I love music and theater, so I’m excited for the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s lavish presentation of The King and I at the Civic Opera House, a truly stunning Chicago landmark. The King and I is one of my favorites, so the chance to share it with my family is what I’m asking for this Mother’s Day. Luckily, it starts April 29, and there are two performances on Mother’s Day.

As I’ve typed this, I’ve alternated between humming “Getting to Know You” and “Shall We Dance.” So many wonderful songs in this show! What an opportunity to hear them performed by a cast of Broadway’s brightest, along with members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus. I can’t wait to share that with my daughter.

A glorious spectacle of unforgettable songs, marvelous costumes, and opulent scenery is coming to Lyric this spring with an “elaborate…brightly colored…dazzling”(The New York Times) production of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, The King and I. This Tony-winning musical that tells the story of a British schoolteacher who is hired by the King of Siam to tutor his wives and children will capture your heart as they discuss, debate, and ultimately grow in understanding and respect.

I’m excited to be immersed in this captivating story, and I’m certain it will captivate my teen daughter, who has only seen the movie version. (That fact that this is time together that is completely unplugged is a bonus!)

Don’t miss the limited engagement of this hit Broadway musical!

To make it easier for you to attend, and to take your mom and other important ladies in your life who have helped make you who you are today, you can get 20% off weekday performances with the code MOMBLOG. 

Visit lyricopera.org or call 312.827.5600 for tickets. If you live in the Chicago area, I hope you’ll have the chance to see Lyric Opera’s The King and I with your family and if not, I hope you’ve got an extra-special experience in mind to share with your loved ones!

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* There are a lot of moms on the planet. Approximately 2 billion women are mothers, with 4 babies born each second.

* Anna Jarvis is considered the found of Mother’s Day in the United States when she sought in 1908 to honor her mother, who had died three years prior and who had organized “Mothers’ Friendship Day” in 1868 to promote reconciliation following the end of the Civil War.

* Although she created the American Mother’s Day, Jarvis was not a life-long supporter of the holiday. As it evolved, she disliked the commercialization that surrounded it. Jarvis was even arrested protesting Mother’s Day and said that she regretted creating the holiday. She eventually tried to have Mother’s Day abolished. Clearly, she was unsuccessful. Guess this is an example of “be careful what you wish for.”

* FTD (The Florist Telegraph Delivery) association offered Jarvis a commission on the sales of Mother’s Day carnations if she would resume her support of Mother’s Day, but she was was insulted by the offer.

* FTD didn’t need Jarvis’ support, as it turns out, because today people spend $1.9 billion annually on flowers for Mother’s Day and 69% of all gifts given are flowers. 13% of moms buy themselves flowers for the occasion.

* In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day a national holiday, but not all lawmakers were on board. New Hampshire Senator Jacob Gallinger, a Republican, found the idea of limiting the celebration of his mother to just one day insulting. Senator Henry Moore Teller of Colorado, a Democrat, felt even more strongly, saying it was both “absolutely absurd” and “trifling.”

* The holiday is technically Mother’s Day, not Mothers’ Day. Jarvis wanted it to be a holiday to honor each individual’s mother, your mother, not all mothers. Thus, the name of the holiday is singular, not plural.

* According to Hallmark, 133 million Mother’s Day cards are given each year. Mother’s Day is the third-largest card-sending holiday in the U.S.

* Many people let their fingers do the walking. Phone calls increase up to 37% on Mother’s Day. Find more stats on Mother’s Day gifts here.

Happy Mother’s Day to one and all!

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