Help w/musical family feud
 

Will be in NYC before Christmas with family. 2 adults 3 teenagers (19 18 & 17) We Can't agree on which musical to see. We have narrowed it down (LOL) to 42nd Street, Hairspray, Rent, Lion King & The Producers.Which would you see?

It depends. Have the three teenagers ever been to a Broadway musical before?

Hairspray

For that group, II wold definitely recommend Hairspray. Of the shows listed, that's the one that ALL FIVE OF YOU are most likely to enjoy. But, get tickets soon, as you're coming at the most busy time of the year and Hairspray is still selling out.

No, BuzzyJ this would be their first Broadway experience. Let me add that all three worked in musical productions in high school and community theatre in our small town(pop. 350). Its also their first NYC trip.

I guess then I would agree with the others (Howard is usually right on) and say "Hairspray." However, your kids probably know better than most about the work involved in theatre productions, and for that reason I think they would be amazed by "42nd Street."

Thanks for the kind words, BuzzyJ. I agree that they would like 42nd Street, and it would be my second choice for the group. I just think that the three teens would get a bigger kick out of Hairspray. (PS: Actually, you can't go wrong with any of the five shows.)

Having directed a lot of high school theatre musical productions, I think hands down the choice for this group should be Hairspray. 42nd Street second choice. While rent is a young theme, there isn't as much impressive about the staging, dance, and other elements that I think they will be overwhelmed with on the other productions.

I'd ask why you all have to see the same show. The teens are old enough to go on their own. From what I read here, teens LOVE Rent but adults don't. Pick 2 shows & split up.

Mclaurie we want to do this as a family. I am looking forward to seeing their faces.

I also would say Hairspray. One of the most up-lifting shows I've seen in years and great family entertainment. I've seen it 3 times (once with husband, another with daughter and last time with both kids) and I still walk out of that theater smiling (and so did the rest of my family). The teens would love Rent (I have yet to meet a teen that hasn't), but it gets mixed reviews form the parents (I liked it quite a bit, but Hairspray is great). Discounted tickets are available for Rent, maybe the kids could do that on thier own. For advance sale discounts check broadwayoffers.com, playbill.com, hitshowclub.com and theatermania.com. You'll unlikely find any discounts to Hairspray, Producer or Lion King.

If any of the shows playing are ones they've worked on at home, I think they'd really enjoy seeing one of those. I also think where you sit can make a big difference in the experience. If the kids have worked in stage production they'd proabbly enjoy sitting up close. Lastly, there's a new musical called Wicked in previews & scheduled to open this week. It's the "pre story" of the wicked witch & the good witch from Wizard of Oz. Word is it will take the Tony's next year. What about that?

I would take them to A Christmas Carol at the Theatre at Madison Square. Sit in the last row of the orchestra, ask when you get tickets for the snow row.

I don't know why this show is not getting more publicity, but it is a TERRIFIC production and this is the last year as per the show producers. If this is the first Bway show, then this would be something to remember always.

The actors walk through the audience handing out "crackers" and candy and the music is wonderful and good actors in all the lead roles.

We see it every year and just LOVE it.

It is done in a sort of theatre in the 3/4 the audience is partially surrounded by the set, so you really feel like a part of the show.

Have fun while you are here.

Sorry, wantsomesun, but I really can't see older teenagers getting that much of a thrill from from A Christmas Carol.

As usual I agree with Howard 100%. High school students I know would groan a lot, especially those with a little drama background.

I agree with Patrick's first post; 42nd Street is the most consumate, classical musical.

Do not, and I repeat: Do NOT see Lion King if you can only see one. While it IS entertaining, and the staging is second to none, it falls far from being a *musical* - IMHO. Its more like a *scream-ical*.

Have fun in the city!

Before you sorry for the pun "poo poo" A Christmas Carol have you seen it? There are some scarey parts that I think the teens would really like. IT is an old classic if ever there was one, but it is done for the kid in all of us. Trust me this is a great show.

Excuse me but 42nd St? For teens? You have got to be kidding. 42nd St is for middle age tourists, and I hated it when I saw the last production.

For teens, Rent or The Producers, but not Hairspray or 42nd St, not for a first time on Broadway. Also they might really like Phantom.

Please note that the poster has stated these teens have participated in high school musicals as well as community theatre. Again, look at your teens. If they have done high school musicals, which one? If they have been involved in typical high school shows like No, No Nanette or Anything Goes, they will probably go wild with 42nd Street. If they are teens who have never done theatre, much less musicals and prefer Matrix to musicals, then forget 42nd Street.

Sorry, wantsomefun, but I couldn't disagree with you more about the three teenagers' probable reactions to Hairspray and 42nd Street as their first Broadway show. Either show will probably dazzle them.
Hairspray not for teenagers? You've got to be kidding!

If there is a budget issue, go for RENT because you can get the tickets at TKTS.
If $ not an issue, go for HAIRSPRAY.