The Music Man on Broadway at Kennedy Center

The Music Man on Broadway at Kennedy Center

The Music Man is playing at the Kennedy Center right now, and if you have been looking for a reason to take the kids to their first Broadway show, this is a great one. The story is fun and easy to follow even for younger kids. There is a con man who comes to a small town and convinces everyone they need a boys band, and things get complicated from there. The music is catchy, the costumes are colorful, and the energy on stage keeps kids engaged in a way that quieter shows sometimes do not. We brought our seven-year-old and she was singing along by the second act. The show runs about two and a half hours with an intermission, which gives you a break to stretch and grab a snack.

The Kennedy Center is a destination on its own. We usually arrive early and walk around the terrace overlooking the Potomac River. The views are beautiful, especially in the late afternoon light. There is a gift shop that kids love browsing, and the building itself feels grand without being intimidating. If this is your family first time at the Kennedy Center, do not stress about dress code. We saw families in everything from casual weekend clothes to dressier outfits. Nobody is judging what you wear. The seats in the opera house are comfortable, and even the upper levels have decent sight lines. If you can spring for orchestra seats, the experience is obviously better, but we sat in the first tier and had no complaints.

The show is upbeat enough to keep kids interested, the plot is not too complex, and the production values are impressive. Tickets range in price depending on the section, so check the Kennedy Center website for current availability. Matinee shows tend to have more families, while evening performances skew a bit older. If your kids are under five, I would think carefully about whether they can sit still for the full runtime. The intermission helps, but it is still a long show. For kids aged five and up who enjoy music and storytelling, this is a real treat.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Book matinee shows for families. The crowd is more kid-friendly and the timing works better for bedtimes.
• ✓Arrive 30 minutes early to explore. Walk the terrace for river views and check out the gift shop.
• ✓The show is about 2.5 hours with intermission. Make sure your kids can handle that runtime before buying tickets.
• ✓Use the free shuttle from Foggy Bottom Metro. It runs every 15 minutes and saves you the walk.
• ✓No strict dress code. Families come in casual and dressy clothes. Wear whatever is comfortable for your family.