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