I think the issue here, and this WILL bring in the Little Mermaid reference, is how watered down and weak fairy tales are here. We think, or would ike to think, that kids can't handle things, and that respect, kids nowadays are not 'worldly' qith their tales and more easily upset by these things....
i think it is ridiculous. Fairy Tales ARE cautionary tales and the original versions convey that so much more.. the original versions of mermaid, cinderella, snow white, etc etc are so much more interesting to me and i love the reactions of people who are just finding out the REAL storylines.
One thing, going back to Disney, that bothers me about this is the stage version of Hunchback. I would LOVE to see that staged here, but doubt it will ever be. Why? because it is too 'dark'. UGH. Utter crap reasons.
Stop sheltering your kids and deal with REAL issues in the world please. Maybe if a few toys came to life, kids wouldn't be as bratty.. so what if the number 'Temper Temper' makes them think twice about molesting Barbie or decapitating teddy?
Kids are smarter than you think.. be frank and don't sugar coat. I have put in my time in Children's Theatre, and I am NOT saying That Poppins is, and I can tell you that the fast way to alienate an audience of kids and lose their attention is by pandering and talking down to them.
I want to make a distiction.. CHILDREN'S THEATRE is aimed soley at Children. FAMILY THEATRE should be enjoyable and enteraining to all members of the family and never boring to any of them.. whether 6 or 60
Updated On: 10/18/06 at 07:40 PM