Best Musicals for Kids- Page 2

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 6:37pm

Of this group,  Matilda - but get good seats. The actors walk through the aisles in the orchestra level and it's just fun to see this. And lots of special effects you experience better downstairs. DO NOT put kids in the back of the orch, mezz or especially balcony (horrors!..so far away).. if you only go once in a while, get a decent view.

And it's not GIRLY at all. It would be like saying only introduce boys to Harry Potter because the lead is a boy...obviously it's good for everyone. Also has a good anti-bullying message.

Aladdin was fun but I thought a little boring...and the humor was definitely geared towards adults. Some special effects are also fun but not enough IMO.

I really enjoyed Finding Neverland but it's not for all kids  - there is a lot of talk about death. They may like it but it's not Peter Pan.  And I personally think that Lion King has a great opening and closing but a lot of not such interesting stuff in the middle.

 

 

[Matt1]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 6:47pm

Matilda for sure!      All ages love it and it is for both boys and girls.   Aladdin is okay but Matilda is the far better show. 

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 8:46pm

"Of this group,  Matilda - but get good seats. The actors walk through the aisles in the orchestra level and it's just fun to see this. And lots of special effects you experience better downstairs. DO NOT put kids in the back of the orch, mezz or especially balcony (horrors!..so far away).. if you only go once in a while, get a decent view.
And it's not GIRLY at all. It would be like saying only introduce boys to Harry Potter because the lead is a boy...obviously it's good for everyone. Also has a good anti-bullying message.
Aladdin was fun but I thought a little boring...and the humor was definitely geared towards adults. Some special effects are also fun but not enough IMO.
I really enjoyed Finding Neverland but it's not for all kids  - there is a lot of talk about death. They may like it but it's not Peter Pan.  And I personally think that Lion King has a great opening and closing but a lot of not such interesting stuff in the middle.  "

Thank you.  I always try to get close seats in the orchestra (having said that, NY is quite pricey and we need 4 tickets).  But did see Matilda tickets on the sides or discount about first 5 rows. 

Yes thanks...not thinking that Matilda is girly.  I actually think my son would have no interest in Aladdin because of princess Jasmine (and we did see it years ago when he was younger...not my favorite either). 

Good to know about Finding Netherland.  it's deceiving as you'd think peter pan is for kids. 

Lion King has cool costumes, but can see what you're saying about the story.

So...sounds like Matilda is our best best (or again, Wicked for another time).

Question...is Matilda music catchy?  I like to walk out of a musical humming the songs, or wanting to hear them again.

 

 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 8:55pm

 I live in NYC so I am lucky I get to see shows more than once...and have seen Matilda a number of times. But I enjoyed it so much more when I knew the music ahead of time..

There are a lot of lyrics and you get more of a feel and excitement of what's coming up when you know the songs and you are not so bogged down with.."what did they say?" - so I personally would advise getting the CD or downloading some songs ahead of time.

If you know ahead of time, you should look around on line for discounts. I have one for Matilda that ends the beginning of July but I perhaps another will come out for the end of the summer.. I also think the seats are a bit cheaper during the week than say Sat night.

 

 

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 9:03pm

" I live in NYC so I am lucky I get to see shows more than once...and have seen Matilda a number of times. But I enjoyed it so much more when I knew the music ahead of time..
There are a lot of lyrics and you get more of a feel and excitement of what's coming up when you know the songs and you are not so bogged down with.."what did they say?" - so I personally would advise getting the CD or downloading some songs ahead of time.
If you know ahead of time, you should look around on line for discounts. I have one for Matilda that ends the beginning of July but I perhaps another will come out for the end of the summer.. I also think the seats are a bit cheaper during the week than say Sat night.
 
 "

 Thanks for the advice.  I often do this for musicals since as you say, sometimes you enjoy it more when you know the music.  So if we pick this one, I'll do as you suggest and download the cd first.

[verdigris]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 9:22pm

If you haven't seen the Tony Awards Performance from 2013 take a look. It's a great medley of several songs from the show :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A06-8IWjFSE

[gypsy101]

Posted: 6/17/15 at 11:52pm

This whole "what is girly" thing is not a good thing to teach your kids. Teach them that it's okay to enjoy pieces of fiction featuring women in leading roles. Just because the main character is female doesn't degrade the quality.

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 12:44am

"This whole "what is girly" thing is not a good thing to teach your kids. Teach them that it's okay to enjoy pieces of fiction featuring women in leading roles. Just because the main character is female doesn't degrade the quality."

 

Yes, this x 1000.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 1:57am

"" I live in NYC so I am lucky I get to see shows more than once...and have seen Matilda a number of times. But I enjoyed it so much more when I knew the music ahead of time..
There are a lot of lyrics and you get more of a feel and excitement of what's coming up when you know the songs and you are not so bogged down with.."what did they say?" - so I personally would advise getting the CD or downloading some songs ahead of time.
If you know ahead of time, you should look around on line for discounts. I have one for Matilda that ends the beginning of July but I perhaps another will come out for the end of the summer.. I also think the seats are a bit cheaper during the week than say Sat night.
 
 "
 Thanks for the advice.  I often do this for musicals since as you say, sometimes you enjoy it more when you know the music.  So if we pick this one, I'll do as you suggest and download the cd first."

I just saw these for a Matilda Discount...it says for "select seats" but perhaps worth checking out..

 http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/matilda/

http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/discount-tickets/matilda-the-musical_193803/

 

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 7:45am

"This whole "what is girly" thing is not a good thing to teach your kids. Teach them that it's okay to enjoy pieces of fiction featuring women in leading roles. Just because the main character is female doesn't degrade the quality."

 

I assume you're referring to Matilda?  I never said this one isn't for him, and in fact commented that he read the book in school and quite liked it.  (Currently, its between Matilda and Wicked.)Sorry, maybe I should have been more clear.  When I say "girly", I mean princess .  I don't think it's so odd for a 10 year old boy to be anti-princess.  So Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast are totally out (not sure if these are even still playing in NY)

And he's seen things recently like Wicked, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and a couple years ago, Annie, Aladdin, Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks re-makes.  But I think Aladdin would totally not interest him now because of princess Jasmine (decent seats are quite pricey and we didn't love it when we saw it anyways)

KathyNYC2, thank you for the links!

 

 

Updated On: 6/18/15 at 07:45 AM

[adam.peterson44]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 9:17am

mmFan, I'm not trying to convince you to see anything or be argumentative, because what you see is completely your decision, but when you say you saw Aladdin several years ago, are you referring to the movie or to the stage show at 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle?  The Broadway show just opened last year, and it is substantially revised from the Seattle version from what i've read (it is even substantially revised from the Toronto version, which i saw, and the newspaper reviews at the time said that the Toronto version was itself substantially revised from the Seattle version).

 

And the stage show itself is very different from, and in my opinion, far more enjoyable than, the movie. 

That said, I am not lobbying for you to see the stage show - tickets in the orchestra are indeed expensive and if Matilda or Wicked sound more up your alley, then great!  I was just curious which version of Aladdin you had seen, since the recent stage show is so different from the movie.

 

Cheers!

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 9:41am

"mmFan, I'm not trying to convince you to see anything or be argumentative, because what you see is completely your decision, but when you say you saw Aladdin several years ago, are you referring to the movie or to the stage show at 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle?  The Broadway show just opened last year, and it is substantially revised from the Seattle version from what i've read (it is even substantially revised from the Toronto version, which i saw, and the newspaper reviews at the time said that the Toronto version was itself substantially revised from the Seattle version).
 
And the stage show itself is very different from, and in my opinion, far more enjoyable than, the movie. 

That said, I am not lobbying for you to see the stage show - tickets in the orchestra are indeed expensive and if Matilda or Wicked sound more up your alley, then great!  I was just curious which version of Aladdin you had seen, since the recent stage show is so different from the movie.
 
Cheers!"

Good point.  The production we saw was in Toronto, but not the most recent one.  It was a more amateur production, so that could have influenced my liking of the musical.  Don't even think I've seen the movie.

But I think Aladdin is still ruled out just for the fact that we'd have to sit in the balcony for tickets in our price range.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 11:17am

"When I say "girly", I mean princess .  I don't think it's so odd for a 10 year old boy to be anti-princess.  So Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast are totally out (not sure if these are even still playing in NY)
And he's seen things recently like Wicked, Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and a couple years ago, Annie, Aladdin, Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks re-makes.  But I think Aladdin would totally not interest him now because of princess Jasmine (decent seats are quite pricey and we didn't love it when we saw it anyways)."

No, you were perfectly clear (I read your entire post) and this is exactly what I was referring to. The simple fact is that boys and girls of young ages shouldn't have their interests categorized by gender. It makes them believe everything that they've been taught is for the opposite gender is specifically not for them, and creates inequality in their minds. Let boys play with barbies if they want to. Let girls go to monster truck rallies if they think they look fun. Just because a film or its stage adaptation includes a princess (and Jasmine is not in any way the lead character in either work, the girl only sings one song in the movie) doesn't mean that the movie or musical isn't any good for your children. Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid and many other films (and musicals) have stories that transcend gender. I don't think your son would need to be strapped to his seat and forced to watch them to enjoy them.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 1:00pm

I must offer a few more thoughts about Matilda.  I saw it early in the run and the dialog was nearly indecipherable.  And the lyrics even more so.   Luckily I  had prepared and knew the songs.   Glad you would do that with your kids.   

The other thing that no one else seems to feel is that the story is quite scary if it is being viewed through the eyes of a little girl (Matilda).  The parents are genuinely mean, not just in a comic book way.   Mrs. Trenchbull is quite horrifying for younger kids.   If you think this is for you and your kids, in addition to learning the music (and discussing the lyrics with your kids- there's a lot there).  You should absolutely read the book yourself so you know more.   

Maybe it sounds like work and drudgery but it can be fun for the family and a source of fun talks over the weeks leading up to the trip to New York, each of you sharing thoughts about how a part of the show might be done on stage.  In my mind, that makes the expense of the tickets more worth it.  It is more than just two hours of entertainment but a true family experience and adventure. 

It is a brilliant musical not just a kids show.  

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 1:25pm

I most highly recommend Matilda.  I went last summer to a Saturday matinee.  The theatre was PACKED with groups of children bused in for the show and I feared the worst of their behavior.  Not only did they all behave impeccably, I had no issue whatsoever understanding dialogue or lyrics.  I thought the show was absolutely brilliant and I recommend seeing this particular set on Broadway that the tour won't be able to replicate exactly.

[jenhum]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 1:48pm

I have a 6 year old and so far she has seen The Lion King and Finding Neverland. She loved both! I would recommend The Lion King over Finding Neverland for the 6 year old though (we saw Finding Neverland because she is a HUGE Peter Pan fan, and she wants to be an author, so she loved it, but I think 8 and up would probably better for most kids to see that show). We are reading Matilda right now, so I hope to take her to Matilda and Aladdin next year. I think any of the choices you listed would be great!

 

And I have to laugh at the response that said not to bring children to the theater. There are a lot of ADULTS that shouldn't be going to shows because of their manners, and their children are typically the ones driving everyone crazy. I'm obsessive about theater etiquette, and my 6 year old has no problem sitting still and being silent for 2.5 hours- even though she is a very active child. Having gone to a lot of children's shows in the last couple of years, I really think the rude ones are the exception and not the rule. 

[mmFan]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 2:06pm

"I must offer a few more thoughts about Matilda.  I saw it early in the run and the dialog was nearly indecipherable.  And the lyrics even more so.   Luckily I  had prepared and knew the songs.   Glad you would do that with your kids.   

The other thing that no one else seems to feel is that the story is quite scary if it is being viewed through the eyes of a little girl (Matilda).  ...

"

This is my biggest worry ...that we will not understand with the accents.  I find that even in the recording.  There seems to be mixed opinions about this with some having no issue understanding and others like yourself, not understanding the words at all.

Thanks for the warning of it being scary.  I had this dilemma with Wicked (and my DD was 5 at the time).  What I did was prepare her...especially of the Monkeys and the Wizard mask (when it's loud) and she was totally fine.  She seems to understand the difference between reality and performance.  So I don't think this would be an issue, but I will warn her.

 

And jenhum, wow, great that your 6 year old knows what she wants to do already.  So cute.  It sounds like Finding Neverland is a bit more grown up. 

By the way, I'm totally open to other suggestions.  The ones I listed are ones that popped out when I looked through the current musicals. 

And so true about kids AND adults behaviour.  Yes some kids don't understand but there are many young kids who can sit quietly.  It's up to the parent to decide when their child is ready for theatre.  AND as you say, not all adults have such good manners either.

 

 

 

Updated On: 6/18/15 at 02:06 PM

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 6/18/15 at 2:07pm

Thanks to you parents teaching your kids theater etiquette at a young age. I had to give a lecture to some teenagers a few years ago. They were there without their parents and tried to push their way past everyone and rush out during the closing number, presumably to get to the stage door. I was  next to them, between them and the aisle, and I told them those were live people who had just worked their butts off entertaining them for 2 and a half hours, and they would sit there and applaud for them until the bows were completed. They were shocked but they did it. By exposing kids to theater young I think they're far less likely to behave poorly when they're old enough to attend alone/with friends. I mean a 2 year old? No. But many (not all) 6 year olds are certainly capable of sitting through a show. I trust the parents to know the right age. 

 

I've never been bothered by a  small kid in a theater. I've been bothered by plenty of adults. 

[leeleecocororo]

Posted: 6/19/15 at 9:13am

I would recommend The King and I. I saw that show when I was about 6 or 7 the last time it was revived. 

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 12:52pm

I'm OP and so thought I'd report back that we ended up getting tickets for Matilda. I've since downloaded the cd and love the music. Can understand most of it after listening to it a few times (the odd part during Revolting Children I find hard). We listen to the cd when in the car and my daughte is always asking to watch on Youg Tube. So thanks for the recommendations. The show looks great and we can't wait to see it in NY.

[P-E]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 10:22pm

We took our kids to Matilda in London and our 10 and 8 year olds (at the time) loved it - but not the 5 year old.  (It Can be a bit scary.). 

 

All three loved Wicked, Lion King, and Les Miz at that same age.

 

The other they all loved that we took them to one year later was Chicago (yes, we get parent-of-the-year points for that decision).  

 

 

 

[herewegoabc]

Posted: 7/24/15 at 11:51pm

I think Matilda is by far the greatest bet out of that group.

If you're feeling lucky, though, you could just buy tickets to Wicked and try the lottery for Matilda. I've played the Matilda lottery 4 times and won every time. It's one of the less crowded lotteries (but obviously more crowded in the summer when school's out), so your chances are much better at that than doing the opposite and trying the Wicked lottery. Of course, going with a family of 4, you run the chance of only half of you getting in, so that might not be a risk you want to take. They do allow you to put your children's names in, though, so you will have 4 chances to win. They also sometimes do lottery loser sales and standing room sales after the lottery finishes.

 

Updated On: 7/24/15 at 11:51 PM

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/25/15 at 12:51am

^^She said she already bought the tickets..

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/25/15 at 8:14am

Yes, we already bought tickets to Matilda, but thanks for the suggestion to try the lottery.  I wanted at least one show locked in.  I may try rush or TKTS for a second show, but we'll see.  We're only there 4 days and a second show would have to be a night showing (since Sat matinee is Matilda).

Really looking forward to it and my kids are excited too from the YouTube videos and cd.  I think my 6 year old will be ok (i.e. not scared).  She was fine in Wicked, where the monkey at the beginning and the wizard mask are scary.  And I've told her that Matilda's parents aren't very nice, but she understands the difference between reality and shows.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 7/25/15 at 9:35am

Thanks so much for the update. You sound like a wonderful parent. All that planning!  What lucky kids.  Have a great time.