Would you Take a Kid to "Chorus Line?"

I might, but I didn't, and am glad I refrained for a few reasons.

Readers of this space will recall that I sometimes bring/drag J-Blue the future theater critic (aka Jeremy Henerson) along with me on my reviewing assignments, and then calculate how long it takes him to fall asleep (hey, half of one act of culture is better than nothing, no?).

I went to the opening of "A Chorus Line" last night (review appears tomorrow at LA.com), and had thought/debated/agonized over whether to take him along. I hadn't brought J-Blue to a play in recent months whether because he had lots of school testing or because there was nothing that I thought was strictly in his 9 year old wheelhouse.

"A Chorus Line" was a borderline one. I was about the same age when my parents took me and my brother to NY for the first time, and we saw that show. Of course they also had the soundtrack, and they prepped us on what we were going to see, theater etiquette, etc. It was, as I say, one of my first visits to the theater of any import, and, frankly, I barely remember a damned thing about the experience.

I certainly don't/didn't remember how much talk and down time there is between all the hoofin.' As a 10 year old, I likely wouldn't have picked up on the sexual content, the gay characters, etc. Come to think of it, maybe I too might have fallen asleep. (Have to ask the folks about that).

I this case, I think I chose wisely. I suspect J-Blue would have begun his snooze even more rapidly than he normally does. I was running late, so I didn't notice whether there were any other noticeably young audience members present.

Still...

The other night, I was on the phone with the mother of one of J-Blues friends who is also 9. Per her mother, this young lady apparently devours musical theater: be it "Wicked," "The Lion King" or anything Disney. J-Blue clearly prefers movies, but he's a work in progress. I figure if I take him to enough of these things, he'll grow to have fun at least some of them time.

Maybe I'm delusional.

But to my original question, how old do you need to be for the "Line"? Anyone?

Please send replies courtesy of neglectful@whatkindofalousyparentkeepshiskidsoutafterninepm.com.