Oh, friends. Let me tell you about my Tuesday night just over the river in Cincinnati. 

I was invited by Broadway in Cincinnati to opening night of The Band's Visit. This is a play I was not familiar with but when I saw photos and read a little synopsis, I thought I should invite my oldest son to come as my guest and enjoy a night at the theater with him. I'm SO glad I did.

My oldest boy is in Marching Band, is very interested in music and loves being exposed to different styles. This was an incredible opportunity for him to enjoy that and be wrapped up in a charming story at the same time.

So, a brief synopsis of this story is that this story is about a Police Band that ends up in Israel instead of Egypt. They encounter locals who open their homes to the band and in doing so, they share their stories with their visitors and the audience. 

I was spellbound at the overture and was completely enchanted by each turn of the page in this play's storytelling.  

A favorite story for me was from the scene in the photograph above. Avrum, the man standing at the table, is telling his story of finding love and does so with a song. His song and expression made my face light up and put happy tears in my eyes. I found myself remembering my own version of what he was sharing and wished I could get up on stage and dance around with him. 

Yes, each story will move you in a different way and you will be completely charmed off your seat as you're wrapped up in stories, and interlude, and foreign yet familiar prose.

I felt like I was fast friends with each character and I was rooting for all of them in unique ways. Isn't that the effect of beautiful storytelling? 

And when the curtain call comes, don't rush out the door! Stay and have a seat and listen to the amazing talent of the band as they perform a piece together for the audience. At one point, I leaned over to my son and said "This is insane! They're amazing!!". And my son smiled big and said "Yah. They are. Those people who left early are missing the best part."

And since we can all agree that teenagers are usually good for telling it like it they see it, (like it or not) you should probably just take his word for it and enjoy the "best part" of the play. ;) 

In all seriousness, I want to encourage you to go see this play while it's in town. On their Instagram feed, ( @broadwaycincy ) you will find information for rush tickets should you qualify for a discount.  It is worth your time. I already want to see it again. 

*As always, thanks to Broadway in Cincinnati for the complimentary tickets in exchange for a review and social media sharing*

~Amy

The Band's Visit In Cincinnati June 19 - 24 (Review)

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**Thanks to Broadway in Detroit and its PR firm, who supplied complimentary tickets to facilitate this review. I wasn't compensated in any way. In this post I share my thoughts and opinions. Others may have a different experience or opinion.**

The other night, I had the great privilege of seeing the musical, Porgy and Bess at Detroit Opera House. As a child, I heard some of the songs from the play because my mom would always sing them. As it turns out, the songs were played in her home while she was growing up too.

Porgy and Bess offers its audience a trip back in time to watch a love story between an unlikely pair play out. I was quickly drawn in to the story line and began to cheer on my favorite characters. I found the people I met in this story to be so relatable while I learned not all of them are trustworthy. Audiences with love the "good guys" and hate the "bad guys".

Photo: M.J. Lutch

Clara {played by Sumayya Ali} and Jake {played by David Hughey}have perfect chemistry as they share about their life as new parents and Jake's fishing career. These two stood out as a favorite couple to watch during the play, as I'm sure others would agree. I loved laughing and crying with them as a couple.

And there's no way I could leave out Porgy {Nathaniel Stampley}. His is a character that I loved immediately but I grew to love even more when he smiled his big smile and sang "I Got Plenty of Nothing".  He is positively magnetic and will steal your heart.

Photo: M.J. Lutch

Make sure to see this beautiful and breathtaking show while it's in town {March 4th-9th} at Detroit Opera House. Buy your tickets online at Ticketmaster or Broadway in Detroit, in person at the Fisher Theatre box office and at the Detroit Opera House box office. You want to see this play. It is an absolute "do not miss"!

Porgy And Bess Bring Gershwin to Detroit {review}

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Did you know I'm a big fan of musical productions? There's something about the magic of theater that I just adore. Each time I'm able to see an off-Broadway play, I look forward to losing myself in the story line and soaking in every second of the performance. 

Now, there are many productions that come through Detroit and I don't get to see every one that stops here. However, this December I'm looking forward to an amazing show. I'm going to see Mary Poppins! (This is a story I know well as I watched the movie countless times when I was little.)

You're stoked for me, right? Don't worry. I'll be sharing my full review following the show. 

For now, please read the press release I've included for more details and information on tickets and show dates/times. 

Tickets On Sale October 10

Performances Begin December 16 for Three Weeks at the detroit opera House

Detroit, MI, October 4, 2010 – Broadway In Detroit and producers Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of MARY POPPINS -- at the Detroit Opera House for a limited three week engagement, Dec. 16 – Jan. 2, 2011 -- will go on sale to the public on Oct. 10, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fisher Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-800-982-2787, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.

The entire original creative team has reunited to bring this magical story of the world’s most famous nanny to audiences around North America. The MARY POPPINS North American Tour began performances on March 25, 2009 and achieved the milestone of being the most successful touring theatrical event of the year.

MARY POPPINS, a co-production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened on Broadway on November 16, 2006. Based on P.L. Travers' cherished stories and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS the stage play features the Academy Award®-winning music and lyrics of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The stage production has been created, in collaboration with Cameron Mackintosh, by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, who has written the book, and the Olivier Award-winning team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have composed new songs and additional music and lyrics.

Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre leads the award-winning creative team, with co-direction and choreography by Tony® and Olivier Award winner Matthew Bourne. MARY POPPINS features set and costume design by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, orchestrations by William David Brohn, and music supervision by David Caddick. The tour’s creative team includes Tour Director Anthony Lyn, Associate Choreographer Geoffrey Garrett, and Music Director James Dodgson.

ABOUT MARY POPPINS WORLDWIDE

With four productions currently running on three continents, MARY POPPINS is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years.  Worldwide to date, the show has grossed over $447 million and welcomed 6.1 million guests. 

The Broadway production of MARY POPPINS officially opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 16, 2006 and has been seen by over 2.4 million theatergoers and grossed $195 million to date.  According to figures released by The Broadway League, MARY POPPINS placed on the Top Ten lists for both highest-grossing and best-attended shows of the 2009-10 Broadway season, an indicator of its continued remarkable success.

MARY POPPINS received its worldwide premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End in December 2004. Following its successful three-year London run, the production launched an acclaimed U.K. tour. The MARY POPPINS North American tour has also garnered continuous critical praise and achieved box office success since its launch in Chicago in March 2009. In addition to Broadway and North America, MARY POPPINS can also be seen at the Circus Theatre in Scheveningen, Holland, outside of Amsterdam, and in Melbourne, Australia at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Later this year, MARY POPPINS opens in Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Hungary, with plans underway for future productions in Israel, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Korea, Canada and Japan.

Performance times for MARY POPPINS, appearing Dec. 16 – Jan. 2, 2011 at the Detroit Opera House, located at 1526 Broadway St., in Detroit, are as follows:

• Tuesday through Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. (Friday, Dec 31 performance is at 6:30 p.m. There is no performance on Friday, Dec. 24.)
• Wednesday and Thursday matinee performances at 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday Dec. 18 matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. (There is no matinee performance on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.)
• Sunday matinee performances at 1:00 p.m.
• Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m. (There is no evening performance on Jan. 2.)

Ticket prices for the Detroit engagement of MARY POPPINS start at $25.00 (inclusive of facility fee) and will go on sale October 10 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 ticket packages are available at select performances, and include premium seating and a complimentary souvenir program. Limited premium seats are available at the box office only. For group sales (20 or more) please call (313) 871-1132 or email groups@broadwayindetroit.com. For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or visit www.BroadwayinDetroit.com.

The Detroit engagement of MARY POPPINS is sponsored by your Southeastern Michigan Lincoln Mercury dealers.

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

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

**Thanks to the PR firm who provided complimentary tickets to view the show in exchange for me sharing this press release and my review following the show. I received no other compensation. The thoughts and opinions shared are mine and mine alone. Others may disagree.

Mary Poppins Is Coming To The Detroit Opera House!

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Today, my family will be taking it easy and enjoying some time together. However, I want to remember the reason for today’s celebration.  Today, I live in a great, free nation because of certain, historic men and many others who came after to fight for my (and your) rights to freedom.

When I was little, my mom and I would watch the movie “1776” together. Admittedly, I was not very impressed by more than a few songs and either walked away or fell asleep while she watched. Today, though, I understand the significance of this movie and the events themselves. I understand and am grateful.

Here’s a clip from the movie “1776” for you to enjoy.

 

And just for my Dad…

My Dad’s name is John and I would constantly sing this song to him when I was little. Of course, the lyrics had to be changed from “Sit down, John” to “Sit down, Dad”…just to be respectful. ;)

Anyway, enjoy your holiday and your freedom. Thanks to those who have fought to preserve the freedoms we’ve been given.

Happy 4th of July!

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