Mary Poppins last night- Page 2

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 10:29am

My first show on Broadway was PIPPIN in 1972. I was 7 years old and this started my love for live theater and Broadway.

My nephew's first show on Broadway was The Who's TOMMY. He was 5 years old (he's 20 years old now). He still remembers the score with great appreciation, though he doesn't make the effort to go to live theater.

My niece's first show on Broadway was JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY. She was 5 years old (she's 24 now). Doesn't remember the show at all (not even the PETER PAN segment), but she does see shows on Broadway (and on tour), though she doesn't follow the New York theater scene.

[winston89]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 10:47am

My first show was Big when I was 6. I am now 18 and have a great love for musical theatre. Something that wouldn't have come if I hadn't seen Big or if I didn't live in NYC.


mc1227, let me ask you something. Are you saying that children should only see shows in regional or community theatres and Broadway should be left for the adults? Just because it is not how you grew up going to the theatre it doesn't mean that it can't change and that Broadway can't be for everyone.

Yes, it is true that Disney shows aren't everyones first show ( I am talking about kids my age when they were younger and the new generation of young kids) but it is a majority of kids first musical experience.

I don't see anything wrong with a Disney show being the fist show that people take their kids. If people are talking about how they want to have their kids experience a Broadway show for the first time. Then there is nothing wrong with them taking their kids to a Disney show. They are what seems to be the perfect option and an easy choice for a lot of parents.

I know a lot of kids my age who's first Broadway show was Beauty and the Best. There was nothing wrong with that. As well as there is nothing wrong with seeing a non Disney show as your first Broadway show.

I guess what I am trying to say is that there is nothing wrong with a Disney show being a kids first show that they see just as much as there is nothing wrong if they see a show that isn't a Disney show for their first show on Broadway.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 12:23pm

Updated On: 5/4/09 at 12:23 PM

[mc1227]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 1:57pm

You all make valid points and I again emphasize that the biggest problem I have with it is the atmosphere of commercial explotation within the theatre that is aimed at children. I also long for the days when regional theatre had children's programs to introduce them to theatre. I saw my first Broadway show when I was 17. It hooked me immediately. I brought my niece to a Disney show because she and her family were visiting and requested to see it. Otherwise, I had no intention of seeing Mary Poppins. I would have rather had seen In The Heights or Passing Strange. Again, to each their own. It's just not my idea of what Broadway has always been about.

LePetite: I question some of the ages on your list. 14 for November?? Are you serious?? 12 for Phantom?? They would have to be some very mature teenagers.

Updated On: 6/14/08 at 01:57 PM

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 2:10pm

Updated On: 5/4/09 at 02:10 PM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/14/08 at 2:23pm

I agree with LePetiteFromage in many respects.

Disney is not out to harm Broadway, they are merely players in this business creating family appropriate entertainment. I don't see anything wrong with parents taking their kids to see Broadway shows - why should a child be limited to just community/regional theatre? Sometimes people want to take their families on vacations everyone can enjoy, and there are shows out there appropriate for families that are not Disney, despite what Ticketmaster/Telecharge suggests as appropriate ages.

Besides, Disney has, what, three shows on Broadway now? No one is forcing you to see them. If you really do not like the commercial aspect of a Disney production, there are plenty of shows in NYC (on and off Broadway) that you can see.