Still More Theater Saturday - Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody

We were given complimentary tickets to Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody

Where: The Theater Center
             210 W. 50th St.
             New York, NY

When: Through Sunday, January 2, 2022

Love Actually ? The Authorized Musical Parody first played at the Theater Center in New York City in December of 2019. Parts of the below review were initially published at that time. It has been edited as necessary.

Me - Love Actually? was a surprisingly good show. Love Actually is one of my favorite Christmas movies so I was a little nervous about how they were going to handle a spoof. However, it ended up being really enjoyable. The jokes were funny without being mean. The singing and acting were great. The characterizations were pretty accurate. The spoof managed to take the most notable aspects of the film and condense them into just one act without making it seem that anything was missing. If you are a fan of Love Actually, I would highly recommend seeing this show.

Mom - Love Actually the movie is a really sweet and romantic movie. Love Actually? The Unauthorized Parody has some sweetness to it as well, but it is mostly a very funny spot-on parody that makes fun of the movie in a loving way. Everything you could want from the movie appears here plus a little bit extra that will please fans of an extremely popular movie franchise. 

The performances are all very good. Many of the actors appeared in the original production of the show that ran back in December 2019 and those actors that did not appear in that production fit seamlessly into the show.  The songs are funny especially one about Hugh Grant (the characters are called by the names of the actors here and the actors are parodied along with the movie). Some of the songs are even a little bit touching especially the song sung by the character in love with his best friend's wife. 

This show like the actual movie is definitely not for children especially one particular story line. Also, if you haven't seen the movie, although you may still enjoy parts of the show,  you most likely won't get as much enjoyment out of  it as you would have if you had seen the movie. So if you've seen the movie, go see this show. If you haven't seen the movie, see it first, and then see this show.  In any case, this show is definitely worth seeing. It's a really holiday treat.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits: All Love Actually? The Unauthorized Musical Parody original production photos by Jeremy Daniel

Theater Thursday: The Big Apple Circus

We were given complimentary tickets to the Big Apple Circus for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Big Apple Circus

Where: Damrosch Park
             Lincoln Center
             62nd Street
             New York, NY

Who: All ages

When: Through January 30, 2022

The Big Apple Circus may have new ownership but it's as diverse as ever. This year's cast consists of performers from all over the world including a ringmaster that is a little person and a female juggler. Other acts include a cute dog act, a death-defying magician who performs a couple of Houdini's famous escape tricks, and the world-famous Wallenda highwire walkers, the latter of whom now own the circus. 

This year's show is said to be all about making the impossible possible. However, it is not clear how that makes this year different. Circus performers are always performing incredible feats that seem impossible to the average person. That is the nature of the genre. 

A welcome addition to this year's show is the videos that introduce each performer. It is nice to get to know a little bit about them and why they decided to become circus performers. It makes the show seem a little more intimate.    

The show feels shorter than in other years although it's actually still about the same length of time approximately two hours. Perhaps, it's just that it's so exciting that it goes by in the blink of an eye. In any case, now that circuses seem to be a dying art, it's nice that there is still at least one fun circus around that anyone of any age can enjoy.

And that's our view. For more about The Big Apple Circus or to purchase tickets, visit https://bigapplecircus.com/

Tune in Sunday for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Where-To-Go Wednesday - Topgolf Swing Suite

We were given complimentary access to Topgolf Swing Suite at iPlay America for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Topgolf Swing Suite

Where: iPlay America

             110 Schank Rd. 

             Freehold, NJ

Who: All ages

Topgolf Swing Suite is more than just a virtual golf game. It's a completely immersive experience in which you can virtually participate in not just golf but numerous other sports as well including baseball, hockey, dodgeball, and many more. There are even virtual carnival games to participate in including the one where you throw darts at balloons and the one where you knock things down by throwing balls at them. 

You don't have to be good at sports to participate in and enjoy these virtual games. You don't even have to like sports. Our family is probably one of the least athletic in the world. Our favorite sport to participate in is probably spectating, but we still had a ton of fun participating in many of the sports and games offered at Topgolf Swing Suite.

If you are still afraid to go out and mingle in a crowd, you don't have to worry about that here. Each group gets its own self-contained suite.  It includes comfortable seating as well as a table and all the equipment you will need to participate in any virtual sport or game offered at Topgolf Swing Suite. You don't even have to leave to get anything to eat or drink, you can order both food and drinks right from your suite and have it delivered by a member of the iPlay America wait staff. 

All in all visiting Topgolf Swing Suite is a lot of fun. It is sort of like a cross between stepping into a video game and never leaving your couch. It's definitely an experience anyone can enjoy.

For more about Topgolf Swing Suite, visit www.iplayamerica.com/topgolf-swing-suite-at-iplay-america/. For more about iPlay America in general, see our previous posts Where-To-Go Wednesday -  iPlay America, Where-To-Go Wednesday - iPlay American After Dark, Where-To-Go Wednesday - iPlay America Birthday Parties, and Where-To-Go Wednesday - Bill's Garage and/or visit www.iplayamerica.com. For more about Topgolf Swing Suite in general or to find a location near you, visit swingsuite.topgolf.com

Tune in tomorrow for Theater Thursday.