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The Best Family Broadway Shows

Four shows running on Broadway as of January 27, 2010, qualify as "best" for families. Each has received excellent reviews. All are appropriate for older children and most are suitable for, and will entertain, younger children. Tickets for all the plays are available at the box office of the theater, in addition to online and through telephone ticket services. Ticket prices are valid as of January 2010.
  1. Billy Elliott--The Musical

    • "Billy Elliott--The Musical" has played more than 500 performances and won 10 Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical. In its review, the London Daily Mail called it "A theatrical masterpiece." The story is of a boy from a working class family who wants to become a dancer. It runs two hours and 45 minutes. The show contains some strong language and thus, according to the producers, may not be suitable for children under eight. Tickets are $41.50 to $136.50.

      Imperial Theatre
      249 W. 45th St.
      New York, NY 10036
      billyelliotthemusical.com
      Online tickets: billyelliotbroadway.com
      Phone tickets: (212) 239-6200.

    Mary Poppins

    • "Mary Poppins," adapted from the Disney film, has played more than 1,300 performances. It won seven Tony Awards in 2007, including Best Musical. The story of the nanny who can fly, based on the P. L. Travers books, includes classic songs such as "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Step in Time," as well as new songs written especially for the stage show. Running time is two hours and 45 minutes. Tickets are $31.50 to $121.50 .

      New Amsterdam Theatre
      214 W. 42nd St.
      New York, NY 10036
      disney.go.com/theatre/marypoppins
      Online tickets: ticketmaster.com
      Phone tickets: (212) 307-4100.

    The Lion King

    • Adapted from the Disney film, "The Lion King," has played more than 5,000 performances. It won 12 Tony Awards in 1998, including Best Musical. The story of a lion cub who grows up to become the king of beasts features the movie's well-known songs, such as "The Morning Report," "Hakuna Matata" and "Circle of Life." The running time is two hours and 45 minutes. In its review, the New York Times called the show "A gorgeous, gasp-inducing spectacle." Tickets are $69.50 to $128.50 .

      Minskoff Theatre
      1515 Broadway
      New York, NY 10036
      disney.go.com/theatre/thelionking/broadway
      Online tickets: ticketmaster.com
      Phone tickets: (212) 307-4100

    South Pacific

    • Rodgers and Hammerstein's "South Pacific" is a musical drama/comedy. "South Pacific" first opened on Broadway in 1949. That production ran 1,925 performances and won nine Tony Awards in 1950, including Best Musical. The current revival opened April 3, 2008, and has run more than 750 performances, wining seven 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. The story, set during World War II, tells of nurse Nellie Forbush and her romance with plantation owner Emile de Becque. It also deals with racial prejudice and other social problems of the period. It runs about three hours. "South Pacific" is suitable for older children but, according to the producers, may be too mature for children under seven. Its famous songs include "Some Enchanted Evening" and "There is Nothing Like a Dame." Tickets are $75 to $125.

      Vivian Beaumont Theatre
      Lincoln Center
      150 W. 65th St.
      New York, NY 10023
      southpacificmusical.com
      Online tickets: telecharge.com
      Phone tickets: (212) 239-6200

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