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Upcoming and GIVEAWAY: Kimberly Akimbo, Fisher Theatre, Detroit, March 11-23, 2025 {ends 12/10}

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*Disclosure: I have an ongoing media relationship with Broadway in Detroit. The opinions expressed below, however, are my own. Kimberly Akimbo is coming to the Fisher Theatre in Detroit this March, and I'm excited to see it—this marks its Detroit debut, and I've heard good things about it.  In addition, one of my lucky readers will win two tickets to the opening night on March 11, 2025! About the show: Broadway In Detroit is thrilled to announce that individual tickets for KIMBERLY AKIMBO, winner of five 2023 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL and the most critically acclaimed musical of its season, are now available. KIMBERLY AKIMBO will make its Detroit premiere at the Fisher Theatre March 11–23, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online at BroadwayInDetroit.com.   Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunctio...

Movie Review and GIVEAWAY: Conclave {ends 12/9}

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*Disclosure: I was given a digital code to facilitate this review. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own. I saw Conclave in theaters early last month, and now it's already out to own or rent on digital, with the Blu-ray and DVD versions forthcoming on December 17. Overall I enjoyed the film, and now two of my lucky readers will win digital codes for the movie (see below for details). About the movie: After astounding audiences across the nation on its theatrical run, Focus Feature’s CONCLAVE will debut exclusively on digital platforms to own or rent, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.  Hailed by critics as “a must-see” (USA Today) that's “packed with unexpected twists” (Entertainment Weekly), the captivating thriller will be available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 17, 2024 as well as on 4K UHD on February 11, 2025. Own CONCLAVE with never-before-seen extras including interviews with the extraordinary cast and filmmakers, only when you purchase from particip...

The Friday Five, 11/29/24: 5 things I've been up to this week

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This has been a busy week, and I can't believe December is coming up on Sunday—November went by FAST. We are headed to Indiana today to do Thanksgiving with my husband's family (my in-laws) and yesterday we saw my parents on the day of, as well. NY Strip steak and sweet potato, at Texas Roadhouse, Novi What I've been up to this week: Eating out/getting takeout . Last Friday, we went to Tiger Sugar in WB for their Yelp pick-up event, which is always tasty, and grabbed Domino's takeout as well. On Saturday, I met a friend at Saffron, in Farmington Hills, for Indian food, and they ended up having a lunch buffet, which was fun, although it did not have butter chicken or chicken tikka masala (my two favorites); it did have chicken makhani and a paneer dish, though, as well as gulab jamun, rice pudding, and another dessert, for about $16 a person which is pretty reasonable for Indian food. On Saturday night, we ended up grabbing "late night" (9pm ... lol) Bucharest ...

The Friday Five, 11/22/24: 5 things I've been up to this week

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I think this is the first 5-day work week I've had in a few weeks, because of Houston and Louisville, and next week will also be shorter because of the holiday (three days).  Thai takeout from Basil Babe, Ypsi What I've been up to this week: Eating out/getting takeout . Last Friday, I was working at my office (I'm required to go in once per month) so I got Sidecar Slider Bar takeout, my favorite—my husband and I get DoorDash often from the Farmington location—and I also stopped by Paris Baguette to get a full-size cake and some other goodies, as they had invited my magazine in to take photos of them. On Saturday, I had a girls' night/games night (see below) and we ordered Basil Babe via delivery, which I had been wanting to try for a while and had not, since they're in Ypsi (see pic above); it was very good. And on Sunday, I saw my parents, and we had Hungry Howie's takeout. Watching movies . On Wednesday, I used my MoviePass to see A Real Pain at the theater, a...

Upcoming and GIVEAWAY: Clue, Fisher Theatre, Detroit, Feb. 4-9, 2025 {ends 11/25}

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All photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade *Disclosure: I have an ongoing media relationship with Broadway in Detroit. The opinions expressed below, however, are my own. I am a fan of the board game Clue and have seen the movie, but never the musical, so it should be a fun time when it comes to the Fisher Theatre this February. One of my lucky readers will win a pair of tickets to opening night, as well! About the show: CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game and adapted from the fan-favorite film, comes to the Fisher Theatre February 4 – 9, 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 22 and will be available online at BroadwayInDetroit.com starting at noon. The cast includes Christina Anthony as Miss Scarlet, Mariah Burks as the Cook, John Treacy Egan as Colonel Mustard, Joanna Glushak as Mrs. Peacock, Tari Kelly as Mrs. White, John Shartzer as Mr. Green, Jonathan Spivey as Professor Plum, Jeff Skowron as Wadsworth, Alex Syiek as Mr. Boddy, Teddy Tri...

The Friday Five, 11/15/24: 5 things I've been up to this week

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This month is flying by, I can't believe it's already mid-November and Thanksgiving is in two weeks. We got back from Louisville on Tuesday, so it was a shorter week for me, but I'm glad it's Friday, even though I have an infusion tomorrow morning. Sign in our Louisville Airbnb What I've been up to this week: Traveling to Louisville, KY.  I had only been to Louisville one other time, in 2019, for work, and it was a one-night trip, so this trip really gave me the chance to explore a bit more, even though, oddly enough, we didn't go downtown. We were able to do three distillery tours and also had a lot of really good meals.  Distillery tours . On Saturday, we started these off at Peerless, which was a short drive from our Airbnb, maybe about 15 minutes (it's close to downtown). Of our three tours, my friends and husband agreed that Peerless had the best bourbon, since it's more of a small-batch operation and still relatively new. On Sunday, we drove about ...

Upcoming and GIVEAWAY: Come From Away, Fisher Theatre, Detroit, Feb. 11-16, 2025 {ends 11/21}

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*Disclosure: I have an ongoing media relationship with Broadway in Detroit. The opinions expressed below, however, are my own. I last saw Come From Away in October 2019 at the Fisher , and I went into it not knowing much about it - it ended up being fabulous, and I'm super excited to see it again next February. One of my lucky readers will win a pair of tickets to opening night, as well! About the show: Broadway In Detroit is thrilled to announce the national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world, will make its return to Detroit’s Fisher Theatre February 11–16, 2025. COME FROM AWAY tickets go on sale Friday, November 22nd and will be available online at BroadwayInDetroit.com starting at 10:00 a.m. COME FROM AWAY tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into...

Upcoming and GIVEAWAY: Parade at the Fisher Theatre, Detroit, Feb. 25 - March 9, 2025 {ends 11/20}

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All photos by Joan Marcus *Disclosure: I have an ongoing media relationship with Broadway in Detroit. The opinions expressed below, however, are my own. Parade is coming to the Fisher Theatre this upcoming February and March, and I have never seen it, so I am excited to check it out. One of my lucky readers will win two tickets to the opening night of the show, as well! See below for details.  About the show: Broadway In Detroit is thrilled to announce that Parade , winner of the 2023 Tony Award® for Best Revival of a Musical, will make its Detroit premiere at the Fisher Theatre February 25 – March 9, 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. and will be available online at BroadwayInDetroit.com . Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed Jewish couple struggling to make a life in the old red hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable test of faith, humanity, justice, and devotion. Riveting and gloriously hopeful,...

The Friday Five, 11/8/24: 5 things I've been up to this week

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We are heading to Louisville for a road trip this weekend, and also will stop by Cincinnati to visit friends, which should be fun. Mango cake from Cannelle by Matt Knio, Farmington What I've been up to this week: Seeing movies . Oddly enough, I was able to use MoviePass three times in one week (burning through my credits for the monthly period, but the next 1-2 weeks are busy anyways). I saw Here , with Tom Hanks, at Emagine Novi which was excellent— I'd give it 4.5/5 stars —and Conclave , at MJR Troy, which was interesting but not entirely my cup of tea, so I'd give it 3.75/5 stars . I also saw Hitpig , at the Farmington Civic Theater (first time there!) which was a weird one but fun, I would give it 3.5/5 stars . In addition, I watched Martha on Netflix, which was an interesting documentary about her life; I'd probably give that 3.5/5 as well.  Getting takeout and cooking. On Saturday night I saw my parents, so we had Hungry Howie's takeout. On Sunday, since I was...

The Friday Five, 11/1/24: 5 things I've been up to this week

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We are somehow already in NOVEMBER, and the weather is reflecting it: yesterday I think it was around 70-75 degrees, which is unusual for October, and today the high is 56 (brr).  Fire Whip show at TX Ren Fest What I've been up to this week: Traveling to Houston, TX. This was our third year making this trip—the first year, we were dating, the second year, my husband and I were engaged, and this year we are newlyweds! (and no, this was not our honeymoon ... that's still TBD)  We arrived on Saturday and grabbed lunch, and then drove to my husband's friend's house, where we stayed the night with him and his girlfriend, who were great hosts. He cooked us a brisket for dinner, and then on Sunday, we all went to the Texas Renaissance Festival (more on that below), for my 3rd year there, which is always a lot of fun.  On Monday, we did the Houston Aquarium and dinner at Taste of Texas, which is always a treat, and on Tuesday we did a quick lunch and then had to head to the air...

Upcoming: Lost on a Mountain in Maine (in theaters Nov. 1)

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Photos courtesy of Review Wire Media *Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Review Wire Media for Blue Fox Entertainment. All opinions expressed here, however, are my own. Lost on a Mountain in Maine will be in theaters this Friday, November 1st, and I'm excited to see it - it's produced by Sylvester Stallone, and I love movies based on true stories. About the movie: Lost on a Mountain in Maine tells the inspiring true story of 12-year-old Donn Fendler, who becomes separated from his family by a fast-moving storm atop a treacherous mountain. For nine days, Donn fights to stay alive as he attempts to survive the unforgiving wilderness of northern Maine without food, proper clothing, or the knowledge of how bad his situation really is. His disappearance sparks a massive search effort that captures national headlines and attracts hundreds of volunteers, including his father, who fears he may never see his son again. Rated PG. Directed by: Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger Pr...

The Friday Five, 10/25/24: 5 things I've been up to this week

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This week has been an odd one but went by fast, and tomorrow we are going to Houston for a few days to visit friends and attend the Texas Renaissance Festival (our 3rd year going together) which is always a fun time.  MJ the Musical, Fisher Theatre, Detroit What I've been up to this week: MJ the Musical, at the Fisher Theatre, Detroit.  On Wednesday night, my mom and I attended this, and I was blown away by how good the dancing was—the actor who plays Michael Jackson in it is SUPER talented. It's playing at the Fisher through November 3rd, and I highly recommend seeing it; you can read more info about it here at my initial blog post. Seeing movies . I officially canceled my AMC A-List subscription after seeing Goodrich at the Forum last Friday night, which pained me to do, but I'm now at my "new place" (husband's house) full-time and the closest AMC is AMC Livonia, which is old and does not have recliners. I decided to try out the new MoviePass, and so far it...