It is off Broadway in the Orpheus if memory serves, but I always recommend "Stomp!" for that age group. They will love it.

I may get slammed for this, but I saw Billy Elliot on Broadway last summer and loved it. I was with my daughter, but if I had been with my sons, I don't think they would have liked it. If your group consists of theatre minded kids you might do well with this musical, but I don't think it appeals to the typical teenage boy.

My group consists of 25 students, all 14 and 15 year olds, and includes both boys and girls. None of them have ever experienced a Broadway musical before, so I guess you wouldn't consider them "theater minded kids." However, attending a Broadway musical is definitely something that our Student Council advisors feel they need to experience while in New York.

Stomp is a really good idea.

Patrick I don't know the answer to your question on dealing with theater directly vs the agencies.

In my recollection, Billy Elliott has a lot cursing and I don't think it's anywhere near the best option. While things like Stomp and Blue Man Group are popular for teens, they play in lots of other cities, they're off Broadway and I think coming all the way to NYC means seeing a full blown Broadway show. I really think some of the new shows I mentioned plus maybe Wonderland are the best options for a musical. I think War Horse may also be a great idea but I haven't seen it. It's playing at Lincoln Center, ohioteacher, and that's also an experience. Whatever you decide as a show, people rave about the tours of Lincoln Center. Lots of good info here http://new.lincolncenter.org/live/in...p/guided-tours

"None of them have ever experienced a Broadway musical before, so I guess you wouldn't consider them "theater minded kids." However, attending a Broadway musical is definitely something that our Student Council advisors feel they need to experience while in New York."

After attending a "show" like Stomp or Blue Man Group, they still won't have experienced a Broadway musical.

Patrick has made a very solid point! Since, according to the OP, these students have not experienced a Broadway musical, I would think that because of that fact, the OP would have a wider choice of shows. Shows that I might not recommend to an experienced Broadway musical veteran(whether frequent or otherwise) just might fill the bill here. I think of such shows as The Addams Family.
I'll have a slight disagreement with Doug about Chicago, which I think teenagers would enjoy.
On the other side of the coin, on second thought, as much as I love the show, I would not recommend Billy Elliot. It's a wonderful show. However, since we don't know how the teenagers' parents would feel about their kids seeing a show with the f-word, it would not be fair to the OP!

My husband & I took our teenage sons to Phantom of the Opera when we were in NYC last spring. They complained all the way to the show. They hated wearing collared shirts, belts and nicer shoes. They thought they were being tortured and gave us so much grief we swore that was our last family vacation. At intermission I prepared myself for a new round of complaints, but it didn't happen. They LOVED the show! The mix of the story, music and special effects was perfect for them. They actually talk about going back to NYC and seeing another musical.

Also, there was a large group of students in the 13 - 15 age range seated in front of us. More teenagers was the last thing I wanted to see at that point, but they were very well behaved and also seemed to enjoy the show.

Thanks to all of you again for your suggestions. Based on your insight and reviews we have resd online, my fellow student council advisors and I have narrowed it down to Sister Act or How To Succeed In Business. Any advice?

Wicked tickets are slightly cheaper on certain days of the week, below $135 but still above $100. You can check with the box office. Maybe there are group discounts. For popular shows it's better to book the tickets months in advance to be able to pick the best seats for the price. Lion King, Phantom, Mamma Mia are all very good for teens. I found Wicked boring but my kids loved it so much.

I saw 'Catch Me if You Can' this week and I think teenagers would love it.

I think the idea of "old fashioned" business practices would be lost on them in How To Succeed. "What's a stenographer?"
But I doubt they'd care since they'd be seeing "Harry Potter", Daniel Radcliffe. But I think they'd really enjoy Sister Act.

Heck, let's be honest -- I think they'd enjoy either, but they'd enjoy How to Succeed mainly because of who's in it, or Sister Act for the show itself.

Sister Act

I think you should have the students VOTE among Sister Act, How to Succeed or Catch Me If you Can so they can take some ownership of the final decision. First I'd make sure they're all available for whenever you're coming and see if there are any price differences. The first 2 are based on movies (without the music that will be in the show) and should be on DVD. How to Succeed was made into a movie.

You could REALLY be cruel and have them do research after you've narrowed it down to 4-5.....and then have them vote on which one they'd most like to see.

well i'm 15 years old and my dream is to be on Broadway any chance there is still a spot open i can sing,dance,act what ever you need me to do i well do it 100% pleas reply back

your truly,
Steven Ramer

Good luck to you, Steven, but there are better ways to work on your goal than sitting around reading and posting on two and a half year old threads on a travel site!

If you are serious about getting on Broadway you need to:

1) Make sure you have appropriate professional training (dance, voice, acting etc)

2) Get involved in as much local and school theater as possible to get experience

3) If you can afford to come to NY and pay for quality lessons (unlikely at 16) do so - recognizing that NYC is full of very talented wannabes working as waitstaff while they audition

4)Go to a college that has a strong theater program (or performance schools if you can qualify for auditions)

Remember that there are millions of other kids that want the same thing - and you will have to prove you are better than all of them to get there. (I would seek out a local expert - from the drama or theater dept of a local college and ask them for an unbiased view of your talents and what steps you should take to get to B'way level)