Erin Leigh Peck - Page 5

Just like there are all kinds of adult theatre-goers, there are varying tastes among kids. Some are just working on sitting still for ninety minutes or more, while others are more seasoned audience members craving a bit more depth. This is where Peter and the Starcatcher fits in. It's perfect for kids because the story is about children and is presented with childlike fascination and a creative innocence that would appeal to both children and adults. But this show is sophisticated in its youthful tone…an exuberant, story-theatre approach mixed with cutting wit and clever conceits that will give you something to think about while dazzling you with color and adventure.

Tune in to NBC's "Today" show on Friday, April 27 at 9:30 AM (ET) to find out who will be playing the title role in the eagerly anticipated new production of the Tony Award-winning classic musical, opening in Fall, 2012 on Broadway at a Nederlander theatre to be announced.

Yesterday, BroadwayWorld reported that The Off Broadway Alliance, the organization of Off Broadway producers, theaters, general managers, press agents and marketing firms, has announced the nominees for the 2nd Annual Off Broadway Alliance Awards, honoring commercial and not-for-profit productions that opened Off Broadway during the 2011-2012 season.

Last October I took my daughter to see NEWSIES at Papermill Playhouse and was thrilled to find another rare gem for my small collection of shows that parents can genuinely enjoy with their children. I'm relieved to say that the production's move to Broadway hasn't changed the its status on my short list. In fact, I think it's gotten better. It's been two days since we saw the show and I still can't get 'And the World Will Know' or 'Carrying the Banner' out of my head and my daughter remains a sworn fan for life.

It's been the better part of a year since the live tour of the Disney Channel's animated gem, the critically acclaimed 'Phineas and Ferb,' TV's #1 animated series among Tweens 9-14 for three years running, started it's over 80-city tour. And now, just in time for school break, they've hit the New York area. By the time this posts you'll probably be too late to catch the show at Madison Square Garden, but never fear. Phinas, Ferb, Agent P, Candace and the evil Dr. Doofenshmertz will be taking it tri-state, hitting Westchester, Staten Island, Long Island and New Jersey this month.

One of the most common questions I get from readers is 'can you recommend an acting class for my child?' I never have an answer, because as readers of this column know, my Young Lady is happiest backstage (or behind the camera) and my Little Guy is too little to take acting class. But now I can finally say we've experienced something that I can recommend. Last winter, as a Hanukah gift to my daughter, my husband and I purchased a 3-class Film production workshop at Take Two Film Academy, and now my daughter wants to go back!

There are a few reasons a Broadway lover might be interested in Mirror Mirror, a family-friendly comedy that is more Brothers Grimm than it is Disney. First, Nathan Lane steals the show on more than one occasion, which is no small feat next to Julia Roberts shining as the overly-confident, Evil Queen in one of the best casting decisions of the year (so far). There's an original score by Alan Menkin which manages to support the film beautifully without sucking us back to Disneyland and then there's the whole issue of that OTHER Snow White movie set to be released this year. Remember the year of WILD PARTY?

This season, between GODSPELL and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, I've learned more about the last week of Jesus' life than I ever knew before. The season started for me at Circle in the Square when I took my eight year old to see GODSPELL. (You can read about that visit HERE). I must admit, although I enjoyed the show and was happy to find something on Broadway that I could enjoy along with my daughter, I was a bit confused about the actual story. Like most Broadway folk, I've known the score the GODSPELL backwards and forwards since probably the summer before fifth grade when I was introduced to all things theatre at summer camp. But knowing the lyrics did nothing to help me understand the well-known plot points unfolding before me. As a Jewish woman I never sat down and read the story of Christ's life, so this year Broadway taught it to me.

This past weekend my Little Guy and I were among the lucky few to get tickets to see the Beatles of kids' concerts, THE FRESH BEATS. Nickelodeon's popular preschool music group and stars of the hit TV series by the same name hit the road last month after selling out in almost every city they were scheduled to perform in...usually the first day the tickets were on sale!

Usually when I take my kids to see a show for BroadwayWorld Jr., I go in with the expectation that I might be slightly amused, slightly bored, and hopefully thankful that my kids had a good time. It's always a welcome surprise when the show ends up being endearing, funny and entertaining to both the kids and the parents in the audience. Not only did the adorable Stinky Kids not stink at all, they managed to make my whole family laugh.

Do you have days when you don't enjoy any real adult moments until you are too exhausted to enjoy them? I do. I work primarily from home, mostly online, and I have many days when I spend half of my time interacting with my three year old and the other half blogging and tweeting. By the time the kids are sleeping I'm too tired to put together three words so I go to bed having forgotten to be a grown up.

Now that the warm weather is setting in...I mean continuing...it might seem counter-intuitive to sit your kids down in a dark theatre in the middle of the afternoon. Buttrust me, by the time Spring break rolls around, you'll have seen one playgroundtoo many and both you and your kids will be hungry for something more. That'swhen it's time to take advantage of being in (or close to) New York City and take insome awesome family theatre. Here are my top picks for Spring 2012. I've carefullyselected shows that are geared towards younger kids but not 100% annoying toparents. I'll be posting reviews on many of these productions as I catch them overthe next few months, so watch this space for the low down on BroadwayWorld Jr.'s2012 SPRING FLASH!

It's finally here! The first festival created for the development of children's theatre in New York is happening next month, and they've just announced their fab lineup of original, family-friendly shows!

Last weekend, Little Guy and I took the voyage downtown to the Manhattan Children's Theatre's new space at 380 Broadway. Before I tell you how terrific this show is, a word of warning: DO NOT BRING A STROLLER. I wish someone had told me that I'd be greeted by a 4-floor walkup. Once we made it up the steps, we were greeted by a friendly staff and beautiful, well-lit playing space that is ideal for a children's show...if only there were an elevator.

This year my daughter saw her first two Broadway shows: 'Sister Act' and 'Mary Poppins'. (We're not counting that unfortunate Lion King incident at age five when she was scared out of the theatre ten minutes into the first act). This past week, just when the drudgery of school vacation was about to drive Mom batty, we took in Broadway Experience Number Three: 'How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying' staring the adorable Nick Jonas.

Most of you reading this are probably already feeling the stress of this dreadful February vacation. (I mean those of you stuck at home or at work while the kids have no school. Not the ones on vacation. I'll tell you where you can put your vacation). For me, it's an endless week of manic scheduling and desperate searches to find fun things for the kids to do in between my fruitless attempts at working from home.

Did you ever have a boss who made your life a living hell? Do you have memories of being an assistant that will stay with you for the rest of your life? Are they pent up inside you, waiting to be shared with others? Was your experience reminiscent of the movie 'Swimming with Sharks'?

When playwright and performer Stephen Kaplan and his husband Will Nolan became parents, they assumed that there would be certain things they'd have to give up. I know, crazy right? My life has remained EXACTLY the same as before I became the mother of two kids.....And that would be a big lie. But I digress....

As a busy mom, I often bemoan the burden of multi-tasking. I cry and whine about how I never get enough recognition for the fact that I do six jobs at once, every day, and don't get paid for most of them. Then I met Francesca McGrory, and I knew I'd met my multi-tasking match.

MamaDrama is proud to be partnering with LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER, a national series of live readings by local writers in celebration of Mother's Day. This year will be the third for Listen To Your Mother nationwide, and the first for New York City.