Can see 3 shows in NYC

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:35am

I am able to see about 3 shows this summer in NYC with my daughters. They are 16 and 12. My 16 year old LOVES musicals, and would probably be up for seeing almost anything, but my younger is a bit more picky. The younger one wants to see shows like Wicked and Aladdin, but the older one wants to see things like American Psycho, Fun Home, and Avenue Q. Any suggestions?

[ZellMorrowsPledge]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:41am

Wicked, Fun Home, and The Color Purple

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:48am

Wicked is a crowd pleaser for any and all ages. That's a sure safe bet and an amazing show. 

Fun Home and The Color Purple have a bit of heftier content that I'm not sure would sit well with a 12-year-old. 

I'd say skip Aladdin. It's a yawn. 

Tuck Everlasting, School of Rock, On Your Feet, Something Rotten and Bright Star may be a few to look into that may appeal to both of your daughters. 

Waitress, as well. The content is a little bit mature (I'd say 14+) but I think it's something you three would enjoy as a mother/daughter bonding experience. 

 

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:51am

Wicked can be seen in almost every city in the US at this point with its on going tour - and Fun Home is about to embark on a national tour

why not enjoy a brand new musical - WAITRESS is a crowd pleaser for your daughters - also, everyone is raving about SHE LOVES ME.  Also THE COLOR PURPLE

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 9:51am

Well, what is appropriate for a 16 year old is not always appropriate for a 12 year old.  And of course, how YOU feel about what material you have them see is paramount.  Fun Home is beautiful, and 12 would be the low end of what I think is appropriate.   (American Pscyho and Ave Q are most likely NOT appropriate for a 12 year old!)

You could (withing reason) allow each to pick one and then pick one yourself.  

 

Other shows to consider: Tuck Everlasting, The Color Purple, Waitress or Kinky Boots

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:10am

Leaf Coneybear said: "I am able to see about 3 shows this summer in NYC with my daughters. They are 16 and 12. My 16 year old LOVES musicals, and would probably be up for seeing almost anything, but my younger is a bit more picky. The younger one wants to see shows like Wicked and Aladdin, but the older one wants to see things like American Psycho, Fun Home, and Avenue Q. Any suggestions?"

 

My then-13-year-old LOVED Fun Home.  She felt it almost tied Hamilton for her, and that is high praise.  So I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that your 12-year-old might like it.  It could be a good meeting point for your kids.  Aladdin was more enjoyable than I expected.  American Psycho and Avenue Q are very adult with a fair bit of sexual content, so do be aware of that. My 14-year-old is still not allowed to see them.  School of Rock is considered really fun by most people and has a large number of insanely talented kids in the cast (I don't personally see it until September).  

Wicked, Lion King, Something Rotten,King and I, and Finding Neverland are all on tour or going out on tour (so is Fun Home, but I would argue it's still worth seeing in NYC in the round). The Color Purple is incredible but the content is a little mature.  That said, I'd totally take my daughter to see it. It's fantastic. I also agree with those who suggested Waitress.  I'm seeing that one in May and I am pretty excited for it.  Tuck Everlasting is geared toward families and is getting pretty mixed reviews.

[_IrisTInkerbell]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:39am

I would definitely recommend Wicked, but be aware that tickets on Broadway are quite expensive for this show in particular and you might be able to see it a bit more cheaply on tour. I've seen the tour production and can't think of a reason to pick Broadway over tour, except if you wanted to see a certain actor.

 

Other than that I would recommend Finding Neverland and Tuck Everlasting (maybe pick one of them), possibly Fun Home, or School of Rock.

I'm not sure about Something Rotten because your 12yr old may not know that many musicals yet (or much Shakespeare) and many of the references that make the show so goo might be lost on her.

I think Color Purple might be a bit too adult. But how about Les Mis for a more serious show? Many people seem to have seen that pretty young and it made them fall in love with the genre.

I also absolutly love Matilda, and would through that into the mix and would recommend over School of Rock actually.

[Up In One]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:48am

Do not let them miss Curious Incident - its scheduled to close in September and I think it will hit all the right notes - and expose them to a play.  The staging is more musical-like so they wont even miss the songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVrOsXhG61Q

 

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:51am

Up In One said: "Do not let them miss Curious Incident - its scheduled to close in September and I think it will hit all the right notes - and expose them to a play.  The staging is more musical-like so they wont even miss the songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVrOsXhG61Q"

 

Oh, yes, this is a good call, too!  My daughter LOVED this play.  It, too, is going out on tour, but I think it's another one that might be worth visiting in New York.  I don't know how the staging with travel.

 

[Hellob]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 12:53pm

If you want to save money and see an adorable show, Daddy Long Legs is a great choice. It's so charming.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 2:43pm

Avoid Lion King at all cost. It's an expensive nap. 

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 2:56pm

Don't see Finding Neverland - I've seen better community theater productions.

Daddy Longlegs is great. School of Rock, Wicked, Tuck, and even Fun Home would be better suited. Cats might be an option too, depending when you go - or The Cirque show?

Updated On: 4/12/16 at 02:56 PM

[TheaterGal3]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 3:02pm

Finding Neverland and School of Rock are both great and seem like good fits for those ages. Something Rotten was good, but like someone else said, probably a better show if you’re younger daughter is familiar with Shakespeare.

[Broadwaystar2]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 3:06pm

GreasedLightning said: "Wicked is a crowd pleaser for any and all ages. That's a sure safe bet and an amazing show. 

Fun Home and The Color Purple have a bit of heftier content that I'm not sure would sit well with a 12-year-old. 

I'd say skip Aladdin. It's a yawn. 

Tuck Everlasting, School of Rock, On Your Feet, Something Rotten and Bright Star may be a few to look into that may appeal to both of your daughters. 

Waitress, as well. The content is a little bit mature (I'd say 14+) but I think it's something you three would enjoy as a mother/daughter bonding experience. 

 

 

"

You'd be surprised how many middle schools are now teaching from The Color Purple as required reading. It's 2016

[JPeterman]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 3:20pm

I have seen almost everything this season, and I have 3 daughters.

 

If they are available at the time of your trip, I would recommend Hamilton, Color Purple, Fun Home, Curious Incident, Something Rotten, School of Rock, Les Mis and the Crucible.  If they extend, I would also definitely recommend She Loves Me and Dear Evan Hansen.  I have not seen Tuck Everlasting but it sounds like it would be good for at least your 12 year old.  The best of these in my opinion are Hamilton, Color Purple, Curious Incident, the Crucible, She Loves Me, and Dear Evan Hansen.

 

Your 16 year old would probably really like Waitress, but there are a couple light-hearted and funny simulated sex scenes. Personally, I would not take my 12 year old daughter to see it because of those scenes ... but that is a personal choice.  I don't want to give away any specifics of the show, but one of the scenes is just a little too graphic for a 12 year old, in my opinion.

 

Regarding American Psycho, the sex scenes are more numerous and more graphic  .... I would definitely not feel comfortable taking a daughter under the age of 18 to it, personally.

 

I agree with the poster who mentioned national tours.  I would not want to come all the way to New York to see Wicked or Phantom or Matilda ..... they are touring all over the place and my vote would be to just see those type of shows closer to home.

 

One other possibility both of your daughters  may like would be Cats if your visit is after it starts previews in mid-July.

Updated On: 4/12/16 at 03:20 PM

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 5:40pm

"Do not let them miss Curious Incident - its scheduled to close in September and I think it will hit all the right notes - and expose them to a play.  The staging is more musical-like so they wont even miss the songs."

 

I agree, it is great show. I saw it in London several weeks ago and it was fantastic. Do they do the "prime number" thing on the seats in Broadway like they do in London?

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 5:53pm

Something Rotten does have some penis jokes and such. Wouldn't stop me from taking kids the age of yours but I'm not a parent so what do I know?

 

They'll likely have a zillion opportunities to see Wicked, the Lion King, and Aladdin in their lifetimes. However given that your daughter has expressed an interest in those shows, I think shows like School of Rock and Finding Neverland would strike a good balance between the two of them. I know a lot of people hated FN but my mom and I saw it together and loved it. School of Rock is just a lot of fun. And ordinarily I would absolutely recommend the Color Purple and Fun Home, but those are much more serious shows.

 

If She Loves Me is still open definitely go for that one!  Again I saw it with my mom, and we are even taking my dad again when we come back in June. It had us dancing on a cloud and grinning!  Just a completely charming and lovely show. (You've Got Mail is based on the same story and the score is very classic musical style.)

 

 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 5:56pm

I guess it depends if you live in area where Broadway shows tour. If not, the I would definitely have them see "Matilda" and or "Wicked". I agree with others about "School Of Rock", I think it is perfect for their age. "Something Rotten" would be fun also but like others have said your 12 yr old might not get it if she is not familiar with Shakespeare or Broadway musicals. 

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 6:18pm

Sorry, forgot to mention this before, but we went this past winter and saw Something Rotten, and both my kids absolutely loved it! Also, please nothing that is going on tour, we live in a city where tours often stop

 

"

 

[rebeccmam31]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 7:19pm

JPeterman said: "If they are available at the time of your trip, I would recommend Hamilton, Color Purple, Fun Home, Curious Incident, Something Rotten, School of Rock, Les Mis and the Crucible.  If they extend, I would also definitely recommend She Loves Me and Dear Evan Hansen.  I have not seen Tuck Everlasting but it sounds like it would be good for at least your 12 year old.  The best of these in my opinion are Hamilton, Color Purple, Curious Incident, the Crucible, She Loves Me, and Dear Evan Hansen."

 

I will also second Dear Evan Hansen if it does extend.  We saw it on Saturday (myself, 14-year-old daughter, and her similarly aged boyfriend), and we all liked it a great deal.

 

[freewilma]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 7:41pm

Can't remember when I DIDN'T see a show with teens.  I went with 50 high school theatre kids to see both School of Rock and Something Rotten.  While they enjoyed both very much, when asked if they had to pick one, they preferred School of Rock.  If they haven't seen Wicked then they absolutely should.  I also saw Matilda twice with teens / tweens and it was a big hit.  We live in the DC area and Dear Evan Hansen was HUGE with the teens here last summer.  Having seen both Tuck and Waitress in previews, I'd recommend Tuck between the two.  It's a lovely adaptation of a classic children's novel and hard to go wrong.  My older daughter loved Kinky boots; but my 13 year old was more on the fence.  

[mpkie]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:12pm

Hellob said: "If you want to save money and see an adorable show, Daddy Long Legs is a great choice. It's so charming."

Considering you three are all ladies, I can't even articulate enough how wonderful this show is, especially for young women coming-of-age. It's so empowering and hits all the right notes emotionally and intellectually (and... musically)! Very appropriate. Plus it's so affordable with online discounts/deals.

Going to stay away from commentating on the huge mix bag of recommendations already thrown your way but HAD to jump on this one.

[@z5]

Posted: 4/12/16 at 10:35pm

You can never go wrong with Aladdin for any age, it's an excellent show. I definitely liked it a lot more than School of Rock. It is perfect for kids of any age, as well as adults. 

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 12:37am

Just thought of this as no one had mentioned it--if you like Latin music you might look at On Your Feet. I personally did not enjoy it (in Chicago previews) as much as the other shows I mentioned, but it is certainly fun and age appropriate for teenagers. The story is what it is and to me it does not make for the best book, but the music is largely upbeat and fun, and I loved the choreography. (First act is better than the second in my opinion--it's pure fun and is about their unexpected rise to stardom, which I personally found more intriguing than the story about her recovery, which I already knew and found a bit drawn out.)

 

Wouldn't be my top recommendation but depending on your tastes, it's another to consider. It seems to be doing very well and striking a chord with some people, which I think is great!  So many diverse shows available this year... Any type of music and many types of stories!!!

[broadwayfan250]

Posted: 4/13/16 at 10:59am

I couldn't agree more with the others in the thread recommending Daddy Long Legs. It's a great show for young girls with beautiful music. And they always have deals running on tickets!

I would also recommend Something Rotten and Finding Neverland- great for all ages! I wouldn't recommend American Psycho for ages 16 and 12. I saw it recently and there's a lot of sex in it and it can get pretty graphic at times...not sure if they would like all the blood either. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking children of that age to the show. Definitely a 17 and up show. 

Updated On: 4/13/16 at 10:59 AM