After spending several days in nurse mom rather than stage mom mode, Lynn Trimble decides it's time to explore the world of art and medicine -- starting with creative ways nurses and others are healing themselves and others with the arts.

After enjoying Les Miserables movie-style in Mesa with her daughter Lizabeth, Stage Mom Lynn Trimble looks forward to a live Les Mis performance in Tempe and a youth theater production of Les Mis, school edition.

Stage Mom Lynn Trimble shares ways you can "give back" this holiday season while enjoying dance favorites from Arizona to NYC.

Cindy Lou Who. Max the Dog. The Grinch. Experience the Broadway musical version of Dr. Seuss' classic Christmas tale this week/weekend at ASU Gammage in Tempe. Stage Mom Lynn Trimble shares links to special offers, fun children's activities and more as she recalls her own childhood memories of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."

A "Nutcracker Sweet Tea" in Queen Creek this weekend. An "Angel Night" for children who might not otherwise experience "The Nutcracker." A "Nutcracker Ballet" to benefit Toys for Tots. Stage Mom Lynn Trimble reviews your options for enjoying this timeless Tchaikovsky work this season.

On the occasion of her 400th post, "Stage Mom" Lynn Trimble looks at some of the newer approaches she's exploring, and the advantages of a new tool that's helping to make it all possible.

Seniors are dancing. Students are sculpting. It's all part of Valley arts and culture this week. Check out Stage Mom Lynn Trimble's list of no-cost and low-cost art offerings.

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.

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"...

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.