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. 

Art Opening

My husband had his residency opening at El Museo Latino a few weeks ago.

I remember when he applied to it he was nervous because of how little Mexican is in his blood. He's just as Mexican as Frida Kahlo is. His Grandpa was 100% Mexican.

It was a 2 month residency during June and July. Boy with my nose surgery, and his residency we were ultra busy! I thought for sure he'd make many of the dinners, but thankfully I had some things made ahead of time in the freezer.  Travis wanted to be in the studio as much as possible.

He talks about his residency project here. He made Nomads, which was carved out of Limestone, and yucca's that he dug up on a trip were planted into the sculpture.

Travis showed up to his opening with rain water in a squirt bottle to water the yucca's. 

Source

He had a few other pieces in the show. Then 2 other artists showed along with him. 

At the opening they had Salsa Dancing lessons. None of use got into it except for Isaak. He couldn't wait to dance. 

Here Isaak is dancing with one of Travis' bosses:

It's not the best photo, but they sure did have fun! 

This Friday we're heading out to art openings. We haven't been in awhile. For the last 2 Fridays we've had our nephew's Edison (3), Elijah (9) and Evan (12) over to spend the night. It's been busy with 5 boys in the house. 

Do you ever go to art openings? Usually they are the first Friday of the month where we live.

Do You Believe in Magic?

The boys gave Daddy and I their Cat in the Hat tickets, and said to use them at our house to see a magic show. We handed our tickets to Mica, and he punched it with a hole puncher.

We both sat down to enjoy our magic show.

Isaak was the star of the show. Mica told him what to do. 
Typical for a big brother to tell the little brother what to do.

 

Isaak pulled a rabbit out of a hat. 
He covered his hat with his magic cape, and did all the action under the cape. I really couldn't figure out how he did it. ;)

They did a few other tricks.

The pen was their wand. 

After their show they had a question and answer session time.

The cape I got a long time ago for review. It was from a company called Bean Soup. They had cute aprons on their site to. They must have gone under. Sadly their site no longer exists. 

Here's Isaak when I first got it. He loved walking around with that thing on!

Here he is today. Just as cute, but a little bit older.