Today, I am writing about Broadway shows to watch with your family in 2018. New York is home to a wide range of popular Broadway shows that you can watch together with family. There are so many productions that feature child actors and family-friendly themes. Watching a live show at the theatre together with your family is a real worthy entertainment experience. If you are planning to see a show with your family for the first time, you and your kids are going to love it. To make things easier for you, here, I have listed some of the best Broadway shows.
Wicked
Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue
This show is based on Gregory Maguire’s variation on Frank Baum’s classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It is a musical that addresses themes like morality, standards of beauty and even opposition to fascism. It is suitable for kids from 8 years and above. Children might be a bit afraid of flying monkeys so taking your 5-year-old to the show may not be a good idea.
The Phantom Of Opera
247 West 44th Street New York, NY 10036
This musical is directed by Harold Prince and has been drawing tourists for almost two decades. It has a 1980s touch and a little bit of romance.
Frozen: The Broadway Musical
St. James Theatre, 246 W 44th Street New York, NY
If your kids loved Disney’s Frozen, they are going to love this Broadway show too. This winter, Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff are going to make the St. James Theater a wonderland. Seats for this show always sell out pretty quickly so it’s recommended to buy tickets for your family in advance.
The Lion King
Minskoff Theatre, 200 W 45th Street New York, NY 10036
Who doesn’t love The Lion King? It opened in 1997 and ever since it has been winning the hearts of the audience. The storytelling techniques are just awesome. It will expose your kids to different cultures. The bond between father and son is just heartwarming. Contemporary choreography is used to display the pride lands of Africa. Unlike other shows, it is something that any family would treasure. We loved it!
Anastasia
Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street New York, NY 10036
The true story of Anastasia Romanov, the Grand Duchess, always gets us. Travel with Anya through Russia and Paris to find her family. I am pretty sure your kids will be singing songs from the musical on their way back home. The costumes worn by the characters are alluring. It’s fair to wish going back to such grand times.
Hamilton
Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W 46th Street New York, NY 10036
The hip-hop musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda looks at American history from its musical lens. The show opened up in August 2015, and ever since, its tickets sell quickly. It will be hard to buy a ticket if you don’t plan in advance. Hamilton will teach you how the United States was established through addictive melodies and amazing choreography.
The Band’s Visit
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W 47th Street New York, NY 10036
This show just opened this November. After winning the hearts of the audience off-Broadway in 2016, the show opened with intimate staging. It is best for a teen audience. The plot is mature but the storytelling is great.
School Of Rock
Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway New York, NY 10019
If your kids are into music, they will definitely want to experience the School of Rock musical, inspired by Jack Black’s movie. Andrew Lloyd has done a remarkable job by creating such awfully convincing tunes. Your kids will be inspired by watching other young ones rocking on the stage.
Kinky Boots
302 W 45th Street New York, NY 10036
You must be wondering, what if I am planning to take my teen to Broadway? I hear you. There are plenty of shows for teens too. Kinky Boots is the Tony-winning musical that your teen daughters would definitely love. The shoes and costumes are fantastic. The show is inspired by the film itself. It’s about a wannabe guy and a drag queen who are two totally different natured people. They collaborate to create a snazzy line of footwear. The show is about losing loved ones, homophobia, and gay rights. It’s recommended to take your teen to the show only if they are mature enough to understand the theme. It’s on our broadway bucket list for this year.
Dear Evan Hansen
Music Box Theatre, 239 West 45th Street New York, NY 10036
Here’s another show for teens. Its subjects include bullying, depression, the impact of social media on our lives, and suicide. It is recommended for 12-year-olds and above. The story is about a loner who suffers from anxiety and is mistaken as the best friend of a classmate who commits suicide. Although the story will bring you to tears, it is still entertaining. The pop-rock songs keep you going. If you have a kid in high school, the show is a must-see.
Come From Away
236 W 45th St, New York, NY 10036
Another history-based musical, shows how the residents of Gander, Newfoundland welcomed the 7,000 passengers of a plane which diverted to their land on 9/11. It was a small town who provided care and comfort to the passengers. It’s a must-see show for teens and is based on a true story. It teaches us all lots of lessons along with restoring our faith in humanity.
How to Save Money on Broadway Show tickets
Sign up at popular sites such as Playbill, TheaterMania, or BroadwayBox. These sites provide discount codes for participating shows. The codes can be used to purchase tickets online or via phone. However, if possible I suggest using the discount code in person at the box office. This will help you avoid service charges which can be substantial when ordering multiple tickets.
You can save money on Broadway tickets if you buy them at the right time. Two-for-one tickets can be found during Broadway Week. This promotion takes place in January or February and then during September or October. Sign up at the official website to receive info on when these tickets become available. Kids’ Night on Broadway is also a fair deal to find tickets on discount. It’s especially meant for families and takes place on a weeknight in February. This promotion makes it possible for your family to get a free child seat for kids from ages 6 to 18.
For last minute deals, you can visit one of NYC’s four TKTS Discount Booths and receive 50% off same day show tickets.
There are lots of other shows on the calendar worth watching. Before purchasing tickets, it is recommended to visit the Broadway website. Perhaps, you may find something else that will interest your kid. The official allowable age for theatres is minimum 4 years. It’s important that your children don’t disrupt other show-goers or misbehave during performances. Each member of the audience will need a ticket.
From the above list, my family has seen Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and Lion King. My wife is a huge fan of The Wizard of Oz so naturally, she LOVED Wicked. I say “Hakuna Matata!” We hope to catch a few more shows in 2018 and share our reviews here on the blog. Have you already experienced any of these amazing shows? Drop me a note, let us know. If you have any other money saving tips for purchasing tickets for Broadway shows please share.
Check out some Broadway Show Memorabilia on Amazon by clicking here. Purchase tickets to any Broadway show by clicking here.
