Disclosure: This is a sponsored post as we were invited to see Annie. All opinions expressed are my own.
WHY ISN’T DINNER THEATER MORE OF A THING?! That’s all I have been asking myself since we attended Annie at Westchester Broadway Theater last Thursday night. Our family of four is OBSESSED! So much so that RNYD has already picked out our second show that he wants to attend this August, and I had to take a picture of the upcoming shows because I can’t wait to go see more!!!
We took little (E) for her 4th Birthday last week, and “oh my goodness!” As a family we adore theater, we love Broadway, but sometimes with the expense of it, with young kids is such a gamble that we avoid it. When we do go its includes dinner the whole shebang. Will the kids sit through it, especially after the car/train ride? Will we find decent parking? Where can we eat that everyone will be happy? Will there be a crazy wait at the restaurant?
Westchester Broadway Theater handles ALL of that! For a reasonably priced ticket you get, a short drive, close parking, a delicious meal (including desert and salad), AND a spectacular performance. I feel like I could go on FOREVER, but I know you want me to get down to the nitty gritty- here goes…
Ten Reasons Dinner Theater Rocked and needs to be a thing:
- Short easy drive from Rockland, Westchester, Northern Jersey
It literally took us 20 minutes to get there, no crazy traffic, just a straight shot to Elmsford. - Free parking right there.
Yep, a nice large parking lot where you walk straight into the theater. - Pretzel Encrusted Chicken
Seriously, the menu was awesome, but this sounded so neat I had to try it, so glad I did!! (A) had the Broiled Filet of Sole, and (E) had the chicken fingers)
- CLEAN bathrooms
Important for me, but so much more for my 4 year old daughter, we must have gone 5 times, so this was a breath of fresh air. - Small personal theater
Cool for adults, and so much more for kids. No distractions, an intimate performance where you can see it all. - Comfortable seating
RNYD has had 5 back surgeries, this is important, as is leg space. Unlike many Broadway theaters WBT has comfy chairs, and room to breathe. Little (E) could even stand without bothering other theatergoers. - The talent on stage
You don’t even know you aren’t ON Broadway. The bios of the actors speaks for itself, but even without reading, you know from the first number, these guys are fabulous. - People still dress
I don’t know about you, but it irritates me that people wear denim to Broadway. When I first started going people wore their Christmas and Easter outfits. At WBT people were dressed for the occasion, it adds to the element. - Affordable for a family
Dinner and entertainment for a family of four (never mind the kind of caliber food and entertainment) is EXPENSIVE. WBT has made it possible to give your family the experience in an affordable way (especially if you mention RocklandNYMom.com for your discount). - The staff
My little princess wore her birthday tiara, EVERY staff member we encountered commented on its loveliness and then treated her like a queen when they learned why she was wearing it.
All in all it was really, truly the most fantastic birthday experience for (E) and for the whole family. (A) asked if we could go back for his birthday next year, and RNYD has picked out a concert event on 8/12 that he wants to attend. I have already spied a few upcoming shows I will be purchasing gift (and personal) tickets for. This is an experience not to miss. A great intro to the stage for kids, and a memorable experience for the whole family.
Recommendations:
- Time: (A) is 7 and (E) is 4. We went to an evening show- both made it through because the show was AWESOME, they couldn’t keep their eyes off of the stage, the is ABSOLUTELY suitable for younger kids as some of the Hollywood scare is not in the play, but I recommend the daytime showings for most children. We didn’t get home until 11:30 and knew we had nothing planned for the following day.
- Money: Who doesn’t love saving? Mention RocklandNYMom.com to receive a discount!!!
- Dining: They don’t have cups with lids- if you have a kiddo you are worried may spill, bring your own to fill.
