Thanks for encouragement VCanada and skatedancer!

VCanada - it's so funny you mention not to have her watch the movie. I had decided to watch it with her today, and then changed my mind last second - I don't know why. (maybe I don't want to hear she doesn't like it?!.....). Wondering why you suggested not to have her see it?

skatedancer-What other shows have been in your dd's top favourites?
Interesting re LK - you're in the majority! Which would you choose between LK and Peter? (although I've said this above, neither speaks to me at the moment....but just in case)

Even if you don't watch the movies, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get to know some of the music in advance, particularly the lyrics. Although it's usually easy to understand the lyrics when one or two people are singing, it's much harder when the ensemble/chorus sings, so it's good to know the words if they matter (as they should) to advance the story.

Read the book first? Or see the movie first? Or see the show first? that is always the question LOL

And I always find that the first one you do becomes the standard that you compare subsequent versions to. Your trip with your daughter is going to be a wonderful, special, memory, so my bias would be to letting the show version of Once become the 'standard' (whether you end up liking it or not!)

I loved the movie - which I saw nothing really nothing about it except that I thought it was a small independant 'musical' so it wasn't really at all what I expected, but I didn't really expect anything. So it is a gem of a movie for me, and I am happy to have the movie characters be the ones who own the roles for me, and the show characters have to live up to me comparing them. Who knows if I had seen the movie with expectations going in.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. But if it were me in your shoes, I would become familiar with some (but not all) of the songs, try not to learn anything else about it, and then watch the movie with your daughter in September :-)

I would add War Horse to your list of potential fourth show. Having looked at the list of what's currently playing, I would have that, Lion King and Peter and the Starcatcher of what you choose from. Not sure how last minute you'll be able to get tickets for any of those, though. They're quite popular. And, all represent such creativity (at least IMO).

My D never likes to rank the shows she's seen, but based on my perception of how many times she's seen the show or listened to the music, I'd say: Rent, Spring Awakening, In the Heights, Wicked, Newsies.

Another idea is to see an improv show: my kids loved going in for this so much, and both my son and daughter each took friends in to do this for their birthdays one year. IIRC, they would have been around 13, maybe 14 when we did this. There are two companies: one is Chicago City Limits and the other is National Comedy Theatre. The latter one promises clean fun, whereas I have to say CCL can be a bit off-color (but that is the one we took our kids to...)

There is also Upright Citizens Brigade, which I've heard alot about, but never gone to see.

btw, Phantom was probably the least favorite of all the shows we've seen.... I saw it with my kids when they were probably around 15? maybe younger. All three of us were underwhelmed.

I thought Mary Poppins was eh. My favorite part of the show was the scenery and costumes. good idea to pass on that, IMO

Just looking at the other shows, I really enjoyed Mamma Mia, but my recollection is that my D (who probably was about 14 when we saw it) liked it but not as much as I did.

Oh -- if you've never seen Cirque Du Soleil, you might want to put that on your list, too. I'm not sure if i've seen the current show or not, but it is a pretty amazing troupe. Or Stomp. (not sure where you're from; these shows have tours/ other branches)

I would stop looking and don't overthink this. Wicked is absolutely the choice, zero question about it. I've seen a couple dozen broadway shows and Wicked is still my favorite. As a teenage girl, I would think it's even better. There really is no other choice.

Joe
www.ticketcruiser.com

OH!!! Here's another idea! Have your daughter take a class at the Broadway Dance Center!! She just might find it cool to have done that in the Big City!

These are done on a drop-in basis. Just be advised that the classes are probably more advanced than what she's used to, so read the class descriptions carefully. Even with some experience, she might need to start at a low level.

http://www.broadwaydancecenter.com/

another thing that is cheesy, but i have to say my daughter always loved going is Ellen's Stardust Diner. The waiters and waitresses sing Broadway shows. They are all aspiring performers and really are pretty good. This is definitely a touristy thing, but just based on my D and her friends -- theater rats all -- they loved going there during their teen years!

i agree with skatedancer, the stardust diner would be pretty cool for a teen. It's all part of the broadway tourist experience.

i also agree NOT to watch the movie "once" before seeing the show. i would just let the story unfold as it does onstage, rather than knowing in advance or comparing it.

btw, my D didn't really like Once when we saw it in the theaters, although I think now that she's older she might. It really is offbeat and slow and you really need to get enveloped by it, or else you have her reaction, at least that's my thinking.

I was annoyed when I saw that they were turning it into a musical; i thought: let that quirky movie alone! But, I've heard it's such a beautiful show; haven't seen it yet, but I've got tickets and am quite excited now!

^^^edit above: my D didn't like Once in the movie theater. She hasn't seen Broadway show yet; is going with me in a few weeks.

You are going to have a great time. Great choices!

I have grown to appreciate that Ellen's probably is worth a pass. After seeing the best Broadway has to offer, a visit here could be terribly underwhelming.

Go for a late night dinner or dessert somewhere else!

Tamaraten--I'm so glad you decided. It's hard, isn't? It's not like we live nearby and can go at anytime. Look forward to hearing what your daughter thought of them all. Can't wait to hear how it goes!

You are all so incredible - thank you so much for your advice, encouragement, excitement for me and my dd!!

I think in the end I'm not going to watch the movie Once with her. I think the theory (thanks VCanada and skatedancer) that if she sees the movie, that will be the 'standard' is a valid one. Better to just have her listen to the music and let the actual images come alive on stage.

Skatedancer - thanks for all the great ideas, especially the dance class one. That's something I would LOVE to do myself. Unfortunately because my dd's had a broken leg and just got her cast removed yesterday after two months, and isn't yet walking without crutches, I'll sadly probably have to pass on that one. She's going to have to be really careful with her leg - I'm worried even about just walking well in NY....btw are you a dancer or a skater or both??!!

Ellen's also sounds amazing for a teen- another dilemma though...I really am not a fan of cheesy, although she would probably love it. Is it at least camp and a laugh??

I love all your ideas - thanks again...Keep 'em coming if you have the energy to write more!!

Interested in any top must-do's for a 14 yr-old girl!

We toured Radio City Music Hall...do you think she might like that? You get to meet a Rockette! :)

Wicked is so good. My daughter saw it first in NYC when she was 15 and has seen it several times since. Bonus - I think you will enjoy it too!

I would not listen to the soundtrack to Wicked beforehand.
For one, you get some of the plot ahead of time, and it's great to be surprised. For two, there is something incredible about hearing Defying Gravity for the first time during the show.

Ellen's is really just a diner that has singing wait staff, who are all young kids who are aspiring performers. As I said, I based on how much my D and her friends loved it when they were in high school, and these were kids who did theater themselves, saw alot of shows and went into the city alot. So, if it's not fun for you, you've had one coffee shop meal where people sang... Not the end of the world.

I realized after I made the Broadway Dance Center recommendation that your D had the broken leg. Sorry!!

I am more of a skater, but don't do it much anymore and wish I was a dancer. :-)

How is your daughter going to get around in the city? Is she ok ambulating independently? Remember that very few subway stations have elevators (the elevators are rather awful, imo). If you plan on taking the bus (wonderful way to see the city if you're not on a tight schedule) allow yourselves enough time to get from point A to Z.

meant to include: most subways stations have a fair amount of stairs, at least one flight.