From time to time, we like to enjoy some of the local happenings ourselves so we may share them with all of you. Many dads enjoy taking their young children to theater and musical concerts and here is guest blogger Scott M., sharing his latest theater experience with his 3-year-old son, Byron:
Living in New York City can be quite a challenge raising children, since we have to put up with a lot that one doesn’t even think about in the suburbs. That is why I feel it is so important to take full advantage of what the city has to offer and the city’s theatre is no exception. There are some notable children’s productions in run right now, and this newest offering featuring The Berenstain Bears running through September 4 is a great way to get your child started in the experience if they haven’t done so already.
The Berenstain Bears – Family Matters, The Musical is a clever adaption of three books: The Berenstain Bears Learn About Strangers, The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food and The Berenstain Bear’s Trouble at School. The adaption intertwines these three stories into one timeline. By accident, we got more out of the show by reading the three stories before showtime and then seeing how the writer of the production weaved them together. (The three books are for sale in the lobby in case you can’t find them beforehand.)
The whole production is lively which will sure to keep the attention of even the littlest ones. Besides the normal range of elementary school aged children in the audience, my son is just about three, and there were more than a few in the audience that hovered near one, all who were entranced the entire performance. The 55 minute run time is short enough to ease the worries of parents who aren’t sure if their child could sit through a musical. The performers are amplified so the questions little ones are bound to ask throughout the performance are not a distraction to the show. A fun seating arrangement guaranteed to keep them entranced is the VIP seating, which allows your child to sit on the floor in front of the audience so they get to see the production up close (children only!).
In summary, when The Berenstain Bears – Family Matters, The Musical was over, my son turned to me and asked, “Do again?”
I just brought my three kids to the show a few weeks back and loved it. My kids are still singing the Fluff in the Tummy song. It was a wonderful experience for all of them. My kids range in age as well. This show was just great.
My 2 kids (who are 4 and 7) both loved it. They left singing the songs,
and got to take pictures with the bears after the show. It was an energetic,
fun show that teaches good lessons and is great for kids of all ages, and fun for parents too.