A Trip Into the Woods

Into the Woods is one of Marina’s favorite musicals. She was interested in seeing a university production this year. Marina decided she wanted to dress like a wolf. That meant she wore black, grey and white with her wolf hat.

We arrived in Boulder with plenty of time to park and walk to the university theater. We picked up snacks and went to our seats. While we were waiting for the show to start, the fire alarm went off. An usher told us a child had pulled an alarm but we still had to evacuate. A bit later the fire department showed up. While we waited outside we talked to the spotlight operator for a while.

When we were finally allowed back inside, it took a while to get everything ready, so the show started about 20 minutes late. Once it got started, Marina was completely involved. At intermission we were both hungry, but when we went to the concession stand they were out of snacks. That made us a bit grumpy.

Fortunately the second act went faster than the first. When the show was over, we waited in the lobby to meet the performer who played Little Red. After our brief conversation, Marina and I headed for the car. We picked up burgers and fries on the ride home then took it easy for the rest of the night.

Red Riding Hood at the Opera

Last year we went with friends to see a production of Cinderella. This year, they were presenting Little Red Riding Hood and we all decided to go together again. Marina chose to wear a simple black dress – then she added a red cape from one of her Red Riding Hood costumes.

We met our friends at their house and we all drove together. We arrived at the theater early. When we walked in we found Santa sitting inside with no line. .

We had a bit of a wait until we could sit, so Marina and I browsed a table with souvenirs. Marina fell in love with a wolf hat that had long paw gloves attached. I knew she’d probably wear it all the time, so I got one for her. She wore it all day.

Our seats were right up front so we got a good look at the stage. It had flowers and artificial grass where we could see. It was fun to look at. The opera started a bit late, but it was a really fun one. It was an abridged version, so it was only about 45 minutes long and we all enjoyed it.

After the opera was a question and answer period. Marina answered a question correctly and won a t-shirt. The cast were in the lobby for photo so we took some. But we didn’t see the actor playing the wolf. We found him inside the theater and talked with him for a few minutes. He was very nice. We stopped for ice cream after the show before driving home.

There's Something About the Woods

Into the Woods is one of Marina’s favorite musicals. So she was happy to see it again  this summer. To make it even better, a friend of ours was playing Cinderella. Marina thought about wearing a Red Riding Hood costume, but she ultimately decided to wear an outfit inspired by Cinderella. She even experimented with false eyelashes. For her first time using them, she did a good job putting them on.

We went downtown early We got drinks and went to our seats as soon as the house opened. The show was presented in the round – I hadn’t taken Marina to see a show in this format before. We both enjoyed the actors coming and going from various places throughout the theatre.

The show was wonderful. Marina was very excited each time Cinderella came onstage, especially if she was near our seats. It was designated as a “sensory friendly” performance. So instead of clapping the audience used the ISL sign for applause. It was a new experience for us.

After the show we waited in the lobby, hoping to talk to Jenna. While we were waiting, we saw the actor who had played Prince Charming. We had met him after Jekyll and Hyde about four years ago. He said he remembered us and spoke with us for a while. When our friend came out she greeted Marina with a big hug. We also talked with the actress who played Little Red before we headed out. We had a fun evening!

Red Riding Hood in the Woods

One of Marina’s favorite musicals is Into the Woods. I saw it listed at a theater we haven't been to before. Marina wanted to see it again, so I bought tickets for us to go this afternoon.

Marina wanted to wear her Red Riding Hood costume. I was surprised it still fit her. Instead of the cape that went with the costume, she wore my red Belle cape. She really likes that one – she says it’s “cozy.”

We found our way to the theater and had time to get drinks before the show started. Our seats were in the front row and Marina was pleased with that. When the lights dimmed she acted very excited.

This version of the show was much like a radio play – we could see the musicians and the special sound effects being played on percussion instruments. There was no set but the costumes and lighting effects were really good.

At intermission, the actor playing the narrator walked through the audience. He asked Marina if she was ready to join the show for Act 2. She loved that! She even approached an usher to find out where we could meet actors after the performance.

Marina loved the show. Afterwards we waited in the lobby to meet some of the actors. Many of them we saw in Company last fall. We managed to meet the actresses playing Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and the Witch. They all loved Marina’s outfit. We were also hoping to speak with Prince Charming and Jack, but those actors didn’t come into the lobby, so we decided to go home.

Peter and the Wolf

Marina and I had tickets to see Peter and the Wolf at the Colorado Symphony this afternoon. Marina always wants to dress up when we go out, so she decided to wear her Red Riding Hood costume. After all, her story contains a wolf as well.

We arrived with enough time to get drinks and find our seats before the concert began. We laughed when the conductor, Christopher Dragon, came out. He had crazy mad scientist hair. And throughout the concert he had funny facial expressions and body movements. That kept Marina entertained through some of the less familiar music.

She did seem to recognize parts of The William Tell Overture. When they started Peter and the Wolf, a narrator came out to tell the story. That helped Marina to recognize the musical themes throughout.

After the concert she reluctantly let me take a few pictures before we went home.

Magic in the Woods

Into the Woods is one of Marina’s favorite musicals. When we saw one of our favorite dinner theaters was presenting it this summer we planned to go. We found out that Sarah, an actress we know, was playing Red Riding Hood in the show. Marina was thrilled.

For the show this evening, Marina wore her Red Riding Hood costume. She also took her Easter basket to hold her cellphone and a few other items.

Marina ate a good dinner, but she was more interested in when the show started. She started to count down the minutes to the start time. We saw Sarah waiting tables before the show started. Marina was excited to see her.

Once the show began, Marina gave it her complete attention. She was happy during all the scenes with Little Red Riding Hood. During his song “Giants in the Sky,” Jack performed in the row of tables where we were sitting. He started far away from us, but he ultimately arrived at our table. He knelt down in front of Marina and sang directly to her for quite a while. Once he moved on to the stage, she turned and beamed at me. Clearly she was pleased.

At intermission, Marina enjoyed her dessert but she was anxious for the second act. She did seem to be getting tired. However, once the show ended, she was happy to find characters to have her picture taken with. We started with Snow White and the Prince’s Steward – who had been our servers. We also met up with Red Riding Hood's Granny, who I had known many years ago.

We went into the lobby where Sarah found us before changing out of her costume. We also got a chance to chat with Jack. He loved Marina’s costume and we got to tell him how thrilled Marina had been that he sang to her. We also got a chance to have pictures with the Witch and Cinderella.

Once we met with all the actors we could find, we started on the long trip home. Marina told me she would sleep in the car. She was right. She fell asleep early in the ride and woke up shortly before we arrived home.

Fireworks and Fun

The Independence Celebration at the local historic park is a must do every year for July 4. This year Marina wanted to dress in period clothing. She decided to wear her Red Riding Hood costume (without the hood) and a pioneer style bonnet.

As we entered Marina picked up a scavenger hunt bingo game. We immediately started looking  through the park for the items on it. It took us a while, but we managed to complete it. As a reward, Marina got an old fashioned candy stick.

Once the hunt was over, we spent time checking out all the activities. marina seemed to enjoy watching the dancing,m but had no desire to try it herself. She panned for gold, tried to walk on stilts and joined in a group of kids on tug-o-war.

We spent some time looking at the animals on the property. Marina was especially interested in the goats. Although the wild rabbits running around always captured her attention! She also took a ride in an old fashioned horse drawn wagon.

The meadow was filling up, so we picked up a snack and found a spot to watch the fireworks. Marina was a bit bored, but she entertained herself by dancing with other children in front of the band playing there.

As darkness set in we settled on our blanket and Marina checked the time frequently. She was very excited when the fireworks finally began. It was a great display. We both enjoyed watching them.

Once it was over we were able to get to our car quickly. It wasn't that late, but Marina fell asleep on the drive home anyway.

Red Riding Hood Hike

Theater hikes have become a summer tradition for Marina and I. Her recent interest in Red Riding Hood made going to the production of Red Riding Hood and her Feisty Friends a must-see this summer.

All of the performances were held at a National Park this year. We’d never been there before. Marina dressed in her Red Riding Hood costume when we set out this morning.

By the time we arrived at the park, the parking lot was full and the weather was very hot. I was fortunate to find a good place to park anyway. However, Marina decided the costume was too hot to wear, so we left it in the car.

When we arrived at the meeting place, we found a little girl who had worn her Red Riding Hood costume. I wished I had at least brought Marina’s with us! As the hike started, Marina made a point of meeting that girl. They were fast friends.  Marina even enjoyed helping her little sister with some of the more difficult parts of the hike.

The hikes we have gone on before were not as intense as this one. There were six stops, covering two miles and the performance was over two hours. The scenery was magnificent. The show consisted of four folktales – Red Riding Hood, Mighty Mountain Man, The Lad Who Went to the North Wind and The Ogre’s Feather. As we have grown to expect, the stories were silly and fun.

After the show was over, both Marina and her friend had their picture taken with the actress playing Red Riding Hood. Her new friend even let Marina wear her red cape for her picture. Once the pictures were over, we headed back to the car – which was quite a hike in itself!

Return to the Woods

Over the past year, Into the Woods has become one of Marina's favorite musicals. She saw a local theater was performing it and wanted to see it again! This time, she dressed as her favorite character, Red Riding Hood. She brought Grace along, also dressed as Red Riding Hood.

We hadn't been to this theater before. It turned out to be a small experimental theater inside a very old schoolhouse. Before the show we looked around at the rooms and displays. As we did, several people asked Marina if she was Red Riding Hood in the show. She loved the attention!

When the show started we found it was a simple and suggestive staging, something Marina has never seen before. Despite that, she had no trouble getting into the show. Next to her sat two girls about her age who she helped talked to periodically through the show.

At intermission we got a snack and looked around the building a bit more. The girls next to Marina had left and she seemed tired. To be fair, Act Two has never been her favorite part.

After the show, the cast gathered in the lobby and Marina made a beeline for the actress playing Red Riding Hood. They seemed equally excited to meet each other. Apparently the cast had discussed the girl who came in costume backstage! Her name is Emily and she graciously posed for a picture with Marina. She even took a selfie with her own cell phone! She also visited with us for quite a while.

We visited with other cast members including Cinderella before heading home.

Chef Marina

Marina is taking a cooking class this term. She's been trying many new foods and enjoyed them. A few weeks ago they made Chef's Salad. Since then. Marina has been dying to make one at home. So tonight I assembled the ingredients and let her make dinner for me.

I gave Marina the ingredients and she cut them up and put the salad together. She was so proud of the result. And the Chef Salad was delicious!

Of course, in pure Marina style, she did all this food preparation in her Red Riding Hood costume. Perhaps she wanted to take the leftovers to grandmother's house!

Into the Woods on the Big Screen

After seeing Into the Woods on stage twice in the past year, Marina and I were looking forward to seeing the movie. It's been out for a while but we hadn't had time to see it before today.

Since the movie has been out for a while it was no longer showing at any of our favorite theaters, so we tried out a new one today. It worked out well, the tickets and concessions were significantly lower than what we're used to and Marina declared the popcorn was delicious.

We didn't have much time before the movie began and the popcorn kept us happy until it did. About 10 minutes after it began, Marina said, "This is really good." I agreed, it was a very good adaptation of the stage musical. Although we both noticed some omissions from the original script. Just like the stage show, the second half was a bit more difficult for Marina. Although she did enjoy pointing out when Prince Charming was "busted!"

After the movie, we went home to have a special Valentine's Day dinner. Marina's favorite character in Into the Woods is Red Riding Hood, but she doesn't have a costume for that character, so when we came home she put on an Alice in Wonderland costume with a Cinderella hooded cape. I called her Blue Riding Hood!

Back Into the Woods

Earlier this year Marina and I saw a small production of Into the Woods.  Recently we posters for another group performing the show. Marina wanted to see it again. So I bought tickets for us to see it this evening. Marina brought her Rapunzel plush doll with her.

We arrived a bit early, so we had time to use the restroom and buy drinks before we settled into our seats. Even so, Marina was restless for it to start. Once the show started she was very engaged. Act One was long and she got a little restless toward the end. But she still enjoyed the show.

Act Two was tougher for her. The story is not as fun and Marina was tired. She leaned on my arm for quite a bit of it. But once the show was over she perked up and wanted to meet some of the cast members. She talked a bit with the young lady who played Little Red Riding Hood. She is just a year older than Marina and attends the middle school where Marina wants to go next year. Next she spoke with the actress playing Cinderella. She talked with Marina for a few moments and posed for a picture with her. Last we looked for the the actress who was Rapunzel. She took some time to speak with us. She will be in a local production of The Magic Flute, a show we are planning to see.

When we left the theater we found it was raining fairly hard. We got to the car as quickly as we could. We were both wet and tired, but we’d had a fun evening.

Into the Woods

After seeing Oliver! at a small theater last year, Marina was excited to see their production of Into the Woods this spring. She had seen part of the film of the Broadway production at school and liked it. I knew this was a more mature twist on fairy tales, but I felt she could handle it at her age.

Marina wanted to dress as Little Red Riding Hood, but we didn't have a costume for her. So, she wore the Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz costume that was mine when I was a teenager and we added the cape from her Anna costume. She was happy with that.

The drive took a bit longer than we expected and the location had changed. But we managed to arrived just minutes before the show started, albeit a bit out of breath. Marina had a bit of time to look through the program before the lights dimmed.

Marina enjoyed the first Act of the show. It was funny and whimsical. Marina particularly enjoyed the parts featuring Cinderella and Rapunzel. But it was pretty long and she was restless toward the end.

At intermission we had a drink and a cookie, then we settled in for Act 2. The second Act was darker and more mature in theme than the first. Marina found it tougher to sit through.

Once the show was over, the cast lined up near the exit. Marina said, "I want to meet them!" She was really only interested in talking to the actors playing Cinderella, Rapunzel and Red Riding Hood. They were all nice enough to pose for pictures. We talked the actor who played the Witch for a few minutes, but Marina refused to have her picture taken with her. Too bad, she was a nice lady.