A Christmas Story: The Musical at Paper Mill Playhouse

December 5, 2015 by 7 Comments

Disclosure- I received tickets to the below in order to review.  All opinions are my own and honest.  For more information,  please see ” I Disclose”.

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As most of you know, we love the Paper Mill Playhouse.  It has Broadway quality shows without having to travel into NYC- and the parking is a whole lot easier and less expensive, too.  My son and I have seen about a dozen shows there over the years, and never once have we been disappointed.   The acting, singing, and dancing are top notch- in fact, you can see many people who have been on Broadway, movies, and TV at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and many stars got their start there, too. It’s a wonderful place with fantastic shows, and we really enjoy it.

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The most recent show we saw, and is playing right now, is “A Christmas Story: The Musical”. This is one of my husband’s favorite holiday movies, and he actually came to see the show with us, which is somewhat miraculous.  He WANTED to see the show.  I know. The show was fun, just like the movie, but had lots of festive and some silly song and dance numbers, one being “Ralphie to the Rescue”, in which our hero Ralphie imagines all the ways he will save the day when he gets his cherished Red Ryder air rifle- and of course he really needs it!

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This show was great for the whole family, kids included.  My son enjoyed it, and it made him want to go home and watch the movie again.  Check out this cute video, I’m sure it will make you want to run out and get tickets right away (if you don’t want to already, that is!)

And this one as well, it’s really sweet.

More About The Show

Ralphie wants only one thing for Christmas: an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. A Christmas Story: The Musical is the hilarious account of Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas. Straight from Broadway‚ this musical captures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike. Bring the whole family‚ again and again. The holiday movie that the whole world loves comes to musical life.

Buy Tickets

A Christmas Story: The Musical will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:00pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm, Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm. Check Paper Mill Playhouse’s website for special holiday week schedules. Tickets are on sale now starting at $29. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680.  College students can order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.

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Do You Have A Special Needs Child?

Paper Mill Playhouse will offer a special autism-friendly performance of A Christmas Story: The Musical on Tuesday, December 29, at 1:30pm.  This performance is designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum or with other developmental disabilities, and is planned in cooperation with Paper Mill Playhouse’s Autism Advisory Team. This is the third time Paper Mill Playhouse has expanded its autism-friendly performances to a mainstage production after successful performances of Elf and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. The theater environment will be altered for this performance, providing a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. The performance itself will be adjusted with special attention paid to lighting and sound.

Additionally, Paper Mill Playhouse will host a free open house titled Meet Your Seat on Monday, December 28, 2015, from 4:00 to 6:00pm.  This is an opportunity for children who are new to the theatrical experience to visit the theater space before the show. Often children with autism or other developmental disabilities become anxious in new surroundings, new experiences, and they need time to transition. The Meet Your Seat open house provides an opportunity for children to come to the theater in advance of the performance and take time to feel comfortable in this new space.

What’s Next?

What’s coming up next for Paper Mill Playhouse?  Shows you won’t want to miss, like A Bronx Tale, Pump Boys and Dinettes, and Westside Story.  Sign up for their email list today so you won’t miss a single show!

Filed Under: review, theater Tagged With: , ,

WIN Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Blu-ray #ScorchInsiders

December 5, 2015 by 49 Comments

Disclosure- I am a member of the Fox Home Insiders. I will receive the same DVD.  All info was provided to me, all opinions are my own. For more information, see “I Disclose”.

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Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

The Maze was just the beginning. After the harrowing adventure of escaping the maze, the Gladers find themselves right in the center of an epic mystery in MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS. There’s more action, more excitement and more spectacular effects in this thrilling new chapter of the epic Maze Runner saga by James Dashner.

They may have escaped from the Maze, but Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers now face a greater challenge: searching for clues about the secret organization known as WCKD. Their journey leads them to the Scorch, a desolate wasteland filled with unimaginable dangers. The mystery deepens at every turn as the Gladers work together to discover their purpose and battle to survive in this must-see, electrifying adventure!

Real Gladers are in line for the greatest of presents this winter, as the MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS Ultimate Fan Edition on Blu-ray includes an exclusive, 24-page printed comic-book with two new prequel stories from BOOM! Comics. In addition, two hours of thrilling bonus content, including deleted and extended scenes will take fans further behind-the-scenes of the suspense and action-packed journey through the Scorch and more!

Check out this fun game to play while you watch-

pic5One of you can win your own copy, feel free to enter using the RC form below.  Good luck!  Ends Dec. 30, 2015.
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Filed Under: entertainment, giveaway, movie, review Tagged With: ,

Win Fantastic Four Blu-ray #FantasticInsiders #Fantastic4

December 5, 2015 by 46 Comments

Disclosure- I am a member of the Fox Home Insiders. I will receive the same DVD.  All info was provided to me, all opinions are my own. 

Witness a true origins story and see how it all began as FANTASTIC 4 arrives on Digital HD Friday, November 20th, and Blu-ray & DVD Tuesday, December 15th!

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Fantastic Four

The FANTASTIC FOUR make a triumphant return with MARVEL’s next generation of heroes — four young outsiders who teleport to an alternate universe, their physical forms altered in shocking ways. Their lives changed forever, Reed Richards (“MR. FANTASTIC”), Sue Storm (“INVISIBLE WOMAN”), Johnny Storm (“THE HUMAN TORCH”) and Ben Grimm (“THE THING”) must harness their incredible new powers and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy, the infamous DR. DOOM.

Check out the video-


One of you can win a DVD of your own- just use the RC form below to enter. Good luck! Ends Dec. 23, 2015.
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Great Books for Snoopy and Disney Princess Fans

December 5, 2015 by 2 Comments

This winter, Thunder Bay Press presents three titles perfect for any pop culture fan’s collection: The Snoopy Treasures by Peanuts expert Nat Gertler, Disney Frozen Crochet by Kati Gálusz, and Disney Princess Crochet by Jana Whitley and Jessica Ward. 

Timed to the release of The Peanuts Movie, The Snoopy Treasures (November 2015; $34.95; ISBN: 978-1-62686-440-5) tells the story of everyone’s favorite beagle from the beloved childhood pet who inspired his creation, to his status as a cultural icon and beyond.

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This comprehensive guide is divided into 12 sections covering Snoopy’s origins, his alter egos from Joe Cool to the Flying Ace, his family at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm, his friends in the beloved Peanuts gang, and his prevalence in pop culture – in songs, movies, books, plays, parades, museums, and even NASA, who named a lunar landing module after him as they prepared to put man on the moon in 1969.

Each page features original Peanuts panels, side-by-side comparisons showing the evolution of Snoopy into the universally recognizable style we know today, photographs from the Schulz museum, and ten pieces of pullout memorabilia: an original Schulz drawing, a Snoopy baseball pennant (popular dorm décor in the 60s and 70s), a letter from President Ronald Reagan to Schulz, a bookmark, a bumper sticker, a punch out model of the Red Baron’s plane, the last Peanuts strip ever printed, and more.

Lifelong fans and first-timers alike will discover something new within the pages of this in-depth compendium, making The Snoopy Treasures the perfect holiday gift for Snoopy lovers of all ages.

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Disney Frozen Crochet (November 2015; $24.95; ISBN: 978-1-62686-443-6): Do you want to crochet a snowman? How about Elsa and Anna, too? Let it go and create all twelve cuddly characters from the Frozen tundra! All the materials you need to create Elsa and Anna are included, and your creativity is sure to snowball from there. The Queen of Cold and all her friends will make great gifts, or adorable additions to your own collection. Don’t hesitate! For the first time in forever, let these characters melt your heart.

  • 12 adorable crochet characters, including Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Sven, and more!
  • Step-by-step instructions accompanied by full-color photos in a 76-page book.
  • All the materials you need to make Elsa and Anna are included.
  • Kit includes 8 colors of yarn, crochet hook, stuffing, safety eye beads, 4 colors of embroidery floss, tulle, and a tapestry needle.

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Disney Princess Crochet (November 2015; $24.95; ISBN: 978-1-62686-444-3): Create 12 of Disney’s most enchanting characters! A full-color, 76-page instruction book with detailed patterns and colorful photos will guide you from “once upon a time” to “happily ever after” using your yarn and hook. To start you off, the kit includes all the materials needed to create Cinderella and Ariel. Each amigurumi princess is sure to be a treasured part of any crochet collection!

  • Detailed instructions to make 11 Disney princesses— Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora, Jasmine, Tiana, Rapunzel, Mulan, Snow White, Pocahontas, and Merida—and Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother.
  • Full-color photos accompany step-by-step instructions in a 76-page book.
  • Kit includes 9 colors of yarn, crochet hook, stuffing, safety eye beads, red embroidery

floss, and a tapestry needle.

  • Featured projects are Cinderella and Ariel.
Filed Under: book review, crafts, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, kids, review Tagged With: , , , ,

Wubble Balls, Fun For All #WubbleX #GloWubble

December 4, 2015 by 5 Comments

Disclosure- I have received the below in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are my own and honest.

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Welcome to the world of Wubble.  The nifty new ball/bubble/balloons that are part bubble, part ball, part wiggly fun.  Wubble is now not only in the form of the regular Wubble which can inflate up to 3 feet, but now includes the WubbleX and Glo Wubble.

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First up, a look at the Wubble X.  The Wubble X is very similar to the original Wubble but inflates to a portion of its size with the included helium can.  The addition of helium instead of air or CO2 makes a big difference.  Now your Wubble floats around the room, sticking to ceilings and overturned hands as if by magic.  Wubble X makes a game of catch so much more strange with the subtraction of gravity.  The little guy liked to make believe he could use ‘the force’ to float his Wubble.  A Wubble X would be the perfect toy for a play room on a rainy or snowy day when there is nothing to do but stay warm and dry inside with a nifty new toy.  What I really liked about the Wubble X is the addition of lubricant to help ease the inflation of the Wubble, and stickers to complete the seal on the Wubble so there was little accidental leakage.

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Next we take a peak at the Glo Wubble.  This brings the familiar Wubble to night time play where your big, bouncy bubble now glows as it bounces around.  These are great fun at night or in a play room with the lights out.  Its a surreal sight when more Glo Wubbles are added to play time outside.  Wubbles floating, bouncing, squishing, and squashing everywhere.

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A Wubble would make a great toy to keep a group of kids busy before a holiday meal in a play room.  OR a great Summer toy as well.  As you add more Wubbles to the equation the more giggles come out.

Wubble balls retail for $19.99 each and the original and Glo Wubble include a pump while the Wubble X retails for $7.99 and the helium can retails for $7.99.

 

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, review, toys

Entenmann’s and Sara Lee Snacks for the Holidays

December 2, 2015 by 5 Comments

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but at  times, it can also feel like the most stressful. Holiday  season can make everyone a little crazy. Between shopping, entertaining, holiday parties and every day  life, schedules are constantly booked and families are always running around.

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Using already prepared foods is one of the simplest ways to create holiday bakery delights. This season, Kathleen Robbins, head baker at Entenmann’s and Sara Lee Snacks, is introducing half way to the holiday’s recipes, which are easy to make and save time during all of the holiday madness.

Founded in 1898, Entenmann’s bakery has over 100 sweet baked goods, including a wide variety of delicious donuts. The Entenmann’s Dreamy Chocolate Bars feature the Entenmann’s classic Rich Frosted Donut. This cake-style donut is drenched in rich, wonderfully smooth chocolate. Bite into one, hear the crack of the Rich Frosted shell and enjoy the soft yellow cake interior.

Baked into a delicious chocolate bar, the Entenmann’s Rich Frosted donut is mixed together with flaked coconut, caramel popcorn and a few other ingredients, guaranteed to be a delicious delight your family will enjoy. Double the batch and have an extra on hand for the perfect hostess gift. Check out the recipe here!

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The Entenmann’s name has stood for the finest quality in baked goods and that same commitment extends to the Entenmann’s single serve coffee selections. Working with the finest coffee growers around the world, selecting only 100% Arabica beans and roasting them into small batches ensures consistent quality coffee with every roast. Packaged immediately after roasting to lock in freshness, Entenmann’s coffee cups, available in classic and dessert flavors, are great for Holiday entertaining and were created to be the perfect complement to Entenmann’s baked foods or savored on their own any time of day.

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Sara Lee, the iconic American brand, delivers a new way to snack with fresh baked, individually wrapped snack cakes. Do you love brownies? How about chocolate chip cookies? If you said yes to either, then the Sara Lee Snacks Brownie Chocolate Chip cakes are perfect for you! With rich fudge brownies and sweet chocolate chips, this cake was made to please all chocoholics! The Sara Lee Snacks Brownie Chocolate Chip Cake Jar features the Brownie Chocolate Chip cakes, put together with whipped cream, chocolate pudding and hot fudge. This easy “how-to” is the perfect treat for home and will be a hit for all of those holiday parties!

Filed Under: food, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, holidays, review

WIN Krusteaz National Cookie Day Prize Pack

December 1, 2015 by 77 Comments

Did you know National Cookie Day was coming up on Dec. 4?  Neither did I!  Why do we miss all the fun holidays?  Ha.

Holiday baking can be hectic for many, and Krusteaz is here to help, offering high quality and easy-to-bake cookie mixes – saving you time in the kitchen and making more time for you to spend with family this holiday season. It’s easy to create and share fun holiday-inspired cookie recipes and creatively package them up as small sweet gifts- if there are any left, that is.

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There are tons of options available, and not just cookies- breads, pancakes, muffins, flatbreads for pizzas, cakes, and so much more from Krusteaz. It’s one of our favorite brands, and such a good way to wake up in the morning, too (fresh blueberry muffins, hello!)

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My son and I recently went on a baking extravaganza- making gingerbread up the wazoo here.  Cookies, a gingerbread house, and eventually gingerbread bars as well.  Hey, whatever works. Pick out your favorites and get baking for the holidays (and all the merry-making that accompany them).

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One of you lucky readers will have the chance to win a really great, really timely prize package.  Krusteaz will send you the following items:

  • Two boxes each of the following mixes: Shortbread, Gingerbread, Snickerdoodle, Butter Vanilla Sugar and Oatmeal Scotchie
  • Some fun holiday baking items like an apron, tote bag, cookie cutters, frosting decorating pen and a mason jar (for gifting and storage!)
  • Holiday cookie recipe ideas for inspiration

Please feel free to enter using the RC form below- good luck!  Ends Dec. 22, 2015.
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Filed Under: baking, giveaway, holidays, review Tagged With:

Gifts That Give Twice With World Vision For The Holidays

December 1, 2015 by 32 Comments

Looking to give a beautiful, unique gift this year? Maybe you want to do something even better then that- maybe you want to give a gift that gives back. World Vision lets you do both- you can not only give beautiful gifts that the gift-ee will love, but when you buy, your money goes to those who need it most. World Vision is Fair Trade, and helps artisans make a living wage that they can raise their families on.

This year more than 50 percent of holiday shoppers plan to purchase holiday gifts online. Look into new gift ideas that give back with just a few clicks of the mouse from the World Vision Gift Catalog.
More than 250 items, ranging in price from $10 to $39,000, are available online and in the print catalog to help improve quality of life for women, children and families in the U.S. and around the world. Give help where it is needed most and receive handcrafted gifts that are beautiful accessories:

African Soapstone Box – New to the 2014 World Vision Gift Catalog, the hand-carved African Soapstone Box is a safe place to store necklaces and rings. Coated in light blue with an image of a giraffe, this ornate box features pretty details that will complement nearly any decor. Donations go toward the Kenyan artisans who crafted the box to help provide medical care for their families. $85

 

Royal Silk Scarf – A recent addition to the Catalog, this gorgeous silk scarf adds color to the holidays and supports the needs of children and families worldwide, including those in the community where it was crafted; the luxurious silk was woven by Vietnam’s Ma Chau villagers, who receive fair wages & sustainable income through their craft. $95
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Filed Under: charity/notforprofit, clothes and shoes, fashion, gifts, giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, holidays, review Tagged With: ,