• The spectacle of a Broadway show can get kids hooked on theater at an early age. The excitement of attending a live performance begins with mingling among the crowds of excited theatergoers, and doesn't end until the final curtain calls. And whether the Broadway show your child attends is in the Broadway theater district of Manhattan, or in Manhattan, Kansas, where a touring company makes a stop, the lure will still be there.
  
  

"The Little Mermaid"

• In "The Little Mermaid," the story of Ariel, the young mermaid, is as engaging today as it was to the readers of the original work by Hans Christian Anderson. A Disney production, the show features an enchanting, beautifully lit translucent set, which gives the feel of the actors being underwater; they actually wear shoes with heels to help the illusion. The lyrical songs in the show won a Tony award for Best Musical Score.
  
  

"Wicked"

• For fans of "The Wizard of Oz," "Wicked" is a natural, as it tells what happened in the Land of Oz before Dorothy was catapulted there by a tornado. In "Wicked," the audience learns the story of Elphaba, who will become the Wicked Witch of the West in the movie, and how she grows up with Galinda, who will become the movie's Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Twenty songs by Stephen Schwartz move the show along, as does a good deal of humor.
  
  

"The Lion King"

• The unforgettable costuming of "The Lion King" is probably the most appealing aspect of the musical. Actors are dressed in animal costumes; huge, hollow puppets represent other characters. Elton John and Tim Rice wrote the popular songs. From the opening, with the rising sun, when Rafiki the baboon calls the animals to Pride Rock, until the end, when Rafiki lifts Simba and Nala's newborn cub high into the air, continuing the circle of life, kids will be kept spellbound by this inspiring musical.
  
  

"Shrek the Musical"

• Even for kids who have already seen the movie versions of "Shrek," the live show will be engaging. Set in an imaginary kingdom where a large green ogre becomes entangled in the rescue of a lovely princess, it is an authentic fairy tale. There are plenty of laughs along the way, and some engaging and entertaining characters provide many of them. The scenery is a star itself and provides a great backdrop for lots of lively dancing.
  
  

"Mary Poppins"

• Perhaps one of the best known of literary nannies, Mary Poppins transfers her magic to the stage quite fantastically. The original stories by P. L. Travers and the Disney movie both lend elements to this Tony Award-winning musical. As kids identify with the children in this show, they will be transported back to the late 19th century London setting and become totally engaged in the story. They will also respond enthusiastically to such songs as "Chim, Chim, Cher-ee," "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."