Any suggestions for a good show, more reasonably priced than Lion King, that two children ages 8 and 14 would understand and enjoy? We'll be vacationing in NYC mid-June.

Debbie,
I suggest Beauty and the Beast. I loved it and our 6 and 9 year old loved it. In fact, I personally think it was better than Lion King. After the performance, the cast members took time to visit and talk with the kids and sign autographs at the stage door. We had twenty something dollar seats in the rear mezanine and had a great view. Try to get your smallest child in an aisle seat so they have a unobstructed view.

The revival of THE MUSIC MAN has received excellent reviews as has KISS ME, KATE , but an eight year old might not like that one.

My wife and 7 year old daughter saw the Sound of Music and loved it.

The Sound of Music closed a year ago.

My friend took her two daughters age 10 and 11 to "Annie, Get Your Gun". I've never seen it but according to her it was a big hit with her kids.

The best bets are probably three that have been mentioned (listed alphabetically): Annie Get Your Gun, Beauty and the Beast and The Music Man. At full price, they would cost about the same as The Lion King
As for saving money, you might check out the Playbill website (www.playbill.com). As has often been mentioned on the forum, simply join (no charge, no gimmick) and you can get discounts on shows, especially for mid-week performances. I know that Annie Get Your Gun has been available thru that website.

YOu also have some off broadway shows like the Fantasticks, that has been running forever.

You also might want to wait until you get here and go to TKTS for half price tickets. If you go to the World Trade Center (less of a line and opens earlier) and we don't tell the tourists about that booth, so shhhhh. (lol)
You can get half price tickets to that evenings performance and then walk around the Wall St. area, go to the South St. Seaport, the Staten Island Ferry, or the Ferry to Ellis Island or Liberty Island.

One of our favorite things to do in the evening during the summer is to take the Staten Island Ferry (free) from Manhattan at dusk and come back to see the city coming alive in lights, it is spectacular and a nice cool ride over the water. Also you have a great view of the Statue of Liberty.

Also you might want to do a day at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, there is a ferry that leaves from the World Trade area and the Museum is great for kids, they will love it.

Have a great time while you are here, and if you need any more info, please send me an email or post here.