I have one night in Manhattan and would like to get the biggest bang for the buck. I like musicals and plays. Assuming I can get a single ticket, what would you recommend?

These are all excellent choices; although all are unique, you could any one of them and not be disappointed. I have not seen all of your choices - perhaps one of our NYC regulars can speak to a comparison? Howard? RQF? Ellen? Owen?

have only seen Mamma Mia,but It's makes for a fun evening. Not a lot of plot but the songs are woven into the story well and it's delightful

Any of these would be good choices.
Mamma Mia if you enjoy old ABBA songs...it's fun and feel good Broadway.
Proof is thoughtful and provocative.
Millie is a traditional good old fashioned musical.
I believe that Mamma has begun a nat'l tour, so you might be able to catch it closer to home and that would leave you with two choices. Enjoy! let us know what you see on Broadway.

If I had only one night to see a show, I'd choose from among these three(listing only those for which one could easily get tickets on short notice):
Cabaret, Chicago and Proof
(I'm leaving Hairspray, The Producers, The Lion King and Mamma Mia off, since they are tough tickets.)

I saw Cabaret and Proof in August in NYC. Both are excellent. For Cabaret, try to get Mezzanine seats. On the main floor, your sightlines may be blocked and in the upper balcony, you don't get a table for your drink. We saw Molly Ringwald as Sally her first night back. Good solid performance from her and magical performance from John Stamos.

Probably any seats would be good for Proof. Saw Anne Heche and Neil Patrick Harris as the two "kids". She gave a good solid performance and Neil was fabulous. The woman playing the sister was excellent as was the gentleman playing the father.

Basically, what I'm saying is that I considered both of these shows well worth the money. Hope you have fun and see a good show, whatever you choose.

proof and mamma mia are both excellent. mamma mia is more fun and whimsy, so might be better shared with a guest. enjoy!

I have seen all 3 of these. Of your choices, I'd opt for Mamma Mia BUT before any of these, I'd beg/borrow/steal to try and get a ticket for Hairspray. This is really a terrific production. Tickets are difficult to come by but as a single, you'd have a better shot. Have you looked on ebay.com? I've seen single tickets there as well. Enjoy!

Sam's right!

Biggest bang for the buck. Okay. If it were my friend coming in for one night, I would pick 42nd St. Yes, I know, it has been around. But, it has everything--gorgeous costumes, fascinating sets, the best tap dancing and singing. It is the epitomy of a Broadway Musical. Lavish and big. Millie is 'cute'. Mama Mia, (& bash away) IMO, was a bit amateurish. I have heard the London production is better. If you have the time to scout around for a single ticket to Hairspray or Producers, those are excellent choices as well. As for Plays, I would go with Proof or off-Broadway with Burn This. You can't go wrong with either.

I think it really depends on what you like. Mamma Mia (which I haven't seen) and Millie are likely similar -- splashy, feel-good musicals. I liked Millie; I think the acting and dancing is great.

Proof is also a wonderful show, but quite different than the other two. It is a play, obviously, and heavier than the others.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them -- I guess it just depends on what you like.

We just saw Proof on Saturday night and we enjoyed it, but it would not be my first choice if you only had one night to see a show. On the other hand, we got our tickets at 7:30 at the TKTS booth so if that is the route you are going, you are pretty sure to have Proof available to choose from (and not Mamma Mia).

We saw the Graduate on Friday and loved that!!!

Saw Mamma Mia in August and really enjoyed it, and I was never a huge Abba fan. We bought tickets directly from the theater. We were told that all that was left togather was obstructed view seats for $60 each. Seats ended up being private elevated box seats which were on the side but very roomy, no one passing back and forth and I could take my shoes off and sooth my aching feet. Only a small portion of the back stage that was rarely used was obstructed. I would definitely ask for these seats again. Saw Chicago and enjoyed it also.