couple in mid 20s will be in NYC starting memorial day weekend for 5 days. any suggestions on broadway shows and where to buy affordable tickets? if possible, we'd like to attend 2 shows.

This site will give you discount codes for buying reduced price tickets.
http://www.broadwaybox.com/

check broadwaybox.com for discounts.

do you want to see a drama, musical, comedy? Gypsy just got rave reviews as did In the Heights.

As far as dramas, I've heard good things about MacBeth, and August: Osage County.

For musicals, I liked (of those listed with discounts) Hairspray, Rent, and Phantom. I havent' seen a bunch of the others so I can't speak for those.

You might like Avenue Q or Spring Awakening - more of a youthful edge.

My husband and I (late 20s) both really enjoyed Avenue Q when we saw it in NY last April. We got the tickets with a discount found on broadwaybox.com shortly before our trip. Other shows I'd recommend based just on age are Spamalot (haven't seen it, but I've heard it's fun; we'll be seeing the tour later this month), Hairspray, and Chicago. (Maybe Wicked and Rent, but I'm in the minority and don't really care for them.)

If you don't get discount tickets in advance you can get them at the TKTS booth on the day of the performance. There's one at the Marriott in Times Square and another one at the South Street Seaport. Since the city is usually dead on Memorial Day weekend you might get lucky.

I second the recommendation of Phantom, and also recommend MammaMia, a really fun show which generally has discount tickets.
Also, Gypsy, which just opened last week. It's a great show. It was on discount, but got great reviews, so that might change.

I don't know if it's still playing, but The Producers was absolutely hysterical. The movie sucked, but the show was awesome!

The Producers has closed.

Throwing another suggestion into the mix- Xanadu. Loads of fun.

You should be able to get discount tix....

Absolutely LOVED Mamma Mia, if that's still playing....also, the Lion King was spectacular for the choreography and costumes!

I second both Spring Awakening and Avenue Q. Great for the 20-something set. Avenue Q is very funny (and a little naughty) and Spring Awakening is quite adult with stellar music. However, Jonathan Groff and Lea Michelle are set to leave the leading roles that they originated in Spring Awakening, so I'm not sure how the replacements will be.

I also love Rent - it was supposed to close June 1st but it's run was extended. Might be fun to catch it before it closes.

Wicked is terrific!! No discounts, but a great, great show.

I can't wait to see Gypsy.

I have a good friend (in her 20s) that just saw Passing Strange and In the Heights and highly recommends both.

And that's just musicals! August: Osage County is supposed to be great, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof has a simply stellar cast.

If Wicked is still playing, we absolutely loved it. Major standing ovation at the end.

A show that I loved and got discount tix to was Legally Blonde. It's light and funny and entertaining. My DH, who normally isn't a fan of shows, loved it as well. We got the tix through a Travelzoo offer.

I just got back from seeing Wicked. Just loved it---fantastic. However, I don't think my hubby would care for it. I also saw Legally Blonde--loved it. I've seen Mamma Mia and would also recommend. My hubby is a "man's man" and generally does not like shows. However, he likes anything that's lighthearted with humor in it. He has seen Le Miserables and liked it. I also think he'd like Legally Blonde and Mamma Mia b/c of the humor.

Curtains is good and it's easy to get at TKTS. Cry baby is a disappointment. If you liked the movie you probably won't like it. It has it's moments but overall it's kinda tedious.

How about South Pacific? Its getting good reviews.

What about an "oldie but goodie" -- South Pacific.

Thanks to everyone for great suggestions, as I'm also planning a theater vacation.

I have had good luck going to the box office when they open at 10, for tickets for that day. The tickets are full price, but they are often the best seats in the house.

Because I like theater more than my husband, I will also be able to get a single ticket for a hard to get show while he catches up online at the hotel, and comes to pick me up for dinner.

I have not seen Mama Mia on stage, but just saw the preview for the movie version last night. Whatever I thought Mama Mia was about, it certainly wasn't about a young woman who invites three of her mother's former lovers to her wedding and then spends the next hour and a half figuring out which one is her father. Is this really what the stage show is about, or does the film take some liberties?

Just wanted to say that if you go to see Wicked, I'd recommend renting the Wizard of Oz before you go, lots of references to it in Wicked. My husband is not a fan of musical theater at all, but he really enjoyed it and was laughing out loud in several spots.

No, Susan, that is exactly what the stage version was about.