Has anyone seen Wicked?

[asscherisme]

My daughter is turning 9 and she has expressed interest in seeing Wicked. She said her dance teacher told her class she saw it and its amazing.

I am thinking of taking her along with my 11 year old son as part of her birthday gift (and I want to see it too!). It was so sweet of her that it was her request to take her big brother along (and he is excited to be included).

So for those who have seen it, is it totally OK to take a 9 year old and 11 year old? Anything inappropriate?

I am planning on a matinee. Shows are SO expensive but she said she wants this instead of a regular party so I felt I could not say no to that. And then the following weekened, she wants to have her 2 best friends sleep over.

 

[KimberlyH]

I saw it in Chicago and it was/is phenomenal! There''s definitely an adult oriented allegory beneath the story, but I would take a 9 year old to see it. That would be about my cutoff age (mostly due to length).

 

[Cind11]

I took my (at the time) 12 yr. old daughter to see it summer of ''06. She adored it. I think it would be fine for a 9 and 11 yr. old.

 

[asscherisme]

That is where I would see it. My husband was nice enough to volunteer to stay home with our younger kids and he was being silly mopey about it. And then I reminded him that he went to 2 white sox games over the summer this year and last year so stop moping LOL. That made him quiet. Besdies, as much as my husband is a good dad, I have to admit it felt really good that my daughter wanted me to take her.

Is there a train stop close by within a few blocks so I could park in the suburbs and take the train in? Or would it be easier to drive? I am planning on a 2pm weekend show.

 

[diamondfan]

I saw it twice and loved it. It has a bit of scary stuff, nothing too crazy, but is really more about the lesson of not judging by appearances, and shows what happens when we make assumptions based on surface issues. It is a great show, and I think she will love it. I took my sons, now almost 15 and 12, a few years back and they loved it.

 

[musey]

Date: 9/30/2007 10:58:32 PM
Author: KimberlyH
I saw it in Chicago

Me too! With Ana Gasteyer?

I think it''s a great show for middle-school aged kids especially... though 9- and 11-year-olds will appreciate it, too. It has some good messages about not judging people, finding friends in unexpected places, etc. which are really great for kids.

I remember reading an article about it finding an unexpected cult following with the less "mainstream" middle-school crowd, because of the great messages it has for school-aged children

 

[marvel]

I saw it last winter with my (then 12 yr old) daughter in LA. We both loved it and want to see it again. I don''t remember anything inappropriate about the show. We saw a matinee too and there where definitely younger kids at the show. Enjoy...I think you''ll have a great time!!

 

[monarch64]

I would definitely take a 9 yr. old to see it...unless you read the book and know the underlying storyline, the musical itself really is not inappropriate for younger viewers. DH got us tickets for my 28th b-day, suite service and all, it was great (we saw it in Chicago). One thing I would do differently would be to omit the suite service, it really wasn''t that fabulous aside from having private restrooms. The food was sort of disappointing and the bar service was very slow...

I highly recommend to anyone who sees Wicked to read the book first, the whole story/musical makes much more sense when you do it that way, imo! Or maybe I''m just a flibbering idgit...hee hee.

 

[Elmorton]

You''re really in for a treat! We saw Wicked in Chicago last spring and absolutely loved it - lots of families there as well. I''d jump at the chance to see it again, actually.

The only thing that isn''t suitable for children surrounding Wicked is the book that the musical is based on. I have it on my shelf and haven''t cracked it open yet, but friends have said it''s extremely dark and very twisted. Not at all like the musical (which you and your family will definitely, definitely enjoy!).

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 10/1/2007 12:33:16 AM
Author: monarch64
I would definitely take a 9 yr. old to see it...unless you read the book and know the underlying storyline, the musical itself really is not inappropriate for younger viewers. DH got us tickets for my 28th b-day, suite service and all, it was great (we saw it in Chicago). One thing I would do differently would be to omit the suite service, it really wasn''t that fabulous aside from having private restrooms. The food was sort of disappointing and the bar service was very slow...


I highly recommend to anyone who sees Wicked to read the book first, the whole story/musical makes much more sense when you do it that way, imo! Or maybe I''m just a flibbering idgit...hee hee.

Haha I loved the book, and I agree it is so different than the musical. The musical is a sugar coated version of a very dark and and twisty story. I bought it not expecting it to be that way (or as sexual!) and I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[mrssalvo]

I think it would be appropriate for 9. you can always go to google video and type in wicked and watch some of the show before hand. my 5 year old LOVES the music, she''s watched just about all the video''s with my 14 year old step daughter. I have even considered taking her for her 6th b-day b/c she knows the story and what''s coming. there are a couple of scary parts..i.e the wizards giant head but i think if you prep your kids ahead of time they will be fine and I really do think 9 is old enough. come to think of it, my step daughter downloaded the whole show off google video so you could always do that if your worried. hubby and I went last year though and it was an AMAZING show. I totally want to go again.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Fun play; I enjoyed it, and I think most 9 and 11 year olds who are into live performances would like it immensely. What a cool kid you have for wanting to do that!

 

[qtiekiki]

ITA that the musical is quite different from the book; scenes were added or omitted to make it works as a musical. I didn''t think there was much adult theme/overtone in musical. Maybe it''s because the book is much more racy.

I was really amazed by the set and lighting. I really think the musical is intended for kids to enjoy, especially with the non-judgemental lesson/message. I, personally, prefer the storyline of the book, but the musical was fun and entertaining.