I would have to say that "Playing the Game" is a mediocre song in comparison to "Temper, Temper". I don't think that omitting TT and inserting PTG was the best way to handle the situation for fans as a whole. So I gather that this was done because people brought toddlers to the show got scared? Personally I think kids that young shouldn't be going to see a show at that age. And Disney did put a statement of age appropriateness in the info. about the show(or so I have heard).
And you know what irritates me the most about this whole situation? Is that Disney has had a moment just like TT in many of the movies that it has created- i.e. Toy Story: Where Sid get's attacked by the mutated toys and Woody, who "come to life" before his very eyes. And did Disney go and omit that? NOPE. They left it in. And anyways, no-one complained about that sequence being "too scary". (Rant over) But whatever. DTG has made the change, and there is virtually nothing that we can do about it. Except go and watch footage of the original song on Youtube.

I think kids that age have been exposed to things twice that scary and have never said a word. Uh, hello??? Halloween??? Duh! I've never seen the show live, but I still think the decision was stupid. By the looks of all these comments, I'm going to be making a smart decision by not listening to PTG.

"Temper, Temper" should be put in the revival at least.

I had listened to the cast recording with Temper Temper for three months before I got to see the show. When I finally saw it, I started poking my friend as soon as the toys started to come out....and they sang "Playing the Game"! I was so disappointed Temper Temper is still my favorite song from the musical even though I haven't actually seen it. That and "Step in Time" (god, such amazing choreography)

Oh, I like to play some exciting games

that is sad. =(

Saw the Broadway production last night with the kids and must admit that the replacement number, Playing the Game, was a complete disappointment. However, since the kids and I are biased, having seen the Temper! production twice and being fans of the soundtrack, it's unclear how we'd react to the modified scenes if we had neither prior knowledge nor expectations.
Compared to Temper, Temper!, Playing the Game is safe, dull, and less thematically coherent. Given the weakness of the compromise I find it unlikely that Mackintosh initiated the change. More probable that Disney demanded the candy-up.

I wonder...are there any productions that still perform with the song 'Temper, Temper' or is it cut out completely?

wao great discussion... its enjoyable to listen songs and read this stuff