As a ticket concierge in New York, I often get asked about the best
Broadway Shows for kids. The thrill and experience of a Broadway Show for
children is absolutely priceless. An appropriate play can often have a very
positive effect for many years to come. Whether it turns your child into an
actor, director/producer, or simply just enhances their imagination and
creativity, it will definitely be beneficial. It is important, however, to
choose an age appropriate play to allow your child to develop a true
appreciation of the arts. Following, in no particular order, is a summary
of the best Broadway Shows for kids.

Wicked is a Broadway musical based on the best selling book, Wicked: The
Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. It is
the prequel to the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz and tells the story of what
happened before Dorothy landed in Kansas. The main character in the show is
Elphaba, a young girl with green skin who grows up to be the Wicked Witch
of the West. The musical examines her early life and friendship with
Glinda, who is the Good Witch of the North. Wicked has been in production
for over five years now and has been dazzling both critics and theatergoers
alike. It has been the best selling Broadway Show for several weeks and is
an excellent choice for ages 4 and up.

Another great show is Lion King, a classic Broadway Musical for the family
that is based on the actual 1994 Disney animated movie. For anyone not
familiar with the plot, it tells the story of a young lion named Simba, who
is born a prince. His Uncle Scar, now second in line to the throne, plots
to kill his brother and Simba's father, King Mufassa, so that he may be
king. Simba is led to believe that it is his fault and runs away. The
musical examines his life journey and how he returns home to complete the
circle of life. Lion King has been in production since 1997 and is one of
the longest running shows in Broadway history. Still one of the best
selling shows today, Lion King is perfect for ages 6 and up and should
continue its success for many years to come.

Two other Disney productions that are great for kids, are Mary Poppins and
The Little Mermaid. Mary Poppins is a Broadway musical based on the
children's books by P.L. Travers and the 1964 movie. It is about a nanny
who files in from the sky to take care of misbehaving kids in a British
family. The show debuted in London in 2004 and on Broadway in 2006. It is
consistently one of the top sellers and is appropriate for ages 6 and up.
The Little Mermaid is a Broadway musical based on the actual 1989 Disney
animated movie, which tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid who dreams of
leaving the sea for a life on land. The show debuted on Broadway in 2007
and has been a hit since. It also is appropriate for ages 6 and up.

The last, but definitely not least Broadway show recommended for kids,
would be Billy Elliot, a musical based on the 2000 movie in which a young
boy gives up boxing to pursue his love of ballet dancing. Billy Elliot won
10 Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical. It is appropriate for ages
9 and up, but use discretion as there is a good amount of profanity in the
show.

In summary, a Broadway show is something that every youngster deserves to
experience. When making your selections, consider your child's interests,
the length of the performance, and whether a matinee may be more
appropriate. Lastly, make a big deal out of it, arrive early, and enjoy the
show with your family.

A review and summary of the best Broadway Shows for kids.
As a ticket concierge in New York, I often get asked about
the best Broadway Shows for kids. The thrill and experience
of a Broadway Show for children is absolutely priceless...

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