I'm traveling to New York with my 6 year old- what should we do

There are several scenes in Cabaret that are really inappropriate for a six year old to be seeing. You may have some explaining to do after "Two Ladies" in particular.

I've also heard that some young children have been terrorized at Little Shop. Without spoiling anything, the show doesn't end as happily as the movie does, which may be what is scaring the little ones.

In Cabaret the girls are scantily dressed and there is a lot of sexy dancing, but most of the innuendo will probably go right over his head. As the Emcee, Pascal won't be wearing a whole lot and will be very sexual with men and women, explicitly so in Two Ladies. PM me if you want details. Just a warning, it comes directly after the song Perfectly Marvelous (when Sally is pleading to stay in Cliff's apartment). I've seen young kids there before. The ushers might warn you that there's some "adult" material in there if you're worried about your son seeing that. It's not terrible though.

Good musicals for a 6-year-old, in my opinion, would be 42nd Street, Gypsy, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and of course the Disney shows.

---

I think Little Shop is fine for a six year old. The plant gets...well let's just say big...at the end. The kids I saw there seemed more amazed by it then anything else.
Cabaret on the other hand can be pretty explicit in parts. There is one scene where various sex acts are simulated behind a curtain. Might not be great for a six year old.

of course make sure your six year old sees some other special new york sights such as:

the skating rink at Rockefeller center

central park (don't miss the zoo)

the holiday show at Radio City Music Hall

have a wonderful time:)

---

Maybe Titus Andronicus is playing somewhere...

Sarah, I have to sincerely commend you for taking your son to a show he likes, regardless of the content matter. My mother did the same, and I think that's the reason I have a mature sense of theatre now. Cabaret is a brilliant, moving show that, given the proper preparation for it, will make for an amazing theatre experience for your son. Especially now that Tom Bosley is out of the cast and Blair Brown is in.... I think I may go to see it once again before it closes, as well.

At any rate, I'm sure your son will love it very much. And you'd be surprised at what goes over children's heads. (It took me a good ten years to realize what The Miller's Son in A Little Night Music is about!)

As for other shows, how keen is your son on opera? The New York City Opera has rather inexpensive ticket prices and some great operas running right now, including The Magic Flute (great great opera for kids), Lucia DiLammermoor (don't listen to VoiceAnth on this one) and La Finta Giardiniera. Going to the opera is an amazing experience in and of itself.

I also agree that (while I personally do not want to see it), Wicked may be a good choice for kids. Also incredibly fun for both adults and kids is De La Guarda, playing off-Broadway on the East Side, right near beautiful Union Square. That may also be a good complement to Cabaret (god, now I'm starting to sound like a sommalier).

And TeacherOfTheater is absolutely right. The fountain at Lincoln Center (especially when it's lit up at night with the Met behind it and everything) will blow his mind.

Yeah I say Little Shop, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, or Millie! All child friendly and will keep a 6 year old entertained!

Angus McIndoe is a steakhouse that has become a fairly popular theatrical hangout. Joe Allen's is always a good shot if you want to see theatre people.

hey, might as well make a theme of it!

Mars 2112 would be fun for your son. You ride on a spaceship to get to the restaurant, and aliens are roaming while you eat.

I personally didn't like Mars2112, I don't know. I guess I was still in shock, because I had met Bernadette Peters for the first time that day. Everything seemed different after that for the rest of the day LOL

As for shows, I would go with the Disney shows, Hairspray or Millie.

---

I second the Don Giovanni plug. Amazingly good, amazingly low-priced and a wonderful Italian atmosphere. Also a good, inexpensive Italian place is Cafe Tacci on 110th and Broadway. I'm also a big fan of Cafe Mozart on W. 70th and Cafe Lalo on (I believe) W. 83rd for desserts and atmosphere.... Hell, I just like to eat.