molly

Hello! I am interested in hearing from any of you who can give me an idea of the content in the broadway musical Contact. I have a teenage daughter and don't know if the subject matter is appropriate.

Thanks!

howard

Contact is fine for teens. It's three stories told thru dance. The first is a long flirtation (don't worry, no sex). The second is the charming fantasy of a woman with a nasty husband. The third is about a lonely man and "the woman in yellow" whom he's drawn to at a dance club. The dancing is outstanding throughout.

AG Ashcroft

I'm not so sure dancing is appropriate for a teenager. We all know what it leads to! You wouldn't want to put any lascivious ideas into a young innocent's head. Take her to tea at the Plaza instead.

xxx

I think that Contact would be fine for a mature teenager. I had a 30 year old guy behind me who found the 1st act to be on the pornographic side, but I totally didn't see it as such and don't know anyone else who would have thought so. The last act involves a pool hall and thoughts of suicide, but so well done. And I think your daughter will enjoy the music for this act - definitely my favorite.

Margot

Hi Molly -

In my opinion, Contact would be just fine for a teenager. The real stars of the show are the innovation, imagination, surprising plot twists, and boffo dancing in all three vignettes. I say go for it, girl!!!

Dave

I would rate Contact as PG or minimal R. There is nothing she has not seen previously in movies. The dancing is sensational and overwhelms the story. I would see it again.

Patrick

It is a creative and artistic dance show and I agree with the above posters. However, just to be a little more specific: the first one is a man pushing a girl in a swing with some very suggestive overtones, particularly when they both climb onto the swing facing each other and grinding together. When the girl's suitor leaves and the servant takes over, it is even more graphic -- there is a reason for this important to the story, but I won't spoil it by going into that.
In the second story be ready for a lot of repetition of an abusive husband constantly bellowing, "where are the f------g rolls?" The third, main story, deals with attempted suicide and drug enhanced illusion, but is actually less graphically sexual than the first one.

howard

While Patrick's report is 100% accurate, don't let it sway you from taking your teenagers to see this phenomenal show. The language cited? Hey, I'm sure they've heard the word before! Suggestive dancing? Probably less suggestive than what's shown on MTV and VH1!

Patrick

Oops, Howard, I hope my post didn't come off as trying to talk Molly out of taking the kids, but I know from experience that some people would be uncomfortable taking their kids. I just wanted to be a little more specific so that Molly could decide for herself. I just watched three middle aged women walk out of a production of The Sisters Rosenzweig because of its "constant talk about sex". At first I thought they were kidding, but two adult women in the play actually do have men stay over night without the benefit of marriage. GASP! Guess we all have different levels of appreciation and "tolerance". These same three women who walked out were discussing the fact that they were bypassing the current local dinner theatre production of "La Cage aux Folles" because they understood it was a musical about "those homosexuals again".

howard

Patrick, I know you weren't trying to discourage people from seeing the show. I just didn't people to misread your points!
I had to chuckle at your "La Cage au Folles" anecdote. Years ago, my wife and I took her cousins to see the show, not realizing that he was a homophobe. It was, indeed, an interesting experience!