Babies crying in theaters
Babies crying in theaters
Babies crying in theaters#1
Posted: 5/16/26 at 10:04am
I was watching a YouTube video of a play. This baby was crying for 2 full minutes over singing and monologues before the father took him out. How is this generally handled on Broadway? Does it happen often?
Babies crying in theaters#2
Posted: 5/16/26 at 10:16am
It doesn't happen often in my attending Broadway shows. I think a baby is generally not allowed to attend.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Babies crying in theaters#3
Posted: 5/16/26 at 10:24am
Simple. Children under 5 are not permitted at Broadway shows. Even Disney’s THE LION KING has it posted “no children under 2 permitted.” This info is clearly posted on show websites and ticket selling websites as well as the theatre’s box office.
Babies crying in theaters#4
Posted: 5/16/26 at 10:51am
BrodyFosse123 said: "Simple. Children under 5 are not permitted at Broadway shows. Even Disney’s THE LION KING has it posted “no children under 2 permitted.” This info is clearly posted on show websites and ticket selling websites as well as the theatre’s box office."
Does this rule also apply to off Broadway and off off Broadway shows?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Babies crying in theaters#5
Posted: 5/16/26 at 11:22am
Does this rule also apply to off Broadway and off off Broadway shows?
Indeed. It’s standard policy, basically, and deters from anyone showing up with an infant/toddler and legally having the upper hand.
HAMILTON is a bit more aggressive with their policy. Having to pay top ticket price for a 5 year old is a genuine deterrent for someone thinking of bringing their kid: 
Babies crying in theaters#7
Posted: 5/16/26 at 1:08pm
Obviously a child doesn’t carry an ID to ensure they are of age, so while it is a rule that under a certain age is prohibited, some kids can look older than their actual age and also this rule operates in an honor system. (Personally, I grew like a weed and acted/looked 6 when I was 3, so anything is possible).
Babies crying in theaters#8
Posted: 5/16/26 at 1:50pm
Everyone who enters the theatre needs to have their own paid ticket. Theatres have clearly marked advisories.
Keep your f**king kids at home. End of story.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Babies crying in theaters#9
Posted: 5/16/26 at 2:16pm
I don’t know much about children. For those of you who have experience with kids, at what age would a child typically be able to sit quietly through a musical?
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
Babies crying in theaters#10
Posted: 5/16/26 at 2:23pm
As for sitting still and attentive, I suggest 6 and over. 5 and under tend to lose interest quicker so you’re spending more time trying to control them in their seat as they slowly start fidgetting. As for remembering a show later, I suggest 7-8 and above. I started taking my niece and nephew to Broadway shows at 5 and 6 and 10 years later, they have no memory of any of the shows they saw. They do remember the ones they saw age 7 and above.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Babies crying in theaters#11
Posted: 5/16/26 at 4:08pm
PabloJuan said: "I don’t know much about children. For those of you who have experience with kids, at what age would a child typically be able to sit quietly through a musical?"
I love your first sentence, it's incredibly funny to me. There is endless talks in the Mom circles about what an appropriate age is for movie theaters, airplanes, musicals, etc. Many parents don't care about anyone's comfort and say "They are NOT entitled to a child free world!!" which makes me roll my eyes so hard. Some of these parents are my friends but we fundamentally disagree on this. People are entitled to a child free experience most of the time, but some places it's inevitable. If you're a good parent who doesn't believe in "free range/gentle parenting" (assholes), most people will extend grace to you.
My friend wanted to take her 5 year old to Wicked and I told her what a horrible idea that was. Her chaotic kid started talking a lot and asking questions because he's... a kid. Then he started screaming for some reason during "Popular" and she ran out of the theater, which was convenient for her as I told her to book a seat on the aisle. She texted me "You were right, never again".
The thing about taking any kid under 10 to a show is you spend the entire time worrying they will misbehave, be disruptive, annoy people, and the list goes on. You aren't focused on having a nice time, you're just babysitting. It's a waste of money. Kids have much more fun when they can laugh and be weird at any kid's movie, and it saves you several hundreds of dollars and less need to drink afterwards.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
Babies crying in theaters#12
Posted: 5/16/26 at 4:45pm
My daughter was "ready" before my son and he was going to professional, age appropriate shows at 5, but that is largely due to the fact that my kids were always around my rehearsals/productions and were taught how to behave and what expectations were. To the point that when we were at CHILDREN'S show (Think that gawd awful Bubble Show or Disney on ice {blech}) even THEY were appalled at the behavior exhibited.
I think you need to know your kid and be willing to leave with them should it not work out.
Babies crying in theaters#13
Posted: 5/16/26 at 6:21pm
PabloJuan said: "I don’t know much about children. For those of you who have experience with kids, at what age would a child typically be able to sit quietly through a musical?"
It ranges quite a bit depending on the kid and the show. I have seen as young as 4 or 5 do well at a kid friendly show (not on Broadway) but that wouldn't be true for all 4/5 year olds for sure.
I think this is a way bigger problem at local theaters than Broadway or touring productions. I don't have a problem with parents trying it at a local school or community theater but if they get fussy, you have to LEAVE. Don't wait it out for a bit and see if they get better. Just go if they can't handle it.
Babies crying in theaters#14
Posted: 5/16/26 at 6:48pm
Mr. Wormwood said: "PabloJuan said: "I don’t know much about children. For those of you who have experience with kids, at what age would a child typically be able to sit quietly through a musical?"
It ranges quite a bit depending on the kid and the show. I have seen as young as 4 or 5 do well at a kid friendly show (not on Broadway) but that wouldn't be true for all 4/5 year olds for sure.
I think this is a way bigger problem at local theaters than Broadway or touring productions. I don't have a problem with parents trying it at a local school or community theater but if they get fussy, you have to LEAVE. Don't wait it out for a bit and see if they get better. Just go if they can't handle it."
Why even leave it up to the parents? If a kid starts crying, an usher needs to be there fast to remove the parents and kid.
Babies crying in theaters#15
Posted: 5/16/26 at 6:59pm
I stay away from kids nights on broadway because of how annoying they are. I agree, keep the kids at home
Babies crying in theaters#16
Posted: 5/16/26 at 10:13pm
Fred Mason said: "I stay away from kids nights on broadway because of how annoying they are. I agree, keep the kids at home"
I've been to a few Kids' Nights and funnily enough, I found the parents to be worse than the kids. I remember being at Fiddler at the Minskoff and while the kids were surprisingly rapt and quiet, the mom insisting on checking in on them to see if they were okay and needed anything, rummaging through her bag for things for them.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Stand-by Joined: 12/5/07
Babies crying in theaters#17
Posted: 5/17/26 at 3:34pm
I have no issue with babies in theaters so long as those shows are made for them. For instance, many years ago, the New Victory had an immersive 45 minute show in one of their spaces called "Baby Rave" which was exactly that. It was a rave party for infants 6 months to two years old (can't get much younger than that)! But the idea is that lights and sound are critical in a toddler's development. Music and lights played along with teacher assistants helping the the parents and children. I think they had four shows and they all sold out within minutes. No word if E or other drugs were passed around. They also had another show a year or two later called "White" designed for 2-4 year olds. I saw it and it was absurdist genius that worked on so many levels that it would take paragraphs to describe it here but the children were completely enchanted by it. But Broadway and most off-Broadway? No.
Videos
