Is "Hamilton" appropriate for kids?
Is "Hamilton" appropriate for kids?
DoeADeer
Swing Joined: 5/15/16
#1Is "Hamilton" appropriate for kids?
Posted: 5/15/16 at 3:25pm
I have 2 kids age 10 and 13. We are planning on going to New York for 2 weeks in August for a family trip. We definitely want to see a Broadway show. My kids have seen The Lion king and Wicked when they came on tour to our area but this will be their first show in New York. We were thinking of going to Aladdin, School of rock or Matilda but my brother who lives in New York told us he has 5 tickets to see Hamilton that he bought a long time ago but their kids have a huge competition on the day so they can't go and said he could give them to us. Otherwise he would just sell them.
I know how hard it is to get Hamilton tickets and I know how good it's supposed to be so I don't really want to give it up since it's for free and we rarely go to New York but is it appropriate for kids the age of mine? What is the language and sexual content like? I'm a little concerned since I know it's a hip hop musical and rap isn't the most kid friendly music genre. Also, will they understand it or is it more of an adult musical? I'm from the mid-west so I don't really know anyone who has seen it.
#2Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 3:29pm
despite there being about ten expletives in the show, I don't think it's too inappropriate. 10 might be a little young but my best friend's sister was 13 when she first heard it and she loves it.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
BroadwayConcierge
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 3:32pm
I would say, if it were a film, it would be rated between PG and PG 13. There is some swearing, and a marriage infidelity -- but no nudity. I think its a hard call for your 10 year old but a full yes for the 13 year old. Personally, I DO think would have brought my son when he was 10....but I'm fairly liberal.
Its not only hip hop and rap....and its more stylized for a bway audience sensibility. Don't hesitatge any more specific questions.
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.
jdra
Understudy Joined: 5/9/16
#7Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 3:35pm
My 12 year old twin boys love the album and loved the show. But actually they do use the F word in a sexual context at least once. But any of the sexual innuendos and content are quick and would go over a too young kid's head, i think. I would take them.
From the official website:
Is there an age requirement?
Hamilton is appropriate for ages 10+ since there is some strong language. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theater.
seriously13
Chorus Member Joined: 5/15/16
#8Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 3:47pm
I came out of lurking to urge you to take your kids to see the show!
I took my 12 yo and my 9 yo and it was totally fine. This might have been the best thing I have ever done for them. They absolutely loved it. The cute thing is that when they sing along with the cast album, they censor themselves when they get to the bad words. A fair number of their tween classmates have seen the show as well.
LMM has tweeted about kids as young as 7 seeing the show. He himself saw Les Miz when he was 7, and that might be a tougher show with young kids given Fantine's descent into prostitution and all the revolutionaries dying.
I don't think anyone would have a problem with kids over 8 seeing the show as long as they are quiet and well behaved. Please take your kids. And enjoy the show!
DoeADeer
Swing Joined: 5/15/16
#9Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 4:04pm
Thank you so much everyone! Just to confirm, it is PG-13 if it were a film? A light PG-13? I'm fine with a little cursing but just not excessive. What are the cases they use the f word? How many times do they use it?
So there is no sexual content besides a few sexual innuendos and kissing?
Updated On: 5/15/16 at 04:04 PM
MrsHenderson
Swing Joined: 5/15/16
#10Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 4:04pm
5 free Hamilton tix - WOW! I have a 9 and 12 y.o. and they can't stop listening to the album and seem way more interested in U.S. history as a result of this amazing creating of Lin-Manuel Miranda's. Seeing this show will be an experience your kids will never forget. We live in Florida and I flew to New York to surprise my niece with tix (MIL & SIL, too) back in April. We LOVED every second of it - the best Broadway experience ever. I am now seeing if I can somehow get another set of tickets when we're all there (also in August) so hubby and kids can experience it too. I think you will regret not seeing it and the other shows you mentioned will certainly be around for your next visit. This is too good to pass up. GO!
seriously13
Chorus Member Joined: 5/15/16
#11Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 4:29pm
Off the top of my head, maybe 5 swear words? No more than 10? Sometimes said in the heat of a battle or an argument, sometimes in an "aw, cr@p!" moment. Some of them go by so fast you miss them if you're not listening carefully.
Hamilton's extramarital affair is handled very discreetly. Some kissing and extremely tame fondling, no nudity.
If you have additional concerns, suggest you listen to the OBC recording. IMHO it's totally age-appropriate for your kids, and if you don't take them, you will regret it.
#12Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 4:45pm
According to iTunes, 9 of the songs include an expletive but I'm pretty sure none include more than one. The only time the "F" word is used in a sexual context, he doesn't actually say the consonant at the end, it's like a "fuuuuhh" (iTunes doesn't count this as an expletive, since Say No to This doesn't have that label).
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
Broadway Forever2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/7/16
#13Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 5:06pm
It's fine. Please don't give up free Hamilton tickets lol. The curse word most commonly used is sh** which is used maybe 5 or 6 times and then the f word is used twice. and then "damn" is used a couple times. It's definitely a light PG 13. Also the only sexual content is the affair that Hamilton has but it is handled very lightly and is not explicit in anyway. If you're still not sure, listen to the cast recording unless you want to go watch unspoiled. If it helps Lin (the writer of the show) is always re-tweeting these 6 year old kids singing songs from Hamilton haha.
The cast recording says 9 songs are explicit but that's basically saying the word s*** once in the song for most of them.
#14Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 5:27pm
The nine songs / ten occurrences:
My Shot: ”Britain keeps sh*ttin' on us endlessly.”
Right Hand Man: “Watch the blood and the sh*t spray.”
The Story of Tonight (Reprise): “She’s married to a British officer…” “Oh sh*t…”
Stay Alive: “He sh*ts the bed at the Battle of Monmouth.”
The Battle of Yorktown: “We in the sh*t now, somebody’s gotta shovel. Hercules Mulligan, I need no introduction, when you knock me down I get the f*ck back up again.”
Cabinet Battle #1: “Sitting there useless as two sh*ts…”
Washington on Your Side: “Let’s show these Federalists what they’re up against: southern motherf*ckin’ Democratic Republicans.”
Blow Us All Away: “If you had only heard the sh*t he said about you, I doubt you would have let it slide and I was not about to.”
The Election of 1800: “John Adams shat the bed.”
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
Updated On: 5/15/16 at 05:27 PM
playbill-love
Featured Actor Joined: 7/30/13
#15Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 6:17pm
It has some language and references to Hamilton's affair, which is brief. GO. This is an experience your kids will cherish for the rest of their lives, whether or not they grow up to be theatre lovers. The small amount of "inappropriate" content is not worth losing this opportunity over. I saw much more adult content much younger than they are in music, tv, movies, and theatre and it either went over my head or bothered me very slightly and then I moved on to thinking about something else. The few scenes that might bother you are a tiny portion of an excellent show.
Ring-a-ding
Swing Joined: 5/1/16
#17Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 7:05pm
I wouldn't have any hesitation about taking a 10 and 13 year old to see it, but if you are very concerned about it, there's really no need to wonder. The cast album is available and encompasses almost every word said on stage. There's no nudity or gore, so listening to the album should make your decision simple.
aaaaaa15
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/31/15
#19Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 8:11pm
Just to elaborate on the affair scene, the most explicit the lyrics get there are 'she let her legs spread' and 'that was my wife who you decided to' 'fuuuuu...'
You don't actually see her legs spread and the physical contact is limited to kissing, she sits on his lap and he has his hands on her leg and chest (over her dress). I wouldn't call it explicit but it's steamy.
I wouldn't let any of this deter you from taking them though.
Also as much as it has been labelled a hip-hop musical, only about half of the music is rap. It's not any more explicit than most of the modern rock/pop musicals so don't let the genre of music put you off at all.
pushdabutton
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/05
#20Is
Posted: 5/15/16 at 8:38pm
Nothing to worry about at all. The affair scene is mostly implied and not in the least appropriate for children. The lyrics and music are so tame compared to what is on the radio these days. Go and enjoy yourself. Your kids will have a wonderful theatre experience they will never forget - and a great history lesson! Let us know what you thought of the show. Personally, I saw it last December with the full cast 
and loved it!
#21Is
Posted: 5/16/16 at 1:47am
I have three daughters and I appreciate your concern. It is a rule of parenting not to intentionally expose your children to adult content before the appropriate age. I have season tickets to touring Broadway musicals in our city and I have to sell or give away my daughters' tickets to at least two shows every season due to adult content. But honestly, this is an exception to the rule. Hamilton is a once in a generation experience, and people are spending thousands of dollars to see it. It is basically not an option to turn down the chance to see it for free.
As many have said, the language and sex references are not excessive in number or degree. A lot of the lyrics and/or rapping is so fast-paced, and there is so much dancing and action on the stage, your kids may not even hear or notice some of the objectionable references.
Get a children's biography of Alexander Hamilton or a historical narrative about the American Revolution and make it a wonderful learning experience for your kids.
Do not think twice about this decision, because it is not a decision at all. It is a wonderful opportunity.
DoeADeer
Swing Joined: 5/15/16
#22Is
Posted: 5/16/16 at 8:48am
Ok thank you so much! So I've decided to accept the tickets. The show is getting too much high praise not to. I might try and buy the soundtrack on iTunes but based on what people wrote here it should be okay for my kids.
Also we were considering seeing another show when we were in New York since we're not really paying to see Hamilton. Which shows do you recommend? Like I said, we were looking at Aladdin, Matilda or School of Rock but other suggestions are okay. Both my kids are boys if that helps.
Updated On: 5/16/16 at 08:48 AM
Corey38
Chorus Member Joined: 4/22/16
#23Is
Posted: 5/16/16 at 9:17am
Also we were considering seeing another show when we were in New York since we're not really paying to see Hamilton. Which shows do you recommend? Like I said, we were looking at Aladdin, Matilda or School of Rock but other suggestions are okay. Both my kids are boys if that helps.
I'd say try to do Matilda. It's absolutely amazing, both young children and adults enjoy the show and the music is just amazing.
MrsHenderson
Swing Joined: 5/15/16
#24Is
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:01am
We saw Matilda last summer and it was great - everyone loved it - kids and adults. This visit, we considered Aladdin & Wicked, but settled on School of Rock due to the Tony noms, particularly the lead who is supposed to be great. We are also praying for 4 more Hamilton tickets to come our way.
Def. download the Hamilton soundtrack. The only really intense moment - swear wise - is in the song Yorktown when Hercules Mulligan sings the f word.
So glad you decided to go - you're gonna love it!
#25Is
Posted: 5/16/16 at 10:01am
DoeADeer said: "Also we were considering seeing another show when we were in New York since we're not really paying to see Hamilton. Which shows do you recommend? Like I said, we were looking at Aladdin, Matilda or School of Rock but other suggestions are okay. Both my kids are boys if that helps."
Matilda's closing at the beginning of January and the other two are open runs (as far as I know), so if it's on your list, I recommend seeing it while you still can. I personally liked Aladdin and School Of Rock more, but they'll both (hopefully) still be around for your next visit. If it helps at all, I thought SOR was very true to the movie without being a carbon copy of the movie, so if you liked the movie, you'll probably like the show. Whatever you decide, I hope you all have an amazing trip!
"I have maggots in my scrotum!"
