I never really coped with hours upon hours of kids television when my kids were little. For some reason I was more than happy watching Hi 5 or Sesame Street when I should be studying, but when the kids arrived, just the thought of the same old songs over and over and over was enough to send me over the edge. It was probably the state of new baby or baby and toddler insanity that was the cause, but I just couldn’t do it.
Sure we played Baby Einstein, the music was enjoyable and the mindless screen shots were mind numbing and cathartic, but we went straight to musicals. We started off with Mary Poppins and it was a pleaser. By the time boy-child was old enough to string a sentence together, he spoke with a cockney accent. The odd Disney animation would make it to the box, but not often. We graduated from Mary Poppins to Bedknobs and Broomsticks, then Calamity Jane (yes the Doris Day movie). Calamity Jane is still a favourite although it is referred to as ‘Whip Crack Away’.
After Calamity came Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and that brings us to the kids love of musical theatre. When we attempted to relocate to New Jersey 3 years ago (OMG – can it be 3 years ago already? I must try and write about that pleasant experience some time…) we had a few day trips to New York. Naturally this included a trip to Broadway to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Girl-child was only 21 months old and may have had a nap during the second half but boy-child loved it, he was bopping in his seat, singing along in his best 3 year old singing voice. His only disappointment was that the production deviated slightly from the movie. Nevertheless, it was a very successful induction to musical theatre.
Boy-child even made it to a performance of Stomp. He loved it! Man-child wasn’t so happy with the inspiration it provided – the tap shoes were dragged out more frequently and all manner of items were used for drumming.
Next came the Lion King. We all went when it was playing in Melbourne. The kids were both old enough to really enjoy the show and because we had seats at the back of the theatre they could stand up and dance along.
Add to this a love for dance and drama, both kids taking dance class, performing and enjoying watching dance productions on TV, we thought that we would brave going to Edward Scissorhands, the dance-ical!
Boy-child is recovering from minor earache and girl-child has been fighting a fever all weekend, but she was adamant that she didn’t want to miss out – of course a 6 and a nearly 5 year old know thier own limitations! So off we trekked.
Our seats were in perfect viewing locations for little people. As soon as the music started, boy-child held his hands over his ears. He said that it didn’t hurt but it was too loud. Despite this, I don’t think he blinked at all. Girl-child wanted to dance along and didn’t like having to actually sit in her seat during the show.
Edward Scissorhands was more abstract than other productions we have seen as a family, but the performance was amazing. I don’t actually remember watching the movie, but it is now on my to-do list. Both kids loved it but naturally they didn’t ‘get it’, it was all about the dance and movement.
To date, taking kids to the theatre has always been an enjoyable event, we are 3 for 3 as a family experience. I am off to see Guys and Dolls with my sister next week and then I want to see Wicked. I wonder if Wicked is kid friendly?
