Best 3 Shows for 12 & 16 Year Olds + Parents

[bikerneil]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 10:52pm

We are traveling to New York and I want to see three shows while there. We have seen Lion King and Phantom. I will have my 12 year old son and 16 year old daughter with us. What are the three "MUST SEE" shows???

Thanks.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 10:55pm

For the kids of that age?

Wicked
Spelling Bee
Hairspray

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 10:56pm

See Hairspray.

[dramadude2]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:01pm

Spelling Bee's song content may be a little mature depending on your standards. Some parents are more conservative than others.
I'd listen to the clips on itunes of the songs from each before you decide

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:02pm

Wicked
Drowsy
Hairspray
Spamalot (?)

For a 12 year old, I would NOT recommend...
Chicago
Les Miz
Spelling Bee
A Chorus Line
Avenue Q
Rent
Spring Awakening

For a 16 year old, anything is fine.

[madbrian]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:03pm

I agree with Hairspray and Wicked. For a third show, I'd recommend the off-Broadway show Altar Boyz.

[beyondblessed]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:03pm

Wicked
Mary Poppins
Hairspray

Spelling Bee has a few adult themes that you may not be completely comfortable with. Not a whole lot just a few. It's still a great show.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:04pm

Actually, Spelling Bee is okay for kids. There's only one song that would be a little mature. "My Unfortunate Erection", but he runs through the audience throwing candy during the entire song and your 12 year old would be distracted by that. Trust me.

[RENTingFAME]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:06pm

Spamalot would probably be okay, it just depends on how mature your 12 year old is. My younger brother was not quite 12 when we saw Spamalot and it was fine...

I agree about listening to itunes clips before choosing Spelling Bee... most of it isn't too bad, but you have to use your personal judgment.

There's always off-broadway too... The Fantastiks would probably be enjoyable and appropriate unless I'm forgetting some particularly objectionable part. Forbidden Broadway might be a little risky but would be really fun if your family knows musicals a bit. Again, parental judgment.

[beyondblessed]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:07pm

Drowsy is a good pick too, Spamalot for a 12 year old is all dependent on the child. There is a song about jews, and another about gays. I don't think I'd take any 12 year old I know to see that.

[dramadude2]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:07pm

Well, and then the line in pandamonium(spelling?)after

I KNEW THAT WORD

[RENTingFAME]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:08pm

Not worse than anything he's heard on TV, most likely.

[NathanLaneStalker]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:09pm

And not worse than what he's probably heard at home. lol.

Updated On: 8/8/07 at 11:09 PM

[beyondblessed]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:09pm

yeah, you're probably right.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:15pm

Hairspray
Spelling Bee (maybe....)
Curtains is borderline innapropriate for a 12 year old (depending on your standards)

Edit: I'm gonna go with Poppins instead of Curtains...

Updated On: 8/8/07 at 11:15 PM

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:40pm

It's summer, have fun, laugh a little:

Drowsy Chaperone
Xanadu
Grease

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:48pm

When are you going?

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 8/8/07 at 11:55pm

Will you be there when "Little Mermaid" is on? I would try and see that.


I'd also say

Wicked
Mary Poppins
Hairspray

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 12:06am

Geez! Some people are acting as if they're taking a 6 year-old to the theatre! Stuff in Spelling Bee shouldn't bother 12 year olds.


If you're looking for a pure fun show, then I'd recommend:
Mamma Mia!, Legally Blonde, Hairspray (I'd just see the movie, though), Spelling Bee, The Drowsy Chaperone, Xanadu, and Curtains

If you want to be amazed, then go see:
A Chorus Line, Les Miserables (s/he might be a bit bored in Act 1 if s/he does'nt pay attention), The Color Purple

If you just want to see a spectacle, then:
Wicked, Phantom, The Lion King



When I go see shows, I like to see a variety, so I recommend:

A Chorus Line
Spelling Bee (Only if you can get cheap tickets)
and Les Miserables

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 12:10am

I don't think you guys would have a very good time at Les Miz.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 12:12am

I saw Les Mis when I was eleven, and I loved it.

Of course, I knew the music beforehand, so I *knew* I would love it, but still...

[FranzRelax]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 12:13am

Is A Chorus Line really that appropriate for a 12 year old?

Curtains has an F bomb some other cursing and suggestive dancing - but otherwise it's semi appropriate for a 12 year old.

[RENTingFAME]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 12:51am

I wouldn't think A Chorus Line is appropriate for a 12 year old... People around here are up in arms about a local high school doing it. I don't know about that, but I don't think it's for a 12 year old.

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 1:09am

Okay fine, ACL might not be appropriate for immature 12 year olds.

BUT, Les Mis being inappropriate? What???

[MerMaggieGalinda]

Posted: 8/9/07 at 1:16am

There is Lovely Ladies, but I think a 12 year old can handle that.