As some might have guessed, my daughter and I are fans of musical theater. Okay, I like theater in general while she is a devoted fan of the musical variety. There are some shows I wish she could see – like Cats. She was just a wee lass when the show closed its run. I keep hoping that it will make another run in the future for those who didn’t see it at least once… you know, for the next generation of theater buffs.
We keep our eyes on the shows that are in production or that will open in the future. She looks forward to seeing Shreck and Billy Elliot while I am hoping to get to New York to actually see shows on Broadway – Wicked, Mary Popins, and whatever else I can see in person.
Until that day arrives; before we make the trip to New York (which could cost more than a week in Europe I might add), we make due with what we have. We try to catch the shows on tour when they arrive in the DC area. While I am passing up the chance to see Ragtime and we missed the revived Westside Story, I am going to see The Color Purple (she elected to go rock climbing), and we are considering seeing Chicago.
Now, I have wanted to see Chicago for years. It, along with Wicked, is at the top of my “want to see” list. I have heard nothing but great things about this show.
But I am not sure that it is suitable for a 9 year old.
Granted, she is a mature 9 year old. She is a 9 year old who came into the room while I was listening to an episode of the last season of BBC Coupling and responded, when I asked her to turn it off, “I already know all this stuff mom. Remember, I have the book.”
So she is a mature 9 year old who loves Seinfeld (when allowed to watch it) and Mamma Mia and Legally Blond – the musical. Given that I am a parent who has allowed her to watch these things, why am I hesitant about taking her to see Chicago? I mean, I am intending to take her to see Les Miserables at the next opportunity. She is excited about a potential Ghost walk in Gettysburg… and yet, I am not sure if she is old enough to see Chicago?
I need some help here people. I have never seen Chicago. The write up is great, the story line seems fun and classic, and yet I am not sure if this is something that my mature “I have the book” 9 year old should be seeing??
Thoughts? Suggestions?? Advice???
7 comments:
Wow! I've never seen Chicago either but I'm right there with you. Doesn't it seem like the children of single parents are exposed to things at an earlier age? And they seem to mature faster too? Or is it just me? I don't think its a bad thing... just an observation.
My girls have seen Grease. I watched it when I was a little girl and never caught the sexual references. Who knows? I know there's a website somewhere that helps moms to decide whether movies are appropriate for their children. Perhaps the same website could be helpful for musicals?
How great that you take her to shows! I do the same with my kids. As for Chicago, the movie version is PG13. IMDB has this parental advisory:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299658/parentalguide
If there is sexual thrusting and your daughter asks what they are doing, you could just say "I don't know!"
For me in a dry spell, that would sort of be a true statement... Doh! :-)
Don't hold me to my memory here, but Chicago wasn't all that bad. I'd say the talk of murder and what not was more pervasive than the sexual content.
Take her.
HI everyone - we have tickets!! She is kind of excited while I am very excited. It should be a great show based on the theater craft, costumes, music, dancing... all that jazz!!
I will let you know how it goes...
And she loves, loves, loves Grease which I didn't remember being sexual at all until I saw it with her a year ago... and then it was too late to change my mind about watching it. For her it is all fun and music... and the kid can sing "I've got chills" like nobody's business!
It's not that sexual at all. There's only one scene at the very beginning that even is remotely sexual.
And there's a FANTASTIC song called "Cell Block Tango" where there's talk of sex. IE "You been screwin' the milkman"
That's about as bad as it gets. It's an amazing amazing show.
Like Dad's House said, rent the movie and watch it if you're unsure. There is a lot of innuendo and adult themes (my personal fav is the scene in the prison with all the babes singing about how they murdered their guys -- I just like the dancing, really!) And definitely see Wicked if you get a chance. It was wonderful.
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