Should Broadway Have a Ratings System- Page 3

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 4:16pm

That sort of rating is voluntary, though, and doesn't really have any sort of frame of reference. PG-13, R, PG, et al are all MPAA ratings, so when a show throws it on theirs it's just an arbitrary rating they've given themselves.

[Shiksa Goddess]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 6:07pm

It really depends on the child and the show. I think that the message of a show is more important than the content when it comes to appropriateness. I would bring a 10 year old to Rent because I think that they would enjoy it and that there is an important lesson for them to learn from it. I don't think that the message in Avenue Q overrides the content; therefore I wouldn't take a 10 year old to it.

What I hate about the movie rating system is that they take it out of the hands of the parent. I was allowed to see R rated films when I was 13 if they weren't just sex and violence and bad language for the sake of being crude. Yet parents can’t just buy tickets for their kids anymore, they have to accompany them into the movie theater as if to make sure they can pull them out as soon as someone gets naked (and don’t even get me started about the whole sex vs. violence double standard in America).

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 6:29pm

even if a ratings system wasnt adopted as a rule, i think it could be quite useful to have a website expressly for the type of opinions shared here----- with an initial rating suggestion, description of the show and the ability for users to reply with whether or not they agree and if theyve taken children to the given show. I dont think its as easy to research as some of you are suggesting. The average ticket buyer may not know where to go for an opinion on appropriateness beyond where they bought their ticket (ticketmaster/bway.com/telecharge) or the review they may have read. Generation Broadway is cool- but its not well known and in my opinion, incomplete.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 6:33pm

"No one under 10 should be allowed in a Broadway show because under that age they cannot fully appreciate it or understand what is going on. I mean in B&tB pretty much half the audience was little kids under 5, I think it is a waste of money for the parents and a waste of a seat for someone who can truly appreciate and be touched by what they are watching. The kid will forget it all in a few years. "


Man. I thought I have read some really lame ideas. but this....

The first reason I am doing theatre as a living is from seeing a production of Peter Pan when I was 6 or 7 and then being in a production of Hansel and Gretel when I was 9.

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 6:37pm

OK but there has to be some sort of age limit - maybe 6 and under.

[Julian2]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 6:43pm

OK but there has to be some sort of age limit - maybe 6 and under.

I don't know, I think its still depends on the kid, but unfortunatly their's a lot of ignorance when it comes to that. So it all comes down to either the good suffering with the bad, or plunking down annoying rules. I say we just educate the parents. How about patronizing TV spots!?

Just as a note, Broadway.com has a small icon in the show info box to note any mature content.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 6:44pm

You just have to know what your child’s limits are.

And, be prepared to pull the child out of the theatre if it's not the thing they want to do.

It's takes responsible choices on the part of the parent.

[Acurran530]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:06pm

There should be a rating system. When I went to go see Avenue Q there was a 8 years old and a 12 years old with there parents there. Parents don't have to use the rating system but if they don't know the content of the show it is good for them to find out before bringing the kids. I think theater should use the same ratings as movie because everyone is familiar with it unless you we to use ages like 13+.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:07pm

No

After reviews come out people have an idea what it is about. In addition, the title usuually gives it away (Mary Poppins) so i would say no

[badkarma719]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:12pm

I think it would be better to add those little electronic hand devices that are used in polling for "who wants to be a millionaire" and after the bows someone makes an announcment that before you leave please rate the show, if for some reason a show falls below something like 25% for more then a month, it must close no excusses. Thats a better rating system, then everyone can see how an audience feels about the show and if its worth the time and money to spend on it.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:12pm

No it shouldn't.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:27pm

There shouldn't have to be a rating system. If some lazy people would get off their ass and research a show before hand, there would never have to be a rating system established. Having a 10 and over rating system wouldn't be fair to mature children because immature children couldn't handle it. I saw my first show when I was about 6 or 7. I don't remember it but, my parents said I was well behaved. There is an age limit to shows but it seems no one ever follows it. I read an article about 2 year old seeing Marry Poppins.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:28pm

WHOOPS
Updated On: 12/26/06 at 07:28 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:46pm

"That parent who took their child to Cabaret us pretty dumb."

My family, ladies and gentlemen!!!!!!!!!!!

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:57pm

I mean, what's the most they will get out of it?!?! "ooh, look, mommy! it's sparkly! oh, look at her pretty dress!" That is all I heard during B&tB, and I'm pretty sure that goes for many other shows. Kids (anyone 10 & under) and Broadway do NOT mix.

I was taken to see The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway at the age of five because I had already loved the music and story for nearly two years. Do I remember marvelling at actresses' beautiful coloratura? No. Do I remember thinking "Ah, I see--Raoul represents the stability that Christine has lost since her father's death, while the Phantom symbolizes the darker, sexual side of her that's just dying to break free?" Hell no. Do I even remember the chandelier crash? Nope. What do I remember? The excitement of being in a theater, the feel of the seat, the steepness of the mezzanine, the anticipation before showtime. I wasn't picking up on the finer points of the show, but I sure as hell appreciated every minute of it. It left a huge impression on me that I believe would have been less impactful and magical had my first Broadway experience occurred after the age of 10.

Lizzya9, for someone who loves Disney shows so much I'm surprised that you're annoyed by childrens' comments like the ones you quoted. That pretty dress and sparkly set might have been pure magic to that child, and even if that's the one thing they take away from that show it might be the thing that keeps them coming back to the theater and opening their eyes to other shows.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 7:59pm

What SDav said.

[Lizzya9]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 8:07pm

Yah but still it was a waste of money for the parent and a waste of a seat for a REAL theater-goer who wants to appreciate the acting and the storywork. Little kids don't even know it's acting, they think it's the real thing in front of them, so they don't appreciate how hard the people that created the show worked. I do not think Disney by any means automatically is good for kids, just because their stuff is not vulgar and has good intentions.

[Kringas]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 8:49pm

What about a tourist who doesn't care what they see, but just wants to see a Broadway show. Is their seat a waste of a seat for a REAL theater-goer?

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 9:29pm

too saw THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA when I was 5...I did not say ONE WORD (except one scene where my eyes we "hurt-ed," but that was IT). I remember being totally enthralled and knowing that was what I was at least interested in (and now it's what I want to do).

Besides...children beign enthralled by something magical is rewarding...sure...a lot of parents bring children that really won't get it...but what about those that will?

[D2]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:16pm

To this day, my 27 year old neice talks about her first Broadway show, 20 years ago. It was CATS, not the greatest show ever but perfect for a 7 year old from Florida. She can recall details of the performance, she can recall details of the set, and she was absolutely enthralled. More importantly, while she isn't the theater buff her uncle is, it started a theater-going habit with her, not just on her trips to New York but also to the touring productions in Tampa and Sarasota.

It was not a waste of time, money or anything else.

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:29pm

Here's my problem as a parent: trust. Whose information can I trust about mature content?

They're telling me Phantom (4+) is OK for my daughter and Chicago (12+) isn't, when we both agree the opposite is true. Phantom "freaked her out" but she memorized every word of "Razzle Dazzle."

That Generation Broadway site isn't some newbie, though. It's run by the League of American Theatres and Producers Inc., the national trade association for the commercial theatre industry. They call themselves "the official Broadway resource for parents." Bah, humbug.

More than a generic rating or an age limit, I need good information about the show and its mature content. Anyone who tells me that my daughter should see Spring Awakening but not A Chorus Line is wasting my time and my money.

Generation Broadway: about us

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:31pm

A number of years ago, I remember seeing a pamphlet called "the Broadway family guide" or something like that.

It gave summaries of all the shows with running times. It didn't approach the shows from any moral viewpoint, and it didn't rate them. Nor did it give age limits. It just stuck to bald facts: "this show has frontal nudity, this show has gunshots, some children may find this character scary, someone gets hanged onstage here." It basically gave parents the information they would need to decide, for themselves, if a specific show was appropriate for their kids.

I think something like that is a good idea, but a set ratings system is not the answer. It's the parents' job to do the research, learn what they're spending $110 on, and honestly decide if their particular kid can handle it.

Some kids can handle mature content; some can't. Broadway can be a wonderful experience for a kid, and as other have said, it can inspire a lifelong love of the theatre. I saw my first show (regional) when I was 4, and it was "Fiddler on the Roof". One of my neighbors' daughters, at age 6, was in love with "1776" and "Cabaret." She went to lots of shows, and was always well-behaved.
Updated On: 12/26/06 at 10:31 PM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:35pm

Permanent damage? PERMANENT DAMAGE!? Honey, there was permanent damage done when I saw PETER PAN and SEUSSICAL! But in a GOOD way! Permanent damage in a BAD way? TARZAN!

You GO to the theatre HOPING for the "good" permanent damage! Shows like PARADE, CABARET, PETER PAN, SPRING AWAKENING, and AVENUE Q!

F*CK you and you censorship!

THAT being said - a ratings system is not neseccary. When purchasing your tickets to a show, most sellers state whether the show is "OK" for children.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:50pm

D2,

I completely agree. Taking children below the age of 10 is what keeps the theatre alive, in my opinion. While a child may not remember every detail of a show, it can make an impact. I remember seeing countless theatre productions before the age of ten. It encouraged me to join choir, study Shakespeare before the teachers beat it to death, learn appropriate audience behavior, and even audition for children's theatre. While I do not have a career in show business, I do have a unhealthy theatre habit. Regardless of where I've lived or what else I've been interested in, theatre is always what I come back to. Disney fluff is a wonderful way to start a theatre habit, but adult theatre can appeal to children as well.

I have a friend who was not taken to the theatre as a child. Through the release of a musical on film, she has learned to enjoy the theatre. However, she is far from passionate, and theatre is not a persistent event. Most of the time she relies on me to inform her and make suggestions. When we went to see The History Boys at the movies, she still said she would have liked some warning about the storyline. She knew it was R rated, but she was still surprised at the themes presented.

Should Broadway shows have a rating? No. A parent is spending $100 on a ticket, and therefore they can make an effort to research on behalf of their child- if they are concerned. Parents have the right to leave and take their child if they need to. If the family is privileged enough to afford tickets to a show then they should take the time to research it. Not having time is not an excuse. If you are concerned, find the time. Or *GASP* discuss what you have seen with your children if you disapprove or are shocked with some of the content. Almost every show I've seen generally has a purpose for the "inappropriate" content - talk about it and why you feel it is inappropriate!

My mother was not particularly educated on the shows she took me to. My mother took me to Rent when I was 13. Hardly a shocking thought now days. However, I was sheltered Southern 90's teeny bopper, and I was far from ready for what I saw. Yet, I truly believe in this case, the music and the positive message is what stuck with me. It is now one of my favorite musicals, and I relate to it on a different level as an adult. She also took me to a Shakespeare for Kids play when I was very young. While I didn't understand it, I knew I loved the language and stories. This love has grown throughout school and beyond. I can truly say that my views and thoughts have been shaped by my theatrical experiences (on and off stage). They have been far from a waste of money or time! Even some of my mother's parental mistakes made me a more well rounded person.

[D2]

Posted: 12/26/06 at 10:58pm

HermioneJuliet

Thank you. I grew up in Florida and didn't see my first Broadway show until I was 13, but I did go to the movies, a lot. And my mother didn't always restrict what I saw, but she did take the time to explain things to me and/or answer questions about what may or may not have been inappropriate material. I particularly remember her discussing the movie "Camelot" with me, given it's theme of infidelity and betrayal. Heady stuff for a 7 year old. But I think that because she took the time to discuss things with me I have a better world view now than some of my contemporaries. And frankly, the Child-Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang freaked me out far more than anything I ever saw in a supposedly "adult" film.

Updated On: 12/27/06 at 10:58 PM