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What to do around the beltway with the kids

Favorite Things, 76 Trombones, Belle, A Beast: Summer Fun Abounds

May 16, 2012

Summer is around the corner and one of the best things about living in DC is there is never a dirth of great theatre to take advantage of with the kids or date night. Today I am highlighting some of the shows I am most excited about…so especially if you also LOVE musicals – today’s post is for you.

Don't miss Beauty & the Beast. Photo Credit: The National Theatre

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the award-winning worldwide smash hit Broadway musical, is returning to Washington, D.C. for two weeks only at the National Theatre. Tickets for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast begin at $56.50 and can be purchased online. Tickets go on sale at the National Theatre Box office on Monday, May 21. I am going to see the show on June 12 – so expect my review the next day – and just might be more excited than my 6-year-old. The National Theatre indicates it is age appropriate for those 3 and up.

We grew up on the Music Man in my house – we couldn’t get enough of watching the movie version. Seriously. Madam Librarian, Marian – love her. So for any other Music Man lovers out there, Professor Harold Hill rolls into town May 11 – July 22 at the Arena Stage. I am headed there next week with my mom and sister but will report back not just as a date night/ladies night idea but also about taking the kids. The Music Man is directed by the Arena Stage’s Artistic Director Molly Smith.

Local fun fact: Joining the adult cast are five D.C.-area youth who were cast as a result of an all-day casting call held at Arena Stage. The chosen young actors include Ian Berlin making his professional theater debut as Winthrop Paroo, Heidi Kaplan as Amaryllis and Jamie Goodson as Gracie Shinn. Colin J. Cech and Mia Alessandra Goodman appear as River City kids.

Tickets range from $46-$91 and the show is 2 hours and 2o minutes with an intermission.

Every summer I love love love Wolf Trap, despite the heat, the inevitable t-storms and the disaster of the parking lot when you’re tired, it’s late, and you just want to go home. It doesn’t matter because what is summer without Wolf Trap? I love Children’s Theatre in the Woods, I mean, who doesn’t, right? But now that my girls are a little older, I’m also considering the Sound of Music Sing-Along on August 25. First of all, it’s my 10th anniversary, and they are having a costume contest. Do you think I could convince Mr. Wired Momma to show up in Lederhosen? I think I’ve earned that after 10 years and 2 kids.

But more to the point, how can I resist my Favorite Things: a lawn, a picnic, my kids, a starry night and Julie Andrews and the ever-dashing Captain Von Trapp? Oh: and of course, Mr. WM dressed like this:

It could happen

What fun summer plans do you have? I dare you to show up at Wolf Trap dressed as the lead nun on August 25……

“Like” Wired Momma on Facebook because the summer fun ideas are just starting……

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DC Events with Kids, Summer Outdoor Music, Summer Survival with Kids, Theater for kids

Help a DC Area Family & Fun Give-Away Day: It’s Two-fer Tuesday

May 8, 2012

I am pretty sure all my blogging energy drained out of me after Listen To Your Mother on Sunday. So while I mull about my Mother’s Day post for later this week…I offer you Two-fer Tuesday. That’s right – a double-whammy chance to help a DC area family in need AND a chance to win something fabulous for yourself and your family courtesy of Madame Tussauds DC. You know I don’t do give-aways very often here but this was one I couldn’t resist (usually I can’t resist cupcakes).

It's really anyone's guess what I was doing here at Madame Tussauds DC. Photo Credit: Mr. WM

First – let’s focus on others. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of interviewing local mom and stylist extraordinaire, Rachel Strisik, on how to keep ourselves organized in the New Year. If you’ve long since forgotten your baby new year promises of organization and control, you can brush up on her tips here. This month, Rachel partnered with 1-800-Got Junk? and the ever-fabulous Container Store to help a deserving family in our community. Here’s what Rachel is looking for:

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We at Rachel and Company are looking for a deserving family in the community. We would like to give back to the DC- area community by helping a family get organized. We want to give back to the community by helping a family who is going through a crisis, in the middle of a difficult time due to illness or deployment or just needs a little help to get a head start on the next step in their life. Do you know a family who has shown true selflessness and has been a great member of the community? A mom looking to pick back up a hobby? A family that needs an organized family room to be able to spend more time together?

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You must nominate this deserving family by FRIDAY at NOON. You can nominate them by filling out the form online or by emailing: bgetorganizeddc@1800gotjunk.com

Once a family is selected,1-800-GOT-JUNK? will remove clutter from the family’s home and donate it to a local charity. Next, Rachel and her team of organizers will come in and create an organized space using products donated from The Container Store. Doesn’t this sound dreamy?? What mom doesn’t want more home organization for Mother’s Day? The organization will take place May 22-24, so it’s coming up quick! So please, put on your thinking caps and nominate that deserving family before Friday and please – spread the word to anyone else you know who might have someone to nominate!

Now – what can I offer VOUS for just yourself?

At Madame Tussauds. Me and my sister having an inappropriate moment. Photo Credit: Fritz Photography & Georgetown Catering

Earlier this fall, my sister invited moi and my friends to a party at Madame Tussauds DC and it was fantastic. We might have inappropriately touched George Clooney. We might have dirty danced with JLo. Anything is possible but we were there after hours. I can’t give you a chance to grope celebrities because this is a family-friendly blog, people, but when Madame Tussauds contacted me about giving away four VIP tickets to one of my beloved blog readers – I totally jumped at the chance.

Is it because I think you want to touch Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise?

Apparently my husband wanted to take Marion's picture instead of a President's at Madame Tussauds.

Or is it because I think you want to give your kids a chance to pose for pics with all 44 President, sit in the Oval Office, pose behind the press secretary’s podium and walk through American history?

You decide.

Either way, we had a ton of fun at Madame Tussauds that evening and I am eager to head back with my girls. Also, for this weekend only, Madame Tussauds is offering a special deal for you special Moms out there:

“Who says Mother’s Day can only be celebrated on Sunday? The Presidents Gallery by Madame Tussauds is celebratingMother’s Day all weekend long and letting all moms go free May 12 and 13 with the purchase of any regular price admission ticket. This is the perfect opportunity to meet our newest figure and the “mother” of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low! Use promo code V580 or mention “mother’s day” at our admissions counter.”

How to win one ticket good for admission for 4 people to give-away? You ask?

“Like” moi on Facebook and post a message there that you are entering in this give-away. So simple. My girls love the thrill of picking the winner’s name and I’ll post the winner on WM FB page on Friday evening!

Disclosure: Madame Tussauds gifted me a ticket for my family of 4 to enter admission free. My opinions here are my own.

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DC Events with Kids, Give-Away

Rapunzel: Fabulous Spring Break Activity with the Kids

March 28, 2012

Nothing suits a rainy day better than heading off to Glen Echo Park to see the latest production at The Puppet Co. On Sunday, we loaded into the car to enjoy an afternoon of Rapunzel. Little did I know, before settling into our seats, that Rapunzel is more than just a girl who lets down her hair…it’s a radish.

Seriously.

Prince, Witch Wartsmith and Rapunzel in the Puppet Co.’s production of “Rapunzel.” Photo by Christopher Piper.

Am I an idiot? Seemingly I am. Either that or I’ve put too much time into the Disney version of Rapunzel and not enough focus on the Grimm fairy tale version, which is what the Puppet Co’s version is styled after. The puppet styles reminded me of the old Punch and Judy puppets from England and Eric Brooks single-handedly performs the entire 45-minute production, seamlessly and convincingly as each of the characters. A feat that should not go unnoticed because I found it remarkable.

The stage is designed brightly with a purple set and varying backgrounds to suit the scenes. Witch Wartsmith quickly became my favorite character for her cunning in getting what she wanted: a baby – and her quick wit. At one point she quips “Yay for motherhood,” much to the delight of most of the parents in the audience. Noteworthy, old Witch Wartsmith also quickly won over the heart of my three-year-old because she “talked a lot.”

Reason enough, in my book.

With enough physical comedy throughout the production to keep the attention of shiftless youngsters, even the youngest theater-goers were able to hold their attention for the delightful 45 minutes Brooks guided us through the tale. Both my girls especially enjoyed the chase scene when the old witch tries to cut Rapunzel’s hair upon learning the Prince had discovered her and planned to return for her the next day. I think the adults in the room appreciated Witch Wartsmith’s questionable magic skills as she struggled to make Rapunzel vanish from the castle tower.

Billed by the Puppet Co. as the “un-Tangled” version of Rapunzel, you can catch this great show only through April 7. It would top my list as a spring break activity, if your days aren’t already booked.

Show times: Thursdays & Fridays at 10 & 11:30 a.m. Saturdays & Sundays at 11:30am & 1pm.

Running Time: 45 minutes

Recommended: PreK – Grade 4. Noteworthy: Puppet Co does not recommend this show for children under the age of 3.5 and I would agree with their assessment.

Tickets: $10

Contact: Box Office, 301.634.5380. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.thepuppetco.org.

Disclosure: The Puppet Co. gifted our tickets to me. My opinions here are all my own.

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DC Events with Kids

Alexander had a terrible, no good, horrible, very bad day

March 3, 2012

Alexandar and most of the first-rate cast in the opening scene. Photo Credit: Bruce Douglas

For anyone who’s ever had a bad day, whether you are four years old or 74 years old, this one’s for you. Adventure Theatre’s production of Judith Viorst’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, can take your bad day and put it into perspective in 60 short minutes. And there’s nothing better than “bad” in kid perspective to shift a grouchy adult mood, let’s be honest. With a script written almost more for parents than the kids, much to my delight, the new musical at Adventure Theatre will have you in stitches from the opening scene to the very end.

The musical performance is led by Parker Drown (2010 Helen Hayes Award Recipient for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical), who stars as Alexander, complete with his bright red hair. But his supporting cast is equally as strong, ebullient and charming with their hilarious shenanigans. Honestly, as someone who has a regular running joke with her younger sister that she needs to desperately go get a new face, they had me hooked when that was one of the first things Alexander’s brothers said about him in the opening scenes. Call me Beavis or Butthead, but I love that sort of snarky, bratty sibling behavior, and it’s woven throughout this delightful musical.

I am embarrassed to admit that we don’t actually have this book chez moi but I certainly plan to go out and purchase it now. If you are Alexander-illiterate, as was I, then you can easily gather that Alexander’s day starts off lousy and the misery builds from there. The charm of the musical is the way the adult-actors realistically portray what makes for a bad kid day. Starting his day off with gum in his hair, forgetting to draw a picture for school and then his mother failing to pack desert in his lunch are just some of the reasons the day is bad, early on, in the horrible, no good day. The desert scene was one of my favorites. While all his friends are enjoying their sweet treats lovingly packed by their parents, Alexander is pouting, and his mother is wheeled in carrying an enormous banana split, taunting him.

Love it.

Now what could take a bad day and make it worse?

One of my favorite scenes: Alexander and the dreaded Dentist. Photo Credit: Bruce Douglas

The dentist, of course! And in this production, it’s like watching a scene out of Little Shop of Horrors, with the thick-German accented plunger-yielding Dentist, naturally. The elaborate kid-imagination that this cast brings to life on stage is entertaining and top rate. Honestly, Adventure Theatre is a gem that we are so lucky to have access to with our kids.

Directed by Gail Humphries with music by Shelly Markham, this production is the fourth production of Adventure Theatre’s 2011-2012 60^th Anniversary Season. Tickets are $18 each. The performance opened just this weekend and runs until April 9th. Given that it’s such a delightful way to spend an hour, I’m guessing it’s safe to assume the tickets will go fast, so I wouldn’t waste any time. Frankly, I’m tempted to see it again. Adventure Theatre recommends this play for children ages 4 and up. I did bring my three-year-old, to an evening performance at that, and she loved it – but it is a little bit longer than most other Adventure Theatre productions, so keep that in mind when making your decision.

Also, be sure to bring some gently used or new shoes when you go to the show. Adventure Theatre’s Community Engagement projects continue in partnership with Souls4Soles.org: Changing the World one pair at a time. For the duration of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, bring your new or gently used sneakers to Adventure Theatre’s lobby to benefit Souls4Soles.org, a national program that ships new or gently used shoes to people all over the world who need them- (including Australia)!

Disclosure: Adventure Theatre invited me to the final dress rehearsal of this performance. It was a treat to see it on the eve of opening night, without a doubt. The opinions here are all my own.

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DC Events with Kids, Theater for kids