Pennsylvania Ballet552

My kids, ages seven and five, loved it.

Throughout the year I have taken various children from my family of five to see the ballet. We've seen "Swan Lake", "The Nutcracker", and "Midsummer's Night Dream". The performances and backgrounds were beautiful. Before attending a show, you should definitely find out how the story is being presented, whether it will be done traditionally or be a more modern interpretation. For example, the performance of "Swan Lake" was modern; therefore, my girls, ages three and six, had a hard time following the storyline. Another very important fact to consider, especially when bringing younger children, is the location of your seats. For "The Nutcracker" we sat in the amphitheater and althought the ballet states that for "The Nutcracker" children as young as three may attend, I would not recommending letting a three year old sit in this level. I spent the first act of the performance worried that my three year old was going to jump out of her seat and fall into the level below us. In past years, we've sat in the parquet which is more expensive but definitely worth the price for safety reasons. Use your judgement when attending a ballet. Only you know how long your child can sit quietly. You can avoid disappointment, if you formulate a plan beforehand such as planning to leave after the first act or making sure to get up and stretch everyone's legs during the intermission. Save yourself money by packing a few small snacks to enjoy during intermission rather than buying the overpriced ones offered in the lobby.