Seeing CHICAGO on Broadway was kind of a gamble for us because we weren’t sure how our kids would respond to it. I have to say, it actually was great and the kids had a blast. This is one of the more unusual Broadway shows, with its unique way of telling a story and its minimalist sets and costumes, but it’s a great show to add to a trip to NYC that is iconic and long-running. If you’re concerned that CHICAGO on Broadway might not be right to see with your kids or in mixed company, read on, because we’ve got the scoop on what caught us off guard and what we had to talk to our kids about.
That’s one of the things about seeing live theater in New York: you can get some rough stories but the experiences can be great. We’ve got the full scoop on what to expect with seeing CHICAGO on Broadway and tips for having a good showing with kiddos. If you have any questions about the show or visiting New York City with kids, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a fun trip to the Big Apple!
Highlights of Seeing CHICAGO on Broadway
I love seeing any show on Broadway, but when it’s one that’s a classic and is familiar, it’s extra fun. CHICAGO is interesting because the way it’s done on Broadway is very minimalist and very much conceptual. The sets are… just the stage with the band always visible. The reason this is important is because it means that kids may not really vibe with it, but if you’re into the songs, the dancing and the story, then it won’t matter to you. I thought the production was great, but our kids were nonplussed by it having also seen the Great Gatsby, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and SIX on Broadway. Even if they were able to follow the story, they still weren’t… jazzed about it (good pun). Having said that, after seeing the show our youngest decided days later that the music needs to be played continually…
Broadway Direct for CHICAGO tickets!
Is CHICAGO Right for Kids?
Every parent has a different approach to introducing their kids into the realities of the world, whether that be politics or crime, adult relationships or hardship. Seeing CHICAGO on Broadway bring all of these themes into one show and it can be a lot to talk about with kids. With young kids, the inuendo will likely sail over their heads, but then there are still actions like murder and blatant lying, and there is the visual of adult relationships that is portrayed in a steamy way. Basically, the content of CHICAGO is all about bad behavior and beating the system.
We’re really open with our kids about all kinds of things, including the injustices of the world and the skeezy politics at every level of government. We don’t watch a lot of movie that portray adult sexual relationships or lust, so that was a little awkward at times. Our teen understood the story of CHICAGO on Broadway, but our youngest initially missed the boat so we had to explain a bit about some terms and why people do the things they do.
I never like having those chats with our kids, but having a piece of art like CHICAGO as a gateway to talk about some things was actually good. I’m a bit of a coward when it comes to talking to the kids about “adult” stuff, so seeing a show that inexplicitly lays out a few topics to discuss was actually a good thing. Would we see Chicago with kids again? I think so, yes, now that they understand the story and themes. Would I tell other parents of kids under 12 to see it? I don’t think so. The show is suggested for 12 years old and up and I solidly agree with that.
Tips for Seeing CHICAGO on Broadway
Getting to see CHICAGO on Broadway is an interesting experience if you’ve only seen the movie before. The story is the same and the music is the same, but the show is very minimalistic. Understanding the different acts that one might have seen in a Vaudeville show is helpful, as it makes the show make a bit more sense since the band leaders is guiding the “show” along. If you haven’t seen the movie of CHICAGO , DON’T until after you’ve seen the stage production. The reason behind saying this is because the film is so colorful and glitzy, but the stage show is so dark and suggestive of the settings, and you’ll have a vision of what you expect the Broadway production to be and it WON’T match what you’ve seen in the film.
CHICAGO on Broadway has a really good pace, making it a good show to see with people that don’t have a lot of patience for sitting still. There are more dancing numbers than you’ll get with other shows, so that keeps people pretty well entertained and the intermission comes just after the halfway point, so you have a nice break. The Ambassador Theater where CHICAGO plays in New York does not have a ton of space outside of the main theater seating area. It’s not like the Broadway or Minskoff Theaters (Minskoff has the Lion King) that have lots of room to enjoy intermission. Also, the bathroom lines get very long very quickly, so waste no time using the facilities and get in that line during intermission ASAP.
Being Prepared for CHICAGO
I love the variety of climate control in Broadway theaters. My advice to anyone seeing a show in winter or summer is to dress in layers. Just like when you’re going out on a boat. It may seems warm initially and then the AC kicks on and you’ll be shivering… or the AC turns off and the stage lighting starts to heat up the theater. The Ambassador Theater was pretty consistent for us when we saw CHICAGO on Broadway, but I chatted with a friend who was there two weeks before us and they complained of hot and cold, so just dress for all seasons, especially if you plan on waiting outside after the show for Stagedoor.
Thoughts on the CURRENT (May 2025) CHICAGO Broadway Show
I loved the show and the company was awesome. The woman who played Velma absolutely shined, knocked it out of the park. The woman who played Roxy, who was intended to be the headliner for the show, Ashley Graham, was not great. Initially I thought I was just being hyper critical when she first appeared on stage and had a completely lackluster presence, but as the show went on I continued to feel the same way. Everyone else was so good and had that Broadway level of skill and quality to their performances… but then Roxie sang flat, acted like she was in a community theater production, and danced with half the skill of anyone else. I’m not sure what they were going for with her being cast, but it wasn’t a Broadway caliber performance. CHICAGO on Broadway tends to cycle through headliners more frequently than other productions, so it’s likely that Ashley Graham won’t be Roxie forever. I would recommend waiting until there’s a new lead before seeing it.
Getting to the Ambassador Theater for CHICAGO
The Ambassador Theater where CHICAGO on Broadway happens is on 49th Street, just off Times Square. It’s in the Theater District, so it’s always bustling. The two closest Subway stops are at 50th & 8th (A C E) and 53rd & 7th (B D E). You can also get off the Subway at 42nd St Times Square for the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S and W trains, but that will put you out on the surface with an eight block walk or so.
Ticketing Info for CHICAGO on Broadway
Just in case you need to contact the Ambassador Theater to get some more detailed information or you just want to browse a bit and see what you can glean from them before you plan your visit, here’s all the info you need to add this to your travel plans.
- Showtimes: Thursday thru Tuesday, 7:00 pm most nights, 8:00 pm on Saturday, 2:00 pm matinees on Sat/Sun
- Website: Ambassador Theater info
- Phone number: 212-239-6200
- Physical address: 219 W 49th St, New York NY 10019
- Book your tickets here: Broadway Direct for CHICAGO tickets!
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 Wicked or 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 Wicked 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
