Whether you go for the fun of it or for the social justice vibe, "Hairspray" at Phoenix Theatre will likely exceed your expectations -- thanks to a strong cast, bold design elements and a vocal performance unrivaled in Valley theater. Teen outcast Tracy Turnblad sparks a '60s revolution of sorts when she dares to dream of an integrated dance floor -- and her message is every bit as relevant for 21st century America.

Cigar boxes. Heavy-duty hairspray. World AIDS Day. Business school. The Girl Scouts. Stage Mom Lynn Trimble stumbled on a little of everything during a recent Saturday afternoon art adventure.

A Julliard-trained cellist. The mother of a young son. A teenage boy busy with college applications. A Nobel Prize winner in economics. They all have one things in coming: They live with mental illnes. Learn more about movies that tackle mental illness recommended by Stage Mom Lynn Trimble.

There's ballet, opera and Shakespeare in cinema. Fall openings for expected blockbusters from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" to "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (think "Chronicles of Narnia"). Even a new theater opening this week at the Scottsdale Pavilions. Lynn Trimble explores art-related and family-friendly movie-going options.

Despite the gravity and grey hair, I'm proud to be celebrating fifty years on the planet today. I'll be missing tonight's "A Taste of Shakepeare"...

Inspired by her mother's collection of American Indian art, Lynn Trimble explores the Heard Museum North in Scottsdale with her son Christopher -- and shares a sampling of photos from their adventure.

Lynn Trimble hears an art-related rumor at the grocery store -- and runs with it.

As of tomorrow, Scottsdale writer Lynn Trimble will have logged 392 "Stage Mom" posts. Come Christmas Eve, Actors Theatre will present the last of 392 performances of "A Christmas Carol." Your last chance to see this original adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale starts Dec 4 at the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix.

Opera with pirates, cartwheels and pom poms. Train wreck or triumph? Lynn Trimble spoke with several families during a recent trip to see Arizona Opera perform Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance." So what's their verdict? And what's coming up in Valley opera performance?

They haven't gotten much press, but these events uncovered by Stage Mom Lynn Trimble offer affordable art adventures -- and give you plenty of opportunities to support both Valley students of the arts and more seasoned artists.

Lynn Trimble explores the newly renovated Herberger Theater Center and meets some interesting folks as she attends an Arizona Theatre Company presentation -- The Acting Company and Guthrie Theater co-production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, set in the early 20th century.

Lynn Trimble discovers that a fellow she knows from her children's early childhood days is passionate about both puppetry and playwriting (and politics too). Read about how they reconnected and where you can see his work performed in the Valley Saturday night.

Blacks and whites. Montagues and Capulets. Fairies and humans. Are they really all that different? Explore real and imagined differences this weekend as the Arizona Science Center presents "RACE: Are We So Different?" and Arizona Theatre Company presents "Romeo & Juliet." Also enjoy some time with Ballet Arizona and the Southwest Shakespeare Company.

Arizona Jewish Theatre Company opens its 23rd season with "Hard Love" by Israeli playwright Motti Lerner. This weekend is your last chance to see it. Learn why Lynn Trimble, who saw the show Sunday night, considers it "must see" theater.

Happy news. The circus in Washington, D.C. won't be going on tour. But several performing arts circus troupes are doing just that -- bringing a unique blend of artistic and athletic prowess to Arizona. But first, PBS helps to set the stage...

Vote your conscience. But keep art in your heart -- because the arts are vital to our quality of life and economic recovery. Lynn Trimble helps you connect with resources that can help you vote "art smart."