New York offers tons of activities for children from museums to Broadway which are well-known but there are so many undiscovered family-friendly entertainment options. Recently, I discovered New York University’s Big Red Chair Family Series when I was looking for birthday events for my daughter. We ended up attending “Darwin“, a touching story of Darwin the Dinosaur and his encounters with flowers and pre-historic birds, acted out by cartoon-like characters only seen by their outlined lit bodies, all set to a moving and entertaining soundtrack.

While Darwin the Dinosaur, is no longer playing, there are two shows left in the 2009/ 2010 season that should prove entertaining to both children and adults.

Michael Moshen
Mr. Moshen is a juggler but not just any juggler. He combines the magic of light and movement to change your notion of juggling.
April 17 @ 7:00PM
Recommended for all ages

The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour presents Nobody’s Perfect
Based on the children’s book by Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney, whose main character is Megan, a deaf fourth grader. Megan is at odds with a new student Alexis is who not exactly nice to her making, Megan wonder, “Does she not like me because I am deaf?” The girls discover from having to work together on a science project that “Nobody’s Perfect.”
May 8 @ 2:00PM
Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Skirball Center for the Performing Arts
566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South)
212.352.3101
www.skirballcenter.nyedu

Just off 5th Ave, a few blocks away from Bryant Park, on 38 West 38th St., you will find an very unassuming entrance to a building, much like any other in NYC. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor however, and you will enter Galli’s Fairy Tale Theater.  A small stage, with a few rows of chairs, it is the place where I witnessed a group of very young children take in the art of theatrical peformance.

The show, The Frog Prince, had one important lesson to teach the little ones about fear: Face it. Breathe it. Do it. And Galli Theater for Personal Growth teaches that lesson to children and adults alikethrough their theater workshops and camps. With classes like “Soul Movement” and “Be The Star that You Are” for kids, the Galli group really encourages self-expression and self-confidence while instilling the craft of acting and performance on stage.  Adults can learn ways to express their creativity, or gain the training they need to teach others the art of theater.

During the performance I attended, children were encouraged to participate and the actors would often interact, even inviting some of the children to walk on stage and dance with them.  Everyone was having a lot of fun, including the parents who took great delight in watching their children become so involved and concerned for the characters of the story.

Prince: Guillermo Hernández De La Fuente, Frog: Inga Jaanimets, Princess: Fatima, King: Steven Weisser

Very casual, and low key, this is a perfect place to bring your child and make him/her feel comfortable about the stage, the experience of theater, and maybe even the art of being in it.

And though The Frog Prince involved an all-adult cast, they also feature all-kids cast, and I have been told these are amazing as well! The next one will be Galli’s Wolf and the 7 Little Goats and will take place from Jan 23 – Feb 7; Sat & Sun at 3pm. Check out their calendar for performances and ticket information.

We recently featured The New Victory Theatre as one of the Top NYC Children’s Theaters, but I wanted to revisit this wonderful place here and share with you all the exciting things going on there.

I first noticed the theater a few years ago and though I never went inside, I always found it to be a place that was welcoming of a younger audience. Little did I know that this is, in fact, what The New Victory Theater prides itself of.  It is the first and only full-time performing arts theater for kids, their families, and peers.  

The theater’s history and past is an interesting one, but it is what they are doing now and what they have planned for the future, that really impressed me. As I looked through the various theater works that are scheduled to be performed there, my heart raced with excitement and anticipation.  This is because as a mother of a 2.5, 4, and 11 year old, taking part in one of the most “New York City” things to do (going to the theater) has been something I have had to give up for years.  The many things that I, as an adult, enjoy about going to the theatre, are the very things that not only frighten, but also bore my boys.  Figuring out what shows appeal to them, and to our budget, is very difficult to do.

But The New Victory Theatre makes that possible again. Their selection of shows are chosen to appeal to the entire family, not just the little ones. You won’t find Barney or Blue’s Clues here, but rather a more sophisticated, well designed, well choreographed display of artistic talent. The environment itself is welcoming to kids.  Accessible to those in wheelchairs and strollers, there is room to release some steam or energy, free lockers to store diaper bags or other carry ons, and a friendly staff who understand your children and are tolerant of all they tend to do.

The stage area (seen in photo above) is also an impressive site. The main seating area overlooks the intricate design of Hammerstein’s vision, and a huge over-a-century old dome, unaffected by time, turns this room into a majestic environment designed for drama and grandeur. Because the theater caters to kids 2 to 13 mostly, I loved the notion of my children growing up here, in the arms of The New Victory Theater, amidst the beautiful surroundings, and amazing art performed there.  And though normally the shows for smaller children take place mostly in their studios nearby, it’s comforting to know that there is a place that welcomes them as they grow, gradually exposing them to the true theater experience, and not a mind numbing, simplistic display.

There are upcoming performances, such as Hansel and Gretel, where the entire space, from the promenade to the balcony, is transformed, and where you and your children can be among the 100 who stand along the scenes and follow as the story unfolds.  I love that.

And The Butterfly Garden, where the stage is a magnificent and beautiful digital world, welcoming the awakening of our senses, inviting the children at the end to take part in the magic.

Another one that I could see to be a favorite of ours is brought to us from the same creators of Serafina. Elephant is a colorful and energetic work brought to life by performers from South Africa and the UK.  I know, as I watched the preview, that my children would enjoy this, no doubt in my mind.

Other upcoming shows give classical music new life, and Shakespeare new energy, and teen angst a new, appealing voice. 

The New Victory Theatre is also very active in sharing the value and beauty of art with the young members of our community. Last year alone, they had thousands of students from various schools throughout the city, both public and private, come in and participate in their education programs. They continue these efforts, despite the many financial challenges faced in many areas, and have a long list of schools eager to take part in the experiences they offer.

From September 18th to November 1, The New Victory Theatre will kick off the New Victory Scottish Festival, featuring shows from four of  Scotland’s finest theatre companies. The festival starts with a Puppet Theater performance of Cinderalla, best for an audience of 4 and up.  Some groups are kept smaller for selected performances in order to maintain the intimacy and fluency between the performers and the audience, so order tickets soon!

I am looking forward to bringing my children to these shows and slowly start exposing them to the New York City experience of theater arts.  

I invite you to join me in supporting this wonderful group and all they do, not only for our kids, but also for our community as a whole.

One of the things that New York City is known for is its theaters. People come from all over the country – and the world – to see Broadway and off-Broadway plays. Another great thing about New York City is that kids are never left out of the fun, as there are quite a few theaters that cater specifically to the 17 and under crowd. Most of these children’s theaters offer workshops, classes and summer camps for kids as well.

With a surprising number to choose from, here are the top 5 children’s theaters; theaters that will be sure to offer you and your children truly memorable times:

TADA! Youth Theater

TADA! Youth Theater is one of the most dynamic and comprehensive of New York City’s children’s theaters, not only offering live performances for children (and by children), but also offering classes and summer camps as well. To learn more about what new performances, classes and camps this theater is currently offering, go to their site.

 The New Victory Theater

The New Victory Theater is a theater that offers performances to eager theater-goers, as well as arts education programs to children. They combine both of these facets to offer a distinctive learning experience that uses performing arts as an educational resource. Visit their site and find out more about what this theater, right in the middle of 42nd Street / Times Square, has to offer.

 The Pied Piper Children’s Theater

The Pied Piper Children’s Theater has performed everything from Fairytales (Hansel and Gretel), to Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). Their theater arts program is offered to children from ages 5 to 18, with the teenagers taking on a “mentoring role” to the younger, newer members of the troupe. Besides teaching theatrical and musical skills, The Pied Piper Children’s Theater fosters a development of leadership, community and service as well. Please go to their site to learn more about this socially responsible children’s theater.

Literally Alive

At Literally Alive, professional adults do all the acting, but the plays are definitely geared for a young audience. This theater takes classic children’s literature (such as Stone Soup, Treasure Island, and A Christmas Carol, among others), and creates fun musicals for the kids to enjoy. Families can also participate in a pre-show workshop, where you can meet cast and crew members; you can also help make some of the shadow puppets that they will use in the performance! Go to their site to find out more about this literally thrilling experience.

Galli’s Fairytale Theater NYC

The most progressive of the five, Galli’s Fairytale Theater NYC offers a method of acting that facilitates children in not only learning how to master the craft of acting, but enables them to create good communication, foster emotional healing, and boost creativity in their personal lives as well – and classes start for children as young as 2 years old! Go to their site for more information on this transformative children’s theater.

Photo credit: Carol Cain