Playtime! keeps the fun coming!

Playtime! is the childcare service that keeps on giving. I loved my first experience with Playtime! so much that I wanted to send out some love by writing about it again.

Playtime! allows theater-loving moms and dads the chance to see a great show AND get affordable, quality childcare. As a single mom, much of my difficulty in going out to shows (or going out at all) is finding childcare. Playtime! saw that need for parents and gave them a great way to keep the kids happy and entertained while enjoying some “adult” time.

And the “adult” time is awesome! Why? The shows! Last week, Amy Brenneman (Private Practice) began her run in “Rapture, Blister, Burn.” How else can you see this amazing actress and not worry about the kids? They’re going to be very busy having fun! If you’re ready to get your theater on, go check out the Playtime! calendar for shows this weekend and beyond.

This post has a compensation Level of 0. Read Heiddi’s Disclosure Policy.

Where’s the Meat?

“What do you get when you cross a chorizo factory with an escort service?” is on the flier for this entertaining show. All About Meat – (The Garcias) is a play about Cubans living, working and cracking up in New Jersey. While keeping up with the local high rollers, this family also enjoys routinely torturing each other for amusement.

Irreverent and funny, All About Meat is the show that will have you talking. For the ladies, I just wanted advise you to bring a camera for after the show. You’ll know why. Check out All About Meat from now until April 22, 2012 at the DMAC – Duo Multicultural Arts Center at the Bowery. The tickets are well worth it!

This post has a compensation Level of 0. Read Heiddi’s Full Disclosure.

Get furry with Venus in Fur

I had the chance to check out Venus in Fur at the Lyceum Theater with a pal. Great venue; even better show. I had no idea what to expect because the title didn’t give anything away. I had no idea about the context of the play until after it started.

I was blown away. It was SO intense. After all, a play about the dynamics between men and women will do that. As I watched, I noted the connection between the actors. Kinky was the word of the day.

Venus in Fur had me questioning – who is in charge in a relationship? Is it the dominating person or the one who is subservient? Is love only about kindness and compassion? Or is there room for pure fire and passion? I can definitely say that this show left me wanting more. It had a great pace and timing. This is one show for the brave (and not so brave) to check out.

Venus in Fur runs at the Lyceum Theater through June 17, 2012. Be sure to check it out. It makes for great discussion with a friend or spice up your love life.

This post has a compensation Level of 0. Read Heiddi’s Full Disclosure.

Hurt so Good by “The Hurt Village”

On February 12th, I had the chance to see The Hurt Village at the Signature Theater through Playtime NYC. While my son had a blast, I was blown away by the raw power of this show. It was funny, poignant and emotional.

The Hurt Village takes place in the South, so while I couldn’t relate to some of the issues presented, I could relate to a few things – being a single mother and growing up in a low-income, inner city environment. My absolute favorite character was Big Mama who brought me to tears and to my knees with her performance. Tonya Pinkins was absolutely amazing in showing her strength and vulnerability as a working single mother just trying to stay afloat in the crumbling village around her. I cried because I knew where she was coming from not only as a child raised in this environment, but as a mother trying to show my child that the world is bigger than what we see everyday.

But, I don’t want to give it all away. You HAVE to see The Hurt Village. The show’s run had been extended through March 25th. So get your tickets and have the experience of a lifetime!

This post has a compensation of Level 1. See the Full Disclosure page for more details.

Off Broadway meets Childcare with Playtime!

Parents, have you wanted to see a play, but weren’t able to because you couldn’t get quality, affordable childcare? I know I have. With expensive show tickets as well as childcare, I rarely took the chance to go catch a show.

Until now. Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of taking in an off-Broadway show while kiddo played, sang songs and taught someone how to play a card game. How did I do this? Playtime! helped me. What is Playtime? It is the first ever child enrichment program that provides arts, culture and care for kids while their parents see an Off Broadway show. Collaborating with Playtime! are three local theaters and Sitters Studio. Playtime! is sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Elroy and Terry Krumholz Foundation.

Courtesy of Playtime!, I had the opportunity to see The Hurt Village (review coming up next week) and had a blast. I didn’t have to worry about kiddo because I knew he would have a great time. It isn’t a “drop ‘em; leave ‘em” kind of sitting service. I had to verify my contact information (in case of an emergency) and get a numbered ticket (assigned to kiddo on a bracelet) so that I could claim my child after the show.

After the play, I went to pick up my child, submitting my ticket and receiving a written report about his activities and behavior. Kiddo raved about his sitter and said that he wanted to have her babysit for him again in the future. He also mentioned that he had a great time even though (at age 10) was the oldest child there. According to the report, the sitter noted this and had kiddo help out with the younger kids.

I was very impressed at how well-organized they were and how smoothly the drop-off process was. Especially since kiddo is a child who needs routine and structure to do well. And he did. He had a blast! Playtime! is a great asset for parents who love a good play and need childcare to get to see the show. I loved The Hurt Village and thank Playtime! for the opportunity.

This post has a compensation of Level 1. See the Full Disclosure page for more details.