Annie Broadway show with a 5 year old???

[kdibattista]

I'm full of theatre questions today

I want to take my 2 niece's to the Annie Broadway show that's in our area but I'm concerned that the 5 year old might be too young . Any thoughts? How old was the youngest you brought to a stage show? I would be a lot less concerned if it was something like Lion King with a lot of visuals that would hold her attention but I think Annie is a bit more "story oriented" if that makes sense

 

[MAKmom]

It depends on the 5 year old. I would rent the movie & see if she stays still watching it. If you get her hooked on it she will enjoy the stage show. Watching the movie gives her a cahnve to ask her questions when she does not need to be still.

 

[Kimberle]

I took my dd to Beauty & the Beast when she was 4. (Most Broadway shows don't allow kids under 4.) She was good. I took her to see Mama Mia when she was 6. She loved that show, too.

5 is not to young, depending on the kid. Can they sit nicely through a movie? Are they well behaived in a resturant? If they're normally pretty good kids, I'll be they'd be fine at Annie. Especially, since they're having a special day with their Aunt. You could get seats on the aisle just in case you need to take them out.

 

[kdibattista]

Great idea with the movie!!!!

Thanks guys

 

[JunieJay]

My kids were teeny tiny when I brought them to the theatre the first time. My oldest was probably 4 or 5, but my little one was 3 when I took him to see Oliver at our community theatre. His cousin was starring in the show, and I wanted him to see it. He did beautifully, although not before some nasty woman in front of me decided to give me a lecture about bringing my toddler to the theatre. I assured her if I ever thought my child was going to misbehave I'd not have brought him there and to mind her own business. She ended up apologzing to me afterward, because DS sat transfixed throughout the show. I knew he would. My kids were always good movie-goers and theatre goers. They get into the story and become mesmerized.
How does your niece do with movies? I'd judge it on that. If she can sit still through a movie, she can probably sit still in the theatre. And Annie is a good one to start with because no one is in costume (there were some little ones when we saw Lion King who seemed afraid of the bright and colorful costumed characters, although my own kids were fine).

 

[kdibattista]

She is pretty good at the movies and you guys are right... that is a good indicator.

Thanks again

 

[mjkacmom]

It depends. I took my 5 year old to see it when it was in NYC in December, and she LOVED it. She had seen her sister in the town production, watched the movie many times, and listened to the soundtrack. However, her best friend went to see it, and even though she was really into it also, was bored a little. Annie has a lot of dialogue, a lot more than most musicales.

 

[clh2]

The other thing I would recommend would be to do a matinee, not a night time show. Only because the little ones may just be too tired to enjoy the show the later it gets.

We took our DD to see Annie when she was 6, it was a travelling Broadway-type production in Milwaukee. She loved the play, we had great seats, but she didn't enjoy the loud clapping at the end, she was just very tired.

Have fun! At that point, she had been to a family series of symphony concerts, several professional children's plays etc. She still loves going to live productions. DD is now 12, and next up for her is Wicked!