It’s time for families and friends to come together and enjoy Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, live on stage. Walnut Street Theatre (WST) for Kids’ heartwarming hour-long musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic novel runs through December 23.

I had the pleasure of watching a performance last weekend with family. Audiences are transported to 1840’s London, where they meet Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old man who greets holiday cheer with a “Bah, Humbug.” However, on one unforgettable Christmas Eve, he is visited by three ghostly spirits determined to change old Scrooge’s ways forever. Traveling through his past, present, and possible future, Scrooge is awakened to the magic of Christmas and truly learns what the holiday season is all about: family, generosity and love.

Filled with joy, laughter, and whimsical spirits, WST for Kids’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL stands not only as a Walnut favorite, but also as a Philadelphia tradition. Now in its 19th year, the production has been updated with a fresh new set designed by Brian Froonjian to ensure the scenery provides a new experience for audiences.

This year’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL production is directed and written by Walnut veteran Bill Van Horn, who recently directed Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery and last season’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He has also appeared on stage in Baskerville, and numerous other Walnut productions, including: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Story, Mary Poppins, Elf, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Benjamin Lovell, a Philadelphia actor who has previously performed at the Walnut, The Arden, and the National Tour of Beauty and the Beast, plays the role of the “bah-humbugging” old man, Ebenezer Scrooge. He is joined by Oliver Shevlin, a second-grader and Devon, PA resident, who will make his Walnut and acting debut as Tiny Tim.

Joining Lovell and Shevlin on the stage are Michael Fuchs, Nate Golden, Ella Hampton, Fionnaula Meister, Hannah Fink, Eli Lynn, Aanand Shah, and Liam Mulshine all of Philadelphia, PA; Rachel DeMasi of Sewell, NJ; Sammi Deutsch of Wyndmoor, PA; and Charles Lamonaca of Folsom, PA; Catherine Purcell of Norristown, PA; and Christian Tuffy of Huntingdon Valley, PA. Current Walnut acting apprentices Blake Lowry, Kahlil Wyatt, Taylor Mitchell, and Katie Raulerson complete the cast.

For students, Walnut Street Theatre’s Education Department helps to transform Dickens’ powerful and magical story into a memorable educational experience. In addition to giving students the opportunity to see the novel they’ve read spring to life right before their eyes, the Walnut provides teachers with free online study guides to spark meaningful conversation about the show before students enter the theatre. Exploring the content of the story in the classroom not only further engages students but also adds excitement to the experience of seeing the familiar characters and period fashion and hearing the bright holiday music of A CHRISTMAS CAROL on stage.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL has remaining family matinee performances on December 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, and 21 at 10:30am. For tickets and information, please call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets can also be purchased at the Walnut ticket office, online at Ticketmaster, or by visiting the Walnut’s website at walnutstreettheatre.org.

Image: Photo courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.

Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 210th season with Roald Dahl’s MATILDA THE MUSICAL. Directed by Linda Goodrich, with choreography by Michelle Gaudette, MATILDA THE MUSICAL opens on November 14th and runs through January 6th on the Walnut’s Mainstage.

I had the opportunity to see a preview on Friday with my children. Based on the Roald Dahl novel, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of the courageous little girl with an unbounded imagination who proves that despite the odds, you can do anything you put your mind to—and change your destiny.

Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to New York City to watch amazing theater. In 2013, MATILDA THE MUSICAL opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre and was nominated for 11 Tony Awards®. The musical has since gone on national and international tours and has opened productions in the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Toronto, and Korea.

The 1988 children’s novel of Matilda recently celebrated its 30th birthday. Written by genius British writer Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), it received critical acclaim and in 2016 became Dahl’s top-selling book.

The young Matilda stole the show! The title role of Matilda will be shared by Ellie Biron of Philadelphia, PA and Jemma Bleu Greenbaum of Elkins Park, PA. Biron returns to the Walnut after her performance as Molly in last season’s production of Annie. Greenbaum makes her Walnut debut with this production.

Other notable characters are headmistress Miss Trunchbull and kindergarten teacher Miss Honey. Ian Merrill Peakes will play the hulking Miss Trunchbull. This show marks Peakes’ 10th at the Walnut (Harvey, Ideal Husband, Baskervilles, Of Mice and Men) and 127th professional production. Laura Giknis returns to the Walnut as the kind-hearted kindergarten teacher, Miss Honey, having recently performed as Sophie in last season’s Mamma Mia.

It was entertaining to watch the youngest members of the cast, who are all local to the Philadelphia area and students of The Theatre School at Walnut Street Theatre. Playing Matilda’s classmates and fellow “revolting children” are Alanna Stein (Annie) of Voorhees, NJ; Myra’Cal West (Annie) of Burlington, NJ; Miranda Zeno (Annie) of Mickleton, NJ; Naomi Serrano (Annie) of Marlton, NJ; Sean O’Neill (Christmas Carol) of Wallingford, PA; and Melania Zalipsky (Annie) of Huntingdon Valley, PA. Making their Walnut debuts in the children’s ensemble will be Eva Burkholder of Pottstown, PA; Nicky Intrieri of Haddon Heights, NJ; Veronica James of Voorhees, NJ; JoJo Schlecht of Wilmington, DE; Akiva Schostak of Cherry Hill, NJ; Maren Schriver of Meadowbrook, PA; Eddie Sims of West Chester, PA; Matthew Goodrich of Hammonton, NJ; Jonas Hinsdale of Princeton Junction, NJ; Caleb Rosenfeld of Wynnewood, PA; Sloan Avery Salvatore of Wenonah, NJ; Charlotte W. Taylor of Wallingford, PA; and Peter Gomez and Kate Bove of Cherry Hill, NJ.

MATILDA THE MUSICAL runs through January 6. This production is sponsored by Stradley Ronon. Media Partners are 6ABC and Metro Philadelphia. For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

Image: Photo courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.

Kids of all ages will be enchanted by the WST for Kids’ production of Disney’s ALADDIN, JR. Based on the classic 1992 Disney movie, and updated to include Alan Menken’s new songs written for the 2014 Broadway production, this hour-long musical will be performed LIVE at Walnut Street Theatre through Sunday, September 30, 2018.

I had the pleasure of watching the production yesterday with my children and friends. Disney’s Aladdin, Jr. is filled with magic and thrills we enjoyed. When street urchin Aladdin falls for the strong-willed Princess Jasmine, he gets help from a fun-loving Genie to outsmart the wicked Jafar and win her hand. Get on your flying carpet and join us on a soaring musical adventure!

The 1992 animated musical film Aladdin is based on the Arabian folktale of the same name from One Thousand and One Nights. It was conceived by Lyricist Howard Ashman (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) who worked with Composer Alan Menken (Little Mermaid, Tangled, Beauty and the Beast) and Lyricist Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess).

Jesse Bernstein returns to the Walnut to direct Disney’s ALADDIN, JR. Bernstein recently directed the Walnut’s Independence Studio on 3 production of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, and WST for Kid’s productions of Ivy + Bean and Honk! Jr.

Bringing the iconic and magical locations to life – from the mysterious majesty of the Cave of Wonders to the magnificence of the Sultan’s Palace, is a creative team led by Scenic Designer Laura Revelt. Revelt was the shop management apprentice for the 2016-17 Season and has designed sets for the Walnut’s Education and Outreach shows for the past three years.

The actors portraying the princess, villains, and heroes of Agraba are local to the tristate area, and members of the Walnut Street Theatre School. Immanuel Rimmer of Wyncote, PA will take the stage as the title role of Aladdin with Domenica Passio of Philadelphia, PA playing the strong-willed Princess Jasmine. Melina Cruz of Philadelphia, PA will portray the all-powerful Genie with McKenna Rulan of Williamstown, NJ as the dastardly Jafar.

The Walnut Street Theatre for Kids Series is celebrated for its commitment to encouraging parents (and grandparents) to read with their kids. Families can read together and discover a whole new level of imagination when they see the shows live onstage. The Walnut takes pride in bringing families together and beginning a creative conversation through reading and the arts.

Disney’s ALADDIN, JR. is an ideal outing for all kids with weekend matinee performances September 22 – 23 and September 29 – 30. The media sponsor is Courier Post. Tickets are $15 – $18 with group discounts available for groups of ten or more. For tickets and information, please call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets can also be purchased online at Ticketmaster or by visiting the Walnut’s website at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

Image: Photo courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.

Last month, I visited the Game Masters exhibit with my kids and some friends. Showcasing the work of over 30 innovative game designers, Game Masters takes visitors on an interactive journey inside their favorite video games—from the classic arcade era through today’s web and console games.

Featuring more than 100 playable games, rare concept artwork, and revealing interviews, guests follow the remarkable transformations that video games have undergone and learn how popular characters—from Sonic to the Sims—came to life.

The games are grouped into categories: Arcade Heroes like Donkey Kong and Pac-Man, Game Changers (LEGO Batman 3, LEGO Harry Potter) and Indies including Minecraft.

I enjoyed seeing two classic games in the exhibit. If you grew up in the 80s, you’ll fondly remember Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Pac-Man, released by Midway in 1980, created a new genre: the maze chase game. In designer Toru Iwatani’s Pac-Man, players steer the iconic yellow figure through the maze to eat Pac-Dots while trying to avoid deadly ghosts.

One of the first platform games, Donkey Kong was a 1981 release from Nintendo, a franchise that’s still strong today. Mario is one of the most popular game characters of all time. In Donkey Kong, the great ape is the bad guy, squaring off against Mario.

Dance Central 3 was a highlight for my kids and their friends. They were able to sing along to smash hits while following a character’s dance moves on the screen in front of them.

Game Masters runs through September 3rd, so plan your visit this summer. https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/game-masters

Use promo code GMMOMMY to receive $5 off on adult, daytime admission to Game Masters: The Exhibition, for up to 4 people. Purchase your tickets at fi.edu or call 215-448-1200. Expires August 19, 2018.

Image: The Franklin Institute

Last weekend, I visited the Philly Flower Show at the city’s convention center with family. It was a welcome respite from the recent storms that brought snow and power losses to our area. 250,000 visitors attended this year’s show, an impressive number given the recent storms. The theme was Wonders of Water, produced by the PA Horticultural Society.

The show highlighted plants that usually are found in wetter, warmer climates, with a focus on water conservation. Entering the rainforest garden was a sight to behold—water lilies, palm trees and purple and red blossoms from New Guinea wowed the large crowd.    

Adjacent to the rainforest exhibit, Windows on the Watershed offered a “day in the life” of the Delaware River Watershed, a chance to learn how plants contribute to water quality. Walking through this exhibit, we saw how organisms cleanse and sustain the watershed; water is filtered by plants, animals and the ground.

Windows on the Watershed, essentially the same process as the rainforest, revealed similar ecological lessons.

The Philadelphia Cactus and Succulent Society exhibit explained to visitors that cacti and succulents survive much better without being watered. In this exhibit, we learned that cacti and succulents are self-sufficient in the proper soil or container.

This year’s show was a good chance to experience what it might be like to have water in your own yard. The Stoney Bank exhibit featured a pond, arbor wall and seating. Visitors looked through a water wall out at this show.

Some exhibits had impressive water displays, including a serenity space and the Laurel-Brook Gardens.    

Next year’s theme is Flower Power, focusing on the role flowers play in bringing people together in healing and peace. If you live in the Philly area, this annual show is a must-see for inspiration and creative flower ideas.          

Last weekend, we attended A Child Grows’ First Annual Philadelphia Baby & Family Expo in Center City. I was excited about this as I was a media sponsor; A Child Grows has run a successful Brooklyn Expo since 2012.

I ran a Family Pass giveaway on this blog, and my friend won the pass. She brought her daughter to the expo, and met me so our kids could play together.

Primp & Play and Music Monkey Jungle were co-sponsors of The Playroom. Primp & Play offered kid manicures and hands-on crafts. My girls were happy to make their own lip balm there. Music Monkey Jungle sang and danced for the crowd of children. Who knew they could play Taylor Swift upon request?

A Child Grows lined up a stellar list of speakers. I sat in on Wills, Trusts & Guardians 101 with Steven M. Zelinger, Esq. He asked: Did you know there are five Crucial Legal Documents every parent needs? No parent wants to think about death but you have to as a responsible person. Maybe you purchased life insurance, but with that, you thought you were done. Zelinger told the audience there’s more to protecting your family.

I also listened to Your Top Three Parenting Stressors Solved with Child & Family Coaching with Brandi Davis, ACC, a certified Parenting Coach, Parent Educator, and Author of O.K. I’m A Parent Now What? Brandi was just named Best of Philly’s Best Modern-Day Parenting Guru.

Davis told the crowd that being a parent comes with many stressors; some can be solved, and some just come with the territory. Being a parent is tough but there is no need to feel exhausted, spent and drained every day. Davis delved into how to lighten your load and squish those top three stressors:

My Discipline Isn’t Working; Now All I Do Is YELL!
I’m Getting Attitude, Fighting and Negotiations At Every Turn
I Can’t Get A Second For Myself

Jill Spivack, co-author of The Sleepeasy Solution, founder of Sleepy Planet Parenting and Star of hit Bravo show, There Goes the Motherhood, gave the keynote address.

Jill Spivack, LCSW is a licensed family therapist and pediatric sleep consultant who earned her master’s degree at the University of Southern California and completed a post-graduate fellowship as a psychotherapist at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

I am past the baby and toddler sleep challenges, so I did not stay too long at this panel. I did not attend the afternoon panels, which were geared toward mothers of babies. Instead, I walked the expo floor and spoke to the media sponsors. We got a chance to get our hair curled by Concihairge and then take photos in front of a gorgeous floral design by Nicol Floral Designs.

From the expo, I gleaned two interview ideas and subjects I will cover for an education site. I am always looking for new interview ideas, and this was the perfect place to find them.

A Child Grows offered a wealth of insight and resources for parents, especially for mothers with babies or toddlers. I’ll be back next year for sure, and will bring the kids along so they can have fun too.

Last weekend, we attended Opening Day to Robot Revolution at the Franklin Institute, a new exhibit supported by Google.org and The Boeing Company. Robots are changing how we live, work and play. They are poised to become a visible and vital part of our daily lives.

A neighbor and her son accompanied us, and we set off for a learning experience.

I was intrigued to witness some innovative robots that are meeting human needs. From self-driving cars to surgical assistance, from scientific research to search and rescue missions—robots are here to help improve our lives. Robot Revolution offers 40 cutting-edge robots curated from innovative global robotics companies and universities, more than half of which can be interacted with or operated. #partner

Social robots show emotions. Researchers have analyzed how humans express their emotions and use these cues to program robots that simulate human emotions.

We met a robot that held our gaze. ROBOTIS-OP first has to recognize that you have a face. It sees you through its onboard camera; its software analyzes visual data to determine if the pattern formed by your eyes and mouth is a face. When visual criteria are met, the robot meets and follows your gaze. (See photo below.) Pretty cool, right?

Police and military use the Recon Scout Throwbot XT to explore dangerous environments before sending in their teams. This rugged, remotely-operated micro-robot travels through cluttered indoor environments and over dirt, sand and rocks. Once deployed, the robot sends video of its surroundings back to its human operators so they can identify threats.

Here are some highlights of the exhibit:

• Play Tic Tac Toe
My kids enjoyed playing tic tac toe against Baxter, an industrial robot that can battle up to two guests at a game of tic-tac-toe as he showcases his agility and task versatility.

• Make a Face!
We could smile, frown, or be silly with EMYS, a robot from Poland that uses a facial action coding system to mimic facial expressions and human emotions with its head and eyes.

• Watch A Soccer Bot Match
A must see–soccer ‘bots go head to head without any human input in a competition. See what team of robots wins in this fun game of autonomy.

The kids had the most fun when they got the chance to build their own code to move a robot forward, backward, left or right. Robots only do what they have been programmed to do. The Planning for Action area offers kids the chance to advance to a higher level once they master their current programming. We found this to be the most engrossing area of the exhibit.

Use promo code MBROBOT* to receive $5.00 off up to 4 adult, daytime tickets to Robot Revolution. To redeem the code, contact us 215-448-1200 or visit fi.edu.

*$5 off Daytime Adult Admission tickets to Robot Revolution. Limit 4 tickets per person. Includes General Admission to The Franklin Institute. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Upgrades available on-site for IMAX and 3D Theater. Redeemable online, over the phone or at the Ticketing Desk. Processing fees apply when ordering tickets in advance. Excludes holidays. Valid through 12/31/16.

Robot Revolution runs through April 2, 2017. Plan your visit today! https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/robot-revolution