<p>Daughter and I will be in Manhattan for a week in July. First time there for both of us -- a chance for her to make sure she actually likes the city she's pinning all her MT dreams on... Anyway, we've got travel and housing together, but were wondering about recommendations of shows (affordable, please!), food, places an aspiring MT kid (she'll be a h.s. junior next year) simply MUST see while in the city.</p>
<p>And for tourist mom -- (that's me!) tell me the must-do's. Any advice welcome!</p>
<p>Use broadwaybox.com for Broadway show discount codes No waiting in line at TKTS and you can get the tickets before you leave. I loved “In the Heights”</p>
<p>A fun way to explore the city is on top of one of those open double decker buses. There are different routes, and you can “hop on and hop off”. Yes, it is a bit touristy, but, especially if it is your first trip, you get an easier feel for the sights (sit up top weather permitting), and decide where you want to go and spend more time :D. </p>
<p>Subsequently, you will probably enjoy roaming around the city on foot (Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, Times Square), and grab a subway to get around (much faster than a cab especially during rush hour traffic).</p>
<p>I highly recommend “Next to Normal.” My daughter and I saw it when it was still off-Broadway and it is amazing. We listen to the cast recording pretty much every day! You can also get ticket discounts at playbill.com. You have to join but the membership is free.</p>
<p>An even cheaper way to get B’way tickets is through the lottery or student rush system. For theaters that participate, it’s sometimes possible to get tickets for under $30. The policy varies from theater to theater – you can check with the individual theaters or go to Playbill.com to get a complete listing of theaters, rules and regulations.</p>
<p>Walk around Time Square at NIGHT - crowded, but worth it! Your daughter will love all the Broadway signs. It is so full of life and excitement! Lots of people are going to see shows. Get a piece of cheesecake too from one of the diners a little north of Times Square. For good burgers, try the “burger shack” in Le Parker Meridian right by Central Park - it is a very low-key place, but the line is out the door! Great burgers and very famous! Also, we went to Bobby Flay’s restaurant - I think it was Meza Grill - and that was quite tasty. You can keep it inexpensive (like we did) by just ordering appetizers. Yum Yum!!!</p>
<p>Also, walk through Little Italy!!! It was one of the coolest places I’ve been. The streets are filled with people selling cheap tourist gifts, tourists, people enjoying lunch, and lots of cannolis!!! It was delicious!!!<br>
Don’t forget shopping!!! You can get like 7 shirts for $10 from street vendors - great souvenirs!</p>
<p>DO NOT WASTE $$ on Phantom of the Opera. Saw it in March and it was terrible. Granted I’ve seen it two times prior and the first was with Michael Crawford and Dale Kristen…the cast had no energy, the vocals were horrible. Spend your $$ on “Billy Elliott” or “Mary Poppins” if it’s stil playing. A friend I was with on trip saw the bi-lingual “West Side Story” and was unmoved by it.</p>
<p>I would suggest a trip down to the World Trade Center site. Take the walking tour (the headphone tour worked great for me) and go through the small museum where you pay for the headphones. Very, very moving. Make sure you stop at St. Paul’s Chapel adjacent to the site…it was very touching to go through. Have fun!</p>
<p>The ferry to the State of Liberty is great and there are often street performers there also; a unique dessert spot is Serendipity (225 E 60th St at Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue); Look for free concerts in the park [2009</a> Season! New York Free Summer Concerts,central park summerstage 2009 calendar,bryant park,free concerts,summer concerts ny rockefeller center summer concerts](<a href=“http://www.freesummerconcerts.com/]2009”>http://www.freesummerconcerts.com/)
Enjoy!</p>
<p>Since neither of you have been to NYC before, I suggest you go to citysightsny.com and take one of their bus tours. They are great for seeing the highlight places in NYC plus you can add on attractions that really appeal to you. We loved being able to hop on and off the bus all around town. I agree with clinegirl about Little Italy. We try to eat there every visit to the city. Have fun! My daughter and I will be there the week before you at her freshman orientation. She’s doing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Pace University in Lower Manhattan.</p>
<p>We fly in Saturday, July 18, taking the train out Sunday, July 24. These ideas and suggestions are so helpful – especially the shows to see (and avoid). Keep 'em coming.</p>
<p>Only disappointment so far in the research is that both ABT and NYCB will be out of town when we’re there…but I am pretty sure we can find sooomething to keep us occupied!</p>
<p>Mommafrog, you are getting very good suggestions already. I know you said you wanted to see shows but not too expensive and I do hope you can secure some discounted tix to a Broadway show since your D has never been. I will mention another performance in the city that may interest your daughter that will be on Monday, July 20 (that is why I asked your dates) that doesn’t cost as much as a Broadway show (though is not like a Broadway show either!). That Monday night is a concert called Broadway Rising Stars which is at Town Hall Theater (a Broadway style theater in the theater district) directed by Emily Skinner (Broadway actress) and Scott Coulter. The show is made up of 20 recent MT graduates from various MT college programs who were chosen by audition to perform. Each one sings a solo song and there are also some small group numbers. This may interest your D (and you) since she is wanting to pursue MT and it is a chance to see a showcase of sorts of graduates from various programs that are being presented to NYC and talent agents and casting directors and other industry folk besides the general public. The show is at 8 PM. The tickets are available on Ticketmaster and cost $30 and $25. There eventually will be write up’s on various online theater sites, but none have gone up yet about this year’s show but you can google and read about this showcase concert from the past two years to get an idea. I thought I would throw that out there as an enjoyable night that costs less than a Broadway show but a chance to see selected recent grads from a variety of MT programs since your D is considering such a path. It is also a shameless plug as my daughter is cast in it and I’m going to be there too.</p>
<p>FYI: There are several shows that are depending on a Tony win to stay alive…watch for closing notices after Sunday. You can check for the buzz on [Broadway</a> World.com - Broadway’s Premier Web Resource](<a href=“http://www.broadwayworld.com%5DBroadway”>http://www.broadwayworld.com). Billy Elliot is the best show I have ever seen…you can buy full-price seats in the rear mezz for under $50 and still see everything. And that’s one show that will still be running even if they don’t win the Tony.</p>
<p>Next to Normal was very good, Blithe Spirit was a little tired, my kid LOVED Rock of Ages and The Little Mermaid, Hair was surprisingly good, The Philanthropist was funny… Check out the bios in the Playbills for schools attended, that’s a fun thing to do.</p>
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<li><p>From the airport take a car service that charges a flat rate to Mannhattan. Go to ground transportation, look for coupons, and use their courtesy phones to call for your ride - we prefer this over cabs. Other, even cheaper, options are the shuttle that takes you to Grand Central (~$10 I think) or the M60 bus that takes you to the upper west side (about 106th st. near Columbia U) where you can get on the subway (red no. 1) to midtown ($2 bus fare). </p></li>
<li><p>Buy 7-day subway passes for you and your daughter. Study the map online so you know what is where. Print the map and/or pick one up when you buy your passes (kiosks in subway). This will allow you to go all over quickly by subway or bus. Only take a cab if your daughter needs the experience. Tip: read the signs so you know if the train is going uptown (N) or downtown (S), pay attention to if it is local (outside track) or express (inside track), and don’t be afraid to ask - most New Yorkers are very willing to help you out. </p></li>
<li><p>Since you have not seen any shows on Broadway, keep an open mind about what is available for what price. What we like may not be what you like and seeing a “bad” BW show will still be a great experience on many levels - esp if you did not pay full price for your tickets. Only buy ticket ahead if it is a show your daughter HAS to see or if you get a phenomenal prices. </p></li>
<li><p>Places to go to find out about discounts and to pick up coupons: In Times square, go to the TKTS booth area and talk to the people who are answering questions and handing out coupons (they mill around the area and want to help you get the best deals - they are legit). With many of these offers, you then go to the theatre to buy your tickets rather than standing in the long or very long TKTS line. Next go up the street to the Info center (7th Ave & 53rd) and pick up current info. You can get a printout of what shows are playing - where and when, they list ticket prices including discounts. Then pick up any magazines or other info that interests you - good reading when waiting for the train. They have discount coupons for many shows - some are BOGO deals. Some other fun options are student rush and lottery, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t get them this way. My favorite is to get standing room tickets - usually ~$20. These are only for certain shows and only if it is sold out. And it is really not that bad to stand - you stand behind the back row on the main floor in an assigned area. Rush, lottery, SR and TKTS usually require cash and numbers limited. If these all fall through, go to the theatre ticket booth and ask what the best and/or cheapest tickets available for tonight’s show. They release house tickets at a certain point and you may be able to get the best seats in the house for half price. Being willing to sit apart in the same general area will increase your odds of cheap tickets. Most of the theatres are small enough that every seat is at least decent - even back of the balcony. Look at other shows too - like Encore shows at City Center - run for about 3 wks. We bought $25 tickets (coupon for balcony) then ushers let us move into empty $100 mezz seats. </p></li>
<li><p>Monday is typically dark, so make non-theatre plans for that night.</p></li>
<li><p>Take you daughter to dance class in the morning. Even if she is not a dancer, she will be able to find classes at her level. If she is a dancer, she will love it. Go to Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey, and/or Peridance. Check teachers and summer schedules online. Many of the teachers teach at two or more of these studios. </p></li>
<li><p>Never eat at chains that you have at home - they will be more expensive and not as good. Go for local fare. To save money, eat like most NYers - get it to go and find a place to sit and eat. For example, at the corner of 6th Ave and 53rd you can get the best halal chicken, beef or lamb for $6 or less but only from 7 PM til 5 AM - you will see the line. Havana Central just off times square has great food and coffee, good prices - fun place to go before seeing In the Heights.</p></li>
<li><p>Shopping is great, but be sure to check everything carefully - tshirts may have holes, zippers may stick - have fun, but be diligent with your inspections before you buy. </p></li>
<li><p>If you daughter is planning to apply at schools in the city, schedule your visits now. Then you can plan dance classes, shows, and shopping to fill in.</p></li>
<li><p>Wear comfortable shoes - to blend wear great sandals or converse (not reebocks). </p></li>
</ul>
<p>-Oops! I didn’t mean to go this long! FYI I live in the midwest but last summer I spent 5 weeks in the city with my teenaged son and daughter. We had great luck subletting a place on UWS.</p>
<p>TKTS takes credit cards for a lot of shows now…depending on the theatre.</p>
<p>And John’s Pizza on 44th between B’Way and 8th Avenue…mmmm… the Brooklyn Diner on 43rd at B’way is dependably good if a little pricey (excellent chicken soup, chicken pot pie, burger…pretty much everything is wonderful).</p>
<p>With all this talk of Broadway shows you should also do a little research on off and off-off Broadway. Some of my favorite shows were off and off-off. They’re cheaper, much more intimate, friendly, and you never know who’ll you’ll be able to say you were inches away from before they were famous. Best to research though as some can be very mediocre or worse!</p>
<p>^^^That is one reason I suggested Broadway Rising Stars as it costs less than a Broadway show and has up and coming talent and a chance for the OP’s daughter to see a showcase from a variety of MT programs at a Broadway size theater.</p>
<p>You may also want to check out Joe’s Pub (joespub.com) Emma Hunton from Spring Awakening will be there while you are in town. We actually walked from our hotel in Times Square to get there, and stopped in the Starbucks at NYU on our way and got a great feel for the area. Make sure you make a dinner reservation in advance if you want to go. Otherwise it is standing room only most of the time and trying to eat standing at the bar is a pain LOL!!</p>