The Sound of Music, Annie, Wicked. I just saw The Lion King and it was AMAZING, although I did see some kids getting ind of scared from the actors in the aisles.
THE KING AND I involves children, teachers and no four letter words. It might be about more than that and have a lot of sexual overtones, but what little kid would get that?
Hell, INTO THE WOODS gets done by kids so much these days, we could even call IT family friendly. Or GUYS AND DOLLS. Or FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Just because there's death, blood,, strippers, gambling and a pogrom in each respectively doesn't make any less "family friendly."
Family friendly is such a dumb, safe buzzword. I say make your child's first exposure to musical theater MY FAIR LADY (like me) and see where it goes.
To me, family friendly means it isn't too dark and they'll probably understand it. Also, it has to have enough in the way of visuals and movement to keep them engaged. My list would be: Annie Shrek A Christmas Story Matilda Probably Wicked Lion King (Maybe) Spiderman Little Mermaid Mary Poppins The Sound of Music My Fair Lady Depending on the family, Jesus Christ Superstar Again depending on the family, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat Again depending on the family, Fiddler on the Roof Anything Goes (which bores me to death) Pajama Game Thoroughly Modern Millie (fortunately, most young kids won't get the sex slave part) Depending on the Family, 1776