Finian’s Rainbow is a new Broadway Musical in New York City that has it all. This musical will make you laugh, cry, and dance as you watch this memorable fairy tale played out in a brilliant spectrum of color. The story is centered around an Irishman Finian McLonergan and his daughter Sharon who travel to a small Southern town in the mythical state of Missitucky with plans to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox on the mistaken belief it will grow and multiply.
“A perfect musical for kids 10 and over, who enjoy musical comedy and are enthralled more by the art of acting and music than shows and high tech spectacles.” – nycitymama (Full review of Finian’s Rainbow for families)
The Steal – Free Tix
Trekaroo is giving away 4 tickets to see Finian’s Rainbow to two lucky families.
Number of Winners: Two (2)
Prize: 4 Tickets to see Finian’s Rainbow in New York City in the month of January. (Retail value: $240+) Restrictions apply.
To enter:
Share in the comments what your favorite musical or show was as a child. Be sure to leave your email address.
For additional entries
- Post a link to this giveaway on Twitter, Facebook or on your blog. Each post is an entry, leave a comment about where you have posted.
Rules and guidelines:
18 years of age or older
US Residents only
Deadline to enter: December 30th, 2009
The Deal – Discount Tickets
Now through December 20th, Trekaroo families can get select orchestra and mezzanine row seats to see Finian’s Rainbow for $59 tickets (Tues-Fri) and $75 tickets (Sat + Sun). Go to Broadway Offers or call Telecharge at 212-947-8844 and use our special discount code FRBOW75.
February 2nd, 2010, KidsNightonBroadway is offering half price tickets to Finian’s Rainbow.
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What is Monday Mad Steals?
Every Monday, Trekaroo announces on our blog, either an fantastic giveaway or a incredible deal that is only being offered on Trekaroo for a short time. It could be a green water bottle or tickets to the hottest show on Broadway. Return every Monday to the Talking Trekaroo Blog to find out what the steal of the week is. Get a reminder every Tuesday when our weekly digest goes out (you have to be a member of Trekaroo). Or be a Facebook fan to be the first to know.
Thanks to Contest for Moms, Online Sweepstakes, CashNet Sweepstakes , and Sweepstakes Advantage,.
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Esther Lee is a contributing author on Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA and now IL and WA and DC
By Carol Cain
Recently I had the opportunity to head over to the fabulous St. James Theater to watch a showing of Finian’s Rainbow, a reproduction of the 1946 Broadway musical, which has been revived a few times, not only on the theatrical stage but on the big movie screen as well.
A friend of mine and I went with my 12 year old son and his 12 year old friend. As a New Yorker, I have always thought it to be extremely important to expose my children to the wonderful world of theater, though I wondered if this particular show might be a bit too sophisticated for two 12 year old boys.
The St. James Theater is a stunning venue. The massive chandeliers hanging from the high ceilings, the hand painted details and carvings on wood along the walls and above the stage, in part showing its age, while at the same time embracing us in grandeur as we took our seats near the orchestra, all setting the tone for the wonderful experience that was about to follow.
Finian’s Rainbow is set in Missitucky, the mythical deep southern state where Finian McLornegan (Oliver Norton) moves to, from Ireland, with his daughter Sharon (Kate Baldwin), to bury a crock of gold Finian stole with the belief that it will grow and lead to unmentionable riches. They are followed there by Og (Christopher Fitzgerald), a leprechaun and the crock’s owner who desperetdly needs to recover it before the loss of it turns him permanently human. All is made a bit trickier when the corrupt and racist U.S. Senator (David Schramm and Chuck Cooper) gets caught in an inadvertent wish made over the hidden crock. Sharon’s love interest, Woody Mahoney, is wonderfully played by Cheyenne Jackson, most recently seen in Xanadu.
The musical score for the show is absolutely beautiful. Music Director, Rob Berman does a magnificent job in bringing back to life the classical beauty of the pieces that made this show so easily recognizable to so many of us growing up listening to Broadway musicals favored by our parents.
I have to say of the many powerful voices in the show, Terri White’s rendition of “Necessity” was by far the most awesome. Though her character Dottie has few speaking parts, her presence on stage and that one musical performance are truly unforgettable.
At one point my friend and I wondered if the boys were bored by the show. Though we were enjoying it, we questioned if the story line and characters would seem too silly, or if it was incapable of retaining the interest of two tweens. So during intermission we asked, and were we wrong! The boys were having a wonderful time, excitedly telling me abut their favorite characters and wondering out loud what was going to become of the leprechaun, the Senator, and the crock of gold. In addition, they took the opportunity to walk around the theater just to see more of it than what the view from their seats allowed.
We grown ups really enjoyed the experience of what I call “old school” theater. Nowadays, so much of it involves high tech props or fast track musical numbers. And though they can contribute to a fascinating show, sometimes we are left longing for those original, big orchestra, incredible acting productions that are so wonderful and powerful because of their simplicity and human artistic craft.
The cast received a standing ovation, as did the orchestra. The boys ran out of the theater, playbill in hand, and stood on line to get autographs from the young actors, whom they were in complete awe of as well.
A perfect musical for kids 10 and over, who enjoy musical comedy and are enthralled more by the art of acting and music than shows and high tech spectacles. “I thought the acting was amazing and funny,” said my 12 year old, “most of all, I was really impressed when watching the young actors, who seemed close to my age.”
A real feel-good show I would recommend to all my friends. Classical Broadway, beautiful in every way.
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Now through December 20th, Trekaroo families can get select orchestra and mezzanine row seats for $59 tickets (Tues-Fri) and $75 tickets (Sat + Sun). Go to Broadway Offers or call Telecharge at 212-947-8844 and use our special discount code FRBOW75.
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Carol Cain from The Adventures of a NYCity Mama is a contributing writer on Trekaroo, a reviews website dedicated to helping parents explore and travel with kids. Tickets to review the show were complimentary and did not require the reviewer to express a particular point of view.
Washington D.C. holds a special place in the hearts and imaginations of both young and old. The city spills over with historical adventures and political fervor. The international nature of the city offers exciting opportunities for discovering new food and fun that your kid’s have never experienced before. Beyond the numerous options for enjoyment, the greatness of this destination is that many of the activities are free! Multiply that by the number of people in your family and it’s now Fabulously Free.
To help you navigate the many choices any visiting family faces in Washington D.C., we’ve compiled a list of hot spots based on what the Trekaroo community’s been saying.
#1 Place to take Kids: Leave the political zoo for some real monkey business at the National Zoo
Captivated by pandas. Credit: Flickr/wwworks
Washington D.C.’s most popular attractions among Trekaroo families, the National Zoo is also the best value in the capital with no charge for admission. The zoo is easily accessible by the metro, which will add to the adventure for the kids and avoid expensive parking fees. At the zoo you’ll be captivated by the two most prominent residents: gorillas and pandas. If reptiles are more your child’s animal of choice, then don’t miss the komodo dragons.
Best Museum - Prehistoric Imagining at the National Museum of Natural History
While the National Zoo is a great place to get your fill of the animal kingdom, there’s nothing quite like the colossal dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural History. You don’t have to be an aspiring paleontologist to appreciate the Museum of Natural History. The museum is much more than dinosaur fossils. You just may find your T-rex obsessed five year old finding a new interest in the deep water world found in the new Global Ocean Systems undersea exhibit.
Best View in Town - Soar into the DC sky at the Washington Monument
Any visit to the nation’s capital must include a tour through the monuments. Washington D.C.’s most prominent and possibly the most interesting for youngsters is the Washington Monument, which takes you nearly 500 feet in the air for a spectacular view of the city. The lines can be long, so arrive early or purchase tickets in advance for a small fee. While you’re there, don’t forget to walk by the nearby reflecting pond en route to Lincoln’s Memorial.
Best Neighborhood – Take a trip across the river to Old Town Alexandria, VA
One of the most interesting neighborhoods in the D.C. metro area is Old Town Alexandria. With its classic colonial architecture and abundance of unique shops and restaurants, although many of the eateries are on the pricey side. If packing a lunch is an option, sit down for a bite at one of Alexandria’s beautiful parks and enjoy the atmosphere (and the play structures). The history is not just in the edifices; the past 250 years of the area are well documented in museums scattered throughout the town. For a truly local appeal, visit the Saturday Farmer’s Market that take place every week in the morning.
Outdoor Hotspot – For a journey beyond the usual, visit Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is a fitting tribute to one of the United States’ most nature-friendly presidents. Sitting in the middle of the Potomac, the island is traversed by 2.5 miles of walking trails. There is a variety of wildlife to see, such as box turtles, squirrels and snakes. The island isn’t filled with historical placards, but in the island’s center is a monument to Teddy Roosevelt. Being off the radar of most Washington D.C. visitors, the island is one of the few monuments without monumental crowds.
Hiking Heaven – Rock Creek Park is a gem
Rock Creek ranks among the best of inner city parks. There are all kinds of ways to take in the outdoor air through walking, biking, boating, or even a gallop on the back of a horse. Beyond the natural beauty and fun of Rock Creek Park, there is some human-made activity as well. The Nature Center has an area geared towards kids with many hands-on activities. After discovering the Earthly realm, stop by the planetarium for intriguing exhibits for all levels of star gazers. A great break for kids from the museum route.
Let's Play Ball. Credit: Flickr/fredosan
Favorite Sporting Event - A Washington Nationals game
Nothing says USA like Baseball. So why not catch America’s dearest sport in the Nation’s Capital? A Washington Nationals game makes for a fun day at the park, filled with hot dogs and foul balls. Sundays are a special day at the Nationals’ stadium where kids can get player’s signatures and run the bases after the game. They may even get to meet Screech the Eagle, the Nationals’ mascot.
Which Hotels came up at the top?
Top Kid-friendly Hotels in Washington DC – voted by parents
Other Resources for Washington DC:
- All 100 Activities for kids in the Washington DC Metro Area
- Kid-friendly hotels in and around Washington DC
- The Best Kid-friendly Hiking Trails in DC – HikingAlong
- Indoor Places for Toddlers Around Washington DC – SuburbanDaddy
- 8 Things (Under $5) to Do in Washington DC with Toddlers – Two Kids and A Map
- Fun Washington, D.C. Activities that get Kids Fired Up - Sujatha
- Day Trips with Kids From Washington DC – teachmama
- Must See Attractions in DC with Preteens and Teens – musingsfromme
- What to do with Tweens in Washington D.C. – MsTwixt
Stephen Wanta is a contributing writer for Trekaroo – a reviews site dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.
Travel with kids to: CA | FL | HI | MA | NY | PA | TX | VA and now IL and WA
