Plays For The Pint-Sized

New
York City is
the theater capital of the world—and that goes for children’s theater, too—with
more than ten well-established companies producing Broadway-like entertainment
for kids of all ages. Offering on-stage specialties ranging from modern adaptations
of fairytales to cutting-edge fun, no two companies are quite alike—and they
are all worth getting to know.

13th Street
Repertory
:
This veteran company
typically has a few beloved children’s shows in rotation. 13thstreetrep.org
Now Showing:
Wiseacre Farm and Rumple
Who?

Galli Theater: 25 years old and still standing strong, the Galli’s special way of
connecting with kids is through fresh adaptations of classic fairytales,
presenting up to ten productions a year. gallitheaterny.com
Coming Soon:
Frog Prince (Jan. 7–29); Aladdin
(Jan. 8-Feb. 26)

Literally Alive: Now in their 12th season, Literally Alive produces musicals based on
classic children’s literature. Plus, there’s always a pre-show arts workshop
for added fun. literallyalive.com
Coming Soon:
Alice in
Wonderland
(Feb. 12-May 20)

Manhattan Children’s
Theatre
:
Celebrating their 10th
anniversary this year, the Tribeca-based company offers a mix of classic and
new productions, while still trying to keep it as affordable for families as
possible. mctny.com
Now Showing:
Giggle, Giggle, Quack

Making
Books Sing
:
This critically acclaimed non-profit serves up a unique mix of literacy
and musical theater with its lively reproductions of contemporary children’s
books. makingbookssing.org
Coming Soon:
The Butterfly (Apr. 14-29)

The New Victory Theater: While not strictly a producer of plays, the famed
New Victory—one of the long-time anchors of the revitalized Times Square—features theatrical productions in its mix of
cutting-edge live entertainment for families. newvictory.org
Coming Soon:
Rumplestiltskin (Jan. 6-8); Miss
Ophelia
(Jan. 13-15); Hands Up!
(Jan. 18- 22); Wuthering Heights, Restless
Souls
(Jan. 27-29)

The Paper Bag Players: This forward-thinking troupe is noted for its
creative repurposing of common household objects into cheerful sets, costumes
and props to bring its hilarious song-and-dance routines to life. thepaperbagplayers.org
Coming Soon:
The
Paper Bag Players Laugh! Laugh! Laugh!
(Jan. 28-Feb. 12)

Puppetworks, Inc.: The legendary Nicolas Coppola has been entertaining families with his
marionette theater in Brooklyn for over 30 years. Simply amazing. puppetworks.org
Coming Soon:
The Steadfast Tin Soldier &
Nutcracker Sweets
(Jan. 7-8); Puss in Boots (Jan. 14-Apr. 5)

Swedish Cottage
Marionette Theatre
: The long-time Central Park staple can always be
counted on for top-notch puppet plays.
cityparksfoundation.org
Coming Soon: Little
Miss Muffet’s Monster-Sitting Service
(Begins Jan. 17)

TADA! Youth Theater: Noted for their acting classes, TADA! also sponsors
professional-quality musical theater throughout the year with casts of totally talented
kids. tadatheater.com
Coming Soon:
The History Mystery (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Tribeca Performing Arts Center &
TheatreworksUSA:
We’ve put these
veteran institutions together because many of the family shows at BMCC Tribeca
Performing Arts are Theatreworks productions. tribecapac.org, theatreworksusa.org
Coming Soon
: Henry & Mudge (Feb.
26)

Vital Theatre Company: A high-profile theater group whose family
division specializes in musical theater for young children. The present productions
are at several Upper West
Side locations. vitaltheatre.org
Coming Soon:
The Bully (Jan. 14-Feb. 16)


For more shows to see
with your kids, visit our FAMILY
CALENDAR
.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Steps on Broadway Youth Programs

<p class="m_6201101365486487057m_1751229968981391907gmail-m-6447730382188674378msonospacing" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For 40 years, the Youth Programs at the internationally celebrated Steps on Broadway have nurtured young dancers, ages 18 months to 18 years.  Whether seeking a fun dance experience or comprehensive pre-professional training, there is a program suited for everyone.  Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, hip hop, contemporary, modern, pointe and more.  Taught by a faculty of internationally-recognized concert, ballet, Broadway and celebrated guest artists, every student is encouraged to discover their artistic uniqueness, deepen their passion for the art form, while growing as dancers and individuals. </span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Classes are offered throughout the academic year and summer.</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">First Steps (ages 18 mos – 5 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Kids & Teens (ages 6-18 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Pre-Professional Program (ages 7-18 yrs, by audition only)</span></p>

Adventuring Portal

<p><a name="m_-1473885667065203258__Hlk72147528"></a>Adventuring Portal runs Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) games for kids.   We have created a safe online space for tweens and teens to learn and play D&D.</p> <p>Our D&D Summer Camp session are a one-week experience.  Monday – Friday.  Each day will be 3 hours of gaming (with 2 breaks build in).  15 total gaming hours for $180.  If you have played with us before, you are entitled to 10% off.   </p> <p>Need your kids, nieces or nephews, grand kids or neighbor’s kids to be occupied for a bit so you can get work done & take care of your to-do list? Maybe your tween or teen is still a bit isolated and craves connection with their peers? Whether your teen/tween has played D&D before or is brand-new to the experience, this safe space brings players together to have fun and solve problems as a team in ways few other online opportunities do.</p> <p>All our games focus on experiential learning.   Our players leave knowing all the basic game play as well as experiencing: teamwork, bravery, compassion, generosity, negotiation, improvisation, gamer etiquette, strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, cartography and probability - all through online D&D adventuring!</p> <p>We are an inclusive organization and welcome gamers who are LGBTQIA+ and those on any spectrum. </p> <p>All girls’ groups available. </p> <p>I am a parent, a certified elementary school and middle school math teacher and last summer in the midst of the mess started Adventuring Portal, an online Dungeons & Dragons business for kids. There are so many benefits to playing D&D and I hope you will consider us as a great way for your child to safely socialize, grow as people and have a great time.</p>