Theater for Kids

Here it is, the first post for this exciting Tony Week-what shows are good for kids? Special thanks to Jennifer Tepper and Susanne Pinedo!

What happens when your kid, niece, nephew etc. you get what I mean tells you that they want to go see Lion King or Aladdin or Newsies? You probably go online to the Disney Theatrical website or Ticketmaster and spend a couple days or hours scouring for a couple of seats for that Saturday matinee. What if you cannot for the life of you find tickets for that Disney show that your child is just dying to see? What else is out there that you can realistically take them to see that is appropriate for their age? With the current rise of a new crop of family friendly musicals, the answer is lots of things!

            Kid friendly shows are something that can be seen as on the rise in the theater. Just like back in 2009 to 2010 when we saw a rise in movie adaptation musicals, to more recently the jukebox musical trend creative teams and producers are very drawn to kid-friendly show. “Family friendly shows are of the essence and yes they certainly are on the rise,” says publicist Susanne Pinedo of Pinedo Public Relations. “More and more, parents and families are looking for fun, unique and feel-good live entertainment to expose their children to culture and the arts.”

These shows attract families from all over to come and see the show as they know that what they are taking their child to see and the shows usually contain a message or theme that can be used to start a lesson or talking point between adult and child. Schools are now even using them for teaching points and incorporating them into their lesson. I cannot even begin to count the number of school groups varying in age that I have seen outside of Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Aladdin, Matilda, Pippin etc.

 Not only do these shows attract audiences but attract creative team members and producers to get attached to the piece.” It's definitely fun to do something that appeals to people of all ages-and it's certainly fulfilling to see a smiling kid in the audience!” says Jennifer Tepper, theater historian, author of “The Untold Stories of Broadway” and Broadway producer. “I think for creators of family musicals it is a way to return to the joy of theatre from your youth. You get to see young people discovering live performance for the first time because of something you created, and remember when you were at the beginning yourself” she adds. Susanne Pinedo credits her love for fairytales as her constant draw to the family friendly musical; “I am drawn to them because almost all theatre that is geared to young audiences has a profound and inspirational message. I also have a strong affinity for the fantasy and fairy tale genre, and these shows allow me a specific type of creative freedom that is usually not appropriate for regular plays.”

            Today’s kids are the next generation for the theater and it is very important that we all work to expose them to it at a young age. But, granted it is hard to pull and pry them away from their video games to go sit through a two and a half hour show that may or may not have the attention span for. But then, that one-day comes along where they see an ad for a show on the television and they just have to go to. You cannot find tickets for the life of you-or ones that are not the premium prices so what can you actually take your kids to see instead?

            Broadway is filled with numerous other non-Disney shows that are kid friendly and not too mention adult enjoyable as well. From Pippin, to Phantom, Matilda and Kinky Boots there are many options out there for parents and caregivers to explore.

            Based off the popular Roald Dahl novel, Matilda tells the story of a young girl with a penchant for reading and extraordinary powers but is not loved or appreciated by her family. With upbeat musical numbers and a set that will leave you speechless it works to show kids how to stand up for what you believe is right and not let anyone put you down a lesson that all children need to hear.

            Pippin tells the story of a young prince finding his way in life through a group of mysterious circus performers and a dark leading player. With a killer set, circus performers, Bob Fosse choreography and the music of Stephen Schwartz, famous for the smash Wicked and his contributions to Disney’s Pocahontas that the kids will love and a message of meaning and significance that the older ones in the group will enjoy.

            Phantom of the Opera Broadway’s longest running show and the 2013 Tony Award winning Best Musical Kinky Boots both work to celebrate the same thing through completely different stories. While Phantom is centered around an Opera House haunted by a Phantom and a beautiful soprano complete with a lush score and flying chandelier that will amaze any child Kinky Boots is different. Inspired by a true story, a British shoe factory owner Charlie working to survive joins forces with drag queen Lola to save the family business and realizing that they are not as different as they think. Phantom and Kinky Boots work to teach people about love and acceptance of others and that while we are all different we are still people a message that really needs to be heard.

            Ms. Tepper recommends the new Rogers and Hammerstein’s Production of Cinderella. While not the Disney version exactly, it still rings true for all kids and adults of all generations with slightly updated plot. And hey, pop star of mega-hit “Call Me Maybe” Carly Rae Jepsen and actress Fran Drescher have joined the show for a special limited engagement can make for a great little mommy-daughter date (and lets be honest and way to introduce them to “The Nanny”)!

            Now, what about everything else that is currently on Broadway? There are a great deal of other productions that are not as known for being directly kid-oriented but it depends on the discretion of the parent. “I think it always just depends on the age of the kid“ adds Tepper.  “As early as age 9, of the current Broadway crop, I would have certainly enjoyed Phantom, Beautiful, Bullets Over Broadway, If/ Then, Les Miserables Mamma Mia, Matilda, Pippin and Wicked. Some of those certainly have mature parts, but have you seen what kids watch on TV these days?!”

            Venturing away from Broadway and the heart of Times Square, there are many other additional options Off-Broadway-the breeding ground for up and coming Broadway for younger kids and families too experience New York theater. “ I would recommend checking out Bernstein Bears at MMAC, or Fancy Nancy at the McGinn Cazale. The New Victory Theatre on 42nd Street often has great shows for kids. TheatreWorks is also a wonderful place to find great family shows” says Tepper. With some of these located in the same general area as the theater district, it gives kids the experience of going to a show and seeing all the lit up marquees as well as a live theater performance.

            Ms. Pinedo recommends both The Boy Who Would Be Captain Hook by actor and disabilities advocate, David Harrell currently traveling around the Tri-Sate Area and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe playing Off-Broadway at the St. Luke’s Theater. She says Hook actor and playwright David Harrell “was born without his right hand and the play re-counts how other children (and some adults) reacted to him being different and the silver hook he wore as a child. I love it so much because the core of the story is that being different does not have to limit you in any way. In an era when bullying has become rampant this play is so extremely important for audiences to see.” Pinedo also adds that it is a “very interactive piece that involves some fun audience participation” an aspect that will sure eagerly grab kids attention!

            Pinedo’s other suggestion, by Le Clanché Du Rand’s adaptation of the beloved C.S. Lewis novel, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe features only two actors playing all the roles- think Michael Urie in Buyer and Cellar or Jefferson Mays in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. “This story has a classic lesson of conquering ones fears which is a magnificent message for young audiences. It is so much fun to see the two actors transform into and embody so many different characters. A special factor in this production is the true magic that takes place on stage. Audiences are literally transported to the world of Narnia.”

            Now, if none of our recommendations appeal to you there are plenty of other kid friendly theater events going on around New York City in the upcoming months. There is Broadway in Bryant Park- a weekly summer concert series featuring cast members from currently running Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, which offers a nice preview of what you will see at the show. Bernadette Peter’s annual event Broadway Barks takes place in Shubert Alley every summer giving you and your kids the chance to mingle with some Broadway actors and pet and possibly adopt some adorable pups! There is Shakespeare in the Park, the free outdoor performance series in Central Park that older kids can really enjoy. We cannot forget the Tony Awards where you and the kids can see full performances from all the nominated shows. Lastly, there is also Broadway Flea Market- an event that takes place on the last Saturday in September every year in the theater district (so mark your calendars now) where you and your kids can go shopping for Broadway goodies and more! It is “one of the only days in which the entire community comes together in one place” says Jim Norton Director of Education and Outreach for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids. Plus, the money raised from the event benefits the charity, Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids providing you with a platform to discuss helping others and you get to score some merchandise too!

            While all of these events are great ways to introduce and expose children to theater there is nothing that beats the live experience. “Taking children to the theatre presents them with different ideas and teaches them about circumstances in life that they may not be aware of now, but will certainly face in the future. Theatre also provides children with valuable lessons such as hope and courage and that anything is possible as long as you work hard and follow your heart” says Pinedo. It also teaches kids about the different types of stories out there “I think kids should be taught from a young age that in theatre, just like movies and TV, there are lots of different kinds of stories” mentions Tepper. Taking kids to the theater provides them with an invaluable experience that they will never forget. So whether it is at Aladdin or Pippin I hope that the experience is priceless and memorable as the mother I recently saw at Aladdin whose daughter whispered loudly to her during “A Whole New World” – “look mommy it’s my favorite part!”