Tried to get tickets to "The Lion King" but could not. What is the next best show to see? 21 yr. old daughter and mother in NYC 8-1 thru 8-5. Thanks so much.

Contact would be a wondeful choice for you and your daughter. The dancing and story lines are great fun.

There are many that you might enjoy. My recommendations of the best that have tickets available (listed alphabetically): Cabaret, Chicago, Contact, Full Monty, Kiss Me Kate.
All five are sometimes available at the half-price TKTS booths, while some are available at a discount on the Playbill website (www.playbill.com).

That's like asking "What's the best movie?" You have to give some indication of what you like and dislike! If they all didn't have a particular appeal, they wouldn't be on broadway.

Cabaret is a great show. However, if you are uncomfortable with risque clothing and sexual innuendo, it really wouldn't be the right show for you. If you are not, it is very entertaining and very well staged.

Just a thought, skip bway and see a ballet or Opera at Lincoln Center the quality is heads and shoulders above bway. Don't like opera, little screen right in front of your face translating story. The customs and set designs are unbeatable. I am not sure anything is on for August. "Proof" is a bway drama doing well. I would avoid coming into the city and buying the two for tickets. Much of what happens on Bway is for large tour buses a big disappointment if you have seen real theatre in your life. Having said that some people love this stuff in a big way. Go online and read some reviews.

Trying to be as polite as possible, I'd say, ignore most of what Harris has just posted! Yes, Lincoln Center indeed does offer some wonderful opera, ballet and symphony.
However, his comments about the Broadway theater--i.e., "I would avoid coming into the city and buying the two for [sic] tickets. Much of what happens on Bway is for large tour buses a big disappointment if you have seen real theater in your life....."--is preposterous!

I agree with Howard on the harris post.

My short answer to your question: the show with the best seats.

IMHO, seats make a HUGE difference in a show. If you were willing to buy LK in advance, then you should order tickets now (to one of the shows already posted, for example). Check the seating charts online (or my favorite using Stubs, a small seating chart booklet for all NY area theatres, etc..). Front (row) of the center Mezzanine will always be good. I even like the first 1-6 rows of center Orchestra. Go through the process of buying to the shows so you can see the best seats available (you won't have to purchase them to see the seats). Then buy tix to the one with the best seats.

Next best show: A couple of choices: Beauty & the Beast; Annie Get Your Gun;

I'd stay away from some of the long, long running shows, as, IMO, the cast are cutting their Broadway teeth on these shows.

Nancy, "42nd Street", is a great musical with wondeful dancing and beautiful costumes. "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" is a riveting drama. "Les Mes" is another good choice, if you have not seen it. I agree with others ,who have suggested that you buy tickets ahead of time, so that you can get the best seats available. I saw all three of the above mentioned shows recently and they were all winners.

Chicago and Cabaret are both sophisticated and good--and the most sophisticated in terms of costumes, if your daughter cares. The Full Monty is quite funny, and also a bit risque. Why two adults would want to see Beauty and the Beast, which at this point qualifies as a long-running show with a no-name cast, is beyond me--unless you're obsessed with Disney! To make Harris happy, you could choose Contact, an outstanding show that's playing at Lincoln Center .

I would have to second the vote for Contact. I recently saw 5 Broadway plays while visiting my sister in NYC. While they were all good, I loved Contact. The dancers were fantastic!

We just went to see Beauty and the Beast. What a great show. I heard from most it is better than the Lion King.

Good Luck.

sincerely,

Brad

Among my personal favorite shows are Rent and The Rocky Horror Show, though both require somewhat of an open mind. They both have fantastic music, and are extremly fun to see. Also, tickets are usually on sale at the TKTS booth, or, if your daughter is a student, its possible to buy cheap, first row seats a few hours before the show.

i agree w/ howard on choices but it's hard to say which is the best - what do you like? also check out playbill.com
check reviews - check who won the tony's
i live and work in ny - timesquare
here's a list of the favorites from locals - big productions and big theatres can be beautiful and perfect for a first-timer
I agree w/ Howard's list: Chicago, Cabaret, Kiss Me Kate and add The Music Man - and Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable (on sale)
Drama: Proof