We struck gold twice in a matter of weeks -- my daughters, Lea and Sara, and I -- intoxicating artistry in dance at a pair of performances spanning the old and new year.

Imagine if you were a child and your great dream was to be a professional dancer and were given the opportunity to perform side-by-side with a Broadway performer?

The world of theater lends to inspire, to take the audience from their regular day-to-day rigmarole and reflect on what we all truly want in our lives. The story of Pippin is one of satisfaction, about a young prince on his own expedition for contentment.

Every now and then when I'm searching for a theme to write about, I find inspiration in a most unusual source: serendipitous calendaring.

Different plays, different moods, different methods but common themes that make for extraordinary nights of live theatre.