What is the best mode of transportation for 3 people with luggage to stay in NYC from Aug. 2-10Th from the airport to Columbia University?

Can we get good tickets for less to see Phantom? Buy early or wait in line?

The most practical and convenient way would be a cab. It'll cost less than the bus and will drop you off right where you are staying.
As for Phantom of the Opera tickets, you've got a good chance of getting them at TKTS (half-price plus $3) especially for a Tuesday or Wednesday night performance.

The m-60 bus ($2.00 per person--pay withcoins or Metrocard only, no bills)bus really is the cheapest way to go, and since you're going to the Columbia area, it will take you almost to the door! The buses are regular city busses and do not have separate luggage compartments underneath, but if you have carry-on luggage, there will be no problem whatsoever. You are allowed to bring regular sized suitcases on city busses, but it may be cumbersome

Thanks- someone said they did not think a 14 yr. old would like Phantom because of all the singing, etc. What is Rent about?

If you're worried about "all the singing," wouldn't you have that problem with any musical? You're probably better off taking him to Blue Man Group or Stomp. (I think 14 is a little young for Rent.)

The city bus is certainly a good buy but it is not the most onvenient way to go - especially with luggage. A taxi will cost around $20 and is the fastest most convenient way to go.

The taxi will be so much simpler.

As to the show, if you mean that Phantom is all sung with no spoken parts in between, I believe Rent is the same. Someone recently posted having seen 3 shows (including Hairspray) & liked Thoroughly Modern Millie the best. I can't give a personal opinion though.

42nd st is an old fashioned classic Broadway musical. Discount tickets are available at playbill.com (register for free). They also have Man of la Mancha-another classic. Off Broadway, De La Guarda is popular with kids & teens, also available from playbill.com

debnwade, I noticed you posted a question about this and another about Phantom.

Since your question is asked differently in different places, I can tell you that yes, the bus is the cheapest. NYC bus, not a special bus from the airport, so it only costs $2 per person, total of $6 for 3 of you. It goes from Laguardia Airport, across 125th street in Manhattan, and down Broadway as far as 106th street. Columbia is at 116thand Broadway, so you'll be right there.
It is not quick (about an hour, plus however long you have to wait for the bus, plus you have to walk a little depending on where you are in Laguardia)
but it does not involve getting up or down subway stairs . The person who said that (on the other thread?) may be thinking of the bus from JFK, which take s you to subway stations. THIS (LGA) bus taks you right from the airport to the upper west side. Since you are going to that neighborhood, I think it is a possibility if you are trying to save wherever you can and you do not have several huge suitcases.
If you wnat to take a cab, it is certainly more convenient, and will cost about $20 for all of you. The afer is metered, not set, so it can vary by a few dollars, especially in heavy traffic.

As far as Phantom--well, you know your son, The 14 year old boys I know wouldn't especially like it (nor many 'traditional " musicals. He might prefer Rent, but if his favorite music is Rap, for example, Rent is going to be pretty lame. Stomp and De La Guarda are the ones people often mention for teen boys, but may or may not be what you're looking for for yourself

We prefer a car service (have used Carmel, Tel Aviv and BCS) to a cab. They've been about the same price, but much nicer.

I've used the M60 bus many times and have never had a problem, even during rush hour, of getting a seat. I do travel with only 1 bag. You will have to put your bag on the floor (a few buses have a rack over the wheel wells) as using a seat for luggage is frowned upon (or worse). If you get yourself to the USAirways terminal (one of the first stops for the bus) you can "situate" yourselves in the most comfortable location as those arriving at the airport exit the bus at the other terminals. A large number of fellow bus riders will be airport employees, rather than out-of-town travelers. Remember, no BILLS (currency) on the bus.

I think you posted a similar question yesterday about transport from LGA to Manhattan, so I won't repeat my advice here. I will say with 3 people a taxi is the cheapest way other than the regular city buses people above talk about; but with luggage etc I would not want to go the city bus route.

Rent is a musical basically about people suffering from AIDS and how they survive in the city. Sounds depressing, but it really is uplifting. It is very loosely based on Puccini's La Boheme. It won the Tony award the year it premiered (1998 or so if I recall correctly). It is more of a rock musical than say Phantom, which IMO is more operatic and not even in the traditional vein of Broadway musical song-and-dances. A 14-year old boy might enjoy the music more, there is some dancing, there is a younger cast, and while the theme is an adult one, at 14 he is probably the right age to consider these issues. There is no nudity or sex on stage.

I agree that Stomp would be an really excellent choice, but if you want a Broadway musical, Rent would be one to consider. Stomp is very very loud, sit toward the back if you can!

To be pedantic, Phantom is almost what I consider to be "opera seria " which means there are almost no spoken lines and/or the limited dialogue is actually sung. I think the music is a little heavy for a 14 year old. Some of Andrew Lloyd Webber's other musicals, like Cats or Starlight Express are also opera seria, IMO, but the music is lighter and based more on rock and Broadway musical tradition than Phantom, so I think younger people could enjoy it more.

Blue Man is another show a 14 yr old boy might enjoy. Also, Big River (Huck Finn musical) is in previews. My 12 yr old enjoyed Hairspray quite a bit and loves anything that's Mark Twain. There's a small off-b'way theater in the theater district showing a musical version of Prince and the Pauper (which my son also enjoyed).

topping. . .