Our fantastic Night at Segerstrom Hall: Wicked Rocks!

Wicked!

Last week, my daughter and I had the opportunity to watch Wicked at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, in Costa Mesa. We had an incredible night. It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of the play. This was my fifth time watching and my daughter’s second. We absolutely love the show,  and I think it’s one of the best musicals, to introduce the world of musical 5heater  to children. The music is fantastic, the acting phenomenal  and the show is just fun to watch. The show just had a casting change with a new Glinda. Jenn Gambatese took on the new role and she was terrific! This production of Wicked is hands down one of my favorites. My seven year old was glued to her seat, from the minute the show started. You know that can be tough with a seven year old, but she was into every song and at the end said, “Mom that was short”! I couldn’t believe it!

The show is playing at Segerstrom Center for the arts until March 17th. If you have not had the opportunity to watch it, just do it! It can be a little pricey, but it is soooo worth it! You can also press your luck and try the lottery. Your best bets are for a weekday performance. A day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of orchestra seats will be held for WICKED. Two and one-half hours prior to each performance, WICKED fans can come to the Center’s box office and have their names placed in a lottery drum. Thirty minutes later, winning names will be drawn for a limited number of orchestra seats that can be purchased for $25 each, cash only. This lottery is available only in-person at the box office, with a purchase limit of two tickets per person. Lottery participants must have a valid photo ID when submitting their entry form and, if chosen, when purchasing tickets. The number of available lottery tickets may vary from performance to performance.

We were there last night as our friends tried their luck for the performance. They didn’t win the lottery and wound up buying tickets, but it’s still a fun little adventure. I hope to catch it one more time and am willing to press my luck maybe next weekend. You can still purchase tickets for the show. You can either do it online or head to the box office.  For additional info head here.

 

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. Wicked is my all time favorite musical and if I could, I would write about it every day. I was however, provided with complimentary media tickets.

Why we love Children’s Theater

My son enjoying the pre-show activities at the Samueli Theater

I love children’s theater. Growing up my family didn’t have many resources, but I do remember my mom taking me to watch Cinderella when I was younger. It might have been a simple show for some, but it inspired me and I remember leaving the theater full of ideas and bursting with creativity. Fast forward almost thirty years, with children of my own and I promised myself that I wanted to make sure my children were exposed to the arts early on.

Pre-Show Activities at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Discovery Family Series

We’ve watched a couple of shows at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This past weekend we had the opportunity to watch our very first show as a family. I’ve watched shows with the kids before and also with my husband, friends and even by myself, however, this was our first as an entire family and we had an absolute blast.

Last month, I posted about the Discovery Family Series at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. We had the opportunity to catch 500 Clown Trapped and had an amazing time. My son and daughter, who are 6 and 7, were laughing hysterically from the first minute. I nudged my husband, because we couldn’t believe just how much they were into the show. They laughed and participated throughout the show and before we knew it, the show was over. The Discovery Family Series is timed just right for the kiddos, not too short and not too long.

500 Clown Trapped features storytelling, improvisation and of course, clowning. The kiddos loved the music, the audience interaction and were fascinated throughout the course of the show. The beauty of 500 Clown Trapped and Children’s shows in general, is that both old and young will enjoy.

Once the show was over, the kiddos couldn’t stop talking about wanting to attend summer camp at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, writing a play and basically two kiddos that were bursting at the seams with ideas. They came home and wrote a Christmas show. I’m a firm believer that education involves more than just school work, some of the most important learning experiences happen outside of the classroom.

To learn more about the Family Discovery Series or about the Segerstrom Center for the Arts head here.

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. We received complimentary tickets for review purposes. However all opinions are my own.

Peter Pan Flies Above: Our review

Last Sunday, the Orange County Performing Arts Center invited me to experience Threesixty’s JM Barrie’s Peter Pan. From the moment our family walked into the tent, I knew we were in for quite a treat. Threesixty’s Peter Pan is presented in an special and state of the art tent with a 360 degree video projection that will take your breath away.

It was an incredible show and one that will delight both young and old. I’m serious when I mean that I loved it so much, I bought tickets for the show later on this month. I took my three and a half year old and my 5 year old. I have to admit that my three and half year old was a little squirmy and If I had to do it again, I probably would keep him at home. My five year old on the other hand was still as could be and oohed and ahhed through the entire performance. It really is almost hard to put into words, how incredible good this show is. I think if you can only watch one show this year, this is the one show you want to watch. It is perfect for the entire family and a special treat that will be remembered for a long time!

Peter Pan and Wendy are as delightful as can be and this show is a visual delight! Peter Pan will play at the Orange County Performing Arts Center until November 21st. Tickets are available by heading here.

You can also purchase tickets through Goldstar or if you are a student, you can purchase Student Rush tickets at the box office an hour before the performance for $20 at select performances.