ON THE LOOSE IN NYC: Giveaways! by Robin Gorman Newman

Seth turned 8 recently, and to celebrate, aside from his laser tag party, we stayed in the city for three nights with our good friend Alli, and painted the town red (Seth's favorite color, ala fire trucks).

We bunked again at the comfy, artsy Roger Smith Hotel on 48th and Lexiington, and gallavanted around all over town, as we did back in December, this time thankfully without the slush and mess from the winter blizzard.

Day 1 included: A visit to Grand Central Market (picked up some amazing cheese at Murray's), Jam Paper (very cool paper products and more), Spy Shop (Seth got an invisible ink device), a Cartoon Store, Sky Ride (details below...enjoyed it) and dinner at the delicious Rosa Mexicano, after trying to get into a dinner spot at Eataly and didn't succeed (too long a wait).  Seth loved that the restaurant was across the street from a firehouse that had it's doors open, so we schmoozed with the firemen and took photos.

Day 2 - Visit to Build-A-Bear Workshop(details below), saw the off-Bway musical (and enjoyed) Freckleface Strawberry (I blogged about the show last week. Discount offer below.), visited yet another spy store, super cool Japanese bookstore/gift shop, the Drama Bookshop (love it there), a major trip to Toys R Us (where Seth picked out bday gifts for himself), culminating in dinner at the Brooklyn Diner (love the thick pea soup strewn with hot dogs chunks).

Day 3 - Walked around Union Square, including visits to the "awesome" Forbidden Planet, Game Stop and the excellent toy store Kidding Around.  Then subwayed it downtown to the Lower East Side.  Brought back memories of years gone by when I used to eat at Ratner's with my folks (my beloved mom loved the vegetable cutlet with mushroom barley) and I used to shop there on a Sunday with my longtime friend Debbie, and we always came home packed with shopping bags full of great stuff.  Things have changed quite a bit since those times, and what you see mostly now are small hip clothing shops and funky art galleries.  Quite a transformation.  We also popped into Economy Candy, a fun retro candy store packed to the rafters with almost anything confectionary and caloric you can imagine.  You truly feel like a "kid in a candy store" there!

After all this, headed back uptown for the 7pm ride on THE RIDE (details below), where friends joined us, and we had a total blast.  This was our second time on THE RIDE, and this time, it was all the more special since the hip hop performance street artist gave Seth a shoutout for his birthday.  If you have yet to experience THE RIDE, check it out! Afterwards, back at Brooklyn Diner in Times Square for Seth's birthday dinner featuring the most massive piece of chocolate cake that everyone enjoyed!  It was a day to remember.

Day 4 - Sony Wonder Technology Lab (free...interesting), Lee's Art Shop (great kids floor), TJ Maxx (57th and 8th...didn't know they opened a branch here)......returned home with loads of memories and goodies....and plenty to talk about.

NYC is truly one of the greatest cities in the world, and it's so easy to take it for granted if you live here, but there's much to enjoy if you take the time to explore and scope it out!

I highly recommend you take in the following in your next visit to NYC.  Here's the inside scoop about four of the top attractions we enjoyed.

SKY RIDE (at the Empire State Building)
New York's only virtual tour simulator.  This is a treat!

• Fly across only the skyline.
• See the real New York.
• Fun for children or adults.
• Nearly 8 million happy vistors since 1995.
• Afterwards, enjoy priority access privileges to the Empire State Building

Actor Kevin Bacon narrates your 30-minute adventure, taking you across the skyline on a unique journey around nearly three dozen famous landmarks. You never have to leave the comfort of the second floor at the famed Empire State Building.

Your tour also includes two special presentations:
• "I am New York” the spectacular history of the Empire State Building
• “Top 10 Things to Do in New York" - a primer on all things Big Apple!

Visit http://www.skyride.com/.

BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the leading and only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. Founded in 1997, the company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop® stores worldwide, including company owned stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2007, the interactive experience was enhanced - all the way to CyBEAR® space - with the launch of buildabearville.com®, the company’s virtual world.

We had a great time.  Seth made a husky dog he named Patches, and fell immediately in love. There is something for everyone here. And, the cutest, cleverest accessories and clothing for the wide array of stuffed animals you can make and see come to life. 

Check them out at http://www.facebook.com/buildabear to stay abreast of the most current promotions and receive exclusive offers.

NOTE: BULD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP IS GIVING AWAY A $25 GIFT CARD.  TO ENTER, POST A COMMENT ON THIS BLOG, AND THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN AT RANDOM AND NOTIFIED BY THE END OF MARCH.  BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND INDICATE THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP.

THE RIDE
THE RIDE, is loads of interactive fun and a unique experience....chockful of jokes, singing, doing the wave, sightseeing and more.

THE RIDE’s specially-designed custom vehicles are the tallest allowed by federal law on city streets. The bus is fitted with stadium-style seating that orients riders sidways to look through massive windows, and two on-board hosts banter comedically as they travel through the streets of midtown Manhattan, commenting on New York’s history and its iconic sites and structures, and giving insider secrets about the city – all while incorporating actors and performers along the route who interact with the vehicle and its passengers. External speakers and exterior lighting allow the on-board hosts to make everyone on the street part of the experience. Surprises show up all along the route, featuring sites from the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Terminal to Times Square and Columbus Circle.

A full schedule for THE RIDE is available at experiencetheride.com. Tickets are on sale now, available three ways: online at experiencetheride.com; by phone at (866) 299-9682; and in person at THE RIDE Box office located at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, 1535 Broadway between 45th and 46th Streets. To save $5/ticket, use the code GOMAMA when ordering.  Join them on Facebook to get the latest news.  http://www.facebook.com/ExperienceTheRide.

FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY The Musical
Special Offer:

$45 tickets (regularly $68.50)
or
$39.99 tickets with the Family 4-Pack
(when 4+ tickets are purchased together)

OFFER AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING PERFORMANCES:

Wed at 11am or 2pm; Fri at 7pm; Sat, Sun at 11am or 4:30pm
(offer not valid Sat, Sun at 2pm)

3 EASY WAYS TO BUY TICKETS!

1: ONLINE:
•For 1–3 tickets Visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code FSSWING1
•For 4–8 tickets Visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code FS4SWING1

2: CALL: 212-947-8844
•For 1–3 tickets mention code FSSWING1
•For 4–8 tickets mention code FS4SWING1

3: VISIT THE BOX OFFICE:
Print this blog post and bring it to New World Stages at
340 West 50th Street (between Eighth and Ninth Avenues), New York, NY

For more information visit: http://www.frecklefacethemusical.com/

NOTE: MOTHERHOODLATER.COM IS GIVING AWAY A FAMILY FOUR PACK TO SEE THE SHOW.  TO ENTER, POST A COMMENT TO THIS BLOG AND INDICATE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE SHOW.  BE SURE TO PROVIDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, AND THE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN AT RANDOM AND NOTIFIED BY THE END OF MARCH.

*RESTRICTIONS: Limit 8 tickets per order. Valid through April 17. Additional blackout dates may apply. Not valid on prior purchases and cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions. All sales are final—no refunds or exchanges. Offer subject to availability and includes a $1.50 facilities fee. Offer may be modified or revoked at any time without notice. Standard Telecharge service fees apply to phone and online orders.






Note: Thanks to THE RIDE, SKYRIDE, BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP and FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY for providing promotional visits.

ROBIN'S SHOW RECOMMENDATION: Freckleface Strawberry

Called "a high-energy show that clicks with the audience—a treat!" by The Huffington Post, Freckleface Strawberry The Musical is the story of little Freckleface Strawberry, a young girl who, with the help of her lovable schoolmates—including a talented ballerina, a cute jock, a charming ditz and a totally kooky teacher—learns that everyone is different and that's what makes each person special.

It is an adaptation of Julianne Moore's children's book that will appeal to young kids, adolescents and even their adult companions. I saw it with my 8 year old son, and a friend, and we all enjoyed. 

Rose Caiola and Gary Kupper turned the book, “Freckleface Strawberry,” into a 70-minute musical that strives to deliver the message that everyone is different, whether they have freckles or not, and this, in fact, makes the world a more interesting place.

The show is upbeat and witty, and the cast is engaging.  Remy Zaren as Strawberry is well-suited to the role.  And, Sanjaya Malakar (of American Idol fame) does a nice, fun turn as Danny/Little Brother.

Kupper's songs, such as "I Can Be Anything" and "Be Yourself," are sincere and message-driven. The music, in general, is quite varied in style and pleasing. "Lonely Girl" was moving as delivered by Julia Bray, and  Kimiko Glenn is spunky as Emily, particularly when she confesses her love for Danny in "I Like Danny."  Andrew Cristi (whose voice packs a punch) and Mykal Kilgore round out the talented adult cast.

After Strawberry resorts to wearing a ski mask to cover her freckled-face, classmates sing “Kid in the Mask,” a jazz-style song with old sci-fi sound effects, as they endeavor to guess the identity of the ski-masked individual who they suspect might be an alien.. And Linda Gabler, who ably takes on the roles of mother, teacher and Jane, delivers a rousing rap send-up of the song “Creative Minds.”.

Directed by Buddy Crutchfield and choreographed by Gail Pennington Crutchfield, “Freckleface Strawberry” is a show that may readily take you down memory lane when it comes to recalling your own childhood.  We all grow up with certain insecurities and challenges, and bullying does exist, but we  get through it.  And, in the case of actress/author Julianne Moore, success and personal happiness is the best payback!  She appears to have found both, and fans of this show will hopefully leave the theatre believing that good is possible for them as well.

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER:

$45 tickets (regularly $68.50) or $39.99 tickets with the Family 4-Pack (when 4+ tickets are purchased together)  (available through March 27, 2011)

OFFER AVAILABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING PERFORMANCES:
Wed at 11am or 2pm; Fri at 7pm; Sat, Sun at 11am or 4:30pm (offer not valid Sat, Sun at 2pm)

3 EASY WAYS TO BUY TICKETS --
1: ONLINE:
For 1–3 tickets visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code FSSWING1
For 4–8 tickets visit BroadwayOffers.com and use code FSS4WING1

2: CALL: 212-947-8844
For 1–3 tickets mention code FSSWING1.  For 4–8 tickets mention code FSS4WING1.

3: VISIT THE BOX OFFICE:
Print this blog and bring it to New World Stages at 340 West 50th Street (between 8-9th Aves) in NYC

For more information visit:  http://www.frecklefacethemusical.com/.

RESTRICTIONS: Limit 8 tickets per order. Valid through March 27. Additional blackout dates may apply. Not valid on prior purchases and cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions. All sales are final—no refunds or exchanges. Offer subject to availability and includes a $1.50 facilities fee. Offer may be modified or revoked at any time without notice. Standard Telecharge service fees apply to phone and online orders.