Row L Seat 1 2014 Highlights

Wow - what a year it's been! With the end of 2014 just hours away, it's hard to believe that Row L Seat 1 is almost a year old! In some ways it feels like I just started blogging about theatre last week, while in other ways it seems like I've been doing it forever.

From Central PA to Broadway, my year was full of theatre adventures. Here are a few Row L Seat 1 highlights from 2014...

January brought my first post! In February I jumped on the online quiz bandwagon by creating the "Which Broadway Musical Are You?" quiz. In March, who could forget about Adela Dazeem? (John Travolta hopes everyone has forgotten about that by now.) April brought one of my favorite topics, Introducing Kids to Theatre.

Most of May I spent trying to win that insane contest to win tickets to the Tony Awards dress rehearsal. I still have nightmares about it! While I ultimately came in fourth place (which I didn't find to be too shabby out of thousands of people), I sure learned a lot from the experience!

The Tony Awards were in June. I made my first attempt at predictions, and I have to admit I did better than I thought I would do, ultimately correctly guessing 12 out of 26. Also in June, my family went to see Aladdin on Broadway. This was the first time in New York City for my youngest son, and he even helped me review the production!

My youngest son enjoyed his first trip to New York City, complete with tickets to see Aladdin.

In July, I shared a few items on my Broadway bucket list. And in August I debuted a series of posts with ideas I have that I think would sell more tickets on Broadway.

In September, my Theatre Review page went live, followed by the arrival of my business cards in October. (It only took me nine months to get them, but it was worth the wait. Even though it's just a little card, it makes me feel "official!")

Getting business cards was an exciting accomplishment for me!

To end the year, December brought the inaugural issue of "Intermission," the Row L Seat 1 Central PA Newsletter!

I feel like I've come so far since that very first post almost a year ago. And I know 2015 is going to be even more exciting (I have some big plans, which will be revealed in the next week or two!).

Thank you to everyone who continues to read my blog, like and share my posts on social media, and support Row L Seat 1. I truly appreciate it, and I hope you all have a happy and healthy 2015 filled with lots of theatre!

PRiMA Theatre to Open 2015 Season with Anniversary Cabaret

PRiMA Theatre will open its 2015 season on January 31 with FIVE, a special fifth anniversary cabaret featuring PRiMA’s finest talent and the unforgettable show-stopping tunes from the past five seasons.

Professional performers include Kristen Brewer, Michael Fisher, Randy Jeter, Josh Keefer, Erin McCullough, Sarah Timm, Reji Woods, and a rare performance by PRiMA’s Mitch Nugent. The singers will be accompanied by Music Director and acclaimed regional pianist Andy Roberts. Past shows represented by song include PRiMA’s Glee, The Music of West Side Story, Chess, Guilty Pleasures, Rockin Rodgers & Hammerstein, Songs For A New World, Monster Music, 80’s Re-Lived! and Oz in Concert.

FIVE will play on January 31 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The performances are hosted by the Lancaster Office of Promotion and will be held in the masonic room, upstairs at the City Visitors Center, 38 Penn Square, Lancaster, PA 17603. Tickets start at $22 and are available at primatheatre.org or 717.327.5124.

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT coming to Hershey Theatre

Broadway’s new musical comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It, will visit Hershey Theatre Friday, January 16 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 17 at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for this show are $30.00, $50.00, $60.00 and $70.00 (tax and applicable fees apply) and are available at Hershey Theatre Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3405 and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

Alex Enterline and Mariah MacFarlane will star as wealthy playboy Jimmy Winter and feisty bootlegger Billie Bendix, respectively. The tour will also feature Reed Campbell as Cookie McGee, Aaron Fried as Duke Mahoney, Stephanie Gandolfo as Jeannie Muldoon, Stephanie Harter Gilmore as Duchess Estonia Dulworth, Benjamin Perez as Senator Max Evergreen, Rachael Scarr as Eileen Evergreen, Thomas Schario as Chief Berry and Barbara Weetman as Millicent Winter.

Rounding out the company are Jessica Bare, Kayla Starr Bryan, Christian Bufford, Elyse Collier, Carl DeForrest Hendin, Nick Jones, Kristina King, Alison Morooney, Sarah Primmer, Kevin Michael Raponey, Justin Schuman, Heather Stinson and Chris Woods.

The musical comedy features music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis) inspired by material by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse. The production features direction and choreography by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes), recreated by David Eggers.

Nice Work If You Can Get It, which played a total of 478 performances during its 2012-2013 Broadway run, is filled to the brim with classic Gershwin songs, including “But Not For Me,” “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off,” “I’ve Got a Crush on You” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” This sparkling, madcap tale combines laughter, romance and high-stepping Broadway magic for an evening bursting with girls, glamour and the glorious songs of Gershwin. For more information, please visit www.NiceWorkOnTour.com.

MID-LIFE 2! (THE CRISIS CONTINUES) Makes its Regional Debut at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

A production that has not been seen before in the state of Pennsylvania, Mid-Life 2! (The Crisis Continues), will be playing at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre from December 30th through February 14th.

Mid-Life 2! is a musical revue that takes a look at the aches, pains and even joys of getting older, featuring songs like "Zumba Warriors," "A Trip To The Drugstore," "Where’d I Put My Glasses?" and "The Senior Discount."

The small cast consists of three men and three women, and they are all Dutch Apple alums. Luther Chakurian, playing Man 1, was just seen as Tom Bailey in A Wonderful Life. The Houston native was a company member with The Masquerade Theatre for 15 years and was voted “Best Actor” by the Houston Press in 2007 for the title role in Sweeny Todd. Christopher Tefft, playing Man 2, was recently seen as Mr. Martini in A Wonderful Life and is a professional church singer who has appeared with St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Park Avenue Christian Church and St. Joseph’s in the West Village. Man 3 will be portrayed by Kirk Lawrence, who is no stranger to the Dutch Apple stage. Kirk recently appeared as the cold Mr. Potter in A Wonderful Life and was also seen in Hairspray playing “everybody else of the male persuasion.” Kirk, as Jane Street, is co-host of the monthly Berks Community Television talk show “That’s What She Said!” 

Dianne Stone Fussaro, playing Woman 1, actually got her start in professional theatre on the Dutch Apple stage the day that their doors opened. Since then Dianne has been in several productions, and she is the founding company member/producer for Theatre America, New York City. Woman 2 will be portrayed by Jennifer Hope. Recently seen as Mrs. Martini in A Wonderful Life, Jennifer has taken her career to five continents and 43 states, performing at The Kennedy Center, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Trump Taj Mahal. Lisa Coday will be performing as Woman 3. Lisa was recently seen as Milly Bailey in A Wonderful Life, and this will be her fourth show at Dutch Apple. During her 20 plus years as a performer, she has had the honor of performing with great artists such as Andy Williams, Glen Campbell and Bobby Vinton.

This production will be directed and choreographed by brothers Jim Walton and Bob Walton (who also wrote the script, music and lyrics). Jim and Bob wrote the hilarious predecessor Mid-Life! (The Crisis Musical), which was enjoyed by all at the Dutch Apple in 2008. Both Bob and Jim have appeared in productions on Broadway as well as off Broadway. In 1997 their musical My Brother’s Keeper won “Best New Musical” in the Backstage Bistro Awards.

Mid-Life 2! (The Crisis Continues) will be at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre December 30th through February 14th. It’s a hilarious comedy that will have you turning to your friends saying “That’s us!” However, you might want to leave the kids at home. Ticket prices range from $49 to $56 for meal and show. A limited number of show-only seats are available for $34. Call (717) 898-1900 to make a reservation, or order your tickets online at www.DutchApple.com.

Strand-Capitol Names Jody Keller Interim CEO

The Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York, PA, has hired Jody Keller to serve as an interim CEO. Keller brings over 30 years of consulting experience in the areas of management, organizational development and human resources management to this position.

Keller will be responsible for supporting staff and executing work plans as well as serving as a main Strand-Capitol representative. She will also assist in the search process for the next CEO and prepare a report to be shared with that person regarding the current state of operations.

“Jody has been a highly respected leader in our community for a long time,” said Loren Kroh, chairman, 2014-2015 Strand-Capitol board of directors. “Her skill set and experience are a great fit for our needs during this period of transition.”

Prior to joining the Strand-Capitol, Keller was a partner and chief administrative officer at ParenteBeard LLC, the 20th largest accounting firm in the U.S. She was a member of the executive management team and oversaw human resources, partner relations and the marketing and communications functions. Keller holds a bachelor’s of science degree in education from The Pennsylvania State University and a master of arts in human resources management and labor relations from St. Francis University. She is certified as a senior professional in human resources (SPHR) from the HR Certification Institute.

Keller is an active leader in the York community. She currently serves as chairman of the board for Turning Point Women’s Counseling Center and as a board member of the York County Library System and the advisory committee of the Byrnes Health Education Center. Additionally, she is a member of the Rotary Club of York where she has served as president, a member of the Penn State-York Campus Advisory Board and past chairman of the board of the York County Chamber of Commerce.

Elf The Musical at Hershey Theatre is a Recipe for Holiday Fun

I love to bake cookies at Christmastime. I don't know if it's the way it makes the house smell, the joy on my kids faces when they dump a year's supply of sprinkles on a sugar cookie, or the way the cookies look when they're all done and assembled on a platter on Christmas day. Probably it's all of those reasons.

Another thing I love about this time of year is the abundance of holiday plays and musicals that are playing at local theatres. Come to think of it, holiday shows are actually pretty similar to Christmas cookies. For example, take the chocolate chip cookie. A Christmas Story is kind of like the chocolate chip cookie of holiday shows. It's reliable, good, and you can be sure someone you know will make it every year. Then you have the sugar cookies, which are shows like It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. They're nice, sweet, and go back years and years. And finally there are the special cookies. They're the cookies that not everyone makes, but when you find someone that makes a good special cookie you want to make sure you get your hands on one before they're gone. Elf the Musical at Hershey Theatre is just this kind of cookie...I mean show.

Elf tells the story of Buddy the Elf, who's not really an elf but thinks he's an elf. You see, Buddy was orphaned as a child and accidentally crawled into Santa's sack, ending up at the North Pole where he was raised with all the other elves. Upon learning he's actually human, Buddy sets off on an adventure to New York City to find his true dad.

I make a special cookie at Christmas that I like to think is pretty darn good. It's a chocolate mint cookie, and as with most cookies, it starts with flour. The flour in Elf is Santa. You pretty much can't make a cookie without flour, and well, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Santa. Santa is played by Mark Fishback, and other than the fake beard, Fishback is a pretty convincing Saint Nick.

After the flour comes the sugar. The sugar is the sweetest part of the cookie and what makes the cookie taste so delicious. Of course this is Buddy, who is basically a kid in an adults body. He's almost always happy, and he has such a youthful innocence about him. What's not to love about a guy who thinks nothing of dressing in striped green tights and eats spaghetti covered in maple syrup for breakfast? At the performance I attended, Buddy, typically played by Daniel Patrick Smith, was played by understudy David J. Wiens. Wiens stepped up to the plate and didn't miss a beat. While I wouldn't say he had an outstanding voice, when combined with natural acting talent it was good enough to pull off the role.

Next it's time to mix in some butter, the indulgent part of the cookie that you cringe when you add. This is Buddy's real dad, Walter Hobbs. Walter, played by D. Scott Withers, is a workaholic that puts his job before everything, including family. Withers does a fantastic job playing the guy you love to hate (though by the end of the show you might not hate him so much).

Then come the eggs, not the key ingredient but very important nonetheless. Emily (Walter's wife and Buddy's stepmother) and Jovie (a Macy's North Pole employee and quickly Buddy's love interest) are the eggs in Elf. Emily is played by Allison Mickelson, and Jovie is played by Daryn Harrell. Both Mickelson and Harrell have pleasant voices and shine in their respective roles.

Then it's time for the surprise in the cookie... the mint chips. They're just little, but they add so much to the cookie. This ingredient in Elf is Michael, Buddy's younger stepbrother. At the performance I saw, Michael was played by Benjamin Elias Harding, and boy was he a treat. He's one of the best child performers I've seen, and honestly I feel that he is one of the most talented cast members. This 7th grader can act, dance, and sing, and he looks so natural doing all of it. Harding's voice blends perfectly with Mickelson's, making for an absolutely beautiful duet in "I'll Believe in You." Not to mention his pitch-perfect voice singing the phrase "It's the story of...Buddy the Elf," which is guaranteed to get stuck in your head (don't say I didn't warn you).

After the mint chips come the chocolate chips. These chips are the other minor roles and ensemble members, each adding a nice touch to the show. From tap dancing elves in the North Pole to singing fake Santas in a Chinese restaurant, the talented ensemble members make sure that everyone leaves the theatre in full-blown holiday spirit.

Finally there are the ingredients like salt and baking powder, which are the necessary ingredients that ensure that a cookie turns out perfectly. These ingredients are the orchestra, choreography, sets, and costumes. The orchestra provides a solid and powerful presence, and the choreography is high energy and top notch. Much of the set and scenery is comprised of a stacking of intricately decorated curtains, which works well for easily transitioning between the North Pole and NYC. And the costumes are about as colorful, Christmas-y, and elf-y as they can get.

Oh, and I can't forget about the secret ingredient... (You didn't think I would give away my entire recipe, did you?) We'll just call the secret ingredient "Santa's magic."

And of course, what Christmas cookie would be complete without the help of children. I'm lucky to have two young boys who like to help me make my cookies, and they came along with me to see Elf as well. My 4-year-old told me that he liked the part when Buddy took the paper and put it in the "machine thing" (his words - not mine) and turned it into snow and yelled "Snooow!" He also liked when Buddy fixed Michael's toy. And my almost-7-year-old was quick to point out that his favorite parts were the ones in the North Pole. Despite his two trips to NYC, he still said that "I like the parts in the North Pole better than the parts in New York." I guess in a kid's world, the Big Apple just can't compete with the the Big Guy in the Red Suit! He also said he liked the part when Santa had Candy Crush on his iPad.

My boys (ages 6 and 4) loved Elf the Muiscal and sat with complete interest the whole time.

I'm not even going to delve into the realm of the musical versus the movie. First of all, I haven't seen the movie in years so I wouldn't consider myself qualified to make accurate comparisons. Secondly, I've found that you should never go into a musical expecting it to be the same as the movie. I mean, you would never expect my chocolate mint cookies to taste exactly like someone else's, right?

When you mix all the ingredients together, Elf the Musical is a special holiday treat that the whole family can enjoy. Filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud humor, a little bit of love, and a good holiday message, this is one show you should catch before it flies back to the North Pole. In other words, make sure to get your hands on this cookie before it's all gone!

Overall I give this production 6 out of 10 standing ovations.

Elf the Musical is playing at Hershey Theatre December 9-14. More details and ticket information can be found at www.HersheyTheatre.com. (A quick note for parents... Minor language is occasionally used, and a recurring theme in the show is the idea of some people not believing in Santa, although most of this will likely go right over the heads of younger children.)

It's Time for Intermission

A year or two ago, one of my favorite musicals was playing at a local theatre. My calendar was open, the ticket prices were very affordable, I was feeling great, and the weather was perfect. Yet I didn't go. But the reason I didn't go had nothing to do with my schedule, ticket prices, my health, or the weather. In fact, the one and only reason that I didn't go to this particular show was that I didn't even know it was playing until after it was over! Needless to say, I was devastated to learn that I had missed out on an opportunity to see one of my favorites and support the local theatre scene (I still have nightmares about it).

One of the main reasons I started the Row L Seat 1 theatre blog (and more specifically the Central PA page of the blog) was to spread the word about local theatre. After all, if a hardcore theatre fan like myself managed to miss a production of one of my favorite musicals when it was playing right down the road, how many other people in Central PA are missing the exact same opportunities and not even aware of it?

Well, I'm happy to say that there is now a way to make sure this doesn't happen! I am pleased to announce the creation of "Intermission," Row L Seat 1's monthly e-newsletter dedicated to theatre in Central PA.

Each month, "Intermission" will deliver information on what's happening in theatres across Central Pennsylvania. Signing up is easy! Just go to the end of this post, where it says "Subscribe to Intermission now!" and you'll see a place to enter your email address to subscribe. You can also subscribe any time by by visiting the Row L Seat 1 blog or by clicking the "RLS1 Newsletter" tab on the Row L Seat 1 Facebook page (though these methods might not work if you're on a phone).

Whether you're a serious theatre fan like myself or you just enjoy an occasional performance, don't let what happened to me happen to you! Subscribe today to make sure you never miss out on your favorite show when it's in town.

To view the inaugural December newsletter and see what's playing this month, just click here!

As always, I welcome any and all feedback on ways to improve Row L Seat 1. If you have an idea for the newsletter or any comments in general, feel free to email me any time at kim@rowLseat1.com.

Subscribe to Intermission now!

PRiMA Theatre Announces Fifth Anniversary Season

PRiMA Theatre in Lancaster has announced their fifth anniversary season. The 2015 season features two creative cabarets, an immersive theatrical experience, and two rarely produced musicals.

Money-saving ticket subscriptions and tax-deductible sponsorship opportunities can be found at primatheatre.org/2015 or by calling 717-327-5124. PRiMA productions are produced at a variety of local venues with dates announced approximately three months prior to each production.

The season includes the following productions:

FIVE

A special anniversary cabaret featuring PRiMA’s finest talent and the unforgettable show-stopping tunes from the past five seasons.

 


SHOSHANA BEAN: Concert & Master Class 

Broadway’s green witch lands in Lancaster for an exclusive solo concert and public master class. Best known for playing Elphaba in Wicked, Shoshana is one of Jason Robert Brown’s favorite singers. From Hairspray to Godspell, singing with Michael Jackson to the Enchanted movie soundtrack, this powerhouse vocalist brings her vocal prowess and unique experience to the PRiMA stage.
 
CHESS IN CONCERT

Chess is a monumental musical about political and romantic gameplay. By the composers of Mamma Mia and the lyricist of Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, this intense story is woven together in what Time Magazine calls ‘one of the best rock scores ever produced!’ Join us for a fresh anniversary revival of one of PRiMA’s early artistic successes.
 
CHILDREN OF EDEN

From the composer of Wicked comes this expansive and heartfelt musical. Loosely based on the stories from the Book of Genesis, Children of Eden is a tale about the challenges of parenting, breaking generational patterns, and the power of second chances. Experience this moving musical in concert staging within the magnificent St. James Church in Lancaster City.
BROADWAY VILLAINS
Celebrate All Hallow’s Eve weekend with this chic cabaret featuring songs from the Great White Way’s darkest characters.

 

 
SNOW QUEEN’S PARTY

Mrs. Claus is throwing a wild, theatrical party for the holidays...and you’re invited! Join the sassy leader of the elves for an immersive experience; a live version of a sugar-induced North Pole dream.

Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition (Part 2)

So I had a conversation with my husband a few months ago that went a little something like this:

Me: You know what would be a really cool idea for a musical?

Chad: <rolling eyes> Here we go again…

Me: What if there was some kind of show that changed every time you saw it?
Chad: What do you mean?
Me: Like the ending changed or certain things in the show changed. So someone who saw the show one night would have a completely different experience than someone who saw it a different night.

Chad: Ok, that’s actually a decent idea.

Me: I mean, can you imagine the buzz this would generate? Not only would people want to know what happened in the show when others saw it, but some people would probably go to see the show a second (or even third or fourth) time.

And then I think he tuned me out while I rambled for another hour or so about the possibilities this idea could lead to and how it could actually work.

In my introductory Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition post, I talked about the trend of Broadway shows closing, and how I feel like Broadway needs to make some changes to prevent this from happening. This trend has continued over the past weeks with the closing announcements of quality shows like Once and Pippin. And I think the conversation I had with my husband is a perfect example of one of the changes Broadway could make to keep shows around a little bit longer.

Once will play its last show on Broadway on January 4, 2015.

Sadly, good quality just isn’t enough to keep a show running anymore. Sure there are exceptions, like Wicked or The Lion King, but for the most part, a Broadway show is lucky if it makes it past a year or two on Broadway. This year's Tony-hopeful Holler if Ya Hear Me only lasted six weeks on Broadway before closing. SIX WEEKS! I realize that there are a limited number of theatres on Broadway, and one show needs to close in order for another to open. But six weeks (or even 1-2 years) is just too short of a run.

I've always felt like theatre should be more than a show. It should be an experience. The better the experience, the more successful the show. Shows like Cats and Les Misérables provided enough of an experience to keep the last generation of theatre-goers going to see them year after year, but today’s generation of theatre-goers want more. Maybe "more" isn't the right word to use; maybe "different" would be better. Either way, Broadway just isn't catching on to this. Flawless voices, moving music, a hot celebrity leading the opening cast for a month or two, and a few martinis with the right people will get a show to Broadway, but keeping it there now takes a more modern approach.

I’ve seen a few theatres testing out more modern approaches, and I like what I'm seeing. For example, London-based Punchdrunk's Sleep No More has been around for a while now. In this immersive theatre experience, audience members freely move through different rooms, going on a unique journey based on Shakespeare's Macbeth. And a new production called Blank! The Musical recently opened off-Broadway, where the audience chooses the plot by voting on their smartphones.

Now Broadway just needs to catch on to this trend. Call it what you want: immersive theatre, interactive theatre, modern theatre. Whatever you decide to call it, I think it's a huge -- and necessary -- step in the theatre world. In order to succeed, a show still needs a solid base of talent, of course. But adding some kind of interactive element to a show really brings it to a new level...a level that Broadway needs to find.

Hershey Theatre to Welcome Elf The Musical

NETworks Presentations, LLC, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Unique Features, bring the Broadway musical Elf to Hershey Theatre from Tuesday, December 9 through Sunday, December 14.

Tickets for this show start at $25.00, $58.00, $73.00 and $78.00 (tax and applicable fees apply) and are available at Hershey Theatre Box Office. They can be charged by phone at 717-534-3405 and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). The production will feature direction by Sam Scalamoni and choreography by Connor Gallagher.

For more information, please visit www.ElfTheMusicalOnTour.com.

Dutch Apple Presents 'It's a Wonderful Life'

The classic 1956 Christmas movie directed by Frank Capra, It’s a Wonderful Life, has been brought to vibrant color in a magical musical adaptation by Sheldon Harnick at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. It’s a Wonderful Life will be at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre November 13 through December 23 and will feature a special, traditional Christmas dinner buffet.

It’s Christmas Eve in Bedford Falls, New York, and a depressed George Bailey is about to end his life. Clarence Oddbody, Angel Second-Class, is assigned to visit Earth and save George in hopes of earning his wings. He takes us through some of the most important parts of George’s life. A wealthy slumlord, Henry Potter, tried to shut down the Bailey’s Building and Loan Association, which gives home loans to the working poor. George put aside his dreams of travel in order to serve as executive director and save the firm. George also gave up his honeymoon when he married Mary Hatch in order to save the investors from a bank issue. George has spent his whole life bettering the lives of those around him; however, when his uncle misplaces a large sum of money, putting George in a bind, Potter refuses to help bail him out. Depressed by his current situation, George tries to end his life. Clarence appears to him and shows George what life in Bedford falls would have looked like without him. Ashamed that he did not appreciate life as he should, George returns to find that the town had all pitched in to solve his financial troubles. 

It's A Wonderful Life is an uplifting show for the whole family that celebrates the innate goodness in all of us. Dinner and Show prices are $49 - $55, and a limited number of Show Only seats are available for $32. Children’s prices are also available. Call 717-898-1900 to make a reservation or order your tickets online at www.DutchApple.com.

Phantom Theatre Company to Present Halloween Cabaret

On Saturday October 25, 2014, Phantom Theatre Company will present its newest cabaret, This Is Halloween, at the River City Blues Club located at 819 S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg. Showtime is at 7:00 p.m. River City will open at 5:00 p.m. so that guests have the option of dining before the show. Tickets are $15 and available at the door (cash or check only please).

 

 

This Is Halloween promises to be a hauntingly good time! Enjoy some of the season’s favorite songs performed by a talented cast. "People Are Strange," so be prepared for a "Spooky" show! It's no “Superstition"...you're gonna wanna run like a "Bat Out Of Hell" right to the River City Blues Club to see This Is Halloween!

 

More information can be found on Phantom’s website, www.phantomtheatrecompany.org.

Review: Jesus Christ Superstar at Carlisle Theatre

When a theatre makes the decision to perform a well-known classic in a modern way, it's taking a chance. It either works or it doesn't; there's no in between. In the case of Carlisle Theatre Company's production of Jesus Christ Superstar...it works. And it works well.

While the show still boasts the same dramatic intensity, raw emotion, and familiar Andrew Lloyd Webber music as the original 1970 rock opera, it also brings elements such as social media, corporate America, and modern technology into the production. Throughout the show, images of Twitter, YouTube, BuzzFeed, and even the Carlisle Sentinel flash on a large screen on the stage, providing "news" of Jesus and the disciples. Characters are given a modern makeover, often doing scenes in settings like a board room or even on a golf course. Outdated props like reporters' bulky cameras and tape recorders have been replaced with smartphones.

In addition to these elements, live video cameras capture various moments of the show and project them onto the large screen, enabling the audience to really connect with the emotion of the performers as they present the story of Jesus's last days.

The cast features some very talented actors, including Michael Miller (Jesus), Emily Falvey (Mary Magdalene), and Jeremy Patterson (Judas). Miller delivers an impressive performance, most significantly in his ability to transition from a smooth and controlled vocal to a rock star scream in an instant. Falvey's voice is a refreshing contrast to the electrifying rock music, specifically in her performance of "I Don't Know How to Love Him." And while Patterson performed well throughout the show, he was at his best when leading the Soul Sisters and Angels in "Superstar."

Ryan Boyles plays the role of Pontius Pilate, and at first seems to blend in with the cast. But the more time he spends on stage, the more he shines, and he ultimately delivers a really commanding performance in the "Trial Before Pilate (Including the 39 Lashes)." Ric LeBlanc (King Herod) provides an entertaining performance in "King Herod's Song," which has been turned into a televised show, "God or Fraud," where King Herod hosts an episode with Jesus, and fictional audience members can text their verdict of "God" or "Fraud." And Sushma Saha is a burst of energy as she takes on the role of Simon (typically played by a male), and boasts confidence and vitality in "Simon Zealotes/Poor Jerusalem."

With the exception of the large screen on stage, props were very basic and minimal. Costumes were also basic and minimal, with actors mostly wearing street clothing that could easily be found today on a college campus or in any number of popular mall stores. But this show doesn't need big, fancy props or costumes, and honestly I feel that the minimalistic approach fits perfectly with the modern theme of the show and makes it feel more real.

My only real criticism of the show is that I was underimpressed with the death scenes. I don't mean to sound morbid here, but there was very little attention drawn to Judas's suicide or Jesus's actual death. They were both brief and anticlimactic, which came as a surprise to me, considering the intensity of the rest of the show. I should say here that I've seen more than a few productions of this show, and there have been times where Jesus's death seems to go on and on forever (and ever and ever). But I think there's a middle ground, and in this production I would have liked the death scenes to be a little more dramatic.

The way the show ends catches the audience a little off guard. In my opinion, it ends the way I've always felt this show should end, and I was glad to finally see a production of this show that ends this way. I'm not going to give away anything else here, as I don't want to ruin the effect for anyone who's planning to see it. I'll just say that it makes a statement, and I think it's one of many great decisions that went into creating this spectacular production.

If you're looking for a superstar production filled with powerful music, intense emotion, and amazing local talent, then this is one show you don't want to miss. Overall I give this production 8 out of 10 standing ovations.

Jesus Christ Superstar is playing at the Carlisle Theatre through October 19. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit the Carlisle Theatre Company's website at www.carlisletheatrecompany.com. And for a little taste of the show, check out the preview video below:

Review: Crazy for You at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre's production of Crazy for You is the perfect combination of dynamic dancing, slapstick comedy, and pure talent, all brought together with toe-tapping Gershwin music. Stand-out leads and a company full of never-ending energy are sure to impress as they sing and dance their way into the hearts of the audience.

The cast of Crazy for You at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre lights up the stage with their vibrant dancing. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

When New York banker Bobby Child (played by Jake Delaney) heads to Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose on a run-down theatre, he finds himself instead trying to save the theatre and win the heart of the theatre owner's daughter, Polly Baker (played by Emily Grace Tucker). Delaney is quick to impress with his tap dancing skills, and Tucker charms the audience with her beautifully sweet voice. But what's even more noteworthy is that Delaney and Tucker both showcase an impressive trifecta of dancing, acting, and singing talent throughout the entire show.

Bobby's plan is to put on a show to raise money to pay off the theatre mortgage. But after Polly finds out that Bobby has been sent to foreclose on the theatre, she wants nothing to do with him. Desperate to prove his love to Polly and his true intentions to save the theatre, Bobby hatches a plan to disguise himself as well-known theatre owner Bela Zangler (played by Craig Smith). Smith plays a convincing Zangler and provides some of the show's best humor in his scene where he drunkenly stumbles into an also drunk Bobby, who is dressed as Zangler.

Speaking of humor, the show has plenty of it. With a book by Ken Ludwig, the show is full of jokes and witty one-liners. While some puns had me rolling my eyes, other moments had me laughing out loud. (And for a little musical theatre humor, fans of Les Miserables will enjoy a brief recreation of a certain well-known scene.)

Jake Delaney (left) and Craig Smith (right) are a comical duo as they mirror each other in a state of intoxication. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

Other characters in the show include Bobby's domineering fiance Irene (played by Millicent Hunnicutt), saloon owner Lank (played by Galloway Stevens), Bobby's rich and controlling mother Mrs. Lottie Child (played by Sherry Konjura), Polly's father Everett (played by Jim Johnson), the lead dancer of Zangler's Follies Tess (played by Ashley Rubin), the English guidebook-writing duo of Patricia and Eugene Fodor (played by Molly Tower and Connor McAndrews), and a handful of fun-loving cowboys and perky Follies girls.

With a talented company, the group numbers were a significant highlight of this show. The energetic and perfectly executed choreography (thanks to choreographer Samantha Hewes) made for show-stopping numbers like "Slap that Bass" and "I Got Rhythm." And the creative use of props during these songs made them even more entertaining. 

Company numbers, like "Slap That Bass" pictured here, showcased top-notch talent, entertainment, and choreography. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

If you're looking for an evening of Wild West showdowns, lively tap dancing, romantic twists, and feel good musical comedy, then you'll love this satisfying production of Crazy for You. Overall, I give this production 8 out of 10 standing ovations.

Crazy for You is playing at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre now through November 8. For more details and ticket information, please visit the Dutch Apple website.

PRiMA Theatre to Present 'Rockin' Rodgers & Hammerstein'

ROCKIN’ RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN is a tip of the hat to America's song writing duo, with exciting new and contemporary arrangements of their classic songs. This theatrical concert-style cabaret experience will take place on Sunday, October 5 at 3pm and 7pm at the Trust Performing Arts Center (formerly the Lancaster Quilt Museum). The cast features performers from area theatres and is lead by Director Daniel Stargel and Music Director Andy Roberts.

“This is a great opportunity for those who grew up with the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein to hear the songs they love in fresh musical arrangements with a live band,” says PRiMA’s Executive Producer, Mitch Nugent.

Tickets are $22.00 for standard general admission tickets and $38.00 for premium tickets in prime, up-front seating. For groups of seven or more, premium tickets are available for 40% off at $23.00. Groups can make reservations by contacting the box-office at (717) 327-5124 or boxoffice@primatheatre.com.

The Trust building is located at 37 North Market Street in Lancaster City. An elevator, handicap accessible seating and restrooms are available at the venue. A drop-off location is available for buses and other vehicles directly outside the venue on Market Street. For paid groups of seven or more, complimentary tickets for bus drivers, event coordinators, PCAs or CNAs are available.

For a behind the scenes look at rehearsal for this production, check out this video:

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit PRiMA Theatre's website.

Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (National Tour) at Hershey Theatre

Hershey Theatre opened their 2014-2015 Broadway season with the North American tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This new version of the fun, family-friendly Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is one that will entertain people who have never seen it before while at the same time throwing in some surprises for those already familiar with it.

If you think you know this musical, think again. This production of Joseph has been given a modern makeover, using pop-sounding voices, video projection, hip clothing, and subtle twists on the familiar songs to give the show a very current look and sound. The creators gave this show just enough of an update to keep it fresh without taking away from the original production.

The cast is led by former American Idol contestants (and real-life husband and wife) Ace Young as Joseph and Diana DeGarmo as the Narrator. Their voices have more of a pop music sound to them, so fans of the original production and voices may take a while to warm up to this more modern sound. While they both delivered satisfactory performances, the highlight of their performing for me was their take on the prologue that they performed as a duet at the end of the show. The piece sounded like it could be a current hit on the radio right now, and my only complaint is that I can't find it anywhere to buy!

Brian Golub (Reuben) delivers a vocally impressive performance as he leads the cast in the comic song "One More Angel in Heaven." Ryan Williams also provides an entertaining performance in his role as Pharaoh. The remaining supporting cast members give adequate performances that aren't outstanding but are still good enough to pull off a solid production, and the ensemble blends well to provide a strong foundation.

DeGarmo and Young's rendition of the prologue isn't the only musical change. While all of the songs stay true to Lloyd Webber's orchestrations, several of them add very slight changes that make even a die-hard musical fan like myself wonder Was that part of the original song?. And some of the songs sound even more pop-rock than the originals, which fits in with the overall feel of the show.

In addition to Broadway-style songs like "Close Every Door," the music provides a variety of other styles, from the country hoedown-style "One More Angel in Heaven," to Calypso ("Benjamin Calypso"), and even a little Elvis ("Song of the King").

There is no dialog in the show, as the songs tell the story from beginning to end. The choreography is just as colorful as Joseph's coat, giving the actors a 90-minute dancing workout that flows from one song to the next.

While it lacks depth and overly impressive acting, the production as a whole is entertaining, colorful, and full of energy, with just the right amount of humor. If you're looking for a fun show that the whole family will enjoy, Joseph is a good bet.

Overall, I give this production 7 out of 10 standing ovations.

Joseph is playing at the Hershey Theatre now through September 28. For more information and to buy tickets, please visit the Hershey Theatre website. For more information on the production, plot, cast, and future tour locations, please visit the Joseph U.S. tour website.

Theatre Reviews: Row L Seat 1 Style

Have you ever left a theatre after seeing a show and thought, Wow, that was amazing! Or Holy cow that girl could sing! Or Ummm...what did I just waste my money on? Well, I think these kinds of thoughts every time a show ends. In fact, whoever I happen to be seeing the show with is (un?)lucky enough to hear all my thoughts after the show. But why stop at sharing my thoughts with only one or two people? My head is already about to explode with thoughts on every show I've ever seen, so why not put those thoughts out there for the world to see? Enter my theatre reviews.

As is the case with many blogs, reviews are a regular topic for Row L Seat 1. Whether you're interested in having me review a production or are just browsing for some info on a show you might want to see, here are four things to know about my theatre reviews.

1. They're honest. I love theatre and will see any show at least once; however, I realize that not everyone feels the same way about theatre. Not every person will enjoy every show. Even I don't enjoy every show that I see. My main goal when I review a show is to provide readers with information to decide whether or not they would enjoy the show. And if someone who wasn't planning to see a show reads my review of that show and thinks, "You know, that sounds like something I might like...I think I'll go see it," then my secondary goal is accomplished too! But if I'm not honest, I have no credibility. While there are definitely shows that I have nothing but great things to say about, one of the quickest ways to lose my readers' trust is for me to claim that everything in every show is wonderful. While I would love if this were true, it simply isn't. But please don't mistake honesty for negativity. I'm never mean in my reviews, and I always point out the great moments of the show. My reviews include honest information about what I liked, didn't like, and think other people would or wouldn't like about the show.

2. Every review is different. I don't have a set formula for writing a theatre review. I don't follow any rules or guidelines. After all, I'm a blogger, not a theatre reviewer for The New York Times (maybe someday?). Because every show is different, the way I approach a review is different for each show. Some of my reviews are longer, while others are shorter. Some have tons of pictures, while others have only one, or maybe even none. Some focus on the lead actor, while others focus on the supporting actor who should have been the lead actor. Sometimes I focus on the plot a lot, and other times I barely even mention it. Sometimes I tie my personal life into a review. I even had my 4-year-old son help me once with my review of Aladdin on Broadway. So really the sky is the limit. I'll make 100% sure readers know what I thought about a show...but switching up how I let readers know is part of what I enjoy about theatre blogging!

3. My reviews are my opinions. While I'm always honest with what I think about a show, I am expressing my opinions. And I realize that not everyone will agree with my opinions. Maybe the actor that I raved about in a review happens to be getting over a cold on the night that someone else sees the show, so maybe that actor doesn't perform quite as well that night. Or maybe some costumes that I thought were amazing, someone else thought were hideous. I always encourage readers to interact with me and share their own opinions, even if they disagree.

4. I want to help! I want to help people find shows that they will love. I want to help theatres connect with new and returning audience members. I want to help people discover how powerful and emotional theatre can be. I want to help outstanding actors receive more recognition for their talent and hard work. So how can I do this? In addition to writing the review itself, I share it on all of Row L Seat 1's social media sites as well. This includes the Row L Seat 1 Facebook page and the Row L Seat 1 Twitter page, and occasionally even my personal social media pages if it's a production I feel very strongly about. 

I keep an updated list of all my past reviews on my Theatre Review page, so feel free to check them out to see if there's a show you might enjoy or to get a better sense of my reviewing style. And if you're gearing up for a big production and looking for a little extra help getting the word out about it, consider a Row L Seat 1 theatre review! To request a review, just shoot me an email at kim@rowLseat1.com.

REVIEW: Hairspray at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

Hairspray at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre is a fun-filled performance complete with upbeat music, energetic dancing, vibrant sets, and top-notch talent that leaves you humming and singing the whole way home. This group of talented performers had audience members of all ages smiling and moving to the music from the first “Oh, oh, oh…” to the last “…beat.”

The cast of Hairspray had the whole audience moving to the music at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

Based on the 1988 movie by John Waters, Hairspray follows plump teenager Tracy Turnblad as she lands her dream role on the Corny Collins Show, a TV dance show based in her hometown of Baltimore. Through her journey on the dance show, Tracy connects with various characters, including teen heartthrob Link Larkin; lovable dancer Seaweed J. Stubbs and his soulful mother, Motormouth Maybelle, who is the host of Negro Day on the Corny Collins Show; and scheming, fame-obsessed mother/daughter team Amber and Velma Von Tussle. While Hairspray is a comedy, it also successfully manages to present the more serious issue of the Civil Rights Movement and racism in the 1960s.

Megan Power, who plays the lead role of Tracy Turnblad, was born to play this role. She had an impressive two callbacks after auditioning for the role on Broadway, and while she ultimately didn’t land the Broadway role, central PA is lucky to have this opportunity to see her perform, as she delivers a performance that's as close to Broadway as you can get without actually going to Broadway.

Megan Power was born to play the role of Tracy Turnblad. (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

Chuck Caruso provides another memorable performance in the comic role of Edna Turnblad (Tracy’s mother). In this female role, which is always played by a male, Caruso delivers a top-notch performance that showcases his acting skills as well as his ability to perform in a nightgown, a dress, and rock a pair of red heels.

Adam Clough and Sheira Feuerstein give other noteworthy performances in the roles of TV host Corny Collins (Clough) and Tracy’s nerdy friend Penny (Feuerstein). Both actors showcase acting and vocal skills that perfectly fit their roles.

The remaining cast members and ensemble contribute their talent to deliver a solid, polished performance that includes great dancing, singing, humor, emotion, and yes, even hairspray.

Chuck Caruso perfects the role of Tracy's mother, Edna Turnblad - high heels and all! (Photo courtesy of Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre)

The sets and costumes provide plenty of color, which only enhances the energy of the performance. The orchestra doesn't disappoint either, filling the theatre with impressive, well-blended sound.

With a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, Hairspray features a quality selection of musical numbers written by Marc Shaiman, including the catchy and popular songs “Good Morning, Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”

When it comes to Dutch Apple's production of Hairspray, you really can't stop the beat. Overall I give this production 7 out of 10 standing ovations.

Hairspray is playing at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre now through September 20. Visit the Dutch Apple website for more information and to buy tickets.

Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition

So there's this trend going on right now. A trend that's been going on for a while now, and it's getting kind of old. Do you know what I'm talking about?

I bet you guessed the ice bucket challenge, didn't you? Well, although I agree, I happen to be talking about a different trend. (Don't get me wrong... I had an aunt pass away from the slow-progressing form of ALS. I saw first-hand how the disease took its toll on her and slowly took over her body, muscle by muscle. And I'm glad something has been done to increase awareness and funding of this horrible disease. But enough is enough. Just make your donation or don't. And then use the ice to chill a bottle of wine.)

But the trend I'm talking about is one in the theatre world. And like the dumping of the ice buckets, it's been going on just a little too long. The trend I'm talking about is the trend of closing shows.

Let's get back to using ice buckets for their original purpose. Champagne anyone?

I understand that the closing of shows is a necessary evil that can't be avoided. I mean, as much as I'd like to build a theatre for every single musical ever written, it just doesn't work that way. But it just seems like more musicals than ever are closing not long after they open, and even good shows just don't seem to be sticking around like they used to.

Sure there are a few current musicals that have managed to stay on Broadway for the long haul (The Lion King, The Book of Mormon, Wicked, etc.), but for the most part Broadway shows seem to be following what I'll call the door trend. Open and close. Open and close. It seems like every time I browse through my Twitter news, I'm reading about another show closing. And I'm not talking just small shows. I'm talking big, expensive-to-produce shows with Tony-winning casts and music.

The shows that make it to Broadway are amazing. They include the best of the best from directors, to cast, to composers and everything in between that makes up a musical. So why are these amazing shows closing after so few runs?

Well, my guess is that there is a wealth of statistics, numbers, and research that attempt to answer this exact question. But I'm not much of a statistics girl. Or a numbers girl. Or a researcher. What I am is a rare species. I'm in my 30s and love the theatre. I love going to Broadway; I love going to my local theatres; and I'll see any show anywhere at least once. But many of the shows that I see, both locally and on Broadway, don't have too many of my species in the audience. And that's a shame. I'd really hate to see my species go extinct.

So the obvious next question is: how do we prevent the extinction of this rare species of "young" theatre-goers? (And by young I mean anyone who knows what twerking is or who owns an iPad.) Well, again, I'm sure there's plenty of research that tries to answer this question. But again I'm not a researcher. So for me to answer this question, I'm going with my gut instinct. And my gut tells me that Broadway hasn't been keeping up with the times.

Broadway needs to step it up a notch when it comes to filling their seats. What they've done for years is great, but it's only enough to fill those seats for a few months at best. It's only enough to get the same people back to Broadway who have been going for years. For the most part, the people filling Broadway theatres are the same ones who were filling the seats 20, 30, and 40 years ago. And yes, that includes myself. But remember, I'm a rare species.

Broadway, and theatre in general, needs to think about marketing to a new audience. An audience who knows about twerking and tweeting. That's right. It's time for Broadway to undergo an extreme makeover. Sure people want to see great talent, but in order to keep up with the times, that's just not enough anymore.

So what is enough? What would bring more people to Broadway shows? What would keep these amazing shows from closing?

In this series, which I'm calling Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition, I'm going to cover a few ideas I have that I think would help the success of new shows.

In my next post in this series, I cover a topic that I think could play a huge role in generating sales, filling seats, and attracting new (and returning) audiences to Broadway.

My Broadway Bucket List

Many people have some kind of a bucket list, a list of things they want to accomplish in their lifetime. Some people might have ambitious lists that include sailing across the Atlantic Ocean or climbing Mount Everest. Others may have more reasonable lists that include goals like losing a few pounds, reconnecting with old friends, or running a marathon.

While my bucket list contains a mix of ambitious and reasonable goals, there's one theme that consistently appears over and over again on my list: Broadway. Though my list of Broadway dreams and goals goes on and on, today I've picked my top four Broadway goals to share.

1. The opportunity to work on Broadway. I'll start with the obvious. I think this one is probably on just about every Broadway enthusiast's list, but I have to throw it out there. I'm not a singer or an actress, so I don't have the dream to perform on stage. But I do have the dream to have a hand in making the performances happen. I think my dream role would be something along the lines of assisting a director. I'd love to be around to help with all the rehearsals, the ups and downs, the changes. Some people might think this is crazy, but I would love just about every minute of this kind of work.

2. A Broadway-themed bar in my basement. My husband and I have been talking about this one for years. I can picture the whole bar in my mind... Playbills under the glass-top bar, show posters decorating the walls, and maybe even a tiny stage. I have all the details ready to go, right down to the little menus featuring drinks with Broadway-themed names.

Just a little sample of what my Broadway-themed drink menu might look like

3. To start some kind of organization that would give more people the opportunity to enjoy Broadway. I don't have this one quite as planned out as the bar, but it's a thought growing in my mind. As we all know, seeing a Broadway show can be an expensive experience. While there are definitely ways to make it somewhat affordable, I think a lot of people don't even entertain the idea of going to New York City to see a show on Broadway because of the cost. I would love to somehow change this. 

4. The chance to bring a show to Broadway. I guess this is the Mount Everest of my list. I know it's extremely ambitious, but I have so many ideas floating around in my head, some that I've even felt are worthy of putting down on paper. There are a few movies that I know would do amazing on Broadway. There's a show that I would love to see revived. And I even have an idea for an original musical. I also have some creative, out-of-the-box marketing ideas that would almost guarantee the success of these shows. I just need to find the right people or partners to help get them there.

Well, there you have it. I told you some of these were ambitious. In fact, I probably stand a better chance of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean than I do of actually taking a show to Broadway. But I can still dream and hope and try. And who knows... Maybe one day I'll be sitting in my basement Broadway bar, working with that director that I've been assisting to bring our own musical to Broadway. In the meantime, I think I'll go enjoy a Magical Frog Martini.

REVIEW: Aladdin (Broadway)

My husband and I recently took our two sons (ages 4 and 6) to see Aladdin on Broadway. While I could go on and on about the impressive sets, infectiously energetic and talented Genie, and truly magical carpet ride in the Broadway production of Disney's Aladdin, I thought I'd leave this review up to the real critic: my 4-year-old son, Chase!

Alec and Chase getting ready to experience "a whole new world" at Aladdin on Broadway

In his first (un)official review, here's what Chase had to say about Aladdin:

Me: What did you think of the show?
C: It was awesome!

Me: What was awesome about it?
C: That the genie was so funny. He was different than the one in the movie.

Me: What did he do that you thought was funny?
C: I liked when he was singing the no no no no no song.

Me: Who was your favorite person?
C: Aladdin! Was your favorite Aladdin too, Mommy?
(Me: I liked Aladdin and Genie the best).

Me: What was your favorite part?
C: I liked the part when the bad guy said "Prince A Boo Boo."

Me: What did you think of Jasmine?
C: I liked her because I wanted to play with her hair.
(Side-note since this response probably sounds pretty weird to most people: Chase loves to twirl my hair and suck his thumb when he gets sleepy. Pretty much any girl with long hair who is within a foot of Chase is at risk for having their hair twirled!)

Me: Was she pretty?
C: Yes. I even loved her!

Me: What did you think of the carpet ride?
C: I liked when they were singing "A Whole New World." And I liked when the carpet saved Aladdin when he was just about going to fall and Princess Jasmine said "How did you do that?".

Me: Was there anything that scared you?
C: No.

Since apparently nine questions is about the attention span of a 4-year-old, I'll fill in a few details with my own thoughts.

First, I'll share what I was impressed with:  

• I loved the carpet ride scene. Watching Aladdin and Jasmine float through the air right in front of our eyes was an amazing experience.

• The choreography, dancing and sets were all very impressive.

• The Genie definitely stole the show. While my heart sank when I saw that Tony-winner James Monroe Iglehart was not going to be the Genie at this performance, I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed with the equally talented stand-in Michael James Scott. He owned the stage and didn't miss a beat in this role. I still would have loved to have seen Iglehart in this role (and maybe even met him at the stage door); however, I have nothing but good things to say about Scott's performance.

• Speaking of the stage door, my boys and I loved meeting Adam Jacobs, who played Aladdin, after the show (ok, so I probably enjoyed this part more than they did, but it will be a good photo for them to look back on when they're older!). Jacobs did a great job in the show. He looked the part, and had the voice to match.

Aladdin (Adam Jacobs) was more than happy to pose for a photo after the show.

While I'd like to say that I found the whole show to be "awesome" like Chase did, I have to admit that there were a few aspects that I found to be a little less than awesome. For anyone expecting to see the movie version brought to life on stage, I'd recommend changing your expectations. I certainly didn't expect the stage version to be exactly like the movie; however, I think Disney missed the mark with this one. They really took a lot of the kid-friendly aspects out, which resulted in a performance that was not quite fun enough for kids but not quite impressive enough for adults.

At 4 and 6 years old, my kids did great during the show. But I've been taking my kids to the theatre since they were 2. If I'm being totally honest, for someone who's considering taking young children for their first Broadway experience, I wouldn't recommend Aladdin as their first show. It just didn't live up to the "magic" that Disney is known for.

Here are just a few examples of things that I feel would have made for a much better show.

• The animals: There were no animals in the show at all, and I think this was a huge mistake. The role of Aladdin's monkey, Abu, was instead turned into three sidekick friends of Aladdin. While they added some humor to the show, they just weren't the same as Abu. The same went for Jafar's parrot, Iago, who was turned into a parrot-like human sidekick. Jasmine's tiger, Raja, was completely omitted. And really Disney, couldn't you have at least borrowed the elephant from The Lion King for when Prince Ali makes his big appearance?

• The magic carpet: Yes, I did love the carpet scene. But I would have loved it even more if the carpet had been more of a character like in the movie. Again, I don't expect the stage version to be exactly the same as the movie, but I really think Disney messed up by leaving out the animals and the magic carpet as characters.

• The humor: There were definitely some funny parts to the show. Some were carried over from the movie while others were original to the stage. But most of the humor went right over my kids' heads. Sure my kids are only 4 and 6, but I think even older kids would have trouble following the humor in most of the show.

So while we all found the show to be entertaining (and even "awesome" according to Chase), I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in the overall production. The show definitely had some high points, but I also found it lacking in several areas. It felt like Disney was trying to please everyone, which we all know isn't possible. So instead of a fascinating and magical show for kids or a spectacular show for adults, the end result was a mediocre show for anyone.

Overall I give this production 4 out of 10 standing ovations.