Theater: Strike up lively chats with your children

I love the theater. I don't always go because it can be expensive, well, that is if you want really good orchestra seats. But even from the less expensive balcony seats, it's so magical seeing performers on stage.

I've been blessed to take my kids to a few shows. We started with children's theater as little ones. We felt it was important to expose them to all kinds of performing arts from a young age. Not only is it entertaining, it's also great ways to strike up meaningful conversations. Bonus: They learn to behave in public.

I remember taking the kids to "Lion King" at ASU Gammage a few years back. My daughter and I were with her Girl Scout troop in more expensive seats, while my husband and son watched from another budget friendly section. At intermission, the kids talked about how beautiful the sets and costumes were and how the story differed from the Disney movie. As a parent, it was wonderful watching their eyes light up and talk to each other. No fighting!

We found some theater material great for bigger discussions. I remember at "Grease," which played at the Dodge (now Comerica) Theatre, my son leaned over and commented on the teen behavior. We discussed smoking, teen sex, peer pressure and the 50s. Instead of talking AT my kids about how I feel about these things, we talked WITH them. They asked questions and shared their feelings about how the show was presented. I quickly learned my son did not like "Grease" because he didn't agree with the teen behavior. My daughter loved it because of the music, and chalked up the teen behavior as just a way to draw in people to the show. Hmmm.

I'm excited about this 2011-2012 theater season at ASU Gammage because of so many wonderful choices for families. We keep discussing "West Side Story," which runs Sept. 27-Oct. 2. My kids have seen part of the movie version. My daughter loves the songs. And the story opens up plenty of conversations about prejudice, rivalries, gangs and immigration. The venue's recommended age for this is 13 and up.

Another seemingly good one for a chat about war and prejudice is Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific," playing Jan. 10-15, 2012. I've not seen it yet, but it's on my list. Venue recommends 8 and up.

We've already seen "Stomp" as a family. I recommend it, particularly if your family is new to theater. It's engaging and your kids will clap and stomp along as performers created music using pipes, sinks, grocery bags, newspaper, street signs, lighters, brooms, cans, and more. Click the link to an old blog I wrote back in 2009. Maybe a post Christmas treat? It comes to ASU Gammage Dec. 28-31, 2011.

Another I recommend for older kids is "Wicked," which runs Feb. 15-March 11, 2012 at ASU Gammage. The story is about how Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz" come to be. Topics of discussion include popularity/mean girls, judging people by their skin color, friendship, standing up for beliefs, political manipulation and media spin, sibling relations, social barriers, etc. Check out an old review blog of mine by clicking the above link.

Others with family friendly potential coming to ASU Gammage: Blue Man Group, Nov. 1-6, looks like a lot of fun for the whole family. And Irvin Berlin's "White Christmas," Dec. 6-11, seems like a perfect treat for the holidays. "Million Dollar Quartet," June 5-10, 2012, sounds like it will be fun for music lovers of all ages.

Gotta check out schedules for other venues now. Cheers!