Kids Theaters Open
InterAct Theatre Company at The Proscenium Theatre
4.7(152)4.7 out of 5 stars, 152 reviews Philadelphia, PA
About InterAct Theatre Company at The Proscenium Theatre
InterAct Theatre Company offers high-quality, thought-provoking theatrical productions featuring emerging playwrights and actors, often with clever sets and strong acting. However, for parents specifically, there are significant concerns: plays advertised as 'family-friendly' may not be suitable for children due to complex themes, long durations without intermissions, and reports of inappropriate actor behavior. The company also faces serious accusations regarding casting choices and political stances, which some families may find problematic.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Adults and teenagers (14+) interested in serious, contemporary theatre and supporting new artists.Theatre-goers looking for intimate performances with strong dialogue and acting.Individuals seeking plays that offer intellectual engagement or historical insight.Not recommended for young children (under 12-14 years old) due to potentially complex themes, long durations without intermissions, and reported negative experiences with actor behavior.More suitable for older children, teenagers, or adults who appreciate contemporary, often challenging, theatrical works and new talent.
Why families love it
- Offers excellent production quality with strong acting and clever set designs.
- Features interesting plays by up-and-coming playwrights and actors.
- Provides an intimate theatrical experience (at venues like The Drake, which was described as small and intimate).
- Plays can be intellectually stimulating and offer educational value, particularly for older audiences (e.g., learning about Frederick Douglass and John Brown).
- High artistic quality in acting and overall production elements.
- Opportunity to experience new and emerging theatrical talent and works.
Insider tips
- Do not rely solely on 'family-friendly' labels; thoroughly research the specific play's content, themes, and runtime (especially regarding intermissions) before bringing children.
- Consider attending a performance without young children first to gauge its suitability for your family, or seek out reviews specific to the current production.
- Parents concerned about the company's ethical or political stances should conduct further research into the accusations regarding casting decisions or public statements.
- Be aware that some productions may be long monologues without breaks, which can be challenging for children.
Good to know before you go
- Families with young children, especially for productions that lack explicit, positive reviews from other parents regarding child-appropriateness.
- If you are seeking traditional, lighthearted children's entertainment with simple plots and clear intermissions.
- If you or your family are sensitive to long, uninterrupted performances.
- If you are concerned about controversies related to casting decisions or potential inappropriate actor conduct towards the audience.
- Plays advertised as 'suitable for the whole family' may not be digestible or understandable for children, featuring overly complex or mature themes.
- Crowds
- One reviewer described 'The Drake' venue as 'small and intimate', which might suggest a generally less crowded environment compared to larger theaters. No general crowd level information for other venues or typical performance times is available.
- Value
- No specific pricing information is mentioned in the reviews. The value appears to be high for adult audiences seeking quality, challenging theatre, but potentially poor for families with young children given reported suitability issues and negative experiences.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews. One reviewer mentioned a performance at 'The Drake' venue being 'small and intimate', but no details on physical accessibility were provided.
- Safety
- No specific safety features are mentioned in the reviews. However, concerns were raised about actor conduct towards audience members, which is relevant to a family's comfort and safety perception.
What parents say
"Excellent production and clever set!"
2 months ago
"Really interesting plays by up & coming playwrites & actors. If you like the theater this is the place for you!"
6 years ago
"They have no issue casting antisemites to play Jewish characters, including those who tear down posters commemorating Americans killed by designated foreign terrorist groups and those who peddle the nearly century-old trope that Jews control Hollywood. I’d rather watch a movie on cable tv with a commercial every 5 minutes than patronize such a business."
8 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More kids theaters in Philadelphia
Kids Theaters Walnut Street Theatre
4.7(2,417)4.7 out of 5 stars, 2417 reviews825 Walnut St, Philadelphia
Kids Theaters Arden Theatre Company
4.8(994)4.8 out of 5 stars, 994 reviews40 N 2nd St, Philadelphia
Kids Theaters Miller Theater
4.2(2,130)4.2 out of 5 stars, 2130 reviews250 S Broad St, Philadelphia
Kids Theaters Forrest Theatre
4.5(763)4.5 out of 5 stars, 763 reviews1114 Walnut St, Philadelphia