I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Theater Thursday - Elf the Musical and Ride the Cyclone




We were given tickets to Elf the Musical at the State Theatre New Jersey for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Elf the Musical
       
Where: State Theatre New Jersey
             15 Livingston Ave.
             New Brunswick, NJ

When: December 2-4. 2016 For upcoming tour dates visit:
             http://www.elfontour.com/tickets-and-tour-schedule

Who: All ages
Me - Elf the Musical was great. It was based on the movie of the same name. The story was pretty much the same as the movie. It was the story of a human who was raised by Santa and the elves and when he finds out he is really a human he goes looking for his real dad. The Elf's name was Buddy. I liked Buddy. I didn't have a favorite character  in the show though. The acting was good. Even if you like the way, Will Ferrell played Buddy in the movie, you would still like the way the guy in the show plays him. The songs were mostly very happy and upbeat. My favorite songs was The Story of Buddy the Elf. There were a lot of happy parts in the show. There were a lot of funny parts too. It was really cool when they had a scene where they were supposed to be ice skating so they used roller skates as ice skates. It was also cool how the people playing the elves danced on their knees so it looked like they were really short. I don't know how they can to do that without hurting their knees. In general, all of the dancing was good.  It was a very enjoyable show.          
Mom - We recently had the opportunity to see the touring show Elf the Musical at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, NJ. Elf is generally a light funny musical. There are some really touching moments in the show too, however. The acting was really good especially Spencer Micetich in the lead role of Buddy the Elf even my older daughter who is very attached to Will Ferrell's peformance in the original movie and doesn't like change enjoyed Mr. Micetich's performance. The songs are mostly lively happy tunes, such as, Sparklyjollytwinklejingley and The Story of Buddy the Elf, The latter of which is completely infectious, and you won't be able to get it out of your head.  There are a few sweet ballads too including Just Sing a Christmas Song and Never Fall in Love (With an Elf). There is plenty of dancing in the show as well including a dance on roller skates that are meant to portray ice skates. The show is full of holiday spirit and not just because almost half the songs in the show have Christmas, Santa or elves in the title. It is just a delightfully fun show for all ages and a great show for families to enjoy together. For more about Elf the Musical on Tour and to find out when and if it is coming to a town near you go to   http://www.elfontour.com/tickets-and-tour-schedule, For more about upcoming family (and/or other) events at State Theatre New Jersey go to 
https://www.statetheatrenj.org/events. To enter to win a pair of tickets to an upcoming event at State Theatre New Jersey  go to one of the posts listed below:

Win a pair of Doktor Kaboom tickets in the Winter is Coming Giveaway Hop                                     
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What: Ride the Cyclone

Where: Lucille Lortel Theatre
             121 Christopher Street
             New York, NY

When: Now through December 18, 2016

Who: 13 and up
Mom - Ride the Cyclone is a dark musical. It is about a group of teenagers who died in a roller coaster accident competing for another chance at life. Although the characters are mostly somewhat cliched, there is  the closeted gay kid, the popular overachieving pretty girl, the overweight mousy best friend etc., the actors are all very good in their roles. Each actor has a chance to shine with his or her own solo number. The songs are mostly fun although some of them are a bit strange and some even seem like they are something out a completely different show. The show can be a bit scary at times. In fact, there is a character named Jane Doe who doesn't remember her name and is allegedly headless. In reality, of course, the actress playing her does have a head and there is no real attempt to make it look like she doesn't, however, she still does look a bit creepy even with a head. If you are not a little kid and you don't scary easily, the show is entertaining. If you are looking for something completely unique and original it is a good choice. If you are looking for a light happy musical or a show for the whole family this is not it. The show is recommended for 13 and up. However, if your child scares easily and/or is already afraid of roller coasters, I would not recommend the show for even older children. For more about Ride the Cyclone or to order tickets go to http://www.mcctheater.org//shows/16-17_season/ride-the-cyclone/index.html.
And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Funtivity Friday.

Photo credits: All Ride the Cyclone photos by Joan Marcus

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