Great Broadway Musicals for Families: Fun Music and Lessons to Be Learned

Broadway plays are one of the highlights of a trip to New York City. There is no better place to hear catchy music and get a glimpse at some up and coming young talent. While some plays have adult sensitive material, did you know there are also shows that the whole family can attend?

Here are some great Broadway shows that, if you have the expense and the time in New York City, are worth taking your kids to a production of:

Mamma Mia: Mamma Mia is based on the musical sounds of the 70s pop group, ABBA. If you like ABBA already and want to introduce your children to this great music, this is a good place to start.The story centers around a girl named Sophie, who is getting married soon and wants to find her biological father in time for her wedding.

She reads her mother's diary from years ago and reads about three men who she feels may be her father. As soon as she does, she invites them to her wedding. ABBA's music is used at sometimes hilarious points for the hijinks that ensue; along with serious times when Sophie and her mother are discussing her father and whether or not she'll really get to find him and know him.

Wicked: Wicked is the story of a friendship between the Witch of the East and the Wicked Witch of the West. The show takes place in the era before The Wizard of Oz. The witches, Glinda (the good witch), and Elphaba (the wicked witch) first meet at a boarding school as youngsters and despise each other. Elphaba was born green and comes from a less privileged background than Glinda; whose relatives and hometown residents are in disbelief that she could even consider befriending Elphaba. Glinda helps Elphaba make herself over and become more popular in the eyes of the mainstream culture.

The two also have other adventures, including Elphaba plotting to see the wizard and Glinda falling in love.

Hairspray: The Broadway musical which is based off of an 80s movie is bigger than ever with the remake of the movie out in theatres everywhere. The musical is set in the 60s around the story of a schoolgirl named Tracy Turnblad. She wants nothing more than to be a dancer on her favorite television show, The Corny Collins Show. Although her mother is initially hesitant and the station manager despises her (especially for supporting integration in 60s Baltimore), Tracy continues to pursue her dream with her best friend Penny Pingleton behind her every step of the way.

The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: This hilarious still fairly young musical centers around six middle school aged students want to win the biggest spelling championship; considered to be an achievement of a lifetime. Although this group would not be considered "popular", they all come together and fit in with each other when it comes down to the goal of being a spelling champion. The kids' parents are still children in their own way. Everyone will be sure to let their inner child show through again in this play.

Mary Poppins: This is another musical based on a hit Disney movie. All the loveable characters, from nanny Mary Poppins to the children she was in charge of, Jane and Michael Banks. Throughout the show, five different actors portray Jane and Michael. The children start off with out of control behavior that sends several nannies quitting. When Mary comes along, she starts pushing good behavior and promises Jane and Michael she will let them see her magical world as long as they behave and treat her and their parents with respect.

So why are these shows great for families?

Fun, wholesome music with easy to understand lyrics and great beats that the entire family can sing and dance to

The shows teach lessons that kids should know while growing up. Hairspray discusses racial tolerance and Wicked talks about befriending even the most unpopular kids and changing their lives for the better; for example.

The characters are still young and kids (and even some adults) will find them easy to relate to.

So next time you are in New York City, try to get a deal on a Broadway musical. As long as you pick an appropriate production such as the ones I suggested or similar, everyone will have a great time. This is also a great way to introduce kids to the magical culture that is the theatre and maybe...you will end up raising a future Tony Award winner.