We will be meeting my FIL and his wife in NYC next summer (July/August 2011) and he is ready to start planning, but seems a bit early to me (although I normally plan everything!)... how far in advance can Broadway tickets usually be purchased? Is it even possible to know now what shows will be going on then?

It's a little early to buy tickets for most things now...Others will provide more advice. I'll provide a link to a recent blog post of mine that has links to Playbill where you can keep an eye on the Broadway scene and a wonderful essay and a Jerry Orbach number.

Enjoy your planning:

http://thestarryeye.typepad.com/expl...he-mosque.html

Few Broadway shows sell tickets much more than 6 months in advance. To be honest, it's hard right now to know what shows will be playing next summer. All of the Fall/Winter openings have not even been announced.

If you want to see a perennial tourist show like Jersey Boys or Wicked, you can check on Telecharge to see when tickets are available, and you should book them as far in advance as is feasible. For big-star shows, buy tickets after the production is announced (if you are a big Broadway fan, keep an eye on the NY Times and Playbill.com to see show announcements). But for the typical show, I buy a few weeks in advance if it's a big show ... sometimes a couple of months in advance if it's something I'm willing to pay full price for and want to be sure I see (rare).

If you are on a budget, there are ALWAYS same-day tickets available for something at the TKTS booth for half-price, but you don't necessarily get to see the show you prefer that way. But except for the Christmas season and some specific times of the year, you just won't find everything sold out.

I agree with SueNYC, that it is a bit early to buy tickets. When a show is 'hot' it can take months to get tickets. Prices at the box office can be very high, $100-120 a show (Wicked, Jersey Boys, The Addams Family), etc, and even higher if you go thru Ticketmaster, Ticketron, etc. You can also go to the ticket booth, there is one in Times Square, and another one in the South Street Seaport to get heavily discounted tickets for shows that may still still have seats available for that day or evening performance. But, you never know what will be available.

Do you have anything in particular in mind, iowamom? How long will you be in the City?

Sign up for Broadwaybox.com below, you will get weekly emails with all the broadway and off-broadway discounts. I'd start looking for tickets in January 2001 for next Summer. By than the new shows will have opened and the reviews will be in.

Your FIL must be really excited to see you if he is planning already.

http://www.broadwaybox.com/broadway.aspx

January 2001 was probably a little to early! Try January 2011.

I figured it was waaaaay too early but wanted a little ammunition before I told him that. He lives in Paris (grew up in NYC) and usually comes to visit us twice a year - he suggested we meet in NYC for the summer 2011 visit, which I think is a fantastic idea. I told him we can plan it when we get closer which he responded to with "When should we start planning? Certain things like a good Broadway show and reasonably priced air tickets need to be booked well in advance." Yes I agree but not TWELVE months in advance! Heck, my DH has a couple of job opportunities that are cooking along that would require us to move so I don't even know for certain where we will be living in a year! Enough ranting...

We have a DD who will be almost 9 next summer so are looking for something that would appeal to her and us (40s) and the grandparents...

Wicked is still the most popular show on Broadway and is never discounted. That's one that you could/should consider booking well in advance and sounds like a perfect pick for your group.

Here's the list of upcoming shows
http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuz...Broadway-Shows

Here's what's currently playing http://www.playbill.com/events/listing/1.html

Ok so now it's probably too late to find anything for June! We have firmed up our plans and are going to be there in mid June. Trying to find a show that would be interesting for us all to go to - 8yo DD, DH, me, FIL and FIL-wife... any suggestions?

DH and I will probably go see Lombardi without everyone else.

There are always tickets available on the resale market. I use www.stubhub.com for sports tickets, and they have tickets for theater and concerts nationwide.

No, it's not too late.
As for Lombardi, there is a discount offer available for current performances. Check back in late April or early May, as there probably will be a discount offer for the time of your visit, assuming the show is still playing.
What other shows are you interested in seeing?
As for discount offers for other shows, the same applies: Check back in late April or early May.
However, if you want tickets for Wicked, The Lion King, Jersey Boys, get them now, as there won't be any discount offers for these.