Disclosure: I was provided with media tickets to attend this performance. However, all opinions are 100% my own.

South Florida is proud to welcome the brand-new hit stage show I LOVE LUCY^® LIVE ON STAGE at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami this week. For only a limited time only, Sept 30th – Oct 5th, 2014, you can come see Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred create Hollywood magic as they film two episodes for this brand-new thing called hi-fidelity “television”.

The Broadway in Miami 2014-2015 subscription season presented by Bank of America opened strong last night with the talented touring cast bringing to life our most beloved program in television history!

Whether you grew up in the 50’s or later, you have surely heard of Mrs. Lucille Ball. With her bright red hair, funny expressions and great artistic talent, Lucy was simply a one-of-a-kind. The I LOVE LUCY^® show continues to play “reruns” on television, partly due to the program being a technical trailblazer in its use of 35mm film for the capture of a weekly, 30-minute scripted television program which made possible the re-airing of episodes we watch today.

The National Touring Cast of I Love Lucy Live on Stage includes Thea Brooks starring as Lucy Ricardo, Euriamis Losada as Ricky Ricardo, Lori Hammel as Ethel Mertz, and the outstanding Kevin Remington as Fred Mertz. The supporting cast was outstanding, with a few that stood out and made me laugh until I had tears in my eyes. One even looked like the lead character from Burn Notice, going to have to ask Papa about that.

Era characters took to the floor before and during the show. Dressed the part and in the mind frame as well, they were quite puzzled and questioned “what are those things you’re holding?” to those of us taking pictures or recording them with our “funny looking gadgets”. Be ready for the very funny Ms. Fig. Do you think you know everything about I Love Lucy? Then be sure to raise your hand to participate in the on-stage trivia game show! You could win a year supply of Halo shampoo.

Setting the stage, you are transported back to the 1950’s, into the living room of Lucy & Ricky’s television home, along with Ricky’s Tropicana Nightclub. Bringing to the stage two of the funniest I LOVE LUCY^® episodes, “The Benefit” and “Lucy Has Her Eyes Checked”, you are the audience as they “film” right on the Desilu Playhouse soundstage. Taking you back and making you feel like you are really there the funny host entertains you while bring you the play by-play of what behind-the-scenes filming was really like. Commercials appear in between scenes with the era jingles advertising products like Brylcreem and Alka-Seltzer.

The hysterical cast, including Fred’s character was spot on, from the way he talked, the signature walk and the magical way he created laughter through the audience. The period costumes were outstanding, with Lucy really rocking each outfit to the fullest. Sometimes I feel like I should have been born in that era. Lucy’s fashion style is like no other. You will laugh, and keep on laughing all throughout the show.

The laughter continued even after the show, as proved the case for my friend TifDip and I. We truly showed our age, or lack thereof, when a simple name switch that brought about roaring laughing from the audience completely eluded us. After the show I turned to the gentleman walking beside me to ask what was so funny. TifDip got it right away, but it still took me a minute, or a few…but when I did I exclaimed with laughter “Oh, I get it”, which had TifDip and I laughing to tears all the way home.

I Love Lucy Live on Stage is a warm and loving tribute the late Lucy & her beloved Ricky. Fans of all enjoys will truly enjoy the crazy on stage antics of the beloved red-head.

I am not the only one raving about the show, hear what the critics have to say:

L.A. Examiner’s Ron Irwin says I LOVE LUCY^® LIVE ON STAGE is “an absolutely brilliant and utterly engaging tribute to that iconic television show!”

TV Guide’s William Keck calls it “the most entertaining stage production I’ve seen in years – including Broadway!”

Live on Stage is recommended for most audiences. The parental guidance advisory lists ages 7 and up for children. Even at my age there was a joke or two I didn’t get right away, but that didn’t stop us from having an amazing time! If bringing preteens to the show, I strongly recommend having them watch few iconic episodes of I Love Lucy.

Live on Stage runs for 1 hour and 30 minutes, which does not include any intermission. Food, snacks and beverages are available for purchase and is permitted inside the “studio” live taping for this performance.

Ticket prices are family and budget friendly and start at only $26. There are only seven shows left, playing in the evenings on weekdays and with two shows each on Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 5th.

Whether young or old, everyone LOVES Lucy! Choosing the right person for this date night will be hard. Fortunately with several performances throughout the week you can see it over and over with all of your loved ones. Remember, the fun in Miami ends on Sunday and shows are selling out quickly!

I Love Lucy Live on Stage is playing at the Ziff Ballet Opera House in the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33132. Tickets are available for purchase here or by calling the Box Office at (305) 949-6722.

Photo Credits @ MamasMission and Ed Krieger.

Be sure to visit Broadway In Miami for details about upcoming Broadway shows coming to South Florida!

Disclosure: Mama’s Mission was not compensated for this post. I was provided with media tickets to attend this performance; however, all opinions are 100% my own. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.