Thyra

Hey All, I really really appreciate help with what to take my 13 YR (going on 32) step daughter while in NY in Jan. (we already have tickets to Little Mermaid) but I want her to see some fun OFF Broadway; I was looking at the 80's prom show since it seems so fun *hint she is REALLY outgoing and into shopping, dancing and boys (aren't all 13 YR girls??) thanks so much

Pegontheroad

I don't know if this would interest her, but "The Fantasticks" is running off-Broadway. I've always liked it.

BudgetQueen

Stomp and Blue Man Group would also be of interest, I'll bet.

doug_stallings

I can't even fathom how the Fantasticks would interest a 13-year-old, but there are plenty of shows that would. Altar Boyz is an obvious choice, as that's the target audience. Fuerzabruta would also interest kids. The 80s Prom show is really a nostalgia show geared to adults who grew up in the 80s, and I'm concerned that a teen would just not get it. But the New Shanghai Circus sounds great, and if Wintuk is still around when you're here in Jan. that would also be an ideal show.

MFNYC

My daughter enjoyed Fantastiks at that age. We saw it in that dumpy sullivan st. theater that it played in for years.

ANother possibility is the show Jump at the Union Square theater. It's more of a performance than a play, but the same could be said for Blue Man and Stomp, all of which would be appropriate.

If you decide to do another 'on' broadway show, check out Hairspray. You can probably get discounts too (broadwaybox.com, playbill.com).

dmlove

A couple of teenage girls (can't remember who) told me they were bored to tears at The Fantastiks (just a couple of months ago).

abram

I first saw The Fantastiks as a teenager, and I loved it. My parents had the album, so maybe being familiar with the music helped.

Thyra

Thanks guys, after checking all of these out, I opted for the Alter Boyz (thanks Doug) anything that shows a bunch of cute guys hip hopping innocently around should be right up her alley (knock on wood here)

Ok so I also am looking for good dinner places for reservations before both shows.. if you are all still feeling helpful (I will cull the other posts as well)

Thanks again!

NeoPatrick

Doug, I'm really curious why you think a 13 year old girl wouldn't like The Fantasticks. I took a date when we were Juniors in High School and years later she said it was the most memorable theatre performance she has ever seen. It always seems very popular with high schoolers. We saw the current production this summer in NYC, and there were a ton of teenagers eating it up!

But Altar Boyz is a good choice too. Right by it at the corner of 50th and 9th is Roberto Passon's for before or after theatre.
www.robertopasson.com

Thyra

Hi All, a quick update on our FANTASTIC NYC weekend! We stayed at the ever fabulous Hotel Metro NYC for 3 nights in mid-town (about $1,000 with free b-fest and gym) visited Empire State Building, took a water taxi round the Statue of Liberty, Took 13 YR step daughter to first spa experience (Metamorphasis in mid-town which had a great "teen dream" special) she shopped at Macy's and Bloomingdales, lunch in Greenwich Village, Skating at Rock. center She saw Little Mermaid which she liked but DOUG SHE LOVED ALTER BOYZ! From the second this thing started she was on her feet dancing and screaming. We took a cab round central park, rode on a subway.. ate at a great deli.. all in all this trip did what I was hoping it would do, INSPIRED her to travel. She went from never having been out of a CA suburb and worried about the "pollution" and smoking in NYC to making plans for college in the city!!! And already she wants to come back! Thanks to all, the trip was a big success!

Margo_Chester

<INSPIRED her to travel> BINGO!

So glad you had such a fantastic trip! Travel is such a wonderful experience, really opens up the eyes and mind. Where did you choose to eat the night you saw Alter Boyz?

kswl

Thyra, you are a wonderful stepmom

doug_stallings

Thyra, I'm glad your step-daughter liked Altar Boyz. And I'm very glad you enjoyed your trip.

You know I was thinking about the first time I saw The Fantasticks, and it was when I was in junior high. It was our school play that year, and I think I enjoyed it. But that was many years ago, and I just see it as an old-fashioned kind of play that doesn't speak directly to kids anymore. But I"m glad to hear that some kids are loving it still.

NeoPatrick

Doug, I first saw The Fantasticks as a senior in high school and took a date. We loved it, as I think I mentioned above.

It's about a teenage boy and girl who don't want their fathers to know they're seeing each other and meet secretly to hide their love from them. The girl is also attracted to an older man who ends up taking advantage of her, and the boy wants to go off and explore the world and isn't ready to be tied down by marriage. Ummm. Yes. I can see how that DOESN'T relate to kids today. HUH? LOL

Thyra

Thanks for your kind words: Margo, I actually let my husband and step daughter head off for skating at Rockefeller Center together while I zipped round the corner to a pub called, Channel 12 (I believe) which is on 47th street. After skating the "gang" joined me for a pretty casual meal of bar and grill type fare. We left and made it to the venue 50th street, just in time!

As for the Fantasticks, you know I considered this, because you know there is so much "hit or miss" quality to planning activities with teens, something that seems so cool.. can be a total looser to a 13YR; the reason I opted not to go with the Fantasticks (with due respect to a production which I did not in fact see) is that I heard this particular production was not the best (subjective I realize).