Last weekend my 10-year-old son and I attended a performance of Shades of Sound as guests of the Boston Ballet. Here are highlights and things to know as a parent taking children to the performance, followed by a few tips for getting the most from the experience.

Shades of Sound features three works: Chroma, Episodes, and Black Cake. Relatively short performances are separated by two intermissions – perfect for kids (and parents like me, who have the attention span of a toddler).

The first piece, Chroma, evokes a sense of the natural world meeting human-made mechanisms. The choreography tests the limits of the human body, and along with the costuming, bends ballet's gender roles. The simple but spectacular set reminds me of a blank canvas, and as the dance unfolds, it's like watching pieces of fine art come to life. The lighting creates magnificent shadows which are almost as compelling to watch as the dancers themselves. The orchestra for this work is so large it spills out of the pit and into the house, and the musicians are great fun to focus on when you can peel your eyes from the mesmerizing dance. 

Episodes, choreographed by George Balanchine and performed by dancers wearing traditional ballet class attire on a bare stage, is where you might lose your kids’ interest – until you tell them just how revolutionary it was at the time (and in some ways, still is). Balanchine de-emphasized plot and practically inverted traditional ballet form in his choreography. Children who have taken ballet classes might be surprised by the flexed hands and feet prominently featured throughout the choreography of Episodes. It’s the opposite of everything they’re taught in ballet class about extending the lines of their arms and legs, and never, ever turning feet inward. 

Black Cake takes the audience into a completely different world with its sparkling costumes, storytelling, and comedic dancing. The dancers surprise and delight with their acting chops, sense of humor, and use of something almost never revealed to audiences in a ballet – but I won’t spoil the surprise, because it’s part of the effect. Parents should know that the characters are seen drinking champagne and appear intoxicated, and at one point in their drunken states, the men playfully goose the women. None of this was the least bit shocking to me or to my son (which may tell you something about life in our house), but it’s always good to know what you’re getting into before you take your kids.

Over the years, I have enjoyed many great ballet performances by the world's greatest companies, and Boston Ballet's Shades of Sound ranks among the best dance performances I have seen. Even more importantly, my son and I had a wonderful time together, and he now sees the ballet not just as an art form to appreciate, but as honest-to-goodness fun. 

If you go:

• The Chinatown T stop is so close to the Opera House, public transportation is the way to go. However, if you must drive, there’s a public parking garage right across the street next to the Hyatt Regency Boston on Avenue de Lafayette.
• The theater is in a great location amidst the action of Chinatown and Downtown Crossing. Make a day of exploring the area around the theater, where there's an abundance of shopping and dining.
• If the weather is nice, take a stroll in Boston Common, which is a short walk away on West or Temple.
• If your kid doesn’t enjoy Chinese food or you’re pressed for time, B. Good is a few blocks up and is quick, tasty and offers plenty of gluten free options. (It is pricey for a place without table service, though.)
• The Opera House is gorgeous and absolutely worth taking the time to explore, so plan to arrive well before show time. And be prepared for a purse check as you enter.

Photo: Hans van Manen's Black Cake, © Rosalie O'Connor, courtesy of the Boston Ballet