While in New York, I'd like to see a Broadway show...any suggestions on a good one? I don't have a particular taste and haven't heard of many of the current shows. I know I'm not getting into The Producers or Lion King or anything like that, but I'd like to try and get a TKTS discount ticket for something. When is the best time to see a show, Sunday matinee, weekday evening??

thanks.

I'm afraid within a few hours you'll be reading all replies trying to choose between a couple of dozen recommended shows. Here are my favorites:
1. Aida
2. Contact
3. Chicago

If you want Producers or LK, you might check. I was surprised I was able to get good tickets to the producers about 2 weeks in advance.

The Concierge at The Plaza gets tickets to The Producers and Mama Mia! daily.

First of all, Angie, don't let the last postings give you false hopes. They were both talking about full price, not discounted tickets.
Probably the easiest performance days for obtaining tickets are Monday (but few shows on that day), Tuesday and Sunday. However, some shows have tickets available for every performance at TKTS.
The most like ones available at TKTS that I'd recommend for an inexperience theatergoer like you:
Cabaret, Chicago, 42nd Street, The Full Monty, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera.

TKTS try them out. I have to say I have been impressed only once on Broadway, Miss Saigon. Most productions are just such tour bus pleasers. Maybe I am just not a musical person. Sure Lion King is great and I don't think it is still difficult but I am not on the musical circuit.

Thanks everyone! I think full price
would be out of my range...I actually have no idea what a Broadway show even costs! I am clueless with this stuff.
I have seen Phantom here in Pittsburgh, so I will probably shoot for one of the others. I think I will enjoy just about anything...just want to get the whole experience in.
Thanks again!

Just so you're prepared, Angie, you'll pay up to $45-50 per ticket at TKTS.

I don't know exactly when you will be in NYC but The Full Monty and Contact will be closing soon. There are still many choices on the TKTS line. I believe Oklahoma & Rent have been available too, as are some non-musicals. Proof is very good for a drama. If you like British slapstick type humor, Noises Off is a good choice. Most full price theater tickets run about $75-100 for the best seats, but they usually sell the last rows for around $20-30. I have purchased these cheap seats (in advance). Most theaters aren't that big, so even the worst seats are acceptable. The TKTS line usually offers 25-50% discounts plus a fee of (i think) $3 per ticket. I think most recently, discounts have been closer to 50% so it's a good time to go for discounts. To see what's been available on TKTS, check the site: newyork.citysearch.com/feature/34843/. If you don't have time to wait on line, you can check out discounts offered through playbill.com, hitshowclub.com and theatermania.com. They generally offer discounts of around 25-50% for advance sales.

If you want a muscial, see Les Mis, Phantom or numerous other excellent shows. If you want a Scream-ical, see Lion King. It may have great staging and costumes etc., but what they call 'music' is anything but.

Just my (not so) humble opinion.

I was thinking maybe Rent or The Full Monty. I will be there the week of Sept 14th. Full Monty may be gone by then? Maybe I should just try to purchase Rent tickets in advance and avoid the hassle of the TKTS booth?? I won't have all day to stand in line because I am in NY for business/training, not really vacation so every day from 9 - 4 is shot. Prices seem pretty resonable for that, I was hoping to spend under $50...is that possible?
thanks again everyone for the help!

Angie, register on the website I mention in my earlier post. Hitshowclub.com currently has Rent tickets (reg. $85-90) for $45-55 through 9/1. They usually extend these specials weekly so if you check a month or so before your trip, you may be able to snag a deal for advance ticket sales.

Angie,

If you're truly interested in Rent, by all means don't miss it. I've been twice now and it was great both times.

Have fun!

Whatever you do, DO NOT go to Noises Off. It was the most painful Broadway experience of my life (and I've been to Cats)!

Emily, baby, if can say that about Noise Off, then you ain't got any sense of humor! It's one of the funniest ever!

Not true about that theatre critic. I saw it when it first opened in London and it is slapstick dated humor. I hated noises off. Isn't there this angry divorced woman who they paint man hater. Is this the slap stick comedy where everyone is popping in and out of doors. I have seen this incorporated into some sitcoms. I just hate it. It was a while ago, sorry but so typically british. A surprise not to see a man in a woman's dress.

Oh my God Emily that is so funny what you said about cats. My mother and I broke out laughing when that started watching that production, we had made the mistake of also seeing starlight express in London earlier and when cats started it was the same stupid music. We just laughed so hard here we were again trapped in a horrible kid's musical.

I think they started announcing the cats names the same way they announced the skaters names some of the similar like rusty. TOO FUNNY

Theater Critic, sweetie, the only thing funny about Noises Off were the few cheesy people in the audience gafauing over all the lame slapstick. Well, ok, it was also funny to hear how bad a fake British accent could be. If you're below age 12 or have an underdeveloped sense of humor this is the show for you!

I saw Noises off in 1984 and it was dated humor then. It is always a calling card when a broadway show has to advertise for business. Ever wonder why Lion King and Proof are not advertising, the don't have too.

I usually don't get involved in these clashes, but some of the comments on this thread border on the ludicrous!
First, Emily, I don't question nor make fun of your opinion about Noises Off. However, you seem to have sunk to the level of the anonymous poster who criticized your taste. My wife and I laughed heartily at Noises Off and loved it. And, I can assure that neither of us has an underdeveloped sense of humor and we certainly are not below the age of 12. I hope that doesn't make us bad people.
And, Jill, you evidently don't read the New York Times. For the record, Sunday's New York Times Arts & Leisure section included ads for both The Lion King and Proof. There were no ads for Noises Off. Tell me, does this mean that The Lion King is signalling a calling card and Noises Off is not? In the case of the long-running Proof (which I consider a magnificant play), I can assure that the show is far from a sellout and must advertise if it hopes to stay open.
Let's check our facts....and leave our emotions elsewhere!