Shakespeare in Harvard Square This Weekend

The Harvard Square Business Association Presents Shakespeare in the Square today through Sunday, Aug. 3. Actors from the Shakespeare Project, American Repertory Theatre, and Revels bring exceptional, out of the box, profoundly original Outdoor Elizabethan Theatre to Harvard Square!

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
American Repertory Theatre Performs Shakespeare Slams!
Shakespeare Slams is a modern-day, plugged-in Shakespearian mash-up featuring 18 performers from the American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theatre Training in a multidisciplinary, electric, energetic approach to the Bard's verse. Marrying Shakespeare with a wide range of contemporary music, movement, and culture, Shakespeare Slams seeks to bring the lives of Shakespeare's characters to a diverse 21st century audience.
When: Friday, August 1st 6 pm, Saturday, August 2nd 4:30 pm, Sunday, August 3rd at 7:45 pm.
WHERE: Winthrop Park (corner of JFK and Mount Auburn Street).
PRICE: Free!

Actors' Shakespeare Project Presents Love's Labour's Lost:
Actors' Shakespeare Project will present an encore presentation of their highly successful interpretation of Love's Labour's Lost in conjunction with the Harvard Square Business Associations' Shakespeare in the Square. Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost is a sweet and hilarious dance of courtship. Four young lords swear an oath to give up the company of women for three years and devote themselves to study. Soon after, the Princess of France arrives with her three friends and the four lords are instantly smitten. The women decide to torment the men, and boy, are they easy marks! In ASP's rendition of this classic comedy, six actors play sixteen roles-dancing back and forth between male and female, pursuer and pursued!
WHEN: Friday August 1st at 7:15pm, Saturday 2nd at 7:30pm and Sunday 3rd at 3:00 pm
WHERE: Winthrop Park (corner of JFK and Mount Auburn Street).
PRICE: Free!

REVELS REPRESENTS at SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARE
The area immediately around Shakespeare's Globe Theatre was filled with musicians, jugglers, dancers and other disreputable street performers. Revels is proud to represent the earthy side of Shakespeare in the Square, and under the leadership of the disgruntled former Shakespeare employee and Morris dancer, Will Kemp, will provide entertainment for the groundlings. Expect lusty music from Tom Zajac and friends, fine singing from Tapestry with Doug Freundlich, instrumental fireworks from Renaissonics, as well as Morris and Sword dancing and expert heckling of the actors.

Shakespeare in the Square Event Schedule

Friday, 8/1/08
5:00pm - 7:30pm: Commonwealth Morris Men and Orion Sword Dancers perform around Harvard Square.
6:00pm - 6:45pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute.
7:15pm - 9:45pm Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project.

Saturday, 8/2/08
2:45pm - 4:15pm Renaissonics Performance.
4:30pm - 5:15pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute
7:30pm - 10:00am Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project

Sunday, 8/3/08
1:30pm - 3:30pm Commonwealth Morris Men around Harvard Square
3:00pm - 5:30pm Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project
5:00pm - 7:00pm Orion Sword Dancers around Harvard Square
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Tapestry and Tom Zajack Trio performs
7:45pm - 8:30pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute

Shakespeare in the Square Restaurant and Shopping Events from Aug 1-3, please see www.harvardsquare.com for special menus and offers.

About our Distinguished Local Performing Companies:
The AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATRE (A.R.T.), one of the country's most celebrated resident theatres and the winner of numerous awards, including the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, was recently named the third best theatre in the country by Time magazine. Over its twenty-eight-year history the A.R.T. has welcomed Major American and international theatre artists whose singular visions generate and define the theatre' s work, presenting a varied repertoire that includes new plays, progressive productions of classical texts, and collaborations between artists from many disciplines. The Company has performed throughout the country, and worldwide in twenty-one cities in sixteen countries on four continents. The A.R.T. recently inaugurated its second stage at Zero Arrow Theatre, also in Harvard Square.

The A.R.T. INSITITUE FOR ADVANCED THEATRE TRAINING was established in 1987 by the A.R.T. as a training ground for the professional American theatre. In 1998, the Institute began an exclusive collaboration with the Moscow Art Theatre (MXAT) School. The union of the two schools has created an historic program that provides unparalleled opportunities for training and growth. Upon graduation, students receive a Certificate of Achievement from the A.R.T. at Harvard University and a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree from the MXAT School. Institute students have toured their productions throughout Europe, performing in Russia, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

ACTOR'S SHAKESPEARE PROJECT: The Actors' Shakespeare Project was founded in 2004 by Benjamin Evett and actor-colleagues with the intention of creating a resident acting company in Boston that would produce Shakespeare in intimate, stripped-down productions that celebrate the relationships between actors, audience and text. Since then ASP has produced 13 plays in venues all over Boston and Cambridge to critical acclaim and the company's productions have been honored with three Elliot Norton awards. In 2006, Ed Siegel of the Boston Globe wrote, "This is Shakespeare the way it's supposed to be performed. The troupe plays to the crowd hilariously, speaks Elizabethan verse beautifully, and posits a smart interpretation of the play. Actors' Shakesp eare Project has to be listed as a local treasure." Jeremy McCarter of New York Magazine called ASP's King Lear "A triumph of classical acting" and in spring 2008, The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout called ASP "one of America's finest Shakespeare troupes."
For More information: www.actorsshakespeareproject.org or 617-547-1982
*Member, Actors' Equity Association

REVELS: Now, in its 38th year of performances, Revels is a non-profit performing arts company producing Music Theater, recordings and educational materials.
At the heart of each Revels production are the singers, actors, dancers, and storytellers who preserve the arts and traditions of their own cultures. Through its respect for the customs of many cultures, Revels has created its own traditions. Widely known for the annual Christmas Revels, our organization celebrates the cycles of life and the seasons through the arts. Revels' productions of Spring Sing, RiverSing, and SummersDay Revels bring together a community of professional actors, musicians, designers, and directors, along with a volunteer chorus of children and adults. Celebration is at the core of Revels and audience participation is an organic consequence of that impulse.

REVIEW: Super Scientific Circus

By Laura Richards

On Friday I dropped my three year old son off at my parent’s house and took my husband and 6 ½ year old twin sons to see the North Shore Music Theater’s Super Scientific Circus. The show is recommended for children ages 4 and up due to the concepts involved and some loud noises. When we arrived, the parking lot was teeming with kids and over a dozen yellow camp school buses. The theater said this show is one of their most popular children’s performances each year. After a quick snack at the concession stand, we entered the theater which is circular and no seat is more than 50 feet from the stage thus an excellent venue for kids. Plastic booster seats are readily available for kids who need them. The show began with the very high energy, and crazy-haired, Mr. Fish who bounded onto the stage promising the audience a show of magic and circus tricks all of which could be explained by science. The show had a circus theme but one should not expect a traditional circus per se with many participants and activities taking place at once. My twins were expecting a real circus of sorts but this show consisted only of Mr. Fish and his assistant, Trent the Mime, though was no less entertaining. Mr. Fish brought out a living 'human' robot and examples were made in a fun, engaging way that robots cannot do anything without the use of the humans who created them. Mr. Fish and Trent used a wonderful blend of comedy and slapstick humor to get the sometimes complex principles of science down to the kid level. They demonstrated the center of gravity and balance point, friction, sonic booms, speed of sound, centripetal and centrifugal force through spinning dinner plates, huge beach balls, metal rods, boomerangs and the old trick of pulling a tablecloth off of a table piled high with items. They even used a bullwhip to demonstrate the speed of sound. Audience participation was garnered through clapping and several volunteers were brought onstage to assist. At one point, Mr. Fish had to leave the stage and asked the audience to watch Trent to make sure he didn’t touch anything. My kids went wild over this and loved screaming “Nooooo” along with everyone else as Trent attempted to touch things. The duo stressed throughout that the power of imagination is often more important than knowledge and that science is fun and can explain almost everything. If you exercise your mind you gain knowledge. The show wound down in energy at the end with an entrancing demonstration of bubbles and things kids can do at home with a plain drinking straw and some bubble fluid. A perfect conclusion to a rip-roaring hour of scientific fun.

This was the only performance this year at The North Shore Music Theater http://www.nsmt.org/
For future performances check out http://www.superscientificcircus.com/

Between the Lions at Boston Children's Museum Friday, July 25 at 4 p.m.

Between the Lions, the seven-time Emmy Award winning children's television series and 2007 & 2008 recipient of the International Reading Association's Broadcast Media Award will be performing a puppet Show with Cleo and Lionel .
This live show, featuring two members of the Lion family, includes puppet performances, songs, jokes, and audience participation. Join us on KidStage for a special treat.
Tickets are limited and will be available 1-hour prior to the performance.
Between the Lions is best for ages 4-7.
Visit www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org for more information or 617-426-6500

North Shore Music Theatre Holding Auditions for Teen and Other Performers

Award-winning North Shore Music Theatre is holding auditions for its production of 42nd STREET which will be presented at the theater October 28 through November 23, 2008. All auditions will be held in the Theatre Arts & Education Building behind the theatre at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly. For specific directions, please visit our website at http://www.nsmt.org/.
Adult Auditions at North Shore Music Theatre - Friday, August 1: Male and female adults 19 and older can audition for ensemble and principal parts of 42nd STREET by appointment only. AEA and non-AEA auditions will be held starting at 11:30 am on Friday, August 1. Principal and ensemble actors should bring appropriate dancewear and tap shoes, and should be prepared to sing 16 bars of an up tempo song. Actors will need to bring their own sheet music marked with the starting point and stopping point; an accompanist will be provided. Adult auditioners should email Assistant to the Producers Mark Jacobsen at mjacobsen@nsmt.org to schedule an audition appointment.
.
Teen Auditions at North Shore Music Theatre - Friday, August 1: Male and female teens between the ages of 12 and 18 who are excellent tap dancers are encouraged to attend an open chorus call for the opening number of 42nd STREET on Friday, August 1 at 2 pm. Auditioners should bring appropriate dancewear and tap shoes (singing is not required).
Rehearsals for the teen ensemble are October 9 – 27, and will not conflict with regular school hours. The exact day and time commitment is to be announced, but participants must be available for the entire rehearsal process, no exceptions. Performances of 42nd STREET are October 28 through November 23, 2008.
.
Auditions for 42nd STREET will be run by North Shore Music Theatre Artistic Director and Executive Producer Barry Ivan and Choreographer Michael Lichtefeld.
.
Operating since 1955, NSMT has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 350,000 patrons annually. NSMT has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. NSMT has received numerous industry awards. With its celebrated Theatre for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region’s leading providers of theater arts and education.

Beauty & Beast at Walpole High July 25th & 26th

A tale as old as time -- Beauty & the Beast -- is being brought to life by Walpole Children’s Theatre this weekend. This classic tale is directed by Elizabeth Smith. Shows are at Walpole High on Common Street.

July 25 - two shows -- 10 a.m. and 7 p.m

July 26 - two shows -- 2 and 7 p.m.

Tickets: $11 Premium Seating and $9 General Admission, with $8 Seniors & kids under age 12
For tickets call the WCT Box Office 508-668-9722
For additional information visit http://www.walpolechildrenstheatre.com/

REVIEW: The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs

By Jennifer Lucarelli Shimer

Since I was a little girl, I have heard the stories of the Three Little Pigs, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Goldilocks and The Three Bears. But never have I seen such a wonderful story of all three tales put together in once fantastic children’s show.
This morning, I took my 4-year-old son Thomas along with my 1-year-old son Derek to see Foothills Theatre production of The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs and it was a wonderful show. My sons had never experienced live theater before and certainly never heard the story of the Three Pigs like this.
And as a special treat, we sat only a few rows from the stage (it’s a small theater setting, perfect for little ones), and boy did my sons enjoy that. Thomas sat quietly in his seat mesmerized by the antics of the pigs, the wolf, the goats, the troll, and goldilocks and the three bears.
The show was funny, age appropriate, and entertaining for children of all ages, and even with some jokes thrown in for the adults in the audience, as well. Derek, my 1-year-old, even enjoyed the twist on an old classic tale as well as all the laughing and running around of the actors.
And as a special treat after the show, the entire cast was available to meet the children and sign autographs. That is definitely something you can’t experience on Broadway. And each of the actors was engaging with the children after the show – and boy did Thomas love meeting all the characters after the show.
While I’ve seen theater productions growing up and even as an adult, the Children’s Theater productions at Foothills are a great way to introduce little ones to the theater and entertain them as well. I can’t wait to see Mother Goose, which will be playing July 22nd to August 2nd.
.
The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs plays at Foothills Theatre in Worcester through Saturday, July 19th. Tickets are $10. www.foothillstheatre.com
.

RAIN Comes to North Shore Music Theatre on July 1st

North Shore Music Theatre's summer 2008 Celebrity Concert Series gets off to a scorching start with RAIN – The Beatles Experience on Tuesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. Experience what Beatlemania was all about – from Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road! They look like them and they sound just like them! “The next best thing to seeing The Beatles,” raves the Denver Post. All the music and vocals are performed totally live! RAIN covers the Fab Four from the earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late 60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. RAIN is a multi-media, multi-dimensional experience...a fusion of historical footage and hilarious television commercials from the 1960s lights up video screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups. “An adoring Valentine to The Beatles,” declares the Washington Post. Sing along with your family and friends to such Beatlemaniac favorites as “Let It Be,” “Hey Jude,” “My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Come Together” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

Tickets are $42 & $50. To purchase tickets, visit the Web site at http://www.nsmt.org/ or call the Theatre's Beverly-based box office at 978-232-7200.

About North Shore Music Theatre: Operating since 1955, the Theatre has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 300,000 patrons annually. The Beverly-based theatre has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. The Theatre has received numerous industry awards including The Elliot Norton Award, The Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors’ Equity, and The Moss Hart Award. NSMT annually produces a six musical subscription series, an acclaimed concert series and award winning student productions. With its celebrated Theatre for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, The Theatre has become one of the region’s leading providers of theater arts and education.
.

June 22: Parents Night Out: Take in Contact at North Shore Music Theatre While Your Child Enjoys A FREE Kids Club Theatre Program

North Shore Music Theatre is currently staging Contact, the winner of the 2000 Tony® Award for Best Musical through June 29.

Contact is a moving and often humorous dance play that tells three separate stories "Swing," "Did You Move?" and "Contact." Each is about different ways to pursue love. Featuring a book by John Weidmann & Susan Stroman, and with music and lyrics from various artists, Contact will sweep audiences off their feet. An eclectic array of songs provide the soundtrack for the mini-vignettes, including Robert Palmer's "Simply Irresistible," Dean Martin's "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You," Dion's "Runaround Sue," the Beach Boys' "Do You Want to Dance?" and "Sing Sing Sing" from Benny Goodman and his Orchestra.
Contact stars Tony® Award-Winner Jarrod Emick as Michael Willey, Naomi Hubert as A Girl in the Yellow Dress, Sally Mae Dunn as Wife, and Steve Luker as Husband. Emick is best known for his Tony Award-winning performance as Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, which also garnered him a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor and a Theatre World Award.

Tickets for Contact range from $40 to $77 in the round theatre. The show is recommended for children age 16 and older, due to adult themes like suicide and sexuality.

If you can get a babysitter, North Shore Music Theatre is offering two free pre-show swing dancing classes taught by a member of the Contact cast. Classes will take place June 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. and June 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Studio One in the Theatre Arts and Education Building behind the theatre. This program is free of charge but advanced reservations are required. Email class reservation to pr@nsmt.org. Class size is limited to 20 participants.

If you can't get a babysitter and want to see Contact, North Shore Music Theatre is offering a new Kids Club program for parents and kids. With the purchase of an adult ticket to the Sunday, June 22 production of Contact, parents are invited to enroll their children in a special FREE theater workshop on site at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, while they attend the show. The Theatre's teaching staff will lead classes in acting, dancing, and singing at the theater. The Kids Club is open to children ages 4-11. This program is FREE of charge but advanced reservations are required by the Friday before the Sunday show.

North Shore Music Theatre will offer a designated date for The Kids Club for each main stage musical production in its 2008 season.

About North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly: Operating since 1955, the Theatre has evolved into the largest non-profit producing theater in New England, with approximately 300,000 patrons annually. It has gained a national and regional reputation for artistic achievement, specifically in the areas of developing new works and providing outstanding theater arts and education programs. It has received numerous industry awards including The Elliot Norton Award, The Rosetta Le Noire Award from Actors' Equity, and The Moss Hart Award. It annually produces a six musical subscription series and an acclaimed concert series. With its celebrated Theatre for Young Audiences program, a school touring program, and year-round classes for children, NSMT has become one of the region's leading providers of theater arts and education.

North Shore Music Theatre Announces 3rd Annual SpotLight Award Winners

The best and brightest stars of high school musicals were announced last night at the star-studded 3rd annual North Shore Music Theatre Spotlight Awards. Hosted by David Nathan Perlow and Addi McDaniel, best known to NSMT audiences as ‘Troy’ and ‘Gabriella’ from the 2007 production of Disney’s High School Musical, 24 high schools and over 1,000 students vied for top honors at the Tony® Award style program which is designed to honor the accomplishments of high school students and teachers as well as encourage them to achieve the highest levels of excellence in musical theater.
Optical crystal star trophies were presented in 15 categories, including the coveted “Best Overall Musical.” And the winners are …

Best Leading Actress - Ariana Conte, Marblehead High, for her role of ‘Sally Bowles’ in Cabaret

Best Leading Actor - Owen Grover, Salem High, for his role of ‘Bobby Childs’ in Crazy for You

Best Supporting Actress - Yanna Lantz, Tyngsborough High, for her role of ‘Annas’ in Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Supporting Actor - Kevin Dubuc, Dracut High, for his role of ‘Thernadier’ in Les Miserables School Edition

Best Featured Performer - Christian Bowers, Tyngsborough High, for his role of ‘Caiaphas’ in Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Costume Design - Karen Clougher, Tyngsborough High - Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Choreography - Lara Finn, Salem High - Crazy for You

Best Music Direction - Michelle Ladew, Tyngsborough High - Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Direction - Donna Wresinski, Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Ensemble/Chorus - Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Orchestra - Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Technical Crew/Execution - Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Lighting Designer - Jared Sell & Sean O’Leary, Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Scenic Design - Steve McGonagle, Framingham High - Once on this Island

Best Overall Musical - Framingham High School - Once on this Island

Also, in a surprise announcement, winners of auditions held earlier in the day for two parts in NSMT’s upcoming regional premier of Disney High School Musical 2, December 18 through January 11, 2009, were announced. The winners are Lana Herzig and Kerri Rachal both from Dracut High .

“Spotlight Awards have become a wonderful and exciting tradition at NSMT and a perfect way to celebrate and showcase the immense talent and commitment of all the students, teachers and parents,” said Barry Ivan, NSMT’s Artistic Director and Executive Producer. “These students are our future and as theater educators and enthusiasts, it is our privilege to honor them and encourage their growth.”

Adding to the excitement of the evening, Mitchel Musso, co-star of the popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, presented the award to the Best Leading Actor and Actress.

Winners in this category, as well as Best Supporting Actor and Actress and Best Technical Crew, received $1,000 awards to support their future education in the performing arts.

Other honored presenters included NSMT’s Artistic Director Emeritus Jon Kimbell, State Representative Mary Grant, Beverly Mayor William Scanlon, Arts and Entertainment Reporter Joyce Kulhawik, Boston Globe theater critic Terry Byrne, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Anita Walker, Massachusetts Film Office Executive Director Nick Paleologos, cast members from NSMT’s production of Contact, and others.
In addition to the presentation of 15 awards, the ceremony included a grand opening number featuring two students from each of the participating schools directed by NSMT Academy of Music Theater’s Director of Dance Myvonwynn Hopton.

Additionally, musical numbers from each of the 10 productions nominated for Best Musical were performed throughout the ceremony.

Comcast, in addition to providing technical support for the event, donated 10 show tickets to each of the 10 schools nominated for Best Musical.

Other sponsors of the 3rd Annual Spotlight Awards are Target and Boston Acoustics.

PHOTO: Owen Grover receives the award for Best Leading Actor for his role of Bobby Child in Salem High School’s production of CRAZY FOR YOU, presented by Mitchel Musso (Center) who stars as Oliver in ‘Hannah Montana.’ Photo by Paul Lyden.

North Shore Music Theatre’s award-winning theatre arts and education programs and youth performances annually reach over 100,000 students. The Theatre’s Youth Performance Academy attracts thousands of students from 4 – 18 years old who are interested in exploring the world of music, theatre and dance and honing their craft. In 2005, NSMT’s Youth Performance Academy received the Junior Theater Festival’s Outstanding Achievement in Musical Performance Award and the Outstanding Achievement in Choreography Award for its performance of Disney’s Cinderella Kids. With partnerships with Music Theatre International (MTI) and Disney Theatricals, NSMT has become the model for schools and organizations around the country and is one of the region’s leading providers of theatre arts and education programs.

.

Arthur Live! is A Wonderful Show!

Yesterday, I attended Arthur Live! at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester.
It was the first children's show at the newly renovated theatre.
Below I comment on the show I wanted to say a view things about the venue.
I found the drive into Worcester easier than one into Boston -no construction detours. I also found the parking more convenient (directly across the street) and cheaper ($5 for the Sunday afternoon show.)
The theatre is beautiful and comfortable. The floor seats have plenty of leg room.
The theatre has a look and feel similar to the Colonial Theatre in Boston.

Now on to the show --- Arthur Live! Based on Marc Brown's books and Emmy-Award winning PBS series, this live stage show is worth the money. (There were very few empty seats on the floor on Sunday. There is also balcony seating)
The show (90 minutes including a 20-minute intermission) features everyone’s favorite aardvark and his friends in a musical tooth fairy adventure. The show adds music and dance to the familiar television episode - if your child is a fan of the PBS series. (If you haven't seen the episode -- here is a quick synopsis -- D.W. is jealous when her big brother Arthur loses a tooth and gets a visit, and a dollar, from the Tooth Fairy. Arthur explains that the Tooth Fairy comes only when you lose a tooth and put it under your pillow at night, so D.W. dreams up some hilarious (but unsuccessful) plans to trick the Tooth Fairy into coming. Finally, Arthur decides to reward D.W.'s efforts by playing Tooth Fairy, himself!)
All your child's favorite Arthur Read characters are in Arthur Live!-- Buster, Brain, Francine, Muffy Crosswire, -- even an appearance by Pal and Baby Kate.
I enjoyed the creative, innovative, page-turning pop-up storybook set of Elwood City.
The costumes were similar to what you would see at a theme park.
I found the Tooth Fairy character a bit over the top (although my daughter didn't share my opinion and I'm sure the rest of the children in the audience did not either.)
The songs were cute -- even the one about Mr. Ratburn's pop quiz - sung to the tune of Pop Goes the Weasel. I thoroughly enjoyed the lunch room scenes and the glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs at the museum were a surprise for the children in the audience.
Many of the children in attendance sand and dance along with the characters.
If your child is an Arthur fan, this show is not to be missed.
Below is a few photos from yesterday's performance. (Bring your camera if you attend a future performance of Arthur Live!, as photography (but not video) is allowed at this show!

High School Musical in Bolyston

First airing on the Disney Network, High School Musical is the brainchild of the Disney team, aimed at anyone (male or female) from ages 6 and up. With its rising popularity and catchy songs, it is no wonder that so many schools have begun to form, their own productions.
Why not, then, come see a performance by the students of the Berlin-Boylston school district!
Sing along to your favorite songs and see the small-town take on this well-known show!
Ticket price is $7 students/seniors and $12 general admission.
For information please contact Maureen Spaulding at (978)-838-2707 or mspaulding@dcu.org. The show is to be held May 9 at 7 p.m., May 10 at 7 p.m., & May 11 at 2 p.m. at Tahanto Regional Middle/High School in Boylston at 1001 Main St.
.

Saturday, April 26 is Brookline Day of Puppetry

Town of Brookline’s Board of Selectmen has declared Saturday, April 26, as “Brookline Day of Puppetry.”
This proclamation was requested by the Sarah Lamstein, Board President of the Puppet Showplace Theatre, and John Lechner, President of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry.
The Puppet Showplace Theatre and the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry will present a community event on April 26 in celebration of the 10th Annual National Day of Puppetry. The event will take place at the Puppet Showplace Theatre in Brookline Village from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The National Day of Puppetry was instituted by the Puppeteers of America in 1998 with the purpose of promoting and elevating the art of puppetry through awareness and education.
The Pupper Showplace Theatre and the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry are proud to receive this endorsement and recognition from Town officials. As well, both organizations are honored to have received support for the event from the Brookline Commission for the Arts, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, as state agency. The Day of Puppetry is also sponsored by local businesses, including Inner Space, Chobee Hoy Associates Real Estate, Dr. Haleh Azar, Ligris & Associates LLP, Urban Realty, Whole Foods Market, and Feet of Clay Studios.
Free workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on activities in the art of puppetry will be presented throughout the day. Two performances of the award winning Perry Alley Theatre’s Snow White & Other Tales will be presented at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets for these performances are $10 general admission, $8 for PST members.
The Brookline Day of Puppetry activities are designed for families with children ages 3-10.
Reservations for the performances are strongly recommended. The Puppet Showplace Theatre is located at 32 Station Street, Brookline across from the Brookline Village T Stop on the
Green D Line and is wheelchair accessible.

A Glimpse of Green Gables

It's been a long time since I thought about Anne of Green Gables, the first book in the series by L.M. Montgomery. I loved the books as a child, and I jumped at the chance to take my first-grade daughter to Theaterworks USA's musical adaptation today in Lowell. The production, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2007, was part of the UMass Lowell Center for the Arts 2007-2008 Discovery Series season.

I had forgotten how much was in the novel, which I poured over so many years ago, and this production reminded me. Trying to condense a 300-page book into a 60-minute performance for families cannot be an easy task. It would be easy to point out things that were left out, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss some of them. But the basic story of Anne Shirley, the orphan girl sent by mistake to an aging pair of siblings with a farm to tend to, came through even in the shortened timeframe. Even though they wanted a boy, the Cuthberts can't bear to send away a child who has never had a permanent family. Anne brings them more than they bargained for -- not only endless aggravation, but also love and joy. In turn, Anne finds friendship, love and acceptance from others and within herself.

It was an enjoyable production for all ages in the audience, although the generations may have experienced the story on different levels. The set was quite bare and left a lot to the imagination, almost to the point that, to a child, it might be confusing. When a buggy ride was necessary, a bench and a set of reins were all that was necessary. I thought that was clever, but to my daughter, a buggy is a Volkswagen Beetle rather than one of the horse-drawn variety. And she wasn't quite sure what it meant when the lights dimmed slightly and a character who died got up and walked off the stage. I'm sure others her age and younger had similar reactions. They just don't have enough experience with live theater to interpret those things confidently.

There was plenty of movement on the set to indicate the change of scenes, though, with actors quietly moving table and chairs, or desks and chalkboard, on and off the set as necessary. The songs were well-done and came frequently enough that the pacing kept the interest of even the youngest in the audience. Eva Berger conveyed Anne's dramatic personality and propensity for exaggeration and intense feeling; she made Anne seem immature, but not overly silly. Yet, I was a little thrown by the fact Anne, who is just 11 when she meets the Cuthberts in the novel, begins the play already looking like a grown woman, albeit with a pair of long red braids and an abundance of energy and impertinence. Sixty minutes later, she is 16 and a half and doesn't look appreciably different.

The production retained some key dialog and showed just enough of Anne's character to see her lack of judgement getting her into trouble: accidentally dyeing her red hair green in the heat of emotion caused by a neighbor-boy calling her Carrots, then making her "bosom friend" drunk on what she thought was a special, but non-alcoholic, beverage. Both incidents got laughs from the audience -- they were funny -- but resulted in Anne's estrangement from those involved, a heartbreaking, even "tragical" circumstance for a girl who so yearned for close relationships. She is, after all, an orphan who has been passed from one family to another with no real love or stability in her life until she arrives at Green Gables with the old, worn, broken carpet bag that contains all her "worldly goods." (I couldn't help but think of today's foster children who are often moved from one home to another with nothing but a trash bag for their belongings). The audience was also able to see Anne's deep feeling and capacity to love winning the hearts of those around her -- mellowing even Marissa Cuthbert's strict and pragmatic nature.

As a child, I read Anne's personality as spunky, fun and imaginative. As a member of the audience today, I saw her much more as a girl with a desperate need for love and acceptance. As the story unfolds, it's clear that she's not the only one with that need. I hope the show will inspire many children in the audience to take a look at Montgomery's original novel and experience the full version of Anne Shirley and her beloved Green Gables. Perhaps adults, too. I know I'll be reading it again.

REVIEW: My Son Loved Go Diego Go Show

As soon as my son Thomas, 4, heard we were going to see Diego, he couldn’t stop asking me about it. He is a huge fan of the 8-year-old boy who goes on animal rescue adventures. It was also the first time we were going on a train to Boston, so Thomas could barely contain his excitement.
As a fan of the television show Go Diego Go, Thomas was well aware of all the characters including Baby Jaguar, Diego’s sister Alicia, the Bobo Monkeys, and his cousin Dora. He was so excited when the show started and he sat wide-eyed and attentive throughout the whole show.
The theatre show at The Opera House in Boston this weekend, which featured real actors as the characters, was lively, entertaining, and encouraged participation from the audience. Each child was given a Baby Jaguar mask when the sat in their seat and was asked to jump like a jaguar, scratch like a jaguar and growl.
The songs were energetic and filled with motions that the children in the audience could follow along. And the story line included a search for Baby Jaguar’s growl that had been taken by the Bobo Monkeys.
The sets were well designed beautifully, and the animal puppets were entertaining as well as amazing to watch. The show lasted over an hour with an intermission, which allowed children to get up and walk if they needed.
While the show was geared towards Diego fans, kids of all ages would enjoy the costumes, the songs and would certainly be entertained by the story told. What a great way to spend an afternoon with family.
I would recommend this show for boys and girls who love Diego.

-- Jennifer Lucarelli
.
.

The Circus is in Beantown!

Pop the cork, toss the confetti, let the revelry begin — the Big Apple Circus, celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, proudly presents Celebrate! — a brand–new show under its famous Big Top tent! In the intimate, theatrical focus of Big Apple Circus’s single ring, the world’s greatest performers are throwing a birthday bash — it’s the Big Three-Oh, and you’re invited! There’ll be hula–hoops on swinging hips and flashy juggling wonders, capering dogs and high–prancing horses, soaring aerial acrobats, hilarious hi-jinks, amazing feats of strength and agility — and no one sits more than 50 feet from ringside, so even if you’re really small you won’t miss a thing! With a live, original musical score, a chic British ringmistress, and of course our own lovable Grandma the Clown, the Big Apple Circus is back in Beantown through May 4.

Artistic and Creative Directors Paul Binder and Michael Christensen have gathered an amazing cast of extraordinary performers, who will bring thrills and delight from ten countries around the globe:
* From England, the internationally–acclaimed Yasmine Smart heralds the Belle Epoque of Classical Circus with a dazzling display of equestrian elegance!
* From Ireland, the Huesca Brothers – Nikolai and Giovanni – perform a fanciful Risley act, with Nikolai launched in heart-stopping flips off Giovanni’s flashy feet!
* From Russia, the astounding Kovgar Troupe returns by popular demand, in two acts, joyously jumping rope and rocketing to the top of the tent from their teeterboards!
* From Switzerland, lauded as the finest solo juggler alive, and returning to the Big Apple Circus after a dozen seasons, the mischievous and jazzy Kris Kremo!
* From Russia, the enchanting exotic beauty of Bollywood, the whirling, swirling, twirling hula-hoop artistry of Yelena Larkina!
* From China, with extreme elegance and pinpoint poise, the serene Cong Tian returns to the ring with his incredible balancing feats on a slim slack-wire!
* From America, our beloved Grandma (Barry Lubin), iconic clown of Big Apple Circus’s Department of Laughter, and International Clown Hall of Fame inductee!
* From Russia, Irina Markova returns to the Big Apple Circus with her tremendously talented troupe of devilish dogs and cavorting cats!
* From Italy, international star and clown prince of the world, the celebrated and hilarious Fumagalli makes at long last his American debut, with his brother–in–hilarity Daris!
* From England, the ringmistress of the legendary Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, charismatic and charming, Carrie Harvey comes to host the celebration in the circle!
And the incomparable Big Apple Circus Company, with Andrey Mantchev (Bulgaria), Virgile Peyramaure (France), and Sarah Schwarz (Germany) in a superlative “living statue” balancing act, and Regina Dobrovitskaya (Russia), Christian Atayde Stoinev (America) and Valdis Yanovskis (Russia), add their inimitable aerial and acrobatic skills to the festivities, augmented by dazzling dancer Katie Jane Jones (England)!

Performances began this past weekend -- before the Big Top closes on May 4th, 55 shows will have been performed at the circus' new location, City Hall Plaza.

Tickets range in price from $15 to $62 for weekend and weekday evening shows, and from $20 to $26 for 11 a.m. weekday matinees. Premium seating for $100 is available for Saturday, Sunday, and all School Vacation Week (April 22-25) shows. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at 617- 931-2787, ticketmaster.com and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

PICTURED RIGHT-- From Russia, Irina Markova returns to the Big Top with her tremendously talented troupe of devilish dogs and cavorting cat in "Celebrate!" the all-new 30th anniversary show of the Big Apple Circus!(Photo credit: Bertrand Guay/Big Apple Circus)

PICTURED LEFT -- From the Department of Laughter, the beloved Grandma the Clown (Barry Lubin) returns to the in "Celebrate!" the all-new 30th Anniversary show of the Big Apple Circus!(Photo credit: Bertrand Guay/Big Apple Circus)

Tomorrow Last Day to Win Tickets to Anne of Green Gables

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Anne of Green Gables with a performance on Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. as part of the Discovery Series at the UMass Lowell Center for the Arts in Lowell. The musical version of the 100-year-old classic novel is recommended for children age 5 and older.

Bay State Parent magazine is giving away 2 tickets to the Sunday show.
To enter, register your e-mail address for this blog's e-newsletter. (right side of page)
All e-mail addresses registered by tomorrow, April 1 by 6 p.m. will be eligible for the random drawing.

Weekend Pick: Hansel & Gretel Opera in Marblehead

The Boston Lyric Opera presents a kid-friendly version of Engelbert Humperdinck’s treat of an opera, Hansel and Gretel. The squirm-proof, one-hour, fully staged, English-language version features the Opera's orchestra and will be performed for families in Marblehead on Sunday.
In this classic fairy tale geared for children ages 6-12, a walk in the forest turns into a discovery of delights and frights. A gingerbread house tempts Hansel and Gretel’s taste buds, but behind those sugar-coated gumdrop walls lurks a witch! Hansel and Gretel must stick together to free the forest from a wicked spell. This production is a perfect way to introduce children to opera and is great for the whole family!

When: Sunday, March 30, at 1;30 p.m.
Where: Marblehead Veterans Middle School Performing Arts Center, 217 Pleasant St., Marblehead
Tickets: $18 for adults and $12 for children. Call Audience Services at 617-542-6772 or order online at www.blo.org/HG.

The Boston Lyric Opera offers a free downloadable study guide at www.blo.org/HG which reinforces Massachusetts Learning Standards through a variety of fun opera activities and is ideal for parents, teachers, and children in grades 2-7.

Boston Lyric Opera is New England’s favorite opera company. Founded in 1976, BLO is recognized for its artistically excellent productions of a diverse repertoire that entertain and inspire audiences and feature emerging operatic talent. Its mainstage productions at the Citi Performing Arts CenterSM Shubert Theatre, live broadcasts on WGBH radio and traveling production of a fully staged, one-hour English version of a popular opera for school children and families reach some 200,000 people a year. Boston Lyric Opera’s programs are funded, in part, by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. www.blo.org

WEEKEND PICK: Dr. Robyn in the Lead Role of Bye Bye Birdie

This weekend March 28-29-30 (and also on April 4 & 5) check out Bay State Parent magazine Parenting 1-2-3 columnist Dr. Robyn Silverman in the lead role of Rose Alvarez in Randolph Theatre Community's production of Bye Bye Birdie.

Performances are Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday March 30 at 2 p.m., Friday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Randolph High auditorium at 70 Memorial Drive.

For tickets and more details e-mail the Randolph Theatre Company at randolphtheatrecompany@yahoo.com or call the Recreation Office at 781- 961-0936

CONTEST: Win 2 Tickets to See Anne of Green Gables in Lowell on April 6

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Anne of Green Gables with a performance on Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. as part of the Discovery Series at the UMass Lowell Center for the Arts in Lowell. The musical version of the 100-year-old classic novel is recommended for children age 5 and older.

Bay State Parent magazine is giving away 2 tickets to the Sunday show. To enter, register your e-mail address for this blog's e-newsletter. (right side of page) All e-mail addresses registered by Tuesday, April 1 by 6 p.m. will be eligible for the random drawing.

The winning tickets can be picked up at the Lowell box office the day of the performance..

ABOUT THE SHOW: This new musical adaptation of Anne of Green Gables premiered Off-Broadway in 2007 to critical acclaim and sold-out audiences. The story opens as plainspoken farmer Matthew Cuthbert waits expectantly at the train station for an orphan boy he and his sister Marilla plan to adopt to help out on their farm. However, no boy steps off the train - only a girl with bright red hair and all her worldly possessions in a carpet bag. Her name is Anne Shirley. Never having had a real home, Anne is determined to stay with the Cuthberts at Green Gables, the little house they share. Through the years with her best friend Diana and her sometime-rival Gilbert Blythe, she turns the entire community upside-down with her irrepressible scope for imagination. Anne of Green Gables is an enchanting musical about love, family and the true meaning of home. 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of the beloved novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. First published in Boston, the book has been translated into 36 languages and sold more than 50 million copies. It has launched at least 10 movies and television shows, including the popular 1985 PBS series "Anne of Green Gables" and its 1987 sequel, both of which continue to run to this day. It spawned a 1979 Japanese anime series, "Akage no An" ("Red-haired Anne"), that has reached cult proportions throughout the East and Europe. As part of the 100th anniversary celebration, the Canadian government will issue new stamps and a 25-cent coin commemorating Anne. Now 100 years old, Anne of Green Gables continues to captivate young audiences everywhere.

ORDER TICKETS: This performance is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Mary Jo Leahey and will take place at Durgin Hall, 35 Wilder Street, on the UMass Lowell South Campus. The theater is convenient to free parking and is handicap accessible. Tickets are $12. $10 tickets for groups of 10 or more are available when purchased in advance. Tickets may be purchased by phone with Visa or Mastercard by calling the Box Office at 978-934-4444 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting the Web site at www.uml.edu/centerforarts where directions to the concert hall and to parking may be found.

Leapin" Lizards! Annie Turns 30!

One of America’s most beloved musical, ANNIE, is back in a 30th anniversary tour, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie returns to Boston’s Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre for a one-week engagement, playing March 25 - 30
The original Broadway production of Annie won seven 1977 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Book and Score. It ran for 2,377 performances, and has subsequently been produced all over the world. The original production is one of the top 20 longest running shows in Broadway history, and Annie continues to be one of the most successful musicals ever.
Boasting one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, including “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “N.Y.C.” and the ever optimistic “Tomorrow,” you can bet your bottom dollar that this show will bring a smile to your face and the faces of your family.
ANNIE plays at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre Tuesday, March 25 through Sunday, March 30. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evening at 7:30 P.M.; Sunday at 7 P.M.M; with matinees Saturday at 2 P.M. and Sunday at 1 P.M.
Tickets are priced at $28-$72 --- all prices include a $3 facility-education-public programming fee per ticket.
Tickets for Annie are on sale at the Citi Performing Arts Center Box Office, online at http://www.citicenter.org/, or by calling 800-447-7400. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 20 or more by calling Citi Performing Arts Center Group Sales at 617-532-1116.

PHOTO: Maybe” - Amanda Balon and Annalisa DiBernardo in the national tour of Annie, coming to the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre March 25-30. Photography by Phil Martin