My House

My House

• Photos courtesy of the New Victory Theatermy.house.1_0.jpg627891
• Photos courtesy of the New Victory Theatermy.house.2_0.jpg627902
• Photos courtesy of the New Victory Theatermy.house.3_0.jpg627913
• Photos courtesy of the New Victory Theatermy.house.4_0.jpg627924
• Photos courtesy of the New Victory Theatermy.house.5_0.jpg627935

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Photos courtesy of the New Victory Theater

Parents of young kids—heck, even pregnant couples—are always asking, "How old does my child have to be before I can start taking him to the theater?" While the answer varies depending on the tot (you can find some general guidelines here), My House, part of the New Victory Scottish Festival, is the perfect introductory stage experience for budding Broadway babies.

Aimed specifically at the under-three set, the solo show is essentially an intimate group playdate. The audience (25 people max) sits on pillows on the floor while soothing electronic music plays, then Manley emerges from his colorful cardboard abode, wide-eyed and excited about his new friends, and says simply, "My house." The rest of the play is wordless, as Manley shows viewers around his home, which is remarkably transformable. He models his collection of vibrant knitted hats (all topped with a distinctive orange pompom), draws on the walls with crayons (sure to make moms and dads cringe), toys with a watermelon and engages in other relatable childlike games. Interaction is, of course, key, and by the end, he's feeding the kids cantaloupe and inviting them to literally play in his house (which, being cardboard, apparently has to be replaced on a regular basis).

As appealing as the show is for babes, if your child has gotten to the "why" stage, she's too old. Preverbal kids let the wonder of My House wash over them, but not preschoolers. The most distracting person at the show I attended wasn't a crying infant; it was my own four-year-old, who was constantly asking questions.—Raven Snook

My House is playing at the New 42nd Street Studios through Oct 18. Tickets $20.

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• New Victory Scottish Festival preview
• Theater articles
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