Shows for young kids?

[mmFan]

We're coming to NY with my 3 year old daughter and 7 year old son. My husband and I love the theatre, but are not sure if there is anything appropriate for them. Any suggestions (on or off broadway)? I've actually gotten them into Mamma Mia music, but am not sure they'd sit thorugh it (plus the intro and start of act 2 may frighten my 3 year old).

Thanks.

[bwayphreak234]

Mary Poppins would be a good choice!

[nicthediva]

The Berenstain Bears Live! for the three year old.

Older one might like Wicked or MAYBE Spiderman.

They might both like Mary Poppins. :)

[ClumsyDude15]

Mary Poppins or Pinkalicious, perhaps.

Maybe Peter and the Starcatcher? Your daughter maybe too young or not able to sit still, but I feel like they'd love the imagination aspect - heck, I do.

[dramamama611]

There's a scene in Mary Poppins that's pretty scary.

Most theaters say no one under 4 -- but they aren't going to 'card her'.

I would think your best bet is off b'way -- there are a bunch of places that cater to the wee ones.

Some suggestions:
Gazillion Bubble Show
Pinkalicious the Musical
The Berenstain Bears
Voca People

ARe the only ones that jump out at me now. These shows are family oriented and less expensive -- so if your little one CAN'T handle it, the rest of the audience will be more understanding if you have to leave and you won't mind as much.

I think you should be able to find discounts to all of the above mentioned shows.

[tphiliboy152]

dramamama611: If you are referring to the scene that is in the first act when the toys come alive (Temper Temper) then it was replaced in 2009 with a new song called Playing the Game. I believe it was cut due to it being scary for younger children.

[wicked1492]

It's a shame ANGELS IN AMERICA isn't playing.

[Dollypop]

I also recommend GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW. Took my granddaughter when she was about 5 and she loved it (so did I!)

[jv92]

"It's a shame ANGELS IN AMERICA isn't playing."

Yes, that's too bad, but I was going to suggest WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? opening at the Booth in the coming months.

In all seriousness, though, MARY POPPINS is a pretty safe bet. She flies, he tap dances upside down and everyone goes home happy. NEWSIES is also a lot of fun, but it might be too drab looking for young kids. It's a lovely show, but since it takes place in a New York City slum it's not exactly a Jolly Holliday.

[dramamama611]

TPhil -- how did I not know that? I brought my kids pretty early in its run, but I don't ever remember hearing anything about it. Thanks for the info.

[Jon]

But - according to a thread that was just deleted from this board, Mary Poppins is a porn star!

(She isn't.)

[SLW75]

Poppins still has a number where the toys come alive, but it sounds like they changed the song so it may not be as scary as it once was. It was a bit creepy. My kids (5 and 7) were fine during the show, but that night my younger one wanted all of her toys moved out of her room.

[AEA AGMA SM]

If you are coming to NYC in the next two weeks you also have TheatreworksUSA's annual free summer theatre at the Lortel down on Christopher Street. This year they have Skippyjon Jones, music by Eli Bolin (who currently writes for Sesame Street) and book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila (who's currently playing Smee in Peter and the Star Catcher).

[tphiliboy152]

dramamama611: I believe they cut it after the tour started. I saw the show pretty early in the run as well (August 2007) and they still had it. Once they cut it from the tour the change was also made in the Broadway production.

[mmFan]

Thanks so much for the respones. Gives us some options.

A few questions..

Anyone gone to The Berenstain Bears? Would it be too young for a 7 year old? And how does seating work?

Is pinkalcious too girly?

What's the bubble show like?

Let me know too if anything else comes up.

[dramamama611]

I can't answer your questions about the other two, but the bubble show is just all these really neat things you can do with bubbles -- not in a science way, but an artistic way. There's dancing bubbles, light shows, huge bubbles, silly times, touching moments.


I took my kids, they just loved it. YOu can even get your whole family's picture inside a huge bubble in the lobby.

Oh, and lots of bubbles. Here's a link.
Check me out.

[Quiche2]

I'm thinking Mary Poppins, Lion King, maybe Spider-Man, Voca People, Bearenstien Bears, and Wicked. Wicked might be a bit scary at some points, with the Oz head and the smoke and lighting and stuff, but my 5 year old cousin saw it and was fine.

[dramamama611]

BIIIG difference between a 3 year old and a 5 year old. HUGE.

[tphiliboy152]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Spiderman maybe? I think it could definitely keep your children amused with all of the stunts.

[AEA AGMA SM]

I used to work in a theatre that shared space with Pinkalicious and would often arrive as their patrons were exiting. Based on the ages of most of the girls exiting the show I would be surprised if a 7 year old girl would enjoy it, and odds are definitely against a 7 year old boy having a good time there. Your 3 year old would probably love it, though.

[Sinfonian4life]

I saw Mary Poppins last summer and "Playing the Game" was in. I was a little scared!

[mmFan]

dramamama611, yeah, that's the problem...3 and 7 are a big difference.

We're leanign towards The Berenstain Bears. Not sure if the grass seats or regular seats are the best as our 3 year old may be scared up close.

[mmFan]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We decided on Berenstain Bears for all of us, and one evening my 7 year old and I are seeing Spiderman. Looking forward to it.

[lynnespocktoo]

Skippyjon Jones at the Lucille Lortel Theater - it's free. Ends 8/17

[AEA AGMA SM]

Glad you made your decisions. Enjoy the trip to NYC!

For anyone else who might stumble across this thread and is looking for suggestions for later this fall/winter, there is a new production of The Velveteen Rabbit, written and directed by Kevin Del Aguila (of Peter and the Star Catcher), that will be running at the DR2 on weekends starting in November. I'm a huge fan of the work Kevin has created for Theatreworks. His writing is smart and accessible for the children, but sharp enough that adults don't get that same "Oh, God, not another kids' show" type of feeling that you find in a lot of other children's theatre that is out there.

[lynnespocktoo]

Skippyjon Jones is also written by Kevin Del Aguila and directed by Peter Flynn. Lots of laughs for the adults.