For Shakespeare Raps and Enormous Elephants, Head to the New Victory

Got kids? Looking to entertain your niece and nephew when they visit from Omaha?
To your list of must-see New York stops, try adding something a little different: The New Victory Theater.
Now in its 15th year, the New Victory offers an almost year-round program of international works for kids and families. But we’re not talking puppet shows of “Little Red Riding Hood” or adults dressed up like barnyard animals.
Unless, of course, the puppets are part of a centuries-old troupe focusing on the retelling of classic fairy tales, and the barnyard animals are really part of a rap/acrobatic/trapeze/slam poetry celebration.
Well, you get the idea.
The works are sophisticated, thought-provoking and, often, unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else. Even better, they still only cost an average of $18 a ticket.
Coming up in March, for instance, the theater will offer “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare,” 100 minutes of parodies of all 37 of the Bard’s plays. Three actors start off with “Romeo and Juliet” and whiz their way, through, well, everything else, including a rap of “Othello.” It’s presented--no surprise--by The Reduced Shakespeare Company and runs from March 5-14.
The theater also offers works for families and teens, in everything from circus arts to tap.
Coming up later in the year? “46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes” (one must be done really, really fast) presented by Australia’s Circa (March 19-April 4).
From April 23-May 2, get ready for “Elephant,” a celebration of African song and dance from the Dodgy Clutch Theatre Co. with the Market Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Expect, puppets, yes--but banish thoughts of anything cringe worthy or amateurish.
The New Victory Theater is at 229 West 42nd Street (646 223 3010).

He Still Won't Grow Up: Peter Pan at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater

Mention the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, and you will either get a blank stare or a look of delight. Located in New York’s Central Park, the theater started life in 1876 as an example of Swedish design at an exposition in Philadelphia. The cottage was purchased by the New York Parks Department and moved to its current site when the event ended. It was completely restored about 10 years ago.
(To file under “Did You Know”: The cottage was brought here at the suggestion of Frederick Law Olmstead, who designed Central Park.)
This summer, the cottage features a new retelling of the “Peter Pan” story, called “Peter Pan & Adventures in Never Land.” What’s new? Well, for one thing, it’s set in New York City; for another, Tiger Lily is now a native of India rather than being Native American. Will Nana the dog, by far our favorite character, make an appearance? No word yet...The show runs every day during the summer (although show times differ).
The marionettes are hand-crafted; the setting is lovely; and although performances are geared to kids 3-9, it’s more of an “everyone” kind of experience, at least once.
PS Yes--it’s air conditioned.
The Marionette Theater is located on the west side of the park at 79th Street, south of the Delacorte Theater. For more information about showtimes, performances, and birthday parties at the Cottage, call (212) 988-9093.