4 (almost 5y/o) at a musical

[beautifulfields12]

So my Mom has a chance to get Phantom of the Opera tickets in the fall. MY absolute favorite! My DS will be 4.75 y/o at that point. We have been listening to the CD in the car and he is really into it. Do you think it is overzealous of me to want to take him? 

As a side note- He does sit through movies in the theater, but I think it is mostly for the popcorn...

Thanks!

[Jalapeñomel]

My parents took me to Peter Pan when I was that age, but my first Broadway show was Cats at 8 years old.

I could not imagine taking my kid to see Phantom of the Opera, it´s loud and dark and the chandelier dropping down. And it´s a long time for a kid to sit still.

And I hate Phantom.

[RoxMonster]

I love Phantom and have seen it when it toured Chicago, but I don't know that a kid that young would like it. Like PP said, there are some "scary" (possibly to children) parts in the musical that don't come across in just the soundtrack alone.

[anlo]

I would not. But, my 6 y/o still won't even sit through a kids' movie at the theater so that colors my response.

Honestly, the CD is one thing, but sitting still in the dark for hours? I'm sure you'll enjoy the show more if you leave him at home.

[nahoku]

We took my son to see the Lion King a couple months after he turned 5. He loved it.

I've never seen Phantom, but I know the music. All kids are different, but it would not have held his attention, at all.

[Gato]

I think it depends on your kid.  My DD is 5, and I don't think she could make it.  She hasn't seen a full-length movie yet, either.  She's just not able to sit still for that long.  But I'd seen a few movies, a ballet, and even an opera by the time I was 5.  I remember the ballet being pretty absorbing, the opera a little dull, but my mom says I always sat quietly.  That's just my personality - not much of a mover.

If your DD loves the music and can sit still for a while, this might be a wonderful experience for her.  Maybe get tickets on the aisle, though, so it's easy to take bathroom breaks.

[hopecounts]

Se thing like Peter Pan I might try it but our of respect for what will be a primarily adult crowd I wouldn't take a 4 almost 5 yr old to Phamtom,
Show tickets aren't cheap and it's not the most kid friendly situation.

[Kit]

I don't see an almost 5 yo sitting through Phantom. I wouldn't bring him.

[daisyheadmaizie]

I've taken DD to lots of theater productions and she does great. She is 5.5. However, I think Phantom might be a bit much for him.

[snipsnsnails]

It is definitely overzealous. And I doubt the theater would allow him anyway - they typically have age restrictions.

[Deleted]

I think Phantom would be too much for a kid that young.

[demofea01]

I wouldn't take him to Phantom. I started listening to and loving the music when I was a little bit older then him, but didn't really get the story until I was much older. I also think it would scare him.

[Deleted]

My son is 4.5 and while he will sit thru a movie (mostly on my lap because the noise level scares him sometimes), I would be worried that it would scare him. The music alone is great but with the costumes, low lighting, etc.. I would be worried I would be setting myself up for many long sleepless nights.

[Deleted]

No way.  Get a sitter and enjoy a grown up night out.  There's a chance he'd sit through it and be interested, but if he doesn't it will either ruin your night because you have to leave, or ruin the night for people around you because your kid won't sit still or you have to keep stepping out with him.

[mushmouse]

Is it in New York? Recommended for 12 and up, no children under 4. I wouldn't do it. I love Phantom but I think he's too young.

[starlily]

My first show was The King & I, when I was around 5-6 years old.

Our theater has a minimum age restriction of 5, which is printed on every ticket, so generally I wouldn't bat an eye at people bringing kids to shows. Only you can determine what would or wouldn't be appropriate for your kid, and whether he'd be interested, scared, etc.

H&I totally cracked up at the moms in front of us last season who had no idea how raunchy Rock of Ages is though. They had brought their younger tweens & had to field ALL KINDS of questions about some of the slang and jokes.

[beautifulfields12]

Jun 27, 2013 12:08:56 GMT -5 @astrid said:

That's too little. A man gets hung in Phantom.

OH goodness... I totally forgot about that part. 

Yup. Not going to happen. Good call.

[beautifulfields12]

Thank you so much for everyone's input. I know my mom will ask if I want to take him and I will respond with a big N O.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jun 27, 2013 12:42:38 GMT -5 @cse1960 said:

My kids were 5 and 7 when we took them to see Cats, which they LOVED. And sat through twice, and behaved well.
Your kid sounds like the type who loves this sort of thing; I'd take him.

Cats is a lot different then Phantom though, a lot. I don´t think kids would be as excited to have their program signed by the phantom as they were for Old Deuteronomy. 

[game blouses]

I wish it was old enough, I love Phantom! But I agree, 4/5 is probably too young. He'd probably get antsy by intermission and you'd miss some of the show. It's a hard story to follow for adults sometimes.