Erin Leigh Peck News

BALLERINA SWAN, a 50-minute family show blending dance, theater and puppetry, tells the story of Sophie, a Central Park swan with dreams of becoming a ballerina and dancing in Swan Lake. Based on the critically-acclaimed by The New York Times children's book BALLERINA SWAN by former NYC Ballet prima ballerina Allegra Kent, the show features three dancers and a dancer/puppeteer who operates a five-foot dancing swan puppet!

Westchester Broadway is a dinner theatre. It's a strange feeling to be eating a dinner roll while watching the Von Trapp family sing, but it's also a cool and unique way to see a show and worth trying with your child. Plus, if you're a Soap Dish buff, you can say things like, "Five minutes, Mr. Loman!" and have it really resonate.

Based on the award-winning children's book by Eileen Spinelli, featuring music and lyrics by singer, songwriter and superstar children's recording artist Laurie Berkner, WANDA'S MONSTER runs July 13th through September 8th at the Vineyard Theatre. The 50-minute production is best for families with kids ages 2-10.

As Cinderella is forced to endure the bullying ways of her step-sisters, she waits to be saved by her zany fairy godmother who is nowhere in sight. Unfortunately, her wand has run low on power and she can't seem to find her charger anywhere. With just enough power left to call her best bird friend Perez (inspired by Perez Hilton), the Fairy Godmother persuades Perez to take Cinderella under his wing and get her ready for the ball. Perez knows that if he makes this CinderCharming match, he'll be the hot tweet on the street and be 'in' with the prestigious royal family. ??Will Cinderella make it to the ball? Will Prince Charming live up to his name? The truth is surprising and the match is enlightening.

The 2013 Festival opened earlier this week and BroadwayWorld wants to keep you in the loop on highlights of this season. Check out some of the most buzzed-about productions below!

This month, New York celebrates musical theatre as the New York Musical Theatre Festival debuts thirty new productions. Three of the shows are perfect for family audiences. This is a great (and rare) opportunity for you to introduce your child to a brand new show in development. Today's festival presentations could be tomorrow's Off-Broadway hits.

I remember doing this show in middle school. Really Rosie, based on series of books by famed children's author Maurice Sendak and with music by the legendary Carole King, has always been a perfect choice for school plays. Now Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania has brought in Broadway director and a cast of talented local kids to take Really Rosie out of the classroom. Tony Award- nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime, High Society) is directing a cast made up entirely of Pennsylvania and New Jersey kids, most of whom come with impressive Broadway and Regional credits, as part of the 2013 Playhouse Productions Summer Season. Performances begin July 5th and run through July 21st at the Bucks County Playhouse

The New York Musical Theatre Festival presents LEGACY FALLS - the musical comedy where soap opera is a dirty business - from July 16 to 24, 2013. The show has Music & Lyrics by James Burn and Book by James Burn and Ian Poitier. The show is Directed and Choreographed by Ian Poitier with Music Direction byJonathan E. Gill. The show was originally presented at the New Players Theatre in London, UK in 2010. LEGACY FALLS is an Official Selection of the 2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

If your child is a fan of Potter, run don't walk to the Little Shubert to catch Potted Potter before the end of this summers NYC run on September 1st. And don't worry about being bored. This show does what I always hope children's theatre will do: It makes for great kid's theatre without boring the parents. Not even a little bit. If your child hasn't read J.K. Rowling's fantastical trilogy about a boy who discovers he is a wizard, this might be the inspiration he or she needs to pick up what I am told is an addictive piece of literature.

Kef theatrical productions has announced the upcoming event KEF KIDS CABARET, an evening of songs featuring some of Broadway, TV and Film's biggest little stars, performing numbers of their own choice. The evening of music will be presented on Monday, July 1st at The Cutting Room (44 East 32nd St. btw 5th and Madison) at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the one-night-only event are $20 in advance or $25 at the door (food/beverage minimum not included) and are available at www.thecuttingroomnyc.com or by calling 212.691.1900.

Watching the Tony awards every year has become a tradition for my daughter and I. She enjoys watching performances from all the shows, even those she is too young to see in theatres. What's really special this year is that every single Best Musical nominee is appropriate for kids, keeping in mind that some might be better for older kids. Here's a run down of the family-friendly nominees for this 2013 Tony Awards:

This imaginative and beautiful world is seen through the eyes of a young girl and her beloved bear as she experiences the magical moments of what we all experience in our minds and our hearts when we sleep. My daughters were front and center, and completely mesmerized through this moving entire non-verbal show.

When Milo finds out that his favorite city park is going to be torn down and replaced with a shopping mall, he seeks out the help of his two best friends, Odessa the Owl and Bucky the Squirrel. This 45-minute educational performance features puppetry, original songs, and audience participation.

York Theatre Company will present MR. CONFIDENTIAL tonight, May 13 at 7 PM. The show features Book and lyrics by Samuel Bernstein (based on his award-winning book) and Music by David Snyder and will be directed by Stephen Nachamie.

This summer, the perfect show for Harry Potter fans returns: Potted Potter, starting previews May 30th at the Little Shubert Theatre, takes on the challenge of condensing, or 'potting' all seven Harry Potter books into 70 minutes, aided only by multiple costume changes, songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic. The show also invites audiences to engage with a real life game of Quidditch, featuring a unique set of rules.

This Monday, the Computer School brings Broadway to the Upper West Side! The school's annual Night of Stars concert raises money for the Computer School After School Music Program, helping to provide scholarships, keep fees low, and purchase new instruments.

York Theatre Company will present MR. CONFIDENTIAL on May 13 at 7 PM. The show features Book and lyrics by Samuel Bernstein (based on his award-winning book) and Music by David Snyder and will be directed by Stephen Nachamie.

Set in a big apartment building, Apt. 3 is the simple tale of two young brothers who hear saxophone music (in the book it's harmonica) coming from one of their neighbors. While searching for the source, they go on an aural journey, hearing diverse voices and sounds behind every door. Since there's not a lot of plot, director/choreographer Joanna Greer cleverly incorporates dance interludes that are meant to communicate what the boys are feeling: fear, adventure and excitement all rolled into one. It's a bit Dance Moms at times but it gives the ensemble a chance to show off their moves and enhances the slight story. The lighting design, full of dark blues, greens and black, is reminiscent of the book's rich illustrations.

I sometimes get intimidated when I'm asked to write about something truly extraordinary that has affected my child in a deep way. The last experience I had like this was when I brought my daughter to see Kinky Boots. The show changed how my daughter viewed the importance of accepting people for who they are, and it was a great opportunity for me to demonstrate how Mommy believes a person should behave towards others.

From April 19 through May 5th, three original productions for kids will be showcased in NYC as part of the The New York Children's Theater Festival at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater (10 West 64th Street at Central Park West). This is the second year for the Festival which provides a birthplace in NYC for new live children's entertainment from around the globe, and serves as a platform for writers and producers who are passionate about developing innovative theatrical experiences for children. Here's the low-down on this year's NYCTF productions: