Each Xmas I try to get my kids gifts from categories I carry around in my head. Educational, weird, fun, cultural are a few of the groups.
So I was shopping last night and decided to get tickets for a couple musicals (cultural category). One ticket for me (chaperone) and one for the child. For my ten year old son, Tommy was an easy choice. My fourteen year old daughter is not gonna be as simple.
She is a straight A student. Most of her friends are a few years older [16 - 18]. She loves music and plays clarinet. Last year she enjoyed Stomp and Showboat. Now that you know all about her, what would you suggest?
Here are the options:
The Sound of Music Carousel A Little Night Music The Pirates of Penzance
Well, The Sound of Music (often referred to as The Sound of Money) isn’t exactly high art, but it’s so ingrained in our popular culture that it seems to me like everybody should see it at least once. At fourteen, and being female, your daughter is in just the right position to not only like it, but possibly keep fond memories of it forever. This has the possibility of backfiring (most likely on her future husband, not you) if she grows into one of those adults that wants to revisit all her favorite things from childhood two or three times a year, but it’s probably worth the risk :).
The Pirates of Penzance because you can buy her a copy of Topsy Turvy for later. You will have to watch it first to see if you approve of some of the content although for bright teens I think it is fine.
IMHO, it depends on the production of Pirates – if it’s based on the Joseph Papp revival version (starred Kevin Kline on stage and screen), jazzed up and “modernized”, I’d vote for that in a snap. If it’s a “traditional” version, it can be kind of operatic, and she may need a bit of exposure/education before you go.
Having said that, Pirates is great fun with lots of good songs and humor.
Since you’re going to the show, I’d recommend A Little Night Music. It’s a quote-unquote sex comedy, but it’s frothy and clever. Especially since you mentioned she loves music – the score is very complex, and good discussion fodder.
Thanks for all the input. My daughter has been very good this year. Looking over the Piitsburgh CLO web page (http://www.pittsburghclo.org/), I see that there is a special on a 4 show subscription series. I think this is the answer.
Tommy? The Who Tommy? I’ve never seen the live show, but I know Billy Idol played Cousin Kevin in the original run, so the torture/harrassment sequence must have been carried over from the movie. Is this appropriate for a 10 y/o?
(Not criticizing your parenting skills; just asking.)
