<p>Oh, one other thing - not a musical, but it would be something your kids would talk about for years. I’d strongly recommend the Blue Man Group show. Funny, creative, amazing, incredibly bizarre. It’s got constant music but it’s not a musical, it’s got three actors but it’s not quite theatre, it’s . . . heck, I haven’t got a clue how to describe what it is. But your whole family would enjoy it, and even the most theatre-skeptical teen or preteen would come out saying it’s one of the coolest things they’ve ever experienced.</p>
<p>Great Choice! The Blue Man Group is wonderful to see! Definitely something to consider!</p>
<p>Hi, All:</p>
<p>Woah, so many replies and so much information…Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Jimimom: It is a big, bid deal too for my family to see a broadway show, so I am trying to bring my lunch to my office everyday to save some money and eatout very little …
…and I won’t start with to go to NYC to spend big money for now…but I do want to try my best to expose my kids to different kind of musics to open their eyes and minds, and enrich our family life a little bit…I am thinking to start with some free and less expensive shows first, like I just found out there are going to be a free show in DC area for shakespear’s ‘Midsummer night dream’…I will definitely catch that…</p>
<p>Alwaysamom:</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedbacks. I am putting ’ Phantom of opera’ and ‘Wicked’ on my wish list…both my kids are very serious person, I am afraid they don’t know how to enjoy hairspray at this moment, so I will wait and see…</p>
<p>Gadad:</p>
<p>Nice recommendation, I will do that, and I will always be murmuring ‘Gadad?’ when getting a program handout…:-)…kids will love to pose together with those stars…</p>
<p>I am checking out all the other choices like ’ LBue Man Group’ etc, and will let you know.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Amother</p>
<p>Your kids will no longer be serious after seeing " The Blue Man Group"!</p>
<p>Musicals are great. That said, it’s definitely quite expensive to take trips to see them, especially multiple ones, but the experience is definitely worth it.</p>
<p>Something that you might want to think about, is that many high schools (at least mine, and the ones around me, in northern va) do a musical every spring as their main production. Obviously, the quality is not Broadway, but they do a very good job, and the people on stage are just normal high school students who love to act. My high school put it on thurs/fri/sat two weeks in May, and I imagine other schools do so around the same time. Three of the for years I was in HS, my school did “A funny thing happened on the way to the fourm”, “Singin’ in the rain”, and “Little shop of horrors”… I don’t remember what they did my freshman year, but they were quite enjoyable to watch. I saw Singin’ in the Rain all 6 times as I was in the pit orchestra =P</p>
<p>/the Blue Man Group is amazing.</p>
<p>Just to add my two cents worth…
My d has always been involved in theater so we have seen a lot of show and she loved everyone of them, BUT I have a 12 year old s who is all about sports and while he has accompanied us to many shows, he has not enjoyed many of them! I will tell you though, that he LOVED Wicked…a great choice as an introduction to theater (and familiar because almost everyone is acquainted with the Wizard of Oz). I would also recommend to stay away from Avenue Q for younger kids (very mature content even though done with puppets).</p>
<p>Enjoy your summer of theater-going…</p>
<p>Lexasmom</p>
<p>We are a big theater family and my boys love it. Some of their favorites: Starlight Express, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Those Damm Yankees, Les Miz. All very appropriate for that age group.</p>
<p>I agree that this is an expensive hobby, but well worth it in my opinion.</p>
<p>amother - Try <www.broadwayacrossamerica.com> to see what’s coming to your area. I see there is a venue in Baltimore where you can see “Broadway” shows without the cost of a trip to NY.</www.broadwayacrossamerica.com></p>
<p>DC is a outstanding theater town with many different types of venues.</p>
<p>For Broadway-style plays go to:</p>
<p><a href=“http://kennedycenter.com/[/url]”>http://kennedycenter.com/</a>
<a href=“http://www.nationaltheatre.org/[/url]”>http://www.nationaltheatre.org/</a></p>
<p>Also see:</p>
<p><a href=“http://dcmdva-arts.org/[/url]”>http://dcmdva-arts.org/</a></p>
<p>Look on the right on that page. You’ll find links to all the shows in DC, VA, and MD. </p>
<p>Patronize your local high school productions. Some of them, those in Fairfax County for example, approach professional level.</p>
<p>Not sure if anyone mentioned some discount places to look for tickets</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.broadwaybox.com%5B/url%5D”>www.broadwaybox.com</a>
On this site you can get 20-50 percent off various shows </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.tdf.org%5B/url%5D”>www.tdf.org</a> (on this site you have to be a member (for annual fee) to access. They have very steep discounts – tickets can be $28 for a show – but you do not know where your seats are and cannot get way in advance</p>
<p>also:
<a href=“http://www.theatermania.com%5B/url%5D”>www.theatermania.com</a></p>
<p>The Lion King, Hairspray, and (NYC) The Odd Couple are on my agenda, and my theatre-addicted son is doing the Music Man at a local dinner theatre - fun!</p>
<p>Went on a HS theater trip to NYC as chaperone. Hairspray was loved by one and all - no negative comments. The Producers was also a big hit (the age was right to enjoy the jokes). Phanthom was mixed - some didn’t like it because of all the reprises. Not too dark. Lion King was the best - loved by all ages - the sets and costumes were fantastic! If you can, get a seat on the aisle on lower level - many of the actors enter that way, and you will be right next to them. As to discount tickets - there is the kiosk in Times Square mentioned above. But, check and see if the theater releases unclaimed - cancelled tickets, etc., (many from season ticket holders) at discounts the day of the performance. We went by the theater at 2:00 p.m. and bought front row on the aisle seats to Dr. Jekyll for $20.00 each! Also, check with your local theaters - Broadway musicals have touring companies that travel all over. BTW, the tip about the sharpie and program at the theater door is wonderful. But, take a camera, too. We got pictures with Antonio Banderas, Bernadette Peters, etc. and we hadn’t been able to get tickets for AB’s show! (no need to tell them that - just have autograph book handy). Saw all kinds of stars leaving the theater when they left after going backstage to wish the actors well. Also, be on the lookout as you walk around - our tour bus was pulling up to the Empire State Building, when someone yelled, “Orlando Bloom!” You never saw a bus empty out so fast! We took a group picture with him. He was very kind, but we did let him finish his cookie, first! LOL</p>