{Theatre Review} If Kinky Boots The Musical @KinkyBootsBway doesn't make you want to sing and dance in the aisle, check your pulse! #KinkyBootsBway

Playbill for Kinky Boots The Musical on Broadway

Last week during a week I can only nickname 'Birthday Madness', I got to see the new Broadway Musical,  Kinky Boots still in previews. I brought along Mama Butterfly who had already seen the movie version (I have not yet seen the movie), but I made her promise NOT to tell me anything about it!

Kinky Boots The Musical Sign at The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Synopsis:

From Grammy^® Award-winning pop icon CYNDI LAUPER and four-time Tony Award^® winner HARVEY FIERSTEIN comes the exhilarating new musical KINKY BOOTS, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner JERRY MITCHELL.

Kinky Boots The Musical Signage in front of The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

Charlie Price (Tony nominee Stark Sands) has suddenly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola (Billy Porter). A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the one person who can help Charlie become the man he’s meant to be. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… and discovers that when you change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world.

Featuring a sensational new score, knockout dancing and a spectacularly uplifting story, KINKY BOOTS is the must-see new musical that proves that sometimes, the best way to fit in is to stand out!

Kinky Boots The Musical Signage of Cyndi Lauper in front of The Al Hirschfeld Theatre

En Espanol:

Charlie Price repentinamente ha heredado la fábrica de calzado de su padre, que está al borde de la quiebra. Tratando de cumplir con el legado de su padre y salvar su negocio familiar, Charlie encuentra inspiración en forma de Lola (Billy Porter). Un fabuloso actor que necesitan unos stilettos robustos, Lola resulta ser la única persona que puede ayudar a Charlie a convertirse en el hombre que ha destinado a ser. Mientras trabajan para apagar la fábrica de alrededor, este improbable par los hallazgos que tienen más en común que siempre soñado posible... y descubre que cuando cambias de parecer acerca de alguien, puede cambiar el mundo entero.

Trailer:




Cast:

Stark Sands plays Charlie Price in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Billie Porter plays Simon/Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Billie Porter as Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Annaleigh Ashford plays Lauren in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Celina Carvajal plays Nicola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Daniel Stewart Sherman plays Don in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Marcus Neville plays George in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Sebastian Hedges Thomas plays Young Charlie in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Marquise Neal plays Young Lola in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Eugene Barry-Hill plays Simon Sr. in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

Stephen Berger plays Mr. Price in Kinky Boots The Musical at The Hirschfeld Theatre

My Take:

The way I open this post is exactly how I feel about Kinky Boots The Musical, if this play doesn't make you want to jump out of your seat and start singing and dancing, you may need to have your pulse checked! There really is no other way to describe it, but you leave the theatre feeling uplifted, happy and with a smile on your face!

It's incredibly well cast, and they all work so well playing off of each other, that it is hard to pick a personal favorite among this amazing cast!

I love the way The Musical takes time to give you backstory for the characters and truly carries the stories through, like seeing both young Charlie and young Simon, and how they relate to their Fathers and then how those foundations from their youth carry through to the way they are as young men, and how the relationship with Simon and his father Simon Sr. evolves overtime. It's a beautiful story of what would normally seem an unlikely friendship. While it claims to celebrate what makes us unique and different, it is actually a celebration of the things that unite us all, wanting to live up to our parents expectations, yet also wanting to chart our own course and dance to beat of our own drummer, looking for a love that allows us to be who we are without trying to change us, and that the most amazing ideas sometimes come from the most bizarre series of coincidences and circumstances!

And THIS:

Butterflies you just have to see it to find out why I'm highlighting this graphic!

The Theatre has been a strong part of my life since I was a child, and I will say my very first two plays set the bar super high, but this has to be the standout for me for 2013 so far, there is just nothing bad to say about it, well cast, strong storyline, an incredible musical score (Cyndi Lauper NAILED it!), and it's just a great paced, high energy, FUN time on Broadway that you will certainly kick yourself if you miss it! (Kick yourself with a high heeled kinky boot for missing it in fact!)

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get the latest updates by following @KinkyBootsBway via Twitter and be sure to use the hashtag #KinkyBootsBway

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also check out the latest news on their Facebook page (and you can press the video trailer above to go straight to the YouTube page).

Here is me and Mama Butterfly and I'm holding up my tickets high:

Had to ham it up with Cyndi Lauper in the middle! (What is your favorite Cyndi song of all time? For me it's an even tie between Girls Just Wan't to Have Fun and Time after Time!)

I definitely say 'Ticket' butterflies (Do NOT Miss this one!), and when you see it, please come back here and share your thoughts! And remember when all else fails:

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received by Ascending Butterfly, we were provided only with our seats for editorial consideration. All Opinions are always 100% my own. I LOVED THIS SHOW!

{#Movie Review} @Disconnect_Film in select theaters Friday, April 12th, 2013! Is the Film Debut of @marcjacobs a ticket or skip it?

Last week was a super busy week for me butterflies, jam packed with back to back events both day and night, and then my birthday, then a long weekend away (ironically enough, entirely DISCONNECTED and tech free), and now have over 7,000 emails to contend with in just one of my accounts, so me being in chicken without a head mode, I almost forgot there is a specific order I need to share my event recaps from last week in to have them make any sense for you!

I got to see a Press Screening of the movie Disconnect, which hits select theaters tomorrow, Friday, April 12th 2013. Because of my crazy schedule I didn't have much time to do any research on the title, but was super excited to discover that this release is also the film debut of Fashion Designer extraordinaire whose handbags I've long been obsessed with, Marc Jacobs! And then as the movie introduces the characters I was super excited to see Alexander Skarsgard who also plays Eric in my favorite TV series, HBO's True Blood!

Synopsis:

A hard-working lawyer, attached to his cell phone, can't find the time to communicate with his family. A couple is drawn into a dangerous situation when their secrets are exposed online. A widowed ex-cop struggles to raise a mischievous son who cyber-bullies a classmate. An ambitious journalist sees a career-making story in a teen that performs on an adult-only site. They are strangers, neighbors and colleagues and their stories collide in this riveting dramatic thriller about ordinary people struggling to connect in today's wired world.

En Espanol:

Un abogado muy trabajador, atado a su teléfono celular, no puede encontrar el tiempo para comunicarse con su familia. Una pareja se coloca en una situación peligrosa al sus secretos exponen en línea. Un ex policía viudo lucha para criar a un hijo travieso que ciber-matones un compañero de clase. Una periodista ambiciosa ve una historia que puede hacer su carrera en un adolescente que lleva a cabo en un sitio sólo para adultos. Son extraños, vecinos y colegas y chocan sus historias en este fascinante thriller dramático sobre personas comunes y corrientes que luchan conectar en el mundo por cable de hoy.

Trailer:




Cast:

Jason Bateman plays Rich Boyd in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Hope Davis plays Lydia Boyd in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Frank Grillo plays Mike Dixon in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Paula Patton plays Cindy Hull in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Andrea Riseborough plays Nina Dunham in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Alexander Skarsgard plays Derek Hull in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Michael Nyqvist plays Schumacher in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Max Thieriot plays Kyle in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Colin Ford plays Jason Dixon in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Jonah Bobo plays Ben Boyd in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Haley Ramm plays Abby Boyd in Disconnect, hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

Left: Max Thieriot who plays Kyle and Right: Marc Jacobs who plays Harvey in  the movie release Disconnect, which hits select theaters Friday, April 12th

My Take:

This film is kind of where 'Crash' meets 'the ills of modern day technology'. Is our society so dependent on technology that it's becoming oblivious to not just those across the globe, but those in the SAME room? Director Henry-Alex Rubin (son of art historian James H. Rubin) directs a strong cast. The movie is well paced and intense and Marc Jacobs is an interesting presence as Harvey, who lures young teens into becoming sex cam models. He doesn't play a nice guy here, so should it scare us all that he did it very well or should we just admire the newest skill he is adding to his already impressive resume?

It's actually the younger members of the cast who really shine here, the exploration of how cyber-bullying so adversely affects young people and their families is accurate, and if it doesn't scare parents into being more vigilant about what their children are really up to, then nothing will. Frank Grillo does a good job at portraying ex-NYPD officer Mike Dixon who after losing his wife and wanting to be home more for their son, becomes an investigator who has no idea that his own child is a cyber-bully. and while I have never been much of a fan, I will admit Jason Bateman gives a solid performance here as an ambitious lawyer who is forced to confront his lack of family presence when a prank gone horribly wrong causes his own son to attempt to take his own life (played expertly by Jonah Bobo who was also in Crazy, Stupid, Love. or if you have young kiddos you will probably recognize his voice as 'Austin' on the Nickelodeon series 'Backyardiagns' as well as the voice of 'Todd' in the animated video The Fox and the Hound 2').

Get Social:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Get the latest movie updates by following @Disconnect_Film via Twitter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can also check out the latest news on their Facebook page (and you can press the video trailer above to go straight to the YouTube page for the film).

I definitely say 'Ticket' butterflies, and if you do see it this weekend, please come back here and share your thoughts!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received by Ascending Butterfly, we were provided only with Press Screening access for editorial consideration.

Wordless Wednesday: Blessed are the Weird!

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies! Bloggers please feel free to post the link to your Wordless Wednesday posts as a comment, so we can all go visit you too!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post!

I'm Getting Positvely Radiant with Aveeno®! #AVEENOActiveNaturals

When your use of a brand spans your entire lifetime to date, you know it's a brand you can trust. While my memory doesn't go back that far, Mama Butterfly tells me I suffered from severe heat rash even as an infant, and when she checked with the doctor about what to do, instead of a prescription for something chemicals laden and bad for any skin, nevertheless an infant's, the Doctor recommended she use Aveeno® products on my skin and she tried it and it worked like a charm. So my first introduction to the brand goes back a long way!

She was impressed with how well my skin responded to the products then, and it still works just as well for me now, my skin thankfully is not as sensitive now as it was then, but it is acne prone and like most skin, reflects bad habits like lack of sleep, poor eating habits, or sensitivity since I test out a wide variety of products. But my Doctor's advice then, still holds true now, use products on your skin that you can pronounce ALL the ingredients for.

I just got introduced to some new products from Aveeno®, and before I even started putting them to the test, I was impressed with the ingredients list for Aveeno® Active Naturals products:

Moisture: OAT - Colloidal Oatmeal, a rich mixture of components found in Oat Seed

Skin Tone: SOY - Soy Complex helps to naturally even out skin tone and texture

Redness: FEVERFEW - has anti-irritant and anti-oxidant abilities,  improves the appearance of redness and calms irritated skin

Nourish: WHEAT - Helps to replenish moisture

Youthfulness: SHITAKE - Works in harmony with  your skin's unique chemistry

Softness: SEAWEED - is rich is VITAMINS (ahem some very pricey beauty products contain this ingredient at 10 times or more the price! Just saying!)

Antioxidant: SOUTHERNWOOD - fortifies your skin's moisture barrier

Botanical: LUPINE - essential amino acids are found in this plant!

Water Repellant: LOTUS - in this instance the use of Lotus repelling water is a GOOD thing, it helps the sunscreen formulas to adhere to your skin even when it's wet so you have continuous sun protection.

Sometimes it's what NOT in a product that speaks volumes! Natural ingredients soothe your skin so you end up feeling not only softer and smoother, but you can combat redness, irritation and protect your skin's moisture barrier!

Here is a picture of the products I have been testing out:

Aveeno Active Naturals and Positively Radiant Moisturizers/Lotions for Face and Body

What I tried:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® SKIN BRIGHTENING DAILY SCRUB

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® DAILY CLEANSING PADS

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® TINTED MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 30

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® DAILY MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 30

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® SKIN BRIGHTENING CLEANSER

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® DAILY MOISTURIZING BODY WASH

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AVEENO® DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION WITH BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 15

My Take:

This is where science meets nature to make products that are good for your skin! You know how much I love sharing affirmations and meditations, so today repeat after me 'I affirm that I deserve and have beautiful, youthful and healthy skin!'. I start with the Skin Brightening Cleanser in the morning and then the apply the Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 30 (as I lost my Auntie Butterfly to skin cancer, products that protect from the harmful UVA/UVB rays is incredibly important to me!), at night I remove any makeup with the Cleansing Pads (one side is gently textured so it will help to mildly exfoliate your skin, and the other is soft and has foaming skin cleansers and natural soy extract), and then on alternating nights in addition to removing makeup with the pads I will also use the skin brightening daily scrub. (Cleansing Pad Tip: I like to take along a few of the cleansing pads in a clear plastic bag, they are great pre gym workout to help you remove any foundation so you don't sweat the makeup into your eyes which burns!). Do something good for your skin each and every day and trust me when I tell you that you use less makeup when you have a good skin regimen in place!

Twitter Party: (Here is YOUR chance to nab these great products too!)

You all know how much I love 'the tweety box' and how much I love twitter parties, so I would be remiss as 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' if I neglected to let you know that there will be an Aveeno® Sponsored Twitter Party this month, so SAVE THE DATE:

Date: April 22, 2013

Time: 9pm EST / 6pm PST

Hashtag: #AveenoActiveNaturals

Hosts: @chicanol, @ClubdelasDiosas, @MamaHolistica, @Mejoramihogar, @NaturalmentMama

Moderators: @lbconnect, @laflowers

Sponsor: Aveeno®

Prizes:

3 Winners: Aveeno® Products valued at $100 AND a $50 Gift Card

Eligibility: Join the party by participating during the hour using the hashtag #AveenoActiveNaturals, and your own original tweets, re-tweets will not count as entries. You must answer giveaway questions correctly during the party to be eligible for all party prizes.

NOTE: I am not a host or co-host, please direct any questions regarding this twitter party to the hosts directly!

Butterfly, What is YOUR Favorite Aveeno® Product?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC DISCLOSURE: This Sponsored Post is in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and AVEENO® - All products featured were provided to Ascending Butterfly free of charge for our editorial consideration. All opinions are 100% my own.

Who won the @janeiredale #Beauty #Giveaway on @Ascending1, Is it YOU?

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Teresa Koedyker who won our @janeiredale PureGloss Lip Gloss and Longest Lash Thickening & Lengthening Mascara Giveaway!  (her winning entry was #430!) Join me in congratulating her!

Our annual 'It's MY Birthday, but YOU Get the Gifts' promotions has begun! Don't forget to enter our latest giveaway in the promotion:

{NEW RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY}: It's MY Birthday but YOU Get the Cake #Giveaway sponsored by @wetakethecake via @Ascending1

Just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who sent me birthday messages via Facebook and Twitter, it is much appreciated! I'll be taking some time to celebrate this weekend!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This winner announcement is NOT sponsored or compensated. Giveaway sponsors for all giveaways are responsible for prize fulfillment. Ascending Butterfly and Giveaway Sponsors are NOT responsible for lost or mis-directed mail or prizes damaged in transit.