There’s no better time for catching a theatrical performance than during the heart of winter! And among New York’s vast theatrical offerings for children, it can be difficult to sort through the shows to find something that the whole family will enjoy. In order to help guide families in their theatrical pursuits, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best children’s theater in the city. Break a leg!
13th Street Repertory
The 13th Street Repertory Company provides a place for actors, directors, playwrights and technicians to develop their craft in a nurturing environment. There are about five to seven shows weekly, with the children’s shows on weekends. Their most recent children’s show was the delightful “LARD: Life’s a Real Dream.” To check their upcoming schedule, visit 13thstreetrep.org.
Galli Theater
The Galli Theater performs modern adaptations of fairy tales from around the world and relates them to issues in today’s society. The theater produces 10-14 mainstage productions every year. The shows are very interactive and are offered in English, French, and German. The Galli Theater also offers camps, workshops, and birthday parties. Plus, the Dr. Fairytale Program takes their workshops and performances into hospitals, shelters and other institutions.
Now playing/upcoming:
“The Snow Queen,”January 23-31; ages 5+
“Rapunzel,” February 6-28; ages 5+
Literally Alive! at The Players Theater
Literally Alive aims to engage children in the arts, which develops their imagination and creative problem-solving skills. Their shows bring classic children’s literature to life through high-quality productions including theatre, dance, music, art, and puppetry. This also helps kids develop a love for reading and storytelling. If your child is interested in creating visual art, families can participate in a pre-show arts workshop.
Upcoming Shows:
“Beauty & The Beast Musical,” February 14-April 26; all ages
The New Victory Theater
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the New Victory Theater is devoted to bringing high-quality performing arts to kids and families. “Serving the community in all its diversity, The New Victory Theater on 42nd Street presents theater, dance, circus, puppetry, opera and music from around the world at affordable ticket prices,” their website states. The theater is the largest provider of live performances to school kids in the city—it has served 40,000 youth through more than 200 schools, afterschool programs, and day camps each year.
Now Playing/Upcoming:
“The Velveteen Rabbit,” January 22-31, Autism friendly performance January 23rd; ages 6+
“Untapped!” February 5-21; ages 7+
“Handa’s Surprise,” February 12-21; ages 6 months-4 years
“Caps for Sale the Musical,” February 27-March 6; ages 4-7
New York City Children’s Theater
Soon turning 20 years old, New York City Children’s Theater’s mission is to promote children’s literacy and social development through professional theater productions and arts-in-education programs. The non-profit creates “original, entertaining, and enriching theater for kids and adults to enjoy together” says Emma Halpern, the Associate Artistic Director. The theater offers full-scale productions, small touring shows, interactive workshops and in-school residencies. There are nearly 250,000 children and families with their productions and programs.
Now playing/upcoming:
“Wringer,” April 8-17; ages
Paper Bag Players
The Paper Bag Players are a non-profit theater company who perform original musicals for children ages 3- 8. The shows incorporate short plays, music, dance, mime, and , at times, even audience participation. Their outreach program, Theater for All, provides reduced-price and free tickets to schoolchildren for school-time shows in all five New York City boroughs and throughout the Northeast. The goal of Theater For All is that any child who wants to see a performance or attend a workshop by The Paper Bag Players can.
Now playing/upcoming:
“Pop-Pop-Popcorn!” touring from November-May; ages 3-8
Puppetworks, Inc.
The not-for-profit company Puppetworks, Inc. operates a full-time resident puppet theatre in Brooklyn’s Park Slope historic district and puts on performances in Manhattan and New Jersey. They perform renditions of classic stories and fairytales. They have also been part of the holiday tradition at Macy’s (Herald Square) since 1976.
Now playing/upcoming:
“Alice in Wonderland,” January 16-April 24; ages 3+
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre offers accessible entertainment in the heart of New York City that fosters enthusiasm and interest in the art of puppetry among children. They perform classic children’s stories and fairy tales with a modern twist for children ages 3-9, hold puppet-making workshops, and are available for private parties.
Now playing/upcoming:
“Little Red’s Hood” opening February 2, 2016
Puppetry Arts
Puppetry Arts New York aims to offer creative and cultural exploration through the art of puppetry. They provide a venue for artists, teachers, and community members to create youth development shows and programs. For family programming, they provide fully-orchestrated multi-puppet musicals featuring Tuffy Tiger. There are also education workshops, community events, and birthday parties. Visit puppetryarts.org for upcoming events and performances.
SoHo Playhouse
This historic off-Broadway theater has long been a key player in the downtown theater scene. Don’t miss the the current run of “Commedia Rapunzel,” a rambunctious re-boot of “Rapunzel (and New York International Fringe Festival hit) which follows the wacky Spaghetti and Meatball Players, a traveling “Italian” theater troupe, as they present a rendition of the classic fairytale in Commedia dell Arte style. It’s a fun night of participatory theater for all ages!
Now playing/upcoming:
“Commedia Rapunzel,” through March 26
TADA! Youth Theater
TADA! Youth Theater has been committed to providing young people of all different backgrounds the opportunity to explore musical theater together in a supportive environment since 1984. Its mission statement is two-fold: “To provide high-quality musical theater productions performed by talented kids for family audiences, and to provide a safe, creative, and nurturing place where kids can harness their inherent energy, build their self-assurance, and realize their true potential through the unique collaborative art form that is musical theater.” The theater produces three original musicals every year and offer pre-professional training through the Resident Youth Ensemble.
Now playing/upcoming:
“The Gumball Gang: Crime-Solving Kids,” January 22 – February 14; ages 3+
“Up to You,” April 16-May 22,; Ages 5+
Tribeca Performing Arts Center
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center is the longest-operating performance venue in Lower Manhattan. It is dedicated to supporting both established and emerging artists in a variety of disciplines like music, dance and children’s theatre.
Now playing/upcoming:
“Henry & Mudge,” February 6; ages 3+
“Alice in Wonderland,” February 27; ages 4+
Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” March 12
Vital Theatre Company
Vital Theatre Company believes that a shared theatrical experience can change people’s lives. “We create stories that challenge our audience to ask questions, make discoveries and engage in dialogue. If one adult is inspired, if one child’s imagination is awakened, if one student is empowered, our theatre is important and vital,” their site says.
Now playing/upcoming shows:
“Fashion Academy The Musical,” through February 28
“Twinkle Tames a Dragon,” January 16-February 21
