Matilda for young kids

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:11pm

We're coming to NY end of the summer and we always see at least one musical.  My DS10 has read Matilda at school and also has seen the movie so this seems like a good one for him.

I'm trying to decide for DD6, and it's between Matilda (so we all go as a family) or seeing Wicked again (she saw it last year and loved it). 

I've seen clips on youtube and it seems like a high energy show.

My questions are:

1.  Is the story easily understood for younger kids?

2.  Can you understand them or are their accents too thick?  (my biggest worry)

3.  Is the music catchy?  I personally enjoy musicals where you walk out with the songs in your head.

I've heard that Matilda can be scary for young kids (I think there is a mean teacher?) but my younger one seems to understand the difference between something being real and made up stories.

 

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:19pm

TAKE HER TO SEE THIS SHOW. 

1. The story is pretty easy to follow but there is a deeper message coveyed with characters such as the escapologist & acrobat, which they might not recognize from the movie or book. But when they see it they'll understand it just fine.

2. The accents are very easy to unde rstand.

3. When I grow up, Miracle, Loud, and Revolting Children will be stuck in your head as you leave theatre, on your way home, and when you wake up in the morning.

P.S. Christopher Sieber who plays Trunchbull is very terrifying in the role but also extremely hilarious. Nothing a 6 or 7 can't handle. DON'T PASS ON THIS SHOW!

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:21pm

Your Kids will be fine. The show isn't Barney or anything but it's not as Dark as many on here say it is. 

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:39pm

The show is boring as hell. When I went the kids were complaining how long it was and they wanted to leave.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:52pm

"The show is boring as hell. When I went the kids were complaining how long it was and they wanted to leave.

"

I am curious to know what shows your kids did/do like. I have not yet seen Matilda, but it seems like it would be entertaining for the younger theatre goers. At the same time though, I am not certain I was looking for that type of show when I was a kid.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:55pm

""The show is boring as hell. When I went the kids were complaining how long it was and they wanted to leave."

I am curious to know what shows your kids did/do like. I have not yet seen Matilda, but it seems like it would be entertaining for the younger theatre goers. At the same time though, I am not certain I was looking for that type of show when I was a kid."

 

From the few clips I've seen, it looks like a lot is happening on stage (e.g. kids dancing, swinging around)

 

 

[Showface]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:55pm

I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I heard no complaints about the show, and the audience was really into it when I went (both adults and children)!

You may consider maybe seeing the movie first--Ms Trunchbull is the mean teacher, but she isn't nearly as mean and evil in the show as she was in the film, and the part is very funny as well.


It also has a few cool special effects and very catchy songs! "Revolting Children" is one of them.


You should look up their Tony Awards performance on YouTube!

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 03:55 PM

[Alessio2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 3:57pm

Just be aware it is a long show. I just recently saw the tour in LA and alot of the kids in the audience seemed restless.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:00pm

"Just be aware it is a long show. I just recently saw the tour in LA and alot of the kids in the audience seemed restless."

 Any longer than standard musicals?  Our kids have seen Wicked, Mamma Mia.

[mattporter17]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:02pm

""Just be aware it is a long show. I just recently saw the tour in LA and alot of the kids in the audience seemed restless."
 Any longer than standard musicals?  Our kids have seen Wicked, Mamma Mia."

 Yeah, Wicked's 2:45 while Matilda's 2:30

[Alessio2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:03pm

I guess no longer than your standard musical. If I remember correctly, 2 hours 45 minutes including intermission.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:16pm

At one performance, I was next to a girl who couldn’t have been more than 5 years old. She was enraptured the whole time. (She also happen to be an extremely respectful audience member while the guardian she was with was not.)

I’ve seen the show twice and have seen many young kids in the audience both times who seem to be enjoying it just as much as the older kids and adults. I think this musical does a wonderful job of being entertaining for smaller children, while not talking down to them (which is why I think both kids and adults are able to enjoy it and get something from it).

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:37pm

When I took my family to see it a few weeks ago, it was a Sunday matinee and there were tons of kids around (way more than the one other time I saw it on a Thursday evening), and they all seemed to seriously enjoy it. Lots of positive reactions from the audience throughout and the end. I think the subject matter is accessible for kids but it also gives a lot to adults (without shying away from marketing it as a show about children for children) in terms of themes we would recognize on a deeper level. The music is catchy enough for kids while the lyrics and word play is top-notch and it's one of the best directed shows I've seen.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 04:37 PM

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 4:58pm

Thanks for the replies.  Overall it sounds like a positive musical enjoyed by kids.

How are the accents?  Can you understand them? 

 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 5:00pm

I was able to, but I think it's because I listened to the cast recording. They changed the children's accents (or at least the Matildas) after the original cast left to make it easier to understand. I don't like it as much, but as people kept complaining they had to work to understand the lyrics, it was probably necessary. I think if there's trouble with understanding some of the lyrics, it's due to Tim Minchin's quick and clever word play (especially in Revolting Children during some of the chorus parts) rather than the accents.

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 05:00 PM

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:02pm

Please DON'T bring kids under the age of 6 to a Bwy Theatre. There are special places designed for young audiences & BWY is NOT one of them. Yeah, you may have money to burn on your little precious ones - but the other audience members around you don't wish to sacrifice their experience to training sessions. Theatre mgmt. is trying to make money & cannot be expected to provide the boundaries that are needed to properly identify restrictions. MATILDA is not easy to follow with the strong dialects, etc. Wait until they are 10, at least.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:04pm

I would definitely recommend listening to the music a number of times before you go. The first time I saw it, I knew nothing about it..and I did have a little trouble understanding parts of it (But I had a terrible seat which didn't help). But then I saw it again after becoming familiar with the music and I enjoyed it so much more.

If they liked wicked, they are not going to be scared of Matilda. I have seen all ages see the show and most kids are fine. I especially remember one little boy of about 8-9 who literally burst into tears when it was over..he wanted more.

If you can manage it, I recommend this show to be viewed from the orchestra...the actors enter from the aisles and there are a couple of special effects which are more fully appreciated downstairs. Front Mezz should also be ok...but I would stay away from the balcony or rear anything ..it's just too far away.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:17pm

"Please DON'T bring kids under the age of 6 to a Bwy Theatre. There are special places designed for young audiences & BWY is NOT one of them. Yeah, you may have money to burn on your little precious ones - but the other audience members around you don't wish to sacrifice their experience to training sessions. Theatre mgmt. is trying to make money & cannot be expected to provide the boundaries that are needed to properly identify restrictions. MATILDA is not easy to follow with the strong dialects, etc. Wait until they are 10, at least."

Wow...pretty rude.

If my kids weren't behaved then I wouldn't bring them.  This is not a training session as you call it, and I certainly don't have money to throw around (I'm actually amazed at the crazy cost of theatre as it's gone up so we're selecting one show carefully).  

My kids have been to the theatre...started with kids musicals and to some full productions...and know how to stay quiet and enjoy the show.  

 

KathyNYC2, thanks.  I've actually downloaded a copy of the music and am showing clips to my kids.  Will also see if I can get a copy of the movie.  And yeah, we'd sit close up in the orchestra (probably on the side as these are more reasonable)

 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:28pm

I sat in the Balcony both times I saw the show and I appreciated the view because you really get to appreciate the set as a whole. Just be careful and not get seats in front of the poles. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 7:52pm

Definitely take the kids! They will LOVE it. It's a great show that everyone can enjoy.

[mmFan]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 8:33pm

"Definitely take the kids! They will LOVE it. It's a great show that everyone can enjoy."

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback.  Just bought tickets for the 4 of us.  Looking forward to it.

 

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 8:43pm

Saw it in London and in NYC. I hated it. Could not understand a lot of what was sung by the kids. It was long and got very boring. Also it is not the same story as the book. 

[brdway411]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 8:43pm

double post and why are the numbers of the posts all screwed up

 

Updated On: 7/1/15 at 08:43 PM

[jdproductions97]

Posted: 7/1/15 at 8:51pm

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I saw Matilda on a class trip and I thought it was well done! Your little ones should enjoy it!

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 7/2/15 at 8:03am

"Please DON'T bring kids under the age of 6 to a Bwy Theatre. There are special places designed for young audiences & BWY is NOT one of them. Yeah, you may have money to burn on your little precious ones - but the other audience members around you don't wish to sacrifice their experience to training sessions. Theatre mgmt. is trying to make money & cannot be expected to provide the boundaries that are needed to properly identify restrictions. MATILDA is not easy to follow with the strong dialects, etc. Wait until they are 10, at least."

 In all my experiences of going to the theater, the by far worst and least considerate and annoying members of the audience have been adults...not children. For the most part, children do very well... and I have seen 4 year olds do better than some.

You can't lump all children together anymore than you can lump all adults....and assuming that families who bring young children have money to burn is just horrible. Maybe they just want to expose them to live theater....instead of being stuck in front of the "telly"...and save their money for such a special event.