Don't Be A Grinch! Kick-Off Your Holiday Right, It's A Cinch!

My Review of Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical:

I have seen or read Dr. Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas every year since I was a very young child, but as the curtain opened last night, I quickly began to realize that the older I get, the more understanding I have for the Grinch. When I was a bright-eyed child, like Cindy-Lou Who, I couldn’t understand why the Grinch was so mean. When you’re young, everything about Christmas is magical – the music, the lights, the presents and of course, Santa Claus. Now, as a responsible, grown-woman, I find the whole Holiday Season to be exhausting. The buying of the gifts, decorating, meal planning, sending out cards, parties, planning “magical” activities for the children...

Trimming the tree, Elf on the shelf, Zoo lights trains,
Mall photos with Santa and Candy canes,
All the shiny gifts with the bows and wrap,
Makes me want to lie down and take a nap!

...But who could resist kicking-off the season with this beloved show!

I also look forward to the annual Chase Family Night On Broadway! This fun-filled night only occurs once a year, usually on opening night of the most family-friendly FSCJ Artist Series show of the season. In years past, my daughter and I have enjoyed all the sponsored activities prior to shows like The Blue Man Group and Annie The Musical. This year, the kids enjoyed “green-themed” activities like taking selfies with the Grinch, making a Sweet Pete’s candy craft, exploring the mad science experience with MOSH, and the My Gym obstacle course, just to name a few. With the different stations open an hour prior to curtain call, the kids are then able to “shake the sillies out” and sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

I loved this unique rendition of The Grinch, which featured narration from Max, the Grinch’s dog. This fun take on the show gave the audience a different perspective and further attachment to the beloved canine. Not to mention, Bob Lauder, who portrayed the main narrator, Older Max, had a wonderfully soothing Kelsey Grammer-like depiction of the character. While his younger self, played by Matt Weinstein, was adorably lovable and upbeat.

Last, the show-stopper, the one, the only, who could forget the Grinch! Stefan Karl was deliciously despicable and hilarious from his beginning scene to the end of the show! Everything from engaging the crowd with his mocking rants to his bathroom humor was a real crowd and kid-pleaser! I could hear my daughter squealing with delight when he entered the stage. 

Overall, this musical was a must-see for the whole family!

The next morning, as I drove my 5-year-old daughter to school, she told me she loved the show, but asked why the Grinch was so mean. So I asked her, “why do you think the Grinch was so mean?” She then said something so intuitive, yet so simple…she said probably because he was sad. “Yes,” I said, “I suppose that’s true.” Then she said his heart grew and he was nice at the end of the show, because Cindy-Lou showed him love even though he was mean. So there it is - the philosophy and meaning of life from a 5-year-old. Sounds like another common theme we are all familiar with.

Young children can be very wise,
Seeing the true meaning of Christmas through their eyes.
I, myself, should look more often,
Which would allow our grown-up hearts to soften.

Kick-off your Holiday Season right - Go see Dr. Suess’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical. Shows run through Sunday, December 6 – Get your tickets here.

Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical

Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical

Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical

Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate (Giveaway)!!

Enter to win four tickets to Disney’s On Ice Let’s Celebrate!

Shows run from April 9 – 12 for (8) performances at the Veteran’s Memorial Arena.

Ok, I’ll admit it…I’m a Disney fanatic.  For the past ten years my husband has had a sneaking suspicion that this was the case, and after much denial, now, a decade later I finally admit it.  I love Disney.  I loved going to the parks as a kid with my family, and I love even more that I can now share that experience with my four-year-old daughter.  We buy the movies, music,clothes, stuffed animals, toys, watch Disney Junior, and, when we are unable to physically go to the “happiest place on earth,” taking our daughter to the shows that travel through Jacksonville is the next best thing!  It doesn’t matter how crazy our lives are at the time, we always know an afternoon together with Mickey will be nothing short of magical!

Last month, we were thrilled to take our daughter to Disney Live! Mickey’s Magic Show, which left even my husband astonished, asking, “Wow, how did they do that?” This month, our city is lucky enough to be on the tour circuit for Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate!  This show will feature more than 50 characters from 16 Disney stories live on ice, including Alice in Wonderland, Lilo and Stitch, Disney Princesses, Disney Villians, and of course the stars of the show, Mickey and Minnie!

Shows run Thursday, April 9 – Sunday, April 12, at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, and with tickets starting at $15, this Disney party on ice extravaganza is sure to fit any budget.  Also, because I know Ms. Behave readers LOVE Disney as much as I do, you can use promotion code “LZPR” to save $5 off admission price!

Another wonderful addition to this Disney On Ice performance is a very special post-show clinic that gives the audience a behind-the-scenes-look at how the show comes together, only at the 10:30 a.m. show on Friday, April 10.  Your family won’t want to miss this unique opportunity!

Now for the really special news! I am giving away four tickets to (2) special families for Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! 

To enter the contest, write one sentence below in the comments section about your family’s best Disney memory, by Friday, April 3, that’s it! For an additional entry, post the follow link to your Facebook page: http://jaxevents.com/event/disney-ice-presents-lets-celebrate/

The two lucky winners will be chosen at random on Friday, April 3 at midnight.

Enter comments below for your chance to win!

(Ding-Dong) Hello! Go See The Book Of Mormon

My Review of The Book of Mormon the Musical

In anticipation of the Broadway production, The Book of Mormon, I recalled specific jaw-dropping, laughing-so-hard-I-almost-peed-my-pants moments from my college years watching South Park.  As most everyone is aware, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park, also created the Book of Mormon musical.  Rewind to the late 90’s, where some of the particularly shocking, yet hilarious episodes specifically were when the four boys befriend an Ethiopian child who only speaks in clicks, Chef singing about his latest culinary creation “brown salty balls,” and discovering that Cartman’s mother is really his father who had a sex-change operation. Generation X’ers, Y’ers and Millennials who grew up with this type of shock-value humor will appreciate where I am going with this. 

The Book of Mormon is a comedic musical satire that pushes the envelope for taboo humor, for which South Park is famous.  Since it’s premier in 2011, The Book of Mormon (the musical) has won a slew of prestigious awards, including the Tony Award for the Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and, Outstanding New Broadway Musical. After seeing the show, it was evident why.  The audience roared with laughter from start to finish, with the occasional head-shake paired with “They didn’t just do/say that, did they?” shock statement. 

That being said, this show is not for everyone.  There is explicit language and scenes that some may find in poor taste.  Is it the moral decline of our society or a way for the human race to connect on a deeper level through humor? This has been an ongoing debate dating back to even 1968 between the conservative Willaim F. Buckley Jr., and the liberal, Gore Vidal.  I don’t have the answer, but I do appreciate the thoughtful art behind a social satire such as The Book of Mormon and South Park, but that’s just me.

The cast.  The cast! What a group of incredible performers. Everyone from the main elders to the ensemble were spot on!  My favorite, of course, was Cody Jamison Strand, who played Elder Cunningham.  His comedic timing and showmanship MADE the show!  I don’t think anyone could have portrayed it better, (…and he sort of reminded me of a grown up Cartman, which was awesome)!

Another surprisingly great aspect of this show is the music.  I found myself singing along joyfully with all of the songs, then feeling a little guilty afterwards when you really think about the lyrics.  …But then I just shrugged my shoulders and happily sang along with the next song.

This production is Legen…(wait for it)….dary! It will be one of the most engaging, hilarious shows you will ever see.

Shows run Tuesday, February 3 – Sunday, February 8 at the Times-Union Center, Moran Theater. Purchase your tickets here.

This is the part of the review that I would like to add a disclaimer: My glowing review of this show by no means is a reflection of my opinion of the Mormon religion or it’s followers.  Having grown up in Washington State, I have many, many Mormon friends who are wonderful people, from kind, loving families.  It is also my opinion that this show isn’t necessarily bad publicity for the Mormon faith. In actuality, it seems the faith has capitalized on it’s popularity and placed multiple ads in The Book of Mormon playbills themselves, along with having physical “greeters” at the shows who are happy to speak with you, should you have any questions regarding their faith.  Hats off to them for being marketing savvy.

...And as a special treat, I have included the "Book of Mormon Comes to South Park" video below for your viewing pleasure.  It's the first song of the musical created in usual South Park cartoon fashion...enjoy!

My Video Review of the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon the Musical

The Book of Mormon the Musical

The Book of Mormon Comes to South Park