Much to many people’s surprise, 42nd Street has become a great place for families in Manhattan to hang out. Long rid of the dirty, seedy elements that once defined it, the “crossroads of the world” has become the city’s headquarters for family entertainment, lined with movies, shops, restaurants, and theaters that cater to parents and kids.

The shining star of the refurbished area has been the New Victory Theater, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season. Thanks to the New Vic (as it’s fondly known), families can catch an age-appropriate show at the child-friendly time of 7 p.m., have dinner nearby, and head home by 9 p.m.! Now that’s entertainment!

When the New Victory Theater opened on Dec. 11, 1995 as the city’s first full-time performing arts theater for youth and family audiences (following an $11.4-million restoration), it represented the beginning of 42nd Street’s transformation. It was also the stunning revival of a 95-year-old building that had led many different lives—including one as 42nd Street’s first “striptease house” (where Gypsy Rose Lee performed) and later its first adult movie theater.

“We proved that change was possible on 42nd Street,” says Cora Cahan, president of the nonprofit New 42nd Street Inc., which operates seven historic theaters. “I refer to [the New Vic] as ‘the little engine that could.’”

The “bold move” of opening a family theater as the trendsetter in a major urban renewal project certainly paid off. Today, the 500-seat theater welcomes sell-out crowds of tots and teens (and their accompanying adults) who climb its elegant grand double exterior staircase and sit beneath the gaze of the dozens of golden cherubs that guard its high domed ceiling.

During the past decade 97 national and international companies have performed shows there including this year’s Black Grace, an all-male dance company from New Zealand, and London’s Little Angel Theatre musical puppet theater presentation of The Mouse Queen. Currently, the Golden Dragon Acrobats are on stage from China, while upcoming performances come from as far away as the Netherlands and Melbourne, Australia, and as near as California and New York.

Other unique features of the New Vic include free membership if you order tickets to more than three shows and, being highly subsidized, the theater manages to keep ticket prices low. Where else can you see such high caliber theater for less than the cost of a movie? Tickets go for as little as $7 for members sitting in the upper balcony, up to $30 for non-member orchestra seats.

The New Vic boasts such kid-friendly touches as booster seats for the smallest visitors, large bathrooms with changing tables, and lockers for storing your bags and coats. Faced with the challenge of attracting kids of all ages, some shows are only 60 minutes of song and dance to keep little ones interested, while others are aimed at teens by tackling social issues such as bullying and vandalism. There are special nights when teens can meet cast members, dance, and party, while expanded weekend workshops offering storytelling, mask-making, juggling, and puppetry attract the younger set.

So what will the next 10 years bring? “The moment you reach your goal is the beginning of the end,” says Cahan. “We’re always trying to add another rung to the ladder.” One plan is to open the theater to more city school children, and to bring in shows from thus far unrepresented countries, including Korea, India, Cuba and Japan.

“We’re always asking, ‘What more can we do?’” she says. And New York’s kids will surely benefit from this process.

For more information, call 646-223-3010 or go to www.newvictory.org.

Upcoming Shows:
Jan. 6-22: The Stones (teen issues)
Feb. 17-26: Baron Rabinovitsj (comedy concert)
Mar. 3-12: The Frog Bride (musical storytelling)
Mar. 17-26: Complexions (dance)
Mar. 31-Apr. 16: Comedy 4 Kids (stand-up comedy)
Apr. 28-May 21: Brundibar & Comedy on the Bridge (opera)
June 2-18: 4-Ish (hip-hop, extreme sports, and video)