THE OPPRESION OF YOUNG PEOPLE~come complain here

[b-waygirl]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 9:20am

DAMN MY AGE.are there any kids, as in KIDS, out there who feel the same love for bway i do but feel restricted because their parents won't let them see the plays they want to or else they want to see too many plays but then their parents drag them off to other plays which are better than nothing, but then still not the plays you want to see. like i REALLY want to see the following: gypsy, wicked, mamma mia, little shop of horrors, chicago, the boy from oz, the producers, etc. but then my parents say that we're gonna see the PHANTOM again and i mean that was a good play but i'd rather see something new! ok, so my point is who else out there feels restricted that they're so young and if you do COME COMPLAIN HERE.

[broadway geek]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 9:29am

Sorry, I don't have that trouble. If I want to see something I can just save my money and see it with some friends. Or my parents love me enough to take me to see what I want. Sorry, I don't see you problem.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 10:40am

Nope. I don't have the problem. My parents will let me see whatever show I want. They didn't have a problem with me seeing the shows I want. Maybe it's because I pay for my own tickets throught the tkts booth in times square... I don't know.

Talk to your parents. Ask them why they won't let you see the shows you want. Or, offer to pay for your ticket.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 10:44am

You sound rather greedy. Unless you are dishing out the cash to go see the shows, then you really shouldn't demand much. I've payed for every show I go to, and sometimes I'll offer to pay a parents ticket if they are unsure about going.

Luckily for me, my mother isn't a huge theatre fan, so she won't know Les Mis from Bye Bye Birdie, so it makes no difference to her. Plus, she always likes whatever show I pick.

[b-waygirl]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:27am

umm, people? i'm 11!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i don't get allowance. the most $$ i get is lunch money. if i'm going to the mall or somethin then i ask for money and then my mom gives me money in the range of 20-35(depending on the mood she's in) then if i want more then i go to my dad~$20(i don't usually do this). so i can't save up money for a play and it seems like my parents would rather die than leave me alone in ny for approximately 3 minutes. (we live in chicago and visit NY ALOT)

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:45am

When I was 10, I saved up money and bought myself tickets to 42nd Street. You're a year older than I was. So, just save up all your birthday/holiday money and go to the TKTS booth in Times Square, where you can get show tickets 2 for the price of 1. Do that!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:59am

b-waygirl, you give me hope that somebody your age actually wants to TRY new things instead of seeing the same thing again and again.

It's not just your parents. It's kind of a general American thing. Take a city with great restaurants, like New York. It'd be possible for somebody to go to a different one every night of the week for years without ever repeating. Yet, locals and visitors alike go to the Olive Garden or the Hard Rock or Bubba Gumps because it's familiar. It's sad, really, but in this country people feel as if they have to show they love something by repeating visits to it again and again.

When you're older and you're working you will have the freedom to go see whatever the heck you want. And it'll be fun. It's worth the wait.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 12:04pm

If it's possible, try saving your mall money. After a couple of trips, you should have enough for a ticket at TKTS. Getting there, might be difficult if your parents don't let you roam the city on your own, though. But if you save the money yourself, maybe they will appreciate your responsibility and initiative and travel with you even if they don't want to watch the show.

[b-waygirl]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 2:25pm

like i said. my parents would rather die than leave me alone in NY. they're so friggin protective!!!!!!!!! like if i'm just going outside to do whatever wit my friends they wanna know everything and i hafta give them like a ten minute long speech telling them: i will be ok. i will not be kidnapped. i will not be murdered. i will not meet up with strange people just to annoy you. i will not smoke. i will not do drugs. etc. alot of my friends parents are like this. i know someone who's parents won't even let her go to ny with or without them! so i really don't think they'll let me see a play by myself. whatever. this is the last post i'll do trying to defend myself. when i grow up i swear i will watch as many plays as is humanely possible.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 2:47pm

Considering the amount of insane violence out there, your parents sound like they're being quite normal. Don't worry, one day you'll have the freedom to see what you want. For me, it was when I was 18. When you're 18, there will be shows to see. I'm just thrilled that someone of your age already has such an appreciation for musical theatre. I didn't discover it until I was 16. But then, I grew up in a suburb of Houston, so it's lucky I discovered it at all.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:00pm

No offense but if I was a parent I would not want my 11 year old by themself in New York. Wait a few years and they'll trust you more plus it would help if you try taking on more responsibility with buying tickets and the like. Once they finally let you go free (even if it isn't til you are 18 ) It will just mean that much more to you, and consider yourself lucky, I STILL haven't been to New York, well I've been to the West End so I can't complain much but there are kids out there who would kill just to get a chance to see a show on broadway. You're only 11 you have many years ahead of you. Keep your love of theatre up! Be nice to your parents about it and don't complain all the time. You're more likely to get what you want that way.

Updated On: 1/3/04 at 04:00 PM

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:26pm

I don't think I would want to be alone in the city at 11 years old...

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:28pm

Really b-way girl, while it's easy to admire your passion, I wouldn't let an 11 year-old alone in the city either. Sorry! Maybe one of the adults here could meet your parents and take you with them from time to time.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:30pm

...I think that's even scarier than being in the city, JohnPapa.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:32pm

Which is why I said someone could meet her parents and what not. There are good people here, I'm not expecting her to just tag along with anyone with a theater ticket.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:35pm

I want SueleenGay to take me to NY.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:35pm

Ha, I used to sneak into the city by myself when I was 15... until I hit 17 and my mom would allow me to come in alone. (I'm from the Boston area... it was a short bus ride... until I got my car, and then it was a hell of a lot shorter... me? Speed? Neeeeeeeeeeeever. *smiles angelically*)

I am by NO means encouraging you to do that, but sometimes, when you're desparate, you're desparate! Looking back, now that I live here and have a little 15 year old cousin, I know I don't feel comfortable with the idea of her roaming around by herself. Eleven years old is far too young to be by yourself in such a large, crazy city. Hell, I wouldn't WANT to be by myself in this city at that age (sometimes I don't even want to at this age)! It can get scary!



I do admire your interest in broadening your horizon, though... like everyone else has said... all in good time. :) For now, just take what you can get and enjoy... use that mall money to buy as many cast recordings you can get and familiarize yourself with different genres of musical theatre. One day you'll get to see them for yourself, but until then... you can still enjoy the music and read up on the plots. :) You can still broaden your theatre knowledge without actually seeing a variety of theatre. Maybe you can impress your parents enough that they'll eventually realize how serious you are and will give in on your next trip. :) You won't be 11 forever. Don't stress.

[ShineOn]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:35pm

Ha, I used to sneak into the city by myself when I was 15... until I hit 17 and my mom would allow me to come in alone. (I'm from the Boston area... it was a short bus ride... until I got my car, and then it was a hell of a lot shorter... me? Speed? Neeeeeeeeeeeever. *smiles angelically*)

I am by NO means encouraging you to do that, but sometimes, when you're desparate, you're desparate! Looking back, now that I live here and have a little 15 year old cousin, I know I don't feel comfortable with the idea of her roaming around by herself. Eleven years old is far too young to be by yourself in such a large, crazy city. Hell, I wouldn't WANT to be by myself in this city at that age (sometimes I don't even want to at this age)! It can get scary!



I do admire your interest in broadening your horizon, though... like everyone else has said... all in good time. :) For now, just take what you can get and enjoy... use that mall money to buy as many cast recordings you can get and familiarize yourself with different genres of musical theatre. One day you'll get to see them for yourself, but until then... you can still enjoy the music and read up on the plots. :) You can still broaden your theatre knowledge without actually seeing a variety of theatre. Maybe you can impress your parents enough that they'll eventually realize how serious you are and will give in on your next trip. :) You won't be 11 forever. Don't stress.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 4:37pm

One possibility that might work is if when you are in NYC they were to drop you off at a theater to see a show that you want to see and then meet you there when it is over. I used to do that with my daughter when she was younger..she'd go to Rent; I'd go to something *not* Rent. (Disclaimer for Rent fans...I have NOTHING against Rent and have seen it several times...) We worked out a plan where she would go to wait for me if I was delayed. And now that 'everyone' has a cell phone, it's even easier.

I'm one of the more liberal parents around, and I wouldn't let my child wander around alone in the city at your age (or even quite a bit older). That's one of those things that has to be eased into, comfort level by comfort level. She is now 17, and does the whole Port Authority/subway commute with no problem on her part and very little fear and trepidation on mine.

Another thing you might want to try is to explore what community theater has to offer around where you live, and suggest that you and your mom (or dad) go to see something together. A lot of parents would jump at the chance to spend an evening with their child...key concept here...at the child's suggestion. And community theater won't break the bank, so they might be more open to seeing something new. It might also impress your parents with the depth of your interest in theater.

Good luck! I love it that you want to see a variety of musicals and plays. Hang in there with your interests. It'll get easier.

[b-waygirl]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 6:01pm

i know. i don't want to be in the city alone either. it scares me sometimes. w/e

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 6:20pm

Hey b-waygirl,
That does suck that you can't see the shows you want. I can only see a show if someone comes with me, I can't go to NYC by myself. But since my sister is a fanatic over Broadway shows to, we see alot of shows.

[BroadwayDiva]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 6:52pm

Do you parents know anyone in New York City? Maybe that person would want to go to one of the shows that you want to see. That way, your parents won't have to go to the show, and you'll still have an adult with you.

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:34pm

Tell your "oppressive" parents that whatever musical/play you're going to see is probably healthier than illegal drugs, although it might cost the same.

My sister was 12 when we (as in, her and me) saw our first professional musical -- it was Miss Saigon.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 12/30/03 at 11:58pm

wow b-waygirl i can c where ur comin from cuz i too am from chicago (elk grove btw) nd am only 14! i guess mah parents r more libral than urs hehehe cuz when we go on our nyc getaways they suggest that i go out to explore the city on mah own lol well jus the time square area ne ways. u should take iflitifloat's advice nd see some community theatre here nd u can even get those tix at a cheap price if u use hot tix (www.hottix.org). u can try negotiatiting with ur parents about wut show to see and/or try to show ur maturity that you can see a show by urself. i know i kinda showed that when i saw Nine b/c i sat on the far right of the mezz while my mom sat on the otha far side of the mezz. jus keep trying! =D hehe aiite l8r nd good luck!

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 12/31/03 at 12:05am

Wow, I'm still under 18 and even I am annoyed by "l8r" and those "r" and "u"s. Maybe its because I'm so intellectual and theatrical.