Understudy Joined: 6/14/16
My husband and I are bringing our three daughters (13, 11 and 4 years old) to NYC for the first time ever in January for a week. I've gotten them into musicals, so obviously we're planning on seeing a few shows. We're definitely going to Hamilton and Aladdin. That's probably enough for the 4 year old, but I'm thinking I'd like to bring my older girls to see one more (plus obviously I'd like to see another). Does anyone have any recommendations on what we might enjoy most?
They're dancers, so obviously would love to see something with more dancing. They've seen Newsies in Boston, Cats and Phantom in Auckland and The Lion King in Melbourne. They loved them all, but Newsies was probably their favourite.
It's not as heavy on dancing as some of the shows you listed, but if you and your girls haven't seen Wicked yet, I would highly recommend it. It is perfect for girls their age, and is so quintessentially Broadway.
WICKED...I brought my nieces 10 +12 and they LUVED it!
Understudy Joined: 6/14/16
Thanks for the recommendations. Sounds like they could like Wicked. Are there ever discounts for it?
Matilda, it's not dance heavy but it has intense choreo
I actually have three daughters that happen to be the exact same ages as yours. I see pretty much everything in New York, both Broadway and off Broadway, so I think I am a good person to offer you an opinion. My two older girls are pretty mature for their ages.
School of Rock for all 3 of your girls. All of my girls would love it, including my 4 year old.
On Your Feet for all 3 of your girls. Lots of fun, lots of dancing.
My 11 and 13 year olds would absolutely LOVE Dear Evan Hansen. There are a couple mild sexual references and some serious themes, so you would have to decide if it is right for your family through the lense of your particular parenting style. But if I could take my two tween daughters to any two shows on Broadway right now it would definitely be Hamilton and DEH.
As a dark horse ... if Ride The Cyclone extends into January (and I have been told there is a good chance it will) that may be another good choice for your two older girls, but not your 4 year old.
And if you go to something like DEH or Cyclone with your older girls, maybe send dad with the little one to Lion King .... my four year olds favorite musical.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
Call_me_jorge said: "Matilda, it's not dance heavy but it has intense choreo
"
They are going in January..Matilda is closing on January 1 so I doubt this will be an option.
I second Dear Evan Hansen for your older girls. There is no dance, but you got that covered with Hamilton and Aladdin and this show is perfect for teens (tweens is people in their twenties, no?).
Wicked is also an essential but it's quite expensive on Broadway still. Unfortunately the Australian production just closed (sounds liked you're from Aus?). But perhaps you can catch it somewhere else another time.
I would highly recommend seeing Matilda in Australia, this show is great for kids all ages, given the protagonist is 4 years old, played by 12-year old girls. And it's a perfect mixture of fun with a lot of depth and great choreo!
They might also enjoy Cats, that is a quintessential dance show. Kinky Boots might be another option. I haven't it seen it though, so I don't really know how age appropriate it is. Maybe the others can way in. School of Rock and Lion King are also great options. But I would put Dear Evan Hansen on top of the list.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/1/04
_IrisTInkerbell said: "I second Dear Evan Hansen for your older girls. There is no dance, but you got that covered with Hamilton and Aladdin and this show is perfect for teens (tweens is people in their twenties, no?)"
No, tweens are those "between" childhood and teenage years.
I think Wicked would be perfect for your older girls, I was about their age when I saw it for the first time and I was obsessed.
Kinky Boots is tons of fun and totally age appropriate!
KathyNYC2 said: "Call_me_jorge said: "Matilda, it's not dance heavy but it has intense choreo
"
They are going in January..Matilda is closing on January 1 so I doubt this will be an option.
"
How could I forget about that. Thanks for reminding me!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
Leaf Coneybear said: "Kinky Boots is tons of fun and totally age appropriate!
"
I could not agree with you more....with a wonderful message as well. And there will probably be good discounts after the holiday.
perfectliar said: "_IrisTInkerbell said: "I second Dear Evan Hansen for your older girls. There is no dance, but you got that covered with Hamilton and Aladdin and this show is perfect for teens (tweens is people in their twenties, no?)"
No, tweens are those "between" childhood and teenage years."
Ah, thanks! Guess I've been using that wrong all along lol
Understudy Joined: 6/14/16
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
_IrisTInkerbell said: "Wicked is also an essential but it's quite expensive on Broadway still. Unfortunately the Australian production just closed (sounds liked you're from Aus?). But perhaps you can catch it somewhere else another time."
I'm in New Zealand. Not a lot of shows come here, and when they do, it's just to Auckland which in itself is quite a big trip from where we are. There are so many good shows! I don't know if we'll ever get to NYC again and I wish we could see them all. I'm leaning towards Dear Evan Hansen right now, because I think it would be neat to see something newer. And for the girls to see something they could probably relate to somewhat.
Leading Actor Joined: 2/18/15
I would highly recommend School of Rock. Ive seen it with teens in NYC and our high school just finished an 8-performance run of the show. There were lots of tween and younger kids in the audience every show...and they LOVED it. It's particularly great for tweens since a big part of the cast is just their age and incredibly talented playing instruments in the school band.
The only reservations I would have about Dear Evan Hansen is that there are portions that can be quite dark for kids that young, and there are a few mild sexual references. That being said, you know your kids better then me, obviously, so that decision is up to you. I would, however, look into the story before settling on it, since again there are parts that could be a little intense for more sensitive kids.
Understudy Joined: 6/14/16
I couldn't decide so in the end I got tickets for both Wicked and DEH. They liked the sound of DEH (I just told them that it's set in a modern day high school), plus they liked that they recognized Ben Platt from movies they had seen. And then my older daughter's best friend told her that Wicked is "the best musical ever!" so of course we have to see that. The three of us we'll be seeing 4 shows in 5 days. Think we can handle it?
If your girls love dancing then they will be blown away by Kinky Boots. Lola's Angels are great.
If they are dancers and haven't seen the stage production of Chicago, it should be priority #1. And discounts are pretty easy for it.
Swing Joined: 5/10/16
I think that Chicago would likely be uncomfortable for you and inappropriate for them.
I think Wicked and DEH were perfect choices! And as for the question of can you handle that much excitement - i say yes! As you have said, how often do you get a chance to come to NYC or even go to see major theatre shows in general? This trip will be remembered for a long time to come. Enjoy!
Perfect choices for teen girls. enjoy!
Chorus Member Joined: 9/29/16
Matilda hands down! I enjoyed it more than Aladdin, School of Rock, Lion King, Wicked etc.
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