Broadway Shows for 15 & 17 year olds
 

We will be in NYC the first of July. What shows, both on and off Broadway, would be the most appealing for a 15 year old girl and a 17 year old boy? Thanks for the help!

Who knows what will still be playing then?
Of the current shows, the most likely possibilities are Rent, Hairspray, Spring Awakening and Chicago.

If you're willing to tolerate a song called "my erection" as sung by an actor playing a 13 year old with a crush, the show "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" was just outstanding. In fact, one of the funniest shows I've seen on Broadway.

Otherwise, I might suggest Wicked.

Depending on when you're coming in July, I might also suggest you check the schedule for Shakespeare in the Park. The productions at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park are usually very good and the tickets are free. Many times they'll feature a name actor or actress. LAst summer had shows with Meryl Streep and Liev Schrieber. BTW, not all shows are Shakespeare productions.

I may be wrong, but my daughter who lives in NYC and goes to Shakespeare in the Park, gets up at 4am for a good show (Streep,, Schreiber, etc) and camps out for hours until the window opens at 1pm and they start giving out the free tix - and I think only 2 tix per person, so two of you would have to be willing to do that.

Shows my kids have loved included Spelling Bee, Rent, Spamalot, Stomp, Chicago, Hairspray. Thye loved the first 4 best. Weren't wild about Wicked, Mama Mia...

but a lot of this depends on your kids interests -
do they like musical theater? serious plays?

here is a good link about where to get tix and links to things like playbill.com to help you choose too.

http://home.nyc.rr.com/frugaltheatergoe/

A Chorus Line seems to be a hot ticket at the moment for big $$ (or perhaps always was). If interested, you might want to hunt down tickets now for July.

Escargot,
Not to turn this into a Shakespeare in the Park thread, but I think it depends. On a Saturday or Sunday for a popular actor/actress, yes I'd agree. (I've done the 5:00 a.m. thing.)

But, during the middle of the week when most people are working, I think it is a little less competitive and I've gotten on line about 90 minutes before and not had an issue. At least it was the times I've done it. But, maybe it has changed in the last couple of years.

But yes, on the weekend, you might need to spend a few hours in the park.

Well, certainly Jersey Boys will be playing in July -- in fact it's pretty well sold out. I spent about an hour online and then a half hour more on the phone looking for "any good seats between May 13 and June 13". There weren't any.
But in all honesty, I'd wait until May if I were you and buy something on advance discount (www.broadwaybox.com) -- there will be many good shows available and since you're not limited to something you feel you HAVE to see. . .

Spamalot!

Ryan, you're behind the times concerning Shakespeare in the Park. Especially if there's a big star like Meryl Streep, people camp out for hours every day to get the tickets.

I think Spelling Bee is a perfect choice. The kids are just old enough to really appreciate the humor of adolescent angst!

Spring Awakening is really intense...your kids would have to be very mature for that one, I think, which is a judgment call. But it's a fantastic show if they're ready for it! (It recently opened, so the reviews may give you a good idea)

And I'd also agree that Spamalot is a great choice for all. You don't have to be a Monty Python fan to enjoy it, but if you are you'll like it that much more.

Ryan - I think things have changed. I talked to my daughter, and last summer she held the place in line until 9 when her roommate showed up, my daugher went to work for a few hours, then returned to line so her friend could go to work....
even mid week in summer, there are plenty of people who have night jobs, on vaca, in school, etc who wait in line for many hours.

Personally, I wouldn't want to deal with that on a vacation

Let the teens read the descriptions n PLaybill.com, and let them pick. The shows already suggested are all good ones. If they are Mel Brooks fans, they would like The Producers. From what I hear, if you are a Monty Python fan, you'll love Spamelot, but if you're not, skip it. There are also the old diehards - Phantom and Les Miz.