Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
5 Theater Festivals in New York This Fall
As a child growing up in New York City with a mother involved in the arts, I was dragged to many adult art events and got to know the lobbies of all the top venues very well (as I retreated in boredom half-way through probably the some of the greatest performances I'll ever see in my life). We parent in reaction to our own childhoods so, while I do believe in the positives gained by exposing children to great art that stretches a their horizons, I think they'll get even more out of it if they're engaged enough to stay in the theater. This experience led me to do a little research to find five theater festivals in New York City this Fall that have performances specifically for kids.
From a Scottish Festival to a Hip Hop Theater Festival, BAM's avant garde Next Wave Festival to a Musical Theater Festival, there are shows for children with all tastes and all ages. Read on to learn about some of the highlights:
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The New Victory Theater is known for expanding the horizons of children's theater and this Fall they're expanding them all the way to Scotland, having brought some of the top performers from the Edinburgh Festival for kids. For the wee ones, try My House, a silly, but simple one man show where the story literally unfolds (and refolds) told via a cardboard box. Perfect for toddlers. But the most intriguing show of the Festival will be Hansel and Gretel, in which the play is staged throughout the entire New Victory Theater and the audience follows the actors through a spooky, yet funny telling of the classic tale. Perfect for Halloween (recommended for ages 8 and up). Note: Each performance runs for part of the total Festival dates, so be sure to check availability for the shows you want to see.
Hip Hop Theater Festival
October 1-17, 2009
hhtf.org
In its 9th year, the Hip Hop Theater Festival is three weeks of art, dance and theater for and about the Hip Hop generation. This year, for the first time, the Festival presents a show just for kids, Zomo The Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth. The performance is a modern retelling (set in New York City) of an African trickster tale, but instead of creating the World, Zomo invents Hip Hop. Recommended for ages 4 and up, October 9-11.
1st Irish 2009
September 1-October 4, 2009 (but some shows run longer)
origintheatre.org
Oscar Wilde wrote modern fairy tales with serious morals for children. Wilde's The Selfish Giant is being performed as part of the 1st Irish Festival through October 25th by the Vital Theater Company, who brought you Pinkalicious. They have lightened the story up a little bit in this musical version. The show is preceded by a one hour workshop where children meet the actors and get to create shadow puppets and props that will be used in the actual performance.
Next Wave Festival BAM
All Fall
BAM.org
The Next Wave Festival is BAM's signature program featuring avant garde dance, music, theater, and film performances. The only performance in the festival recommended for children (aged 5 and up) is Cirkus Cirkor (Inside Out), a Swedish nouveau cirque. The show looks stunningly beautiful (see image above) and promises to amaze with daring physical acts. November 12-15, 2009.
The New York Musical Theater Festival
September 28-October 18, 2009
nymf.org
The New York Musical Theater Festival is like the Sundance of musical theater, a showcase for new productions frequently launching them to Broadway or Off-Broadway runs. This year the festival includes over 30 full length productions with several recommended for families. Whileit's hard to tell from the write-us which will be great and which shows will be dreadful, Count to Ten seems like a safe bet for its upbeat, dance-filled numbers. MAx understood also intrigues me as as the story of a boy with autism, told from his perspective.
