OC Family Drama Momma

Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein @ OCPAC

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:50:00 GMT

One of my favorite Halloween traditions is watching the campy cult classic flick Young Frankenstein. I keep it on while the kiddies ring the doorbell for trick-or-treats. In fact, Young Frankenstein is a big part of my son’s solid foundation for everything silly. As a toddler he would belly laugh while pointing at the tv screen, “Hah HA HA!! Funny man wif da big eyes! EYEgor! HA HA HAH!”

So when we heard that the national touring company of YF was rolling into town, we marked the date in bold letters on the family calendar as a MUST DO event. We kept ourselves in stitches on the drive to OCPAC remembering all our favorite lines from the flick: “Put…the candle….BACK!” “Walk this way. No….THIS way.” “Whose brain did you get? Abby somebody. Abby Who? Abby Normal.”

Okay, I’m cracking up as I type this. That stuff is comedy gold.

As excited as I was to see the live stage version of one of my all time favorite movies, in the back of my brain, I wondered if it would be as good as I hoped and I have to say, “Yes!! It’s ALIIIVE with side splitting laughs and does justice to the original film. Adding musical numbers such as “Roll in ze Hay” featuring Anne Horak as Inga (my favorite number), with the horses bopping along to the infectious tune added to the campiness.

I’m the type of director who likes to cut and trim scripts to make them lean and mean…let’s get to the point and keep a brisk pace, especially in the second act, so I thought the play ran a bit long. One place I’d trim YF would be the lonely blind hermit’s song. His musical soliloquy could’ve had a stanza or two nipped. We get it; he’s lonely. Get to the site gags and let’s keep the show moving.

I didn’t think an all out comedy would give me pause and something to contemplate, but it did. There’s a point in the movie and play where Frederick Frankenstein screams the famous line “Destiny! Destiny! No escaping that for me.”, as he succumbs to his family bloodline of mad scientists. Destiny. I chose to give up the quest of a professional acting career and set down roots with my little family. I tip my hat to the amazing actors – leads, cast and chorus who’ve dedicated their lives to achieve their destiny by living on the road, traveling the nation to bring people a night of frivolity and franken-fun.

This touring company is an amazingly solid cast, and I give kudos to those professionals who make their living performing on the road. I live vicariously through them and quietly envy their lives, just a tiny bit.

There were a few moments where I had to cover up my son’s eyes for the sexiness of some of the choreography and luckily most of the phallic punch lines and schoolboy smuttiness went over his head. One lyric made quite an impression on my pre-pubescent boy: …your genitalia will fail ya. The audience laughed and my son cracked up and said, “I dunno what it means but that sure is funny!” Yes, the whole evening was a crack up. I guess I could be one of those moms who throw a hissy and rush my son out of the theater, but I know he’s going to learn about sex in the near future. He could learn it on the street or from Mel Brooks.

A Grand Time in Arizona

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 20:50:00 GMT

It’s an overcast morning in OC and I’m reminiscing about my summer fling. It was hot and brief and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. As I mentioned at the onset of summer, this was the year of the staycation. We did fun family things in Orange County with the goal of keeping the travel budget in tight rein, but when the time came for my 20 year old daughter to move into her very first apartment at Arizona State University, I knew I had to pack our bags to go witness such a momentous occasion - and help stock her fridge with groceries.

August in Arizona is no day at the beach, so my trip planning needed an emergency ingredient to keep me from melting into the desert landscaping. Enter my hero: The Oasis Water Park at the Arizona Grand Resort. This place was perfect. Minutes from campus, a newly redecorated family suite with living room, comfy beds, bar area for my morning coffee and sunset cocktail…I was finally on a real live vacation!

Now don’t get me wrong - I really do love my OC, but I was ready to forget my faithful STAY for a fling with the VAY, baby. As i researched the best options, I found The Arizona Grand's PLAYcation, and jumped at the deal.

I ironed my cotton pool cover up, packed my sunscreen, floppy sun hat and all that goes with it, loaded up my son with his favorite Indiana Jones Lego DS game and drove 6 hours through the desert to our destination, and let me tell you, after hours driving through 113 degree heat, seeing the Grand fountain as the sun was setting was a glorious welcome and sign that my driving was at an end.

Our room was a welcomed sight and after a good night’s sleep, we made a mad dash to The Oasis Water Park while we waited for Courtney to finish her college classes for the day. My favorite part of the water park is the Zuni River where you kick back in the cool waters, floating along under the shade of desert trees while listening music piped in throughout the water park. My son wasn’t thrilled with hanging with his ol’ mom on the river float: I wanted to relax, float and talk while he wanted to use his inner tube as a race craft for weaving in & out of the crowed as he headed for some imaginary finish line. I nagged for a bit, then decided to be like the river and just go with the flow. Amazing that as soon as I did that and stopped demanding my son to stay with me, he suddenly wanted to be my floating companion. Lesson learned: go with the flow.

The majority of our Arizona Grand itinerary consisted of: sun, sunscreen, visit from the drink lady, swim and repeat…add poolside munchies, and repeat. May I just say the poolside drink creations were a highlight? Look how pretty my drink was:

I think it was called a Guppy Tank. Personally after one of these you won’t care what it’s called or what your boss’s name is or that he’s calling you on your cell phone. I think that’s the perfect definition of a VAYcation.

Okay, so you know my favorite things were the Zuni River and relaxing in my floppy hat w/ Guppy Tank in hand. My son’s favorite place in the park was the water slide tower. I was brave enough to do the twirly slide - once. My son did the slides over and over and ..repeat - while mom sunned at the base of the slide’s pools. And that was just day one. Check out my skilled video tape of the boy going down the big slide. I swear the sun was so bright I couldn’t see through my view finder - the Guppy Tank was not to blame.

It can be a bit overwhelming to see your children begin new levels toward adulthood. Yes, I know she legally became an adult at age 18, but at 20, she's still my little girl I remember clutching the same teddy that now rests on her apartment bedspread. She may stumble or falter as she experiences living on her own for the first time, but I have faith that she'll be the smart, strong, giving soul I've known all her life, who will pick a good path filled with new friends and experiences. **dabs eyes w/ tissue**

We met her roommates then headed over to the big W for groceries and dorm room necessities (Van Morrison poster), then back to the Grand for the evening festivities. We missed the dancing girls (seriously) but we were in time for the best part: movie night in the pool. Get out your floaties and watch a family flick under the stars and in the water. We got to see Johnny Depp in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Being in the water made his barnacle breath dad even creepier!

For those of you who are dying to know, the Grand Resort has an award winning golf course, new Tommy Bahamas inspired bar and restaurant, excellent gelato, gorgeous spa, gym and lap pool. I could just live there. And guess what: you can. Yep, they have villas for purchase. They’ve thought of everything.

When the Angels travel to AZ for spring training, guess where I’m wanna stay? Yep, the same place Scioscia stays. The Arizona Grand.

A big thank you to GM, Paul Gray, for giving my son a ride in your golf cart.

We both got a kick out of the tour and we loved our resort PLAYcation deal. My son is a certified Lego Maniac, so he’s chopping at the bit to be heading to San Diego's Lego Land in the near future. Thank you for helping this mom stretch her family dollars.

The Grand Playcation package partners with the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, SEA LIFE™ Arizona Aquarium and LEGOLAND® California. (Over $375 in family attraction tickets included!) Offered for stays through December 1, 2010.

Ticket Giveaway for South Coast Rep's Cinderella!

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:20:00 GMT

Drama Momma Ticket Giveaway!

South Coast Rep is letting Drama Momma give away FOUR tickets for an opening weekend performance of Cinderella! Performance times are 1pm and 4pm on Saturday, August 7^th and Sunday, August 8^th.

To enter: leave a comment telling why you’re excited to see Cinderella at South Coast Rep.

Extra entries can be obtained by:

1. Tweeting the following: @Terry_tkw is giving away 4 tix to see Cinderella @SouthCoastRep over at her Drama Momma blog @OCFamily! http://bit.ly/a8NJLG

2. Follow @terry_tkw on twitter

...and telling me about it here. Contest ends 8pm on Wednesday, Aug 4th. Good luck!!

Everyone loves this story of a servant girl who’s transformed into a princess! The fairy tale from long ago has been an opera, a pantomime, a ballet, an ice show, a comic book, a video game, many movies and plays. But this is the most fun—a song-filled show for all ages. Cinderella’s only friends are a cat named Charles, a dove and four white mice. But add a pumpkin, a hip fairy godmother without wand or tu-tu (“Been there, done that!”) and a little magic, and you know what happens!

And don’t forget the handsome prince who finds—and then loses—his own true love. He’ll find her again, in spite of those mean step-sisters with feet too big for the glass slipper!

SCR’s Summer Players (chosen by audition after at least one year in the Theatre Conservatory) bring all the characters to life in this glorious musical by America’s greatest songwriting team.

Regardless of age, everyone must have a ticket, sit in a seat and sit quietly throughout the performance. No children under age 4; no babes in arms.

Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 09:03:00 GMT

This is the summer of the Staycation. Finances are tight so I'm doing day trips around Southern California for our family summer fun. One of the events I've been waiting years to do with my son is Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. It sounds strange to describe on paper, but it's magical to witness first hand.

Originally entitled The Living Pictures in 1932, the tableaus were created by vaudevillain Lolita Perine for the Laguna Festivals of Arts. She dressed local residents in costumes and seated them behind a makehift frame, creating a life size tableau. The models within the frame would freeze in their tableau, fascinating viewers of all ages.

It was the summer of 1983 when I became a volunteer model at the pageant. I worked at the famous La Brisas restaurant on the cliffs of Laguna, overlooking the Pacific during the day and would perform in the pageant each night. It was the 50th anniversary of the pageant and my painting was entitled Empress Eugenie and the Ladies of her Court. I've looked all over for the actual slide of our tableau. It's somewhere in my garage full of memorabilia and I'm sure it will turn up someday. Here's a look at the painting we honored:

(I portrayed the lady-in-waiting in the blue gown touching the flowers)

Many years have passed and now I'm attending the pageant once more; not as a model, but as an audience member thrilled to be sharing this live art experience with my son. We had dinner at my old haunt, Las Brisas, then took the free trolly to the pageant entrance.

My son's a bit of an artist (he creates his own comic books) so I basked in the glow of his perusing the children' artwork gracing the festival courtyard.

The secret here is to save your POM ticket. It will gain you admittance to the festival courtyard all summer long for viewing the artwork and listening to the concerts on the grass. Bring your picnic basket of wine and cheese, lawn chairs and enjoy.We had a few minutes before the lights went down. I snapped a photo of the amphitheater as we were sitting down and an usher immediately came and informed me that photography in the amphitheater was forbidden (Perhaps they don't want people to know about all the ghosts haunting the grounds. Look closely at the photo...see the orbs? Ghost hunters say these are supernatural energies. With so much history on these grounds, it makes sense for lost souls to dwell in such a magical place).

The lights go down and the audience settles under the open air. Music and stars fill the night as the Narrator weaves a spell of the year's theme: Eat, Drink & Be Merry. My son was mesmerized as paintings, tapestries and sculptures were revealed under the evening stars. I hope he remembers this night forever. I know I will.

Pageant of the Masters - where art comes to life is an internationally acclaimed 'living pictures' production that combines the worlds of theater and art. Under the guidance of an experienced and talented staff, volunteers are magically transformed into life-sized re-creations of classical and contemporary painting, sculptures and other works of art. Presentations are accompanied by the music of a full orchestra and live narration in a beautiful starlit amphitheater in Laguna Beach. Eat, Drink & Be Merry, the 2010 Pageant of the Masters will devote its uniquely theatrical celebration of the art of tableaux vivants to share that sense of exuberant joy reflected in breathtaking re-creations of inspirational artworks. Performances are held nightly at 8:30 p.m. through August 31, 2010. Tickets for Pageant of the Masters are $15-$100. Pageant of the Masters ticket holders can present their stub at The Festival of Arts front gate for free admission all summer long. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. The event is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA. Proceeds support the arts and art education in and about Laguna Beach.

Two Nostalgic HITS and One Big MISS for July

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:57:00 GMT

Lately I’ve been searching out theaters I’ve never visited to learn more about all OC theater has to offer. Here are two hole in the wall venues, both offering up a bit of nostalgia for your entertainment:

If you know anything about being a Baby Boomer, Boomers, produced by the American Coast Theater Company at the Lyceum Theater on the Vanguard University Campus in Costa Mesa (that's a mouthful!) will take you down memory lane. You may not be a Boomer, but maybe your crazy Aunt Dolores was a hippy who always smelled funky in an herbal sorta way …or maybe you’re like me: a tail end Boomer, prone to wearing corporate casual and stuck in corporate bondage. Boomers is a musical medley which weaves together television theme songs and top 40 hits from the past 50 years, illustrating the journey of the Baby Boomer generation. Even if you’re a whipper-snapper in your 30’s, you’ll still get a kick out of the musical journey of our past decades set to music.

Television hits like Glee and American Idol with overproduced musical soundboard mixing might make the musical quality of Boomers seem a bit thin, but there’s quality to be found in the script and the ensemble cast, especially Tameca DeVant’s ability to belt out some soulful riffs. A bit young to be a boomer, she was definitely cast for her strong singing chops and not her birth year. Take your Signif Other, take your Mom or Dad. You’ll have a good time. Boomers gets a nice warm fuzzy HIT from Drama Momma. Show run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through July 18. Check Vanguard University's website for ticket information.

Stages Theater in Fullerton has another trip into the past with a late-night 10pm adaptation of The Twilight Zone television show that’s worth the drive over to Fullerton for a unique date night night-cap. Getting back past midnight too late for you and the babysitter? Tell your son to take his hot date there. He’ll thank you in the morning. Several Twilight Zone episodes rotate performances and you’ll be treated to two episodes with no intermission. I saw Five Characters in Search of an Exit and Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up? Both had excellent ensemble casts and the adaptations remained true to the original tv scripts, if memory serves. I was taken back in time to when I was a little kid sitting in front of my family’s black & white Zenith where I really was afraid to touch that dial as the announcer said my tv had been taken into another dimension. Stages gets a Drama Momma HIT for their Twilight Zone adaptations. I hope they keep doing more TZ adaptations as an ongoing late night offering. It’s like going back to a favorite restaurant over and over for the most awesome desserts.

I also saw Stages’ 8pm show, Spring's Awakening, which would be considered their main course on the menu. Suffice to say if it was a meal, I’d send it back. Stages Theater leans towards theater pieces not normally part of the OC fare, and I pride them for their experimental nature but when choosing pieces for their season this adaptation of the 1890’s German play should have been skipped. What was a controversial and shocking play in the late 1800’s bears no relevance in today’s society. Productions of Shakespeare’s works are still successful today because the scripts hold a depth of human truth that still ring true and directors can use their individual visions, tweaking Shakespeare’s concepts to help it speak to today’s audiences. Stages’ Spring's Awakening isn’t a world famous piece and even though I researched the historical aspects of the script I still felt like I needed my old high school Cliff’s Notes to understand the symbolism being used. The Ingénue, Wendla, is the only character who’s in her thigh high pantaloons with layers of slips and skirts being pantomimed. At first I thought we were witnessing a costume malfunction, which is every actor’s nightmare: being on stage in one’s underwear. Call me stoopid, but if a theater is going to do an obscure experimental adaptation, I think it would be wise to use some space in the program for the director to share his vision and give the audience a bit of a heads up. Is it to be a modern piece, perhaps with today's insane teen sexual pressures and cutting, like the promo picture implies or a period piece as the on stage mixed bag of costumes suggest? None of it gelled into a cohesive product. I was left confused and frustrated (Not sexually. Theatrically).

I must give kudos to three young actors who successfully tread through a horrendous script. Samantha Aneson successfully gave Wendla the naiveté and sweetness of a pure spirit trying to understand the complexities of life while being kept in the dark. Aneson’s Wendla truly was the little lamb being offered up to the lion. Adam Evans’ Moriz Stiefel was a joy to watch. He gave 110% commitment to his character and I became invested in watching his journey into oblivion. Ashley Bravo as Mrs. Gabor, although miscast in age to play a mother, had commitment of character to successfully pull the audience along the precarious path of the play’s story line. If nothing else, Stages’ Spring's Awakening gave some experimental stage time to young performers working on their craft, which is never a bad thing.

Drama Momma rates Stages Theater's Spring's Awakening as a MISS, but still recommends you visit them for their Twilight Zone late night shows. I’ll be interested to see how this theater group handles an iconic piece of American theater, Our Town, opening in August. I bet I can leave my Cliff Notes at home.

FREE Movie Mondays @ OCPAC

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 07:45:00 GMT

Orange County of the Performing Arts Center

kicks off

FREE MOVIE MONDAY

JULY 12

WIZARD OF OZ

Guests encouraged to dress as their favorite character; prizes will be given for the best costumes

WHAT

The Orange County Performing Arts Center’s enormously popular FREE Movie Mondays on the community plaza returns this summer beginning July 12 with the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland. The Center will again hold fun and entertaining pre-performance theme contests for this summer’s film screenings. For The Wizard of Oz, guests are invited to dress as their favorite character from the film. The best costumes will win prizes such as tickets to the Orange County Fair, goodies from Broadway shows scheduled to appear in the Center’s 2010-11 season and other fun-filled prizes. The contest is open to all moviegoers and will start at approximately 7:30 p.m. The alfresco film series is held on the Center’s community plaza with the films projected on the side of Segerstrom Hall. Guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs or other easily portable seating items. Set-up begins at 5:30 p.m. with the movie starting at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.). Guests may bring their own snacks and picnic suppers. Barbecues and similar food preparation will not be permitted. The rest of the summer’s Movie Mondays line-up includes:

July 19 - Some Like it Hot

July 26 - Oliver! August 2 - Dirty Dancing August 9 - Mad Hot Ballroom

WHERE

Orange County Performing Arts Center community plaza

600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa 92626

WHEN

Monday, July 12, 2010 Set-up begins at 5:30 with the contest scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Movie starts at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.)

The Circus is Coming to Town!

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 08:04:00 GMT

When I was a child I dreamed of being a lovely lady in a pink ballet outfit standing on the back of a silvery gray circus pony, both of us wearing fluffy pink marabou feathers atop our heads. We’d prance and leap, with me pointing my ballet slippered toes with long pink ribbons crisscrossed up my legs.

Some people love the elephants, the tigers, or the stunt motorcycles that whirl in circles within a huge metal ball. Me, my favorite circus act will always be the ponies. I'd imagine myself costumed in sequins and ribbons and performing the most graceful of tricks that would win the audience's applause and adoration. It’s a fantasy I’ll still have in my head when I take my son to the circus for the very first time, and I can’t wait to see which circus star he’ll become in his dreams.

Coming to the OC and LA this Summer:

The World Famous Barnum and Baily Circus!

MOM Ticket Discount!!!

Get a very special MOM discount: There's a Four-Pack Offer on select performances or $4 off single ticket prices on select shows. The discount can be redeemed online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000 . To redeem, use the discount code “MOM”.

Los Angeles - Staples Center: Wednesday, July 14 – Sunday, July 18
1111 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 90015
- Wednesday, July 14 – 7:30pm
- Thursday, July 15 – 12:00pm; 7:30pm
- Friday, July 16 – 12:00pm, 7:30pm
- Saturday, July 17 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, July 18 - 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Inland Empire - Citizens Business Bank Arena: Wednesday, July 21 – Sunday, July 25
4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario, CA 91764
- Wednesday, July 21 – 7:30pm
- Thursday, July 22 – 7:30pm
- Friday, July 23 – 12:00pm, 7:30pm
- Saturday, July 24 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, July 25 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm

Orange County - Honda Center: Wednesday, July 28 – Sunday, August 8
2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, CA 92806
- Wednesday, July 28 – 7:30pm
- Thursday, July 29 – 1:00pm; 7:30pm
- Friday, July 30 – 10:30am; 7:30pm
- Saturday, July 31 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, August 1 – 1:30pm; 5:30pm
- Tuesday, August 3 – 7:30pm
- Wednesday, August 4 – 1:00pm; 7:30pm
- Thursday, August 5 - 10:30am; 7:30pm
- Friday, August 6 – 1:00pm; 7:30pm
- Saturday, August 7 – 11:30am, 3:30pm, 7:30pm
- Sunday, August 8 – 1:30pm; 5:30pm

Enjoy the circus with your family.

It's another wonderful way to create memories and inspire dreams.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer @ CAT

Sat, 05 Jun 2010 10:32:00 GMT

Last weekend was a busy theater weekend for my son and me. Friday night we saw Disney’s The Lion King at OCPAC, and then on Sunday afternoon my friend, Sheila, had two extra tickets to a production of Tom Sawyer playing in downtown Corona, presented by the Christian Arts and Theatre group. Of course, we said yes to joining her family of sisters, nieces, daughters, grandmas and granddaughters. Did Son mind being the only boy? Well, he bellyached for a bit, just like Tom Sawyer would’ve done, but then as soon as we were on our way he had a great time.

I must say I wasn’t expecting much, but thought Son would enjoy it. Children’s theater provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to explore all the different aspects of theater arts, but tends to have a backyard feel to it all. Well, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of talent the CAT actors displayed and was impressed with the higher grade of production elements of this children's theater group.

Matt Dunn’s portrayal of Tom Sawyer was full of energy as he masterfully performed exuberant choreography with Isaac Monroe’s Huck Finn while belting out songs with a powerful voice. His rendition of “Light” truly showed his ability to finesse the sweet spots of a ballad. Isaac Monroe, playing Huck Fin, showed off his comedic skills with lots of facial mugging and good hearted physical comedy that had the kids in the audience giggling with glee. Hannah Irvine’s Becky Thatcher had the correct prerequisite mix of old fashioned manners and feminine innocence that makes the muddy-toed-Tom and bible-carrying-Becky romance so endearing. Robbie DeFoe was so believable as the villain, Injun Joe, I had to keep looking at his penciled on beard to remember he wasn’t an adult actor mixed in with the teens. Gabrielle Green’s performance as the Widow Douglas was especially touching with levels of delicacy in her performance that show her readiness for advanced acting classes. Cameron Barnett as Sidney Sawyer was another standout with easy comedic timing and impishness that give him that ‘it’ quality. Somebody get that kid an agent.

The show was produced by Christian Arts and Theatre, which is an after-school theater and visual arts educational program for students ages 6-18 based in Corona. Founded by Cyndi Monroe, CAT provides after-school activity conducted in ten-week sessions. Acting, dance and other performing arts are offered Monday through Saturday. Enrolled students have the opportunity to audition and perform on stage or work behind the scenes in a major theatrical production performed at the Corona Civic Center Theater.

The historic Corona Civic Center Theater building on Main Street has old world charm and beautiful architecture. I spoke to CAT founder, Cyndi Monroe briefly at intermission and I was impressed with her enthusiasm and obvious love for theater. I asked her about the Christian element in her organization’s name. She said there isn’t any proselytizing about religion, and anyone can join regardless of their personal beliefs. The basic values of honesty, integrity and love of neighbor are a cornerstone of who she is as a person and a leader. Personally, I think it’s a perfect match to have a group centered on good family values while learning about the glories of performing theater.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, add a theater outing to see The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to your family’s destination. Remaining performances are Saturday, June 5th, 2 & 7pm; Sunday, June 6th , 2 pm. Your whole family will be glad you did. Tickets can be purchased online here.

If you're not able to get out there this weekend, check out the CAT website for more information about the organization, future shows and their summer day camps.

Our Big Night Out: Disney's The Lion King @ OPAC

Mon, 31 May 2010 11:16:00 GMT

I took my own little cub to see Disney’s The Lion King this weekend. Planning a Big Night Out with my little boy to go see the national touring company in our very own Orange County Performing Arts Center had me excited all week long, telling coworkers, neighbors and even tweeting to perfect strangers of our big plans.

Being a native OC gal, I have a strong sense of loyalty to my favorite OC places and I’ve considered Disneyland part of my backyard playground ever since I was kid, so seeing The Lion King live on stage at one of my favorite OC theater venues had me very excited (no bumper-to-bumper freeway drive up to LA = a big YAY for this OC rooted mom).Our tickets were for Friday night, so I left work a tiny bit early to pick up Son after school and got home to put on our fancy Big Night Out clothes.Son wasn’t super thrilled about wearing his suit and tie, but his grumbling stopped as soon as I put on The Lion King CD and we were both singing Hakuna Matata as we got gussied up. We were starting to run a bit late, so as soon as Son was dressed in his suit and his hair was gelled to his liking, I told him to run put on his shoes and get in the car while I did a few last minute things around the house.

We had dinner reservations at Scott’s, my favorite restaurant for pre-theater dining at OCPAC and South Coast Rep shows.Why, you ask?It has inexpensive valet parking and it’s a beautiful walk through the shaded trees to get to the theater - much nicer than using the parking structures.Scott’s is fine dining done right (with the best calamari in OC), even if you’re with kids and especially if you're on a theater timetable.

When we got out of the car, the first thing I noticed as Son skipped to the door were the junkiest tennies - ripped toes and dried mud – peeking out from under his pristine suit pants.This mom did the standard head slap and gasped, “Son! Those are the shoes you chose to wear with your suit?” He looked down and seemed surprised to see them on his feet. I guess being in a hurry and leaving that last little detail un-mom-micromanaged left room for some kid sense to liven up our evening.I immediately debated about spending the evening looking at his impeccable suit paired with his grunge shoes, or being type A mom and fixing what I saw to be a problem. I chose TypeA.

As we sat down to our table topped with pristine white starched table linens, I called Sears across the street at South Coast Plaza and bought a pair of dress shoes over the phone from the Operator.Amazingly easy. Then the real magic happened. I asked my waiter, Don, to see if someone on their staff could help save the day and drive across the street to pick up the shoes.Scott’s staff made it happen. Simple as that.

While Son and I split a juicy filet mignon and sipped our drinks (Milk for Son, Lemon Drop Martini for me) the hostess staff took care of making my Type-A anxiety go away. The Lemon Drop helped a bit, too.The shoes were personally delivered by a savior hostess, Son dutifully put them on and all was well and order had returned to my Drama Momma world. If you've never been to Scott’s, please go there on your next date night. Do dinner and a play. You’ll love it and you can thank me later.

After our dinner at Scott’s we strolled on the path winding through majestically tall trees which let the sunlight slip through leaves. It’s a beautiful transition from dining to the OCPerforming Arts Center. The building itself is an architectural work of art to be enjoyed as you approach. Can you see Son with arms raised in the hedge maze? It reminded me a little bit of little Simba chasing Nala through the Pride Lands. You can put a boy in a suit but you can’t take out his playfulness.

We get to our seats and as we settle in Son and I can both feel the energy in the room. Everyone’s excited to see the show. The lights go down, the score swells from the orchestra pit, as well as the two full percussion areas set up on either side of the stage to emphasize the importance of the tribal beat in the African Pridelands.The opening number is the famous The Circle of Life featuring shaman Rafiki and all the animals of Africa.What a chill producing opening it is! Wild animals fill the hall migrating down the aisles toward the stage. Zebra, hippo, flocks of birds … it’s an amazing spectacle and as I looked around at the audience, everyone’s face glowed with awe. Young and old were spellbound by this majestically graceful opening number.

The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice and additional musical material by South African Lebo M and others.The music immediately sweeps the audience out of OC and into the Pridelands ruled by Mufasa, and his little cub, Simba.

As if you haven’t heard, The Lion King is a coming of age parable set among animals of the African savanna, telling the tale of Simba, the lion cub who rises to be the King of the jungle. Simba’s struggle brings to life the moral of facing one’s responsibilities, even if doing so causes fear and vulnerability. When fear is overcome, maturity is born. I asked Son if there were any good lessons to be learned and he said, “Not really.” Ah, well. Perhaps it’s best the lessons are so well woven into the storyline they remain hidden as a great tale and can be relied upon in the future, when Son’s need for strength and virtue are in order.

Using stylized African masks, puppets the animals of The Lion King become bigger than life on stage.With resemblance to both the masks of the Greek Tragedies and historic African art, they help define the character, set the mood and create a visual impact that defies description, but your heart will understand.My favorite use of masks happened as the lionesses pulled out long, blue silk ribbons of tears from the eyes of the masks, grieving at the death of their King, Mufasa. Very Greek Tragedy and I loved it. Another great thing is the use of masks and puppets makes everything bigger and bolder, so the actors are not tiny specs to be seen through binoculars from the balcony seats.

The use of silhouettes throughout the show offers a visual feast for the eyes, with gigantic sunsets and muscle-bound dancers wearing tall grass headdresses depicting the grassy plains through which puppets Nala and Simba frolic. The puppets are used to show depth and distance, and the live actors appear downstage to capture our attention as the story progresses.

One of my favorite bits of choreography was watching the intricate gymnastic moves of Nala and Simba when they reunite in the jungle. Nala pounces on Simba with leaps of joy. Simba playfully pushes her leaps away in mid air and they continue their intertwined pivots, twirls and leaps as they rediscover their friendship. I could see it had to be precise, using their grace and strength to make it look effortless. The next morning, as Son was watching our Lion King DVD, he said, “you know they really didn’t have any dancing like Beauty and the Beast” and I knew what he was saying was accurate; it was a dance of life, seamlessly intertwined with the storyline. Beautiful.

Not too long ago, Son was in his very first school play, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jr.Son was in the chorus and performed in the big number, Be Our Guest.It made me think of how Disney just does everything to perfection, taking classic tales and turning them into cartoon movie features, books, stage performances for adults and even adapting them for junior productions. I am a fan. In fact, I’m going to be getting out my calendar to make sure I save a date for taking Son to see Disney’s Mary Poppins, coming to the OCPAC in July 2011. Momma and Son will create more memories at our next Big Night Out. It’s a date, thanks to Scott's, OCPAC and Disney.

Things Son said:

During the part where Simba cries over his dead father:“Momma, I’m not crying. I have something in my eye.”

The next morning:“Momma, can we go again tonight?”

Every time we get in the car: “Can we listen to Hakuna Matata?It’s #11”

In Orange County, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 1 p.m. and a Thursday matinee on May 27 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start as low as $23.25. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are available online at OCPAC.org, by calling 714.556.2787 or at the Center’s Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Orders for groups of 20 or more may be placed by calling the Group Services office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is 714.556.2746. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, June 12 will be sign-language interpreted.

photo credit Joan Marcus THE LION KING National Tour (c) Disney.

'A Celebration of Life'

Sat, 15 May 2010 01:20:00 GMT

Remember the circus act where the guy’s spinning lots of plates on long poles and has to keep running around the stage, keeping all the plates spinning fast enough so they don’t crash to the ground in shards? That’s how I feel as a solo parent. Taking care of a home and child while holding down a full time job can be exhausting when there’s not a spouse around for tag team support, and when I think about the many years of repetitive responsibility ahead of me, I can become overwhelmed.

I see others around me also dealing with the stress of life: a little boy saddened by a divorce at home, a teenager mad because he’s forced to move away from his friends, a man estranged from his family due to an ancient argument left unresolved. Sometimes a person can be so overwhelmed by life’s struggles he chooses to opt out by taking his own life.

No one really knows what makes a person slip down the mental slope and choose suicide as their final act. Maybe it seems the only way to end the pain, the loneliness or the pressure to perform well in perpetuity – and that’s the big lie. Suicide doesn’t end the pain. It passes it on to the friends and family in an exponentially greater form to be carried in broken, questioning hearts.

For me, when I’m overwhelmed I pull out my bag of tricks and use the tools I’ve been taught over the years: stop for a moment and take a deep breath, count my blessings and use that metaphorical trick of seeing my glass as half full rather than half empty. It’s amazing how I can change my thinking around with just a tweak to my perspective. A struggle can become a celebration. Sure, life’s hard but we have the power every day to make choices that effect our days and weeks and months that become our lives. Let’s use that power to celebrate all the good things around us, whether it be as simple as a ladybug that happened upon our shirt, the warmth of the sun on our faces as we run mid day errands, the goofiness of our kids wearing swimming goggles at the dinner table or using tape to repair the broken family heirloom platter.

Laugh at it, love it, remember it, celebrate it.

Come join me next weekend as the

Orange County Wind Ensemble

performs a benefit concert entitled

“A Celebration of Life”

for

With Hope The Amber Craig Memorial Foundation

The Orange County Wind Ensemble will perform popular pieces including Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with a talented pianist from Chapman University, two great works by Frank Ticheli, former composer in residence for the Pacific Symphony, as well as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" sung by Orange County High School of the Performing Arts student, Erin Lubitz.

Pelican Hill Spa Day for the Mom Bloggers!

Mon, 03 May 2010 06:11:00 GMT

Dog barf. Email from attorney. Tax guy's reminder. Son’s lost homework. Email from teacher. Stolen camera. Big party to plan. Credit card declined…. Welcome to my April.

A big part of a mom’s job description is handling stress. It’s a fantasy to think we can slough stress off the way a super hero deflects bullets, so as we run the mom marathon we need to find healthy ways to de-stress. Let’s face it. Chocolate and cabernet can only get you so far. Me? I tend to run on empty, and don’t make enough time for stress relieving yoga (no Namaste for me), jogging or other ‘good for me’ activities. Not smart, so why do I do it? I don’t know. I know I’m supposed to help myself first, so I may help others, just like the airline flight attendants admonish before takeoff – in an emergency, put your oxygen mask on first before attending to your children. I should make myself a priority, but I don’t.

April kinda kicked me in the tush, so I was practically giddy when I received an invite from OC Family to join the mom bloggers on a “Mom’s Day Off” at the beautiful Pelican Hill Resort. I was already mentally kicking my stress to the curb; kinda like planning a breakup that is way past due. For the first time in five years I took a vacation day that had nothing to do with a family obligation, celebration, school break, or illness. I felt guilty, but I did it: one vacation day for the sole purpose of replenishing my soul, spirit, energy and positive attitude.

I was given the gift of peace and quiet in the beautifully appointed women’s spa. My spa experience started with leaving my cares behind, locking up my stuff and donning the spa uniform: a big fluffy white robe and white spa sandals. I was met by my aesthetician, Rebecca, who offered me chilled cucumber water and various healthy snacks in silver bowls (dried cherries, apricots, strawberries, and almonds). I sipped the water as we walked to my little spa room. There’s something so amazing about these rooms: dimmed lights, quiet music, beautiful wood, high thread count sheets, marble counter tops, alabaster bowls. The attention to detail was designed to put me at peace and feel pampered. It worked.

I chose a facial as my spa treatment. Hey, I’m almost 50 years old, and to have luxurious steam treatments, antioxidants, masks and toners delicately applied to my frazzled face was the height of luxury. Remember what I said about putting my mask on first so I can then take care of others? The concept is starting to sink in…

Rebecca was wonderful. I asked a lot of questions and she was very informative without a hint of reprimand about my years of facial neglect (teenage summers spent at CdM beach w/ a bottle of baby oil & a transistor radio). If I wanted information, she followed my lead to converse about skin care or was silent as she worked her magic, if I chose to be quiet. After my treatment, I met up with the other ladies of OC Family. It felt a little bit like my old college sorority days with all the ladies talking and laughing in the Jacuzzi area, then trying out all the amenities in the locker room as we dried our hair in preparation for our luncheon.

The Pelican Grill set up an amazing luncheon for us: Chilled gazpacho (so fresh and delish), Greek Caesar salad with grilled prawns (yum!)

Most of the ladies ended their day after the luncheon, but a couple of us decided to squeeze every drop of luxury out of the day by scooting over to the pool area to check things out. The pool area is absolutely gorgeous, and beats the heck out my little neighborhood pool that is always missing lounge chairs. In fact, as I looked around and snapped pics I realized how lucky I am to live so close to this world class resort. It’s peaceful like Hawaii, has a grand scale like Las Vegas, but it's hidden on a hill overlooking the Pacific in my beloved Orange County within minutes of Disneyland, Laguna’s Pageant of the Masters, quaint Balboa Island, etc…

And get this: use of the pool is available for spa guests! I just may have to stop buying so many t-shirts at Target and save up for my next spa day at the resort as a birthday present to myself. Lounging by the Pelican Hill pool this summer is now on my To Do list.

Thank you to OC Family and the Pelican Hill Resort for such a wonderful early Mother's Day gift. I just may have to make this a regular part of my super mom survival kit, for I will remember the rule: put my emergency mask on first before attending to my children.

The Boxcar Children Ticket Giveaway!

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:03:00 GMT

The Laguna Playhouse has a wonderful Youth Theatre program and they’re putting on a show this weekend! And get this:

We have another Drama Momma ticket giveaway!

One lucky blog reader will win a family 4 pack for one of the Saturday or Sunday performances. Saturday, April 24: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. – Sunday, April 25: 1 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. Leave a comment to enter. Tweet me @Terry_tkw with the following link to this blog: http://starturl.com/drjso for an additional entry. Contest ends Saturday, April 24 at 10:00am. Simple as that! Here’s some more info on this wonderful production:

Get ready for fun and adventure as The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre brings the cherished children’s book The Boxcar Children to life on stage April 23 – 25.

Originally written in 1924 by Gertrude Chandler Warner and adapted for the stage in 1999 by Barbara Field, The Boxcar Children tells the story of four orphaned children during the Great Depression. After their parents drown in a boating accident, the children – ages 5 to 14 – run away when they overhear talk of putting them in separate foster homes. With the motto, “we stick together like glue,” the children find an abandoned railroad boxcar and turn it into their home.

“The play reiterates the feeling of community and family, and that family sometimes takes different shapes and forms than what we think it’s supposed to be,” explains director Kelly Herman.

The Boxcar Children also explores the themes of personal integrity, maturity, and making do with what you have. In tough economic times, people begin to appreciate the things in life that cannot be bought, like the generosity and kindness of friends, family and strangers.

“With our current economic situation, it’s a reminder that we can make good things happen even when we don’t have a lot,” says Herman.

According to Herman, this production of The Boxcar Children is being staged as it would have been done in the great depression.

“The actors never leave the stage, and all the music and sound effects are done on stage,” she says. “Back in the 1930s, people would say ‘let’s get together, let’s do a play!’ so that is exactly what we’re doing.”

Performance Dates
April 23: 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
April 24: 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
April 25: 1 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Written by Barbara Field
Based on the novels by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Directed by Kelly Herman

Ticket Prices
Children: $18
Adults: $20

FOR INFORMATION & TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
CALL: 949.497.ARTS (2787) - GROUP SALES: 949.497.2787 ext. 229
VISIT: www.LagunaPlayhouse.com
MOULTON THEATRE: 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California

RENT @ The Maverick Theater in Fullerton

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 12:04:00 GMT

The producers might’ve been a bit nervous having an OC Family rep reviewing the down & dirty lives portrayed in RENT. Based on the classical opera "La Boheme" and set in New York's Lower East Side, RENT tells the story of a group young artists squatting in a building as they work on their creative careers and dysfunctional relationships. Back in 1994 when Jonathan Larson first workshopped his script, it might have seemed shocking and voyeuristic to view the lifestyles of struggling gay artists, but nowadays it’s all out there and RENT is an established iconic Broadway gem. True, RENT may not be for all theater goers, so if you’re uncomfortable with topics of HIV, lesbianism, gay romance and drug use, this show isn’t for you. But if you can empathize with the love, devotion, friendship and humanity illustrated within their bohemian bonds, then you’ll appreciate how RENT presents these topics in a filtered version of what happens to a group of starving artist squatters in NY’s lower east side against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic.

Stand out performances were given by Erica Bowers playing drug addict stripper Mimi, Tyler McGraw, playing the central character, filmmaker Mark, and Alex Nourishad as gay drag queen Angel. Bower’s exceptional beauty and glowing complexion (yes, I was sitting up that close) made it hard to believe the strung out druggy storyline, but hey, it’s theater and most RENT productions show the alternative lifestyle through a filtered, romanticized lens, taking out the ugliness of poverty, drug abuse and life with HIV/AIDS. Tyler McGraw, at first seemed a bit young and naive to play Mark, but it worked as he delivered a fully developed character who emerged throughout the course of the show, showing a maturity that belied his baby faced looks. Nourishad embraced the likability and outrageousness that makes Angel such a beloved character and deftly handled the complex choreography in four inch heels that would surely make me teeter over.

The ensemble cast is strong with several triple threat actors who gave the show the oomph it needed to give it more substance. The cast showed plenty of skill; however, the score’s complex harmonies were hit and miss throughout the show. When the cast did hit the sweet spots, their rousing renditions of RENT standards “La Vie Boheme” and “Seasons of Love” created an energy that infected the audience with a desire to get up, dance and let out their own inner bohemian.

Director, Curtis Jerome, gets big kudos for taking on multiple roles of director, choreographer, costume designer, truly making this show his personal gift to OC theater goers. The set design and blocking worked together to create wonderful visuals. The choreography was imaginative and provocative, perfectly displaying the raw, edgy, flirty, dirty relationships all intertwined, just like any good character drama.

The Maverick Theater’s venue is flexible and esthetically pleasing with a true cabaret feel. The full beer, wine and soda bar within the seating area makes for a relaxed feeling as you settle in for a few hours of live entertainment. Located in downtown Fullerton, within walking distance from The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant, it's the perfect hidden destination for a local day trip on the train.

All in all, RENT satisfied and The Maverick Theater is a place to add to your list of date night destinations. For a complete listing of the 2010 season, visit http://mavericktheater.com.

Disney Drama!

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:55:00 GMT

Things rarely go as planned. We envision events in their future perfection sprinkled with a pixie dust of sorts, educing warm fuzzies, laughter & hugs. In reality, we'll settle for something somewhere in the middle, hoping to avoid the crash and burn of hissy fits and tears.

Yesterday I took Son to Disneyland with a theme planned for the day: Hidden Mickey Photo Safari. We had the book with all the hints in hand as we set off armed with my trusty camera to hunt down the many hidden mouse orbs scattered throughout the park.

Son was giddy with excitement when I put him in charge of shooting our prey. He wore the large neck strap Indiana Jones style over one shoulder throughout the day as he captured one icon after another. We found rodents of all shapes and sizes hidden as plates in the Haunted Mansion, rusty gear wheels and cactus on Thunder Mountain, shaded bricks in the Mad Hatter's shop, etc...

We reveled in the morning's captured prey as we ate our lunch, then headed to our most anticipated hunting ground: Indian Jones. Son pulled out his archeologist flashlight and took pictures of all the ancient writing on the walls to be deciphered at a later date over a bowl of fruit loops. He also caught on film, the elusive mouse one rarely sees in the dark halls of Indiana Jones' world. This moment: priceless.

After reveling in our booty, we headed over to California Adventure to go on all our favorite rides (Tower of Terror, California Screamin' and Toy Story Mania - yay!!). My little hunter was dog tired, and this is where that vision of perfection slowly faded away like a mist on a shadowy lake. Before going on Tower of Terror, I made Son use the bathroom even though he swore he didn't have to go. I also abused him by forcing him to swallow his dignity and use the Women's restroom with me. He huffed and puffed, stomped his feet and begged to use the Men's room. I held firm. He was pissed.

We were only out of the bathroom for a minute or two before I noticed the camera wasn't around his shoulders. I ran back in and checked his stall. Nothing. Now you know why this post has zero pictures.

Poor Son broke down in tears and apologized repeatedly. I consoled him as best I could, saying I should have let him use the camera in the early in the day while our minds were fresh, and then taken over the camera duty in the afternoon when we were both getting mentally and physically tired. He asked if I was mad at him. I told him I was sad the camera might not be returned, but we could use this opportunity to pray for the lady who found the camera and that she'll do the right thing and turn it in to Lost and Found (let me just say that it's a good camera with a 12x zoom, huge memory chip and high end battery, so it would be pretty darn tempting to keep).

We went on rides, had dinner at sunset overlooking the water, finished the night on the roller coaster and then checked with Lost and Found at the end of the night. Nothing. As of this morning, still nothing.

I can keep praying for that lady who has my camera, our photo safari and all my favorite pictures still stored on the camera hard drive (that offends me the most; this possible thief will be able to see my most treasured photos, but i digress). Yes, we can continue to pray for the return of the camera, but more importantly, pray for the person's integrity to kick in, and for my own materialistic camera loving soul.

# # # #

if you hung out long enough to read this to the end, here's a reward:

While we were having dinner overlooking the waters of California Adventure, I noticed that the Imagineers and crew were getting ready to run lights for the much anticipated water show opening in June. This morning, video has surfaced of that run through. Note: Spoiler Alert!! Click this link to enjoy the entire run through!!

Come back and tell me what you think of the upcoming water show. I think it's going to be phenomenal!!

'Cinderella' at Irvine Barclay and ticket giveaway

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:38:00 GMT

When I was a little girl, I took ballet lessons. I had hoped to become a graceful ballerina but I didn’t have the talent. Now when I watch young ladies and gentlemen who have made dance their passion, I marvel at their skill and grace, silently wishing I could join them and twirl.

This Saturday there's a wonderful opportunity to watch some of the most talented young dancers in Orange County, in a truly unique performance of the tale of Cinderella. Orange County’s premier pre-professional ballet company brings the enchanting fairytale to the stage for an exclusive engagement at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive, Irvine) for a one day engagement, Saturday, April 3, 2010

Featuring choreography by Mr. Charles Maple, the beloved “rags to riches” fairytale comes to life on stage as a feature length ballet. Romance, emotion and spirit abound in this stunning production that stars a cast of the Southland’s rising young ballet artists.

“Cinderella is a classic folk tale with thousands of variants. Its popularity is not only attributed to the romantic love story; more importantly, it conveys a meaningful message that beauty is a treasure, but graciousness is priceless,” said Mr. Maple.

The storyline includes the infamous wicked stepmother, trio of ugly and jealous stepsisters, the magical fairy godmother, Pumpkin carriage, and the charming Prince, who falls in love with Cinderella’s kindness, innocence and grace.

“What I wish to express above all with the choreography of Cinderella is the poetic love of Cinderella and the Prince, the birth and blossoming of that love, the obstacles in its path and finally, the dream fulfilled…. I wanted this to be about a young prince who finds the love of his life. It is about the innocence of adolescent love.”

“Cinderella” performs at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine (4242 Campus Drive, Irvine 92612) on Saturday, April 3 at 1:30pm and 6:30pm. Adult tickets $28; children and seniors $22. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact the Irvine Barclay Theatre box office at
(949) 854-4646 or online at http://www.thebarlclay.org .

Drama Momma’s
Theater Ticket Giveaway!!!

Two Tickets to Maple Ballet's
Production of

Cinderella

choreography by Mr. Charles Maple

One lucky winner will win up to four tickets for the Saturday April 3rd 1:30pm performance.

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment here telling WHY you’d like to see the ballet Cinderella, and WHO you plan to take to see it with you. Each entry will get a number and the winner will be picked by random number generator.

You can earn an extra entry by doing the following, leaving a comment for each:

Follow me on twitter and tweet the following about this giveaway: I entered to win tix for “Cinderella” ! thx @terry_tkw ! http://bit.ly/a3qeY2

Contest ends Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 9pm PST. Please enter only if you can attend the 1:30pm performance on April 3rd.

Good luck!

The Velveteen Rabbit at SCR (and ticket giveaway!!)

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:59:00 GMT

My son’s an animal lover. In fact, as we talk about life & what the future holds, being a Veterinarian (or Lego Builder) is high on his list of career choices. He adores his dogs (aka “the mutts" ) and ever since he was a baby, he’s had a profound relationship with his menagerie of stuffed animals. Teddy Blue has been in Son’s corner, under the bed, and in his heart ever since his sister gave it to him as his very first gift. A love so strong between a boy and his teddy is the stuffing that makes for a wonderful legend just like….

The Velveteen Rabbit

Take your children to see South Coast Repertory’s Junior Players presentation of The Velveteen Rabbit March 20-21 and 27-28 in the theatre’s Nicholas Studio. The horse, the bear, the clown and all the rest will be onstage, along with many wild rabbits and, of course, a boy named James and his Nana. They’ll be portrayed by SCR’s Junior Players (grades 6-8), one of two young ensemble groups comprised of acting students who have been chosen through audition after at least two years in SCR’s Theatre Conservatory. They attend classes twice weekly during the school year with additional rehearsal time prior to their annual performance. (The Teen Players, grades 9-12, will perform later in the spring.)

This is a perfect event to introduce your children to theatre arts, and I recommend making a day of it by taking the family for a meal someplace fun like The Rainforest Café across the street at South Coast Plaza before or after the performance. In fact, I feel so strongly about this I’m having a giveaway for two tickets for the Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m. performance!

Here are the rules:

Drama Momma’s
First Ever Theater Ticket Giveaway!!!

Two Tickets to South Coast Rep’s
JUNIOR PLAYERS
Production of

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

story by Margery Williams
adaptation by Thomas Olson
directed by Mercy Vasquez
original music by Julian Sharifi

A classic tale of a boy, a toy rabbit and the transforming power of love.

One lucky winner will win two tickets for the Saturday Mar 27th 1:00pm performance.

(Tickets may be also be purchased for $9.00 each through the SCR Box Office at (714) 708-5555 or online at www.scr.org)

To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment here telling why you’d like to win 2 tickets to see The Velveteen Rabbit. Each entry will get a number and the winner will be picked by random number generator.

You can earn extra entries by doing the following, leaving a comment for each:

Follow SCR on twitter and tell me about it here
Follow me on twitter and tweet the following about this giveaway:

I entered to win 2 tix for “The Velveteen Rabbit” @southcoastrep thx @terry_tkw ! http://bit.ly/a3qeY2

Blog about this giveaway (put link in your comment here so I can come read your blog! I love getting to know more bloggers)
Become a subscriber of Drama Momma. Subscribe here!
one entry of the above chances each day

Contest ends Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 9pm PST. Please enter only if you can attend the 1pm performance on March 27th.

Have fun and good luck!!!

The Secret Life of Girls @ The Laguna Playhouse

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:49:00 GMT

When I got the notice about Laguna Playhouse’s production of “The Secret Life of Girls” I was a bit disappointed my daughter wasn’t home to be able to see it with me. She’s a collegiate now, but several years back, she was a young teen experiencing the exact same issues being explored in Linda Daugherty’s play about teen bullying, cliques, peer pressure and the intense emotional challenges facing girls as they navigate through grade school and high school. Since I didn’t have my daughter around for a night out, I decided on the next best thing: I took my 16 & 13 year old nieces. It was a perfect opportunity to bond with my sister’s kids and touch base with them about their lives and challenges they may be facing in school. On the drive down to Laguna we talked about what they’ve seen in the school halls. They talked openly about being picked on by bullies, seeing other kids ostracized for being quirky and different; my littlest niece had even been punched in the head. I had no idea. Luckily, these are great girls who’ve been able to overcome their challenges. Many aren’t so lucky.

The Secret Life of Girls follows Abby, who tries to find acceptance on her school’s championship volleyball team. She encounters Stephanie, the popular girl in school, who uses her friendship as a weapon of manipulation by pretending to be friends with a girl one day and then backstabbing her the next. Exclusion is another key issue explored in this play (such as when a girl emails her friends an invite to a party and says “Don’t tell anyone—it’s just us four tonight!”). Gossip, rumors and cliques are other issues explored in the play—issues that can break the hearts of young girls at a vulnerable time in their lives.

Today, new social technology including cell phones, email, and Facebook intensifies bullying by taking it beyond the school walls and into the secluded bedrooms of girls. A post on Facebook takes about 15 seconds to spread to 100 people. This type of bullying can lead to destructive behaviors in girls such as depression, cutting, eating disorders, and premature sexuality.

The performance was a part of the Theatre for a New Generation program that presents current issues in dramatic form with post show audience participation panel discussions. Plays are chosen for their relevance to the concerns of teenagers and for their ability to communicate frankly and directly, at a level those teenagers will respect and appreciate.

The idea is to get families and kids talking and sharing about what’s going on in their lives. Not an easy task, but it’s important to ask the questions. Driving time is the perfect opportunity to ask about their lives. Start in by saying you heard something on the radio or from a friend, then ask a question about a topic. Here’s the most important thing: let them talk – don’t lecture or give advice right away. Repeat what they say so they know they’ve been heard. Ask open ended questions like, “How did you react to that?” or “What happened next?” Again, don’t lecture. Ask them if they’d like advice, and if they say yes, be gentle in how you approach the subject. Be wise and calm, don’t berate or nag.

Being the parent of a teen is very challenging, but when approached from a place of patience, love, support and encouragement, it will reap many benefits in the years to come. Participating in events like Theatre for a New Generation at Laguna Playhouse is one tool parents can use to nurture the parent/teen bond. I’m looking forward to more productions from TNG in the future, and hopefully, more nights out with my nieces...

...and maybe even my collegiate when she stops by for a visit.

resource: Queen Bees and Wannabes (thanks, sis, for recommending this book years ago!)

Merrily We Roll Along @ The Chance Theater

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:46:00 GMT

Ever sit and wonder how the heck you got to where you are today? How did all the little twists and turns of friendships, romances, jealousies, commitments and maybe a betrayal or two lead you down the path that has become your ‘today’? That’s what central character, Frank Shepard, contemplates in the opening scene of The Chance Theater’s production of Merrily We Roll Along. “[The musical] is about friendships, relationships, hopes and dreams, the effect time has on them, and what happens when they’re not tended to,” explains Oanh Nguyen, Chance Theater Artistic Director.

My guess is most of you aren’t familiar with Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, but I bet you’d recognize one of its most famous songs, Not a Day Goes By. Not ringing a bell? Well, since I don’t have a clip of Chance’s performance, feel free to click on over to youtube and listen to Bernadette Peters’ heart wrenching performance.

Wasn’t that something? Guess what. Liz Holt’s portrayal of Beth was just as poignant, as she performed this hauntingly beautiful song with a velvety voice and impressive acting chops. Some people are good singers, others are good actors. Holt is both. I hope we see her in more OC shows.

Liz wasn’t the only strong performer. Amy Bjorklund’s Mary Flynn was as complex a characterization I’ve ever seen in a musical. So glad I got to see her up close to witness her intricate nuances. Ryland Dodge as Charley was so likeable you just want to put him in your pocket and take him home. Jeremy Fillinger gave Frank Shepard just enough sensitivity so that the audience doesn’t despise him as he mangles every relationship he has. The ensemble was top notch, with Alex Bueno leading the charge with great comedic timing.

The set design was stark, dark and slightly resembled a jail cell with all its dark grey and black vertical lines, perhaps symbolizing how Frank’s choices throughout his adult life created a psychological prison of despair as he contemplated how he lost everyone who was important to him.

Merrily We Roll Along is not your average musical. It’s got bite and bark. It’s meaty instead of saccharine. Director, Nguyen, serves this musical feast in such appetizing doses that one relishes each bite and still wants more. Long after you’ve left the theater, you realize you’ve consumed these characters’ life stories. You’re satiated and ready to take on your own life with that addictive score playing on repeat in your head.

My only regret is that I didn’t see the show sooner so I could get people to go see it. If you’ve never been to the Chance Theater in Anaheim Hills, you don’t know what you’re missing. Save your pennies for a babysitter and set up a date night. You can thank me later.

How I Fell in Love

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:01:00 GMT

I remember my very first theater experience. It was in my kindergarten year at Harbor View Elementary in Corona del Mar. We were doing a little play called Smokey and the Careless Campers and I remember coveting the role of Mrs. Blue Bird. I was so upset when Mary Ann Gillette got the part and I was given the consolation prize of Narrator. Mrs. Blue Bird had the cute lines and I was jealous.

Well, after being consoled by my mom and a couple of Oreo cookies, I got to work on my role of Narrator and had a wonderful time. I still have very vivid memories of that day: what I was wearing (my favorite light blue dress with the hidden pockets), standing on the downstage right corner of the set and looking out into the audience of school kids, teachers and parents. I remember the butterflies that set up camp in my tummy as I waited for the show to start, and how they magically faded away as the little play got rolling. I got lost in a magical place called theater and fell in love.

Theater does that to people. They fall in love with getting temporarily lost in a world different than their daily life. They fall in love with pulling on the psychological skins of different characters and becoming someone else for a little while. They fall in love with learning about themselves in the process of creating a character different from who they are in real life…and embracing the similarities that pop up during the exploration.

I’m a woman who loves theater. I started out as a little girl narrating the story of forest creatures and some careless campers. Now I’m a mom who’s juggling a job & juice boxes, yet still wants to find time to enjoy some excellent theater with her friends and family.

Hang out with me and let’s enjoy the journey together. I’m looking forward to sharing my theater experiences with you and reading your comments as you share some of your experiences with me. Together we’ll explore all the various theater groups Orange County has to offer: school productions, community theater, professional playhouses, as well as the many talented Orange County residents who love to share their art with us and receive our love in return.

As Eve Harrington says in All About Eve, "If there's nothing else, there's applause. I've listened backstage to people applaud. It's like…like waves of love coming over the footlights."