Well, I've scoured the musicals that will be playing on the night I hope to take hubby, brother, brother's fiance, and her 15 year-old daughter to a broadway show. I'm completely clueless as to what will be the best fit. Hubby and I've been to NYC many times and have seen many shows. Brother, soon-to-be sister-in-law, and her daughter have never been before. I know quite a bit about Hairspray and keep leaning towards it for the harmless simplicity of it. That said, I'm interested in Avenue Q myself. Can anyone share personal opinion on Avenue Q and the appropriateness for a 15-year old?

I took my 14 yr old son (he is pretty mature for 14, but is still 14) and Ave Q was fine for him. None of it got by him. And I was comfortable w/the sexual references (two puppets going at it, etc.) and the language ("it sucks to be me" has got to be the funniest song we had both ever heard). But it depends on your comfort level and hers, and persoanl preferences.
I saw Hairpsray w/my 12 yr old daughter. It was fine for her, although she didn't like it that much.

Both are enormously entertaining shows.
emd makes a good point about the comfort level in taking a teenager to Avenue Q. That could/should be the determining factor. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with either show. Our young grandson loved Hairspray.

I saw Avenue Q on Sunday and Hairspray last Spring.

Avenue Q was very cleverly written, but I would agree with previous posters. Even at the age of 30, I wouldn't have been comfortable sitting next to my parents during most of the show.

Hairspray is a feel good family appropriate show. Not as well written as Avenue Q. Musically, I would consider them equal- not outstanding but not horrible either. Hairspray is a bigger *show* with a large ensemble... dance numbers etc.

If comfort isn't an issue, Avenue Q would be my choice. (One thing that factors in... Hairspray is a show that is playing outside of NYC and will probably have a touring company if it doesn't already. Avenue Q MAY get produced in a few larger theatre centres outside of NYC, but no touring production...)

At Avenue Q there were two older ladies in front of me that obviously were a little uncomfortable, but, gosh darn they spent $100+ each on the tickets and weren't going anywhere! Two rows up were a mother and a 15yo (or so) daughter. A few minutes into the show they left. (Do you get your money back if you leave within 10 minutes?)... but then they came back for the rest of the first half... at they start of the second half they were no where to be found... but then, like the cat, they came back... (were they offended by the show? or did they just have weak bladders?)

Hilarious post golidilox! Thanks for my first big laugh of the day.

I saw them both last year.

I liked Ave Q , my 22 year old daughter semi-enjoyed it (but liked Rent much better.) A friend has taken his 2 kids (13,15) to Ave Q and they adored it. SO I guess it depends on the kid. Nothing in the play made me or my daughter squirm, ditto my friend's kids.

Hairpsray was fun, lots of energy. Harvey Fierstein was a hoot but I think he has been replaced.

Neither of those plays is anywhere near the top on my "favorites" list. But either would make a good choice for first-time NY playgoers who are not easily offended.

<<Neither of those plays is anywhere near the top on my "favorites" list. But either would make a good choice for first-time NY playgoers who are not easily offended.>>

vivi,
Hairspray is about as wholesome as it gets - I assume you referring to Ave. Q when you said "not easily offended" ???

I guess if your 15 year old daughter already knows that the "internet is for porn" (my favorite song in the show), then I say go for it. If not, you are opening up a can of worms and hopefully have a lock-out on your daughter's computer.

Avenue Q was great -- we recommended our teenager (17) and her friends see it and they all loved it -- unless your 15yo has led a sheltered life I would think it would be okay(puppet sex and the fact that there's porn on the internet -- and it will NOT be touring -- it's going into Stephen Wynn's new hotel in Las Vegas sometime within a year for an open-ended run -- likely will not be touring until a very long time from now); I didn't see Hairspray (heard mixed reactions to it), but I would think that that show will soon be touring (Harvey Fierstein has left Hairspray and gone into Fiddler on the Roof in place of Alfred Molina -- my family saw Fiddler with Molina and loved it).

Since several in your group have never been to New York, I think Hairspray would be the better choice. It has more of a big Broadway show feel.

twobluehats - When you are going to the show? Both Hairspray and Avenue Q are doing well at the box office so you'll need to get tickets ahead of time to insure good seats. Another show your group might be interested in if you can't get good seats for the other two is "All Shook Up". Just saw it last week, really a fun show. My friends took their 10 and 14 yr old sons who enjoyed it and when we left my friends said "This would have been a great show for our parents". So it appeals to all ages. Liking Elvis music does help.

All that said, I think I would pick Hairspray over Avenue Q if you are concerned at all about the content. When I saw Hairspray with my daughters, they were 15 and 19 and they loved it. My older daughter saw Avenue Q when she was 20. It's one of her favorite shows but she didn't think if was appropriate for my friend's 14 year old. I guess it really depends on your daughter.

Good luck, I know you will enjoy whatever show you see.