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NEW YORK, Dec 7, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Parents are plunking down hundreds of dollars to give their children what they hope will be a wonderful experience -- a Broadway performance in New York.
Broadway being a family destination has grown through the years. The proportion of Broadway theatergoers under 18 years, statistics show, climbed from 4 percent in 1980 to 11.6 percent in the 2000-01 season, The New York Times said Thursday. Last season, 9.6 percent of the audiences were under 18, and a third of those under 12.
At most theaters, ticket sellers recommend that children be 6 years or older to attend a show but this is only a recommendation.
"You make sure that they're fed and you make sure they've had their nap," said Liz Dennis, a mother of a 7- and 3-year-old. "You do all kinds of things to avoid the meltdowns and to make it a positive experience."
Ushers try to intervene before a disruption occurs, Dana Amendola, vice president for operations at Disney Theatricals, told the newspaper. "You give the parents an option," he said, explaining that could be watching the show on a screen in the lobby or from the back of the theater.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
