9/29/13: La Cage Aux Folles at the North Shore Music Theatre

Next up at the North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) is La Cage Aux Folles.  You know when the cast has to shave themselves and tape up that they are committed to their art.  That is exactly what this cast does to be totally believable and is fabulous!  The show runs through October 6th so get your tickets now.  

   

Credit for all photographs ©Paul Lyden

Charles Shaughnessy from The Nanny and Days of Our Lives was in the show.  I loved watching him in The Nanny as Mr. Sheffield.  He was wonderful in his role as Georges in this show.

But Jonathan Hammond stole the show.  He was hilarious and had a wonderful voice.  Plus looked great in his gown.  That is hard for any man to do but he pulled it off brilliantly. 

Plus Nikko Kimzin who was added to the cast kept everyone laughing as Jacob.  He was a great addition to the cast.

The whole cast did a great Can Can and tap dances.

You can also play the La Cage Aux Folles Difference Game and win 4 VIP Tickets for the show on October 5th.

Here is a video preview of the show:

More about the show:

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a ‘modern family' musical.  "It has been a very exciting season so far at North Shore Music Theatre, and we are anxious to dazzle audiences with our dazzling production of La Cage Aux Folles," said NSMT owner and producer Bill Hanney. "I am excited to welcome television star, Charles Shaughnessy, back to the NSMT stage. When choosing La Cage aux Folles for the season, I immediately thought of him for the role of Georges and was thrilled when he accepted. Alongside Charles will be the multi-talented, and award-winning Jonathan Hammond who was brilliant as Nathan Detroit in last year's Guys and Dolls and received critical and audience raves with his performance as Albin last month at Theatre By The Sea." Before there was the popular movie, The Birdcage, There was the hysterical modern family musical, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES!  LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will also star Jonathan Hammond as Albin. Jonathan's credits include the Broadway production of Ragtime and the First National Tour of Light in the Piazza and regional work around the country. Jonathan is also the recipient of Boston's Elliot Norton and IRNE awards and Outer Critic's Circle Awards.  

Winner of multiple Tony© Awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book, and twice named Best Revival, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner, Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse, Zaza. When Georges' son brings home his fiancee's conservative parents to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a tuneful and touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together, stay fabulous and above all else, stay true to themselves! With a glorious score of hummable melodies, written by Jerry Herman of Hello, Dolly!, Mame and Mack and Mabel fame, and a hilarious book by Harvey Fierstein, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is an indisputable musical comedy classic! North Shore Music Theatre's production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will star Emmy© Award-winning actor, Charles Shaughnessy as Georges. Despite and extensive stage and screen career in England before moving to the US in 1983, he is best known for his six years as Maxwell Sheffield on CBS's "The Nanny" and eight years as Shane Donovan on "Days of Our Lives." He also had a memorable arc as St. John Powell on AMC's "Mad Men." 

Performances are September 24th thru October 6th, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri and Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. Kids 18 and under save 50% on ‘Family Friday'- September 27 at 8 pm.  For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit the NSMT Website, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, Massachusetts. The 2013 musical season continues with Miss Saigon (November 5 - 17), and concludes with the return of New England's brightest holiday tradition A Christmas Carol (December 6 - 22), starring David Coffee, celebrating 20 years as Ebenezer Scrooge.

So don't let this show dance away, go see it! 

Here is next years line up:

Anything Goes
Disney's The Little Mermaid - Lauren is so excited!
Grease - I can't wait for this one!
Chicago
Les Miserables
You can also check out the North Shore Music Theatre:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreMusicTheatre

Twitter: http://twitter.com/NSMusicTheatre

Disclosure:  I received 2 tickets to attend this performance of La Cage Aux Folles.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

9/24/13: Edaville Railroad with Hello Kitty

I have talked about Edaville USA for Day Out With Thomas and at the Holidays, but did you know other famous characters visit there?  When I found out the Hello Kitty was visiting I knew we had to go and meet her.

 Next up is Superheroes and Princesses on September 28th and 29th.  Then Pumpkins Aglow October 9th to the 27th where you can Trick or Treat through the park.  Check out their full schedule here.  Lauren absolutely loves Hello Kitty.  Last year she had a Hello Kitty birthday party complete with Hello Kitty Cake and Hello Kitty Cake Pops.

 She even did a little dancing with her.  They had scheduled times every half hour for meet and greets.

Then we went on the train.  Both kids like riding in the Caboose.  Evan is learning about geography an with that Flat Stanley which he is holding will be coming with us on our journeys. 

Evan loves this train.

Edaville is always improving.  This is a new ride they put in recently.

Soon Dino Land will be open too.  I spied one Dino peeking out when we were on the train.

Lauren was excited to go on the rockets by herself now that she is tall enough.

The kids are getting so big.  I remember when they could barely see through the window in this train cutout.

The kids have fun in the playground area.  There are swings, a slide, sand box, trains and lot of cool stuff to play on.

 The Bernstein Bears were also there to meet. 

 We even did some fishing which the kids enjoy.

John even caught a fish that we threw right back. 

 The park is going through renovations and we have seen such an improvement in the last few years.  Below you can see a new Master Plan that includes a water play area, Go Kart track, Dino Land (to open in the Fall) Flume ride and a roller coaster.  

I suggest you Like the Edaville Facebook page to stay up to date.  You can also follow them on Twitter: @EdavilleUSA

  If you want an affordable day go to Edaville USA! 

Disclosure:  I received a family four pack of tickets to this event to promote it.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

9/24/13: Sponsored: Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice – A New Head Lice Resource for Parents

The below content is sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur’s Headfirst! Expert Advice on Lice campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Did you know that at any point, one to three percent of children in elementary school may have head lice? During an outbreak, that number may be as high as 25 percent. As the school year begins, turn to ExpertAdviceOnLice.com for tools and tips on finding, treating, and talking about lice. The Headfirst! Expert panel has the information to arm all parents should they have to battle head lice!

9/23/13: King Richard's Faire Fun and Tigers

This is our second year going to King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA.  The whole family has so much fun there.  The Faire runs to October 20th on weekends plus Columbus Day so you still have time to check it out.

Since this was our second year we now knew what to expect.  Knowing that we liked the Joust this is one of the first events we headed to.  We were in Sir Joseph's cheering section for this Joust.

It is really entertaining to watch and the whole crowd really gets in to it.

 Evan is learning about geography in school with Flat Stanley.  The kids are asked to bring Flat Stanley with them to places and take his picture.  This picture cracked me up.  I bet his teacher did not think that Flat Stanley would travel back in time and be at a joust!

 I thought the armor looked cool.  

 They really do go all out for these performances.

Then we checked out some of the vendors.  Lauren thought these crowns were cool.  Eventually she did get a necklace with a crystal on it which she calls a diamond.  She couldn't wait to wear it to school on Monday.  

The area for the Faire itself is pretty impressive.  There are so many shops with such cool handmade things.

 Of course you need to shoot a bow and arrow when you go to the Faire.  The kids had fun doing this and it was only $4 for 12 arrows.  They each shot 6 arrows.

There is quite a cool Kid's area with rides and fun activities for kids.  This year there will also be two 4 pm children's costume contests that will take place on the King's Stage.  The first will be on Saturday, September 28th with a Prince and Princess theme.  The second one will be on Saturday, October 12th and will be a Fairies and Pirates theme. 

 Plus if the kids are bad you can lock them up.  Evan wasn't bad, but it is a fun photo opportunity.

The kids rides are around $2-$4.

Another favorite of mine is the Tiger Show.  Look at how cute this baby tiger is.  The show is educational and meant to show these wonderful animals uncaged doing natural activities.

 Love them getting a bottle.

The Tigers have a special place in my heart as we visited them in Myrtle Beach and held them.  The show at King Richard's Faire is put on by T.I.G.E.R.S. (The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species) and the R.S.F. (Rare Species Fund), based out of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  We visited them when we were in Myrtle Beach (Note this picture is from Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach). 

 Evan even got to hold a baby tiger when we were in Myrtle Beach.

So cool.  Just note in the Big Cat show that children cannot sit in the first three rows and no video taping is allowed.  This is strictly enforced and they will stop the show if they see someone videotaping.

 These Tigers are so beautiful.

 This guy was really pretty too.

 

 Here is another picture of us in North Myrtle Beach with a different Tiger.

The Albino Tiger was really cool too.

He looks like he is posing for me. 

This guy is so adorable.  They were selling the purple and pink tigers to raise money to save the tigers.

This last guy was amazing! 

 So beautiful.

 Of course we had to head to the last joust of the day too.

 Love these pictures of the 4 of them.

 A joust to the death.

 With all the shows, entertainment, food, shops, and activities you can easily spend a full day there.

Don't disappoint King Richard and make sure you head to his faire!!!

 Tickets are $28 for adults and $16 for children and you can buy tickets online here.  You must pay cash so make sure you have cash with you.

The Faire address is 235 Main Street, Carver, MA 02330, phone is 508-866-5391

Check them out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/TheKingRichardsFaire 
Follow them on Twitter: @KRFaire
Hashtags: #KingRichardsFaire #renfaire

Disclosure:  I received four tickets in exchange for this review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.