Where-To-Go Wednesday - Susan and Peter J. Solomon Insectarium

We received complimentary tickets to the American Museum of Natural History for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: Susan and Peter J. Solomon Insectarium

Where: American Museum of Natural History

             Central Park W. & 79th St.

             New York, NY

Who: All ages

The Susan and Peter J. Solomon Insectarium located in the Richard Gilder Center for Science at the American Museum of Natural History offers visitors the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the world of insects. Even though some may turn up their noses in disgust at the very thought, not only are they vital to our ecosystem, but they can be quite fascinating as well.  In addition to the 18 different live species on view, there are pinned samples of numerous other species.

The insectarium is highly interactive and includes numerous digital displays. You can listen to different insect sounds, learn to speak like a firefly, and more.  There is a whole exhibit devoted to honeybees. You can view the larger-than-life honeycomb, pretend to be a bee, and more. Plus, there is a lot more to do and see and learn about in a fun way at the insectarium.

And that's our view. For more about the insectarium, visit www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/gilder-center. For more about the American Museum of Natural History in general  or to purchase tickets online, visit www.amnh.org

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

All pictures used in this post are our own. If there is a problem with any image, contact us here and we will look into the matter.

Tips for Tuesday - Books:Women Writing Musicals & Amazing Dog Stories: Movie: The Magician's Raincoat

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books:Women Writing Musicals & Amazing Dog Stories

Today we are recommending Women Writing Musicals by Jennifer Ashley Tepper. This book is the definitive source regarding women composers, lyricists, and bookwriters of musicals from the 1700s through the 2020s. It ranges from the most obscure early writers to the most well-known current ones like Lynn Ahrens and Jeanine Tesori plus everyone in between. 

The book is divided by decade and arranged in quick easy-to-digest sections on each writer. Even though most of the sections are rather short, they are packed with details. Information provided includes the writer's background, details about their shows, and more. In fact, there may be too many details for some who are hoping to avoid spoilers regarding shows they may eventually want to see as there are spoilers regarding various shows throughout the book. The book also contains a handy index of all the musicals mentioned within it listed by opening date. 

It is quite an interesting and informative book that any theater lover can enjoy. However, it will particularly appeal to anyone interested in learning more about women's contributions to theater. 

Today we are recommending Amazing Dog Stories by David Wilk. This charming book details some of David and his wife, Teryle's adventures with the various dogs they have had over the years. Although most of the book is light and joyful, a portion of it does deal with the extremely heartbreaking topic of the murder of David's son, which may be triggering for some people who may have experienced a similar loss and/or are in the throes of grief themselves. However, for the most part, the book is full of happy funny dog stories and there are plenty of adorable pictures of dogs as well. 

Movie: The Magician's Raincoat

Today we are talking about The Magician's Raincoat. Years after a curse is put on a magician for stealing a brooch, three kids find his old raincoat, and when they put it on they become him. When a witch comes after them trying to retrieve the coat, they quickly become embroiled in the mystery of what happened to him.  

Although this movie contains cliched elements, like how fighting to save their home is at the gist of the kids' quest, other more unique elements keep it interesting. It is family-friendly but may be too scary for the youngest of children. It's perfect for preteens.

The Magician's Raincoat is available now digitally for purchase or rental.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

Book images used in this post are our own.  All other photos have been sent to us by publicists, artists, and/or PR firms and are used with permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us here, and we will look into the matter

More Theater Monday - We Live in Cairo & The Light and the Dark (The life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi)

We received complimentary tickets to We Live in Cairo for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own. 

What: We Live in Cairo 

Where: NYTW

             79 E. 4th St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 12 and Up 

When: Through November 27, 2024

We Live in Cairo is the story of six student activists living in Egypt during the Arab Spring and protesting against an unfair regime through art, music, protests, and more. The most touching aspect of the show is the bond between the students. Some of them are actual family but all of them become like family albeit a family that squabbles a lot among themselves. 

While the story is mostly sad, there are bursts of joy and optimism. Some aspects of the show are reminiscent of the Black Lives Matter protests and the death of George Floyd which led to them as well as similar deaths that occurred before or since. Some may find this triggering. 

The score blends several types of music including punk, Middle Eastern music, and folk  If you don't enjoy these types of music, this show isn't going to change your mind about them. Plus, none of the songs are particularly memorable.

If you are interested in learning about the Arab Spring or you like the idea of a musical about students joining together to fight for what they believe in you may enjoy this show. If you are triggered by shows dealing with heavy subject matter that includes violence and death you may not.

And that's our view. For more about We Live in Cairo or to purchase tickets, visit www.nytw.org/show/we-live-in-cairo

XXX

We received complimentary tickets to The Light and the Dark (the life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi) for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Light and the Dark  (The life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi)

Where: 59E59 Theatres

             59 E. 59 St.

             New York. NY

Who: Recommended for Ages 16 and Up

When: Through December 15, 2024

The Light and the Dark (the life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi)  presented by Primary Stages is the true story of an Italian Renaissance painter. She was a woman who was very ahead of her time and very of her time. Even in a period when there were few women artists, she was able to pursue her art, but she was also the victim of sexual assault by another artist and married off to a man she didn't know among other things. She was held back by and under the control of the men in her life. 

Despite its setting in the 17th century. This show is scarily timely. Although it may appear as though we have come a long way from when women were treated in this way, some would have us back there in an instant, and the way things are heading it seems like anything is frighteningly possible.  Thus, this is an excellent time for us to be reminded of someone like Artemisia Getileschi who was able to overcome so much. 

Kate Hamill is the playwright and star of the piece. She excels at both and does a wonderful job presenting Artemisia's story. Her writing and performance are both equally heartbreaking and inspiring. The character's last speech of the play brings together the two perfectly and is particularly stirring. 

Joey Parsons is also excellent in several roles. Her character, Maria, an artist's model, also has a very moving speech, one that, in fact, inspires Artemisia. There are also several men in this play. Although the actors do a good job with their roles none of the male characters are likable. This is clearly a show about the women, and the only admirable character aside from Artemisia and Maria is a young boy named Matteo. There are also a few other women characters in the show, but they are no better than the men. 

The play is extremely unsuitable for children due to nudity and depictions of sexual assault among other things. In fact, it is a difficult show for anyone to watch and may be triggering to some people. However, if you can bear it is an important play. If Artemisia can rise above everything she suffered in life and thrive, we can and must too. We have no other choice. 

And that's our view. For more about The Light and the Dark (The life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi) or to purchase tickets, visit www.primarystages.org/the-light-and-the-dark.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All We Live in Cairo production photos by Joan Marcus

All The Light and the Dark (The life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi) by James Leynse

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image,  contact us here, and we will look into the matter.