Yes, indeed! CHICAGO will be arriving in Detroit for a short visit at the Fisher Theater May 17th-22nd!! That means you need to get your tickets NOW {if there are any left} so you don't miss it. 

John O'Hurley is starring as Billy Flynn in this production! Yes, the same man who played Mr. Peterman on Seinfeld will be here, on stage, in a role all too perfect for him. Color me excited!!

Take a gander at the press release for more details...and all that jazz. ;)

CELEBRATES ITS’ THIRTEENTH RAZZLE-DAZZLE NATIONAL TOUR!

WINNER OF SIX 1997 TONY AWARDS

INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL

Starring John O’Hurley

DETROIT, MI, March 30, 2011 -- CHICAGO is coming back to Detroit with John O’Hurley starring as Billy Flynn. CHICAGO will be at Detroit’s Fisher Theatre May 17 -22, 2011. CHICAGO which opened to rave reviews on November 14^th, 1996, now has the distinction of being the longest-running musical revival playing on Broadway,  the second longest-running musical production currently playing on Broadway, and the fifth longest-running production in Broadway history, and... shows no sign of ever slowing down!

John O’Hurley (Billy Flynn) is one of People magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive,” and has become one of television’s busiest and most versatile actors, show hosts, advertising heroes, and feature film stars.  The award-winning actor is best known as "J. Peterman" on "Seinfeld," which is now the #1 syndicated series in the world in 85 countries.  He danced his way into the hearts of America as the ultimate champion of the highly rated ABC show “Dancing with the Stars,” starred on Broadway in Chicago, as the male lead “Billy Flynn” and starred in a two-year stint as the head of the Round Table, King Arthur, in Eric Idle’s hilarious musical comedy “Monty Python’s Spamalot” in Las Vegas. On the small screen he can be seen weekly on the popular syndicated show “Family Feud.”  As a follow-up to his Billboard chart topping CD Peace of Our Minds (which was the first independently produced CD to ever reach #13 on the Billboard Music charts), O’Hurley recently released Secrets from the Lake, a collaboration of his piano compositions with cellist Marston Smith. O’Hurley has written 2 books including his New York Times Bestseller called It’s OK to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons Learned from Dogs, and Before Your Dog Can Eat Your Homework, First You Have To Do It. When not performing, John maintains his single digit gold handicap by playing on the Celebrity Players Tour.   Additionally, he lends his name and golf game to help charities close to his heart, especially Golfers Against Cancer and Child Development Institute.  O'Hurley enjoys spending his free time with his wife Lisa and their young son William Dylan. Together they love to play golf, travel, play with their dogs, cheer for the Boston Red Sox, and entertain friends at their Beverly Hills home.  

Murder. Greed. Corruption. Violence. Exploitation. Adultery. Treachery. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

The national tour is directed by Scott Faris and choreographed by Gary Chryst.  Walter Bobbie is the director of the original New York Production and Ann Reinking was the original choreographer in the style of Bob Fosse. CHICAGO features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design byKen Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer. The production also features orchestrations by Ralph Burns, supervising music direction by Rob Fisher.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, CHICAGO has become a worldwide phenomenon with productions in 24 countries and 11 languages since 1996.

The record-breaking London production of CHICAGO continues to hold the record as the longest-running American musical in West End history.  CHICAGO is also on tour throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as international tours in Australia and the United Kingdom.

CHICAGO is a production not to be missed. And all the reviewers agree. Time Magazine calls it “A Triumph,” Newsweek raves “Smashing” and Entertainment Weekly sums it up by calling CHICAGO “Broadway’s Most Electrifying Show.” If you’ve seen it before, this is the PERFECT TIME to relive the excitement!  If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for??

Performance times for CHICAGO, appearing May 17 -22, 2011 at the Fisher Theatre, located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd., in Detroit, are:

-         Tuesday through Saturday performances at 8:00 p.m.

-         Sunday evening performance at 7:30 p.m.

-         Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

                                         

Ticket prices for the Detroit engagement of CHICAGO range from $29-$75 (includes parking and facility fees) and go on sale Friday, November 19, 2010 at the Fisher Theatre box office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets will also be available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.BroadwayinDetroit.com, and by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-982-2787.  Limited premium seats will be available at the box office only. For group sales (12 or more) please call(313) 871-1132 or email groups@broadwayindetroit.com. For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or visitwww.BroadwayinDetroit.com.

The Detroit engagement of CHICAGO is sponsored by your Southeast Michigan Lincoln dealers.

For more information, please visit www.BroadwayInDetroit.com or www.ChicagotheMusical.com.

Follow Broadway in Detroit on Facebook and on Twitter @BroadwayDetroit.

**I've been invited to Press Night at the theater to review this show and have been given 2 complimentary passes. I've received no other compensation for posting this press release. I just want you to know more about it so you can go and enjoy it while it's in town. Show review to come soon!**

CHICAGO Is On Its Way To Detroit! {press release}

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Every year around this time, my family likes to get away and spend some time together as a family. The winter weather and the season's busyness always seems to push us to get out of our home and relax. Now, we're not really picky about where we stay so long as our 2 children will enjoy themselves. But how many of you know that it's even better when there's something there for the grown-ups to enjoy too?

Well, this year we were invited to kick back and enjoy ourselves at Keylime Cove in Gurnee, Illinois. This hotel is just north of Chicago and is very close to Six Flags Amusement Park {more on that later}. We invited my sister and her family to join us there {she lives about 12 hours away from me} and were all set to enjoy a big, family vacation. Unfortunately, my nieces were sick and my sister wasn't able to get them out to visit with us. Truthfully, I was bummed out but I'm so happy with my stay at Keylime Cove that I'm sure we will try a group gathering there again sometime.

Keylime Cove is a little slice of Paradise. There's a "beachy" feeling that welcomes all it's visitors to enjoy themselves and with all it's lights and bright colors, it's easy to get swept up in that feeling right away.

These photos are of the main street in the hotel. I saw it as I entered the lobby. This is not only picturesque, but it's full of shops, candy, and even coffee. {I highly recommend the coffee.} In these shops, I found things that would help me if I forgot to pack something, I found great gift ideas, fun swim apparel and accessories, and have I mentioned the candy yet?  The overall design is made to make visitors feel like they've arrived in Key West, Florida. I have to admit, they did a wonderful job and I loved the attention to detail. I really did feel as if I were further away than 6 hours from my home and certainly didn't feel like I was in a resort just north of Chicago.

Now, about those rooms...

I really enjoyed the colorful walls and wall lanterns as I walked down to my room for the first time with my family. 

And here is where we stayed. At check-in, we were given wrist bands to wear. There was a specific kind for adults and another for the kiddos. The kiddos basically wear the band to get into the water park but the adults wear a wrist band that acts as access to the water park as well as a room key, and even a way to charge items to your room while you have fun in the hotel. All we had to do was rub our band on the door lock and it opened up! I was SO impressed and SO grateful that we didn't have to keep track of room keys when we headed out of our room to play. 

You better believe we enjoyed jumping on the King sized bed in the Master Bedroom! Well, we enjoyed it until Alex nearly fell off the bed head first. Then we called that game off. Luckily for Alex, he got to sleep in the second bedroom in a Queen sized bed. And when he woke up laying sideways, it was clear that he was really enjoying the extra space. For Eliana, the hotel had a Pack 'N Play waiting for us in the room. It was so nice to not have to pack something that big in the van. 

The suite actually had 2 Queen beds in that second bedroom and a door that accessed the bathroom. {Another bathroom is tucked inside the Master Bedroom also.} There was also a sofa bed in the living room making this a suite that could easily fit 8 people. I enjoyed the cabinets and wet bar in the room along with the table and chairs. We like to go grocery shopping and get foods for breakfast and lunch to save on spending and we easily found a place for our things there. 

The bright colors in the room tied in with the vibe I picked up in the lobby of the resort. Yes, I was in paradise and I was so ready to relax and enjoy myself here. 

The water park was a warm 84 degrees and I couldn't get enough of the decor. It was so inviting and again made me feel as if I were miles and miles from where I was. In the picture above, you'll see the Sand Bar for those who like Martinis and fun drinks like that while you relax by the pool. There's also a restaurant called Sharky's Big Bites where visitors can find burgers, fries, smoothies, pretzels, and more. Mmmmm. It was nice to know that I didn't have to leave the water park if I wanted to grab a bite to eat. 

There are life jackets available for little ones so I signed out a couple our first day there. There was also a few staff people making sure there were fresh, warm towels waiting for those who needed them. For the family, there are a lot of fun options. There was a kiddie pool {where I spent most of my time} with 3 water slides, 5 water slides for bigger kids to enjoy, a wave pool, a lazy river to float down, a hot tub for adults only, and a play tower {Toukie's Big Deluge} where all kinds of water play can happen and a big pineapple bucket fills itself to overflowing again and again. 

I would like to point out that along with a lot of fun, is a staff that is well trained and ready for any emergency should one arise. They are tested regularly and are required to exceed expectations on their tests. Also, Keylime Cove uses Ozone Technology in its water park to ensure the cleanest and safest water for the public to enjoy. The general manager, Dale, explained to me that many hotels using just chlorine in their water parks have to close down once a year to give the water park a thorough cleaning. At Keylime Cove, they haven't had to close down the water park once in the 3 years it has been open. The ozone technology keeps the pools so clean that you could literally eat off the floor of them. 

While I'm on the topic of fun, let's talk about Leapin' Lizards, Enchanted Lagoon, Rip Tide Reef Arcade, and Pinkie's Pet Palace. Leapin' Lizards is the perfect place to bring little ones who are a bit worn down from the water park but still want to have fun. They have activities going every day, art supplies that are free to use, games, books to read, a movie to watch, and special projects that cost between $5 and $12. While Alex enjoyed the books and the games, Eliana enjoyed writing on the chalkboard and building blocks. 

Enchanted Lagoon is located just across from Leapin' Lizards and is the new spa created with little girls in mind. They have stations for manicures and pedicures but the highlight is where little girls can create their own lip gloss. True Story. They can pick the color they like and glitter as well. When Eliana's a bit bigger, I'll have to get her down there to make her own lip gloss.

You can see, these little girls were all very excited to be making their lip gloss. :) This just put a big smile on my face to witness first hand. 

In the same area, and down a few steps {or down a ramp if need be} is the Riptide Reef Arcade. The games here are the top of the line with a good variety for all who play. There are plenty of games to win tickets on and other games to just enjoy for the sake of enjoying. We had a blast playing games, getting tickets, and turning in our tickets for prizes. The person staffed at the counter made Alex's night when he gave him a race car. The smile on his face was priceless.

Now, I don't have any pictures to show you of Pinkie's Pet Palace. We chose to skip this as Alex didn't seem interested in it and Eliana is a bit young to enjoy the experience. However, I can tell you that it's a place where children can create adorable, cuddly friends by choosing the one they like best, stuffing them full with fluff, and picking out clothes for them. It's a great way to create a memory to take on the road. 

Finally, I'd like to share with you about Paradise Mist Spa. I was given a personal tour of the spa and didn't want to leave because it was such a beautiful and peaceful environment. {A mom could get used to that.} The rooms are gorgeous and the Spa offers a number of treatments for both individuals and couples. Would you believe I've never been to a spa myself? I know... The hubster must have caught on to my carrying on about Paradise Mist Spa because he came back to the room with a list of treatments and told me to call and get an appointment {Squeeee!}. I went down to get a Pure Fiji Manicure. This included all natural and coconut oil based products. I loved the hot towel soak and the hot rocks rubbed on my hands and forearms. H.E.A.V.E.N. Beyond the manicure itself, the staff was lovely and I enjoyed chatting with Jadzia about her experience at Keylime Cove during my manicure. 

I feel like I have way more to tell you but I'll end with a few more incentives that may send you out for your own piece of paradise at Keylime Cove. 

• Visitors can get a pass to Gold's Gym {across the parking lot from the hotel} and have full access to classes, trainers, and childcare. The hubster tried this and loved it. 
• On May 22nd, Keylime Cove is teaming up with US Track and Field to host a 1/2 marathon/8K followed by a luau. If you love running, make this your excuse to visit Keylime. 
• And since 6 flags is 3 blocks away, Keylime Cove {the official resort of 6 flags} offers package deals and complimentary shuttle service to and from the park. Now, if you ask me, a discount on park tickets and saving $25 on parking is incentive enough to stay at Keylime Cove. 

Overall, we were very pleased with the service of the staff at Keylime and loved all the different kinds of fun they offered my family. I witnessed moments when a customer would get snippy with someone on staff but I never witnessed a moment when the staff members didn't handle themselves professionally and gracefully. {Good work, Keylimers!}

The dinners we ate there were very good and we were pleased to see that not every restaurant cost a lot to eat at. We loved enjoying our nightly ice cream scoops and morning Starbucks coffees. And did I mention the candy?

** Thanks to Keylime Cove and it's PR firm, who gave us a complimentary 2 night's stay in exchange for an honest post. I received no other compensation. My opinion is mine and mind alone. Others may not have the same experience or agree with my opinion. Thanks also to Dale, the general manager, for a personal tour of the hotel. **

We Found A Slice Of Paradise In Illinois! {review}

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Recently, my small family was invited to visit the Shedd Aquarium while we were taking a short vacation in the area. We were so excited to go. For my husband, it brought back memories of when he went with his parents. For myself and Alex, it was our first time visiting and we couldn’t wait to see all there was to see.

As we entered the Shedd Aquarium, we were a tiny bit overwhelmed with its size. I could tell it was a big place from the information I found online, but it felt a lot bigger once we actually were inside. Fortunately, we had a map and knew where we were.

The aquarium is broken down into different areas and offers its visitors a lot of information on the fish you can see, the areas they live in, and more. There are ways for visitors to interact with some of the displays. Some things talk to you when you push a button, some things have a written explanation and you can push a button to light up an area you read about. Some areas allow you to touch things and give the little ones a chance to play.

We started by visiting the Waters of the World. In this area, there are fish found in lakes and rivers all over the world. There are 80 different exhibits in this area alone. One of the neatest things to see in this area was the Grand Cayman blue iguanas. They were stunning.

Here are some pictures from that area of the Shedd Aquarium.

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Next, we headed downstairs. I went to watch the training session as my husband and son went down to the Polar Play Zone. There was also a 4-D movie experience available to watch. We decided not to go in as it was not recommended for children under 5 years old. I wish we could have watched the Planet Earth feature; “From Pole to Pole”.

I can’t tell you much about the training session I saw in the Amphitheatre as it was top secret. I wasn’t even able to take pictures while I was there. What I can tell you is that a beautiful show called “FantaSea” is coming to the Shedd Aquarium late this summer. The show features Beluga Whales, Dolphins, Penguins and more. This show brings the audience right into the show and it was honestly the neatest thing I have seen in a while. You can contact the Shedd Aquarium or watch their website for dates when “FantaSea” will available to the public. You don’t want to miss it.

*Also, 2 of the beluga whales are pregnant and due to have their babies this fall. I wish I could be there again this fall to meet them, but I’ll have my own little newborn to care for then.

Following the training session, I headed down to find Alex and the hubster in the Polar Play Zone. As I went through, I met the beautiful Beluga Whales and saw children playing in the submarine display. I saw children dressing up like penguins and going down a slide right across from the penguin display. I met the beautiful dolphins and watched them swim through the water at high speed. I also met the adorable sea otters and watched as children made their way through a hands-on display that taught them more about what they saw and the habitats these creatures lived in.

My husband said that Alex had fun but wasn’t interested in touching anything in the “hands-on” display. It may have been because of the crowd of people down there or perhaps he just wasn’t in the mood. Apparently, he spent a lot of time playing in the submarine.

A beluga passing by. Do you see it?

The submarine the little ones can play in. There are all sorts of buttons and things to work in there.

How cute are these penguins?

We were sure to visit every other area available in the Shedd Aquarium as well. These areas are Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising, and Wild Reef in the Oceanarium.

What I found to be the most fascinating of these exhibits was the Oceanarium and the Wild Reef. In this area, the walls of the exhibit are made to look like you’re walking through the wild reef. Alex loved to feel the different parts of the reef as we walked along. He also found his good friend, Nemo. There were sharks to watch swimming by and stingrays right below your feet. I wish we had more time to spend down there.

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Overall, our visit was full of adventure, learning, and memories that we won’t soon forget. This is the perfect place to spend the day as a family or even on your own. There are many different places to eat and even a Vending Area with tables if you want to bring your own lunch to enjoy.

If I ever have the chance to return, my dream would be to have a Beluga Encounter. For $200, you can get right in the water with the beluga whales, touch them, do a few tricks with them, and leave with a framed picture. Something like this would be amazing to do and I can only dream I’ll have the chance to do that.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium today and make memories to last a lifetime. Not only did we enjoy it, but Alex couldn’t help falling right asleep while clutching his souvenir from the gift shop.

*All photos in this post were taken with a Nikon COOLPIX P90*

Shedd Aquarium, Chicago ~ Our Visit

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