BEST musical for kids?

[iluvmydog]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 7:16am

3 children to their very first Broadway musical. Their ages are almost 14 (in February), 11 and almost 7 (in 2 weeks).

The two oldest are girls and the youngest is a boy.

What is the best musical to take them to?

Lion King? I saw that and loved it.

Is Wicked too old for the little guy? Any suggestions welcome!

[fnyboi88]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 2:23pm

I think he would enjoy Wicked at his age. There is a lot in the show that he would find amusing and appreciate.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 2:31pm

My nephew was 6 years old when The Who's TOMMY opened on Broadway and he was obsessed with it. I think any show will work (aside from SPRING AWAKENING). Kids take in what they are familiar with -- anything else goes over their heads.

I saw the original 1975 CHICAGO and A CHORUS LINE when I was 10 years old and trust me -- anything I didn't understand went right over my head. I only took in what I knew at that age.

Don't underestimate a child's intelligence. Ever.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 2:35pm

What Brody said. Wicked or any Disney show would probably work best. Just make sure to familiarize the kids with the show and make sure they like it before buying tickets.

[iluvmydog]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 2:58pm

Thanks - Wicked's website says it is recommended for 8 years and up. It isn't that I think he wouldn't necessarily understand it - but I prefer a show that he will understand and really enjoy. I think the Disney shows are ones he would be more familiar with and more suitable for his age. I also want to be sure they hold his attention.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 3:01pm

I would say Wicked or The Little Mermaid for sure!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 3:03pm

Or HAIRSPRAY. Even YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN has humor that would suit him. The special effects will be an added plus.

[crzyray]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 3:07pm

Mary Poppins is great for kids! My 6 year old niece loves the show and has the cd, she saw it with my sister and they both loved it. Hairspray is fun for everyone (the show has some suggestive but as a kid he wouldn't even pick up on that.

[TheFriarsDruggist]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 5:23pm

The Little Mermaid
The Lion King
Hairspray
Wicked
How The Grinch Stole Christmas

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 5:26pm

Mary Poppins

[ILuv2shop531]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 5:38pm

the little mermaid, the lion king, mary poppins, wicked (that you will have to get tickets way in advance probably), & if you go soon Dr. Seuss's how the the grinch stole christmas is a very great show for kids, but only around till january 9th.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 5:49pm

I don't know when you are going.. but really consider seeing Gypsy.

I know, I know.. it might sound like an odd choice for kids, but I saw my first production at 9 or so and I was hooked! Mary Poppins, Mermaid, Lion King..etc. are shows that just rehash the movie material they have probably already gorged on already.

Show them something that will stay with them and evolve with them throughout there lives. I submit this qoute from the Frank Rich 1989 revivial review:

'Gypsy' may be the only great Broadway musical that follows its audience through life's rough familial passages. A wrenching fable about a tyrannical stage mother and the daughters she both champions and cripples - yet also a showcase for one classic Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim song and rousing Jerome Robbins vaudeville routine after another - 'Gypsy' is nothing if not Broadway's own brassy, unlikely answer to 'King Lear.' It speaks to you one way when you are a child, then chases after you to say something else when you've grown up.

Give it a chance.

[trinaaron]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 5:56pm

My eight year old saw Wicked and Beauty and the Beast and left the theater underwhelmed. Les Miserables, however, knocked her socks off. You just never know.

[iluvmydog]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 7:04pm

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We would like to go soon since they are Xmas gifts - so in January or February some time if possible. We could never get in to see Wicked that fast.

I think seeing a favorite Disney production on stage is an entirely different experience rather then watching the movie and I think for the little guy - seeing a story he is familiar with is a bonus. I know his attention span and what he likes - and shows like Gypsy (I have seen) and Hairspray would never keep it sitting still for the length of the show.

He is all boy - so Little Mermaid won't work either. I think Lion King will be our best bet.

Thanks again!

[folkyboy]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 7:10pm

BFB is onto something. as a young kid, i LOVED the Gypsy movie. there's plenty of children in the cast so he would get into that aspect as well.

otherwise, my guess would be Hairspray.

[logan0215]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 8:24pm

My eight year old saw Wicked and Beauty and the Beast and left the theater underwhelmed. Les Miserables, however, knocked her socks off. You just never know.

Exactly!

I saw this thread and wanted to tell you to not underestimate your kids.

If they don't understand every plot point, who cares! It gives them more to discover when they see it 10 years down the line.

I think "kid-geared" entertainment is good when you're seeing the Dora the Explorer tour. If you want them to see a Broadway show take them to see something they will never be able to see in the "Disney Vault"

Live theater is supposed to be a place where you can do and show things not accessible on multimedia, so embrace that when making your choice. Maybe they'll fall in love with Les Miz but not understand the implications of it for another 10 years, but like I said it gives them something to discover and a tune to hum in the mean time.

I saw Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco when I was 7 and loved it (obviously there isn't to much to object to in a Cirque show, but the themes are very high art) and just recently saw it again 14 years later and not only did it bring me back, but I discovered so much more in it that I didn't know.

Go edgy!

[iluvmydog]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 8:31pm

I saw Les Mis 3x - cried my eyes out every time. Loved it. But it isn't appropriate for a 6 year old.
Thks for the feedback tho!

(These are not my kids - they are my boyfriends kids. They have never been to a Broadway production. I plan to play it safe this time - and go 'edgy' some other day. lol)

[henryt]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 8:43pm

Well, if the 7 year old is scared easily, I would go with Grinch. If that's not a problem, then go ahead with Mary Poppins or Lion King.










Just keep in mind that in the Lion King, there is the scene where Mufasa dies and the Elephant Graveyard scene. In Mary Poppins, there is a scene where all the toys in the kids' room come alive and hold a trial and eventually sentence them to death. We don't want any nightmares!

[iluvmydog]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 9:00pm

The almost 7 year old is your typical little boy - totally FEARLESS! :)

I have seen Lion King and don't feel that it will upset or scare him - but the action he will love. He is familiar with the story - so knows about the Father dying.

Thks for input.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 9:04pm

"I think "kid-geared" entertainment is good when you're seeing the Dora the Explorer tour. If you want them to see a Broadway show take them to see something they will never be able to see in the "Disney Vault" "

Perfectly said. If you want the kids to really have their first Broadway experience, take them to an original Broadway musical.

[fnyboi88]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 9:09pm

If he enjoyed Wizard of Oz then he'll enjoy Wicked.

[iluvmydog]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 9:10pm

I think we all have a different opinions of what a first broadway experience should be. My first was Sweeney Todd and I hated it! I did't really care for Chicago either- found it rather boring. Have seen many, many, many musicals and the classic Disney stories were some of my favorites. All a matter of what your taste is. :)
Updated On: 12/4/07 at 09:10 PM

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 10:30pm

I think THE LION KING is a very wise choice !!! It is their first visit to Broadway ! If they see something familiar, colorful, exciting and impressive, they will want to come again and again, become theater fans and eventually discover all the masterpieces !

I mean, seriously guys, GYPSY for a 7 year old BOY ????? Gimme (and him) a break !!!
Updated On: 12/3/07 at 10:30 PM

[Mistress Overdone]

Posted: 12/3/07 at 11:40pm

Chicago.

[iluvmydog]

Posted: 12/4/07 at 7:12am

"I mean, seriously guys, GYPSY for a 7 year old BOY ????? Gimme (and him) a break !!! "

THANK YOU - I was starting to think it was just me!!!! LOL