Waitress Appropriate for children?

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:03pm

I was thinking about taking taking my 16 year old and 12 year old daughters to see Waitress when we in nyc. My 16 year old I know is fine, she's the one who wants to see it, but I'm worried if the show deals with heavy themes or just generally isn't appropriate for her. (She's also a pretty immature 12) 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:06pm

Meh....lots of infidelity.  Watch the film, that'll give you a pretty good idea.  It sounds like it's more about her interest level, not appropriateness.

[MBFan]

Posted: 6/13/16 at 11:11pm

This is off topic - sorry - but Jessie's performance last night on the Tony's changed my life. I'm dying to see this show.

Updated On: 6/14/16 at 11:11 PM

[playbill-love]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 12:18am

I was squeamish about sex and romance at 12, and I probably would not have liked Waitress because of that, but I don't think it is inappropriate or upsetting or anything for someone that age. It shouldn't be a problem for a 16 year old. I think whether they deal well with the more adult elements of the show will likely have more to do with their level of interest in the show than the content itself. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 12:21am

In terms of sexual explicitness, there are two moments that I can recall that are rather overtly suggestive. Nothing real—but definitely... overt. 

[mc1227]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 9:55am

I think the subject matter is a little heavy for a 12 year old but the show does an excellent job of presenting it in a way that moves you but doesn't allow it to bog the entire experience down. The subject matter involves domestic abuse, adultery, some salty language and a few sexually suggestive moments.  I have never seen the movie and someone commented to me that the movie was awful and not worth seeing.  Now that I have seen Waitress twice, I don't want anything to spoil the experience I've had.  According to this person, the movie is nothing like the Broadway production, so I'm not sure that watching the movie will answer your question about whether this show is age appropriate. 

Bottom line is that you know your children better than we do, so if you feel they are mature enough to understand and not be upset by some of it, then its a wonderfully entertaining production. 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 10:55am

The 16yr old should be fine. 12 is a bit young IMO but then again I saw a few 8-10 year olds at American Psycho. 

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 11:30am

It depends on what you are comfortable with..and what you think your daughter will be comfortable.

It's very adult in theme...dealing with spousal abuse, adultery (by more than one couple), a funny "stalker". It's not that I wouldn't want a 12 year old child of mine to see this..but I think a conversation both before and after is MANDATORY.

This is a musical comedy genre - and 12 year olds  (and the 16 year old) need to know that adultery, being  a stalker, etc is not cute - no matter how it's presented in this play. In a sense I think younger might be easier because some of it might go over her head. 

[jomilo21]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 11:31am

Yeah... It's probably too sexual for a 12 year old...

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 11:34am

If she's not a mature 12, I would skip it. The film is PG-13.

[JPeterman]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 12:14pm

I have 3 daughters including 11 and 12 year olds ... after seeing Waitress I would not take them to it until a bare minimum of 16, but better would be 17 or 18.  There are a couple sexual acts that are directly acted out on stage including one that is way way too graphic for a 12 year old, in my opinion.

Updated On: 6/14/16 at 12:14 PM

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 3:16pm

mc1227 said: "I have never seen the movie and someone commented to me that the movie was awful and not worth seeing.  Now that I have seen Waitress twice, I don't want anything to spoil the experience I've had."

The movie is excellent in my opinion (and most people I know really like it as well), Keri Russell is great in it. If you like the show you'll probably like the movie. 

Anyway, the movie is PG-13, so I would watch it yourself and decide. No one else can really judge what your kid can handle. 

[@z5]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 3:24pm

They're older...nothing wrong with it for that age. Don't be so overprotective. 

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 4:04pm

I agree with what most have said, I think 12 is a bit young, especially since you say yourself she's more on the immature side. She would probably be uncomfortable at times, and might not take much joy out of the show as whole if she's not interested in romance at all yet (I know I wasn't at that age). And seeing themes and moments like that acted out on stage is also a bit different than seeing it on a TV screen I think. Does she like romantic movies? If that's already a no, don't take her.

[MBFan]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 7:30pm

Too bad there's not a rating system for theater like there is for movies.

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 7:38pm

My friend and I took our 14-year-old daughters to this show last Wednesday. I certainly don't regret it as both girls really loved it and we had good conversation after. BUT! There is, as has been noted, some suggested sex that is a bit...jarring when you are sitting there with your young teen daughter. We were all a bit uncomfortable during those scenes.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 6/14/16 at 8:41pm

If she's immature, I think she'd be bored. 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 5:36am

MBFan said: "Too bad there's not a rating system for theater like there is for movies."

 

I believe there is some kind of system. On tdf they had American Psycho rated R. 

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 5:51pm

There definitely isn't an official one, but some shows with more extreme explicit content (like American Psycho) choose to issue an age recommendation for the show. I remember Avenue Q doing something similar when it was on Broadway.

[Faith 2]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 2:51pm

I don't know if you still need advice, but I'll respond anyway:p I'm 11 years old, and a huge theatre nut. I personally had no problem with the show itself, the only problem was the awkwardness. My mom was there and it was just odd. But there are many affairs and pregnancy problems. As someone said, it might be more concerning to think of the interest level. I love this show and everything about it. But it is a little mature and may be boring for an immature 12-year-old. I've been told, and I believe, I am a mature 11 year old. Maybe if your willing watch it online or listen to it? There's more smut besides in the songs, though. Maybe tell someone close to watch it and report back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wND8jA1ksE&t=3639s

[Faith 2]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 2:51pm

I don't know if you still need advice, but I'll respond anyway:p I'm 11 years old, and a huge theatre nut. I personally had no problem with the show itself, the only problem was the awkwardness. My mom was there and it was just odd. But there are many affairs and pregnancy problems. As someone said, it might be more concerning to think of the interest level. I love this show and everything about it. But it is a little mature and may be boring for an immature 12-year-old. I've been told, and I believe, I am a mature 11 year old. Maybe if your willing watch it online or listen to it? There's more smut besides in the songs, though. Maybe tell someone close to watch it and report back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wND8jA1ksE&t=3639s

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 4:02pm

Faith 2 said: "I don't know if you still need advice, but I'll respond anyway:p I'm 11 years old, and a huge theatre nut. I personally had no problem with the show itself, the only problem was the awkwardness. My mom was there and it was just odd. But there are many affairs and pregnancy problems. As someone said, it might be more concerning to think of the interest level. I love this show and everything about it. But it is a little mature and may be boring for an immature 12-year-old. I've been told, and I believe, I am a mature 11 year old. Maybe if your willing watch it online or listen to it? There's more smut besides in the songs, though. Maybe tell someone close to watch it and report back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wND8jA1ksE&t=3639s

 

"

This is completely off-topic, and I hope it doesn't come off as condescending (I promise I mean it with genuine kindness and sincerity). But you are very eloquent and well-spoken for 11! When I was 11, I could barely string a sentence together LOL. Again completely off-topic, but I wanted to give you props :)

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 4:26pm

For what's it's worth, I saw the original Broadway productions of both A CHORUS LINE and CHICAGO a handful of times back in the Summer of 1975.  I was 10 years old.  Revisiting the shows later I discovered that my 10 year old self only took in what he knew at the time.  All sexual references and language went right over my head.  Plus, I was a 70s kid with culturally diverse parents so I had already been seeing Rated R films with nudity and language so adult material didn't phase me.  If I didn't understand it, it went over my head.  I just didn't know better.  

[Faith 2]

Posted: 2/24/17 at 6:11pm

Thanks, BroadwayRox:) I've always been told I was better at Language arts than math, and my report cards agree:p Most of my friends and other 11-year-olds have become more mature, and I think its because of the state of the world and our exposure to it. Oops off topic again...

[Akla]

Posted: 12/22/18 at 9:46am

The second act begins with a big musical number with three couples performing simulated sexual acts, oral and intercourse. Too much for this old lady, let alone kids. Should have checked here first before wasting my money.

Oh, and a baby is not a parasite.  And a woman is not an incubator.

In this day of #metoo, it is just another mirror on the hypocrisy of outrage. Lets have a stalker open up the second act under the skirt of his intended accompanied by a big musical number.  And to top that off, an OB/GYN bang his vulnerable patient who has come to him because of pregnancy complications.  Yeah, that sounds like a great message to share with our 12 and 16-year old girls.

Updated On: 12/22/18 at 09:46 AM