Broadway Help
 

Taking my 11 and 15 year olds to NYC and am considering Bombay Dreams, Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Movin Out, Rent and Wicked. Any recommendation of which would be most appropriate. Thanks!

It seems teens really love Rent (adults not necessarily). Movin Out has no real story, just dance to Billy Joel music. I haven't heard great things about Bombay Dreams. I'd say Hairspray, Mamma Mia and Wicked would be the bests picks for both the kids and you. Wicked is a very hard ticket to get. Mamma Mia, Hairspray and Rent should all be available at a discount on playbill.com, theatermania.com, broadwaybox.com etc. That may make a difference. No discounts though on a Sat. night.

Have your kids ever seen a Broadway show before? I think this might make a difference. While they may like Rent - I hated it both times I've seen it - its not a typical big Broadway production with lots of lights, costumes, sets, or special effects. Either Hairspray or Wicked would fall into the "splashing" production catagory. I loved both for that reason. Unless they are huge ABBA fans, you might want to skip Mamma Mia. Agree with reviews above of Bombay Dreams and Movin Out. If you do see Rent, be prepared -- the theater is small and the sound is loud.

Thats "splashy" production catagory. Sorry for the typo.

I'd definitely put Hairspray and Wicked at the top of that list and Bombay Dreams at the bottom!
Pay heed to the comments already made about Rent. The posters have painted an accurate picture of that scene. Actually, the 11-year-older is probably too young for that show.

Hairspray and Wicked. Not only the most appropriate but also the best two on your list. Both are perfect 10 overall - I lked the music in Hairspray the most.

I have heard mixed reviews about Bombay Dreams. I have also heard that Tamyra Gray (from American Idol) will now have a role in Bombay Dreams in hopes to save it ~ I don't know if that would be appealing to your kids.

I agree that Rent is not age appropriate for the 11 year old; I personally loved it, I have seen it twice.
Moving Out seems perfect for both ages.

Rent may or may not be appropriate for an 11-year old. Only you know how sophisticated/sheltered your child is. If he/she is young or naive - I think Rent might be too adult - on the other hand I took my 12-year old neice who loved it - but she grew up in NYC - and nothing here was new to her.