How could "Mamma Mia'' not be contrived? The music came first, and then they built a story around it. I thought it was quite cool how they took these songs and made them work into the action. The words themselves don't always exactly match the plot, but they express the feeling of what's going on.

I liked it way more than Wicked. Unless you're familiar in advance with the Wicked score, you will not leave the theater singing, as you do with Mamma Mia, even if you're not totally versed in the Abba lyrics!

I appreciate all of the dialogue here!

I think opinions of Broadway shows will always differ regardless, but if providing more info on us helps at all...

We are just under 30. Our style is wide open, really, we can take serious and contemplative or fun and silly. I wouldn't say we're into "dark" plot lines. As for my fav. shows, I loved Lion King for the costumes and Phantom for the music.

We have still actually found tickets available for Mama Mia, Wicked and Curtains during the dates we will be in NYC in April. We need to make a decision this weekend, though!

I'm going to take a closer look at Spring Awakening, Sunday in the Park and Gypsy. Thanks for the suggestions!

I hope if you're considering Mama Mia or Curtains of the first three you mention, that you will use discount codes for them, rather than pay full price.

just got home from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - OUTSTANDING. OUTSTANDING. OUTSTANDING. The entire cast is fantastic--Terrance Howard, Felicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, James Earl Jones--amazing. My absolute favorite of the season. Terrance will be out of the show for 6 weeks due to prior film commitments, so make sure you ask if he is in it before you buy your tickets--not that you shouldn't go anyway, but just so you are prepared for it beforehand. AND, good seats are a MUST and worth any price you pay for them.

bugswife, with that cast how could it not be great? I'm chomping at the bit down here in Florida, wishing I could see some of the wonderful straight plays right now in NYC -- but alas many will probably be closed by June when I get there. But for some odd reason I just clicked on Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Playbill and see that this "limited run" which was supposed to end in April has now been extended to mid June. Hooray!

Check out www.seasonofsavings.com for discounts also.

come back little sheba was an expensive nap. I slept through most of it, dull, dull, dull.

november is very funny. nathan lane at his best.

Thanks for that link AJPeabody. I wasn't aware of that site.

Yes, it's a great site. Used it for 2 shows so far. They have over 20 Bway shows on it now, plus off bway.

As has been stated above, everyone's opinions are different.

But I am adding another vote for Gypsy.

I was lucky to see the Encores production. Everything about this production is fantastic...Patti Lupone will probably receive a Tony nomination (at least)

As much as I love Bernadette Peters, casting her as Mama Rose was just wrong in my book -- not to mention she has apparently permanently damaged her voice doing it. But Patti Lupone as Mama Rose is casting created in heaven!

Glad to see the positive comments about Sunday in the Park with George --- we're going to see that in April. Last month, I saw Is He Dead and really enjoyed it, and there are definitely discount tickets available. Norbert Leo Butz is so talented...

Thanks again to everyone for their input on what shows to see on Broadway! We're excited to have tickets to Wicked in-hand!