Arden Theatre Company Beauty & the Beast

My family & I were invited to view the Arden Theatre Company's newest children's play, Beauty & the Beast last week & we jumped at the chance.  This wasn't our first Arden show, we've been to many of the Children's shows & my husband & I sometimes go without the kids too!

So let's clear a few things up quickly...this is NOT the Beauty & the Beast you think you know.  There are no singing teapots, forks, etc, in fact there is very little singing at all!
This Beauty & the Beast is set in Great Britain and it was a little dark.  We took our children 11 & 7 who loved the play & the way they used shadows to make the play come alive!  My husband & I both enjoyed the show as well, which is nice because it's hard to agree on shows as a family sometimes! I don't want to give away the set & special effects but it's very cool & interesting.




The Arden Theatre describes the play: "Meet two sisters: Cassandra, eager to experience life; and Belle, who is afraid of the world. After their father loses the family fortune, they leave London to start life anew. But nothing prepares them for what happens next. When Belle meets the Beast, she begins an adventure unlike any she could have imagined. From the team that created Arden’s Cinderella comes a bold new telling of this classic tale."  Best for ages 5 and older...which I would agree with, there were a few scenes that might scare our younger friends.  

After the show, the actors wait on stage and answer questions from the audience then head to the lobby to answer additional questions and pose for pictures.  

Beauty & the Beast runs through February 1st, 2015 and you can order tickets or request more information HERE!

Delaware County Shopping Guide

Hi friends!  We've put together a list of fantastic local people & resources to help you find great options for holiday shopping right in your back yard.  There are so many great option, this list only scratches the surface!  Helping local businesses and people is always good for Delaware County!  I encourage you to look around close to home to find unique gifts that the people in your life would like to receive! 

Family Gifts: Great options for a one shot deal!

• The Media Theatre close to home and lots of fun!
• Arden Theatre Tickets My family loves going to the children's theater & my husband & I enjoy going without the kids!
• Tyler Arboretum Membership: Tons of family fun throughout the year and plenty of room for energetic kids to run, the Tyler Arboretum offers something for everyone in the family.
• Wilmington Blue Rocks :  A variety of game packages, the Blue Rocks will entertain your family all summer long.  Package tickets with t-shirts and hats to make a great winter holiday gift!
• Weld Photography Give the gift of a portrait session with Weld Photography. Purchase a Special Discounted Gift Certificate for a Mini Portrait Session using discount code: DELCOMOM.
  Give this gift for the holiday and schedule a portrait session for later in the year...or use it right away to schedule Holiday Portraits!

For the Kids:
Raise your hand if you need one more toy in your house.....(all you hear are crickets here!)  Giving the gift of an experience not only lasts longer, but often exposes children to things they may have never known!

• Please Touch Museum
• Philadelphia Zoo
• Guitar and lessons---what a cool gift idea and of course a local store!  Richard's Guitar Studio offers a ton of lessons and a variety of teachers to get your kid interested in guitar! Mention this list & you receive 1/2 off your first month of lessons!
• Upper Darby Performing Arts Center-get tickets to one show or buy an entire season!  

For Him or Her:

• Longwood Gardens
• 31 Gifts has some very feminine prints, it does have a few options for men that won't break the bank!  Right now, spend $35 before tax & shipping and get a Medium Utility Tote for only $5!!! 
• LuLu's at Booths Corner in Aston.  I had multiple emails about the store & they have such cool jewelry! &nbsp
• Finlandia-has tons of interesting options!  
• Iron Hill Brewery Beer Gift Package (if you're looking for me, I'd take this!)
• MJ's Massage Studio MJ is great at what he does & always has a special that makes the massage not only feel good but affordable!  

Miscellaneous items:

• Main Line Art Center---Give the gift of art!  They have gift certificates available if you want to make sure your giftee gets exactly what they're looking for!  (Craft Sale starts November 30th)
• I love these hand made crafts by Laura Plum Designs! Unique scrabble tile ornaments or Sea Glass jewelry.  Awesome!
• Earth and State in Media has a ton of great items in varying price ranges, so there is something on everyone's list! 
• Bevans----who doesn't like candy!  I get candy here every single year! 
• Chadds Ford Winery

For the person on your list who has everything, consider making a donation!  Donations to local charties such as Kisses for Kyle,  Cradles to Crayons, Delaware County SPCA and Philabundance also stay local and help people in need who might be our neighbors & friends!  

Weekend activities for families!

Friday:

• Charlotte's Web 2 for 1 sponosored by Target at the Arden Theatre
• Clifford-the Big Red Dog-Live at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center
starts at 7:30pm

 Saturday:

• Resources for Working Families Fair in Prospect Park
• Build & Grow build a Dino event at Lowes. RegisterHERE

 Weekend:

• Tree Maze & Mini Golf now open at Linvilla

Weekend Activities

Friday:

• Charlotte's Web 2 for 1 sponosored by Target at the Arden Theatre

 Saturday:

•  Fancy Nancy: Design a Tiara & Storytime Michaels!
• "AESOPS FABLES”Steve Abrams & Puppet Theatre Inside Out at the Creative Living Room

Sunday

• Chinese New Year Celebration Media Parade starts at noon.

 Weekend:

• Tree Maze & Mini Golf now open at Linvilla
• Curios George comes to the Philadelphia Zoo Saturday & Sunday

The Arden Theatre Company Presents: Charlotte's Web-Review

We just got home from watching the opening night of Charlotte’s Web at the Arden Theatre Company

and they have done it again! Usually, I sit through children’s theatre, waiting to go home…but at the Arden, it’s real theatre but with children’s themes-and it makes a huge difference. Charlotte’s Web is a show that I enjoyed, as did my children and my husband loved it too! (He even bought tickets for us to go see Cyrano and wants to take the kids back in April to see Robin Hood…that is how much he enjoyed the show!)

I’m sure we all know how the story Charlotte’s Web goes and the story of friendship & love is beautifully portrayed by the actors at the Arden. Surprisingly, none of the actors wears an animal “costume” to play an animal but the personality of the characters shines through. My daughter’s favorites were Goose & Gander, they always repeat themselves & are very funny. Charlotte is also hanging around during the play, something we were not expecting!

Because we were there for opening night, we were able to do many activities, like pet a real pig, take a short acting class (awesome!) and eat ice cream from the Franklin Fountain after the show! We loved that the actors & actresses stayed on set & take questions from the audience and then waited in the lobby to answer a few more. Our question; Do you ever mess up when you’re on the stage? Answer; Yes, all the time, but I trust the other people I’m working with to help me if I have a problem…and we have a lot of fun acting together!

Charlotte's Web was a wonderful play that my entire family enjoyed and a truly wonderful night! Charlotte’s Web will run until January 29th with ticket prices starting at $16. There are also Target 2 for 1 nights, where you can find discounted ticket prices. 

To purchase tickets, find out more information regarding the Target 2-1 tickets check out the Arden Theatre Company! Let me know when you're going, you might see me there again!

Disclosure:  The Arden Theatre Company provided my family with tickets to see the show but all opinions and parking costs were my own. 

The Flea and the Professor 2 for 1 Tickets @ArdenTheatreCo

Target 2 for 1 Family Series – This ticket discount program provides families the opportunity to enjoy Arden Children's Theatre with half-priced children's and adult tickets during specially designated performances. Some restrictions apply. I love the Arden Children's Theatre---it was actually entertaining, fun and not annoying (can you tell I hate children's theatre & only go to "expose" my kids?!)

Check out dates and times at theArden Theatre!

The Adren Theatre, 2 for 1 Tix tomorrow for the Borrowers

Arietty writing in her diary.

We all know that I loved watching The Borrowers.  This is not your typical children's theatre!  If you're interested in taking your family, the show runs until January 30th so get your tickets now!

Prices vary from around $16 per adult but as low as $8 per child. The Arden Theatre Company has also teamed up with target to offer the Target 2 for 1 Family Series, a ticket discount program generously sponsored by Target. This program offers two tickets for the price of one during selected performances of The Borrowers.

Get 2 for 1 tix for the final performance tomorrow at 4pm with code TARGET at the
 Arden Theatre! Let me know when you're going, you might see me there again!

The Borrowers-Arden Theatre Company

Arietty writing in her diary.



We all know that I loved watching The Borrowers.  This is not your typical children's theatre!  If you're interested in taking your family, the show runs until January 30th so get your tickets now!
Prices vary from around $16 per adult but as low as $8 per child. The Arden Theatre Company has also teamed up with target to offer the Target 2 for 1 Family Series, a ticket discount program generously sponsored by Target. This program offers two tickets for the price of one during selected performances of The Borrowers.

To purchase tickets, find out more information regarding the Target 2-1 tickets check out the Arden Theatre! Let me know when you're going, you might see me there again!

Don't forget, Weekend Activities

I am hoping to get a quick list together of holiday shows that will be plaything this weekend...there are a ton, so check back often!

ALL WEEKEND
Wanamaker Christmas Light Show for a list of activities.

Comcast Holiday Spectacular for times.

Linvilla, Christmas on the farm.

West Chester Railroad, train ride with Santa

The Borrowers at The Arden Theatre Company

Friday:
Berenstain Bears at The Uppper Darby Performing Arts Center

Saturday:

Santa Cow Breakfast at Chick-Fil-A

Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes

Santa in a Helicopter at the Helicopter Museum in West Chester

Adventures of Fumblefingers the Elf at The Creative Living Room

Weekend Activities

I am hoping to get a quick list together of holiday shows that will be plaything this weekend...there are a ton, so check back often!

ALL WEEKEND
Wanamaker Christmas Light Show for a list of activities.

Comcast Holiday Spectacular for times.

Linvilla, Christmas on the farm.

West Chester Railroad, train ride with Santa

The Borrowers at The Arden Theatre Company

Friday:
Berenstain Bears at The Uppper Darby Performing Arts Center

Saturday:

Santa Cow Breakfast at Chick-Fil-A

Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes

Santa in a Helicopter at the Helicopter Museum in West Chester

Adventures of Fumblefingers the Elf at The Creative Living Room

The Borrowers-Arden Children's Theatre



Arietty writing in her diary.



I was recently invited to view The Borrowers at the Arden Theatre Company in Philly. I loved the book The Borrowers by Mary Norton, so of course I jumped at the chance for my 7 year old daughter and I to attend....to say we loved it would be an understatement! I want to go back and watch it again, I loved every second of it!!!

First, my daughter was thrilled to be "seeing a show in the city." It made her feel very grown up and definitely very special because we left her Dad and brother at home. 

Second, for people who don't know, Borrowers are little people who live under floor boards, behind the fireplace, in a hole in a field, etc. They "borrow" things from the humans around them in order to live. The main character, Arietty Clock is a young Borrower who longs to see the outdoors and life beyond the floor boards. FYI, when you're as small as a Borrower, the other side of the room seems very far away!

Throughout the play, Arietty struggles with her independence and the safety of her family. Its a wonderful story, beautifully told and wonderful to watch. I really couldn't say enough about how great it was to watch.

If you're interested in taking your family to see The Borrowers, it will run through January 30, 2011. Prices vary from around $16 per adult but as low as $8 per child. The Arden Theatre Company has also teamed up with target to offer the Target 2 for 1 Family Series, a ticket discount program generously sponsored by Target. This program offers two tickets for the price of one during selected performances of The Borrowers.

To purchase tickets, find out more information regarding the Target 2-1 tickets check out the Arden Theatre! Let me know when you're going, you might see me there again!