Category: Things to do with kids: Live Performances

The British performance troupe has held their residency at the Orpheum for over 10 years, and the show’s exuberant display of percussion expertise is still loved by everyone who sees it. The show could be thought of as a tutorial on the artful banging of pots and pans, choreographed dance routines with brooms, and veritable symphonies created with only the sounds produced from matchbooks and lighters. Trash can lids become cymbals, plastic barrels are tympanis, and sleeping could prove difficult if your child takes the performers’ lessons to heart.

Contact no: (212) 477-2477

Location: 126 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10003

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New York is a city known for its world class theatre scene, and you’ll find that same talent and detail in its puppet shows. Known for theatrical handiwork is the Swedish Cottage in Central Park, an adorable cabin-like theater that feels like walking into a Scandinavian story-book. The fairy tales don’t end with the ambience, and shows like “Cinderella Samba,” have delighted patrons in the 5 – 10 year old sect for a long time running.

Contact no: (212) 988-9093

Location: 79th Street, New York, NY 10023

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You won’t appreciate high-toed pirouettes or the precision involved in an arabesque until you see ballerinas live in person, and New York is lucky to house some of the world’s finest. You may think the ballet would be too highbrow (read: boring) for a young child to enjoy, but kids get swept away in the music, theatrics, and general acrobatics involved in an average ballet performance. sons will be secretly pleased; daughters will beg you to buy them a tutu before the finale is over.

Contact no: (212) 870-5570

Location: West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023

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Although classical music may not typically be a young person’s favorite diversion, the New York Philharmonic’s custom events for kids of all ages will at least enlighten them on how music is composed, produced, and performed, as well as get them familiar with some high points of the Romantic and Baroque periods. Two series, “Music For Young People,” (for ages 6 to 12), and “Music For Very Young People,” (ages 3 to 5) combine the elements of a workshop, where kids can try their hand at various wind, string, brass, and percussion, with performances by seasoned professionals. The Philharmonic also offers “Young People’s Concerts” and “Very Young People’s Concerts.” Accompany your child to any of these events, and they’ll probably ask you to burn them a copy of your favorite Bach symphony.

Contact no: (212) 875-5656

Location: Broadway and West 65th , New York, NY 10023

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NYC’s premier infant and toddler music program, Little Maestros is a 16-week music performance class where kids can make friends, make music, and have a blast in the process. Individual classes feature four live musicians who sing and play guitar, piano and drums. Little Maestros, part of the larger Kidville program in New York City and other places around the country, promises to “take children on a fantastic musical journey each week,” and judging from the record-breaking adorableness of past performances, we promise you plenty of photo ops.

Contact no: (212) 772-8435

Location: 344 East 69th Street, New York, NY 10021

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A one-of-a-kind interactive show, ImaginOcean is a magical musical undersea adventure for kids of all ages. Tank, Bubbles, and Dorsel are three best friends who just happen to be fish, and they’re about to set out on a remarkable journey of discovery. And it all starts with a treasure map. As they swim off in search of clues, they’ll sing, they’ll dance, and they’ll make new friends, including everyone in the audience. Ultimately, they discover the greatest treasure of all — friendship. Jam-packed with original music ranging from swing to R&B to Big Band, ImaginOcean is a blast from the first big splash to the last wave good-bye.

Contact no: (646) 871-1730

Location: New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

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True, children hate waiting in lines, but you’ll find few better rewards than those offered by the TKTS booth in Times Square. Here, The Theatre Development Fund of New York sells unsold Broadway tickets (for that day’s show only- none in advance), at a deep discount. Since even the hottest shows rarely sell out, it’s possible to get tickets for as much as 50% off their original price. Perhaps your spouse will take one for the team and wait in line while you and your children see the rest of Times Square together. Then again, you can save time and spend a little more on advance tickets through Broadway.com or ticketmaster.com/broadway.

Contact no: (212) 221-0885

Location: West 46th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

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The incomparable Blue Man Group is similar to a clown troupe, only not as terrifying. Their live show of magic, music, comedy, and other eccentric theater tricks has found success all over the globe from Las Vegas to Amsterdam. The idiosyncratic trio’s original home is New York, and you can see them for yourself at the East Village theater where the phenomenon started. Kids and adults alike are fascinated by the silent, blue-faced performers’ agility and musical innovation. Those who sit in the first few rows will be given ponchos because the show can get messy.

Contact no: (212) 254-4370

Location: 434 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003

Learn more here.