nyc theater/hotel suggestions in march

Parent Cafe
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<p>my girls’ spring breaks overlap by only a few days, so I thought we’d make a quick run to NYC. Obviously I waited too long to think about reservations, because the hotel where we usually stay is sold out. Any suggestions for reasonable hotels, ideally ones with a “junior suite” option? Also ideas for a show to see that would appeal to late teens? thanks!</p>

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<p>ivory, we usually stay at the Renaissance on 7th at 47th but I imagine it’s also probably fully booked by now. It also wouldn’t fall into the reasonable category. Others where we’ve stayed have been the Michelangelo and the Crowne Plaza. We’ve visited other friends, when we’ve all been in the city together, at the Marriott Marquis and the W, both of which were very nice.</p>

<p>For theatre options, you can have a look at playbill.com listings</p>

<p>[Playbill</a> Show Listings: Broadway](<a href=“http://www.playbill.com/events/listing/1.html]Playbill”>http://www.playbill.com/events/listing/1.html)</p>

<p>You can also check for discounted tickets on that site, as well as on broadwaybox.com. There is always the TKTS booth for same day discounted tickets if you prefer that, but I don’t recommend it if there’s a particular show you want to be sure to see. For late teen girls, I think my first recommendation would be Legally Blonde. It’s not sophisticated theatre but it is a whole LOT of fun. When my Ds and I saw it with a group of friends last year, I was skeptical going in but it surprised me very pleasantly. Everyone in the theatre enjoyed themselves, and it’s the type of show that you leave with a smile on your face. :slight_smile: Other good choices are Rent (which is closing after 12 years on Broadway, in June), A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening (although that is not everyone’s cup of tea) Xanadu (lots of fun!), In the Heights, or Jersey Boys (probably not possible to get tickets on this short notice, though). Grease might also appeal to them, although it really isn’t very good (even the revival in the late 90’s that many hated, was better than this one). One other choice is Altar Boyz which is off-Broadway but very close to the theatre district and is tremendous fun. If you have questions on any other shows or restaurants or things to do, let me know.</p>

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<p>Have they seen Rent? Wicked? Avenue Q? (All highly recommended by my D, who adores Broadway musicals.)</p>

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<p>My daughter who is a Broadway musical junkie, would most likely say to see Wicked as a first choice. Rent is my favorite and we just saw Chorus Line last month. I was a bit disappointed in Chorus Line, but I saw the original as my very first Broadway play, so I don’t anything else could compare!</p>

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<p>Off-Broadway has good options, too, including Stomp! and Blue Man Group. And Hairspray is a blast!</p>

<p>The Michelangelo definitely doesn’t fall into the “reasonable” range; it’s a great hotel, but very expensive.</p>

<p>One place that’s popular with groups is the Howard Johnson’s on 8th and… oh, about 55th? Somewhere in the 50s, anyway. Has a garage, too. I haven’t stayed there recently, but have stayed in the past both as part of a group and on my own. It’s not the Michelangelo or Sherry-Netherland, certainly, but I felt safe and comfortable there.</p>

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<p>Again, what have they seen? These are all good choices. If they want to see Rent, you’d better make that a priority as it will be closing soon and who knows when they’d get a chance to see it again.</p>

<p>Avenue Q is hilarious… I saw the touring production last night in Milwaukee; second time I’ve seen the show. As long as they’re late teens, it’d be OK - it’s rather raunchy, and an equal-opportunity offender. But it’s incredible!</p>

<p>Another suggestion (if you can get tickets) is Spring Awakening - very, very popular with the late teens crowd. If you attend with your daughters, be prepared for some intense stuff, though.</p>

<p>My daughters, in their later teens, would love Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, etc. Chicago and Grease are sure winners; if you can get tickets to Jersey Boys or Mary Poppins, they would be worth it, too.</p>

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<p>thanks for the great suggestions… all they have seen is Wicked and Lion King, both of which they loved – who wouldn’t really? I appreciate all the help.</p>

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<p>I stayed at the Kimberly with my two sisters. It wasn’t cheap but we did have two beds in the bedroom and a sofabed in the living room with a full kitchen in a great location. Close to subway and walking distance to theatre and Central Park.</p>

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<p>If you are looking for an inexpensive Broadway experience, try Cry Baby The Musical, it’s new and tickets are only $ 54</p>

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<p>Then I would suggest Rent since it is closing; it’s a very powerful story. Then pick another one that is sort of light-hearted to counterbalance the intensity and rock and roll style of Rent.</p>

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<p>Love Rent.</p>

<p>We just stayed at the “On the Avenue Hotel”…we had a room with two double beds. It’s nice, clean, and the beds are very comfortable.</p>

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<p>I had good wintertime experience with Hotel Newton on the Upper West Side, on Broadway between 94th and 95th St. same block as the subway system so you’re minutes to Times Square (42nd St). If you’re a group of people, just hail a taxi when you’re that close. Comparing costs to taxi against several subway fares @ $2. per ride, it’s often sensible in groups to taxi instead. </p>

<p>Hotel Newton is not fancy, just a properly kept budget hotel with convenient location.</p>

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<p>All the show suggestions above are great. Rather than repeating, I’ll offer one you might not otherwise have thought about, in case you can’t get tickets to a first choice: Apparently (who knew?), Xanadu is truly smart and funny. It’s been getting ridiculously great reviews.</p>

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<p>We had a list of shows that interested us. Once we checked out Broadwaybox we had an idea of what shows were in our price range and had seats for the days we had available.</p>

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<p>I am so jealous. I just don’t think an NYC trip is on the docket this year and my DD and I love going to shows.</p>

<p>If you are adventuresome, try priceline and put a bid on a room. It has worked out well for us.</p>

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<p>Harriett, Xanadu is a very entertaining show. That’s why I recommended it above! :wink: In addition to being much fun, it has a very good looking, talented leading man, Cheyenne Jackson. Sure to be a favorite for both ivoryk and her Ds!</p>

<p>I just noticed something in my earlieir post. As was pointed out, the Michelangelo would not qualify by most as reasonable. When I copied and pasted my reply, some of my reply didn’t transfer. What I also said was that it’s difficult to suggest ‘reasonable’ hotels when you don’t know someone’s budget. This is especially true for Manhattan. The other issue is whether or not the person is willing to have to travel from their hotel to the theatre district or if they want walking distance. So, if ivory can give some insight in those areas, some more accurate recommendations can be made. :)</p>

<p>Here are a few of the many previous discussions on CC about NYC hotels:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/353274-hotel-3-adults-manhattan.html?highlight=new+york+hotels[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/353274-hotel-3-adults-manhattan.html?highlight=new+york+hotels&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/371417-seven-hotels-nyc-under-200-night.html?highlight=new+york+hotels[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/371417-seven-hotels-nyc-under-200-night.html?highlight=new+york+hotels&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/211324-new-york.html?highlight=new+york+hotels[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/211324-new-york.html?highlight=new+york+hotels&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/178519-first-trip-new-york-city.html?highlight=new+york+hotels[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/178519-first-trip-new-york-city.html?highlight=new+york+hotels&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/85427-new-york-hotels-redux.html?highlight=new+york+hotels[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/85427-new-york-hotels-redux.html?highlight=new+york+hotels&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks again to all. I lived in NYC for about five years, so location isn’t really important and certainly I don’t need to be in midtown of the theater district. The hotel we’ve used in the past – a great one for future reference – is the Beacon at 74th & Broadway – right across from the Fairway. They have real suites, which work well with older kids. I stayed in a single there a few weeks ago for $200, but I think it was a last-minute rate. I guess I was hoping not to exceed $250, but may not be reasonable. Several years ago, I stayed at the Hotel Avalon near the Empire State Building, but I just checked and their “junior suites” start at $459. Too steep for my budget. Of course I also just talked to D who will be home from college, and now she’s making noises about going to visit friends at Penn State, so this may all be my pipe dream that vanishes when confronted with the realities of teenage social schedules. Or pooey on them – I’ll just go and leave them at home!</p>

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<p>We’re not crazy about musicals, but this household loved Spamalot - we even saw it twice.</p>

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<p>DD and I saw Xanadu at Christmas and it was fun. Not spectacular but fun. We also really enjoyed Curtains with David Hyde Pierce. We always have one show as first choice and whatever one I get super discounts on for second and Xanadu was second. But it is small theater and all the tickets were good.</p>

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<p>Alwaysamom, ack! I’m so sorry. You certainly did mention Xanadu; I see it now. I think I need more coffee. . . .</p>