Could some of you Broadway officianados can help? Already done a search on Broadway shows, so I know what some of the faves are.

Girls weekend in NYC in April, 30something moms. Our top 3 choices are Mama Mia, Rent & Aida. Would love to consider Producers, but ticket prices look outrageous. Have since read good things on Urinetown too. How do my 3 choices and Urinetown compare? First time to NYC and Broadway for most of us, we want to choose the best.

Thanks for your help!

Contact!

The Full Monty was a fun show. The perfect show for a Girls outing.

Another vote for Contact.

Mama Mia is said to be very enjoyable, but difficult to get tickets (not Producers-difficult, but it's still popular nonetheless).

Aida didn't get the best reviews.

Rent has been out for a while and it's pretty easy to get tickets.

I would go with Full Monty (or Mama Mia if you can get tix) or Contact (so long as you understand it isn't a traditional musical).

My two friends and I were treated to tickets to Contact from our husbands as part of our Christmas gifts. We had a great time! What a fun musical. I loved the last act - Robert Palmer at it's best!

I would not recommend Rent as it's really geared for people in their teens and 20's. My 14 y.o. niece loved it but my husband and I, who have very eclectic tastes, didn't find it particularly good. For the $$ you'll spend to see a show, I'd see something else.

Friends & I went to NYC about a year and a half ago - all girls - late 20's. Saw The Full Monty 2 weeks after it opened - perfect for a group of girls.

Have heard great things about Mamma Mia, but haven't seen it yet. Also, may want to look into something interactive, like Tony 'N Tina's wedding, which I'm seeing in a few weekends for a bachelorette/girls weekend when we go back!

I am a 46-year-old mother of two daughters who went to see Rent last year. I loved it. The music, singing, and energy were incredible and although there were some parts which made me a tad uncomfortable, overall I thought it was excellent. Went right out and bought the soundtrack and have been singing the songs ever since. So moved by the production, I made a significant (for me) donation at the door for AIDS assistance.

Rent was good for what it is. But is the story of men dying from AIDs really what you want to see on a girl's weekend?

Another vote for Contact. You'll be dancing when you leave the theater.

I saw Rent and guess I misunderstood it. I thought the main character, a female was dying from AIDs. Did I misunderstand the entire show? Wasn't it the story of La Boheme, and the young girl who was Mimi in the opera was dying of Aids rather than consumption, to bring the story up to date.
But if you are looking for something lighter, I'd suggest The Full Monty or Mama Mia.

Rent has been around forever. I'd suggest a lighter musical like Mamma Mia or Contact for a girl's weekend.

Thank you all so much for your very helpful responses. I'm taking everyone of them into consideration. I welcome more advice, and if anyone cares, I'll inform you of my decision once it's made.

Thanks!!

I guess I "misunderstood" rent, too. The story line was offensive (close friends betraying one another), but the music and choreography are magnificent. We LOVED Chicago and Cabaret (sign up at www.playbill.com,where there are frequent substantial discounts for top seats). While The Producers is a fabulous show, we enjoyed Cabaret and Chicago much more. Note that "The Sweet Smell of Success", which hasn't opened yet, is enjoying very brisk ticket sales. Could be this year's "The Producers" or "Lion King". Music by Marvin Hamlisch, starring John Lithgow. We have tickets already.

I can't believe no one has recommended Aida. I saw it in March 2000, right when it opened with a friend and our two teenage daughters and we all loved it. Elton John was in the audience which made it even more exciting. The story is very romantic and the music is great. Costumes are beautiful and there is a alittle humor injected too. Great show.

If you can get tickets, I think Mama Mia would be a great choice for your group. Three of the main characters are women who have been friends for many years. It is a very enjoyable show. The music is all old Abba songs and I was never a big fan of theirs but I really enjoyed the show. The Producers is good but, in my opinion, not worth paying scalper prices to see. Other favorites of mine are Contact, Cabaret and Full Monty.

I've seen 20 or so Broadway shows (though not Producers or Lion King 'cause tickets are so hard to come by) and my favorite was Chicago. The show is all about women - women who are in jail because of their actions, after their men did them wrong. It very funny, the orchestra is right on stage and the cast interacts with them. And the music is fantastic. I'm not sure, but tickets might be available at the TKTS booth since the show's been around for so long.

Spent time in NYC in Dec. and saw two musicals, Full Monty and Cabaret. Enjoyed the Full Monty but loved Cabaret especially the new cast with Molly Ringold. You can get half off tickets for these shows and Cabaret.

I wouldn't recommend "Chicago." I saw it on my last trip to NYC and was disappointed. You can do better.

Contact is like a dance recital--no singing or live orchestra...beware....