I was so thrilled when I received an invitation from Culture Mom Media to see Peter and the Starcatcher since it’s a show I’ve been wanting to see for a long time (it’s the winner of 5 Tony Awards and has recently moved from Broadway to Off-Broadway). Brilliantly written, directed, acted and produced, this adult prequel to Peter Pan, is the ultimate theatre treat from beginning to end. As an actress, it’s no secret that I’m a theatre snob, but the reality is there is just not that much great theatre around anymore. Starcatcher is a refreshing exception, proving again, that sometimes the best theatre is the simplest and the most under produced.

Peter and the Starcatcher is an adventure on the high seas based on the book by the same name by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. A no named orphan boy (soon to be “Peter” and ultimately “Peter Pan”) meets a new friend, Molly. Together, along with their two orphan friends (“The Lost Boys”), they fight to prevail over pirates (including “Captain Black Stache”) in hopes of keeping their treasure safe. The story manages to answer many questions leading up to the Peter Pan story we all know and love like how Neverland got it’s name, how Captain Hook lost his hand, why the crocodile ticks, etc. and it’s fun to hear the audible “Oh”’s throughout the audience as these discoveries are made.

The show is nothing short of brilliant. Armed with an amazing script, witty puns, best of the biz actors, and creative direction, Peter and the Starcatcher does not have any week spots. The lack of sets, props and costumes actually adds to the charm and ingenuity of the production. Best of all, the show is hysterically funny. The kind of wail out loud funny for two hours. My husband and I were literally poking each other dying with laughter for the entire length of the show. The funniest of funny was positively “Black Stache” who even manages to crack up the other actors at various times throughout the show.

Peter and the Starcatcher is definitely an adult show so it’s the perfect opportunity for a date night! In fact, go to dinner after – you’ll actually talk about something other than the kids. Promise! The theatre is the perfect intimate setting and they even serve you “adult” drinks in your seats! We can’t wait to see it again. An absolutely enchanting, inspiring, and hysterically funny evening at the theatre.

Peter and the Starcatcher
New World Stages
340 West 50th Street
Tickets: $72.50-$92.50

Disclosure: Tickets to the event were provided for purpose of this review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

My family was delighted to be invited to see Elf the Musical on Broadway. We didn’t know what to expect but it didn’t take long for us to fall in love with the story that unfolded.

Buddy is the clever story of a young man who, after growing up among the elves on the North Pole, realizes he has different heritage and sets out to find his true parents in New York City. He has many adventures locating his family and adapting to life in the big city, and he eventually helps usher in the christmas spirit. Terrific costumes and really great music helped show off a truly fun holiday story that was brought to life by a vibrant cast. The casting was spot on and the musical numbers were fantastic. Buddy was perfect, he had us laughing out loud!

This was our four-year-old’s first evening show. He was enthralled from start to finish and now sleeps with a Buddy doll every night. The story’s themes also shined through with some cozy moments for the family to share. The snow fall at the end was magical (see picture below). This is a terrific night out for the family to enjoy this holiday season! Thanks to The Moms and Sierra Mist for an unforgettable night out with the family!

Elf The Musical
Al Hirschfeld Theatre
302 West 45th Street

Disclosure: Tickets to the event were provided for purpose of this review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Go 90 MILLION years back in time and experience the world when it was inhabited by DINOSAURS! I was so thrilled to be invited by MamaDrama to attend the new FIELD STATION: DINOSAURS. Now, our three year old boy is VERY into dinosaurs so we had a feeling he would enjoy it, but we had no idea how much fun this modern day Jurassic Park excursion would be for the whole family!

We set off in our car for NJ on a hot Sunday afternoon. As we approached the field station we knew this was going to be a unique adventure. As our three year old, Caleb, would gladly tell you, how often do you get to romp around in a “dinosaur zoo” in the “wild” with “real live dinosaurs”?!? Even though he expressed to us many times that dinosaurs are “extinct”, he kept saying that these were “real live dinosaurs” and no wonder – these life size robotic reincarnations of dinosaurs are so lifelike – watch a video here. It is so fun walking around the park exploring each dinosaur and learning about who they were and how they lived. Our son loved being a “paleontologist” and not only enjoyed his time there but learned so much. We especially enjoyed the “T-Rex Feeding Frenzy” where you watch a dinosaur feeding and a little show as well as the Fossil Excavation. It was VERY hot on the day that we went so I recommend bringing along plenty of sunscreen. Also, there is a lovely picnic area where you can rest in the shade and have some lunch. There are a few food options there but you can also bring your own! As you walk along the path visiting the dinosaurs there are several stations along the way where you can stop. There was a fun lego station with individual logo tables which was a big hit for us.

Our nine month old son enjoyed it almost as much as the three year old! He was fascinated by the dinosaurs and especially loved to hear them roar. He also really loved the show. I would say the only tough part was getting through the gift shop on the way out. The boys wanted to take everything home!

FIELD STATION: DINOSAURS is a great half day adventure for the family as it can be covered in a couple of hours. It was a thrilling day out with the family and I highly recommend it (especially if you and/or your kids are dinosaur lovers)! Check out some pics from our day out!

Open every day from 10am-6pm

Box office admission
Children (ages 3-12) $20.00
Adults $25.00
Seniors (65 years) $20.00
Ages 2 and under Free
Box office ticket prices do not include 7% sales tax.

Or buy ticket here for reduced prices
Children (ages 3-12) $17.50
Adults $20.00
Seniors (65 years) $17.50
Ages 2 and under Free
Ticket prices do not include a $1.00 per ticket processing fee and 7% sales tax.

Field Station: Dinosaurs is located at:
Laurel Hill Park
One Dinosaur Way
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Just minutes from NYC by car, train, or bus.
Parking is $10

Disclosure: Tickets to the event were provided by MamaDrama. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

For the whole family: The New York Children’s Theater Festival!

Go Green!
Prince Charming’s Quest for Love and Ecology in NYC
Friday April 20, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Saturday April 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Scheme of the Super Bullies
Friday April 27, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Saturday April 28, 2012 at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

The Velveteen Rabbit
Friday May 4, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Saturday May 5, 2012 at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Marjorie S. Dean Little Theatre at the West Side Y
10 W. 64th Street and Central Park West
$18 per person ($15 for YMCA Members)
All Festival Tickets Available Through Ovationtix.
Call 866.811.4111 or click here.

Welcome to 21st century Godspell, filled with audience participation, references to Charlie Sheen, Steve Jobs, Lindsay Lohan and Donald Trump, and wine served on stage during intermission. Set in the Circle in the Square Theatre, an intimate theatre in the round, this modern day production of Stephen Schwartz’s classic musical, veers from the original. While the story itself remains the same, many of the songs and much of the dialogue have been modernized. The actors take the stage with cell phones in hand, break into rap and beat box, pull audience members on stage to play charades and pictionary, refer to current events and pop culture, and even do the electric slide while singing “Day By Day”. At one point, a character says, “It’s your father. He wants you to add him on Facebook.”

There are no traditional sets. The story is told on a stage that is mostly bare, a trap door to a pool of water beneath, a ladder, and some other sparse props. Four guitarists are placed around the stage in the midst of the audience, a drum set is placed in the back row, and a piano is built into the stage. The focus here is on the energetic and talented cast; Hunter Parrish (Showtime’s “Weeds”, Spring Awakening), Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (“Hannah Montana”, “Camp Rock”) and Telly Leung (“Glee”, Wicked, Rent). In addition to being strong singers, the nontraditional cast engages in some innovative maneuvers, at one point creating a person out of pieces of newspaper and at another ripping paper to simulate the sound of tap shoes. The direction by first time Broadway director Daniel Goldstein is sharp, witty, and fresh.

This is indeed a refreshing twist on the show we all know and love. Treat yourself to a fun night out. You know you deserve it.

Godspell
Circle in the Square, 1633 Broadway @ 50th St.
Click here for tickets
Ticket Discount Code: GSMDR79
$79.50 / $89.50 (Sat Eves)
Certain black out dates apply
Valid through 12/23/11
For more blog posts on Broadway’s Godspell visit MamaDrama.