March 9, 2018

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE In Omaha {Giveaway}

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The No. 1 PBS Kids TV series, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” has been made into a popular musical, and the tour has two shows in Omaha. “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King For A Day!” will be at the Orpheum Theater on Saturday, March 31, at 2 and 6 p.m.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Mills Entertainment, producer of the show “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King For A Day!” and tickets for the giveaway are provided by Mills Entertainment. 

I don’t know about you guys, but my kids watched a whole lot of Daniel Tiger when they were preschoolers. If you’ve never seen it, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” builds off of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and uses the same musical strategies to teach socio-emotional lessons to kids ages 2 to 4.

What’s new with Daniel Tiger this year

This isn’t the first time “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE” has been to Omaha (it’s been touring for three years), so this year, it’s an all-new production. Same beloved characters and trolley, new adventure in Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

In “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King For A Day!,” Daniel learns just what it takes to be King. And it wouldn’t be Daniel Tiger if there weren’t great lessons for kids, so through music and magical moments, kids learn the valuable lessons of kindness, helping others, and being a friend.

If you’re taking the kids, make a date of it! Here are my favorite places for post-theater treats in Omaha.

If you go

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King For A Day!”

When: March 31, 2 and 6 p.m.

Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Cost: Tickets start at $30.25 (plus applicable service fees) and are available online at ticketomaha.com, 402-345- 0606, or at the box office at the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. (get the tickets at the box office to avoid paying some of those fees)

Giveaway

I’m so excited about this giveaway! One lucky winner will receive FOUR tickets to the 6 p.m. performance of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: King For A Day!” at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha on March 31. Giveaway ends March 25, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Must be 18 or older to enter. Tickets have no cash value and cannot be exchanged for a different show or showtime.

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February 22, 2018

Siro-A To Perform In Omaha {Giveaway Ended}

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Update: The giveaway has ended. Congrats to Lisa T. for winning the giveaway!

Never heard of Siro-A?

Surely you’ve heard of “America’s Got Talent.”

Siro-A Tour launch at the Leicester Square Theatre, London. Siro-A have been billed as “Japan’s answer to the Blue Man Group” and their revolutionary mix of visual effects, mime, dance, comedy, music, magic, puppetry and audience participation certainly lives up to that reputation. Photo courtesy Paul Brown

This visually stunning group from Japan wowed judges on the 10th season of the show, earning the “Golden Buzzer.” And, now they’re touring! Omaha Performing Arts is bringing them to Omaha to perform at the Orpheum Theater on March 8. Keep reading for show details AND your chance to win a family four pack of tickets to go! (The giveaway has ended). You can save 25% off PL1 and PL2 tickets with the promo code OHMY! Be sure to purchase tickets at TicketOmaha.com.

Disclosure: I’m receiving complimentary tickets to the show in exchange for hosting this giveaway.

So, this video, guys. Looks incredible, right? It’s got kind of a Blue Man Group vibe but more modern. My kids are going to love this show.

Siro-A fuses groundbreaking visual effects with puppetry, mime, and a huge dash of techno music for an entertaining show that the judge Mel B described as “so exciting, jam-packed full of creativity.”

What you need to know about Siro-A

The performances is on March 8 at 7 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Since it’s part of the Family Series, you can be sure it’s completely kid-friendly and it’s not going to be a super late night.

Having been to many, many shows through the years in the the Omaha Performing Arts’ Family Series, I can also assure you that you’re going to love it as much as your kids.

Siro-A Tour launch at the Leicester Square Theatre, London. Siro-A performs in Omaha at the Orpheum Theater on March 8, 2018. Photo courtesy Paul Brown

Tickets are available starting at $20. Be sure to get them through the official ticket seller for Omaha Performing Arts, Ticket Omaha.

Win Tickets

Omaha Performing Arts is sending one reader to the show! The winner receives FOUR (4) tickets to the performance on March 8. Tickets are only valid for this one-night-only show and cannot be transferred to another show. Must be 18 or older to enter. Giveaway ends on March 4 at 11:59 p.m. I’ll email the winner on March 5. Due to the quick turnaround, the winner will have 24 hours to respond to the email before I draw another name. Good luck!

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December 9, 2017

PAW Patrol Live! In Omaha {Giveaway}

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My daughter’s been in about a year-long love affair with “PAW Patrol,” and all of her friends too. So you bet when I heard “PAW Patrol LIVE! Race to the Rescue” was coming to Omaha, I knew it was going to be a big deal.

“PAW Patrol Live!” is at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha Jan. 12 and 13, 2018. © 2016 Spin Master PAW Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2016 Viacom.

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to the show, as well as vouchers to giveaway, in exchange for sharing all the fun details.

The show, featuring Marshall, Chase, Ryder, and the whole gang, will be at the Orpheum Theater Jan. 12-13, 2018.

Keep reading to find out how you can win FOUR tickets to the show!

What’s it about

It’s the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger, but Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found. PAW Patrol to the rescue! Ryder summons Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma and Everest to rescue Mayor Goodway and to run the race in her place.

There is some audience participating in “PAW Patrol Live!” © 2016 Spin Master PAW Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2016 Viacom.

This is, indeed, a live show. It’s based off the animated show, but it should be a new experience watching the characters on stage. According to the Ticket Omaha website for the show, “The performance features up-tempo music and special interactive video that allows the audience to participate via interviews, solve clues with the Pups, follow Mayor Goodway and much more.”

If you want to go

PAW Patrol Live Omaha

© 2016 Spin Master PAW Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2016 Viacom.

“PAW Patrol LIVE! Race to the Rescue”

When: Jan. 12 and 13, 2018; performances are Friday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Where: Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Cost: Tickets are $23.25 to $124.25 (additional fees may apply; purchase tickets at the Ticket Omaha box office to avoid handling fees). The VIP package includes premium seat, special gift, and an exclusive meet & greet with Chase, Ryder and Skye after the show. Each adult and child (age 1 and up) in a group must have a VIP ticket. Tickets are available at ticketomaha.com.

Tip: Know that Ticket Omaha is the official ticket seller for shows at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha. If you purchase tickets from a ticket reseller, know you may pay highly marked up prices. I used to work at Omaha Performing Arts, the nonprofit that manages Ticket Omaha, and I’ve heard horror stories of jacked up prices. You’ve been warned.

 

Win tickets to the show!

One reader will receive four vouchers to “PAW Patrol LIVE! Race to the Rescue,” at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha Jan. 12 and 13, 2018. The vouchers are good for tickets to the winner’s choice of performance at the Orpheum Theater. Use the Rafflecopter entry form below to enter. Must be 18 or older to enter. Each voucher is good for one $48.50 ticket. Vouchers are exchangeable for hard tickets while supplies last; vouchers are not tickets and must be redeemed at the box office for tickets. Vouchers are good only for the Omaha performances. Giveaway ends on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 11:59 p.m. One winner will be randomly chosen on Friday, Dec. 22, and contacted via email within 48 hours. Winner has 48 hours to respond before another entry is selected. Good luck!

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September 8, 2017

Kids Night On Broadway In Omaha

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Every year, Omaha Performing Arts has one show in its Broadway Season that has a Kids Night On Broadway event. This season, the show is “Finding Neverland,” and Kids Night On Broadway is Wednesday, Oct. 11. That’s opening night for the show, so there’s an extra buzz of excitement in the theater.

I love Kids Night On Broadway because the premise is all about making Broadway performances affordable and accessible to families. So, for the 7:30 p.m. performance on Oct. 11, tickets in PL2 are buy one, get one FREE for one adult and one child up to 18 years of age! BOGO tickets for Broadway. It’s rare to find a discount on Broadway tickets, so hop on this deal.

You’ll want to arrive early to the show for giveaways on Oct. 11. The first 100 children to the performance that night receive a surprise treat (first come, first served). There will also be kid-friendly activities in the lobby before the show starts.

To get the Kids Night On Broadway BOGO deal to attend “Finding Neverland,” use promo code FNLKIDS when purchasing tickets at TicketOmaha.com or calling 402-345-0606. Please note: The promo code only works for PL2 tickets for the Oct. 11 performance.

What’s “Find Neverland” about?

The Broadway touring production of “Finding Neverland” is in Omaha Oct. 11-15, 2017. Photo courtesy Jeremy Daniel

Directed by visionary Tony®-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award® winning film, “Finding Neverland” tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers.

With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever.

Christine Dwyer plays Syvia Llewelyn Davis in the Broadway touring production of “Finding Neverland.” The musical is at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater from Oct. 11 through Oct. 15, 2017. Photo courtesy Jeremy Daniel

The winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!”

And when NPR says something is “far and away the best musical of the year!”, as it did for “Finding Neverland,” I’m going to believe it and go see it.

Think your kid isn’t ready for a full Broadway production? Here’s my guide to raising a theater-goer.

If you go

“Finding Neverland”

When: Oct. 11-15; performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Kids Night On Broadway is Oct. 11.

Where: Orpheum Theater, 419 S. 16th St.

Tickets: Tickets start at $35. Purchase tickets here. Use the Kids Night On Broadway promo code FNLKIDS to get one free kids PL2 ticket with an adult ticket to the Oct. 11 performance. Child must be under 18 years of age.

Disclosure: I was provided complimentary tickets to “Finding Neverland” for writing this post. All thoughts, opinions and typos are my own.

 

Love theater so much, you want to take your family to more shows? Here’s my list of 10 shows to see this fall!

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February 9, 2016

10 Fun Facts About ‘Disney’s Newsies’

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Editor’s Note: If you’re visiting this page in 2018, you’re probably looking for information on “Disney’s Newsies” at The Rose June 1-17, 2018. Head over to my post with a roundup of Family-Friendly Things To Do In Omaha. I have “Newsies” 2018 performance details there. Thanks!

 

In celebration of “Disney’s Newsies” opening Tuesday in Omaha at the Orpheum Theater, I’m giving you my 10 favorite fun facts about the show.

I’m no Fansie, but I’ve been waiting for this show to open since seeing a sneak peek of the show during Omaha Performing Arts’ season announce last year.

Omaha Performing Arts presents “Disney’s Newsies” as part of its Broadway Series. I’m no longer an employee there, but they have invited me to tell you all about the show and have compensated me with complimentary tickets (so I can keep telling you about it next week).

So, before we jump into the facts, I’ll start by saying you have never seen choreography like you’ll see in this show. I’ve been to dozens of Broadway musicals throughout my career and the “Newsies” preview was a showstopper. I can’t wait to see the full show on Tuesday!

It’s a Disney production so you can feel comfortable about the content – but what will draw them in is the exciting choreography! However, note that it is a full-length musical (so pretty long for really young children). I’d recommend ages 8 and older, but you know your child best.

Newsies Collage

10 fun facts about Disney’s Newsies

10. “Newsies” is inspired by the real-life “Newsboy Strike of 1899,” which began when newspaper publishers raised the price for newsies, charging a dime more per hundred papers. The strike was led by a charismatic young newsboy Kid Blink, who rallied orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. Pulitzer did finally concede and agree to the exact deal that Harvey Fierstein’s book dramatizes. As a result, not only were the boys considerably better off, it was in many ways the beginning of child labor movement.  

9. Christopher Gattelli’s Tony® award-winning choreography steals the show each night with 31 backflips, and countless spins, leaps and tap steps.

8.The Broadway production was originally scheduled for limited 12-week run of 105 performances, however, due to popular demand, “Newsies” went on to run for 1,005 performances.

7. During the song “Seize the Day,” the 16 newspapers that feature in the dance break are torn in advance to separate down the middle easily and consistently. There are 42 sheets of paper danced on or torn during the riot sequence each night. These single-use sheets are either recycled or given to audience members during the performance.

6. For the song “King of New York,” the newsboys each have two pairs of identical shoes—one for the majority of the performance, and a pair for this number with taps attached. There are five microphones lining the edge of the stage, with three additional microphones attached to the Deli tables, so that all of the tap dancing is heard.

5. The antique Chandler & Price printing press used in the show was manufactured in the early 1900s and is 1,200 pounds of solid steel. It is fully capable of printing, and an expert printer, who specializes in vintage machines, was brought in to train staff and actors in its intricate workings.

4. The three-level set rises over 24 feet high and features three completely automated towers. The three towers move 40 times, traveling a cumulative 676.5 feet per performance, or more than 47 miles a year.

3. There are approximately 150 newspapers used every performance, specifically printed with the headline “Trolley Strike Enters Third Week.” These papers are carefully cared for, to avoid tearing, so they can be used for multiple performances.

2. Jess Goldstein has designed 150 costumes to evoke the NYC populace of 1899, from the poorest newsies to the richest publishing titan. The actor with the most costume changes plays seven characters, including a cop, Nunzio the barber, a photographer and Governor Roosevelt. The fastest full-body quick change is the character of Darcy switching to the “Newsies” character Jo Jo during “Carrying the Banner.” The change is 56 seconds and requires two dressers to assist.

1. “Newsies” was nominated for 23 major theatrical awards, and won many big ones, including two Tony® Awards (Best Choreography and Best Original Score)

 

If you go

NEWS.LOGO_GT

“Disney’s Newsies”

When: Tuesday through Sunday, Feb. 21; performances are at 7:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 16-18; 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19; 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20; and 1:30 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21.

Where: Omaha’s Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Purchase tickets at TicketOmaha.com  

Tip: Save on ticketing fees by going to the box office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Your best chance at getting a great seat would be to consider weeknight performances.   

 

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November 27, 2015

5 Reasons To See The Wizard Of Oz In Omaha

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Since its premiere in 1939, “The Wizard of Oz” has enchanted generations of children – mine included.

So I was pretty excited when I heard the North American touring production of “The Wizard of Oz” was coming to Omaha’s Orpheum Theater. It opens Dec. 8, and I’m taking my family to it!

"The Wizard of Oz" will run at Omaha's Orpheum Theater December 8-13, 2015. Photo by Luk Monsaert

“The Wizard of Oz” will run at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater December 8-13, 2015. Photo by Luk Monsaert

Omaha Performing Arts invited me and some fellow bloggers to write about our favorite scenes from the movie. (Disclaimer: I’m an employee at Omaha Performing Arts, but this post is not for my job but as a local blogger.)

Why write about a movie?

Because this theatrical production is the closest ever to the movie. With that in mind, I’m sharing my favorite scenes and moments from the original Judy Garland movie in hopes I’ll see it all brought to life in live theater next week.

Could you narrow down your favorite moments or scenes in the movie "The Wizard of Oz"? Photo by Luk M

Could you narrow down your favorite moments or scenes in the movie “The Wizard of Oz”? Photo by Luk Monsaert

Here are my Top 5 moments in “The Wizard of Oz”

1. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” – It’s arguably one of the best movie songs ever. I’ll be waiting to hear that first note of the song.

2. Munchkinland – I remember seeing the colorful Land of Oz for the first time as a child. It was magical, just that cinematic switch from black and white to color. I’m curious how they’ll accomplish this feat live

3. The horse of a different color – This four-legged guy in the movie enchants my kids as much as did me back in the day. Let’s see how the horse in the Emerald City is brought to life in this production.

4. The Cowardly Lion – Of the three friends who join Dorothy on the yellow brick road, I loved the Cowardly Lion the most. There’s no deep meaning behind it, though. I just always thought he was the funniest, especially after his makeover in the Emerald City. That part cracks my kids up, too.

5. Toto – My second favorite friend of Dorothy’s is actually her little dog, Toto. Because of the nature of my job, I know way more about the dog playing Toto in this show than most. Nigel is a rescue dog who’s treated like a cast member – he even has a bio in the program book (as does his understudy). The first time Toto runs out on stage, you can bet there will be some “ahhhs” from the audience.

 

If you go

Photo by Luk Monsaert

Photo by Luk Monsaert

Omaha Performing Arts presents “The Wizard of Oz”

When: Tuesday, Dec. 8, through Sunday, Dec. 12

Where: Omaha’s Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.

Get tickets here: Hurry and you might be able to get the Black Friday 40% off discount on tickets! The sale ends Monday, Nov. 30, while supplies last.

 

What do you love about the movie? What from the movie are you excited to see live on stage?

Disclaimer: I was provided complimentary tickets to the performance from Omaha Performing Arts in exchange for promoting the production. All opinions are my own, and do not represent Omaha Performing Arts.

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