Alice Kane

I, too, remember Ice Capades. It was quite innovative then. Bert, thanks for the interesting review & pix of Cirque Du Soleil's "Crystal." I would normally be drawn to anything involving "snow," so I'm sorry that it proved to be less imaginative than the company's usual stellar productions. (Nice pic of you and Nick!) Alice

You mean this coaster is not SUPPOSED to be rough?!? Oh. I always assumed they were trying to simulate a NYC crosstown taxi ride. (Virtual Reality always included!) Alice

That Slinky Dog coaster really makes me SMILE! (Now, if it was just in the shape of a Shih Tzu...... ) Alice

The curves, the colors, the cuties upfront! What a fun ride and a fun video! Alice

Christopher Lee would be so proud! This coaster should appeal to pagans and non-pagans, alike! Alice

Beautiful photos! Everything comes alive in winter! (Sez this devout skier.) Thanks for sharing this snow-covered Fantasy Land. Alice

What an imaginative concept for a dark ride! The illustrations remind me of great old fables in classic children's books. Alice

Now THAT looks like a fun way to spend a day on the water. (And those whimsical Star War characters never fail to make me laugh. So droll!) ELISSA, I've always thought of Kristen as your "Mini-Me." But now, I'm also seeing a resemblance between her and your MOM, Janice! 3 generations of such pretty look-alikes sharing fun and fantasy! Enjoy making all these special memories, together! Alice

A+ for your much appreciated insider information. And a special "+" for the infectious fun you have in sharing it. You and 'Big Fat Panda' have a real rapport and put on a great show. Alice

Exactly! That's what I felt, too. Also, at the beginning of "Loveland," they had chorus girls with each letter of L-O-V-E on a valentine sign. And LA and ND on two other signs. That was wierd to me. And that final pause with Sally and Buddy leaving was really too much time. A truck could have driven through it, LOL! Also, one thing I don't think they'll ever put back into FOLLIES, is the ballroom number "Bolero D'Amour." It was in the original production, but either left out entirely or trimmed down to just a few minutes' time. The whole number had three couples dancing: the older couple (who now runs an Arthur Murray Dance Studio); a younger couple at the party, also; and the ghost couple. It was definitely a Michael Bennett dance number, and supposedly quite a number in of itself. But now, you hardly see any version of it. BUT - the Paper Mill Playhouse production (1998) did include "Bolero" in it, and if you can find a copy of the cast recording (two cd set), it's included on Disc 1 - Track 9. As well, on the cd they've included the three numbers that were written for Phyllis' Folly, with "Ah, But Underneath" (UK-1987) being the main number for Phyllis in this production, and not "Lucy and Jesse" the original Brdwy cast number. Ah well. Such is the way with musicals. Thanks for the info about the Paper Mill Playhouse production CD sets. In the meantime, I see that You Tube has some videos I can check out for "Bolero D'Amour"!! Good ole You Tube. It's amazing how whenever revivals come out, the powers-that-be always feel the need for "improvements!" In one of the tours I did, our director would always fly in from NY once or twice to check that we had not added any of what he called "actor improvements." Alice

Nrthwnd, I really 'get' your couple of critique points. That visual of "a chorus girl coming out with a valentine-shaped sign and on it would be "The Folly of Youth"; "Buddy's Folly"; "Sally's Folly" etc. etc"....for some reason I can't get out of my mind the image of boxing matches with those scantily-clad ladies parading center ring, holding up the Round numbers. As for the 'applause awkwardness,' wonder if that was the desired ending....or if the audience simply didn't obey the time-honored "wait 10 seconds before you applaud!" tradition. It's an actor's dream to affect the audience as you say the performer in Ben's Breakdown accomplished. A literal "breaking down" of the theater's Fourth Wall. Quite a coup! And, alas, as for a CD or DVD...well...I will forever keep my eyes open for a reversal of our fortunes!! (A SONDHEIM Go Fund Me page?!?!....) Alice

So glad you got the double viewing.....but oooooooh nooooo.....how sad that this will never become a DVD!!! I was SO sure that it would be available, but if you heard it from Mr. Sondheim, himself, I guess I'll have to give up the ghost of ever adding it to my musical show collection. (I DO understand the complications with unions involved. And the UK/US AEA policies of actor exchanges have ALWAYS been a major headache.) Well, at least you got to chat/email with SONDHEIM! Would enjoy hearing your couple of small critiques on the production. Alice

Thanks, Elissa. My respect for Disney has really grown since I joined TPR and followed your family's adventures. Growing up, all I wanted out of family vacations was a pool and rides. My mom was 'responsible' for seeing to the 'cultural' side of travel. My dad was in charge of 'good eating!' Bet we ALL would have LOVED that Disney riverboat option! Alice

NRTHWIND - Are you going to the January 20th showing of FOLLIES? If so, enjoy! (And, hopefully, the sound system will be all GO!) Alice

I remember you saying how much you loved that trip as a family. It looked like such a diversity of beautiful sights, fun excursions and good eats. Just wondering what made that particular trip stand out to you amidst all the many adventures you've enjoyed around the world? Alice

I am IMPRESSED! That Aerial Dive - lawdy, lawdy! Heck, I'd have to try them all! Alice

Sorry if this is too off topic, but this 'high &twisty' design made me recall a couple of You Tube videos I recently came across. (I suspect that quite a few listers here may have found these already.) I personally would name this coaster The Kevorkian and get a fast pass when "my time has come." Final credit! Euthanasia Roller Coaster Similar video... with more 'science' narration by the designer. A Coaster Designed to Kill. Alice

A celebratory TOAST to Theme Park Review and its Blue Ribbon creators! Your videos are my favorite way to "medicate" myself! I was no doubt born with "the roller coaster gene" and finding TPR was one lucky day for me! (Our mother said that my twin and I, by age one, used to bounce and leap to make our stroller "go faster.") So thanks for the thrills, the high quality of all your work, and for that one-of-a-kind TPR humor! Thanks to you, I can "Keep Calm and Carry on Roller Coasters all over the World!" Alice P.S. Never stop narrating your videos - your joy is contagious!

Gotta applaud a coaster named The Wicker Man! Ah, if only Christopher Lee was around to inaugurate it! (Hope the ride offers as many chills as the original flick did!) Alice

I visited Blackpool Pleasure Beach many, many moons ago, and there is nothing that quite has the 'feel' of a British seaside pleasure beach! Of course, I'm sure I wouldn't recognize much of it today. I recall being amazed at how many rides were so similar to the old Steeplechase in Coney Island, NY. (Am embarrassed to admit my visit was so long ago that I don't even remember IF I rode the Wild Mouse. (Though I'm sure I did.) What I DO recall were all the old seaside homes renting holiday rooms with big signs posted on their doors: (Yes, of course I did! ) Alice

Phil, it was great to see your awesome aquarium shots - and best of all, to hear that your partner, Michael, is on the mend. Hearing what you went through last year definitely puts one's life into perspective! Am hoping that 2018 brings health and good times your way. Sending you both very best wishes and positive thoughts for The New Year! (And lots of theme parks along the journey! Alice

A musical comedy about Scientology! Yes! Count me in! (Lots of' bit parts' for thetans! And a great opening number: "Clear the Bridge!") Leah R. would love this! HAPPY NEW YEAR! Alice

Roller coasters and snowscapes! It doesn't get better than that! (Love the Nasu Highlands, Japan Big Boom POV with Robb and Elissa. It's like an more earthy, human version of FROZEN. (I also love how the colors of so many of the posted coasters stand out against the black and white backgrounds. Eerie and beautiful. Fantasyland come to life! Alice

Missed out on this....but whatta guy! Thanks for your alert! Alice

This kind of place (Probably in a much smaller building) would be great in NYC where the weather isn't so great. I've found it weird that NYC/NJ only really has Coney Island, SFGadV, and small Jersey Shore parks--yet they have such a massive population and number of tourists/major media companies. C'mon Disney, build a Marvel thing in NY! So true! NYC needs a little 'theme park love!' (In the meantime, I wonder if Tony Stark's delivers to my zipcode!) P.S. You guys ALWAYS look so happy on your trips, but the sheer joy in all your faces truly tops the cake in these IMG pix! (And I can't stop smiling at those pix with your 'suited-up' 3D Iron Man faces! An absolutely PERFECT souvenir!) Alice