If you’re looking to take your kid to a Broadway (or off-Broadway show), look no further. Here are some family-friendly productions. And don’t forget to look on our deals and discounts page for discount codes to Broadway shows or check the list of deals here. And read all the way down at the bottom, for the Kids’ Night on Broadway program.
Broadway
Mary Poppins - you’ll sing along to your favorites like a Spoonful of Sugar and Feed the Birds during this classic musical. The kids (and I) loved the show, even though my 6 year old (at the time) usually has a hard time making it through a production in his own chair. It took a little bit to understand the British accents, but that didn’t bother the kids. The magic of Mary Poppins flying isn’t lost on the adults. The show has an intermission (and lots for sale!) but the show is long at 2 hours and 45 minutes. The New York Times warns it’s a sanitized version with too many life lessons, but the kids will enjoy it. The show plays in Times Square, on 42nd Street.
Lion King - we still haven’t made it to this show, and discounted tickets are rarely to be found. If any Broadway show is made for kids, this is it. It’s in Times Square. With singing, dancing, fabulous costumes and more, I’ve heard that adults like the show as much as kids. The show runs 2 hours, 40 minutes, with one intermission. Children under age 4 are not admitted. It’s at the Minskoff Theater, 200 W. 45th Stret @ 7th. Read some reviews here.
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark – this show is still in previews until March 15. If you follow Broadway news, you’ll know that this (at $65 million, the most expensive show ever produced on Broadway) has experienced a lot of delays and injuries. The injuries are from all the flying sequences that should be unlike anything seen on Broadway to date. The story follows the cartoon story, so if your kids are Spiderman fans, this may be a good show for them. It’s directed (and co-written) by Julie Taymor, who did the Lion King. Check out this Star Ledger review. The New York Times review was not charitable.
Billy Elliot the Musical – the show that opened on Broadway in 2008, and won 10 Tony awards in 2009 (including best musical, and best leading actor for the three kids playing Billy at the time) is a delight for kids and adults. It began its national tour in 2010. With music by Sir Elton John, and dancing (from ballet to tap to improvisation), the show hits all the marks and emotions. Read the full Jersey Kids review here.
Mamma Mia – This isn’t really a kids’ show, but I took my daughter and you can read the review of Mamma Mia on Broadway here. The show lasts 2.5 hours, with a 15 minute intermission. It’s been out for a long time, so getting tickets is not difficult, and discount tickets are easily purchased. The show is at the beautiful Winter Garden Theater on Broadway and 50th.
Here are some kid-oriented reviews of Broadway shows.
Off-Broadway
Pinkalicious the Musical: Based on the book of the same title, Pinkalicious is what happens when a little girl eats as many pink cupcakes as she can. And she gets pinkitis. Read a review of Pinkalicious here. The show runs one hour and tickets are $29.50 and $49.50. It plays at the Vineyard’s Dimson Theater (108 E. 15th Street) Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m.
Imaginocean - this cute musical is great for the younger set, and the characters are glow-in-the-dark sea creatures.
Follow them on their journey read the review of Imaginocean here. The show plays at the New World Stages, 340 W. 50th Street, in an intimate theater where every seat is a good seat. The show is 50 minutes long, with no intermission.
The Gazillion Bubbles Show – I’ve heard raves about this show, but only saw the traveling version in New Jersey. That one was so bad (at least for the theater it was in), that they gave us credit for different show at that theater. I can imagine in an intimate room, the show would be better. Not surprisingly, The Gazillion Bubbles Show is about bubbles. Lots of them. Made with many types of wands, in many sizes. Yes, it’s possible to stretch out a bubble show to last 75 minutes. In spite of my anger over the quality of the New Jersey show, my kids still really liked it.
Freckleface Strawberry the Musical - this musical is an adaptation from the Julianne Moore book of the same name. It’s aimed at kids. It’s a New World Stages – 340 W. 50th Street (the theater is intimate) and runs about 70 minutes. Here’s the New York Times review.
Get discounted tickets ($35-45 each) using the code FSPBL1010 at Broadwayoffers.com, at the box office or by calling 212-947-8844 (I don’t know when this code expires).
Kids’ Night on Broadway – February 6-10, 2011, take the kids (ages 6-18) to a Broadway show. Kids get in free with a full price paying adult (buy one get one free, though the free ticket has to be for a kid). In addition to discounted shows, you can get discounted meals (kids eat free) and cheaper parking – plus some pre-theater events. Lots of great shows to choose from (though the Lion King and Wicked are already sold out).