You would think – after 14 years – I would know what works and what doesn’t work. But the joy and frustration of traveling with kids is that it is unpredictable! I have always said that every new destination presents a new set of challenges, as does every new age. And here I present my latest case study: A Tale of Two Theaters.
It’s Christmastime! The hap-happiest season of all! We often plan a fun holiday-themed theater outing for the family. Last year, we went to see the magicians Penn & Teller, which was a smash-hit with the twin-agers (famously inspiring V to declare “I just love going to the theater!”). This year, we were busy and stressed out. Daddio is swamped with work, while I have been helping the grandparents with a family emergency in Michigan. Our plans for Christmas travel were in flux, and some of our holiday traditions were falling by the wayside.
A Christmas Carol
Boston, Mass – Amid the busy-ness, I learned that the Commonwealth Shakespeare Co (Shakespeare on the Common, etc) is starting “A New Holiday Tradition” – a presentation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in all of its Victorian-era grandiosity. What could be better at Christmastime than this classic story with music, ghosts and appropriate holiday message? Plus, I was feeling particularly nostalgic about A Christmas Carol because I had recently helped my mother set up her favorite seasonal decorations, her Byers’ Choice Ltd carolers. She used to receive a new caroler every year for Christmas so she amassed quite a collection over the years. (These figurines representing A Christmas Carol characters are but a fraction of the collection.)
Best of all, tickets for the first five shows were only $25, thanks to a generous grant from some local philanthropists. Of course, these were weeknight shows (aka school-night shows), during a week that was busy with sports practices and homework and everything else. But when are we not busy? I jumped on the deal and looked forward to a festive evening in the city – a walk across the Boston Common, strung with twinkling lights, a stop at The Thinking Cup for hot chocolate, and a production at the fancy Cutler Majestic Theatre.
Alas, S came down with a cold. He went to school and said he felt fine, but not fine enough to go to the theater with his family. V had swim practice after school, and he came home tired and equally unenthused about the outing (although he didn’t have an excuse not to go).
The MBTA green line – which is the subway line near our house – was down (again), so we had to drive downtown. And for some unknown reason, traffic was horrendous. The three-mile drive took about 45 minutes. Forget about a leisurely stroll under the festive lights; we skipped the hot chocolate and sprinted across the Common to get into our seats before the show started. Did I mention that V was tired from swim practice? He was not happy about the extra cardio workout.
Before the show started, I instructed V to put his phone away. Mr “I-just-love-going-to-the-theater” then proceeded to spend the first act with his head down in his lap.
I was livid. At intermission, I handed him my Charlie card and told him to go home.
He shook his head and refused to leave. He seemed genuinely surprised that I was angry. How could that be surprising? I continued to insist that he should just leave, but Daddio intervened. Then they went off to buy a snack, so I was left to stew in peace.
In V’s defense, he did sit up and watch the second half of the performance. On the way back to the car, he told me several times that he enjoyed the play. I appreciate him saying so, even if it wasn’t true. However, I feel strongly that my kids should be able to sit through a performance – politely and attentively – even if it’s not their favorite form of entertainment, and that is what I emphasized to V.
On the other hand, I know that timing is important – and that’s where I messed up. I’m sure the twin-agers could handle and even enjoy a midweek, evening performance in some cases. But not this one. Not this time.
Which is too bad, because the Commonwealth Shakespeare Co production of A Christmas Carol was wonderful. Much to Daddio’s surprise and delight, there was no modern hook or re-interpretation of the classic story. It was true to the original (including some details that were new to me). Costumes were historically accurate and fabulous; the music was mostly traditional 19th-century carols; the ghosts were sufficiently scary. The whole thing was visually and aurally stunning.
I still believe it has all the makings of “A New Holiday Tradition” – but maybe not for twin-agers.
‘Twas the Night Before…
Detroit, Michigan – In retrospect, I can’t believe that I proposed another theater outing so soon after that misfire. But we decided to spend Christmas week in Michigan, and I really wanted to make it special for grandparents and grandchildren alike. I did a lot of research to find activities that would appeal to multiple generations. It was not easy. But I did discover ‘Twas the Night Before, the latest show by Cirque du Soleil. This was our first experience with Cirque, and the grandparents were also intrigued, so we decided to give it a go.
Part of the appeal was the chance to go to a production at the fabulous Fox Theater, an elaborate art-deco “movie palace” from the 1920s. Seating over 5000 guests, it was the second-largest movie house in the world when it opened in 1928. I remember when it was restored in 1988, although I’m not sure if I have ever seen a show here. Pretty snazzy!
Wow! ‘Twas the Night Before… was so much fun. Acrobatics and juggling, hip-hop dancing, techno light displays and fun, contemporary music: these are some of the things that might have been missing from A Christmas Carol, from the twin-agers’ perspective. They say that ‘Twas the Night Before does not compare to the traditional tent Cirque shows, but we were all thoroughly entertained, 14-year-olds and 80-year-olds alike. And nobody fell asleep.
In fact, V declared it was the best “play” he had ever seen. I’m starting to think that kid is prone to hyperbole. Or maybe he was still trying to make up for his reaction the Christmas Carol debacle. Either way, I’ll take it.
So there you have it, a tale of two theaters: one was a bust and one was a success. But I dare say, both were worthwhile. (Not sure the twin-agers would agree.)