7/31/17: Beauty and the Beast at the North Shore Music Theatre

Every year the North Shore Music Theatre (NSMT) has a family musical that we love.  This year it was Beauty and the Beast and it was amazing!  This is the perfect theater to take the whole family to as there are no bad seats as all rows are close to the stage.  Read till the end and I will disclose the family show for 2018.

The shows at the North Shore Music Theatre are always so well thought out.  From the actors, props, costumes, live music and lighting it is a top notch production every time.  Several times the lighting really stood out to me which usually doesn't happen with me.

All show photos by Paul Lyden provided by the North Shore Music Theatre

Rose Hemmingway was the perfect Belle.  Her voice was beautiful and she was so believable as the Belle character.  I really enjoyed watching her and she really drew me in to the character.  Her movements and singing were perfect.

Stephen Cerf did a fantastic job as the Beast.  His makeup was just perfection.  You couldn't have had a more perfect Beast!  It is so hard to bring an animated classic to life but they did a wonderful job.

More favorites were Phillip Taratula as Cogsworth.  He made me laugh out loud numerous times during the show.  Benjamin Howes did a fantastic job as Lumiere.

Be Our Guest was so well done with wonderful dancing and signing.  I loved it and it got a roar of applause from the audience.

You really wanted to get up and join in the fun and what adorable costumes!

Mrs. Potts and Chip were great too.  Chip was so adorable!

David Coffee who plays in A Christmas Carol every year played Maurice and was very good in the part.  He is such a loveable actor everytime I see him.

I hate to admit it but I was a bit disappointed in Gaston who was played by Taylor Crousore.  I felt for some reason he reminded me a lot of Jim Carey with his facial expressions and was just not believable to me as Gaston.  His voice was good, just not true to the character in spots.

I did however like Andrew Kruep who played Lefou.  He did some cool flips and movements with his body that were awesome and his voice was perfect!

More about the Show:

A family musical based on the 1991 Academy Award-winning animated film, Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST follows a young woman who stumbles upon a secluded castle occupied by a monstrous beast and a host of enchanted objects trying to break a witch’s spell before it is too late. It is a classic romantic story about finding love in unexpected places. This eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of countless audiences worldwide and is filled with unforgettable characters, imaginative sets and costumes, and breath-taking production numbers.

This show unfortunately has ended however next up is Young Frakenstein. get your tickets now.

As promised the Family Musical for next year was announced at the show and it is.......Peter Pan!!!  We can't wait!  Other shows that were announced are Mame and my favorite...Mama Mia!

Disclosure:  I received 4 tickets to attend a performance of Beauty and the Beast.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

7/31/17: Power Your Little Athlete With BODYARMOR Sports Drinks

This post is sponsored by BODYARMOR. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kids are in to such competive sports at such a young age.  My son is constantly on the go with all the sports he is involved with.  He plays baseball, basketball, travel soccer, flag football, swims on the Swim Team and dances Hip Hop.  Needless to say my weeknights and weekends are spent on the fields for practice and games.  To keep Evan hydrated we have made the switch to BODYARMOR Sports Drinks.  It helped Evan play well when his team won the town's Central Division Little League Championship!

We got to try out these flavors and loved them all.  Favorites for the kids were Fruit Punch, Lemonade, Mixed Berry and Watermelon Strawberry.

It helps him stay hydrated and "powered up" while on the field.

Especially when he is pitching.

 His team was so excited to win the Championship.

Evan also competed in a Soccer Tournament recently in 85 degree weather playing three games.  BODYARMOR came in handy that day when he was getting tired out from playing.

Here he is playing Goalie.

Whenever we pack up Evan's sports bags we make sure we have something for him to drink.  It is so important that he stay hydrated.  There have been times where he gets a bit dizzy at practice and I know he is not drinking enough.  Sometimes water is not enough to keep him hydrated.  That is where BODYARMOR Sports drinks come in to play. 

Some things that I love about BODYARMOR Sports Drinks is that they have no artificial flavors or sweeteners and are a much healthier alternative to traditional sports drinks.  

 It provides your body with Superior Hydration which is needed out on the field.  It is high in Potassium which is so important.  My Mom used to have low Potassium and used to pass out so I know how important Potassium can be.  It is low in Sodium and has Coconut water in it.  Best of all it tastes great!

It comes in 9-great tasting flavors: Fruit Punch, Orange Mango, Strawberry Banana, Tropical Punch, Blackout Berry, Mixed Berry, Grape, Watermelon Strawberry and Lemonade.  I personally like the Watermelon Strawberry the best!

It is so important for these kids to stay hydrated when they are on the field and even just playing outside at home.  Not only do they have Sports Drinks but in 2017 they launched two new products - BODYARMOR LYTE and BODYARMOR Water with all the same nutrients as BODYARMOR.

Here is the Peach Mango Lyte version.  It tastes really good and being the calorie conscience Mom right now that just lost 52 pounds this is the option for me.  It is naturally sweetened and has only 20 calories per serving.  I will be drinking this after heading to the gym.

Here you can also see Cherry Berry.

 

In 2013, Kobe Bryant joined the BODYARMOR team as the number three shareholder in the company.  BODYARMOR is the brand of choice for athletes and has assembled an impressive team of young, superstar athletes such as James Harden, Mike Trout, Dustin Johnson, Andrew Luck, Richard Sherman, Dez Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Buster Posey, Skylar Diggins and Mookie Betts who we recently met at his Baseball ProCamp. 

Is your young athlete working to be the best?  I know mine is!

Try them out, your little athlete will appreciate it.

You can find BODYARMOR locally at Stop and Shop, and BJ’s.

Here is a link to a downloadable coupon to save: http://drinkbodyarmor.com/coupon.php

Find them online:

BodyArmor Website

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrinkBODYARMOR

Hashtag:  #Switch2BODYARMOR AND #BringIt

Disclosure:  I received compensation and BODYARMOR drinks for review purposes.  As always all opinions are my own.

7/30/17: Huzzah! Win 4 Tickets to King Richard's Faire

CONTEST CLOSED: CONGRATULATIONS KAYLA M.
I know we are still enjoying summer, but it is almost time again to escape reality at King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA!  I am giving away four tickets for my lucky subjects.  The Faire runs weekends and Monday holidays from September 2nd to October 22nd.  The winning tickets have a few blackout dates - please read them carefully.  This is the faire's 36th season!  Enter below!

More about the faire:

Enjoy daring knights jousting on horseback, exciting rides and games of skill, an original musical, and hundreds of talented entertainers on eight stages. Dancers, singers, acrobats, exotic animals, wacky wenches, happy villagers, and the King’s royal court greet you as you enter the gates ​.​ 

When as famished as a mud beggar, guests will enjoy the Faire's delicious spit-roasted turkey legs, buttery ears of corn, boules filled with chowder and stew, ringlets of fries, and quench their thirst with champagne, wine and brew. 

Shoppers can stroll through the 16th century village filled with the wares of more than 100 unique and talented artisans from near and far. At every turn, guests will encounter fantasy and wonder through minstrels, musicians, acrobats, stilt walkers, giant puppets, wenches, and more. 

Lauren wearing this beautiful piece.

Carvershire has been bustling with excitement as King Richard welcomes new entertainers to the enchanting village in 2017, including: Rick, Jan and Snorkel the Trained Stunt Pig Show - new for this year featuring juggling, stunts and piggy humor.  First four weekends only Klass Klown brings fire juggling, ball balancing and high flying pogo stick stunts.  The Vodca Family musical dance and drumming show.  Gibbon the Troubadour and Hannah Rose on the fiddle.

The Lord Sheriff Glenn Fieldenstream is back after a three year hiatus, ready to write tickets and summons laughter in “court” And a new puppet: Jasper, King of the Rag Dolls! Don’t miss beloved returning entertainers Draiku, a beautiful aerialist duo back for their third year; Great Cats of the World exotic cat show; Ses Carny’s The Torture Show; Daniel - Duke of Danger; the Washing Well Wenches; Jacques Ze Whipper; Bawdy Mud Beggars; and of course our brave and handsome knights jousting on horseback.

  Every day on the King’s Stage at 1:00pm and 3:30pm, talented cast members perform an original musical. 

Check their website in August for the full entertainment schedule.  
https://kingrichardsfaire.net/king-richards-faire-entertainment-schedule/

There are also fun kids rides and games.

 You can even visit with a Queen!  Tons of fun for the whole family!

The Faire is located at 235 Main Street (Rt. 58) in Carver, Mass. 02330, phone is 508-866-5391, email info@kingrichardsfaire.net.  Visit King Richard’s Faire on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/TheKingRichardsFaire

So don't get locked out of the best escape from reality!  Win tickets now!  Enter below!

Disclosure:  I received a set of four tickets for giveaway and also a family pack of four tickets in exchange for review.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7/28/17: New England Revolution and Santander Bank Soccer Scholars Program

Evan loves soccer!  He loves watching it and playing it.  We were so lucky to have an awesome experience at Gillette Stadium to watch the New England Revolution game complete with VIP Field Passes and a seat in the Santander Bank Suite.  Best of all for the fourth year Santander Bank is running the Soccer Scholars Program with the New England Revolution where you can win $500 for school plus the chance to have a VIP Match Day Experience!  Read on to learn more!

We were very lucky to go down to the field to watch the players practicing.  These were VIP Field passes that you can win by entering the Soccer Scholars program.

 It is so much fun being up close when they warm up.

We even got a family photo.

 Evan has been playing goalie a bit lately so he enjoyed watching some of the goalie's moves.

We then headed up to the Santander Bank Suite which was lovely.  Check out this beautiful view of the game.

 We were treated to pizza and snacks.  The kids loved it.

 Here are more details on the Soccer Scholars program:
For the fourth consecutive year, Santander Bank has joined forces with the New England Revolution to host the Soccer Scholars program, which gives New England students, ages 6-17, the chance to win an unforgettable VIP experience at a Revs home match and highlights the importance of academics and sports in shaping lives. 

Now through October 5th, 2017, adults can nominate a deserving student via an online entry form at: www.revolutionsoccer.net/santander-soccer-scholars

With every submission comes a chance to win! Thirty-five winners will receive a VIP match day experience, including four tickets to a designated New England Revolution home match, an on-field photo opportunity with a Revs player, and the opportunity to stand on the sidelines and cheer on the team as they take the field. 

One grand prize winner will receive a visit to the student’s school from Revolution star players, including a soccer clinic for the winner and their classmates, as well as $500 towards his or her education, in addition to the VIP match day experience.

What a perfect night for a game!  Plus they won!

What a great night!

Plus Evan won an autographed soccer ball signed by Lee Nguyen thanks to a social media contest that was run for us.

Make sure to enter now to give your child the chance at a once in a lifetime experience!

What an awesome night at Gillette Stadium!

Follow the New England Revolution online:

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

Twitter:  @NErevolution #NERevsGame #SoccerScholars @SantanderBankUS

Disclosure:  I received 4 tickets to the game, seats in the Santander Suite, gift bag and VIP Field Passes for review purposes.  No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.