjoy!

Newsies says: (on Playbill's site)

Show Dates:
Performances from 15 Mar 2012
Opening 29 Mar 2012

What does this mean?

Someone else probably knows more, but if I had to guess I would say it is in previews from March 15-28th and opens officially on the 29th. I know it is a limited run. Our tickets are for Memorial Day.

musicfan is correct. Previews beginning March 15, with its official opening two weeks later.
OF all the shows you've mentioned, I'd put Anything Goes atop the list.
I don't understand your comment that this show and How to Succeed "should be eliminated because they are older and I am more likely to see them elsewhere." Several of the other shows on your list are just as likely to be playing elsewhere in the future!

Previews sound fine to me.

Good point, Howard. I guess a couple of them are things that I could see somewhere else. I was humming a song from Anything Goes all day yesterday and kept remembering back to seeing a dance from it on the Tony awards show. Guess I should add it back to the top of the list.

Yesterday, I made a list of my top choices and their times.

I think I've narrowed it down to:

War Horse
Spiderman
Newsies
Anything Goes
How to Succeed
Priscilla

(in no particular order)

We might try to score the same day tickets to Book of Mormon. However, my concern with that is that might keep us from seeing another play that night if we don't get them. Book of Mormon is coming to Chicago later this year. I could try to see it there.

I agree withHowardR--Anything Goes" is a must see show. I cannot begin to tell you all how much I enjoyed this show. It far surpassed my expectations. Much better than I had even imagined. I don't know about it being "old." The actors in this show are awesome! Just my opinion of course!

Anything Goes isn't old - it's classic. That said - if you don;t like Noel Coward and that type of witty sophistication - you might think it old.

OF the six shows you mention, Anything Goes should probably be your #1 pick, with Spiderman and Priscilla at the bottom (or, in my opinion, not even on the list!).

Can I print off discount coupons from broadway box office for a number of shows and then decide later?

What we did last time was stand in line at the tkts booth and then pick from the available shows. Looking at their website, most of the shows we want to see were recently offered through tkts. However, if not or we didn't want to stand in line, could we could pick a show that we hadn't seen yet and go direct to their box office with the coupon?

New order:

Anything Goes
Newsies
How to Succeed
War Horse
Spiderman
Priscilla

Given that I loved Billy Elliot, Memphis, and Jersey Boys and enjoyed Mary Poppins and Mama Mia, does this sound like a good ranking? I am starting to lean against War Horse since it is sad (and not a musical) and Spiderman and Priscilla due to recommendations here. Is there something else that should be my 4th or 5th choice?

Had to comment on War Horse. Saw it a few months ago and loved it. Though I did shed a few tears I would say there are sad parts but it is not necessarily a sad show. The really interesting thing is the puppet work-really amazing. And it was a "deeper" show than the recent movie which I found a little too sugar coated. I love musicals too but it might be a nice change for you to throw in one play and this would be a great one.

I saw Spiderman a few days before it officially opened. I went out of a combination of curiosity -- and the thought that I'd be able to say that I'd seen the most expensive bomb on Broadway.

I don't put it in the same category of "Wicked" or "Les Miz ..." (two of my faves) but we were thoroughly surprised at how much we enjoyed the show! It's visually stunning--and very entertaining.

I wouldn't rule it out.

Just to complicate things: I saw Peter and the Starcatcher off Bway last year. It was clever and delightful - not a children's show.

I need to spend another week - or plan another trip!

Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert for pure silliness - your face will hurt from smiling.

traveler2005, we saw Anything Goes today--Cole Porter Music, some very good singing, a couple of exceptional dance numbers. Stephanie Block is a big talent! Entertaining!

Tickets were half off at Times Square TKTS booth.

I recommend it!

Thanks smalti. Do you remember how much they were? I printed a coupon off of broadwayboxoffice and wonder how it compares. BBO is $79 or $99 weekends/Wed. matinee.

I also wonder if there are any sources for discounts for Newsies. They don't have them on broadwayboxoffice and it wasn't on recent lists at tkts.

I saw Evita last week (I know it's still in previews) and I thought it wasn't good. Just okay. Clearly, Ricky Martin is the draw as the audience erupted into wild applause during his entrance and final bow. This may be the reason why there doesn't seem to be any camaraderie between the cast. Here's this pop culture icon (his performance was okay) with these seasoned theater actors. Elena Rogers performance lacked energy and enthusiasm. I know I'm not Hal Prince, but it needs to be improved on many levels.

Sorry this won't help you as it's too late, but I got in on a pre-sale deal for our Newsies tickets. It's a limited run so perhaps those don't get discounted the way long-running shows do?

I decided to eliminate Spiderman from the list.

Any comment on a choice of:

End of the Rainbow
Ghost
or
Peter and the Starcatcher

for our last play?

End of R - folks at forgotten musicals on Facebook say the book is lousy but she is amazing.

My friend in Tucson's cousin did something with the book or music for ghost and it's been running for a long time in London.

You already know that I loved Peter when I saw it off Broadway -- Enjoy whatever you do!

We just this minute came in from seeing ONCE. I can highly recommend it. Nice story, a few laughs, great music and dancing.

Partner saw End of R this week and says the "book" was terrible but the Tracie Bennet was divine.

Cannot stop talking about this musical. One friend who is "in the theatre" has seen it twice here in NY already.

Saw "End of the Rainbow" last night and loved it. I wouldn't say the book was "terrible." It had some slightly weak spots--but overall a very good show.

Everyone has opinions ... and we did NOT like Peter and the Star Catcher. Well done--but not our cup of tea.

The Book of Mormon lived up to every bit of the hype. We loved every minute.

Really enjoyed War Horse, but I think my expectations were too high. I'd give it a 9 out of ten -- but the puppetry gets 1000% and I'd highly recommend it.

If you are going to be at Lincoln Center anyway, see the great Noel Coward exhibit at the Library for the Performing Arts.

I would recommend The Addams Family, or to see Wicked again. They are both excellent musicals, and we got front row seats to them both as well!

Just saw Evita tonight, it was fantastic. Ricky Martin is absolutely wonderful.

Re musicals: seeing Nice Work If You Can Get it w/Matthew Broderick & Kelli O'Hara this week. Anything Goes was great so do keep that on your list.