On the Town - age appropriate?

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:45pm

I'm a teacher (which I'm sure you can tell from my sn), and I was wondering if On The Town is appropriate for kids 12-14 for a field trip. I received something in the mail and it says it's for ages 10 and up. I've never seen it, so any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:47pm

Yes, it is.

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:49pm

Absolutely. I can't think of any 12 year old from 2014, frankly, who would find anything from a 1940s musical shocking compared to, say, the average network sitcom's humour.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:49pm

Absolutely. As long as they can handle great music, great dancing, great comedy, shirtless romantic ballets, a comedy song with double entendres about sex and food, and a couple of horny sailors and the girls who want them.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:51pm

PalJoey, the rest of your response leads me to think that the "absolutely" was sarcastic. Am I correct?

[lovebwy]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:52pm

I got my tickets for October 6th. I can't wait!!!

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:55pm

"PalJoey, the rest of your response leads me to think that the "absolutely" was sarcastic. Am I correct?"

Not to speak for PJ, but no, I don't think he meant it sarcastically. All of the elements he mentioned would seem tame to a 12 year old who might watch crap like 2 and a Half Men.

Updated On: 9/17/14 at 01:55 PM

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 1:59pm

Great! Thanks, everybody!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 2:03pm

Can they handle this?



I think they probably can.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 2:28pm

I was at the taping of that at Symphony Hall in Boston. Beatrice Arthur hosted at tribute to Leonard Bernstein. She sang Mambo from Wonderful Town.

Going from the rehearsal footage some of the dance moves are suggestive, but nothing 12 year old kids couldn't handle.


2014 I Can Cook Too Updated On: 9/17/14 at 02:28 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 3:17pm

I think the kids would be fine with it. Their parents are the ones who may create drama if they're overly sensitive to slightly suggestive lyrics and dances. The whole premise of the show is that the sailors have 24 hours to get laid. It's essentially the plot of American Pie.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 4:27pm

None of them get laid though, right?

"Haven't had time to wake up, seeing you there without your make-up. Oh well, we'll catch up some other time..."

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 4:44pm

The whole premise of the show is that the sailors have 24 hours to get laid.

That's more of a modern interpretation rather than anything stated in the book or score, especially since it isn't the case with Chip, but rather Hildy.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 5:39pm

This is true. They never say that outright in the book, but c'mon. That's what sailors on shore leave did and that's what they're doing in the show. It's just all very PG.

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/17/14 at 11:06pm

There is this song - but it wasn't risque enough to be cut from the film like "I Can Cook Too"
Come Up To My Place

[lovebwy]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 2:23am

Matt I don't think I agree that it's only the modern interpretation. Look at some of the lyrics:

"We'll find the romance and danger waiting in it
Beneath the Broadway lights;
But we've hair on our chests
So what we like the best are the nights"

"Can't satisfy my craving,
Never have watched you while you're shaving.
Oh, well, we'll catch up
Some other time."

"Haven't had time to wake up,
Seeing you there without your make-up.
Oh, well, we'll catch up
Some other time."

I think the joke is that Gabey and Ozzie are for sure looking to pitch some woo, while all Chip is interested in is seeing sights. And then Chip becomes the one in the best position to have sex, with Hildy. Ironic.

I think Comden and Green's sly lyrics on the subject are a lot of fun.

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 6:48am

I took a lot at the mailing I received and it says it is appropriate for ages 8 and up. Why would they suggest 8 and up if the whole show revolves around sex? Although this is the same mailing that said Chicago is appropriate for 13 and up, so I guess I'm proceeding with caution. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, since the revival hasn't actually started yet, that it will be okay. There aren't many shows out at the moment that are appropriate - the Disney ones are just too expensive.

[Scarlet Leigh]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 7:29am

Speaking from experience, I actually saw the '98 revival of this when I was 12. I would say it's fine, but as other have said it's more about the parents then the kids. My mother introduced me to more adult situations in theatre preeeeeetty early on. As in my first Broadway Musical was Beauty and the Beast at the age of 8 and my SECOND was Sunset Boulevard at the age of 9. So to me by the age of 12, On the Town was really just a fun musical comedy. At the time, I can kind of recall understanding that Hildy was trying to get Chip to sleep with her, but that production seemed to make very light of the subject matter. Someone who is highly conservative might not see it the same way. The "worst" if you could call it that really is the stuff that Hildy does, but it's really in how it's staged that I think would make or breaks the line between appropriate or not for the age group.



Updated On: 9/18/14 at 07:29 AM

[LarryD2]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 9:06am

This will probably make me sound like the oldest geezer on the block, but I imagine the kids today have seen more risqué material on network television by the age of 12. ON THE TOWN is steeped in entendre and innuendo, but it's a piece of its time.

[lovebwy]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 9:49am

"I took a lot at the mailing I received and it says it is appropriate for ages 8 and up. Why would they suggest 8 and up if the whole show revolves around sex?"

Because it doesn't, really! Yes, it is the slyly implied goal of at least two of the sailors (and one of the women), but everyone gets sidetracked with various misadventures. The American Pie comparison, while funny, really isn't apt.

And I think part of what makes the show great is that I don't think the typical 12 year old could really put together most of the innuendo. It's a 70 year old show that is corny (the book) but has some very sophisticated elements (the music, lyrics and dancing).

It's FINE for children!!!

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 9:54am

Well, considering I saw THE WILD PARTY at age 12 I'm not really one to judge, but I would say that they will really be fine. The issues with sex in the show are usually more scrutinized by the adults in attendance than the kids. They will have a good time, and it's certainly more age appropriate than a lot of shows currently running.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 10:13am

Why would they suggest 8 and up if the whole show revolves around sex?

Because it's not that blatant. There is a ton of information about the musical itself on the internet. Synopses, song clips, photos, and there is also the movie version (which retains much of the plot, but changed most of the score). I can't imagine anyone finding this inappropriate for ages 12-14 unless they consider an episode of Three's Company to be rated R. GLEE is practically pornographic by comparison.

[Jon]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 11:33am

Oklahoma, Carousel, and South Pacific also revolve around sex. Do we think Lt. Cable and Liat were just cuddling?

[EricMontreal22]

Posted: 9/18/14 at 1:26pm

"Because it's not that blatant."

Exactly. It's almost like saying Tex Avery's cartoons were mostly about sex -- they were, but that doesn't mean that kids didn't love them.