“American Girl Live”- Review by Cindy Kienzie and her Hungry Monkeys

SCROLL DOWN FOR REVIEW  ***Anyone who has a daughter or granddaughter has been taught about the amazing American Girl doll. American Girl is a premium brand for girls ( a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel) and has inspired the world of dolls that is far from the previous leader “Barbie”. The American Girl doll has characters that inspire and teach our daughters/granddaughters and is designed to inspire these young ladies to be their best. In New York and Chicago, my wife has taken our granddaughters, Zoe, Sarah and Rebecca for their tea-time with their new “sisters” after spending a day at the shop. A day they will always treasure and remember. Not just the girls, but their grandmother as well.

Now, Mills Entertainment is bringing us the World Premiere of “American Girl LIve” this weekend. ( three days ONLY). The show will be performed at The North Shore Center for The Performing Arts, located at  9501 Skokie Blvd ( just south of Old Orchard) on December 21st – 23rd.

The show features all original music and an unforgettable experience for fans of American Girl as they will see some of their favorite characters come to life, including Rebecca ( my granddaughter Rebecca’s favorite), Nanea, Maryellen , Melody and Julie. They will also see this year’s Girl of the Year, Luciana Vega.

The girls will be going to sleepover camp, their first time away from home for the entire summer. Just as our children learn from this experience,, so do these dolls and thus teach our young ones that it is all about gaining new friends, and not being afraid of new things that will guide them through this experience. Those in the audience who are about to embark on this experience this summer, will learn a great deal and perhaps seeing it performed will ease their tensions.

An all female production, from composer ( Meg Zervoulis), to playwright/lyricist ( Sandy Rustin) and directed by Gina Rattan with choreography by Emillie Renier, this production will play at The Northshore Center for the following performances”

Friday, 12/21  at 7 p.m.

Saturday 12/22  at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday 12/23 at 1 p.m.

Tickets range from $37-$47 and can be purchased at the box office, by calling 847-673-6300 or online at www.NorthShoreCenter.org

There is plenty of free parking and I am sure there will be ample snacks for sale. Just enough sugar to get them going.

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Review Don’t Miss “American Girl Live” at The North Shore Center For Performing Arts in Skokie. It is a delightful musical for girls between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. This mom and her friend, Kristen Casey, enjoyed it as well). This is a World Premiere, but will move on to other areas and will become an annual Holiday Play in years to come.

The play is set at Camp American Girl and it  showcases five campers (Tori, Leah, Bella, Rosie and Nia) and their American Girl dolls, Rebecca Rubin, Maryellen Larkin, Luciana Vega, Nanea Mitchell and Melody Ellison along with their camp counselor Alyssa and her doll, Julie Allbright. on an adventure. They are trying to earn a “Girl Power Prize”. This multi-cultural show, which weaves in empathy, bravery, finding their passion, and being a team player in its story, teaches girls ( and perhaps some boys) what it means to have self-confidence and to be true to oneself. The American Girl comes alive, each giving their current camper advice and helping them attain their “Girl Power Prize”. The show is wildly creative and the kids in the audience loved seeing the dolls come alive. The loudness of the cheering might make you think they were at a rock concert.

My daughter, Lily, age 10, said “it is a “Super Fantastic show! I especially loved that the American Girls came to life. I wish my American Girls would come alive so they could help me with difficult things.”

Lily’s best friend, Claire Casey, also 10, said “The Play was really good! My favorite part was the ending because it featured Nia, and I thought she was the best singer”.

All the girls were terrific, but Nia (Laila Drew) was a standout.

“American Girl Live” features songs from yesteryear to today, which reflected their dolls, some “born” in the early 1900’s ( like Rebecca). The lessons- from teaching shy Tori, played beautifully by Jenna Bruce, to speak for herself and to be “true to who you are”. One of the most delightful parts of the production, besides the engaging scenery, was when one of the American Girl Dolls rode off the stage on her miniature bicycle, but came back on stage on a life- size bike and real girl. A clever treat indeed! The story is designed to teach us and it does. Every camper learned a lesson. From bravery to teamwork and is sure to leave an impression on your child who may be heading off to camp in the near future.

“American Girl Live” had it all. Music, dancing, lessons, whimsy and a story that any girl could identify with, either in ethnicity/culturally and/or in personality.