‘Ho, Ho…Uh Oh!’ Get Ready to Jingle with Junie B at DCT

Junie B Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells - Dallas Children's Theater

Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

 

by Mina Frannea

We caught a recent performance of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at the Dallas Children’s Theater. It’s a light-hearted show that the whole family can enjoy and will make you laugh out loud!

The Performance

As the performance opens, it’s the last week before winter break and Junie B’s class in Room One is about to participate in a Holiday sing-along. The class has also been chosen to lead the entire auditorium in a chorus of “Jingle Bells.”  Nervous about the upcoming show, Junie B has a flashback to last year’s disastrous performance of a Columbus Day play when her arch rival May tries to take over and chaos ensues. The Columbus Day skit, a show within a show, is FUN and wonderfully portrayed by the cast. I especially liked the creative use of silk-like fabric to represent roiling ocean waves.

Special Needs Fall Carnival Saturday, Oct 27th

Special Needs Fall Carnival

A FREE Event for Individuals with Special Needs and Their Families

By Mina Frannea

Especially Needed is an organization based on a vision that a community can exist where individuals with special needs are valued, respected and included. A community made up of caring people who serve as a support system as well as mentors to this wonderful group of children and adults. Especiallyneeded.org provides special needs families with information regarding local services and resources. This non-profit organization also hosts seasonal events where families with special needs children can have an opportunity to have fun and relax, and simply focus on spending quality time with each other.

This Saturday, October 27th from 5-8pm is their 3rd Annual Special Needs Fall Carnival at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch in McKinney (6151 Alma Rd., McKinney, TX 75070). This is a FREE event!

Down Syndrome: Brooke’s Story

National Down Syndrome Awareness Month - Brooke Garbe

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

 

by Mina Frannea

Down Syndrome is a congenital disorder in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. This disorder affects about 1 in every 800 babies born in the United States. In an effort to bring awareness to this condition, the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) established the “Down Syndrome Awareness Month” which is traditionally observed in the month of October. The purpose of Down Syndrome Awareness Month is to advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome and to continue to bring awareness for those who are affected by Down Syndrome and their families.

This year, four-year-old Brooke Garbe helped kick off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month as one of 200 people whose photo was selected to appear in the National Buddy Walk Video presented by NDSS in Times Square in New York City. Brooke’s photo (shown above) was selected from over 1,000 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos.

Pinkalicious the Musical: Pinktastic Fun for Fans of PINK!

Pinkalicious the Musical - Dallas Children's Theater

by Mina Frannea

Pinkalicious has been a long time favorite of our 9-year-old daughter’s so we were pretty excited to attend the opening night performance of Pinkalicious the Musical at Dallas Children’s Theater. As we were driving up to the Rosewood Center for Family Arts, we noticed a bunch of flamingos lined up outside and along the drive. It didn’t take long for my kids to figure out that the PINK flamingos were there to represent Pinkalicious!

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters - Dallas Children's Theater

A tale of self-discovery

 

by Mina Frannea

As we walked in to the lobby of the Dallas Children’s Theater for opening night of Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters, we saw a crowd gathered around a group of men playing a variety of African drums and a couple of ladies energetically dancing to the primal sounding drum beats. Right away, we knew this was going to be a special night at DCT!

Get Buggy with a Worm, a Spider and a Fly

Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly - Full Cast

by Mina Frannea

In its regional Southwest premiere, Dallas Children’s Theater’s Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly artfully weaves together three of Doreen Cronin’s popular children’s books. Directed by Joan Cushing, Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly brings to life a cast of lively and colorful characters. The show combines engaging story lines with interesting facts designed to educate the audience about each of the characters. The factual tidbits are nicely done via a large screen in the background, classroom show & tell sessions and occasional “pop up” appearances by the cast that are quite funny! The production also incorporates several high energy musical/dance arrangements featuring hip hop, rap, ballads and boogie-woogie music.