Editor’s note: New York City presents amazing cultural opportunities to share with our families. We recently collaborated with “The Little Prince” to experience this magical Broadway show. Scroll to the end for a discount ticket offer!

The NYC Dads Group are back! Broadway is, too!

After two years of having to mostly suspend in-person meetup experiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our group partnered with The Little Prince to emerge in a grand fashion. More than 30 of our dads along with their kids, many attending their first ever Broadway show, descended upon the Broadway Theatre in Times Square recently to share a memorable, unique and magical performance of this classic children’s story.

An unforgettable story becomes an unforgettable Broadway show. Based on the 1943 book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that continues to touch millions, this stunning new production transported us to a world unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

What’s the show all about?

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the story, here goes. An aviator descends from the sky to find himself in the middle of the desert. Here, he meets the Little Prince, a young hero on an extraordinary adventure. The Little Prince goes on this touching journey as he meets many colorful and bizarre characters who help him learn how to follow his heart.

The Broadway version is non-traditional for most. It creatively shares the story via narration (there are teleprompters in case you miss dialogue), aerial artistry and stunning choreography. Sometimes the show felt like a ballet. At other times, it’s like Cirque du Soleil. Audience members will interpret it differently, but everyone is sure to enjoy the thrilling grand finale.

Our family went to see the musical not knowing much about the story. For those with smaller children, we recommend you read them a plot summary in advance to have a better understanding of the characters and story.

Our dads, kids loved ‘The Little Prince’

After the show, our group quickly began raving about this special experience. Here are a few highlights and observations from our circle of dads:

“My son’s first Broadway play was fantastic! We got to experience the acrobatic planet-hopping of The Little Prince, all in a magical atmosphere.” – Billy D.

“That was the first time taking my 6-year-old to a Broadway show, and I’m so glad it was to see The Little Prince, which is still one of my favorite books. The fact that my daughter sat through the entire show says a lot. And the show was truly wonderful. Her favorite character was The Rose.” – Aarao B.

“My son Jackson (age 6) enjoyed the thrill of being at the show. It was his first show and we got burgers and milkshakes afterwards, and he told me it was the best day of his life.
The show was an interesting take on the book. More interpretive with the dance elements than a straight reenactment. His favorite part was seeing the aerial acrobatics, and the part he talked most about was how often someone walked on a giant ball to get around the stage.” – Micah B.

“Thanks to the NYC Dad’s Group, this was my 5-year-old son’s first Broadway show watching The Little Prince. So great to see the awesome acrobatics, dancing and feeding his imagination. Pretty amazing that he sat through the whole show!” -Mike N.

“It was very interesting to see the how they were going to interpret the book into a Broadway performance. It was different and unique. We loved the dancing, acrobatics and the music.” – Larry I.

Performance and discount ticket info

The Little Prince is in a strictly limited engagement on Broadway. It runs through August 14, 2022, at the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway in Manhattan. The show has numerous performances weekly, including matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.

Being an NYC Dads Group member, friend or fan has its perks. We have discounted tickets for you! Click here to save 30% on performances through May 1 with code LPDAD223.

Disclosure: The team at “The Little Prince” provided this experience for NYC Dads Group members to attend. The opinions expressed in this review are heartfelt, honest, and 100 percent our own.

Editor’s note: New York City presents amazing cultural opportunities to share with our families. We recently collaborated with Disney’s “THE LION KING” to experience this legendary Broadway show. Member Corbin Younger reviews this must-see musical.  

As we roar into the holiday season, a pride of 25 NYC fathers and their children recently attended a production of Disney’s award-winning best musical  THE LION KING at the Minskoff Theatre. Coming up the escalators, my daughter and I immediately realized we were being transported someplace special.

The sides of the theater look like the Savanna, and there’s a giant wooden lion head watching majestically over the proceedings. As my daughter and I entered the theater lobby, we saw many parents and children with amazed looks on their faces. Before you get to your seats, you have the chance to marvel at several  costumes on display. This is a very smart tactic. Not only does it provide great opportunities for Instagram worthy pictures before the performance, but it gives the little ones a frame of reference so they can be prepared for what is coming.

And what comes when the show starts is like nothing I’ve ever experienced in theater.

The grand procession of animals to begin the show, through the audience, left me breathless. You’re transported from the middle of Manhattan to the middle of Africa, from the mundane to the magical.

My daughter exclaimed loudly “Wow!” and shook with delight at how amazing and intricate the costumes were.  Each animal is portrayed in a slightly different way through the use of masks, makeup, kites, puppetry, pulleys and performers. The actors did not simply display their costume, it is as if each personified the spirit of the animal. A simple stare, a sudden pause to clean themselves, each animal had a nuanced way to demonstrate their individuality. No matter how small or large, from giraffes to warthogs to buzzards, each animal is portrayed with skill and grace. We realized that each animal is unique, and has to be treated with respect.

And yet, even being unique, THE LION KING animals work in unison to create a circle of life, where each animal is interconnected. If one aspect of this circle goes awry, the show demonstrates, the effects of breaking this chain can be devastating. Greed and shortsightedness can lead to devastation, a lesson highly relevant in today’s global environment.

The circle of life also shows how a community supports each other. The main character, Simba, does not grow to be the leader he becomes without family and friends supporting him. Similarly, I saw this effect on a more local level among our NYC Dads Group attendees. Before the show, when I needed to use a restroom, other fathers from our group kept a watchful eye on my daughter. I paid this kindness forward a few minutes later. When we began to walk to our seats, one of the dads called out to a fellow father  who had forgotten his backpack on a chair. We looked out for each other as a tribe, and welcomed others into our circle. For one short moment, we were one tribe, one family. We were similarly honored to join the circle of those lucky enough to see a production like THE LION KING.

We loved ‘THE LION KING’

After the show, our group quickly began raving about this special experience. Here are a few highlights and observations from our circle of dads:

Having the opportunity to share this show with my daughter was truly amazing. Watching her face in awe as the opening number unfolded was worth a million dollars. The production team of THE LION KING does an amazing job alongside the talented actors throughout the entire show. We’ll be talking about this Broadway show for years to come. –– Dan G.

Bloody brilliant experience! Our first time on Broadway for both my daughter and I. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to experience this with a great bunch of like-minded dads. Highlight was seeing the pure joy and amazement on my child’s face gawking at the unbelievable costumes and dancing! — Joe M.

Five stars! Every family should see this show. We especially loved the clever and creative animal costumes and great music. –– Chris D.

Seeing THE LION KING on Broadway was an awesome experience for my son and myself. His face was priceless throughout the entire show. So captivating. –– Larry I.

“I loved it!!”, said my daughter. It was a great time to share with my daughter and so many other NYC Dads. The costumes were unbelievable! — John S.

This was such a powerful experience for me. The first time I saw THE LION KING on Broadway was five years ago — the day before my daughter was born. Having the chance to share this spectacular Broadway musical with my daughter and seeing the pure joy in here eyes was the ultimate father/daughter bonding moment. THE LION KING was the perfect choice to be her first ever Broadway experience. We’ve been listening and dancing to the musical soundtrack in our home everyday so that’s when you know it made a positive impact on our lives. — Lance S.

Disclosure: The team at “The Lion King” provided this experience for NYC Dads Group members to attend. The opinions expressed in this review are heartfelt, honest, and 100 percent our own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Corbin Younger is a tutor and parent advocate, part-time writer and full-time dad to his daughter. He was previously a special education teacher for 20 years in Virginia and New York.

Welcome back to our new feature focusing on “only in NYC” experiences. This fun-filled column will continue to uncover some of the most unique and epic family destinations in and around New York City.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is an action-packed, mythical adventure, but it’s also a coming of age, relatable story about growing up, making our own choices, and finding our place in society. Based on the best selling novels by Rick Riordan and popular film series, this musical recently leaped onto the Broadway stage for a limited 16-week run.

In The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson discovers he’s not only a teenager challenged with dyslexia and ADHD, but he’s also a demigod (half-blood) armed with wild powers he needs to learn to control. With his father being the mighty Poseidon and his mother trapped in Hades (the Greek mythology underworld), Percy needs to make important choices, think under pressure, navigate new friendships, and rely on his strengths to persevere and find himself. Just like most teenagers in high school!

The inspirational musical, adapted from a one-hour Theatreworks/USA production, will be most appreciated by school-age children, especially loyal Percy Jackson fans, and their families. What amazed our family the most was the incredibly talented cast. These seven actors had tremendous range and were able to transform swiftly and believably into dozens of different characters. Despite an underwhelming set design, costumes and lack of special effects, the strong ensemble’s singing chops and catchy rock music score kept the musical flowing smoothly to the very end.

We’re fans of Greek mythology so the standout scene for us was Percy Jackson and his demigod friend’s encounter with the legendary Medusa. We don’t want to spoil all of the surprises  in the hopes that you will rush over to the see the musical before it storms out of New York City.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is playing a limited engagement on Broadway through Jan. 5, 2020, at the Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 48th St.

Disclosure Note: Our family received complimentary tickets to see the show. Even though we fear the wrath of Percy Jackson’s super-powers, all thoughts and opinions in this post are authentic and our own.

Editor’s note: New York City presents amazing theatrical opportunities to share with our families. NYC Dads Group recently collaborated with “The Play That Goes Wrong” so several of our members and their kids could see show. Scroll to the end for a discount ticket offer!

The Play that Goes Wrong has a smash two-year run on Broadway, garnering two Tony Awards and a nomination for best play. The show recently transferred Off-Broadway into a more intimate format at the New World Stages. Even if the venue is a little smaller, the laughs are just as large.

The Play that Goes Wrong is accessible to all ages (the show’s website states it’s appropriate for ages 8+). Without giving anything away, the concept is that a small college’s theater group puts together a murder mystery production. The hilarity occurs, as the title indicates, when things go dreadfully wrong, and the actors have to figure out how to compensate and make sure the show goes on. The play breaks down the fourth wall, as cast members interact with audience members at different times. They are even good at improvising when a young audience member shouts something out. In this midst of all the chaos there is an order, as incredibly, no one gets hurt. All of it is unadulterated fun.

A group of 25 NYC Dads Group members and their families took in the show recently and even got to go on stage to meet the cast. My daughter complained at first about going to the show because she prefers to spend her Sundays glued to her iPad. By the play’s end, she was thrilled I had encouraged her to see this show that she now considers one of the funniest plays she has ever seen.

After the show, our group participated in a Q&A session with the entire cast of talented performers  and even got to go up on stage to take pictures. This was a special opportunity for our families, where some the actors shared some intriguing secrets, and the children in our group learned a great appreciation of the art of acting. These performers understand the importance of passing the joy of theater on to a new generation. Afterward, members of our group could not stop talking about this fantastic performance.

They love ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

The Play That Goes Wrong captivated our group from start to finish. Here’s what some of the other NYC Dads Group members in attendance had to say:

“This was my daughter’s first theater experience and it couldn’t have been better. We couldn’t stop laughing the whole time. We have a theater fan for life!” –– Steven Moralez

“What a great way to spend an afternoon with my son! I had to keep searching for tissues to wipe away the tears of laughter during the show. Even if some of the plot went a little over my son’s head, he loved laughing at the non-stop antics on stage.” –– Aaron Yavelberg

“My son and I love to watch comedies together. This play was hilarious from beginning to end. We could not stop laughing.” — Larry Interrante

“Prepare for your cheeks to hurt from the nonstop smiles and laughter throughout the show. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. It was the perfect way to spend a cultural and entertaining afternoon bonding with my son. We highly recommend his show for anyone in need of a good laugh.” — Lance Somerfeld

Performance and discount ticket info

The Play that Goes Wrong runs at the New World Stages, 340 50th Street in Manhattan, with eight performances weekly, including matinees on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Being an NYC Dads Group member, friend or fan has its perks. We have $59 discounted orchestra tickets for you! Click here to score your discounted seats.

Disclosure: The team at “The Play That Goes Wrong” provided complimentary tickets for NYC Dads Group to attend. The opinions expressed in this review are heartfelt, honest, and 100 percent our own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Corbin Younger is a tutor and parent advocate, part-time writer and full-time dad to his 7-year-old daughter. He was previously a special education teacher for 20 years in Virginia and New York.

Midway through the first act, King Kong made his first appearance in the new Broadway show bearing his name, and the audience just didn’t know how to deal with what they were seeing.

“Is that … is that … video?” asked my wife, Robin, trying to make sense of things.

“No,” I answered, “I think that’s actually on stage right now.”

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

My wife and I were enjoying a rare date night, and we’d gone to King Kong at the Broadway Theatre. Obviously, any story with Kong in it is going to need to have a gigantic ape — the promotional materials teased his appearance heavily. We were quite curious to see how they would pull this off.

The show starts from the top down. The first people we see are lowered into view from the ceiling, hanging on to the hooks of cranes. In the background, New York City is lurching into the sky, as work crews scramble around on high steel. It’s a showstopper of a moment right away, immediately hitting the audience with vertigo, and the musical works hard to keep you off balance after that.

We’re introduced to Ann Darrow, portrayed by Christiani Pitts, who quickly expresses a desire to be the “Queen of New York” in her introductory number. Pitts brings tremendous strength to Ann, and her running joke is that she is incapable of screaming in fear, only in rage and defiance.

But this is Depression-era New York after all. Ann finds herself down on her luck very quickly. That doesn’t stop her from being noticed by Carl Denham (Eric William Morris) who quickly establishes that to him, ambition is everything. He convinces Ann to join him on a voyage to make a movie, but won’t tell her where.

What follows is another showstopper of a moment as the stage transforms from the city of New York into the deck of a ship. The cast and crew do an excellent job of keeping the audience off balance by making the entire theater seem like it is bobbing up and down on the sea as it travels to Skull Island.

King Kong story variations

We know the beats of the story of King Kong already, so perhaps this is a good point to stop and note the differences. Jack Driscoll, the traditional romantic lead of King Kong, is excluded from the production. This is wise, as Ann is strong enough on her own to never need a rescuer. It also sets up a more powerful dynamic between not only Ann and the conniving Denham, but ultimately, King Kong himself.

Some elements of King Kong have not aged well. The tribespeople included in the original film are definitely part of this, and it’s difficult to watch them in the film now without wincing at the racist stereotypes woven into the story in that more insensitive time. Happily, the Broadway production leaves all of that aside. Ann, Denham and the crew must deal directly with the mystical Skull Island before facing King Kong.

Now it was time for King Kong to appear. He’s teased at first. You hear him coming. It feels like you’re the kid in the car in Jurassic Park, watching the glass of water vibrate with each step. Then you’re given glimpses. Eyes. Teeth. Roars reverberate. A massive hand. Paw?

Then King Kong springs into action. And nobody knew how to deal with what we saw.

How King Kong comes to life

We spoke with the cast and crew after the show about King Kong. It takes an entire team of people to operate him physically, although you barely notice them. They move so well together, and in sync with everyone else, that they disappear for the most part, and look like spiders or wraiths when they are in view. All in all, the King Kong “character” weighs around two tons, is operated by over a dozen highly trained people at any given time, and every single moment he is on stage he is a show stopper and and a half.

Many more people help bring him to life remotely, including his voice, his movements, and how he is transported from the stage to the top of the Empire State Building. Because yes, that scene happens. King Kong charges through the jungle, carrying Ann in one hand. He battles another giant beast and, later on, Denham and his crew.

Pitts is in a unique situation here, having to perform alongside what is essentially a giant ape, but she rises to the challenge admirably, always maintaining her presence. She not only holds her own with King Kong, but also establishes a rapport with him.

She is the key for believability here. If we don’t see that Ann believes that King Kong is real, then we won’t believe that King Kong is real. Without Pitts’ performance in these scenes, the entire show would not work.

King Kong is, as we know, captured by Denham and his crew and returned to New York. The city really has always been inextricably tied to the story mythology. Any souvenir shop around NYC will have a little Empire State Building with a King Kong on it, so it was wise to make New York integral to the show as well. The city’s name features prominently in the musical numbers, and many of the tried and true tropes about New York are tied into the story.

As the show races to its climax, it brings you even more show-stopping scenes including Kong’s escape from Denham and his inevitable scaling of the Empire State Building. But one scene in particular stands out for its simplicity in presentation, if not execution:

After his escape, Kong stands alone. He walks to the very edge of the stage and simply looms over the audience. It sent murmurs and nervous laughter trilling through the theater.

You may not want to bring very young kids, but the older set will be blown away by the show. If you have friends or family visiting and you want to make their very first Broadway experience memorable, this would be a good choice.

Like New York City itself, King Kong looms over you. It shows you that even though you might be familiar with a story, it can still thrill you, intimidate you, and ultimately fill you with wonder.

Editor’s note: Cultural opportunities are endless in New York City. We recently collaborated with “Escape To Margaritaville: The Musical”  to take several NYC Dads Group members and their significant others out for a special, pre-Mother’s Day date night. Member Corbin Younger reviews this feel-good musical.  

Broadway is a great escape from the daily grind into a world of fantasy, music and excitement. The Jimmy Buffett-inspired Escape to Margaritaville show allowed 20 members of the NYC Dads Group and their other halves to do just that on a rare Hump Day night without the kids.

Afforded such an opportunity, my wife and I arranged babysitting, and it felt great to get out of our weekday routine. When I arrived at The Marquis Theatre sporting my Hawaiian shirt and sandals, I was in the right place. The theater lobby was altered into a full-scale tiki bar. Frozen margaritas in hand, my wife and I were transformed from parents into Parrotheads for the night, sipping away as we let the worries of work and parenting melt as we enjoyed the show.

“Escape to Margaritaville: The Musical” is based on the island-flavored songs of musical legend, Jimmy Buffett. Just as Mama Mia used the songs of Abba to drive the plot, Buffett’s breezy tunes were the basis for the plot of this story. The leads, Alison Luff and Paul Alexander Nolan, had tremendous voices, breezy yet powerful island gusts with gusto. The show delivered exactly what you would expect: light, festive music; laid-back attitude; lots of good times that immersed the audience in a tropical paradise.

Escape to Margaritaville ended on a high note, with most everyone leaving with a souvenir beach ball, a way to bring home a memory of our Margaritaville moment. Most couples left quickly to get back home to the kids and relieve our babysitters, happy to have enjoyed a welcome escape from reality for a few hours.

My wife and I were not the only ones to relish in this entertaining show, based on these comments from fellow NYC Dads’ Group Members:

My wife and I are not Jimmy Buffett fans, but this show was so entertaining! Humorous, well-written, great dance and song numbers that kept us smiling.   We are so happy we went! What a great date night! — Greg Kessler

Thanks to Escape to Margaritaville: The Musical for creating the entertaining, beach party experience we desperately needed for this date night surrounded by a crew of NYC Dads and their significant others. I was smiling from ear to ear during this lively show that was filled with classic Jimmy Buffett tunes, vacation vibes, and a charming wit that I didn’t anticipate. Also, it was awesome to celebrate 50th birthdays with member Kevin McKeever and the wife of another member, Kate Interrante, in epic fashion. — Lance Somerfeld

My wife and I joined NYC Dads Group for the Escape to Margaritaville experience and were so thrilled to take part. Jimmy Buffett’s songs are wonderful, timeless good-time tunes and who doesn’t appreciate a tiki bar in a theater? The night out was the perfect midweek pause with my wife to enjoy each others’ company (sans baby), sing along with the show and remember what vacations before kids used to be like. — Andrew Zinn

We want to thank Escape from Margaritaville for affording us this sweet opportunity, and to the NYC Dads Group for putting together such a wonderful evening. We are out of Parrothead mode and back to parenting mode, but this break from routine reminded us that parents need to kick back and relax from time to time.

Disclosure: The team at “Escape To Margaritaville: The Musical” provided complimentary tickets for NYC Dads Group members to attend the show. The opinions expressed in this review are heartfelt, honest and 100 percent our own.

Editor’s note: New York City presents amazing cultural opportunities to share with our families. We recently collaborated with Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical,” to take several NYC Dads Group members and their kids to the show (see photo above). Member Corbin Younger reviews this must-see musical.  

I went with some trepidation to see SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical. My daughter actively dislikes SpongeBob SquarePants, the TV cartoon. On the other hand, she loves Broadway shows. I prepared her by showing her the online video previews of the show, encouraging her to give it a try.

As we entered the Palace Theatre in Times Square, resplendent with pink glitter and a beach theme, we were instantly transported to Bikini Bottom. The moment a pirate showed up on stage, posing as a SpongeBob groupie who security had to remove from the premises, it was clear this was going to be no ordinary show.

My daughter was laughing, dancing and shaking with delight throughout the performance. She was so impressed with the “BFF” song by Plain White T’s, as she is always talking about her own BFF. She was also enthralled with the singing of the actress who plays Pearl, whose dynamic range got the audience on their feet as she pleaded for her father to appreciate her more than the money he obsesses over.

When we left the show, my daughter declared it deserves five stars, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share! SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical is a remarkable and an unexpected delight. It’s touching, witty and features nuanced themes. Who would think you would root for a sponge to be a hero by finding his purpose in life?

David Zinn’s set and costume design for the show may be the most ambitious ever for a Broadway show. Wait until you see how they pull off a tap dancing squid! The songs are developed from many genres, including rock, folk, rap, gospel, country and even a good pirate ditty!

They love ‘SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical’

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical made us believers, and we are not the only ones. Here’s what some of the other NYC Dads Group members in attendance had to say:

• There was a moment during the show, my daughter’s first-ever Broadway musical, where I heard her go, “WHOA!” upon seeing actors with prop jellyfish coming down the aisles as the others sang and danced onstage. This is when I realized just how special a moment I’d just shared with her. She LOVED everything about the show and hasn’t stopped talking about it since we left. In particularly, she loved Sandy the Squirrel (Lilli Cooper) whose voice perfectly matched the gorgeous, fluorescent scenery and bouncy, captivating songs. We were so lucky to attend this event and are supremely grateful to the NYC Dads Group for making it happen. –– Lorne Jaffe
• The music, written by many of my favorite artists (Plain White T’s , Aerosmith, Panic at the Disco, Cyndi Lauper and more), was truly outstanding. My son and I were dancing in our seats. In fact, the tunes were so inspirational and memorable that our family was playing the soundtrack on our Alexa and singing along at the breakfast table the following morning! — Lance Somerfeld
• To say that SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical exceeded all expectations is not doing it justice. The Broadway show (unlike the Nickelodeon TV show), is clever, has memorable and meaningful songs, and wonderful actors who can pass as the human counterparts to the TV characters. There are very few quality children Broadway shows, and this is right up there with the likes of The Lion King and Aladdin. It is especially impressive because those shows come with built-in great stories, where the Broadway version of SpongeBob SquarePants seemed to take parts of multiple TV shows and create a fun and memorable 2 hours and 45 minutes.  –– David Kleinman

Yes, this show is a lot of fun, but there was serious work put in to create a high-quality production.  The soundtrack has evocative songs created by artists such as Sara Bareilles, David Bowie, They Might Be Giants and John Legend. Themes of immigration, friendship, family, empowerment, and overcoming adversity give this show a depth none of us expected. As SpongeBob SquarePants proudly sings, “I am not a simple sponge!”

SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical can be appreciated by kids and adults of all ages. I expect this show to have a long run on Broadway.

Disclosure: The team at “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical” provided complimentary tickets for NYC Dads Group members to attend the show. The opinions expressed in this review are heartfelt, honest, 100 percent our own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Corbin Younger is a tutor and parent advocate, part-time writer and full-time dad to his 4-year-old daughter. He was previously a special education teacher for 20 years in Virginia and New York.

Tickets for the 2018 Kids’ Night on Broadway, when children ages 18 and under can attend a show free when accompanied by a full-paying adult, are now on sale!

The Broadway League’s annual event, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, is always a great way to introduce your child, or re-acquaint yourself, to the special experience that is live theater on the greatest stage of all. Discounts are also offered on restaurants and area parking for the evening, and select shows will also offer in-theatre activities for kids including “talk backs,” activity books, and other events.

Our family has taken advantage of Kids’ Night on Broadway a few times in recent years. Once we even scored front-row seats to the Tony-award winning musical comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.

This year’s shows are:

• A Bronx Tale
• Aladdin
• Anastasia
• The Band’s Visit
• Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
• Chicago
• Come From Away
• Farinelli and The King
• Kinky Boots
• The Lion King
• Once on this Island
• The Phantom of the Opera
• School of Rock the Musical
• SpongeBob Squarepants
• Wicked

Our family highly recommends Come From Away and Wicked, and also gives a thumbs up to School of Rock and Beautiful.

Tickets for Kids’ Night on Broadway won’t last forever so buy now at website at https://www.kidsnightonbroadway.com.

Be the first to know when tickets are available next year (usually in early December) by signing up for The Broadway Fan Club. 

Richard Linklater’s 2003 film School of Rock is one of my favorites. It’s the type of film for me that I have to watch if I see it on television. The cast, the music, the heart — there’s so much about that film that I adore. So, when I was given the opportunity to attend School of Rock: The Musical on Broadway, I jumped at the chance. I hoped it would have that same wonderful spirit that the film embodied. Thankfully, it does.

School of Rock: The Musical is a fun, heartwarming, and thoroughly entertaining time at the theater. As in the movies, the Broadway version follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who masquerades as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make a few extra dollars. When learns many of his straight-A students are also classical music prodigies, he tries to turn them into a face-melting rock group for a battle of the bands contest.

Since the musical takes place mostly at school, the most important aspect of the show is the performance of the children and this wonderfully diverse cast does not disappoint. And they all play their instruments throughout the show. They are immensely talented on stage and even more impressive off stage. During a Q&A session after the performance, the young actors discussed the various instruments they play. Several shared that they actually learned instruments just for the show.

In addition, the consensus among the children in the cast is that the most impactful song is “If Only You Would Listen,” a number that reveals the backstories of all the children. It’s a highlight, and they are truly the heart of School of Rock: The Musical. I will say that I didn’t find the show suitable for children the age of my first-grader, due to some language and content. The film was PG-13, so use that as a guide.

It’s tough to follow in the footsteps of Jack Black, the originator of the Dewey Finn role in the movie, but Merritt David Janes does a really nice job in the lead. I was particularly pleased to see that the role of Horace Green School headmaster Rosalie Mullins was fleshed out in the musical and Jenn Gambatese is delightful.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFRPXRhBYOI

School of Rock: The Musical features only the original music from the movie (except for a few snippets of the Rollings Stones and Deep Purple) as well as an original score by the incomparable Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who funding an $1.3 million, three-year initiative to support theatre education opportunities for underserved young people and under-resourced U.S. public schools.

School of Rock: The Musical was also nominated for four 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and Best Leading Actor in a Musical. So, make your way to the Winter Garden Theater to check out this fantastic show. Ticket prices are as low as $59,

Visit schoolofrockthemusical.com to learn more and to book tickets!

DISCLOSURE: In exchange for an honest review, I received show tickets at no cost.

I witnessed the best eclectic mix of magic, illusions and trickery I’ve ever seen recently.

The Palace Theater – for this performance feels more like intimate, Vegas showroom than Broadway Theater –  is home to the latest Great White Way must-see, The Illusionists: Turn of the Century. Prepare to be delighted, mesmerized, dumbstruck and continuously wondering, “how the heck did they do that?”

The show transported the audience back 100 years to a time when legendary magicians and feats of vaudeville — like Harry Houdini — ruled the stage with their shocking and dangerous performances. We’re treated to world-class illusionists from around the world who each have a unique area of expertise. They keep the show moving rapidly and the audience on the edge of its seats.

The biggest laughs went to Charlie Frye, The Eccentric. His style of juggling, facial expressions and magnetic charm were a thrill to observe. The talent that Frye possesses was unbelievable and the audience is fortunate to be a fly on the wall for a few minutes to see him relish in his comfort zone.

The biggest surprise came from The Grand Carlini — Justo Thaus. I’ve always been fascinated by puppetry and marionettes. His innovative way of crossing magic with puppetry was an absolute winning combination. I’m still reflecting on how unusual and creative it was to enjoy The Grand Carlini’s simple comedic illusions performed by his marionette.

The most impressive and mind-boggling performance in The Illusionists was, hands-down, The Clairvoyants — Thommy Ten and Amelie van Tass.  I’ve never watched an episode of “America’s Got Talent” in my life, but it didn’t stop me from falling in love with this dynamic duo and yearning for more even after the final curtain fell. Initially, I wanted the skilled mentalist, Amelie, to fail in one of her predictions. Consequently, I was quickly won over by her charming performance and rooting for her to triumph until the very end.

How could Amelie know the entire serial number of the $10 dollar bill in an audience member’s pocket? How could she know that the retired woman in Row M was holding a cigarette lighter? How could she know a man named “Phil” would catch the ball that Thommy Ten would toss out into the audience? How could she type a letter of numerous predictions during intermission and all of them panned out by the final act? Was it all staged? Did they have micro-casino cameras installed throughout the theater? Does Amelie van Tass truly have a “sixth” sense?

Bottom line: you have to see it to believe it!

The Illusionists: Turn of the Century is only running on Broadway in New York City through January 1, 2017, so get your tickets quickly before the show DISAPPEARS.

One final note: Even though the show caters to an adult audience, I believe any child age 7 would enjoy the performance.

Disclosure: ‘The Illusionists’ provided complimentary tickets to facilitate this review. However, the thoughts and opinions shared in this review are 100 percent our own and haven’t been influenced just because we received free tickets.