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Once upon a time I did musical theater! I actually majored in musical theater in college. For me, one of the best things about living so close to New York City is being able to go in to see musicals so often. Over the years I have taken my kids to a fair number of musicals as well. They have loved them almost as much as I do.

When most people come to NYC they come and want to see Wicked, The Lion King, and Phantom of the Opera. These are all great shows, and we have enjoyed them as a family. However, those are always playing, and you might want to see a show that is less likely to be there the next time you visit.

Why Should I Take My Kids To See A Broadway show?

• It is part of a quintessential New York visit!
• A Broadway show is the very highest caliber musical in the world. Nothing you see elsewhere will have the budget, the talent, or the overall production value.
• Musical Theater can be entertaining, exciting or sad. You can feel exhilerated, angry, hopeful and joyous all within the same show. In short, it offers you an opportunity to become part of a show instead of just watch one. Live theater is as dependent on the reaction and feeling from the audience as it is on the script. You can’t have one without the other.
• They will have a frame of reference for other musicals as they grow.

 

How To Get Tickets to Broadway Shows

Playbill.com

Every single show on Broadway is on Playbill.com and you can buy tickets through them (sometimes through Ticketmaster or another 3rd party) but it’s a great place to find tickets and discounts. Most of the hot shows or popular shows won’t have discounts, but some of the shows that have been around for a while will.

Why use Playbill? I generally use Playbill.com when I want to see a show that I can find through other means or for tickets I will need to get months in advance. For example, if I want to buy Hamilton tickets (and who doesn’t) I know I will have to buy tickets months ahead of time, so it would be a perfect time to check Playbill.

Pros: Get tickets to the shows you want to see and leave nothing to chance.

Cons: You will pay full price, which is generally over $100 per ticket and often more.

TKTS

This is an organization in NYC that offers the public an opportunity to buy discount tickets to broadway performances on the day of. There is a ticket booth at between Broadway and 7th Avenue at 47th street, right behind the big red stairs. You check out their listings and prices, and you can see a Broadway musical or play that very day paying less than the face value of a ticket. It is a way to keep theater houses full and keeps tourists who haven’t planned ahead very happy.

Pros:

• Generally great seats. Most tickets I have gotten through TKTS have been toward the front of the house.

Cons:

• You must wait in an enormous line with hundreds of other theatergoers to get to the ticket booth. (I have personally waited for more than an hour and a half on the weekend.)
• You only get the selection of shows that happen to have last minute that day.

TodayTix

TodayTix is a newer addition to the Broadway show ticket world. It is a concierge service that works with theaters to offer discount tickets to shows in a similar way to TKTS. However, you can buy tickets a month in advance on their app. It is an easy-to-use app that allows you to search with filters to find the show you want to see.

This is my personal favorite! We use TodayTix for almost every show we see because we can plan ahead.

Pros:

• Broadway show tickets are priced from $40-$70 versus $100 and up.
• You can plan for the shows you want to see a month in advance.
• Easy-to-use app that can search in New York and other major cities worldwide.

Cons:

• Not every show is available, although most are!
• Seats aren’t generally as good as TKTS.

To use TKTS check out the app here.

Which Musicals You Should See With Your Family

(shows are subject to change due to Covid)

Lion King on Broadway

This Disney movie was made into a musical and has all the charm and wonder of the cartoon but in real life! If you have kids who loved Lion King the movie, they will love Lion King the musical. The musical follows the same storyline as the movie but has a few new songs.

The puppetry and set design will blow your mind.

Recommended for: People who like to know the music going into a musical, families who loved the movie

Wicked on Broadway

Ok, I know I said most people want to see Wicked in my intro, but there is a reason for it! It’s fabulous. It is a real Broadway experience. The lobbies are decorated to give you a taste of the musical you are about to see; the curtain is a treasure trove of fun things for the kid to look at; and it is a spectacular and over-the-top production.

Wicked is the prequel to the Wizard of Oz and is the story of Glinda, the good witch, and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch. After a rocky start, they meet at school and become good friends until Elphaba makes a drastic decision. You will love the music, the dancing, the costumes, you name it!

Recommended for: People who only have time to see one Broadway show ever!

Aladdin on Broadway

If you have seen the new live-action movie, you are probably already singing the songs! Aladdin the musical has been running for 3 years and shows no sign of slowing down. The story of Aladdin and the genie who can grant three wishes comes to life with a “real” flying carpet and all kinds of other magical effects.

Recommended for: anyone who wants to see if Broadway does it better than Holywood!

 

SIX

Six the Musical is another incredible broadway show. It tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII as they reinterpret their history through song and dance. This is a hilarious and heartwarming musical that you can’t miss. It’s sure to leave you feeling empowered and enlightened. Plus, it is great for those who have less experience with musicals – the songs are fun and easy to listen to without being overwhelming or boring.

Your kids are already obsessed with the show, so why not take them.

Recommended for: Someone who wants to be the cool mom!

Tips For Taking Your Kids To A Broadway Show

• Check the age requirements for kids before booking a show. Most Disney musicals state that your child must be 4 or over. But it varies from show to show.
• Dress up as nicely as you can to see a Broadway show (I know it is hard when you are sightseeing all day). It helps your kids value the experience, and sometimes being dressed nicely helps them behave nicely!
• Go to the bathroom before you find your seats. The bathrooms are crazy at intermission at every theater I have ever seen.
• Get there at least 15 minutes early. It is much easier to get your kids settled if you aren’t climbing over people and running to the bathroom.

I hope this inspires you to enjoy musical theater with your kids! Let me know what shows you go to and how much you love them.

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