Funtivity Friday - Making a Monthly Calendar

A fun monthly project kids and parents can work on together is to create a monthly calender. Even if you do not have a dry erase calendar board like we do, this is still a project that is easy to do.

What you will need

A dry erase calendar board or a large piece of white paper. (The paper doesn't have to be a particular size but it does have to be large enough to draw 30 to 31 squares on that you can write information in.)

Markers

Thumbtack (optional)

What to Do

1) If you have a dry erase calendar it will already be divided and you will just have to put in the numbers for each day of the month.  If not, you will need to make up a grid of boxes on the paper. Leave an inch or two of space at the top of the page above the grid. Then, draw a grid that is 7 boxes across and 5 boxes down and each box should be larger enough to write reminders of daily activities in. 

2) In the space above the grid write the month. 

2) Below the month across the tops of each of the columns, write the days of the week.

3) In the first row of the calendar, find the day of the week on which the month starts and right a 1 in the corner of that box.

4) Write the date for the rest of the days of the month in the following boxes.

5) Choose a marker color to represent each member of your family.  

6) Write any appointments or information that pertains to each family member on the calender on the appropriate date in the color you've chosen for them.

7) Choose a color to represent events and activities that involve your whole family.

8) Write all the events or activities that involve your whole family on the calendar in the color you've chosen.

9) Choose a color to represent general things like Holidays, recycling days or whatever. If you want and you have enough different colored markers left you can choose different colors for some of these things.

10) Enter the remaining information you need in your monthly calendar in the colors you've chosen.

11) Hang your calendar up. If it is a dry erase calendar, they usually come with hooks, and if not, you can use a thumbtack or any other way you choose.

Theater Thursday - Pip's Island

We were given free tickets to Pip's Island for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Pip's Island

Where: Skylight Modern
             527 W. 27th St.
             New York, NY

Who:Ages 5-9

When: Now through January 8, 2016

Me - Pip's Island was very unique. It's not a show you just sit down and watch. You move from room to room and interact with the actors. Little kids would like it a lot especially if they like to participate in things. Older children would be bored unless they like hanging around cute little kids. The story of the show was exciting for little kids but boring for older kids. The object was to earn 5 spark badges. The badges were Investigate, Activate, Build, Imagine, and Connect. Kids even get to wear vests that lights up when you earn a badge. The vests were kind of ugly, but it was cool the way they lit up. The acting was good. The actors interacted well with the kids. The sets and props were very original. Over all, it was a great show for little kids.


Mom - Pip's Island is the story of Pip and his friends, Pebble and Finn who are trying to rescue  Pip's Island's Guardian Amperes Wattson and save the island from the evil Joules Volter.  This is a great show for little kids who would prefer to be a part of the show rather than just sit in a seat and watch. In fact, there is no stage and there are no seats. The show is completely interactive and constantly on the move. It is also only an hour long so it is great for young children's short attention spans. The show is not only an entertainment experience but a learning one as well as children are given the opportunity to use their brains and their knowledge to solve problems along the way throughout the show. However, they are easy enough problems that are not too taxing for a young child's brain and will not frustrate them. The show has actually been designed with educational experts to incorporate the latest curriculum guidelines and play trends. The show is a great way for kids to learn and have fun at the same time. It is not a good show for older children who would probably be bored. It is also not a good show for children who scare very easily as there are elements in the show such as loud noises and the evil character of Joules Volter that may frighten them. Children who like superheros would probably love it though because it would make them feel like a superhero participating in the show. For more information or to purchase tickets go to http://www.pipsisland.com/.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Funtivity Friday.

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Patriot Tours: Hamilton and Burr Walking Tour

We were given a free Patriot Tours: Hamilton and Burr Walking Tour for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Patriot Walking Tours: Hamilton and Burr Walking Tour

Where: Starts at Broadway and Park Place, Lower Manhattan, New York

Who: Teens and Up

Me - Patriot Tours: Hamilton and Burr Walking Tour was fun. Reading about history can be boring, but I like learning about history through museums and walking tours. I learned a lot on the Hamilton and Burr Waking Tour. Before, the tour I did not know that much about Alexander Hamilton or Aaron Burr. I have not seen the show Hamilton yet either although I would like to. Some of the places we visited on the tour were St. Paul's Chapel and Trinity Church. We didn't go inside Trinity Church, but we did get to see Hamilton and his wife, Eliza's graves which were outside of it. There were a lot flowers next to Hamilton's grave. There were also a lot of flags because we were there on Veterans Day. We also learned a lot  of interesting facts on the tour. For instance, we learned what exactly caused the duel between Hamilton and Burr.  All in all, it was a very fun tour to go on, and I learned a lot of stuff. I would really recommend you go especially if you like Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr or American history in general.


Mom - Patriot Tours: Hamilton and Burr Walking Tour is very interesting and informative. If you really want to know the true history of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, I would strongly recommend this tour. I would not recommend the tour for very young children, however because some of the information shared on the tour involves adult subject matter, such as, talk of infidelity. It is probably fine for teenagers though especially those that have a particularly interest in American History or want to know more about Alexander Hamilton and/or Aaron Burr.  Karen Quinones, the owner of Patriot Tours is a very friendly guide and a knowledgeable historian. She has even appeared on episodes of Travel Channel's Mysteries at the Museum. Although many of the locations visited on the tour are completely different now than they were in Hamilton and Burr's time, Ms. Quiniones has lots of pictures and documents that help to get a better understanding of what she is talking about and help truly make the history come alive. There are also other Patriot Tours available. We will be talking about one or more of them in a future post. For information go to http://patriottoursnyc.com/.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Belly Laugh Riddles and Puns, Saving Phoebe Murrow, and How to Protect (or Destroy) Your Online Repuration

We may have been given some or all of the books mentioned below for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Me - Today I am recommending Belly Laughs Riddles and Puns for Kids. It is a good book for kids with a sense of humor. It is fun to read with your family or friends and try to guess the answers. Even though it has a lot of pages, it is quick to go through because there are not a lot of jokes and puns on a page. It even comes with a duh button to push for jokes that are really obvious. The only bad part about the jokes is that a lot of them are repeated in two or more places in the book.  Over all it's a great book especially for young kids that love riddles.

Mom - Today I am recommending two books that deal with what can happen when things go wrong in our modern digital world.

The first is the novel, Saving Phoebe Murrow by Herta Feely. This is a modern story of mothers and daughters. It also deals with the problems of living in an overly connected world where anyone can do and say whatever they want online.  Phoebe and Jessie were best friends. When their mothers' interference leads to the end of their friendship,  it sets in motion a series of events which include Phoebe being bullied online and which may eventually lead to a tragedy. This a  well written book full of well drawn characters. It is  a book that really gets under your skin. Once you pick it up you will not be able to put it down, and the memory of it will stick with you long after you have read it. However, it is important to note that the book is not all completely sad so if you are afraid to read it for that reason don't be. It is a book that makes you think about the world we live in and how hard it is to strike the right balance between protecting our children and actually putting them in more danger.

The second book is the non-fiction book How to Protect (or Destroy) Your Reputation Online by John David. Mr. David heads a PR Group that counsels clients on marketing, reputation, and public relations. His book deals with how to build a reputation online, how to protect a reputation online and how to attempt to repair a reputation online when things go wrong. It deals with both individuals and companies and even includes a section regarding managing your reputation on online reviews sites. It is a very informative book and an important resource in the digital age when it only takes a few clicks to change a life in a bad way. Even if you don't think you need this book now, it is a good book to have in case you ever do.

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

Monthly Mash-up for December, 2016 New Year's Resolutions and Fathom Events Presentation of Allegiance the Musical

Me - My topic for this month is New Year's resolutions. I usually make New Year's resolutions but I can hardly ever keep them. In the past, I have made New Year's Resolutions like keeping my room neater or exercising more. I start out keeping my resolutions, but it is just so hard to keep them up for the entire year. In fact, so far, I have never been able to keep them up for whole year, but I keep trying. I am not sure what my resolution will be there for this year, but I will probably make one. I will decide within the next week whether I will make a resolution this year or not. I like to make New Year's resolutions but I wish I could keep them.

I was given a free ticket to Allegiance for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Mom- My topic for this month is Fathom Events and Allegiance the Musical. Unfortunately, I never got to see the show Allegiance when it briefly ran on Broadway from October 2015 through February 2016. However, I was able to see it in the movie theater this month when it was presented by Fathom Events. While nothing beats live theater, Fathom events is the next best thing. If you sit close enough sometimes you almost forget your not actually watching the show live. You get so caught up in it, you keep finding yourself wanting to clap even though the performers aren't really there to hear you.

Allegiance is about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. It starred George Takei and was loosely based on his life story. It also starred Telly Leung and Lea Salonga, the latter of whom is most famously known as Kim in the original Broadway production of Miss Saigon. Allegiance is a very touching story that really gives you a deep understanding of what Japanese Americans went through. The acting and singing is excellent and the show has some nice songs too. The show is also very timely in the wake of all the acts of prejudice that have been springing up following the results of the recent Presidential election. It shows the direction where all that prejudice can lead. It is definitely a show worth seeing. The show was presented through a partnership between Broadway HD and Fathom Events, a partnership which will be bringing more stage shows to movie theaters in the future. The next stage show to be coming to movie theaters will be the Disney musicla Newsies. Newsies will be presented on February 16, 18 and 22, 2017. For more about Allegiance the musical visit http://allegiancemusical.com/. For more about Fathom Events visit http://www.fathomevents.com/list-all. For more about Broadway HD visit https://www.broadwayhd.com/index.php. For more about Newsies visit
http://www.newsiesthemusical.com/.

And that's our view. What's on your mind?

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Sunday Scoop Week of 12/25//16 - What's Happening This Week or Coming Up Soon

Introducing the First Annual Supergirl Contest

From the Project for Girls

with contest partners including POPSUGAR + BCBG.

THE CONTEST

The Project For Girls is looking for a young woman (ages 13-16) who embodies a positive, passionate life, by doing something incredible with hers.

WHAT’S THE PROJECT FOR GIRLS?

TPFG is a community powered by positivity, passion, and electric idea sharing for teen and tween girls. We share original interviews and stories with girls from all walks of life. Our posts are written for young women, by young women.

WHAT’S THE PRIZE?

· Sponsored, all expenses paid flight for winner and parent/legal guardian to Los Angeles, CA, and a one-night hotel stay in LA,

· Fashion Photographer & TPFW/TPFG Founder Lauri Levenfeld (Seventeen, Marie Claire, Sundance Film Festival) to create the photo shoot of a lifetime at BCBG Headquarters in Los Angeles,

·  BCBGeneration will outfit our winner with an expertly-styled shoot wardrobe (and gift her a look to take home!),

·  An opportunity to shoot with one of The Project For Girls alums, which include Disney stars Francesca Capaldi, Olivia Rodrigo or Ariana Greenblatt, for an unforgettable day of memories,

·  The winner, her story, and her photo shoot will be featured on The Project for Girls,

·  An incredibly awesome swag bag.

SWAG BAG?

In addition to the Grand Prize, the Top 10 Super Girl Contest Nominees will each receive a customized Super Girl Swag Bag from The Project For Girls, each filled with goodies from Skinny Tees, Les Tout Petit, BCBGeneration, PopSugar, BKR, and more!

ENTRY LINK:

http://www.theprojectforwomen.com/super-girl-contest/

VIDEO from TPFG alums Ariana Greenblatt (Disney’s “Stuck In The Middle”), Lori Mae Hernandez (“America’s Got Talent”), Francesca Capaldi (Disney’s “Dog With a Blog”) + more announcing the contest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTYn0obWcZo&feature=youtu.be

ANYTHING ELSE?

TPFG's mission is to create a corner of the Internet that feels different for young women; one that is inspiring, resourceful and safe. According toDoSomething.org, nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online, with girls about twice as likely as boys to be cyber bullied. At The Project for Girls, they're setting a new tone. They want to break through the screen, and make the Internet feel inclusive for girls by rewarding those who make others feel good.

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Upcoming at State Theatre New Jersey

15 Livingston Ave.

Trenton, NJ 

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor

Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - Friday, December 30, 2016

For more information click here

Salute to Vienna

New Year's Eve Concert

For more information click here

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Upcoming at Kelsey Theatre

1200 Old Trenton Road

West Windsor, NJ

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

Friday December 30, 2016 to Sunday January 15, 2017 In place of Billy Elliot, Pierrot Productions presents this beautiful musical revival which originally opened off-Broadway at The Village Gate Theatre in 1968, but is surprisingly relevant to events of today. Often referred to as the Bob Dylan of France, Jacques Brel wrote songs about people actively questioning their own values as well as the rising tide of conservatism around them. This delightful show is a blend of ballads, tangos, boleros, rock and classics. Each piece tells a story, examining themes of love, war, adventure, broken dreams, people from all classes, being young and growing old, but always remembering life has much humor in it. Many songs you will recognize as they inspired Johnny Mathis, Sinatra, Ray Charles, Judy Collins, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, and many more. NOTE: THIS SPECIAL EVENT INCLUDES DESSERT & TEA & COFFEE IN THE LOBBY BEFORE THE SHOW BEGINNING AT 6:45PM, SO COME EARLY AND ENJOY.

For more information or to order tickets click here

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Upcoming at iPlay America

110 Schank Rd.

Freehold, NJ

Thursday, December 29 – NEW SHOW DATE!
Kadan Bart Rockett and Brooklyn – iPlay America’s Event Center
Doors at 6:00 PM – Show: 7:00 PM

Direct from America’s Got Talent see the phenomenal Kadan Bart Rockett and Brooklyn perform magic that will delight the whole family! This talented twosome was first inspired while watching their parents headline theaters and cruise ships around the globe. Following in their parents' footsteps, they are developing their own unique brand as they pursue acting, magic, illusion, ventriloquism, music, and dance. Between them both, they have already starred in movieFs, television shows, and numerous national commercials. Get tickets for the whole family NOW to see the amazing and mystifying Kadan Bart Rockett and Brooklyn!

For more information or to order tickets click here

Friday, December 30

Jacob Whitesides – iPlay America’s Event Center
Doors: 5:30 PM – Show: 6:30 PM

Fresh off the release of his debut album Why?, talented, young, pop star Jacob Whitesides says when he comes to iPlay America, “We are gonna party real hard!”  Jacob burst onto the music scene when he auditioned and made the first cut in the Fox Television music competition series X-Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, and music industry icon L.A Reid. Since then, Jacob has been out on the road perfecting his craft, playing shows, events, and festivals all over the US, and making new music! Don’t miss your chance to see this amazing singer/songwriter showcasing his passionate style and soulful vocals at iPlay America!

For more information or to purchase tickets click here

Saturday, December 31

iPlay America’s New Year’s Eve Party 2017
Doors: 7:30 PM

Make this the BEST New Year’s Eve EVER when you purchase an iPlay America NYE PARTY PASS! It’s the perfect way to celebrate with friends and family! iPlay America’s New Year’s Eve Party Pass includes unlimited rides and attractions, a $10 game card, party favors, spectacular prizes and giveaways throughout the evening, a confetti cannon, light show and great music pumping through the entire park with a live D.J., all for just $39.99! Guests may purchase tasty à la carte treats at Sonny’s Boardwalk Grill, Boardwalk Bites, and Mixx Frozen Yogurt throughout the celebration or make reservations to enjoy the à la carte menu at Game Time Bar & Grill. Hi-tops in the Bar are available for dining with a prix fixe menu on a first-come, first-served basis and purchase of a party pass! For revelers looking to do something extra-special to celebrate this New Years, iPlay America is offering a limited number of VIP Suite packages!

For more information or to purchase tickets click here

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Mets Blood Drive

WHAT:  The New York Mets will host their annual winter Blood Drive on Thursday, January 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Foxwoods Club at Citi Field. Fans donating blood will receive a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a select Mets home game in April or May of 2017 excluding Opening Day. Donors must be 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

WHEN:   Thursday, January 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

                  Mr. Met in attendance from

WHERE:  Foxwoods Club at Citi Field

              Fans and media may enter at the Hodges VIP entrance and park in Lot G off 126^th Street between the Right Field Gate and Roosevelt Avenue.

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The Annual Showcase of Percussive Dance in the Just Kidding series at Symphony Space

2537 Broadway (at 95th St.)

Stam-Pede
 

Sunday, January 8 at 3 pm

A blockbuster annual event at Symphony Space, Stam-Pede presents an afternoon of the very best in percussive dance by four celebrated companies. From lively Irish dance to innovative body percussion and exhilarating tap dance, this show offers something for everyone who loves the power and precision of percussive dance.

This year’s showcase includes: Darrah Carr Dance, Germaine Salsberg's Les Femmes, Ryan Casey's OFF BEAT, and The Bang Group. Their virtuosic displays of lightning fast footwork, intoxicating rhythms, and high-energy musical accompaniment present the audience with a rollicking good time and a sensory feast. Noted dance critic and author Brian Seibert will lead off the event with a few remarks.

Watch this video clip from a recent Darrah Carr Dance performance at Symphony Space.

Please note: Unlike most Just Kidding shows which run for about an hour, the expected run time for this dance showcase is 120 minutes.

Stam-Pede is just one of a big weekend of performing arts events for families on Saturday and Sunday, January 7 and 8. The internationally touring musical circus arts company Les Parfaits Inconnus performs two shows on Saturday, January 7. On Sunday, January 8, Playing by Air performs their symphony of elaborate sounds and spectacular juggling feats at 11 am and 2 pm.  For more information or to order tickets go to click here ******************************************************** Lakewood Blue Claws Announce First Wave of Promotions for 2017 A Summer Concert Series, the return of award-winning Harry Potter Night, and additional giveaways highlight the first-wave of 2017 BlueClaws promotional nights, announced by the team on Tuesday.  Click here to view the list (PDF) of announced promotions. Many more will be unveiled in the coming weeks.  The Summer Concert Series is new and includes a pre-game concert before each of eight Saturday games beginning May 27th. For more information go to click here ******************************************************* Kids Night on Broadway 2 for 1 Tickets This February February 28 is Kids' Night on Broadway! On Kids' Night, young people age 18 and under can see a participating Broadway show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.  There are still 2-for-1 seats available for these shows:  August Wilson's Jitney Chicago Come From Away In Transit Significant Other The Phantom of the Opera ******************************************************** News from BroadwayCon BROADWAYCON ANNOUNCES 2017 SCHEDULE FEATURING THREE DAYS OF PANELS, MEETUPS, WORKSHOPS, AND MORE! BroadwayCon is thrilled to announce the programming schedule for BroadwayCon 2017 on January 27-29 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The BroadwayCon 2017 Schedule features three days packed with events curated with Broadway’s biggest fans, performers, and creators in mind. From Producing 101 to Bollywood and Broadway, there is something for every theatre lover at BroadwayCon. Featuring over 200 hours of original programming, BroadwayCon will host 10 fan-led meetups for everyone from Sondheim lovers to Stage Managers, 19 workshops led by top industry professionals, a live taping of BroadwayCon: The Podcast, and the inaugural BroadwayCon Star To Be talent competition. BroadwayCon will also offer the unique chance to catch a First Look at some of the most talked-about new shows on Broadway: Amèlie, Anastasia, Significant Other, and more. Previously announced Special Guests include the legendary Chita Rivera (West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, The Rink, Kiss of the Spider Woman), Josh Groban ( Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Chess in Concert), Joel Grey (Cabaret, Wicked, "Cabaret"), Darren Criss (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, How to Succeed..., "Glee"), Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, The Last Five Years, "Smash"), and BroadwayCon 2016 favorite Lena Hall (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kinky Boots). A full list of special guests can be found at www.BroadwayCon.com/Guests. Schedule highlights include: Fight Choreography 12:00 - 12:50 pm How do Romeo and Juliet die 8 times a week but still walk around unscathed? Hear from the fight choreographers who stage fights that are convincing, realistic, and yet...pretend. Producing 101 1:00 - 1:50 pm Join this year's lineup of Broadway producers as they discuss their day-to-day responsibilities, their passion projects, and their tough business decisions. BroadwayCon: The Podcast LIVE! Broadway’s Best Media Stars 1:30 - 2:20 pm Lots of people who can't act, sing, or dance (and even those who do!) find their Broadway outlet online. Join Patrick Hinds and some of Broadway's best media stars to discuss finding their place in the Broadway community. I Can Hear The Bells: Sound Design on Broadway 2:00 - 2:50 pm "Oh, the sounds of the earth are like music." And thanks to the great sound designers of Broadway, we can hear them! You, too, can hear them at this panel, where they'll discuss their backgrounds, processes, and secrets of the trade. BroadwayCon Cabaret 8:00 - 8:50 pm Come to the BroadwayCon Cabaret to hear our special Broadway guests sing songs that represent what they geek out over. This isn’t your typical cabaret! Featuring Alysha Umphress, Ryann Redmond, Fredi Walker-Browne, Anthony Rapp, Nick Adams, Lesli Margherita, and Samantha Massell. Hosted by Ben Cameron. SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 Theatre Teachers Meetup 10:00 - 10:50 am Share your ideas and stories with theatre teachers from around the country and around the world. Discuss what you're doing in your classrooms and at BroadwayCon and how best to take everything you're doing this weekend back to your students. Dorothy Fields: Blazing a Trail for Today's Women Writers 11:00 - 11:50 am In this “year of women” in theatre, it’s interesting to discuss Dorothy Fields—for five years she kept pace with Rodgers & Hammerstein, Jerome Kern, and Irving Berlin as one of the only female lyricists writing for commercial theater, paving the way for Betty Cmoden and Carolyn Leigh. This lecture discusses her career writing A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Annie Get Your Gun, Sweet Charity, and her hits like “The Way You Look Tonight.” Chita Rivera Q&A 2:00 - 2:50 pm Don't miss this amazing opportunity to hear from a living Broadway legend! Chita Rivera will discuss her decades-spanning career from West Side Story to Chicago to The Visit. That is The State of The Art: Projection Design 2:00 - 2:50 pm How do you transform a blank wall into a lively, kinetic canvas? Color and light. Broadway's leading lighting designers are here to talk about how they make magic! Scenic Design: Setting the Stage 5:00 - 5:50 pm Set the stage with these remarkable Broadway designers; what goes into constructing a set model that will soon be 10x its size on the Broadway stage? You won't want to miss learning what goes into building the world of your favorite shows! BroadwayCon Jukebox 9:00 - 9:50 pm In our first late-night, anything-goes session, you make the set list. Put a quarter in the jukebox (or download the BroadwayCon app) and choose the song these Broadway stars are going to sing. No showtunes this time! Tonight we’ll see some of our favorite stars show off a side of themselves we rarely get to see. All voting will take place through the BroadwayCon app, available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 The World Inside a Frame: Broadway Photographers 11:00 - 11:50 am A picture is worth a thousand words. Among them: "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina", "A Little Priest", and "If I Were A Rich Man". Did anything come to mind? These evocative images are the work of Broadway photographers. Join in for a panel discussion as these artists describe their processes, favorite shots, and more! Stage a Scene 11:00 - 11:50 am You've studied your script and gotten a good night's sleep, but what can you really expect on your first day of rehearsal? Join director David Alpert and actor Lesli Margherita to watch them approach a scene for the first time. Love is Company (Management) 12:00 - 12:50 pm From contracts to creative planning, Company Managers are another driving force of creating a successful working environment for a show's performers and crew. Julia Murney Career Seminar 1:00 - 1:50 pm From Lennon to Wicked Julia Murney has seen ups and downs and everything in between. Here's your chance to ask her anything you want to know about the business and building a career as a performer. Professional Fans 4:00 - 4:50 pm Do you ever look at some of your favorite big-name Broadway fans and wonder how they got to make a career out of loving theatre? We'll ask them their secrets, their tips and tricks, and the most rewarding parts of getting to represent the Broadway community. The BroadwayCon 2017 Schedule can be found at www.BroadwayCon.com/Preview. Autograph and Photobooth schedules will be announced on Monday, December 19. Additional programming will be announced at a later date and is subject to change. ** BROADWAYCON ANNOUNCES ANNIE 40-YEAR REUNION FEATURING ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM BroadwayCon announced today that it will host an Annie 40-Year Reunion at BroadwayCon on Friday, January 27. Moderated by musical theatre historian Jennifer Ashley Tepper, the Reunion will include original creative team members Martin Charnin (lyrics), Tom Meehan (book), and Charles Strouse (music). Additional members of the original 1977 creative team and cast will be announced at a later date. One of the most beloved Broadway musicals of all time, Annie, has a once-in-a-lifetime reunion panel at BroadwayCon! Join all three of the show's legendary Tony Award-winning writers Martin Charnin (lyrics), Tom Meehan (book), and Charles Strouse (music), as well as other members of the original 1977 team and cast to be announced. As Jennifer Ashley Tepper (The Untold Stories of Broadway) moderates, you'll hear the inside scoop on how Annie was written, its road to Broadway, backstage tales, and the legacy of everyone's favorite red-headed orphan. Why not? It's N.Y.C.! ** BROADWAYCON ANNOUNCES “HAMILTON: THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION” PANEL FEATURING BROADWAY AND CHICAGO CAST MEMBERS BroadwayCon is thrilled to announce a celebration of the new Hamilton cast members on Broadway and in Chicago on Sunday, January 29. “Hamilton: The Next Administration” panelists will include Broadway cast members Javier Munoz (Alexander Hamilton), Mandy Gonzalez (Angelica Schuyler), Lexi Lawson (Eliza Hamilton), J. Quinton Johnson (Hercules Mulligan/James Madison), Seth Stewart (Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson), Jordan Fisher (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton), Brandon Victor Dixon (Aaron Burr), Bryan Terrell Clark (George Washington), Michael Luwoye (Alexander Hamilton Alternate), and Taran Killam (King George III). Chicago cast members will join via satellite. ** BROADWAYCON ANNOUNCES IN TROUSERS REUNION FEATURING ORIGINAL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM MEMBERS BroadwayCon announced today that a special In Trousers Reunion will take place at BroadwayCon 2017, January 27-29 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Moderated by musical theatre historian Jennifer Ashley Tepper, the Reunion will include original cast members Chip Zien (Marvin), Alison Fraser (His Wife), and Mary Testa (Miss Goldberg), William Finn (Book, Music, Lyrics, Director), André Bishop, and Ira Weitzman. Bishop and Weitzman were integral to the premiere production of In Trousers in 1979, which was Playwrights Horizons’ first musical. Bishop and Weitzman are now Producing Artistic Director and Mindich Chair Musical Theater Associate Producer at Lincoln Center, respectively. Additional details for the In Trousers Reunion will be announced at a later date. ** BROADWAYCON ANNOUNCES SPEECH & DEBATE PANEL BroadwayCon® announced today that it will host a special Speech & Debate Panel on Saturday, January 28 at 12 PM at BroadwayCon 2017. The panel will feature an exclusive sneak peek of the film SPEECH & DEBATE based on Tony-Award winner Stephen Karam’s hit play, with surprise guests from the movie, and an exclusive musical preview only at BroadwayCon. Moderated by Darren Criss who has a cameo role in the film, the panel will include screenwriter Stephen Karam, film actors Sarah Steele, Liam James, Austin P. McKenzie, and Roger Bart, and producer Tom Rice. Based on the critically acclaimed off-Broadway hit, Speech & Debate follows three teenagers brought together by a series of mishaps. Frustrated by the hypocrisy they see in their parents, teachers, and the entire school board, the unlikely trio set out to find a common truth and make their voices heard as they revive a defunct school club and take on the world. Blogging, blackmail, and Broadway belting drive the trio’s bond in this wickedly funny teen comedy. For more information about BroadwayCon or to purchase tickets, please visit www.BroadwayCon.com. *************************************************************** News from DKC/O&M THE McKITTRICK HOTEL HOME OF SLEEP NO MORE ENDS 2016 WILL A BANG: T H E   M C K I T T R I C K   M A S Q U E R A D E A NEW YEAR’S EVE BOHEMIAN SOIREE ONE-NIGHT-ONLY DANCE PARTY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2016 The McKittrick Hotel (530 W 27th Street), home of the immersive theater spectacle Sleep No More, is once again throwing a one-of-a-kind NYC New Year’s Eve dance party—The McKittrick Masquerade: A New Year’s Eve Bohemian Soiree—on Saturday, December 31, 2016.  The party begins at 10:15PM, just after that evening’s Sleep No More performance concludes when, in true McKittrick fashion, the venue will be transformed into a decadent, must-see bohemian world.  Guests will have package options including various combinations of dinner at The Lodge, The McKittrick’s rooftop indoor restaurant and lounge; Sleep No More; and the Masquerade.  For info and tickets, visit http://events.mckittrickhotel.com/wintermasquerade/. ** WATERWELL TO REVIVE LOST FRANK LOESSER MUSICALS FROM WORLD WAR II THE “BLUEPRINT SPECIALS” ON THE INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM AS PART OF THE PUBLIC THEATER’S UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL STARRING TONY NOMINEES LAURA OSNES & WILL SWENSON JANUARY 6-11, 2017  Blueprint Specials, a series of lost WWII-era musicals composed principally by Broadway legend Frank Loesser to be presented in association with the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival. The production will star Tony Award nominees  Laura Osnes (Cinderella,Bonnie and Clyde) and Will Swenson (Hair) and be directed by Drama Desk nominee Tom Ridgely. The Blueprints were conceived as what Special Services described as “a novel and very practical service for soldiers who wish to put on good GI shows for GI audiences”. Called “Blueprints” once they’d been written and tried-out, the Army packaged and distributed them as a complete script, score/orchestrations, scenic & costume drawings, plus instructions for how to put on the show. As such these extraordinary works can be seen and heard today exactly as their creators intended. They highlight the fact that, while the forms of entertainment and ways in which soldiers maintain morale may have changed dramatically since WWII, their need for creative outlets and communal diversion has not. To help engage a substantive military-civilian dialogue and foster mutual exchange and increased understanding of the effects of armed service, Waterwell is collaborating with Victor Hurtado, U.S. Army Veteran and former director of Army Entertainment and the Army Soldier show, as well as casting a combination of civilian artists and Military Veterans, both onstage and off. The Blueprint Specials will play six performances on the hangar deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: Friday, January 6, 7:30pm; Saturday, January 7, 8:00pm; Sunday, January 8, 3:00pm; Monday, January 9, 7:00pm; Wednesday, January 11: 11:00am (school groups only) and 7:30pm. The Museum is centered on Intrepid, a US Navy aircraft carrier that served during World War II, the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Tickets are $25 for the general public and $20 for Intrepid Museum members. Please visit www.intrepidmuseum.org/blueprintspecials for more information and to purchase. For more information, please visit www.waterwell.org, www.intrepidmuseum.org or  www.undertheradarfestival.com. ** MCC THEATER BEGINS CASTING SEARCH FOR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON-CONFORMING ARTISTS FOR UPCOMING NYC PREMIERE OF THE PLAY “ C H A R M ” SET TO OPEN ITS 2017-18 SEASON BY PHILIP DAWKINS DIRECTED BY WILL DAVIS CASTING SEARCH BEGINS JANUARY, 2017 MCC PRODUCTION WILL PREMIERE IN FALL 2017  MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) announces today a casting search for transgender and gender non-conforming performers as it prepares for the newly announced first show of its 2017-18 Season: the NYC premiere of Charm, a play by Chicago-based, Jefferson Award-winning playwright Philip Dawkins to be directed by Helen Hayes Award winner Will Davis, a transgender artist.  Charm will officially open MCC’s 2017-18 Season in Fall 2017, and will be performed at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street).  Complete dates and additional info will be announced at a later date.  If you'd like to be considered but expect to be unavailable for upcoming New York open calls in early 2017, please email your NAME, CURRENT LOCATION, PICTURE, PHONE NUMBER and EMAIL to telseyplayscasting@gmail.com. Full info and casting breakdown can be viewed at http://www.telseyandco.com/charm. ****************************************************************************** News from Polk and Co. AMÉLIE, A NEW MUSICAL CELEBRATES OPENING NIGHT AT CENTER THEATRE GROUP’S AHMANSON THEATRE PRIOR TO BROADWAY ENGAGEMENT BROADWAY PREVIEWS START MARCH 9, 2017 AT THE WALTER KERR THEATRE AMÉLIE, A NEW MUSICAL officially opened Friday, December 16 at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, prior to its arrival on Broadway this spring. Directed by Tony winner Pam MacKinnon (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), AMÉLIE features a book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony nominee Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza), music by Daniel Messé and lyrics by Nathan Tysen & Messé, and musical staging and choreography by Sam Pinkleton. The company is led by Tony Award nominee Phillipa Soo and Adam Chanler-Berat, who will reprise their roles for the Broadway engagement. AMÉLIE, A NEW MUSICAL will begin performances on Broadway on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W 48thStreet) and officially open Monday, April 3, 2017, following the strictly limited engagement at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles (final performance January 15, 2017). AMÉLIE is the new Broadway musical based on the beloved five-time Oscar®-nominated film. Shy Amélie lives quietly in the world, but loudly in her mind… where life is filled with mischievous adventures, a garden gnome can be a world traveler, a goldfish can be her dearest friend and true love is as magical as she imagines. Longing to connect with others, Amélie covertly improvises small, but extraordinary acts of kindness that bring happiness to those around her. But everything changes when she becomes captivated by a mysterious young photographer. Gathering the courage to follow her heart, she embarks on her biggest adventure yet—a journey out of her imagination and into his arms. Ticket Information Tickets range from $79.50 - $169.50. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or by calling 877.250.2929. Performance Schedule The regular performance schedule for AMÉLIE, A NEW MUSICAL is: Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30pm (8pm during previews); and Friday & Saturday at 8pm; with matinees at 2pm on Wednesday & Saturday, and 3pm on Sunday. For changes to the schedule, visit AmelieBroadway.com. ** CELEBRATING 10 SEASONS OF NEW WORKS AT ROUNDABOUT UNDERGROUND! ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY Announces THE SIXTH ANNUAL UNDERGROUND READING SERIES FIVE READINGS IN FIVE NIGHTS FEATURING NEW WORKS BY SAHEEM ALI, EMILY FELDMAN, ALEX LUBISCHER, DON NGUYEN, MING PEIFFER and MICHAEL THURBER January 9-13, 2017 At the Black Box Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre Celebrating 10 seasons of Roundabout Underground, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director/CEO) is thrilled to announce the sixth annual Roundabout Underground Reading Series, a five-night event that includes nightly readings of new works written and directed by emerging artists, as well as post-show receptions. The Reading Series will feature new works by Saheem Ali, Emily Feldman, Alex Lubischer, Don Nguyen, Ming Peiffer and Michael Thurber. The Roundabout Underground Reading Series is January 9-13, 2017 at 7:00PM at the Black Box Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street). Tickets are FREE. As part of Roundabout’s continued mission to support new work, Roundabout Underground will either give a debut production to an emerging writer or director or allow an experienced director to go back to his/her creative roots. Robyn Goodman (Artistic Consultant to the Roundabout) serves as Artistic Producer, with Associate Producers Jill Rafson and Josh Fiedler, for this initiative that continues to be a creative breeding ground for nurturing new talent. USUAL GIRLS By Ming Peiffer, Directed by Tyne Rafaeli Monday, January 9 at 7:00PM On an elementary school playground, a boy threatens to tell on a group of girls for swearing – unless one of them kisses him. But just before lips can touch, Kyeoung tackles the boy to the ground. The victory is short-lived. Over the coming years, Kyeoung herself is knocked down again and again. By an alcoholic dad. A group of quick-to-judge friends. And an endlessly invasive parade of men. As we follow Kyeoung from the discoveries of childhood to the realities of adulthood, her stories get stranger, funnier, more harrowing – and more familiar. How do girls grow up? Quickly, painfully, wondrously, MY LOVER JOAN By Emily Feldman, Directed by Will Davis Tuesday, January 10 at 7:00PM Whether wearing sackcloth, toga, golden bangles, or a pantsuit, there seems to be no moment in history when it’s easy to be a woman. Wiser than the powerful men who keep her in her place, Joan longs to use her mind and take charge. Her ambition will take her on a surprising journey, all while her lover watches longingly from the sidelines, wondering where he fits in her topsy-turvy world. BOBBIE CLEARLY By Alex Lubischer, Directed by Kip Fagan Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00PM In the small town of Milton, Nebraska, everyone has an opinion about what Bobbie Clearly did in the cornfield on that terrible day, but few want to face Bobbie himself. Some remain stuck in the past, others are desperate to move forward, and one might even find solace in the local talent show. In this darkly comic portrait of a community at a crossroads, Bobbie’s return to Milton will lead to a discovery that time may not be able to heal all wounds. THE SUPREME LEADER By Don Nguyen, Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel Thursday, January 12 at 7:00PM It’s the fall of 2002 at a Swiss boarding school, and a teenage Kim Jong-Un – a basketball-loving, note-pad sketching, Un – finds himself torn. He’s suddenly enjoying an unlikely friendship with fellow student Sophie, who opens Un’s eyes to the possibilities of a world beyond his restricted reality and his father’s watchful gaze. Brimming with character and humor, The Supreme Leader imagines the teenage years of the enigmatic leader of North Korea and explores the importance of friendship and connection in a life that’s been pre-destined. THE BOOTY CALL Music & Lyrics by Michael Thurber, Directed and developed with and additional material by Saheem Ali Friday, January 13 at 7:00PM Most singles in New York would be thrilled to receive a booty call from a woman they’re into, but when Gabe gets a message from Sam, he’s thrown into a tailspin. As Gabe tries to lose himself in his music, his recordings soon turn into an outlet for all of his anxieties about love and intimacy. The Booty Call offers a musical window into the insecurities hiding within even the kind of guy who’s supposed to have it easy. TICKETS INFORMATION A limited number of FREE tickets to the reading series will be available to the general public. Tickets can be reserved by emailingundergroundreadings@roundabouttheatre.org. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE There will be one reading each night at 7:00PM, Monday, January 9 – Friday, January 13 in the Black Box Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre (111 West 46th Street). ******************************************************** News from Richard Hillman PR THE YORK THEATRE COMPANY BEGINS THE NEW YEAR WITH “NEW2NY” SERIES PRESENTATION OF  MARK FELT, SUPERSTAR BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS BY JOSHUA ROSENBLUM DIRECTED BY ANNETTE JOLLES AT YORK THEATRE COMPANY AT SAINT PETER’S FEATURING PETER BENSON, WILL ERAT, VANESSA LEMONIDES, NEAL MAYER AND MICHAEL MCCOY 10 PERFORMANCES ONLY! JANUARY 7 - 15, 2017 TICKETS NOW ON SALE The limited engagement of Mark Felt, Superstar will play 10 performances only, January 7 – 15, 2017 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (619 Lexington Avenue, entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue).  Opening Night is set for Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. When former FBI agent Mark Felt revealed in 2005 that he had been Deep Throat, the secret source who helped Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein bring down President Richard Nixon, he ended one of the most intriguing chapters in the history of journalism (and one of the worst in U.S. politics). In this whimsical, jazzy musical romp, the multi-talented cast of five together portray twenty-four colorful characters in a fast-moving, illuminating take on the shocking political scandal that riveted America and still reverberates today. Part thriller, part tragedy, part comedy, Mark Felt, Superstar will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about Deep Throat and Watergate, all while tapping your feet to some irresistible musical numbers. The performance schedule for Mark Felt, Superstar is Saturday, January 7 at 2:30 p.m.* & 8:00 p.m., Sunday, January 8 at 2:30 p.m.* & 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 11 & Thursday, January 12 at 7:00pm p.m., Friday, January 13 at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, January 14 at 2:30 p.m.* & 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, January 15 at 2:30 p.m.  (*audience discussions follow these matinee performances). For additional information, please visit www.yorktheatre.org. ****************************************************************** And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for another Talking Topic. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!