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One Dad's Quest to Regain Control of his Kingdom

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Reflections on my trip to theTime to Play Toy Show (@timetoplay, #timetoplay)

October 1, 2011 by dadofdivas 84 Comments

As a dad who loves toys and who loves to share toys with my daughters (and my readers – can’t forget you) I was floored when I was asked to go to New York City this past Monday to be a part of the blogging Team that attended the Time to Play Magazine’s (@timetoplay) Time to Play 2011 Toy Fair.

Seeing that I have not attended many blogging events let alone a toy fair, I have to say that I did not know what to expect, but I was still very excited about the event itself and all of the fun new toys that I was sure to be introduced to.

Leading up to the event my anticipation mounted as I spoke with some blogging friends of mine Adam Cohen (@DadaRocks) and Drew Bettett (@BenSpark) and found out that they would be there along with Josh from @DadStreet and a number of mom bloggers that I had seen around the internet but did not know them much more than that (but now I do!).  As I said I do not get to these events often and usually am confined to talking over the phone or via social networking so this was also going to be a treat.

The amazing people at Litzky PR treated me with utmost respect especially by Kaylie (@kayliegrace), she made every step of my trip amazing! I found out more about the trip itself and that I would be coming in the day before and meeting up with the blogging team. This was beyond my expectations and I was very excited to be sure!

Time to play, I came to find is an amazing company and website! They have amazing staff that go above and beyond to make toy buying easy for anyone. What they do best is get down to the basics with the toys and play with them like kids would so that they can share with their readers what the toys are really like and what their positive and negative aspects are. Their site (timetoplay.com) is amazing and so user friendly. In talking to the owners, they have so many great ideas about the future of the company, I know that I and I hope all of you will come to find that this will be your first step before purchasing any new toy!

The night before the event we all went out to dinner at a restaurant called Blue Smoke. It was amazing and I had the best Ribs that I have ever had in my life. If you are ever in New York City you should try this restaurant! We all had a great time getting to know each other and developing even stronger friendships.

Back to the reason I was going. I was going to see and experience the unveiling of the Time to Play’s Holiday 2011 Most Wanted Toys List. Every year Time to Play comes out with the top toys of the holiday season. Below I have linked to a video that unveils these toys to you.

The morning of the show itself was exciting, we got in a cab and went over to the Altman Building to experience the show itself. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was very well organized with a ton of great businesses. I started the day hanging out with my friend Drew from benspark.com , we started by learning more from Razor, Crayola and LEGO. I was amazed to find that there were so many new great toys on the market!

I could easily spend a long time today talking about all of the toys that I I learned about but I will be talking more about these in the following months as I review the toys and possibly even give some away as we prepare for the holidays!

After the show I had to catch my ride back to LaGuardia to fly back home. I was surprised to find that three great moms that I met at Time to Play were on my flight to Milwaukee and I got to sit by them on the plane as well. So thanks to @momstart, @OutnumberedMama  & @RobynsWorld for making a long wait in the airport and on the plane enjoyable and I look forward to keeping in touch!

I had am amazing time and I have to say thank you SO much to a few people that made this happen. First to Adam Cohen (http://dadarocks.com) as he was the person that passed my name on to Time to Play and thus is the person that paved the way for me to have this experience. Second, thanks to Kaylie Nelson, a great PR Representative and a great person (and so organized!). She did an amazing job at balancing everything. I am completely hooked and know that I will be spending a lot more time on Time to Play Magazine’s Website and you should too!  I made the video below to talk a little about my experiences…hope that you enjoy!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: event, toys, travel, trip

DreamWorks Theatricals and Broadway Across America’s “Madagascar Live” Hits the Road across North America

February 3, 2011 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

DreamWorks Theatricals and Broadway Across America launched the national tour of “MADAGASCAR LIVE” in York, PA today. The production is expected to visit over 70 cities across the United States and Canada. The brand new stage show aimed at family audiences stars the cast of popular characters from the beloved “Madagascar” film series, including Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and members of the madcap Madagascar crew, King Julien and the crafty Penguins.
 
Widely successful across audiences of all ages, the original story will be brought to new life in the 90-minute stage show that will transport audience members from the Central Park Zoo to the wilds of Madagascar. In addition to featuring everyone’s favorite characters, “MADAGASCAR LIVE” takes the audience on an action packed adventure with imaginative set, costume and puppet design, magnificent singing and dancing and the hit song “Move It, Move It” for an experience the entire family will enjoy.
 
“MADAGASCAR LIVE” is being directed by Gip Hoppe, director of “Dora the Explorer Live” who has worked with Broadway Across America and Nickelodeon on other family friendly live touring productions including: “Blue’s Clues Live,” “Dora’s Pirate Adventure” and “Go, Diego, Go Live!” Hoppe also wrote and directed the Broadway play “Jackie: An American Life” and is a founding member and co-artistic director of the Wellfleet Harbor Actor’s Theatre.
 
The show is being written by Kevin Del Aguila, who received a Drama Desk Award nomination as book writer of the Off-Broadway hit “Alter Boyz” and has also written the musical adaptations of the children’s books “Lilly’s Big Day” and “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type.”
 
Tony Award-winner David Gallo, whose Broadway credits include “Memphis,” “Xanadu,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” and whose touring show credits include “Dora The Explorer Live” and “Blue’s Clues Live,” serves as the show’s Scenic Designer.
 
The show will feature costume design by Tony Award-winning Gregg Barnes, whose Broadway credits include “Legally Blonde,” “Flower Drum Song,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and whose touring show credits include “Disney On Ice – Princess Classics,” “Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular,” “Winnie The Pooh” and Madison Square Garden’s “The Wizard of Oz.”
 
Joel Someillan and George Noriega are serving as the show’s composers and lyricists. Joel and George have worked with several popular artists including Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Mandy Moore and between them have amassed a collection of gold and platinum records and won multiple Grammys. They have also composed music for Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer” and “Go, Diego, Go” television shows and the “Go, Diego, Go Live!” touring stage show.
 
For more information and on-sale dates for “MADAGASCAR LIVE,” visit www.madlive.com.
 
Find “MADAGASCAR LIVE” on Facebook (www.facebook.com) by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madagascar-Live/156147897738163.
 
MADAGASCAR LIVE 2011 Tour Dates (schedule subject to change)
 
February 3-6   Pittsburgh, PA   Benedum
February 8-9   Norfolk, VA   Chrysler Hall
February 11-13   Houston, TX   Hobby Center
February 15-16   Birmingham, AL   BJCC
February 18-20   Durham, NC   Durham Performing Arts Center
February 22-23   Toledo, OH   Stranahan Theater
February 25-27   Columbus, OH   Palace Theatre
March 1-2   Peoria, IL   Peoria Civic Center
March 4-6   Louisville, KY   Palace Theatre
March 8-9   Kalamazoo, MI   Miller Auditorium
March 11-13   Des Moines, IA   Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
March 16-20   Chicago, IL   Rosemont Theater
March 22-23   Saginaw, MI   Dow Theatre
March 25-27   Memphis, TN   Orpheum Theater
March 29-30   Indianapolis, IN   Murat Theater
April 1-3   Minneapolis, MN   Orpheum Theatre
April 5-6   Ft. Wayne, IN   Embassy Theatre
April 8-10   Providence, RI   Providence Performing Arts Center
April 15-24   New York City, NY   Radio City Music Hall
April 26-27   Knoxville, TN   Tennessee Theatre
April 29 – May 1   Detroit, MI   Fox Theater
May 3-4   Appleton, WI   Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
May 6-8   Wallingford, CT   Oakdale Theatre
May 11-15   Philadelphia, PA   Academy of Music
May 18-22   Washington, DC   Warner Theater
May 25-29   Toronto, ON   Sony Centre

 
About DreamWorks Theatricals
 
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (DWA) established DreamWorks Theatricals to produce stage productions based on its films and other original adapted works. Currently planned projects include an arena spectacular based on How To Train Your Dragon produced in association with Global Creatures as well as an arena show based on Kung Fu Panda produced in association with Franco Dragone Entertainment. DreamWorks Theatricals is currently represented by the North American tour of Shrek The Musical as well as the upcoming London production set to open in May of 2011 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. DWA is devoted to producing high quality family entertainment though the use of computer-generated animation. Jeffrey Katzenberg currently serves as DWA’s CEO and is on the Board of Directors and was a co-founder of DreamWorks Studios in 1994. The President of DreamWorks Theatricals is Bill Damaschke
 
About Broadway Across America
 
Broadway Across America (Producer) is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (COO & Head of Production), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current productions include Promises, Promises; Million Dollar Quartet; La Cage Aux Folles; West Side Story; Memphis; The Scottsboro Boys; the West End production of Flashdance and the upcoming revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Current touring productions include Dreamgirls and Nickelodeon’s Storytime Live. Please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com
 

Filed Under: announcement Tagged With: cartoons, event, events, family, family time

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