The Doll Maker’s Gift @RoseTheaterCo - Review

I picked the snowiest day of the year so far to go to The Rose Theater. It was so worth it. I needed a break from the house!

The show we saw was called The Doll Maker's Gift. As soon as we got there Isaak said, "I'm going to see this show with my school as well." I said, "Double the fun!" 

It was hard to get a good photo of the boys because it was so cold.

We didn't have to wait too long for the show to start. My boys love to read through the program.

About Return to The Doll Maker's Gift: 

• Book by EllaRose Chary and Fran Sillau 

• Music by Brian Feinstein

• Lyrics by Sammy Buck Based on The Doll Maker’s Gift by Sashi Fridman 

• Produced in Partnership With Deborah Denenberg 

Nora is the star of the show. She reminded me of myself. A doll lover, that's super imaginative. Nora lived in a Russian Jewish community that faces the Pogroms of the 1900s, a time of ethnic cleansing of Jews in Russia.

After their cousins' village is attacked, Nora's family is threatened, her family is forced to flee to America.

They discover at the last moment that they don't have enough funds to pay for everyone's passage. Young Nora will have to stay behind, with the threat of attacks ever increasing. She is left with a family friend, a kind doll maker who offers to care for her until they can earn enough money to pay for her journey to America.

Nora and the devoted doll maker show that all obstacles can be overcome with the help of good friends and community.

This show featured original music and an essential story drawn right from history, The Dollmaker’s Gift is an uplifting exploration of what makes humanity great.

I had a talk with the boys about how show that the show meant way more than girls and dolls. It was a feel good show. Don't tell anyone, but I cried when Nora made the voyage with her Mom and sister.

Show Dates:

The show is at The Rose Theater in Omaha, Nebraska from February 22 - March 10, 2019.

Members can receive 4 free tickets, non members pay $20 per ticket.

Call: 402.345.4849 for tickets.

Lobby doors open 45 minutes prior to the show starting. I certainly would get there early to get a seat.

The show is best for ages 8 and up. I can tell my boys will stay interested if it is for older kids.

Cast and Crew:

Nora – Maddie Smith
Rosa – Chloe Irwin
Soldier/Fairy Doll – Annlynn Casey
Soldier/Captain Doll – Chuck Sams
Moshe/Jacob/Boxer Doll – Noah Fowler
Anna/School Girl Doll – Dina Saltzman
Mama – Abby Gerdts
Papa/Guard – Steve Hydeen
Zalushka/Uncle Abraham – Patrick Wolfe
Pola/Aunt Rebecca/Ticket Doll – Sue Gillespie Booton

Artistic/Production Credits:

Director – Fran Sillau
Music Director – Jerry Brabec
Orchestrator – Makulumy Alexander-Hills
Choreographer – Sue Gillespie Booton
Scenic Designer – Jamie Bullins
Lighting Designer – Craig S. Moxon
Sound Designer – Christy Hernandez
Costume, Hair & Makeup Designer – Erin Bragg
Production Stage Manager – Meghan Boucher
Director of Production – Erin M. Solemsaas
Technical Director – Greg Rishoi
Props Mistress – Devon Denn-Young
Resident Costume Designer – Sherri Geerdes
Resident Stage Manager – Lisa Krabbenhoft
Scenic Charge Artist – Savannah Savick
Master Carpenter – Jackson Curtright
Lighting Apprentice – Elton Bradley
Scenic Apprentice – Austin Watson
Stage Management Apprentice – Kali Coates
Run Crew – Jesse Groff
Stitchers – Sherri Geerdes, Erin Bragg, Audio Helkuik, Jill Maenner

Orchestra:

Keyboard/Conductor – Jerry Brabec
Sub Percussion – Jeff Kolega
Keyboard – Amy Nunamaker
Percussion – Michael Pollack
Reeds – Michael Prucha
Cello – Patty Ritchie
Sub Cello – Drew Ritchie
Sub Cello – Christa Speed

The End of the Show:

They had a question and answer session. I liked that one of the main stars was there to answer questions. Then there was an autograph signing as well.

I'm really glad we were able to go! I enjoyed it, so much!

Disclaimer: I got tickets from The Rose Theater to help write this review. The Rose Theater did not tell me what to write. All opinions are my own. 

Random Tid Bits

This post is all about taking a trip back down memory lane.

1. I had The Sunshine Family when I was little. They were, Barbie sized, and I got paper dolls of them to. My sister Terra AKA Aunt Terra and I played with them with our Barbies.
   
   I was envious of a family friend who's Dad built her a doll house for her Sunshine Family. The Grandpa in the set was a bit scary, maybe that's why I didn't have him.
   
   
   
    
2. Terra had The Heart Family. They to joined our Barbie clan. I think they were only out on the market a few years, but we loved them. They were a little more wholesome than the Barbie line up. We loved the twins! She got a Valentines dress set for them one year to.
   
   
   
   
   Terra's is 5 years younger than me, but I played with her all the time. Playing with her was an excuse to stay young. I think I played with dolls and Barbies all the way up until 6th grade. 


3. The scariest doll we had was the Ronald McDonald Doll. We loved the red whistle on that thing!
   
   
   
   
   
4. One doll I always eyed, but never got was My Buddy. I don't think I ever even asked for him. He came out past my doll playing days. They had Kid Sister, which was an added coolness!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   I remember when Mica was itty bitty I said, "I need to get him a My Buddy doll. My Buddy was long since off the shelves. I wanted him to get used to having a baby around to roll play with because I was pregnant with Isaak. I ended up getting a cheap generic doll, which was fine. I still wanted a My Buddy Doll for him - or maybe for me.


5. Whenever we took baths we played with 3 Men in a Tub and Seaweed Dolls. We looked forward to bath time. Bath time meant playtime. My boys never really got into bath toys as much as I did.
   
   
   
   

What were some lost, but not forgotten toys that you had when you where little?