Meanwhile I can't believe I'm sitting her raving about the big musicals, when as I said I actually prefer straight plays. So why am I? Because this post wasn't about me and what I like, but what the original poster and her kids would be most likely to LOVE. If it were about what I like, I'd probably suggest Doubt, but I can't honestly believe that would be the best choice for this group.

If you are comfortable with seeing puppets have sex on stage, see Avenue Q.
Its amazing. Spamalot is also fantastic.
I thought Phantom was tired and boring.
I hear that The Pajama Game is fantastic.

Hey gang!

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The "boy" is 21...and, he is easy to please. All of the kids appreciate any good story...I am a drama teacher so they have been exposed to straight plays and musicals. They like them both.

WE are going to be in NYC June 5 for four days. Yes, Wicked is sold out or tickets for $300.00 are available. For that price, we will just read the book. (smile)

We like to laugh AND we like to be moved. But, is that asking too much?

I'll throw another show into the mix--Chicago. It's great fun, and I think all of you will enjoy it.

'We like to laugh AND we like to be moved. But, is that asking too much?'

Hmmm. Maybe Doubt wasn't such a bad thought after all.

In that case, Roosters, I would strongly consider Light in the Piazza. It's a beautiful, romantic, sweet musical with a wonderful story. It sounds like your family has an appreciation for all types of theatre, and this might be one you'd all really enjoy.

Having loved the play Barefoot in the Park some 40 years ago when I thought it was fresh and funny, I began today to think maybe I was missing something about this current revival -- perhaps, just perhaps it might be worth seeing on my next trip to NYC. So I just googled a few of the reviews to make sure.

What did I find? Some of the best one line zinger insults of all time in Broadway reviews.

Here are a couple of the highlights from the critics who didn't like it as well as a few (and apparently very few judging by the empty seats) who have seen this production:

"When the curtain rises on the torurous new revival. . ."

"Elliott (the director) and his cast are unable to weave any spell whatsoever. . ."

"The play seems decidedly irrelevant to contemporary concepts of humor."

And even the very "hot" Amanda Peet has been described as "an emotion vacuum" and noted for her "laborious comic inefficiency".

Makes you want to run, not walk, right out to see it, doesn't it?

I would recommend Mama Mia.....people of all ages love it. The play is easy to follow and has great music your kids would like.

I took my kids, 25 and 28 to see "AVENUE Q". They honestly believe everyone of their friends NEEDS to see it! I guess it rang too true to 20 somethings trying to find themselves. I really liked it, but for me, once was enough.

Ooops. If you do want to see Barefoot in the Park you might want to hurry. I see their weekly grosses slipped to less than 50% capacity this past week. I'm not so sure the show will finish its scheduled run till July. They can't make it on houses less than half full (and most of those discounted).

So, Rooster, have you had any more thoughts about what to see?

I think it is between:

Mama Mia
Rent
Phantom of the Opera

Don't consider Barefoot in the Park.
it is closing 5/21 after the matinee
performance.

Yes, I see that was announced this morning, as I assumed it would be after yesterday's posting of the less than 50% audience figures. Others did not share the enthusiasm of a few.

Have you asked the kids what they want to see? I can't believe they would rather see Rent, Mama Mia or Phantom over Spamalot.

They don't know a thing about Spamalot. The only "Broadyway-type" touring shows they have seen are Cats and Miss Siagon. They loved them both. So, they are open to any experience.

I've heard that Wicked is excellent and since it deals with the 2 witches as young adults that would seem appropriate for that age. I personally thought Phantom was a bit slow. I love Rent (excellent for that age and anyone open-minded although I don't know how worldly your 14 yr old is. Mama Mia was so much fun. Lion King great for any age and Aida was terrific too. Good luck and have fun!

One doesn't have to be open minded to enjoy Rent. If they haven't already heard the songs, it won't make any difference as the sound is so overamplified, they won't understand any of the words anyway.

C'mon Neopolitan,
You have to admit that the "Cow Jumped over the Moon" song is "out there" (performance art). Kids at our high school performed it at a cabaret night and the people that weren't familiar with Rent were perplexed! Too funny. I just meant that the issues are heavy, there is a death, etc. I wouldn't let my 9 or 12 yr. olds see it.

Sorry. I guess my little attempt at light humor failed miserably. Of course the show is a bit over the top and not for the very young (although Roosters' youngest is 14). I was only pointing out that when I first saw the show and didn't know any of the songs, there were some that I literally could not understand a single word they sang. After learning the show and hearing a recording where it was audible, I enjoyed the show a whole lot more. So my point was that if the kids didn't know the show, they probably wouldn't be able to understand any of the words anyway. That's all.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes........