Which musical - 7 year old?

[PassingThrough2]

My 7 year old daughter and I have one night in Manhattan - March 14 (Thursday). She is mature for her age and has attended the symphony, etc. in our city. She knows to stay quiet and be respectful. I saw my first Broadway musical with my parents (42nd Street) with my parents at age 6 and have very fond memories.

So I would like to take her to an authentic Broadway musical but I would rather not spend Wicked prices, especially since we could see this elsewhere pretty easily. I downloaded the Today Tix app to get a feel of availability when we go. My thoughts were:

My Fair Lady (show her movie beforehand)
Anastasia
Kinky boots (I have no concerns on subject matter but don't know if it is fast paced)
Phantom?
Frozen

Any advice appreciated. I really would like it to "feel" special for her if possible. Like she's having a grown up night with her mom in the big city.

[RWPrincess]

Out of that list, I would say Anastasia or Frozen for sure. Both are kid friendly while also catering to adults. So they should be fun for both of you. If you use the code Christy on Telecharge Offers, you should be able to get a discount on Anastasia as well though Frozen also has some good offers out now.

My Fair Lady runs a bit long for a musical and I know the accents in the first act can be a bit difficult to follow as well. I was there last week and my friend had trouble understanding some of the dialogue.

My concern with Phantom would be whether its too scary.

I have not seen Kinky Boots so cannot speak to that.

Sounds like a fun night out. Enjoy!

[KathyNYC2]

I would eliminate My Fair lady and Phantom. I sgeee too quiet or too dark.

Obviously Anastasia and Frozen are perfect for her age. Neither had great reviews but I dont know any kid her age who hadnt enjoyed either one of them. Depending on her interest in the films, you could pick either one. I would pick Frozen of the two but its a personal choice.

That said, I would go for KB. Its been on Bway 6 years and is closing in April. The message is perfect for any age, its a lot of fun, and if you are not worried about the subject matter, Id say go for it.

[bwayphreak234]

Frozen for sure.

[PassingThrough2]

Thank you all!

For more context, I took her to see Kesha / Macklemore this past summer and she loooved it. We let her know in advance that she is not allowed to use that type of language as a child, and she hasn't. We also take her to Pride, etc., and she is familiar with drag. However, I also don't want her to be thrown into Kinky Boots just because it would be my pick from the list :) 

[BrodyFosse123]

Dunno. My first Broadway show was also at age 7. It was 1972 and it was the original Broadway production of PIPPIN at the Imperial Theatre. I saw the musical about 5 times and it featured adult material and lots of sexual references. As my folks learned earlier from taking me to Rated R films, I only picked up on things I knew about. Anything else, like nudity, went right over my head. At age 10 I saw the original cast of A CHORUS LINE also about 5 times, and boy did a lot go over my pre-teen head though I enjoyed the musical enormously.  

Mind you, kids in the 1970s were a bit more savvy as we weren’t helicoptered so we dealt with things straight on.  Heck, at that age I wandered around gritty 1970s Times Square on my own popping into Broadway stage doors as they’d have their doors open during the afternoon and stage door people would let me in and look backstage at countless shows.  Broadway was such a joy back then, especially to a kid obsessed with Bob Fosse and Broadway.  

[Melissa25]

I would direct her to ShowScore.com to review the musical options and let her pick. 

[Dollypop]

My granddaughter was 5 when I took her to WEST SIDE STORY. She was engrossed from the moment the curtain rose and we had a very intelligent conversation about guns, race relations and set design afterwards. To this day, she claims it was the most memorable experience she's had in the theater--and she's now 13.

[bwaylistener]

My daughter is 11 and we have seen nearly all of the kid-friendly shows in the past couple of years. Her favorites from your list are Anastasia (I thought it was slow, but she loved it) and Frozen (we both loved it). She also really enjoyed Phantom. I was afraid it would be too dark or the story just wouldn't be appealing, but we were both thoroughly engrossed the entire time. We had some great discussions afterward about why the characters did the things they did. But, my daughter was 11 when she saw it and perhaps it is too dark for a 7-year-old. My daughter didn't like My Fair Lady. It was way too long and slow, and the plot just wasn't that engaging for her. I haven't taken her to see Kinky Boots yet. I know it gets raves but I thought it was just okay and would personally pick one of the others mentioned instead, but it's all up to individual taste. You might listen to some of the music and see what you think. All of these shows are fairly easy to get discounted tickets to. I would guess that Frozen is the only one that likely won't tour as soon, so more unique to see it now. Whatever you pick, she will always remember this! Have a great time!

[bwaylistener]

bwaylistener said: "My daughter is 11 and we have seen nearly all of the kid-friendly shows in the past couple of years. Her favorites from your list are Anastasia (I thought it was slow, but she loved it) and Frozen (we both loved it). She also really enjoyed Phantom. I was afraid it would be too dark or the story just wouldn't be appealing, but we were both thoroughly engrossed the entire time. We had some great discussions afterward about why the characters did the things they did. But, my daughter was 11 when she saw it and perhaps it is too dark for a 7-year-old. My daughter didn't like My Fair Lady. It was way too long and slow, and the plot just wasn't that engaging for her. I haven't taken her to see Kinky Boots yet. I know it gets raves but I thought it was just okay and would personally pick one of the others mentioned instead, but it's all up to individual taste. You might listen to some of the music and see what you think. All of these shows are fairly easy to get discounted tickets to. I would guess that Frozen is the only one that likely won't tour as soon, so more unique to see it now. Whatever you pick, she will always remember this! Have a great time!"

I also wanted to add that my daughter did not finish watching the Anastasia movie because she was freaked out by the shadow creatures (we tried watching it a few years ago), but they are not in the musical. Just wanted to throw that out there in case you are thinking of watching the movie first to get an idea of the musical.

[sweaterbox]

If you are comfortable with the material, Kinky Boots is a lot of fun, colorful & upbeat and has a great catchy score! Im sure some elements will go over her head, but I saw Les Mis as a kid and loved that regardless.

Frozen would be a fun mother daughter experience as well with more younger kids in the audience (& many arriving dressed up).

At either house would ask for a booster seat cushion for your daughter. At Frozen I know they have a huge stack at what would normally be coat check.

If your dates are flexible theres also a Broadway kids night event in Feb I believe.

Enjoy!

[dramamama611]

Id say Kinky Boots or Frozen. I found Anastasia to be a bore, and cant inagine a child enjoying it.

[Wick3]

I know this is not in your list but perhaps Lion King? I think it's a kid-friendly show and when I brought my niece (7 years old) to see it she was enthralled. It had a lot of beautiful dancing mixed in with imagery and of course, a plot line that involves comedy and drama. It's also classic that I think is good to say as your first Broadway show. 

From your list, however, I'd pick Frozen. I loved Anastasia but there were moments where I felt it dragged but to each his own. When I saw Frozen, I must have seen at least 10 little girls dressed as Elsa and at times, 1 little girl dressed as Anna (I'm more of an Anna fan) so in case your daughter likes to dress up, it is a show that welcomes it!

Also, I noticed Frozen had a small area next to merchandise with a few seats and a large flatscreen LCD TV that was showing the show from center mezz. So in case your daughter feels claustrophobic or simply doesn't want to be inside the theater, both of you can opt to sit in this part of the lobby and watch the show from there (personally if I'm sittingin the balcony of the St. James with a toddler or rowdy kid who can't behave, I'd opt to sit in the lobby instead.) You can actually see the set and actors well and none of them are overexposed.

Whichever show you choose, make sure to get a booster seat. Enjoy!!!

[Mike66]

PHANTOM.

Looks, it's one of thegreatest showsever, right?

But more to the point, I was 5 when my parents took me to see "Pajama Game" (1955) -- I still remember the 'magic' of it.  The dancing, the movement, 'all those people down there.'  

If you want to start her out with the best, the costumes, the music, and yes, the wonder of the story -- you really cant go wrong.

And, I'll also second the recommendation about LION KING.  It's the first show I take folks to see when they've never seen Broadway in New York.  I still believe  the opening number would make anyone a fan of theater for life.  Lots of laughs, some pathos, beautiful melody, all those puppets!! and a happy ending.

So I was GrandPa, I'd take her to one of those two.  And a piece of cheesecake after the show.m

[Stellasteve]

My daughter is 7. I took her at 6 to see Aladdin, and she literally sat on the edge of her seat through the show mouth agape. She loves Broadway shows. Ive since taken her to Les Mis, Phantom, and Chicago (she loved the choreography and costumes). Were going to Come from Away tomorrow. Ive found shes receptive to everything, but it always helps for her to hear the soundtrack a bit beforehand. Mature content goes over her head, and it is easy to explain situations in a way that skirts details for which shes not ready. If that sounds like your daughter, Id discuss the shows youre interested in with her to see which ones interest her most.

Enjoy!

[(Insert Clever Name)]

anastasia for sure, though dont rule out my fair lady! my 8 year cousin loved it

[RWPrincess]

Wick3 said: "Also, I noticed Frozen had a small area next to merchandise with a few seats and a large flatscreen LCD TV that was showing the show from center mezz. So in case your daughter feels claustrophobic or simply doesn't want to be inside the theater, both of you can opt to sit in this part of the lobbyand watch the show from there (personally if I'm sittingin the balcony of the St. James with a toddler or rowdy kid who can't behave, I'd opt to sit in the lobby instead.) You can actually see the set and actors well and none of them are overexposed."

Do you happen to know if The Lion King and Aladdin do this as well? I think this is a great idea.

[Wick3]

RWPrincess said: "Do you happen to know if The Lion King and Aladdin do this as well? I think this is a great idea."

I don't know about Aladdin but I know for Lion King they have a similar setup in the main lobby underneath the stairs (by the photo-op area with the Lioness costume).

Personally, if I a kid can behave watching a movie at the cinema, then I think the kid can most likely behave at a Broadway theater as well.

 

[YoungSally]

I took my nephew to see La Cage when he was 7 or 8....he had a great time....even giggled when a character said f*ck....he‘d never heard that from an adult...Kids take what they can...they will skip over so much that we might worry about....so it‘s more about finding something that she won‘t be bored by.

[RWPrincess]

Wick3 said: "RWPrincess said: "Do you happen to know if The Lion King and Aladdin do this as well? I think this is a great idea."

I don't know about Aladdin but I know for Lion King they have a similar setup in the main lobby underneath the stairs (by the photo-op area with the Lioness costume).

Personally, if I a kid can behave watching a movie at the cinema, then I think the kid can most likely behave at a Broadway theater as well."

Only difference is most kid friendly films are 90 min now. Broadway shows are about an hour longer so I could see some younger kids having attention span issues if they are not used to this type of setting.

[Robbie2]

Aladdin, Lion King, Frozen and Anastasia is my top choice...KB - No!

 

[Wick3]

Stellasteve said: "My daughter is 7. I took her at 6 to see Aladdin, and she literally sat on the edge of her seat through the show mouth agape. She loves Broadway shows. Ive since taken her to Les Mis, Phantom, and Chicago (she loved the choreography and costumes). Were going to Come from Away tomorrow. Ive found shes receptive to everything, but it always helps for her to hear the soundtrack a bit beforehand. Mature content goes over her head, and it is easy to explain situations in a way that skirts details for which shes not ready. If that sounds like your daughter, Id discuss the shows youre interested in with her to see which ones interest her most.

Enjoy!"

When I saw CHICAGO, there was an 8 year old girl sitting in the front row and Roxie (performed by the amazing Charlotte d'Amboise) charmingly picked on her. Soooo cute and funny. She literally asked, "how old are you? You look too young to hear all this." After hearing 8, she then says "oh 8? Oh... that's ok then. That's old enough." We all had a nice laugh. I bet that's something the 8 year old will remember for a long time! :) I don't know if Charlotte does this for every performance (picking on an audience member in the front row area) but it was cute and fun for everyone.

[OKBroadwayFan]

dramamama611 said: "Id say Kinky Boots or Frozen. I found Anastasia to be a bore, and cant inagine a child enjoying it."

I agree with dramamama.   

 

[PassingThrough2]

I wanted to update. I saw Kinky Boots with my daughter tonight. It was wonderful! I listened to the soundtrack and only The Sex is in the Heel did I find... Questionable... But it went right over her head.

She absolutely loved it and her behavior was good. I think the upbeat nature and amount of big, sparkling, performances were a hit. I know it's closing soon but it was a truly great experience for us.

Thanks for all the feedback earlier