Is "Hamilton" appropriate for kids?

I have 2 kids age 10 and 13. We are planning on going to New York for 2 weeks in August for a family trip. We definitely want to see a Broadway show. My kids have seen The Lion king and Wicked when they came on tour to our area but this will be their first show in New York. We were thinking of going to Aladdin, School of rock or Matilda but my brother who lives in New York told us he has 5 tickets to see Hamilton that he bought a long time ago but their kids have a huge competition on the day so they can't go and said he could give them to us. Otherwise he would just sell them.

I know how hard it is to get Hamilton tickets and I know how good it's supposed to be so I don't really want to give it up since it's for free and we rarely go to New York but is it appropriate for kids the age of mine? What is the language and sexual content like? I'm a little concerned since I know it's a hip hop musical and rap isn't the most kid friendly music genre. Also, will they understand it or is it more of an adult musical? I'm from the mid-west so I don't really know anyone who has seen it.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1090498

Updated On: 6/5/16 at 03:32 PM

My 12 year old twin boys love the album and loved the show. But actually they do use the F word in a sexual context at least once. But any of the sexual innuendos and content are quick and would go over a too young kid's head, i think. I would take them.



From the official website:

Is there an age requirement?
Hamilton is appropriate for ages 10+ since there is some strong language. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theater.

Thank you so much everyone! Just to confirm, it is PG-13 if it were a film? A light PG-13? I'm fine with a little cursing but just not excessive. What are the cases they use the f word? How many times do they use it?
So there is no sexual content besides a few sexual innuendos and kissing?

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 04:04 PM

Off the top of my head, maybe 5 swear words? No more than 10? Sometimes said in the heat of a battle or an argument, sometimes in an "aw, cr@p!" moment. Some of them go by so fast you miss them if you're not listening carefully.

Hamilton's extramarital affair is handled very discreetly. Some kissing and extremely tame fondling, no nudity.

If you have additional concerns, suggest you listen to the OBC recording. IMHO it's totally age-appropriate for your kids, and if you don't take them, you will regret it.

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 04:29 PM

It's fine. Please don't give up free Hamilton tickets lol. The curse word most commonly used is sh** which is used maybe 5 or 6 times and then the f word is used twice. and then "damn" is used a couple times. It's definitely a light PG 13. Also the only sexual content is the affair that Hamilton has but it is handled very lightly and is not explicit in anyway. If you're still not sure, listen to the cast recording unless you want to go watch unspoiled. If it helps Lin (the writer of the show) is always re-tweeting these 6 year old kids singing songs from Hamilton haha.

The cast recording says 9 songs are explicit but that's basically saying the word s*** once in the song for most of them.

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 05:06 PM

It has some language and references to Hamilton's affair, which is brief. GO. This is an experience your kids will cherish for the rest of their lives, whether or not they grow up to be theatre lovers. The small amount of "inappropriate" content is not worth losing this opportunity over. I saw much more adult content much younger than they are in music, tv, movies, and theatre and it either went over my head or bothered me very slightly and then I moved on to thinking about something else. The few scenes that might bother you are a tiny portion of an excellent show.

I wouldn't have any hesitation about taking a 10 and 13 year old to see it, but if you are very concerned about it, there's really no need to wonder. The cast album is available and encompasses almost every word said on stage. There's no nudity or gore, so listening to the album should make your decision simple.

Just to elaborate on the affair scene, the most explicit the lyrics get there are 'she let her legs spread' and 'that was my wife who you decided to' 'fuuuuu...'

You don't actually see her legs spread and the physical contact is limited to kissing, she sits on his lap and he has his hands on her leg and chest (over her dress). I wouldn't call it explicit but it's steamy.

I wouldn't let any of this deter you from taking them though.

Also as much as it has been labelled a hip-hop musical, only about half of the music is rap. It's not any more explicit than most of the modern rock/pop musicals so don't let the genre of music put you off at all.

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 08:11 PM

I have three daughters and I appreciate your concern. It is a rule of parenting not to intentionally expose your children to adult content before the appropriate age. I have season tickets to touring Broadway musicals in our city and I have to sell or give away my daughters' tickets to at least two shows every season due to adult content. But honestly, this is an exception to the rule. Hamilton is a once in a generation experience, and people are spending thousands of dollars to see it. It is basically not an option to turn down the chance to see it for free.



As many have said, the language and sex references are not excessive in number or degree. A lot of the lyrics and/or rapping is so fast-paced, and there is so much dancing and action on the stage, your kids may not even hear or notice some of the objectionable references.



Get a children's biography of Alexander Hamilton or a historical narrative about the American Revolution and make it a wonderful learning experience for your kids.



Do not think twice about this decision, because it is not a decision at all. It is a wonderful opportunity.

Also we were considering seeing another show when we were in New York since we're not really paying to see Hamilton. Which shows do you recommend? Like I said, we were looking at Aladdin, Matilda or School of Rock but other suggestions are okay. Both my kids are boys if that helps.

I'd say try to do Matilda. It's absolutely amazing, both young children and adults enjoy the show and the music is just amazing.

DoeADeer said: "Also we were considering seeing another show when we were in New York since we're not really paying to see Hamilton. Which shows do you recommend? Like I said, we were looking at Aladdin, Matilda or School of Rock but other suggestions are okay. Both my kids are boys if that helps."







Matilda's closing at the beginning of January and the other two are open runs (as far as I know), so if it's on your list, I recommend seeing it while you still can. I personally liked Aladdin and School Of Rock more, but they'll both (hopefully) still be around for your next visit. If it helps at all, I thought SOR was very true to the movie without being a carbon copy of the movie, so if you liked the movie, you'll probably like the show. Whatever you decide, I hope you all have an amazing trip!