Last weekend my son and I had a very special experience when we attended Freckleface Strawberry, the hit off Broadway family musical, at a benefit for Save The Children at MMAC Theatre (Manhattan Movement and Arts Center). Last year when I saw and covered Freckleface, I mentioned that I enjoyed it as much as my kids. Not only that, but it was the first show that my son ever liked so much that he had to wait after the show and get every single cast member’s autographs, so I was thrilled to see it again with him. It’s a wonderful play about diversity and self acceptance and is full of meaningful lessons for children of all ages.
Julianne Moore, Academy-Award nominated actress and author of the Freckleface Strawberry children’s books (and the REAL Strawberry!) made an appearance at the show to lend her support for her charity of choice, Save the Children, and I was lucky enough to meet her while she was autographing books. She is one of my favorite actresses, and her movies literally roll off my tongue when I think of them: The Hours, A Single Man, Far From Heaven, The Myth of Fingerprints, Safe and so many others. She was there with her daughter, Liv, who looks just like her. I asked Moore about what cultural activities (of course! what else would I ask about?) she and I her family partake in NYC, and here’s what she said:
We were also lucky to be privy to get a glimpse of the other shows currently on view at the MMAC Theatre like the The Amazing Max and the Box of Interesting Things, a magician extraordinaire. My son enjoyed it so much that we’re heading to see it on Christmas Eve and I’m going to have a giveaway this week right here on this blog. We also caught the impressive and young cast of PETER PANTOmime, another show that I plan on taking my kids to.
Billy Crudup was also in attendance with his son and girlfriend, Grace Gummer (Meryl Streep’s daughter). I quietly told him how much I’ve enjoyed his theater appearances in NYC. I’ve seen him a hand full of plays including Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia and The Elephant Man. Meeting one of my favorite stage actors was a huge treat.
MMAC was developed by Rose Caiola as the home of the Manhattan Youth Ballet, a not for profit, pre-professional training ground for young dancers, many of whom have gone on to become members of some of the most reputable dance companies in the world. Caiola realized her vision of an expanded studio and theatre complex in June of 2008 when she brought MMAC to its new, dramatic, bi-level space on West 60th St.
It was Rose’s idea to graciously (and generously) donate the proceeds from the December 10th shows to Save the Children, the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world.
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Childrenn is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs. As quickly and as effectively as Save the Children responds to tsunamis and civil conflict, it works to resolve the ongoing struggles children face every day — poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease — and replaces them with hope for the future. You can sponsor a child, donate money or help fundraise. Here’s a video about what they do:
Disclosure: I was invited to the benefit as a guest of Rose and MamaDrama.
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