When did Broadway become a Family-Friendly Place?

[D2]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:19am

It just seems to me that the emphasis is turning more and more to family and kid friendly fare.

I have no problem with shows that work for all audiences per se: introducing children to live theater and all it's glory is important. But do we really need to have so many shows coming in that would do just as well as a theme park attraction? Apparently so, as the numbers indicate over and over again.

But "where is style, where is craft, where is forethought?" to quote the master. It's getting harder and harder for sophisticated, adult theater to survive and flourish.

[MamawhoBoreme]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:22am

i agree with you i think thats why most "adult" shows dont do as well as Disney shows. I think there is a lot more talent and better "adult" stories then bringing Disney to Broadway. Its nice and all but there is no need for all this Disney, they are already movies that children watch constantly and if they want to see them in person go to Disney. Sorry but that my own opinion.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:34am

Avenue Q?
Spamalot?
The Producers?
They all have done pretty well (tongue firmly plnated in cheek). Definitely not "family" shows in the tradtional sense.

[aepratt]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:46am

Avenue Q is really not a family show-I mean there is a parental warning on the CD. There are more adult shows emerging, finally, but I tend to agree with the thread's theme-we need more adult shows. (Leave the kiddies at home and go out for an intellectual adult night!) When I was in NYC last week, I spoke with several people who had come as extended family units and took turns watching the kids, leaving the adults to go see the shows geared toward them.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 12:23pm

I think this has to do with a sign of the times. It's not just Broadway, but you can throw Las Vegas in there, and other previously "non-family" desirable locations.

Why?

We're adjusting from the economic and social ramifications of having both parents in the the workforce, and working long, hard hours each week.

If you go back just a half century, most mothers were still in the home taking care of the kids and available to them 24/7. That's not the case these days. We went through an "adjustment" period with Latch Key Kids, until people were complaining that many children were raising themselves because their parents were never home to supervise them. Now there is a big social movement to include the kids whenever possible, since there isn't much "down time" away from work anymore.

So events that were once was considered "a chance to get away from the kids and have fun" are now considered "quality time with the kids so we make sure we're spending at least SOME time with them."

Vacation destinations and other entertainment venues recognize the potential additional business by making themselves "family friendly" and it has proven to pay off big-time.

So... that's why.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 12:42pm

I think I read somewhere that New Yorkers are not going to the theatre as much as they used to. Do you think this influx of tourists and families may be the reason. I know a friend of mine in New York does not like going for that very reason. But because of his job, he has to attend shows.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:38pm

I don't know... I see an awful lot of New York families going to theatre as well these days, not just tourist families.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 1:51pm

I think part of it has to do with the changing values of Baby Boomers. Broadway used to be a night out for the parents, find a babysitter and go see a good show. Today's parents have to make sure their children are included in everything and so Broadway, being a business, has met the demand for parents wanting entertainment that included their children.

I have a theory that parents these days don't want the responsibility of child rearing, so they take their children out in public as much as they can so that "society" can help them cope with their children.

Updated On: 1/5/07 at 01:51 PM

[Anna_Elizabeth]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 3:23pm

I've recently come to this conclusion:
Broadway = for profit theatre, hence all the family friendly fare. Its the regional theatres that are now taking more risks with shows that cater to the actual craft of acting, writing, etc. At least this is what I see at the regionals I attend.

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:29pm

There have always been shows on Broadway that you could take your family too. There will always be shows like Sound of Music and Annie Get Your Gun.

And o yeah Tobesureof Broadway is just a cesspool of EVIL. Go away.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 5:34pm

Broadway has always had a choice of family friendly shows, in addition to more mature fare. I don't think it's anything new, nor do I see it as a problem. There are lots of choices for more mature subject matter for adults.

[Craww]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:43pm

I hope it continues. Broadway has been fowl for so many decades.

Really? I thought the 'Marie Callender’s chicken pot pie and a Sterno' thing was a recent development.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/5/07 at 11:47pm

I think that Broadway used to be family-friendly and then shows started to become more "adult"

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/6/07 at 12:14am

Since Disney cleaned up 42nd Street. And THANK GOD they did.