Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway was so much better than I expected. As a kid of the 80s I’d seen the movie and thought it was weird, but never seen the stage show. When we were planning our NYC trip I let my 10 year old pick what show we would see and of everything, he picked Little Shop of Horrors. He knew nothing about it but knew that it looked awesome. He chose wisely.
We’ve got the full scoop on what makes Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway worth seeing, what to expect from a small theater setting and whether or not adding it to your New York City trip is a good plan. If you have any questions about the show or need other recommendations for putting together your own NYC with kids itinerary, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more!
Highlights of Seeing Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway
I love me some great stagecraft and I will say that Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway took it with the creation and transformation of the man-eating plant, Audrey 2. Not only was the progression of the plant awesome to watch, but the character of the plant itself was hilarious. To be able to give a prop/puppet so much personality that it is just as much the show as the human performances, that’s really something. I think this was HUGE for our 10 year old who based solely on this has become interested in design and stagecraft.
You might not think of Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway as being a must-see, impactful show, but when it comes to getting the next generation of artists, both on and off the stage, inspired and interested in pursuing visions and careers, the theater really can be instrumental. Being in such a small space at the Westside Theater, the Little Shop of Horrors production felt like a very attainable goal for my kiddo to latch onto. Even without the entertainment aspect, this show was incredible to experience with a child.
Now, when it comes to the quality of the performance, it was top notch. When you’re seeing a Broadway show in such a close, intimate theater, it’s important that the acting and subtleties are on point because nothing is slipping past the audience. Seymore and Audrey were amazing. Mr. Mushnik was exactly who he should’ve been, including with his facial expressions in moments of both underlying and physical comedy. Clearly we loved the experience of such a close, immersive theater setting as with Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway.
Get Little Shop of Horrors Broadway tickets here!
Tips for a Great Little Shop on Broadway Experience
I always like to get to a show a bit early so I can see the cool show garb, grab a beverage and then casually make our way to our seats, but at the Westside Theater, it’s a pretty small space and not conducive to just hanging out in the lobby. Yes, get to the theater in plenty of time for your show, but if you’re seeing Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway and it starts at 7:00 pm, they’re not opening the doors for seating until around 6:45. Until those doors open, everyone is in the small upstairs lobby bumping shoulders. Instead, get to the theater 10-15 minutes before the show starts and you’ll still have time to get a drink, a t-shirt and read through your Playbill.
Due to the nature of being a smaller theater and there being a lot of dialogue in Little Shop of Horrors, they do give you a warning that getting up to use the restroom during the show may result in you being held at the door until intermission. An intimate show setting like this can be a delicate balance of the production and audience distractions, so they try hard to manage that. If you’re seeing Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway with kids, I’d recommend limiting beverages before and during the show, and then being sure that bladders are EMPTY before you sit down.
Who is Little Shop on Broadway Good For?
I would say that Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway is good for kids 10 and up for a few reasons. For really small kids, they might get spooked by the plant, Audrey 2. Also, while the dentist is hilarious he’s also super creepy and you don’t want kids thinking about him during their next teeth cleaning. For kids 10 and older, I think they’ll be able to understand and enjoy the full story and songs. The jokes and themes aren’t too adult so there aren’t really any moments where you’re like “Oh gosh, we’ll have to talk about this later.”
The one exception to that is the relationship between Audrey and the Dentist. It’s clearly an abusive relationship even if you don’t see it all on stage. This could be very triggering even in the context of a show and resolution of the problem, and both adults and kids my be upset by it. Just something to think about before you’re taking the family to Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway.
Would I see Little Shop of Horrors Again?
Yes, we would go see it again if we were visiting New York and friends invited us to go along. There are lots of other shows we haven’t seen though, and although Little Shop tends to be a less expensive ticket, I would spend a little more to see a different show again. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it and have recommended it to everyone, but for me it’s not a multiple performance show like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or Wicked.
Get Little Shop of Horrors Broadway tickets here!
More NYC Fun With Kids
I used to not like going to New York City at all… and then I started bringing my kids when I had to travel to NYC for work and I love it. There is no shame in having a stereotypical New York trip with kids, whether you’re seeing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway or you’re visiting Times Square at night to see the craziness, it’s all fun. Here are our top picks for activities with kids when you’re in NYC, and a few of them really add to the fun of having a family day in New York City.
- do the Empire State Building experience (it’s much more than just going up to the Observation Deck)
- visit the Harry Potter New York Store – it’s shopping, photo ops, Butterbeer and magical fun)
- have a meal at Ellen’s Stardust Diner – live singing all through the restaurant
- go out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- check out the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian (I love this place)
- take the kids to the Nintendo and Lego stores
- do the Museum of Modern Art (better with kids than the Met)
- enjoy the Museum of Natural History and Central Park
If you do half of these activities paired with an awesome Broadway show like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child you’ll have a great trip to New York City with kids. For more ideas and suggestions for visiting NYC with older kids, check out our article about NYC with a Preteen. Lot’s of insights into what makes a trip with older kids fun.
Other Kid-friendly Broadway Shows to Consider
Not all Broadway shows are as kid-friendly as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, but there are some good ones… and we’ve seen them so we can share our opinions with you! Like with anything in life, you know your kids best and know what they’ll be into and down for. When it comes to choosing a Broadway show to see with kids, try to think about these three things:
- Appropriateness – every kid has a different level of maturity and every household has a different level of joking / age-appropriate comedy. Read up on a show to gauge the level of adult content before planning to take kids to it.
- Consider the timing of a show – afternoon shows are great with kids and you’ll often see more families at these shows. If you’re concerned about your kids talking in the theater and such, look for an afternoon show when other families may be in attendance too.
- Visual – kids love bright, fun shows with catchy songs and cool effects. Drab, moody shows aren’t great with kids (or me), but fun, upbeat, colorful shows are sure to keep kids’ attention.
If you’re concerned that there may be too much adult content in a Broadway show, because there often is, these shows are solid choices to see with kids and if they aren’t on Broadway in NYC at the moment, you may be able to see them as they tour. Touring productions are just as skillful, but may be slightly less grand than productions in residence due to the need to be flexible.
- any Disney Broadway show – Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Frozen, Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins
- Christmas productions – Elf, White Christmas, A Christmas Story
- Classic Shows – Cinderella, Oklahoma, Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Anything Goes, Music Man…
If you have any questions about seeing Little Shop of Horrors on Broadway, other shows or putting together your ideal NYC plan for your family, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and love to help other have amazing adventure
