OPENING: Pippin Opens Tonight at Cadillac Palace, Chicago

OPENS WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 AT 

CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE

ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows will be there... will YOU?!

ABOUT PIPPIN

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the Tony Award® winning Broadway Musical PIPPIN opens tonight for a limited two-week run at Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph), now through August 9, 2015.

PIPPIN is back for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago… With a beloved score by Tony nominee Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell), PIPPIN tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life?  Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory. This captivating new production is directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus (Hair and The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess).  It features sizzling choreography by Tony Award nominee Chet Walker in the style of Bob Fosse and circus creation of breathtaking acrobatics by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers) the creative force behind the nationwide sensation Traces.  PIPPIN is noted for many Broadway standards including “Corner of the Sky,” “Magic To Do,” “Glory,” “No Time at All,” “Morning Glow,” and “Love Song.”

PIPPIN, the most nominated Broadway show of 2013, won four 2013 Tony® Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, four Drama Desk Awards, seven Outer Critic Circle Awards,  and the Drama League Award. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for PIPPIN at the Cadillac Palace Theatre are on sale now. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710.  Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.  For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com or www.PippinTheMusical.com and follow PIPPIN on Twitter: @PippinMusical or on Facebook.

Can't Talk... Binge Watching The New Netflix series, Dragons: Race to the Edge #StreamTeam #NetflixKids #Sponsored

From the creators of 
How to Train Your Dragon 
comes an all-new Netflix 
original series 

that takes Hiccup and Toothless 
to the edge of adventure!

Here at ChiIL Mama, we've loved the How to Train Your Dragon series from the first movies, episodes and live touring production. We adore the feisty Viking kids and Hiccup and Toothless in particular. Their peace loving, friendship fostering ways have changed their village and enraptured a generation of littles and parents alike.

This month our Netflix Stream Team Theme is: To The Edge and Beyond

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own. ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama next month, for more Netflix fun in Chi, IL and beyond!

Here at ChiIL Mama we know that parenting, whether they're tots, tweens, or teens, is the ultimate adventure. While some adventures take you abroad, like our 3 generation vacations to Sweden to check out the runes and remains of real Viking culture, others take place at home, like watching a TV show or movie and enjoying a fantastical world together. 

We adore Hiccup & Toothless so we're super excited for more of their epic adventures with this all new Netflix series, Dragons: Race to the Edge.



Now that my kids are 12 & 14 I treasure our Netflix times together even more, because we get to hang out on the couch together, laugh, and relax. Tweens and teens aren't as willing to cuddle as toddlers, but still need that relaxing family time. When they aren't eye rolling or having a flurking snit about something, they still enjoy watching old and new animated series favs like Dragons: Race to the Edge. They're also old enough that we can enjoy PG13 action flicks and comedies as a family now, too, but I'm glad they're still little kids at heart, 'cause I haven't outgrown Hiccup and Toothless, and it's more fun to watch together than alone. 

This summer, Hiccup and Toothless, from the critically acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon films are embarking on unparalleled adventures in the all-new Netflix original series Dragons: Race to the Edge - and inviting you along for the dragon ride.

Soaring beyond their home on the island of Berk in search of new dragons, Dragons: Race to the Edge introduces some of the most exciting dragons yet, each with its own amazing abilities -- shock waves, cannon balls and fire blasts, just to name a few.

With the magical Dragon Eye, an artifact Hiccup finds aboard an abandoned ship, Hiccup learns there is more outside the confines of Berk, and that a little curiosity and determination can make every day an exciting journey. In Hiccup’s own words, “this changes everything.”

Click here for ChiIL Mama's Netflix Stream Team Post from last month, where we first talk Dragons: Race to the Edge and share Dreamworks TV related crafty fun.

Check out the fun family favs below from our friends at Netflixs.

▪ Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie (7/15) ▪ H2O: Mermaid Adventures: Season 2 (7/15) ▪ Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.: Season 2 (7/28) ▪ Turbo FAST (new episodes 7/31)

▪ Sofia the First: S1E12, Two to Tangu ▪ Bo on the Go: S1E11, Bo and the Dragon Queen ▪ The Adventures of Puss in Boots: S1E6, Fountains

▪ How to Train Your Dragon 2 ▪ National Treasure ▪ Planet Earth

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is a proud member of the Netflix Stream Team. We've been compensated for sharing monthly posts with our readers.  As always, all opinions are our own. ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama next month, for more Netflix fun in Chi, IL and beyond!

GIVEAWAY: WIN a Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD #ScoobyDoo #giveaway

It's no mystery who the self proclaimed hottest band in the land was in the 70's 

and will be forever.

I came of age in the 70's when KISS face makeup was THE hot choice at school carnival face painting stations, and we had to wait all week for Saturday mornings, to get our Scooby-Doo fix. Kids today don't know how easy they have it, with decades of Scoob and the gang at the push of a button. 



I still use the exclamations "Zoinks Scoob"and "Jinkies" in conversation. And I own not 1 but 2 styles of t-shirts that proclaim "I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids." 

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is pleased to partner up with Warner Home Entertainment and Partners Hub once again. They have provided a Blu-ray for our giveaway for sharing this new release with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own.

ENTER HERE  
for your chance to win your own 
Scooby-Doo! and KISS: 
Rock and Roll Mystery Blu-ray/DVD combo!

ChiIL Mama's giving away a Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD with UltraViolet copy of Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery for one lucky reader! Open nationwide - US & Canada. Enter through midnight Wednesday, August 5th.

WORLDS COLLIDE ALERT:
My 2 kids (and OK, I'll admit it, the adults in our family too) are huge fans of both Scooby-Doo AND KISS. The hottest band in the land... KISS, is still in rotation on our iPods.

Here's a little #TBT action from my son, Dugan's Scooby themed 4th birthday party! My husband "Shaggy" must have been taking this shot.

Scooby-Doo! and KISS: 
Rock and Roll Mystery Now Out On Blu-ray

Scooby-Doo Where Are You? Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery Is Out On Blu-ray! All the mad cap fun from Scooby and the gang that you remember, only in an all new mystery with rock band Kiss! Everyone’s favorite crime fighting kids are back with their biggest mystery ever in Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery! To help them solve the case the Scooby gang teams up with Rock and Roll legends KISS for an all new Mystery Inc. adventure! About Scooby-Doo! and KISS: Rock and Roll Mystery Get ready to Rock! Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang team up with the one and only KISS in this all-new, out-of-this-world adventure! We join the Gang at Kiss World – the all-things-Kiss theme park, as they investigate a series of strange hauntings. With help from Kiss, they discover that the Crimson Witch has returned to summon The Destroyer from the alternate dimension of Kissteria! The evil duos ghastly plan, to destroy the earth! Can the Gang's cunning and Kiss's power of rock save the day?! Tune in to this Rock and Roll Mystery for some thunderous, heavy FUN!

Check out The Scooby Doo and KISS:  Rock and Roll Mystery Soundboard App: • Scooby Dooby Doooooo! Click around on the soundboard and trigger classic sounds from the Scooby Doo series. *Comment below with your favorite sound effect for 5 bonus entries. • Click the box art to bring the film home today!

Fun Printables:

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is pleased to partner up with Warner Home Entertainment and Partners Hub once again. They have provided a Blu-ray for our giveaway for sharing this new release with our readers. 
As always, all opinions are our own.

Lookingglass' Moby Dick Highly Recommended and Extended Through 8/28 (Ages 12+) #ChiILPicksList

MOBY DICK

“★★★★” “exceptionally enjoyable”
– Chicago Tribune

Moby Dick is on ChiIL Mama's ChiIL Picks List for the best family friendly theatre this summer. Got tweens or teens? This show is HOT and highly recommended for kids 12 and up and their theatre lovin' parents! It's been extended through August 28th but must close then. Don't miss THIS! 

All production photos are from Lookingglass Theatre

Set sail on this summer’s biggest adventure! Madness rages like the angry sea when man pits himself against leviathan in Melville’s epic and poetic tale furiously reimagined on the Lookingglass stage by director David Catlin (Lookingglass Alice). Set sail with Captain Ahab and the crew of the Pequod in this harrowing and intoxicating exploration of fate vs. free will.

Extended by popular demand! Must close August 28, 2015

Venue Water Tower Water Works

Most enjoyed by seafarers ages 12 and older

Run time 2 hours and 30 minutes with two ten minute intermissions

Remaining Reflect Post-Show Panel Discussions

Panel Discussions take place directly following the 2:00 pm matinee on select days at Lookingglass Theatre. Reflect panel discussions are free and open to the public. Seating is subject to availability.

• Sunday, August 2: Moby Dick, Chicago theatre, and interpretations of Melville’s classic tale

Magnify Book Club

Your opportunity to look closer at the source materials that inspire the plays you see on our stage. Participation is free but RSVPs are required. Click here to RSVP for Magnify.

• Tuesday, July 21 at 5:30 pm: Session 2 (Chapters 37 – 79)
• Tuesday, August 18 at 5:30 pm: Session 3 (Chapters 80 – Epilogue)

See Moby Dick for only $40

Subscribe to the 15-16 Season and add-on tickets to Moby Dick for only $40 each. Offer valid for new subscribers only.

Click here to learn more about subscribing to the 15-16 Season.

Moby Dick is Adapted and Directed by Ensemble Member David Catlin, one of our favorite Chicago directors for years!

From the book by Herman Melville
Produced in association with The Actors Gymnasium

Groups of 8 or more save up to 20%
Email groupsales@lookingglasstheatre.org for information.

OPENING: Hotly Anticipated Pippin Opens This Wednesday at Cadillac Palace Chicago #BroadwayInChicago

Here at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows, we adore theatre and review at Chicago shows from the biggest budget Broadway in Chicago musical extravaganzas down to the smallest storefronts. Check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often, for theatre news, reviews and interviews. 



We've been eagerly awaiting the touring production of Pippin for month! This show combines a few of our other passions, like circus arts and magical feats! Don't miss THIS. Limited 2 week run, so secure your tickets today, if you haven't already.

Pippin

• Playing at: Cadillac Palace Theatre
• Dates: July 29, 2015 - August 9, 2015
• Runtime: 2 hours and 35 minutes with an intermission

Direct from an acclaimed run at Boston’s American Repertory Theater, this captivating new production is directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus (Hair and The Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess). It features sizzling choreography in the style of Bob Fosse and breathtaking acrobatics by Les 7 Doigts de la Main, the creative force behind the nationwide sensation Traces. PIPPIN is noted for many Broadway standards including “Corner of the Sky,” “Magic To Do,” “Glory,” “No Time at All,” “Morning Glow,” and “Love Song.” Join us… for a magical, unforgettable new PIPPIN.

GIVEAWAY: WIN 4 Tickets ($80 Value) To Play Minecraft On The BIG Screen With Super League Gaming 7/27-29 #JoinSuperLeague #Chicago #giveaway #ad

Movie Theatres + Minecraft = BIG Fun

Get ready Chicago and burbs... It's COMING!

Picture this: A movie theatre where you're told to turn ON your electronics, gaming on the big screen--not just living room TV big, but movie theatre BIG, and parents who get to watch for FREE! 

Disclosure: ChiIL Mama is thrilled to partner up with Super League Gaming for this sponsored post. We have been compensated and they've provided giveaway tickets for our readers as well. As always, all opinions are our own.

Calling all Minecraft players:

TIME:
Chicago & suburbs: July 27-29th 

4pm-5:35pm

WHAT: 

Come Play Minecraft in a Movie Theater, 

Along with the Big Screen!

$20 admission for players/FREE for parents to watch

*Prizes to top scorers

*Gamers bring their laptops, but we also have some for use.

*Parents can sit with their gamers for free.

** CLICK HERE for your chance to WIN Tickets for up to FOUR kids ($80 value).** 

Parents watch free.

Enter through midnight THIS Thursday night. Good for winner's choice of any Chicago regional showings:

WHERE:

July 27	Chicago	Country    Club Hills	AMC	Country Club 16
July 27	Chicago	Evanston	Cinemark	Evanston 18
July 27	Chicago	South Barrington	iPic	iPic South Barrington
July 28	Chicago	Joliet	Cinemark	Cinemark 14
July 28	Chicago	Bollingbrook	iPic	iPic Bollingbrook
July 28	Chicago	Chicago	AMC	River East 21
July 29	Chicago	Deerpark	Cinemark	Deer Park 16
July 29	Chicago	South Barrington	AMC	South Barrington 30
July 29	Chicago	Lincolnshire	Regal	Lincolnshire Stadium 21

SuperLeague.com is THE first in-theater gaming league set inside major movie theaters across the country, where gamers can socialize, move around the theater, and compete in a recreational setting. They're the "minor league" of gaming. 

Super League "summer tour" is hitting Chicago next week and they've offered ChiIL Mama's readers a chance to WIN free tickets! Don't miss this! Minecraft fans from age 5 to adult will enjoy this unique, social event. Bringing the littles, but not gaming yourself? Adults watch FREE and don't need a ticket to accompany minors. 

Super League Gaming is the first recreational gaming league IN A MOVIE THEATER! Bring your laptop. Bring your friends. Come experience their incredibly fun, team gameplay with some of your favorite games! For tickets near your city, reserve your seats at www.SuperLeague.com.

Can't make the theatre dates or still want more social gaming fun? Super League Gaming runs 6-week, after-school leagues, 

starting this fall.

Enter early & often to WIN 4 tickets ($80 value) from ChiIL Mama & Super League Gaming (winner's choice of Chicago or burbs). Want more info? Click HERE for the Super League site.

Disclosure: Once again, ChiIL Mama is thrilled to partner up with Super League Gaming for this sponsored post. We have been compensated and they've provided giveaway tickets for our readers as well. As always, all opinions are our own.

PHOTO FEATURE: ChiIL Mama's Adventures at the 25th Annual Gymnastics Beach Meet #Chicago #Gymnastics #OriginalPhotos

Beach Meet 2015

This past Saturday and Sunday, Chicago hosted the 25th annual Gymnastics Beach Meet out at gorgeous Montrose Beach and I'm thrilled to report, Sage medaled in both of her events! Her team of 3 - The Supergirls medaled for their rockin' floor routine and Sage also took 5th in vault. We'll post videos in the near future too, so check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.

This is one of our favorite meets of the year because 8-34 year olds compete, including college teams, and unlike regular meets, colorful costumes and funky accessories are encouraged for tumbling and gymnastics. Competitors also choose their own music and choreography instead of everyone doing the same routine to the same music like USAG meets, so it's much more fun for the spectators too. Both of my kids, Sage and Dugan, competed waaaaay back in 2010 and Sage has competed from 2013 to present as well. This meet us utterly unique and crazy colorful.

Check out our full slide show of shots right here:

We'll also embed our favorite photos below.

I'm still in awe that the Chicago Park District trucks copious numbers of mats, a full sized spring floor, and all the gymnastics apparatus for women's and men's competitions down to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. It's no small feat, but so much fun it's well worth the effort! After the athletes compete, most stay on and swim and play in the water with their family and friends.

In most gymnastics meets, each athlete competes solo on bars, beam, floor and vault with similar ages and levels. The Beach Meet is quite different. Athletes compete in groups of 3 with a floor routine together and then each competes just one additional event, with one each on bars, beam and vault. In my daughter, Sage's group, she was on vault and picked up a last minute spot on bars as a sub for Ava, who was injured the day before and unable to swing it.

Don't let the sandy setting and playful vibe fool you though. This is one seriously hard competition, because the ages are just broken into 2 broad categories, older & children, with the 3 athletes' ages averaged. The competition is fierce!

We're so proud of all the hard work and creativity the girls put into their routine from choosing the music and choreography, to designing and ordering their costumes and accessories. 

Here's a little early Throwback Thursday action from 2010. Dugan placed 2nd in boys tumbling that year, and Sage, freshly out of a cast for a broken ankle gymnastics injury, still placed and got a ribbon.

Our Photo Favs From Beach Meet 2015:

"The Bridezillas" getting creative with the costuming!

Super Girl, Kimberly is super on the beam and she's a super big sister too!

All ages fun in the audience.

We lucked out on the weather. Saturday's athletes had 110 degree heat index and ripping thunder storms. Sunday, we got 80's, cloud cover and 

a nice lake breeze!

High fives and congrats among team mates. Avondale Park Gymnastics is tiny but mighty!

That's really super, Supergirls!

I've heard rumors that CPD is going to discontinue the Beach Meet, but I hope that's not true. It's a well loved tradition and something so unique, it should run at least another 25 years or more. Long live Beach Meet!

Little Ears Love Rockin' KidzSafe™ D.I.Y. Wireless Speakers #Review #SponsoredPost

Volume-Limiting Audio Collection from KidzSafeTM Audio Now Available

Here at ChiIL Mama, we know kids and parents rock. We've taken our kids to cover rock festivals like Kidzapalooza for 10 years, and we've been press sponsors for an award winning, live, kindie rock series at Beat Kitchen in Chicago for going on 5 seasons now! 

As my kids will attest, we are also huge advocates of hearing protection for kids, and always use ear plugs or over ear protection and limit the volume on the tunes. That's why we're happy to partner up with KidzSafe™ to spread the word about their safe and fun line of rockin' products for kids. We got to check out and review their D.I.Y. Wireless Bluetooth Speaker.

Disclosure: I received a KidzSafe Audio Gear product for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. 

KidzSafe™ D.I.Y. Wireless Speaker  

What We Liked:

This rockin' speaker is splash-resistant, because kids and spills go hand in hand! I mean, don't throw it in the pool or anything, but it's nearly oops proof next to the sprinkler or canon ball splash back (IPX4 rating for water resistance).

The KidzSafe D.I.Y. Wireless Speaker is easy to connect, straightforward, and tops out at an audiologist recommended limit of ≤ 85dB to keep kids' ears safe. My kids get sick of hearing me repeat, you only get one pair of ears to last a lifetime. Take care of them! But they CAN hear me. That's the point, among a generation where teens and tweens now face an epidemic of permanent hearing loss. For comparison, most MP3 players range between 60 and 130 dB.

This speaker has a range of 32ft and is simple to pair to any Bluetooth device. It runs on a rechargeable lithium- ion battery so it lasts 5 hours too and won't break the bank on batteries! Even young kids (or tech challenged parents) can figure out the easy-touch, on board controls to skip, repeat, play, pause and change volume. You can even answer phone calls hands-free with the built in mic.

We also dig the personalizing color choices of bumpers and carabiners. My daughter adores green and purple but detests pink, while my husband was a pink board toting skate punk back in the 80's. Kids love to rock their personality through their own unique style choices, and KidzSafe's customizable features make it easy and fun.

This puppy's built for rugged, safe play, which is key for kids who don't go easy on delicate electronics. It features Bluetooth 3.0 technology with 32-foot range and 2 carabineer clips for portability. Also included are two interchangeable silicone bumpers, a removable suction cup and a micro USB charging cable for MSRP $39.95.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• IPX4 Rated Water Resistance
• 45mm Drivers
• Bluetooth 3.0
• 32FT. Range
• 5-Hour Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery
• Built in Microphone

INCLUDES:

• 2 Interchangeable Silicone Bumpers
• 2 Carabiner Clips
• Removable Suction Cup to Secure Device
• Micro USB Charging Cable

The whole new KidzSafe™ line comes in an array of colors for

safety in style!

Designed to protect children’s ears from harmful noise levels, the fully-customizable speakers, speaker cases and headphones are now available in multiple color options

My husband is a location sound engineer who uses his ears professionally for every TV show, movie and band he works with, so he's always been adamant about keeping our kids' hearing protected. It's amazing how many safety conscious parents drop the ball on something as crucial as their kids' permanent hearing loss! That's why we're happy to spread the word about this new line of accessories.

KidzSafeTM, an audiologist recommended audio headphone and accessories brand for children, announces the purchase availability of its volume-limiting audio collection designed to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Initial product offerings include the KidzSafe D.I.Y. Headphone, KidzSafe D.I.Y. Earbuds, KidzSafe D.I.Y. Wireless Speaker and KidzSafe D.I.Y. Speaker Case. All products are currently available on kidzsafeaudio.com.

“KidzSafe provides the same high-quality sound found in full-sized audio products, without exposing children to harmful levels of noise,” said Danielle Jones, Marketing Manager. “And while this clearly appeals to parents, we’re also extremely focused on the do-it-yourself aspect – like incorporating fun color options and customizable stickers – so kids have the ability to show their style and personality.”

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're thrilled to partner up with KidzSafe to get the word out about this great new line. Check them out!

Get Social for More Information:

http://www.kidzsafeaudio.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KidzSafeAudio

https://twitter.com/kidzsafe

• About KidzSafe:
Manufactured by SMS Audio, LLC, the KidzSafeTM collection of customizable, kid-friendly products includes headphone, wireless speaker and speaker case offerings. Providing personal audio products that are fun and safe for kids, KidzSafe is dedicated to preventing Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) from prolonged exposure to high audio levels with its patented volume-limiting technology found in each product. KidzSafe is recommended by audiologist Jacqueline R. Scholl Au.D, CCC/A, FAAA.

A global premier audio headphone and accessories brand, SMS Audio, LLC is dedicated to improving the way people experience music by combining technology, function and style to bring a superior level of sound, comfort and fashion to every product. Learn more about KidzSafe and SMS Audio at www.KidzSafeAudio.com and www.SMSAudio.com.

Disclosure: Once again, I received a KidzSafe Audio Gear product for the purpose of this review. This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own.