Pizza Night and "Motherhood the Musical"

Last night was Friday night and we didn't have anywhere to go or do.

We are really quite boring people.

So, we decided to make homemade pizza.

Some of us were really excited about making pizza!



Really, really excited!!

Some......not quite as excited.

Mmmmh.....not quite sure about this expression???

Everybody dance now......

Jessica!  Smile!!  It is the only way your Dad will stop taking all these photos!!!

FINALLY!  A smile!!!

Josh and Courtney were not there to enjoy the excitement of it all.

Instead, they were enjoying.......

Jim and I went to see it last Friday night.  It was possibly the best show we have seen all year.  As a mother, I could definitely relate to just about everything in the show.  However, I think Jim laughed just as hard as I did.

Excellent cast.

With songs like "Costco Queen", "Minivan", "The Kids Are Finally Asleep", and last, but not least, "I Leak",  how can you go wrong??

A good way to spend a Friday night!!!

Sally-Ann



Mmmmh, I am positive I put this in my post last night

Oh well, here it is now!!

Billy Elliot: A mixed review from the belfry

The most celebrated show of the year, BILLY ELLIOT the Musical has captured hearts worldwide, delighted the critics and swept the awards - winning ten 2009 Tony Awards® including BEST MUSICAL!

Called "THE BEST SHOW YOU WILL EVER SEE" by the New York Post and "THE MOST INSPIRING SHOW I’VE SEEN IN YEARS" by Ben Brantley of The New York Times, BILLY ELLIOT is a joyous, exciting and feel-good celebration of one boy following his heart and making his dreams come true. Full of life, laughter, astonishing dancing and unforgettable music, this uplifting experience will stay with you forever.

Based on the international smash-hit film, BILLY ELLIOT is brought to life by the Tony-winning creative team – director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall – along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls "HIS BEST SCORE YET!"

I took the above information about the show "Billy Elliot" from the "Billy Elliot" website.

Jessica and I went to see the show tonight and it was all of the above mentioned things.  But, as i sat there watching, I had a more mixed review running through my mind.

The incredible expanding marshmallow man that was sitting next to me, and his snooty girlfriend didn't appear to like it at all.  I started to turn towards them and inform them that they didn't have to stay and watch the second half if they didn't want to.  We have left halfway through a show before.  But, I didn't.  I don't think they clapped even once!  A shame, because even though my thoughts about the show are mixed, there was a lot to clap about.

The talent was undeniable.  On tour there is three different boy who play Billy Elliot.  One is from Melbourne, Australia.  I was disappointed that he wasn't performing at tonight's show.  The boy who did is only 13.  Fantastic sums up his performance.

I didn't like the swearing.  I know they were trying to stay true to the "roots" of the story. But, I think we all could have enjoyed the show and understood the economic, social and "time" of the setting just as well without vulgar language.  Especially coming out of the mouths of young children.  Though I did find it amusing that the first few time the word "poof" was used, I don't think many understood what it meant.  Though, the fact that it was said to a young boy dressing up in dresses, the meaning soon became apparent!

I enjoyed the show. 
I loved the talented children, the dancing, the sense of humor, and........cool souvenirs!

Jessica's Souvenir

We get a mug from every show we see.  Jim is absolutely devastated when there isn't a mug available!

This is my souvenir.  I only got it because it came free with the purchase of the jacket and mug.

Would I go and see it again? 
Probably not.  

Why?  
Solely because of the swearing.

Best part of the night?
Spending time with my daughter!

That always makes the night priceless.

Sally-Ann

Last night Jim and I went to see "Little House on the Prairie The Musical".  I had mixed feelings about going to this show.  Like many, I grew-up watching "Little House on the Prairie" and reading the books.  Even though I loved the TV show and the books, I couldn't imagine a musical based on Little House as being all that exciting.  Well, I admit it, I can be wrong......rarely, but sometimes.

"Little House on the Prairie has remained one of the most popular and beloved celebrations of pioneering America since Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book of her classic series 75 years ago. Now the inspirational stories cross into yet another frontier in an uplifting new musical. Melissa Gilbert, who we all knew as “Laura” for 10 years in the much-loved television series is now all grown up and playing “Ma.”

Through the magic of live theatre, the musical follows the Ingalls family‘s journey westward and settlement in DeSmet, South Dakota where Ma and Pa Ingalls hoped to make a better life for their children. It tells the story of their struggle to keep their land claim. In story, song and dance, we see the Ingalls suffering the hardships of winter blizzards and prairie fires as well as rejoicing in the settlement of land and town. Most of all, the story follows Laura as she grows from the wild child who loved to run free into a woman who embraces the responsibilities of her own future while struggling to remain true to herself.

Recommended for the whole family, LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, THE MUSICAL brings the joys and sorrows of family life during the settlement of the prairie to contemporary America. Families will continue to identify with these life affirming stories that celebrate the pioneering spirit and the core values on which this country was founded – a spirit that resonates within each of us today."

Jim was quite excited to go and see "Little House on the Prairie the Musical".  In his younger days, Jim had a bit of a crush on Melissa Gilbert.

 

Mmmmh.......

I would say that there is no accounting for taste, but what would that say about him marrying me!!!!

Of course, Melissa Gilbert did evolve quite a bit over the years on "Little House".

We really enjoyed the musical, it is definitely on the top 10 list of the best shows that we have seen over the years.  Melissa Gilbert certainly didn't have the strongest singing voice in the cast, but it was cool to see "Laura" play Ma.

 We also found out a bit more about Melissa Gilbert.  She is on the board of the above charity......a very good charity.  Anything to do with the care and well being of children will always have a soft spot in my heart.  Click on the above picture to learn more if you would like.

While in Tampa the cast has been working on a Habitat for Humanity house in Ybor City.

 We had a wonderful night.  Bought some incredibly expensive mementos............

 

 We wanted to buy Bill (our nephew who is living with us at the moment) this "Farmer Boy" t-shirt.  Unfortunately, they did not have it in his size.  We thought he would appreciate this generous gift.......something to celebrate his new found skill and passion - farming on Facebook.

 Instead, we bought Jessica this t-shirt.

We could have bought Ma, Pa and 1/2 pint shirts if we had so desired.

 Every show we go to, we buy a mug.  Thought the tin cups were cute.

 

 Then Jim just had to have this stuffed horse for Samuel.  It goes with the decor of Sam's room.  It was soft and cuddly.  Where else could you get such a wonderful stuffed horse???

So.......I relented and bought it for Jim Sam.  After all, it is his birthday on Monday.

The songs were great, especially the last one.  Made us a little homesick for South Dakota.

It also made me think of what will be made into a musical next. "The Brady Bunch?"  "CHiPS?"  I know........"The Waltons - A Musical!"

YeeHaw,

Sally-Ann

A Night Out at "Spamalot"

Last night I took Jim out for his birthday. His birthday isn't until Sunday, but last night was when we could get tickets for "Spamalot". I grew-up watching British comedies, including Monty Python. It is all very irreverent and a little bit rude. Well.......can be quite rude at times!! "Spamalot" was no exception to that. In fact, when we were leaving the theatre, Jim asked, "How come when something quite rude is said with a British accent, it is hilarious??" I don't know is my answer. But, this morning as I sat trying to work out how I wanted my blog to go today, I realised, whether it was intentional or not, there are lessons to be learned from this musical. So, read on for my wonderful insights!!!

One of my favorite parts is when the French insult King Arthur and his Knights. I wonder if they use the same insults every night, or think up new ones? This isn't one of my wonderful insights, I just liked this part of the play!

According to the playbill, "Spamalot is “lovingly ripped off” from the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. On a twenty-five-dollar T-shirt that’s for sale in the lobby, you'll find the catchphrase “I’m not dead yet . . .,” printed. The catchphrase, which is intoned throughout the evening by plague-ridden corpses, by dragooned (decided that this is my word for the day!) soldiers, and even by an amputee knight, seems fitting to me in these times of economic uncertainty: we must never give up, an act of defiance, never say die (ha ha, I crack myself up).

Richard Chamberlin plays King Arthur.

In one song he sings:

“For life is quite absurd,

And death’s the final word.

You must always face the curtain with a bow!”

In all its silliness, I think we can learn something from "Spamalot". "Always face the curtain with a bow." Always be gracious, always do your best, always take the high ground....the list could go on.

Sally-Ann