Will be in NYC last week of March, and would like to see a play. What would you recommend as enjoyable/appropriate for family with kids (ages 7, 13, 17)? I've heard Lion King is very good, but that tickets are very hard to get - sold out weeks in advance. Not sure if that is still true or not.

What about Mama Mia? I've heard good reviews of that. Would kids enjoy that? Are tickets hard to get?

We're thinking of trying to get tickets thru TKTS booth. Are lines really bad? Would you recommend some days as better than others? Are matinees easier to get than evenings? Would I get able to get tickets to a family friendly type play/musical?

Are there are other ways to get discount tickets other than TKTS?

Any suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Oklahoma is supposed to be good. Phantom and Les Miz are always good too but Les Miz may be a little long (about 3.5 hrs) for the 7 yr old (depending on his/her attention span). 42nd street is cute but not what i would call great. As far as the TKTS booth, get there about 30min-1hr prior to opening. Once it opens it moves fast. You may be able to get Les Miz & 42nd st on tkts. i've seen them there recently, but 42nd st is only (last time i checked) 25% off which isn't all that great when tickets go for $90. Check newyork.citysearch.com/feature/34843/ for info on TKTS (has lists of what was available on previous day). also register at playbill.com (it's free). They have special discounts too.

Ellen, I think you might have problem finding a show that all three of your kids would enjoy. The only shows "appropriate" for the 7-year-older are probably The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. However, your 17-year-older and possibly the middle child probably might not enjoy Beauty and the Beast as much, and as you said, you probably can't get tickets for The Lion King.
Have you thought of possibly splitting up for the night, with one parent taking the young one to Beauty and the Beast and other parent taking the two older ones to, say, Les Miserable, Phantom of the Opera or 42nd Street.
You probably won't be able to get tickets for Mamma Mia.
As for the TKTS booth, your best chance is for mid-week performances. Also, check out the Playbill website (www.playbill.com) for discount tickets. Simple join its club. (It's free.) Then, you're eligible for discounted tickets.
PS: Keep in mind that you'll be in New York during vacation week, which means more competition for tickets!

Ellen,
We introduced our 9 and 12 year olds to Broadway last summer by taking them to Phantom. For sheer pagentry and music, this is a great show. Our kids loved it! The theatre where it's shown is very ornate and adds to the 'excitement' of the event. A big plus is the fact that John's Pizza is right across the street from the theatre--perfect for a fun dinner either before or after (though that's pretty late) the show.

Completing the trilogy of the Disney shows, in addition to Lion King and Beauty & Beast there's Aida which we haven't seen but a 7-year-old friend (girl) adored. Otherwise everything above would be good. There's also Off-Broadway shows: Blue Man Group, Stomp, anything at New Victory Theater on 42nd St for the younger one...

I've recently heard that Les Miz has been trimmed to run just 3 hours.

You may also want to check out the New Victory Theater which presents shows specifically for children. Their website is http://www.newvictory.org/

Last year our family including a 15, 13 and 11 year old saw Music Man and we all enjoyed it. With the difference in ages of your kids it will be hard to find an appropriate play but I think Music Man might do it.

Unfortunately, Kathy (and Ellen), The Music Man closed months ago. Too bad, as that probably would have been an idea show for the entire family!