As a former Pre-K and elementary school teacher, I’m all-for theatre that entertains children in a good way. I don’t know if the general public knows that Theatre For Children is actually a very specific and often hard-to-do art. And I find that the most difficult age group to entertain is the very young.

So I was really happy to discover The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at the El Portal in North Hollywood, especially since it’s based on several books. The show is geared to the uber-young ‘uns. I was actually a little late to the party because the show began in early December, (which is why it has one small holiday bit in it.)

Sean Tibangin and Becki Park with the caterpillar. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions, as is the one at the top of this page, which features a different cast, but the same puppets.

When I first sat down, having never taught the books of Eric Carle, (who wrote all the stories featured in this show,) which are geared towards  pre-school children, I was a tad concerned that there were so many one-to-three-year-olds in the audience; I thought that perhaps that age range is too young to be audience members. But I’m glad to report that they were all fascinated! They stopped crying and being restless as soon as the first puppet, the Brown Bear, appeared. It was like magic!  The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is actually perfect to be a child’s first theater experience.

The production is presented by the company who brought us Winnie the Pooh last year, so I knew it would be a quality one. (You can read all about that one, and the producer, right here: itsnotaboutme.tv/news/theatre-disneys-winnie-the-pooh-the-new-musical-stage-adaptation.)

The quartet of actors bring to life four different books by the late prolific children’s author Eric Carle. (The caterpillar is the last one, so just know that.) The other three are Brown Bear, Brown Bear; 10 Little Rubber Ducks; and the holiday-themed Dream Snow. Even though it’s January now, I really appreciated seeing one more tiny Christmas tree on the stage in that segment. Mr. X and I once kept ours up for the entire year, so it was actually a delight to see one a little longer in this show.

The third story, Dream Snow, helps prolong the holidays a little bit. Photo by Karen Salkin.

In addition to The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show entertaining the kiddies so well, it also teaches them animals, colors, numbers, directions, and even questions and replies. This is a great show to get them started on.

Even for grown-ups on our own, (as my friend and I were, for reviewing purposes,) it was a very relaxing presentation. It’s a pleasure to see an angst-free production for once. And between the minimal dialogue in the show, and the adorable words from the little girl behind me, I had a trio of wonderful personal memories that day.  They’re amusing, so I’ll share them with you at the bottom of this review, right after all the show info. [Note: The tales are easier to tell verbally, so I really should have done videos of the stories on my YouTube channel, but you have only two more week-ends to see this show in LA, so I didn’t have time to shoot any vids right now.]

The actors/puppeteers do their jobs perfectly. And their white tees and overalls are also perfect backdrops for the several dozen incredible, beautiful, and super-colorful puppets. Each of the four stories is done in a way that the audience can easily differentiate them from each other.

(L-R) Leonard J. Moore II, Sean Tibangin, and Becki Park, from the second story in the show. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions.

The caterpillar movement is impressive. Since my own (stuffed) Froggy has been my best friend since my very first month in Los Angeles when I was a teen-ager, the one in this show should have been my favorite of all of them. But it actually was the whale in the second story, even though we saw just a hint of him. (But I did not love the picture of the teacher’s face, even though I’m sure it’s directly from the book—I never looked like that. It did amuse me, however.)

There’s also a bit of an audience participation element to it, as in we get to count with the actors, and things like that. At one point, all the kids repeated, “The caterpillar had a stomach ache,” like it was a game of Telephone. That brought a smile to my face.

The actors, (Paula Macchi, Sean Tibangin, and Becki Park,) giving the audience a close-up look at some of the puppets, on the edge of the stage, at the end of the show. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Actually, the kids I saw it with made me miss teaching. But just a little bit. Let’s not get crazy.

Jeanine, the friend who saw the show with me, is a magician who specializes in children’s parties, complete with puppets, (so she knows this area of entertainment really well,) loved it! She told me she was so glad she saw it.

Adding to the experience is an adorable “activity” set-up in the lobby of the El Portal. There are tables with puzzles, tiny books, and my fave–crayons and papers with outlines of the caterpillar, butterfly, and bear to color in. You can either go early or stay a bit late to do it. I can’t tell you how much I wanted to color a caterpillar! I had to hold myself back, but I did write all the notes on the back of one of the pages. And I’ll color it in this week, with some of my own zillion crayons! I can’t wait!

The activity area in El Portal’s lobby. Photo by Karen Salkin.

You can purchase VIP tickets, if you like, which give you seats in the first couple of rows, and then, when the show is over, you can meet and take a picture with the caterpillar. I advise, though, that even though literally every seat is good at the El Portal, I actually think that sitting a tad further back here is a little better, although lots of people with tiny tots chose to sit in the front row.

And if you didn’t already know, I love the El Portal. It’s a legitimate theater, but sooooo unstuffy and easy.

So, if you have young children, or are just one yourself, I suggest seeing this show before the caterpillar turns into a butterfly and flies off to its next destination!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show running through January 21, 2024
El Portal Theatre 5269 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood
818-508-4200 www.hungrycaterpillarshow.com

Okay, here are my personal stories that The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show brought up for me:

When I was doing my TV show, which my precious little Clarence, The Singing Dog, used to perform on, I used to sometimes watch them with my parents. I knew my father was not as into it as my mother was, so when they were watching one, I secretly spied from the adjacent room so I could find-out if my father said anything nice about my show. I was thrilled that he watched so intently for the first twenty-five minutes of the half hour show. And then I heard him say to my mother, “I thought the dog was on the show!” That’s when I realized he wasn’t watching to see me, but to see Clarence! Mr. X and I still laugh about that after all these years. And that’s what I did to Jeanine during The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show–after two parts of the show without the critter, I whispered, “I thought the caterpillar was in the show.” And I realized I sounded exactly like my father, wanting to see “the dog.”

My next memory this show brought up is the best: I used to spend my summers in a cabin in Aspen with my mother. Every day she pointed-out a little bit of rusty hardware in front of our door, insisting that someone was going to cut themselves on it. My friends and I kept telling her that no one would be stupid enough to fall against it. So, of course, I did. I didn’t want my mother to see that I was bleeding, so I started crossing the little walk in front of the cabin to show my friend, Vota, the damage. Just as I stepped into it, I saw some giant brown entity rushing right at me, and I thought it looked familiar. And then I realized that it looked familiar because it looked like a teddy bear. And it looked like a teddy bear because that’s exactly what it was-– a baby bear barreling down right at me and my bleeding back! I was so scared, but I still looked at the bear with love because he was adorable. But at the same time I kept repeating Vota’s name, in a high-pitched voice, thinking he could help me. All of a sudden, the bear just stopped right in front of me and turned around and ran the other way. It was probably because repeating my friend’s name in a sing-song voice sounded like singing, which is what you’re supposed to do to scare a bear away. But, to this day, I think it’s because he saw the love in my eyes. It still really was one of the most terrifying moments of my life. And when it was over my cute little mother, who was watching from in front of the door, called-out to me in an astonished tone, “Karen, did you see that big dog?!!!” So when the Brown Bear appeared on stage the other day, and the little girl behind me called out, “That’s a dog!,” it reminded me of my innocent little mother, and made me laugh.

(L-R) Becki Park, Sean Tibangin, and Paula Macchi with the Brown Bear, of course! Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Productions.

The last memory this show evoked for me is of one of the strangest acting experiences I ever had. I was playing one of the trio of young girls in the Spanish classic Lorca play, Blood Wedding. The words were so strange, especially to a girl from Brooklyn who liked everything in life to be literal. So when one of the characters in this show asks the bird, “Red bird, red bird, what do you say?” it harked me back to one of the worst lines I’ve ever had to deliver on a stage, “Wool, red wool, what do you spin?” I still have no idea what my line meant, while no one can be confused about the simple query to the bird here!

For my review of this very cute, kid-friendly, Cinderella-based new musical, Cindy & The Disco Ball, at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, I was aided by not just the opinion of my grown-up pal, Laura, but also those of my newest Junior Reviewer, nine-year-old Lula. And I’m so glad that Lula joined us because at this past Saturday afternoon’s show, there were a lot of kids, who all seemed to love it as much as she did!

Actually, we all loved it! There was a senior couple next to me, without children, and they were very vocal in their admiration. The woman even enjoyed a lollipop during the second half, as if she were a kid herself! I think that’s what this show brings out in everyone.

The set before the show starts. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one of the curtain call at the top of this page.

This was the first time Laura and Lula had been to the Garry Marshall, and they loved it almost as much as they did the show! It’s such a comfortable theatre. The sightlines are perfect from every seat, and there’s enough space between patrons, while at the same time, you feel you’re all in it together, so much more than at any other venue.

Another bonus is that the visuals hit you right away, as you enter and find your seats. Lula’s already begging her mother for every single set decoration she noticed that day. I had been up literally overnight, and therefore was totally dragging when we got to the theatre, but the second I saw Tom Wagman’s wonderfully-colorful set, I perked right up. (Wait—how did a male choose every item we girly-girls love?! Two big parts of the backdrop even look like my much-loved cell phone case!)

As soon as the show began, with a number by vocal powerhouse Malynda Hale (who plays the Fairy Godmother character, Soul Sister,) I forgot all about my own worries. She is, by far, the best singer in the group, but the rest of the attractive five-person cast–Jasiana Caraballo, Abigail Kate Thomas, Christopher De’Vonte Baker, and (according to Laura) Timothee Chalamet look-alike Hayden Kharrazi, all relative newcomers to the biz–sell their numbers, as well.

Malynda Hale. Photo by Matthew Gilmore.

I also appreciate that the band is shown behind a curtain on stage right near the top of the action so we don’t have to wonder from whence the live music is coming the whole time. (Or is that just me?)

Cindy & The Disco Ball is based on Cinderella, but it takes place at an LA high school in 1976. (Hence—the disco ball in the title.) That setting makes it perfect for costumes, the set, and all kinds of semi-corny jokes that the adults really get a kick out of.

The cast acknowledging the band, who are on the stage the whole time and off to the side behind a curtain. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Even though the script is kind-of simplistic, (which makes it perfect for children,) I found my own semi-grown-up self laughing, a lot. I could pick apart little bits of the story, but why bother? This is one of those occasions where you just have to go with the flow. And are happy to do so.

I got a kick out of that Jasiana Caraballo, who plays Cindy, is so cute and petite because that made the kids in the audience relate to her even more.

But sadly for me, I identified more with the obnoxious (as opposed to “wicked” in most versions of the fairy tale,) stepsister, Eleanor. (But without the meanness, of course.) So I especially loved her signature song, entitled my favorite word—Fabulous!  It had so many cute touches, like her on-rhythm gum-chewing. That number really is fabulous, in every way. (Thanks to composers Joseph Leo Bwarie, Lori Marshall, and Rachael Lawrence for all the music.)

(L to R) Jasiana Caraballo, Christopher De’Vonte Baker, and Hayden Kharrazi. Photo by Matthew Gilmore.

You’re going to have to see the show for yourselves to hear all the clever lines, but this one could have been uttered by my own sister, (who never even had the excuse of being a stepsister): Cindy: “Why are you  always so mean to me?” Stepsister: “Let me think—because I’m good at it!”

And as to the costumes by Jessica Champagne-Hansen, I almost hate to admit it, but when I was a kid in Brooklyn, I had a one-piece pajama outfit in the exact pattern as Soul Sister’s outfit, (the sleeves on which keep changing, so keep an eye out for that.)  I thought it was so glamorous!

Now here are some of Lula’s thoughts on it all. She told me, “I think it’s really fascinating how they can change the outfits really fast.”

My mature little pal also said, “The sound is really good,” (how does a nine-year-old notice these things???,) and she pointed-out that the “timing” of the sound cues is “perfect.” Wow. She is correct about that, but even I didn’t notice it until she mentioned it!

Her fave character was Buddy, played by Christopher De’Vonte Baker, especially because he kept saying, “People shouldn’t take pictures of themselves!” (Remember, this takes place in 1977. But we still shouldn’t, at least not as often as we all do!)

(Clockwise from top center) Abigail Kate Thomas, Hayden Kharrazi, Jasiana Caraballo, and Christopher De’Vonte Baker. Photo by Ginger Sole.

And Lula joined me in loving the costumes and the “colors of the set,” which Laura deemed “fantastic.”

Cindy & The Disco Ball is just an overall fun production. It’s for everyone who wants to have a couple of hours of fun and laughter.

However, I do have two small issues with it. One is that towards the end of the show, Cindy says, “Me and Tommy…” about something, rather than the correct, “Tommy and I…” That needs to be fixed pronto because it’s such a terrible example for children. The rest of the show is perfect for children, so I really hope they change that one very incorrect sentence in the script. Syntaxes such as this one used to be in the media only to denote a less-intelligent person, but nowadays, no one knows how to speak anymore because of all the bad examples they’ve heard in recent years. And, to apply that to this musical, I don’t think people were as illiterate back in the ’70s as they are now.  [Note: There’s such a teacher shortage these days that in private schools, not only are teaching degrees not required, but many teachers aren’t even college graduates!]

On a more serious note, I also wish the script would explain the absence of the parents a bit more gently. Stepsisters can be mean even when parents are still alive. In this case, I think it would be easier for the children in the audience if the narrative was simply that Cindy’s parents are divorced and remarried. To compare, Disney is notorious for horrifying children with the main characters’ deceased parents, (Bambi, The Lion King, etc.,) but at least those deaths feel somewhat removed because they’re in animation and on a screen. Cindy & The Disco Ball is a live show, with the kids very close to the action, especially in such a wonderfully intimate space.

I actually noticed some children hugging their parents every time Cindy mentioned that her mother had died. (I counted at least three instances in the script. But hopefully they’ll eliminate those extra ones before you see it.) I know that real (but fictional) Cinderella says her mother is dead in every story or production, but it’s always just once at the beginning and never again. And the characters are always in fantasy attire, not reality clothing, as the ones in this show are, so perhaps those scenarios are a bit easier on the audiences.

Okay, those two issues for me are perhaps because I was an elementary school teacher, so I’m always sensitive to what children may be feeling. And I want people to be properly educated.

But even with those two small observations, I highly recommend Cindy & The Disco Ball to both children and grown-ups alike. And especially to people like me, who are a bit of both!

Karen, Lula, and Laura on the orange shag carpet. Photo by…a stranger!

And on your way in to the Garry Marshall, make sure not to miss the photo op outside, in front of the big sign for the show–Laura pointed-out that it features shag carpet, which I understand was big in 1977. So the fun starts even before you set foot inside!

Cindy & The Disco Ball running through October 30, 2022
Garry Marshall Theatre 4252 West Riverside Drive, Burbank
818-955-8101 www.garrymarshalltheatre.org

When I found-out that one of my favorite theaters in town, the Pasadena Playhouse, was offering a children’s puppet show this year, I knew I would have to borrow a couple of my friends’ children so that I could see it with people my own age!  (Mentally and emotionally, that is.)  So, eight-year-old Ben and soon-to-be-five-year-old Alexa joined me, and watching their faces light up was a big part of the enjoyment of the show for me.

Two of the cutest and brightest kids I know, (and my Junior Reviewers,) Ben and Alexa, with the Panda, of course! Photo by Karen Salkin.

I actually scanned all the faces in the audience every now and then during Zen Shorts, and every kid appeared enthralled.  I was thrilled to see that because, especially as a former elementary school teacher, I always feel that children should be introduced to real theatre as early and often as possible.  And this venue is so gorgeous and impressive that it’s the perfect place to start.

I have to be honest (as always) and admit that Zen Shorts is far from the best kids show I’ve ever seen, and I had no idea what was happening most of the time. But Alexa and Ben were fascinated, and that’s all that counts in children’s theatre, isn’t it?  And when we were discussing the show afterwards, I was amazed that they each described their favorite parts with the puppets’ names!  That really shocked me; the names were not uttered many times in the show.  This presentation obviously gets to children, the audience it’s designed for, so it’s all good.

Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble, as is the big pic at the top of ths page.

Zen Shorts is based on an award-winning book of the same name, and is basically about a panda and his three human kid friends. He tells them short stories, and I guess that’s what’s supposed to be depicted here, but I cannot swear to it. The bear gives them lessons in how to be zen. I think.

I really don’t understand the need for children to learn about the concept of “zen,” but I guess that times have changed since I taught youngsters. When my charges needed to relax, we just played The Spinach Game. Or The Stagecoach Tipped Over. (Don’t ask.) Wait–maybe it is a good thing to let them know about how to ease stress during these especially troubled times. But when we came to the part of the show where we were advised, “Don’t forget to breathe,” I felt like it was an intervention for me!

Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.

The show is only an hour long, which is perfect for kids’ attention spans, and there are several choices of times on most dates, which is a bonus.  The show is appropriate for ages five and over, and perhaps some very well-behaved four-year-olds, as my friend Alexa is.  More good news is that the “stage-on-the-stage” is high enough for kids to see all the action, no matter where they sit. I would still suggest sitting in the center, if you can, for the best straight-on view.  (And if you’re a grown-up with a kid behind you, please scooch down a bit.  And don’t wear up-dos, hats, or sunglasses on your heads! Actually, don’t do those rude things in any theatre ever!)

Do you see what I maan about the puppeteers’ outfits? Photo by Karen Salkin.

Speaking of things to do and not do, maybe you should explain to your kids before they see the show that the people who are dressed as the “beekeepers of doom” (my words, not theirs, of course,) are in black so that they blend into the background, and the audience should disregard those people and just watch the puppets. (I really don’t get why the puppeteers need those weird ensembles. Couldn’t they just wear black shirts and pants? I totally understand why they have to cover their heads, necks, and hands, but the “dresses” are just distracting, in my humble opinion. And pretty scary, too! The second I saw them, I spelled “s-c-a-r-y” to my grown-up pal, hoping that there were no spelling bee champs sitting near us.)

Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.

I must give props to the few adults who were in the audience on their own, without children, which was interesting. They were probably puppetry aficionados, (as am I!,) or else they just wanted to spend a peaceful hour being zen, in lovely surroundings, which I get, as well.

And, interesting for all ages is the demonstration by the cast, (minus the headgear,) of how they work the puppets. That is very educational. And they take questions from the audience, too, which is a wonderful experience for the youngsters. I really appreciated that part.

Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.

One big perk of seeing children’s entertainment at the Playhouse is that, unlike most other venues, they’re not trying to rob you blind by selling overpriced souvenirs; they’re just putting on a show. And that’s what children’s theatre should really be about. I hate when kids play with their new toys from the concession stand, instead of paying attention to the stage, especially when their new possessions are toy swords that are being waving right in front of my eyes!

Photo courtesy of Rogue Artists Ensemble.

So, if you’re looking for something fun and educational to do with kids in the next few weeks, head right on over to the Pasadena Playhouse to see Zen Shorts. And check the website first for pre- and post-show activities. The day I saw it, there was a free puppet workshop in the courtyard before the show. As I’m sure you can figure by now, it took everything I had in me to not make one myself!

Zen Shorts running on through June 25, 2017
Pasadena Playhouse  39 South El Molino Avenue  Pasadena  626-356-7529 www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

The annual Christmas Panto at the Pasadena Playhouse is the only show all year that I don’t have to beg Mr. X to accompany me to! As a great judge of theatre and comedy, he goes willingly. How’s that for a ringing endorsement?!

(L- R) Kenton Duty, Davi Santos, LaurenTaylor, and Morgan Fairchild. Photo by Philicia Endelman, as is the big one at the top of the page.

He knows, as does everyone who’s ever seen a panto, that what’s in store for him there is nothing but pure fun. He gets into the celebration as much as anyone who is lucky enough to have this holiday theatre opportunity.

This year’s offering is the Cinderella story, but before I get to singing this particular panto’s praises, here’s a brief refresher course on just what a “panto” is. Its formal moniker is “pantomime,” but trust me–it is far from what we Americans recognize as that art form. It’s a British tradition which is usually performed around the holidays. Each show is based on a well-known fairy tale, but the story is changed-up a bit, most often with Christmas being a part of it.  There’s are a lot of “rules” of what it should include, chief among them being singing, (of current pop songs along with some classics,) dancing, slapstick comedy, silly double entendres, (for the grown-ups in the audience, of which there are many,) a male actor obviously playing a woman, and lots of audience participation, often to loudly boo the villain.  And the audience always has a blast, as we all did on the recent opening night of A Cinderella Christmas.

(L- R) Ben Giroux, Morgan Fairchild, and Josh Adamson. Photo by Philicia Endelman.

We were especially thrilled to see nutty comic actor Ben Giroux back, after taking last year off from the Pasadena Playhouse’s series of pantos. Mr. X said that Ben “brings a real spark to the show” in his role as one of the evil step-sisters, alongside Josh Adamson, who is a revelation here. They both perform their schtick with boundless energy and enthusiasm, and appear to be loving their roles as much as the audience does! If the show was just those two, I’d be fine with that.

Some of their clever colorful costumes, designed by Albermarle, (great name, by the way,) made us all guffaw before the duo even opened their mouths! The Christmas tree dress was the best. You just know I was trying to figure-out how to make one for myself! (Yeah, myself, good luck with that.)

(L – R) Two membesr of the ensemble, Lauren Taylor, Alex Newell, and Matthew Patrick Davis. Photo by Philicia Endelman.

Usually with pantos, there is one male playing a female, but, in this case, we are treated to three of those special performances; the above mentioned duo of sisters, and the Fairy Godmother, too.  She’s played by Alex Newell of Glee Fame. (His gender-bending character, Unique, quickly became a fan favorite beginning in Season Three.) Mr. X admired Alex’s “stratospheric vocals” in A Cinderella Christmas, and the assemblage went wild for him. The opening night audience was screaming for him from the get-go. I guess they were more knowledgeable than I this time because I did not even realize that the Godmother was Alex until the end of the first act, when writer Kris Lythgoe cleverly threw-in a Glee reference. [Note: I rarely read my theatre program until after a show, but this is one time I wish I had done so at the outset. I would have discovered that Alex had opened for the amazing Adam Lambert on his tour recently. Then, after the show, Alex and I could have discussed Adam, whom I’ve known, and been a huge fan of, since waaay before American Idol! That tour must have been some musical spectacle—Adam and Alex! Wow. I imagine there was a lot of eyeglasses-shattering on that one!]

Another pleasant surprise in A Cinderella Christmas was Morgan Fairchild as the evil stepmother. Who knew she was so fun?! I was happy to see that she still possesses the most stunning eyes in show business! Those bright blue peepers read all the way to the back of the room.

The stage before the show begins. Photo by Karen Salkin.

A highlight of all the pantos at the Pasadena Playhouse is having a few children (who have procured a “Golden Ticket,” details of which are on their website, below) come up on-stage to participate in a sing-along. They are also briefly interviewed by the character who serves as our “host” along the way. In this case, it is Cinderella’s best friend, “Buttons.” (Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of him before—he’s not in the real Cinderella tale.) He is charmingly portrayed by tall-drink-of-water Matthew Patrick Davis, whose likeness to Jim Carrey is played-up a time or two in the show. He’s a theatre natural. As he chats with each kid, he asks them who their favorite character in the show is, making it comically obvious that he hopes they each choose him. So, as we left the theatre, I asked Mr. X who his fave was, and without hesitation, and not jokingly, he answered, “Buttons!” He added, “Matthew deserves a lot of credit for bringing a warmth and a sweetness to the show.” He really loved that guy!

And you know that I loved the colorful sets, designed by Ian Wilson. I want to hang-out in that lush green forest for awhile.

There were so many holiday lights in redwhite+bluezz that I could not get them all in focus! Photo by Karen Salkin.

Speaking of hanging-out, since it was opening night, we got to do just that at the fabulous post-show party! It was held in the adjacent eatery, redwhite+bluezz, where so many of the Playhouses’ best fetes are, with always-fabulous food.  As soon as we entered, we were treated to delicious fried potsticker hors d’oeuvres. (My waistline was lucky that I was too busy mingling to have more than two of them, because I could have eaten dozens! They were that delicious!) Those were followed by the wonderful Christmas dinner buffet, which went along with the holiday theme.  There was turkey, mashed potatoes, garlic string beans, and a mac ’n cheese that even Mr. X raved about. For dessert, we had holiday treats like mini cupcakes and flavorful little lemon and coconut-chocolate chip squares.  It was all served in a beautifully festive atmosphere, adorned with lots of holiday lights, the presence of which made it extra warm and cozy in there.

Some of the characters in the Winter Wonderland. Photo by Karen Salkin.

I was also happy for the opportunity to hang-out with my old pal, Michael Orland, (the musical director of this show, and so many others,) who is one of the good guys in show business. He truly deserves all the success he’s had over the past decade or so. (And I thank him for introducing us to Alex Newell, with whom I could have continued discussing shoes for another hour or two!)

Speaking of people who deserve good things, everyone in LA who has been “nice” all year deserves to see this show, children and grown-ups alike. If that includes you and yours, make sure to get there a bit early, to spend some time in the Winter Wonderland in the front courtyard. You might even spy Santa!

A Cinderella Christmas running through January 8, 2017  
Pasadena Playhouse 39 South El Molino Avenue Pasadena 626-356-7529 www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org

When I was recently in New York, I took a friend from a rural town in Ohio to a Screen Actors Guild screening. As she perused the crowd, she remarked that the group of people in attendance, (actors and their guests,) were from a demographic she usually doesn’t see.

Photo by Alice Farinas.

I never would have thought of a concept like that until I had a similar experience last week-end at the LA Baby Show at Magic Box at The Reef downtown. I think that my cohort, Alice, and I were the only two guests there who were not moms, nor pregnant!!! It was sort-of surreal. As a total nocturnal party chick, I rarely even see a child, let alone an infant! So, this show really opened my eyes to an entirely new world of practical life needs.

And I loved it! There was so much to learn! I bet all those young parents got a lot out of it.  Who knew there were so many aspects to baby-raising?!

VIP Lounge. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Alice and I spent the first part of the day in the absolutely wonderful VIP Lounge, which was brought to us by MomAngeles. I knew it would be there, of course, but I didn’t expect it to be quite as fabulous as it was. First of all, it was in a giant room, so mothers could enjoy the beauty services while their babies played, without being on top of each other. There was a big entrance area, with tables for the delicious boxed lunches they served, and then, a bit further inside, an even bigger space with a play area on one side, and all the pampering on the other.

The salon area. Photo by Alice Farinas.

I had a funny, wonderful experience as soon as we entered.  I was crushed when I saw an entire mini hair salon set-up, courtesy of SalonMom, (who makes house calls!,) because I would have loved to have my tresses flat-ironed, but I had shown up with not the freshest hair, so what would have been the point? Mine was already straight, and I was planning on washing it when I got home, and then having to take the time to work on it myself. (I always have super-clean hair in public, but I knew that, with so many little ones there, no one would be looking at me.) So, had I left the house that morning with my clean, naturally wavy hair, SalonMom could have done the honors, and saved me all that time and trouble.

Michelle Cochran from SalonMom (on the right) showing us Karen Salkin’s newly-styled tresses (on the left.) Photo by Alice Farinas.

Just when I began to feel bad about the situation, I spied blow-dryers on their table, so I impetuously asked, “If I wet my hair, will you guys blow it for me? If so, I’ll just throw my head in the bathroom sink, and wash it with soap!” Michelle Cochran, the one in charge, not only got right on board, but she tracked down baby shampoo (which was not hard to do at a baby show—duh!,) and washed my hair in the sink herself!!! We were laughing the whole time, (even though the drain in the tiny sink almost “Isadora-ed”* me by pulling my tons of locks down it…while it was still on my head!) Alice was in there with us, and said that we got quite the number of weird stares. I don’t doubt it. [*Look-up how Isadora Duncan died, if you don’t already know what I mean.]

Then Michelle blow-dried, and even curled, my newly-clean mane. What a treat! Her entire staff was so good and kind and pleasant to everybody, which, trust me, is far from the norm at events such as this. The stylists usually can’t rid of you fast enough.

LaLa doing a polish change. Photo by Alice Farinas.

Alice and I enjoyed all the services in the VIP lounge, but SalonMom was the star for us. We also got polish changes from LaLa of Nail Garden, chair massages by the Soothe staff, (Wanda West worked on my knots, with Nuna Rawlins on Alice’s,) and a unique one—a mini-tan from Golden Glo Tans in Beverly Hills. Since they knew this was not the crowd who would have the time or inclination to strip and get tanned from the usual air-brushes, they did something that I’ve never experienced before—they applied the tanner with a make-up brush! You could have them do it to your face only, or also your arms, chest, and whatever body parts you wanted to expose that day. I was so upset that I was wearing pants. If I had worn a skirt, you know that I would have thrown my legs in the sink, too, and shaved them. (But would a Baby Show have razors around, like they did with shampoo?  That one, I doubt.) So, Megyn did my face, neck, chest, and arms and hands, and let me tell you—I loved, loved, this color! I had forgotten all about it, so when I looked in the mirror the next morning, I wondered why I looked so good! For reals.

Megyn giving Karen Salkin a mini-tan. Photo by Alice Farinas.

So, now looking good, feeling good, and fully sated from the healthful lunch, we went out onto the show floor to enter the world of baby goods. There was so much going on there! Tot Squad was even vacuuming-out the patrons’ baby strollers! There was also a moving company there, Flatrate Moving, which was great for non-parent moi!  I had left some stuff at a pal’s house in Brooklyn, and the company I used last time was being—how shall I say—less than cooperative, so I was happy to talk to these new peeps.

Photo by Karen Salkin.

We tried a lot of baby food samples, which were actually quite good. But, by far, the best taste treat that day was from Ooh LaLa Cups. They had all kinds of creative popcorns, which were also beautiful. Their whole display, down to the uniforms, and even one girl’s pink watch(!,) was as mouth-watering as their treats.

Here’s a secret about me—for many years, I’ve used a quilted diaper bag as my purse!!! Even funnier than that usage is the number of compliments I’ve gotten on it! I’ve received more on that bag than on the rest of my (classier) purses combined! But, it just might be on its last legs, so, when Alice pointed-out Happ Brand, a local company with designer diaper bags, I could not wait to explore their wares.

The juicy goodie bags. Photo by Karen Salkin.

We received many samples from the zillion companies who were participating, and on top of all that, I received an “influencer” goodie bag on the way out of the VIP Lounge. Along with all the baby gifts in it, there were also some for the moms, which even we single gals can use. I heard that some of them, (but, sadly not mine,) even contained peanut butter, which is the one thing I would have loved. But even missing that, I so appreciated all the products in there. And so will the new mom pals I give the contents to!

The show was so big that, hard as we tried to cover everyone, I have a feeling that we did not get to visit every sponsor. (No wonder the show goes on for two full days!) But no worries for me—there’s always next year. Maybe I’ll even take a friend’s baby along as a beard. But no matter what I do then, you know that I’ll show-up with clean hair!

For more info: www.lababyshow.com

This favorable review of Sierra Madre’s Playhouse’s latest “field trip series” show, Charlotte’s Web, comes with a warning from me: while it’s the usual excellent production from this theatre, of a famous children’s story, I do not think that the subject matter is appropriate for children, (unless they’re not bothered by learning of the “Circle of Life” at that age.) So, no matter how good I’m about to say the show is, proceed at your own risk. And do not ever say that I did not warn you. [Note: Again, I’m lauding this production of it; I just can’t, in good conscience, not also give you my feelings on the story itself.]

One of the interesting displays in the lobby for this show. Photo by Karen Salkin.

Just like that I grew-up in New York and never went to the top of the Empire State Building, I taught Pre-K through third grade, but never taught (nor even read) Charlotte’s Web. And now I know why!

Even though it’s a true classic, written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, I would have seriously wound-up in a mental institution if I had read the book as a kid! There’s too much talk of death and eating animals for my taste. Even with my 147IQ, I never thought about where burgers come from until I was in my thirties! And I wish I still wasn’t aware of that situation.

But vegans will love this show. Their children will never, ever desire animal products after seeing it. [Note: I was finally going to eat some bacon the next day, after half a year without it because of health concerns, but this show ruined that for me. There was no way I was going to eat Wilbur’s family and friends!]

George Clooney and his pet pig. Really!

I saw this show with a grown-up vegetarian, and she couldn’t handle it. She started tearing-up right near the beginning, when the farmer brandished an axe to kill the pig. George Clooney must have had this book as the reason behind his keeping a pet pig for eighteen years.

But all that is my review of the story, and not this version of it, in particular. While I can’t understand ever subjecting children (or adults, either,) to a sad show like this, I’m sure I’m in the minority. Charlotte’s Web is considered to be one of the best children’s books of all-time, so I guess that the masses can handle death better than I. [Note: I know it’s supposed to be a tale of friendship, but I can’t get past the death aspect of it.]

Charlotte and her actual web. Photo by Tanya Apuya, as is the main one at the top.

So, now to the Sierra Madre Playhouse production, which is quite good. The actors I saw (it’s double-cast) give it their all, with the body of them playing multiple characters. (Wilbur, the pig, and Charlotte, the spider, stay the same all the way through, tough.) There was a lot of energy on that stage, let me tell you. I’m sure the children in the audience will love it when the characters walk amongst them for one reason or another.

My favorite actor, by far, is Ryland Dodge. He plays mainly Templeton, the rat, (which he does perfectly,) but all of his other lesser characters are spot-on, as well. He first appeared on-stage as the father, and I thought he was an older gent. A few seconds later, he was a farmhand, with a one hundred percent different demeanor altogether. I had to look twice to make sure it was the same guy! And none of it is overacted; all of his portrayals are charming, nuanced, and engaging, so major props go to him. (Whoever thought I’d enjoy a rat?!)

Photo by Karen Salkin.

And as always with this theatre, I’m a fan of the colorful, utilitarian set, designed this time by Keiko Moreno. I think I’m not the only one who kept having the urge to jump up there and climb around. (I just may be the only grown-up who felt that way, though. So, what else is new?)

And I especially loved the closing line “It’s not everyone who comes along who’s a good friend and a good writer.” I wish that all my friends would realize that, and start appreciating me more!

Photo by Karen Salkin.

As an adjunct to the show, the Playhouse has some fun children’s activities in the lobby, pre-show. And please check-put their website, below, to find-out about all the special events they have planned before the Sunday shows, including on Easter. (Just don’t plan on serving ham for dinner that day!)

Charlotte’s Web running through April 17, 2016
Sierra Madre Playhouse 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre  626-355-4318  www.sierramadreplayhouse.org