Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
#1Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 5:07pm
I tried a search on this, but I didn't find anything.
What age is appropriate for Hairspray? I ask because the tour is coming to Indy and I was thinking of taking my soon-to-be nine year-old sister. Is it more risque than the movie musical?
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#2re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 5:09pm13 and above.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#2re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 5:11pm
"13 and above."
Absurd. While there are a few risque moments, most of it would be over the heads of a 9 year old. So will be perfectly fine.
Dolly_Levi
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/8/04
#3re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 5:39pmI know that a lot of pre-teens really enjoyed it as well.
Laughter is much more important than applause. Applause is almost a duty. Laughter is a reward.
Carol Channing
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#4re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 5:45pm
"So will be perfectly fine."
Speak English much?
It was just my opinion.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
#5re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 5:47pmIf she likes fun songs and fun dances moves, she'll love it!
"Writing is like prostitution. First, you do it for love, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money." ~ Moliere
#6re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 6:32pm
When I saw it on Broadway, I saw kids who I'd say were 10-13 at the youngest. It was back when Diana DeGarmo was Penny and they seemed pretty eager to get her autograph in particular after.
When I saw the tour, I saw kids as young as 8.
I always say that these things depend on the maturity of the child and the individual family values.
#7re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 6:34pmI can't really think about what would be innappropiate (I saw it 3 years ago). There's a moment in Without Love that's a little pg-13, but I think she's be fine
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention...I'm the good cop, he's the bad cop.
#8re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 6:36pm
Yes, my niece is 10, and loves the show.
Of course, it made for an awkward moment or two when she developed a habit of going around shouting "It's Negro Day!" 
She was a bit young to understand the history behind that.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#9re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 6:41pm
Ta Da!
My point.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
#10re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 6:57pm
Okay, well this sounds like it will be fine for her overall. She's really mature for her age, so I think she should be able to handle what's been mentioned so far.
On a side not, I'm really excited that she's kind of getting into theatre! Our town is not especially... theatrical, but she's done some kids theatre stuff, and she seems to really love it. The only professional show she's seen is "The Lion King" which she absolutely adured.
THANKS, everyone for all your opinions! Keep 'em coming! :)
rewritemystory
Stand-by Joined: 1/19/08
#11re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 7:01pm
I say take her.
It is more "risque" as you say than the movie, but nothing you really wouldn't see watching TV.
xOnMyOwnX
Stand-by Joined: 1/22/08
#12re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 7:04pm
theatrediva I wouldn't say that proves your point, I think it proves that some of it will go over her head.
I'd say go for it. My only concern would be her understanding of the civil rights theme but if she saw and enjoyed the movie that should be a non-issue. She'll have a great time. I was probably about 9 or 10 the first time I saw it on Broadway.
If you decide to take her, have fun!
Mactor327
Stand-by Joined: 8/2/06
#13re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 7:05pmi saw HAIRSPRAY when i was 14 (front row BTW) and my younger brother and sister were about ten. Alot of the inuendo/ racist jokes just flew over their heads. They don't use the "N" word or anything like that, i dont think. Also, the Movie and the show are very different, so you're prepared. It's your call
Salene
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/07
#15re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 7:19pmI took my nine year old sister. EVERYTHING flew over her head. YOu'll be fine.
Hunter: Your teeth need whitening./ Heidi: You sound weird./ Jeff: You taste funny.
-Jeff Bowen's worst onstage line flub.
-Jeff Bowen's worst onstage line flub.
#16re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:27pmshe should definitely be fine, as everyone said any reference that may be considered innapropriate will probably just go over her head, and its definitely a kid-friendly show styalistically and offers a great message. go for it!
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#17re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 10:47pm
any age over 7 or 8 maybe
There are 4 year olds who see it!
There's no real racism in it, like them being denied to go to the same school or to go the library or do anything. No violence against them. No one saying the N-word. The only racism is Negro Day, and you could just explain to her before that Negro used to be an okay term, but now it is not and that the people in "Hairspray" are not bad. They are actors, and they do what actors do, they pretend.
#18re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:17pmI saw it when I was 12 and loved it. (Clearly.)
zooxanthellae
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
#19re: Hairspray: What age is appropriate?
Posted: 5/5/08 at 11:19pm
9 is fine, there are a few moments that are suggestive, but as someone pointed out, it's done tastefully and will go over her head.
Enjoy.
