The Children's Museum of Manhattan has booked two additional dates for its summer Broadway Theatre Thursdays. Cast members from The Music Man will perform songs from that show on Aug. 17, and TheatreWorks USA will perform a program for children on Aug. 24.
Children's Museum executive and spokesperson Constance Charity said the museum program has been well received.
"We also have our word play exhibit," Charity told Playbill On-Line earlier this summer, "which is the first of its kind in the city for kids, from infants to 4 years of age." Charity said the program employs "word language nourishment, word acquisition and baby babble" in an exploration of kids and their language techniques. "These are activities you can do at home and embellish on," Charity said, "and we hope to show parents how it's okay to talk directly to kids, and to make eye contact with them."
Kids patronizing the Children's Museum of Manhattan on Thursdays this summer will be treated to live performances from some of New York's biggest musicals. Broadway Theatre Thursdays is open to kids of all ages, including younger siblings who may just want to watch, Charity told Playbill On-Line.
The series is funded with support from Target Stores. Following each appearance, the shows' performers take questions from the audience and participate in workshops for the children. Following is a current schedule of "Theatre Thursdays." Aug. 3: Gotham City Gates of Swing!
Aug. 10: Blue Man Group
Aug. 17: The Music Man
Aug. 24: TheatreWorks USA
Aug. 31: TBA
Each event will take place at 2 PM and 2:30 PM at the museum, which is located at 212 W. 83 St. Call (212) 721-1234 for more information. The CMOM website is located at www.cmom.org.