age appriateness for The Crucible

[Mediamaven2]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 5:25pm

Supposedly it's very frightening. What age is appropriate? Can I bring a 12 year old (well of course I can I just wonder if it's appropriate)?

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 5:32pm

Yes, absolutely. The only risk is that it's a very long play and they can get bored if they're not enjoying it... But you know them, so it's up to you!

[JPeterman]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 5:54pm

I have 11 and 12 year old daughters and I would have zero issues taking them to see it.  I loved it, and I think my girls would love it if they could see it. I don't think most 12 year olds would be bored by this play at all.   It is a great play for teen girls since many of the main characters are teen girls.  It is not particularly scary .... just particularly awesome.  Take them, they are very lucky you are able to expose them to such great theatre !!

[daijop]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 5:55pm

I took my 10 year old. She was pretty bored. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 6:12pm

I wouldn't.  Most schools don't read it until 10 or 11th grade.  While she might understand it, I don't think the average 12 year old would enjoy it, or even appreciate it.

 

I think this production is particularly challenging.

 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 6:27pm

I always taught  the play in the 10th grade. I think that's just about the right age for it.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 6:55pm

While I don't see there being any issues with it being inappropriate in terms of subject matter or it being "scary", I would not recommend this play for that age. They would likely be bored to death.  

It is up to you to make the call, do you think that this particular 12 year old would enjoy it? If so, then by all means, go for it. If not, it would be a better use of time and money to see something that would engage them a bit more. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 6/15/16 at 6:58pm

14 and up...any younger they are not going to understand it because it's material that will not engage them and they will be bored.

Besides that, it's a pretty adult play, why would you even consider taking a child to see this? 

[blaxx]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 1:00am

What did everyone find particularly 'scary' about this production? This was this season's 'emperor's new clothes' for me; the only scary part about it was how many audience members were asleep throughout. 

[jomilo21]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 1:36am

Well... It deals with an adult man having an affair with a teenage girl and there is a scene in this production where the two of them get really physically close... Just a heads up on that subject matter point. As for scary... It's really not that bad. It is definitely creepy and slightly disturbing but not like scary film scary...

[Fantod]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 3:40am

It's a rather dull production of a play that, let's face it, is pretty long-winded in the first place. Yes, there are some interestingly chilly sequences, but mostly I would avoid it because it's boring.

 

Side note: I believe this is the first (and probably last) Broadway season to feature two shows on Broadway in which trash is spilled all over the stage.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 4:06am

blaxx said: "What did everyone find particularly 'scary' about this production? This was this season's 'emperor's new clothes' for me; the only scary part about it was how many audience members were asleep throughout. 

 

"

^ I thought it was pretty bad.  My group of 50 that were so excited to see this, almost unanimously disliked it too.

[blaxx]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 5:10am

Some of the acting was emotional but the whole thing was as tedious as ever. Sophie Okonedo was giving a good performance for a completely different show; it's like it was all about her, so distracting. Same with the effects out of a cheap horror flick, which have nothing to do with the intention of Miller's text. It was really hard to sit through for me. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 7:51am

This was the first time I felt no sympathy for Elizabeth.  (And I do feel like quite a bit of the last scene IS largely about her character - as the truly innocent character.)

[DramaQueen6]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 9:43am

I would say wait on taking your child only because kids at that age aren't really interested. I teach in NH, but have actually been to where the story takes place (in MA.). Kids start learning about NH history around age 10 (4th grade) around here. That's also the age where I saw where the story of "The Crucible" takes place. I also hate scary stories, and while the subject matter of "The Crucible" isn't particularly scary (it's my favorite Arthur Miller play!), the story may seem a little linear to the average 10 year old

Do your research on the play. If you think it is something that will hold her interest, then by all means, take her. You know your child best, and therefore are in a better position to gage her interest. If you decide to go, I would talk about "The Salem Witch Trials" so that she understands that it actually happened. I would also talk with her about mass hysteria, since that is the focus of the play. If you can, take her to The Witch Museum in Salem, MA. They take you on a tour of Abigail's house and to the room where it all started. When I read the play years later (most of the time getting to read Abigail's part in class!), memories of seeing where it all started really drove the story home for me.

 

[jen_in_toronto]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 11:58am

I didn't find it frightening but it's long, extremely verbose and deals with mature themes. This production was my first exposure to it (I'm not American so didn't read it in HS) and I feel I need to sit down with the text to really comprehend it. It may have teenage girls in it but that doesn't mean it's appropriate for kids. I would say 16+, and a prior read of the text and contextual understanding would help. 

[funhamilton_rent]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 12:15pm

Fantod said:

Side note: I believe this is the first (and probably last) Broadway season to feature two shows on Broadway in which trash is spilled all over the stage.

 

"

What's the second? Disaster(!)?

[bandit964]

Posted: 6/16/16 at 12:25pm

It was NOT SCARY.  I agree with everyone not to bring your 12 year old, but not because it's scary in any way.  I was hoping for a scarier experience.  

[Fantod]

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

funhamilton_rent said: "Fantod said:

Side note: I believe this is the first (and probably last) Broadway season to feature two shows on Broadway in which trash is spilled all over the stage.

 

"


What's the second? Disaster(!)?

 

"

HA! 

I was referring to Blackbird, but that too.