BWW JR: FALL FLASH!

With all the chaos of getting two kids back to school, making the transition from summer to cool weather and preparing for the upcoming High Holidays, it's been hard to get my kids to the theatre.  This weekend we'll be back on the family theatre circuit, checking out the return of UNCLE PIRATE at Vital Theatre Company.  Until then, here's a sneak peak at what fall in New York has to offer your junior theatre fan:

THE OHMIES

This is one of my favorite family theatre events to date and it's closing soon so try to catch it this weekend if you can!  Part concert, part dance party, part yoga class, pArt Theatre, this interactive, musical adventure features an environmental set (meaning the audience is sitting inside the physical world of the play), great music and bright, colorful characters who encourage kids to get up and move.  Playing at the Peter Jay Sharpe Theatre on 42^nd St. until September 25^th, this show is great for kids up through age 8.  You have to take your shoes off so remember to wear cute socks.  For more information, visit the show's website at www.TheOhmies.com. (Please note that the accompanying photo is from the original production at the Daryl Roth Theatre).

UNCLE PIRATE

The Vital Theatre Company's hit musical incarnation of Douglas Rees' young reader's chapter book returns to the McGinn/Cazale theatre this fall.  While the book itself is written for kids ages nine through twelve, Vital's shows always tend to skew young, so I'm going to bet that this show will be appropriate for preschoolers without being totally mid-numbing for adults.  The book deals with themes of bullying and feeling like an outcast.  Kids can learn a lot from the hero of the story, a resourceful fourth grader who uses a little bit of humor and a whole lot of imagination to rise above and find his own path.  For more information visit the Vital Theatre Company's web site at www.Vitaltheatre.org, or look for my article about it next week, right here on BroadwayWorld Jr.

PINKALICOUS

I promise I don't work for the Vital Theatre Company, I just really love their work and Pinkalicious is a big part of it.  While the Pinkalicious series by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann may slant towards girls, this musical at the Manhattan Music and Arts Center on West 60^th St. is great for little boys.  (I am proud to say that MY little man's favorite color just happens to be pink!)  In fact, one of the most endearing moments of the show is when Pinkalicious' brother sings an ode to his forbidden favorite hue entitled, "I've got the Pink Blues".  For more information visit the Vital Theatre Company's website at www.VitalTheater.org.  (Please note that the accompanying photo is from the original production of Pinkalicious).

GODSPELL

Everyone's been buzzing about this exciting new revival of Stephen Schwartz' classic 1970's retelling of the Gospel According to St. Matthew.   The show was a hit when Daniel Goldstein directed it in 2006 at Papermill Playhouse, and now Goldstein will helm the first Broadway production of Godspell since the original closed in 1977.  With choreography by Christopher Gatelli, the popular folk/rock musical will star Hunter Parrish from Showtime's WEEDS.  Producers promise that the show will be great for families, so without seeing it I'm taking them at their word.  However, I wouldn't recommend it for kids under six just based on the show's length and the cost of a Broadway ticket.  Look for complete coverage of GODSPELL in November when BroadwayWorld's latest blogger section for parents, MAMADRAMA NY, provides complete coverage from New York's hottest bloggers catering to the parent market.  For more information and to purchase tickets visit the show's website: www.Godspell.com. 

FRECKLEFACE  STRAWBERRY

It's back!  It's back!  The show that my daughter to this day compares all other shows to ("It's good but not as good as Freckleface Strawberry" or "Wow, Mommy!  That was almost as good as Freckleface Strawberry!") is returning to New York after taking a hiatus from a successful run at New World Stages last Spring.  This time the musical based on actress Julianne Moore's popular children's book will be presented at the new MMAC Theatre on West 60^th Street.  Performances start November 8^th.  For more information check out the show's website: www.FrecklefaceStrawberrytheMusical.com.   (Please note that the accompanying photos are from the New World Stages production).

NEWSIES

Almost twenty years after Disney's musical feature film's luke-warm box office reception, PaperMill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ presents the answer to what might be one of musical theatre's largest cult followings.  Despite limited success on screen, the show's DVD's and addictive soundtrack have continued to entertain theatre lovers and the show has become the single most requested title among amateur and professional theatre groups.  With a score by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman and a brand new book by the brilliant Harvey Fierstein, this lively retelling of the New York City Newsboy strike of 1899 is sure to be a hit with tween and teen audiences.  I'll be bringing my seven year old to see it so watch for my report here on BroadwayWorld Jr.  The theatre is about forty minutes outside of Manhattan.  For more information visit www.Papermill.org.

AND NOW SOMETHING JUST FOR PARENTS: MOTHERHOOD OUT LOUD

(Do NOT bring the kids!)

Sometimes we need to hire a sitter and see a show for just us, and starting tonight at 59E59 theatre, Primary Stages presents a show just for parents.  With an impressive collection of playwrights including Beth Henley (Crimes of the Heart) and Marco Pennette (ABC's Ugly Betty), Motherhood Out Loud aims to shatter traditional notions about motherhood with humor and raw emotion.  After a successful run at Hartford Stage, Primary Stages presents a limited run here in New York.  Be on the look out in the coming weeks for comprehensive coverage of Motherhood Out Loud on BroadwayWorld's newest blogger section for parents, MAMADRAMA NY, providing complete coverage from New York's hottest bloggers catering to the parent market.  For more information visit the show's website, www.MotherhoodOutLoud.com.  Be sure to join MamaDrama NY's Twitter party in celebration of Motherhood Out Loud with compelling parenting discussion. September 26^th at 9 PM, #MotherhoodOL.