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    Jason M.

    Ok so I have been waiting to write reviews until I could find just the right company. My 100th review had to go to a company that wasn't a huge corporation, but more of a mom and pop shop with amazing customer service. ..........and then i stumbled across Storybook Characters. I was telling a co-worker in my office about a joint birthday we were throwing for a 3 and 5 year old. The theme was Jake the Pirates and Disney princesses. She recommended this company and said her cousin had used them and loved them. So I gave her a ring...When I called a lady named Vicky answered. I told her about the party we were having and that we thought the 5 year old would just love it if a real princess came to her party. I love the fact that Vicky was patient and listened to me ramble on about the whole party prior to making any suggestions. She really listened, repeated, and clarified all the details I had given her. Once she gathered this information she made amazing recommendations of different activities, and games the kids could play. But best of all she gave me a little background about how she got in the business, how long she had been running the business, and how she works with the kids. This was very important to me because she made it point to know her clients and what they are looking for exactly. Her passion really shined for her business. You could really tell she was doing something she absolutely enjoyed and took pride in. So I decided to go ahead and book her. She then followed up with me the night before so we could make arrangements for a grand entrance for Snow White (AKA Vicky). We also re-confirmed the details of the party. I did tell her I loved all the ideas but if the kids were really enjoying one particular activity, she need not worry about completing all the activities prior to finish. She was really on top of her game and very professional. I was getting excited myself for this princesses to come. She arrived 10minutes early to the Party in full costume. When she entered the party she immediately spotted the 2 birthday children and introduced herself as snow white. For maybe 2 seconds I think the kids were shocked and speechless, and then she got the 3 year old to give her a high 5 and he was totally stoked! All the kids immediately warmed up. It truly was amazing how well she worked with the kids. She told them stories, and their their little faces lit up in awwww. She incorporated the stories into her very own(snow white) fairy tails. She then made balloons for the kids. It was amazing she made just about anything the children asked for. The boys were getting swards so they could be like Jake the Pirate. She made the handle of the sword look just like a real handle. She made the girls princess crowns, and animals. Once they all had their balloons she began her face painting. WoW!!!!!!!! The face painting was so good the adults joined in. hahaha Now what else I really loved is she had asked if we wanted her to be in the pictures for the cake and assist with the presents. She was absolutely fabulous. She got the grandmas to get in group pictures, took pictures with the kids by the cake, helped get everyone to sing happy birthday. And the most important the kids absolutely adored her. She had another party she was going to afterwards and was courteous enough to ask if she could change at our residence, and she made sure the kids did not see her as anything other than a princess snow white. They truly believed they had a real princess at there party. I think we will be using her every year now, She described some of these games and they seem so much fun. The kids played with her the entire time she was here and actually paid no attention to the bounce house during her visit. All in All this was one of the best children's parties I have ever had or been too. She really gets in character and looks identical to what you ask her for. I feel honored to use my 100th review for such an awesome business. Oh by the way I can't believe how reasonable her prices are. We must have had about 15-20 kids. And you couldn't even higher a baby sitter for that many kids as reasonable as she was.(of course all the parents where right there in awwww as well) And on top of it she so entertaining and sweet. Thank you Vicky for all your help, keep up the great work and I will refer everyone who has children to you. I love that you will come to any events even if they are not birthdays. Ill probably see you again next year.

    Lorena R.

    Great experience! The entertainer was on time and ready to work. She was wonderful with the children and her princess character was exactly what I asked for. The kids loved her face painting and especially the balloon animals. The prices were reasonable. I was more than pleased with SBC :)

    Belly Art for my princess! It was an amazing experience!
    Ashley K.

    I am in my 3rd pregnancy with our first baby girl. I wanted to do something special that I would be able to remember forever. I knew of Vicky for birthday party's and what an amazingly sweet and just good person she is. I know she is an amazing artist and I wanted her to free hand something made up in a belly art session. She came over to my house and spent time and detail on something that is very precious to me. I loved the outcome and I loved her gentleness and patience in painting my belly. Truly amazing. Thank you Vicky! At a very reasonable cost!

    JR R.

    thanks virgina for your Great work. my babies and family were very satisfied with your service : balloon twisting & face painting. 1. face painting : very professionally done! my 1 yr even stayed in place to get his dr seuss painted on his face. That shows shes Fast bc how many 1 yr olds can you get to stay in one place to get there face painted hehe and looks really good! Also, shes great with kids bc they easily cling to her warmth personality . 2. balloon twisiting was good: i didnt have much kids who wanted something done but the kids that did were having a blast . shes really easy going and patient with kids , you really have to be in this type of business 3. she was a little late due to traffic but she had called to inform the delay and provided anticipated time of arrival. im glad she followed up with a phone call and she even stayed the 2 hrs paid starting from time of arrival now thats professionalism. i recommend vicky to all parties ! shes great!

    Robert S.

    Story Book Characters hosted my little niece birthday party. She is great with kids, all the kids loved how she painted their faces, played games with them and how she gathered them around the birthday cake, to sing happy birthday to my little niece. I'm so grateful she made all the children happy as they saw one of their favorite Disney characters.

    Superhero party
    Lisa H.

    I want to thank Storybook Characters and Vicky for making my brother's Birthday party so special! My little Captain America celebrated his 10th Birthday in a great company of a CatWoman (Vicky) and his friends superheroes. Because of her beautiful personality and sincere passion for everything she does, children were able to believe that they became true superheroes. Not only she did an amazing job in organizing our great party, but also she helped to prepare the event( gave valuable advices and shared her ideas) in order to make the event unique and unforgettable. She helped to make every child feel special and also made sure that everyone had fun, including the adults. I would highly recommend Vicky for the party of children of any ages (1-90+). I feel that Vicky gives a small piece of her heart to every event she does. This is more then a job for her; she loves what she is doing. Thank you Vicky, again! It was my pleasure!

    Thank you Vicky! You were great. Both kids and adults very much enjoyed you, the face painting and balloons. Thank you again and we are for sure calling you for our next party.

    Daughter with Elsa
    Juan G.

    We are overdo for a review on storybook characters . We have hired them 5 years in a row and I have to say. Every time it gets better. We had a frozen theme party for my 5 year old and it was truly a magical experience . Queen Elsa made it to the party with a beautiful costume. She was all smiles. Very attentive with the kids and adults and professional. The kids got their face painted with beautiful art work( not your usual tiny rainbow or lite flower) I'm talking about Olaf and little theme party characters. Next the kids were entertained with a variety of activities She had planned out. The kids even did a sing along with "queen Elsa" it was a magical experience . She was able to keep all 14 kids entertained and with a smile on their face. The best part was the parents were able to participate in some of the games . Making it entertaining for all ages. If you're looking for a talented, professional, sweet entertainer hire storybook characters.

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    12 years ago

    Vicky was awesome! The kids loved her! Her face painting skills are top notch. Affordable and definitely worth it!

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    Vicky face painted and played games for my daughters 1st birthday party and she was amazing! I loved her work :)

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    Review Highlights - SBC

    I emailed the company with some questions about my event and within minutes I received a reply back from Vicky.

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    Irvine Barclay Theatre

    Irvine Barclay Theatre

    (108 reviews)

    My family and I attended an older, classic rock/orchestral event at this venue…read more Located on the UC Irvine campus, this theatre is very nice and modern. The lobby was very clean and shiny, and the restrooms were large and clean. The theatre's interior was very beautiful and comfortable. Every comfortable seat in the theatre offers a perfect view of the stage, and the sound system was perfect. The employees were all very friendly and professional, and they assisted anyone and everyone who needed help. Though the music was a tad different from what we are used to on the radio, the performers worked hard and did a GREAT job of keeping the audience engaged and entertained.

    We have been here a few times and the last visit was for a screening of National Theatre Live: Dr…read more Strangelove. Being a huge fan of the film, I rushed to get tickets thinking it was actual live stage performance, then come to find out it was just a screening. Oops! Don't rush, take your time when purchasing for a show. The screening itself was adapted from Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece. Nothing can replace the original cast of this iconic film; however, the stage version was pretty impressive with the handling of the changing of stage scenes. It was highly abbreviated though, in my opinion. Tickets were for General Admission so we chose our seats upon doors opening. Every seat (approximately 750 seats) in the house seems to have non-obstructive view. We went for the first row center on the balcony level. Love this view. If you need a snack, there is wine, beer, water, soft drinks, and packaged snacks like cookies, chips, and candies for sale. Parking is in the structure right next to the theatre. (US$10-15) Ushers and all staff were very polite and courteous. Enjoy!

    Laguna Playhouse - I'm here to see the shark is broken!

    Laguna Playhouse

    (150 reviews)

    It has been forever since I've been to Laguna Playhouse and that's my fault. For some reason, I…read morejust don't put life theater at the top of my list of entertainment, but that's going to change. I believe I saw this play being advertised on Instagram, etc. and it intrigued me so I opted to buy tickets. I'm one of those that do not necessarily need to be in the orchestra or main level and I chose to sit in the least expensive seats in the upper balcony areas. I don't think you can go wrong anywhere in the theater. There is municipal parking across from the theater, which is four dollars with no maximum hours. There's also metered parking in other city lots throughout the area. You can also take the free trolley. There is a small courtyard out front that early arrival patrons were mingling and having wine and a snack. Inside, there's a small beverage/bar area that featured some basic candy and snacks as well as some wine, coffee, and soft drinks. It was reasonably priced overall. We opted for a Coke and some pretzels and unfortunately, they carry the dots pretzels. I know everybody loves them. It's not my favorite. I do appreciate that they allowed the food and beverage into the theater. I'm kind of old-school a little bit of that because back in the day that was never allowed as far as the crowd most people were casually dressed or dressed to go maybe to dinner afterwards. It's a more casual environment compared to New York or Chicago theater districts. We thoroughly enjoyed the show. The shark is broken. The character casting was spot on. the mannerisms and voice inflections were also perfect. It was I believe a 90 minute show without intermission. Departing the theater and exiting across the street was easy. There are also restrooms. It seems handicap accessible on the lower level in general. I'm not sure about an elevator for the second level. I did not see one, but I would double check. Our tickets were will call in the box office person was very friendly and nice. I definitely will check back and see what other performances occur in the future.

    Intimate venue. Play quality varies by actors performing, but no bad seats and a nice night out…read morewith many great restaurants nearby!

    New Swan Theater - intermission, rising moon 2018

    New Swan Theater

    (17 reviews)

    An absolute must do! The theater is outdoor and something I have never experienced before. There…read moreare no bad seats, which is mind blogging!! The performers were excellent and obviously they have a fantastic director!! From costumes, to stage design, lighting, choreographer all went well together! I have been to enough plays and performances to say this theater is definitely special and if you get a chance you should go watch a play here. There is a big parking structure so parking is not a problem and it's a short walk to the theater from there.

    Productions. Good productions with a good vibe. This year, we enjoyed Pericles and Comedy of…read moreErrrorrs - their spelling! Choosing seating. A great theater in the round! Our family went in summer 2018, 2019, and 2022. The gentleman next to us had sat in every type of seat in the house, and he confirmed that each seat has a good view. For a seat on the stage floor, there are cushions, but you must be comfortable sitting on the floor for about 50 min at a time. Most seats are comfortable. Some seats use bar-stool type seating that may cut into your thighs a bit. On a clear night, enjoy the moon and stars from the top level! One time, there was some aircraft noise from the airport, but that was unusual. Tickets. We did not see any at-the-door sales; all sales were in advance. When you buy on the website, the Barclay will email you good directions two days before the performance. The e-ticket says "print this ticket" but it is OK to just show it on your phone. From home. Bring an extra layer of clothing because summer nights can be relatively cool and breezy at any level in the theater. Some people may like to bring a seat cushion. Park in the UCI Student Center Parking Structure for $13, through 11:59 pm the day of the performance. Arrive about 7:20 to give yourself plenty of time to stroll to the theater. Signage is good. The location on Apple Maps is not correct and Google Maps does not give a location; hopefully that will change. At intermission, restrooms are signposted, a minute's walk from the theater in the adjacent UCI Library building. M&Ms or Gummi Bears cost $1; paper cups of water are free. After the show finishes, some cafes and restaurants in the University Center are still open: most fast-food restaurants, Cha for Tea, or Eureka. Access the University Center by using the Watson pedestrian bridge across Campus Dr.

    Pageant of the Masters - 2022 Theme - Wonderful World

    Pageant of the Masters

    (638 reviews)

    TLDR: Pageant of the Masters is a California vibe and unique event. Yes you should experience it at…read moreleast once and I'm a fan for life after seeing it for the first time. You can find street parking, it does cost money, there's a kiosk to pay, there's also a lot across the street. I went twice this year and got tickets at a significantly discounted price at the box office and they stop selling tickets at 8 pm. The closer to the front the better, but there's not a bad seat in the house. Finally went to Pageant of the Masters after years of hearing about it but still not understanding what it is. This year's theme was Gold Coast: Treasures of California which featured different types of artwork from local California artists as well as the many art museums throughout California and some of the famous pieces stored at those museums. I really enjoyed it because I love art museums and seeing some of these art works come to life and learn the history behind them was neat but I also absorbed all of the info. about it. I met up with a friend here who was a Pageant fan. We got here an hour and a half before they opened the amphitheater up and go to see the art exhibits outside. I'd compare it to going to the Hollywood Bowl to hang out and eat and drink outside the gates before you go in to see a show. There was tons of art and artists with their work on display and for sale and outdoor seating with a small stage with some amazing bands playing. The artwork here is not your typical artwork you'd see at an art walk, these artists and their works are for serious and REAL buyers. Art gallery type work that featured paintings, sculptures, photography that was bold, unique and of a a variety of tastes. Once inside, there's an orchestra playing music underneath the stage. It is recreations of paintings on a large scale, using humans and with a live orchestra. They use not only the stage, but also the smaller stages to the right and left and the hillside a bit to execute the vision. Bring binoculars to get a more detailed view and to see who is a human and who is just a cutout of a human. Production is very cool! Defiinitely a vibe and something fun to see with the whole family.

    They really need to liven up the entertainment. I live around the corner and I'm in my 50s but I…read morefeel like all the music is made for people over 80. It used to be so much fun to go there to listen to the music before the show but now it's just a bunch of old people sitting around. They need to appeal to younger people and live it up. I also like to see more concerts during the off-season in the Irvine bowl.

    SBC - eventplanning - Updated May 2026

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