Best Musicals for Kids

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 10:30am

We may be coming to NY end of the summer with our 10 year old son and 6 year old daughter.  What musicals do you recommend?  Ones offhand that look interesting are:

 

Wicked (they saw this last Sept and enjoyed it )

Matilda

Finding Neverland

Lion King

Or anything else recommended?

 

Our son will not see something 'girly' or with princesses, but he did read Matilda in school, which is why I wrote this one down.

 

Also, can someone tell me about

Gazillion Bubble Show

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[Patty3]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 10:38am

I think Aladdin is missing off your list. We are taking some kids (5 and 8 yrs) in our family this summer - It will be their first Broadway show.

Updated On: 6/17/15 at 10:38 AM

[verdigris]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 10:47am

I recommend Matilda. It's a great show for all ages to enjoy, and not "girly". It is a really well done adaptation of the book and Dahl's style of writing.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 10:53am

Gazzillion Bubble show is literally just that.  Lots of things done with bubbles - some that were pretty nifty.  I took my kids when they were younger and they enjoyed it....but there is no plot or characters.  PERSONALLY, I didn't care for it as an adult.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 10:55am

I second Matilda.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 11:00am

"I second Matilda."

 

Aladdin is also a crowd pleaser.

 

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 11:06am

Silly question about Matilda...is it hard to understand?  I know they have thick accents.

 

Thanks for the response about the Bubble show.  Sounds ok, but not a 'must see' if no story

[verdigris]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 11:24am

I didn't find them hard to understand at all. They are using "Americanised" British accents really. FYI, there are discounts for Matilda on broadwaybox till November, if you want to check that out :)

Updated On: 6/17/15 at 11:24 AM

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 11:28am

"I didn't find them hard to understand at all. They are using "Americanised" British accents really. FYI, there are discounts for Matilda on broadwaybox till November, if you want to check that out :)"

 

Thank you!  I will check out the site for discounts.  Theatre is so pricey these days (as we like to sit in the orchestra as opposed to upper levels)

 

[verdigris]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 11:35am

No problem! Due to staging of the show I would definitely recommend orchestra for Matilda. :)

[team elphie]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 1:08pm

I think Aladdin will be a really fun one for them to see

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 1:38pm

I don't know where you live or whether this will make a difference for you, but Matilda just started a tour and the Lion King begins a tour this winter. As far as I know (and I could've missed it), Aladdin has not yet announced a tour, although I'd be shocked if it doesn't tour eventually. 

I know I sometimes prioritize seeing shows that will not visit my area soon, unless there is a particular advantage to seeing a cast member or something unique about the Broadway staging that may not be replicated on tour. (No idea whether any of these are applicable to these particular shows.) Of course, this may be totally inapplicable if you don't live near any tour locations or you don't plan to see the shows locally, but just wanted to throw that out there just in case it affects your decision.  

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 1:41pm

Oh and Finding Neverland is obviously too new to tour but I can't speak to whether that would be enjoyable for kids your kids' ages as I haven't seen it. 

Updated On: 6/17/15 at 01:41 PM

[ARTc3]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 1:55pm

Unlike the other poster regarding Matilda... I sat 12 row orchestra center with my partner. Neither of us understood half of what was sung and/or spoken. Later, we asked those sitting around us and all had the same issue - they could barely understand what was being said. It wasn't the accents as much as something terribly wrong with the clarity - not volume - of the audio.

I can also say that I though Matilda rather "okay". Nothing great or special. I enjoyed my time, but would definitely not recommend it beyond a "nice" evening in the theater.

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 1:56pm

"I don't know where you live or whether this will make a difference for you, but Matilda just started a tour and the Lion King begins a tour this winter. As far as I know (and I could've missed it), Aladdin has not yet announced a tour, although I'd be shocked if it doesn't tour eventually. 
I know I sometimes prioritize seeing shows that will not visit my area soon, unless there is a particular advantage to seeing a cast member or something unique about the Broadway staging that may not be replicated on tour. (No idea whether any of these are applicable to these particular shows.) Of course, this may be totally inapplicable if you don't live near any tour locations or you don't plan to see the shows locally, but just wanted to throw that out there just in case it affects your decision.  "

 

Yes good point.  I actually originally dismissed Matilda since it's coming to our city next July (but that's also a long way off)

I will say that our family does love Wicked, and although DH and I have seen it many times (and our kids once), that is high on the list too.  But, on the flip side, it seems like we should introduce our kids to something else.

 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:00pm

I hope whatever you choose, you and your family will enjoy it!  My parents took me to see Les Mis, Phantom, and Miss Saigon all before I was 12, and I'm so thankful for that. (And for my dad spending time before Les Mis explaining the French Revolution and the plot synopsis since I could never have understood it otherwise. :))

 

Not suggesting Les Mis or Phantom for a 6 year old. Just saying good for you for taking your kids to the theater!

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:05pm

"Unlike the other poster regarding Matilda... I sat 12 row orchestra center with my partner. Neither of us understood half of what was sung and/or spoken. Later, we asked those sitting around us and all had the same issue - they could barely understand what was being said. It wasn't the accents as much as something terribly wrong with the clarity - not volume - of the audio.
I can also say that I though Matilda rather "okay". Nothing great or special. I enjoyed my time, but would definitely not recommend it beyond a "nice" evening in the theater."

 

This is my worry with Matilda, and if we're paying $$$ (plus we'd only be spending 2.5 days in NY so it would take up our Sat afternoon), I want it to be worth it

 

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:08pm

"I hope whatever you choose, you and your family will enjoy it!  My parents took me to see Les Mis, Phantom, and Miss Saigon all before I was 12, and I'm so thankful for that. (And for my dad spending time before Les Mis explaining the French Revolution and the plot synopsis since I could never have understood it otherwise. :))
 
Not suggesting Les Mis or Phantom for a 6 year old. Just saying good for you for taking your kids to the theater!"

 

Me too...and so that's how I got into theatre.  I've seen all of those, and Les Mis multiple times.  Can't even say I fully understand the history but I love the music.

 

So yes...am introducing my kids to theatre in the same way, and they seem to quite enjoy it as well.  Started with kids shows, but in the adult world, they've seen Wicked, Mamma Mia, Wizard of Oz

 

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:16pm

I would definitely recommend Aladdin - lots of great dancing, great performances, great score, and generally lots of fun that is suitable for all ages. 

I also had difficulty with the sound clarity at Matilda, which made lots of the lyrics hard to understand because the songs sounded so garbled.  I have no way of knowing if the sound design will be any better at the various venues on tour, but it probably wouldn't be worse, so waiting for the tour to come to you might be better, while using your NYC time slot for something that will take longer to come on tour (e.g. Aladdin, and maybe for Wicked to come back). 

I have also seen the gazillion bubble show in an 11am time slot before a saturday matinee on one of my trips.  It was fun, and definitely geared towards kids (e.g. calling many kids from the audience to volunteer in various bits).  I wouldn't see it instead of a regular broadway show but if you want to see it at one of the off-times in between, it might be fun.

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:28pm

None. Take them to those disney on ice shows or something. Some kids can't behave in the theatre. From personal experience. 

Wicked (they were singing)

Matilda (they were complaining how boring it was)

The Lion King (couldn't stop saying "Wow")

[musicalfool]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:36pm

It really depends on what kind of kids they are. Some 6 year olds are thrilled to sit quietly through a 2 1/2 hour show and some can't.  If yours is the former, I agree with the posters about Aladdin, and with your choices.  On the Town might even be fun.

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:45pm

"None. Take them to those disney on ice shows or something. Some kids can't behave in the theatre. From personal experience. 
Wicked (they were singing)
Matilda (they were complaining how boring it was)
The Lion King (couldn't stop saying "Wow")"

 

Yes, because kids should NEVER get to experience theatre! Shows like Lion King and Matilda are definitely for mature adults only!

 

No, but to the OP I recommend Matilda. Kids and adults both have given positive feedback, and I certainly enjoyed the show when I saw it.

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 3:52pm

"None. Take them to those disney on ice shows or something. Some kids can't behave in the theatre. From personal experience. 
Wicked (they were singing)
Matilda (they were complaining how boring it was)
The Lion King (couldn't stop saying "Wow")"

 

As stated, I've taken my kids to full productions, and they were both good (not sure if I've said but my kids are 10 and 6).  If they weren't ready, then I'd stick to pure kids shows like Bernstein Bears (which we did a few years ago in NY).

Also, my DS would not sit though Disney on Ice...too girly if even one princess.  Plus, those come to our city every Dec/Jan and March. 

 

As for Aladdin, I did a search and unless we want to sit way up in the balcony, the seats are very expensive.  At least with Matilda and Wicked, there are either discount seats or ones on the side that are reasonable (meaning around $100)

 

[matildathemiracle2]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 4:07pm

I took my two cousins, at the time 7 and 10, to see both Aladdin and Matilda. Aladdin was first and they were pretty bored. I personally loved it, but they both fell asleep after Friend Like Me. I hadn't seen the show yet, so my ticket was worth it, but definitely was not worth the $200 I paid for them. A pretty expensive nap for them.

We saw Matilda the next day and they were pretty hesitant to go, but they were enthralled the entire time. We sat on house right in the orchestra and they were thrilled when the cast members walked past us in the aisles. Even though the title character is a girl, this show is anything but girly. Revolting Children was a highlight. The accents have now been Americanized- still British accents, but they pronounce the letter "r", and I, and the various groups I have seen the show with, have never had a problem.

I love this show and have now seen it three different times on Broadway, from the orchestra, mezzanine, and rear balcony. I suggest orchestra out of all three, but the front mezzanine isn't bad either. I haven't heard the best things about the tour, so taking them to see it on Broadway might be the best experience they'll have with it.

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 4:34pm

"I took my two cousins, at the time 7 and 10, to see both Aladdin and Matilda. Aladdin was first and they were pretty bored. I personally loved it, but they both fell asleep after Friend Like Me. I hadn't seen the show yet, so my ticket was worth it, but definitely was not worth the $200 I paid for them. A pretty expensive nap for them.
We saw Matilda the next day and they were pretty hesitant to go, but they were enthralled the entire time. We sat on house right in the orchestra and they were thrilled when the cast members walked past us in the aisles. Even though the title character is a girl, this show is anything but girly. Revolting Children was a highlight. The accents have now been Americanized- still British accents, but they pronounce the letter "r", and I, and the various groups I have seen the show with, have never had a problem.
I love this show and have now seen it three different times on Broadway, from the orchestra, mezzanine, and rear balcony. I suggest orchestra out of all three, but the front mezzanine isn't bad either. I haven't heard the best things about the tour, so taking them to see it on Broadway might be the best experience they'll have with it."

 

Thank you.  This is quite helpful feedback.  And good to hear that your kids were able to understand Matilda.

My son has actually read the book at school and enjoyed it so I think he might go for this one.