Shows for young kids?

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Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 8:27pm

We're coming to NY with my 3 year old daughter and 7 year old son. My husband and I love the theatre, but are not sure if there is anything appropriate for them. Any suggestions (on or off broadway)? I've actually gotten them into Mamma Mia music, but am not sure they'd sit thorugh it (plus the intro and start of act 2 may frighten my 3 year old).

Thanks.

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 8:30pm

Mary Poppins would be a good choice!

"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 8:31pm

The Berenstain Bears Live! for the three year old.

Older one might like Wicked or MAYBE Spiderman.

They might both like Mary Poppins. :)

Updated On: 8/5/12 at 08:31 PM

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 8:44pm

Mary Poppins or Pinkalicious, perhaps.

Maybe Peter and the Starcatcher? Your daughter maybe too young or not able to sit still, but I feel like they'd love the imagination aspect - heck, I do.

"Anybody that goes to the theater, I think we’re all misfits, so we ended up on stage or in the audience.” --- Patti LuPone.

Updated On: 8/5/12 at 08:44 PM

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 8:50pm

There's a scene in Mary Poppins that's pretty scary.

Most theaters say no one under 4 -- but they aren't going to 'card her'.

I would think your best bet is off b'way -- there are a bunch of places that cater to the wee ones.

Some suggestions:
Gazillion Bubble Show
Pinkalicious the Musical
The Berenstain Bears
Voca People

ARe the only ones that jump out at me now. These shows are family oriented and less expensive -- so if your little one CAN'T handle it, the rest of the audience will be more understanding if you have to leave and you won't mind as much.

I think you should be able to find discounts to all of the above mentioned shows.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 11:16pm

dramamama611: If you are referring to the scene that is in the first act when the toys come alive (Temper Temper) then it was replaced in 2009 with a new song called Playing the Game. I believe it was cut due to it being scary for younger children.

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 11:26pm

It's a shame ANGELS IN AMERICA isn't playing.

"These rabid fans...possess the acting talent to portray the hooker...Linda Eder..." -The New York Times

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 11:31pm

I also recommend GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW. Took my granddaughter when she was about 5 and she loved it (so did I!)

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/5/12 at 11:56pm

"It's a shame ANGELS IN AMERICA isn't playing."

Yes, that's too bad, but I was going to suggest WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? opening at the Booth in the coming months.

In all seriousness, though, MARY POPPINS is a pretty safe bet. She flies, he tap dances upside down and everyone goes home happy. NEWSIES is also a lot of fun, but it might be too drab looking for young kids. It's a lovely show, but since it takes place in a New York City slum it's not exactly a Jolly Holliday.

#10

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 7:29am

TPhil -- how did I not know that? I brought my kids pretty early in its run, but I don't ever remember hearing anything about it. Thanks for the info.

#11

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 7:33am

But - according to a thread that was just deleted from this board, Mary Poppins is a porn star!

(She isn't.)

Updated On: 8/6/12 at 07:33 AM

#12

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 8:04am

Poppins still has a number where the toys come alive, but it sounds like they changed the song so it may not be as scary as it once was. It was a bit creepy. My kids (5 and 7) were fine during the show, but that night my younger one wanted all of her toys moved out of her room.

#13

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 10:13am

If you are coming to NYC in the next two weeks you also have TheatreworksUSA's annual free summer theatre at the Lortel down on Christopher Street. This year they have Skippyjon Jones, music by Eli Bolin (who currently writes for Sesame Street) and book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila (who's currently playing Smee in Peter and the Star Catcher).

#14

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 12:39pm

dramamama611: I believe they cut it after the tour started. I saw the show pretty early in the run as well (August 2007) and they still had it. Once they cut it from the tour the change was also made in the Broadway production.

#15

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 8:21pm

Thanks so much for the respones. Gives us some options.

A few questions..

Anyone gone to The Berenstain Bears? Would it be too young for a 7 year old? And how does seating work?

Is pinkalcious too girly?

What's the bubble show like?

Let me know too if anything else comes up.

#16

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 8:36pm

I can't answer your questions about the other two, but the bubble show is just all these really neat things you can do with bubbles -- not in a science way, but an artistic way. There's dancing bubbles, light shows, huge bubbles, silly times, touching moments.

I took my kids, they just loved it. YOu can even get your whole family's picture inside a huge bubble in the lobby.

Oh, and lots of bubbles. Here's a link.
Check me out.

#17

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 9:29pm

I'm thinking Mary Poppins, Lion King, maybe Spider-Man, Voca People, Bearenstien Bears, and Wicked. Wicked might be a bit scary at some points, with the Oz head and the smoke and lighting and stuff, but my 5 year old cousin saw it and was fine.

Theatre is my life. No one can take that away from me.

#18

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/6/12 at 9:47pm

BIIIG difference between a 3 year old and a 5 year old. HUGE.

#19

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/7/12 at 12:17am

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Spiderman maybe? I think it could definitely keep your children amused with all of the stunts.

#20

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/7/12 at 12:26am

I used to work in a theatre that shared space with Pinkalicious and would often arrive as their patrons were exiting. Based on the ages of most of the girls exiting the show I would be surprised if a 7 year old girl would enjoy it, and odds are definitely against a 7 year old boy having a good time there. Your 3 year old would probably love it, though.

#21

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/7/12 at 12:42am

I saw Mary Poppins last summer and "Playing the Game" was in. I was a little scared!

#22

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/7/12 at 12:40pm

dramamama611, yeah, that's the problem...3 and 7 are a big difference.

We're leanign towards The Berenstain Bears. Not sure if the grass seats or regular seats are the best as our 3 year old may be scared up close.

#23

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/9/12 at 8:01am

Thanks for all the suggestions. We decided on Berenstain Bears for all of us, and one evening my 7 year old and I are seeing Spiderman. Looking forward to it.

#24

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/9/12 at 8:14am

Skippyjon Jones at the Lucille Lortel Theater - it's free. Ends 8/17

Live long and prosper.

#25

Shows for young kids?

Posted: 8/9/12 at 9:18am

Glad you made your decisions. Enjoy the trip to NYC!

For anyone else who might stumble across this thread and is looking for suggestions for later this fall/winter, there is a new production of The Velveteen Rabbit, written and directed by Kevin Del Aguila (of Peter and the Star Catcher), that will be running at the DR2 on weekends starting in November. I'm a huge fan of the work Kevin has created for Theatreworks. His writing is smart and accessible for the children, but sharp enough that adults don't get that same "Oh, God, not another kids' show" type of feeling that you find in a lot of other children's theatre that is out there.

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