LATEST REVIEWS

by Sarah Dorsey Daniel Wallace’s 1998 novel Big Fish tells the tale about a father with larger than life stories, Edward Bloom, and his son, William Bloom, a realist and matter of fact story teller. As William prepares for the arrival of his own son, he sets out to find the truth of his father’s past. Gradually, he realizes that his father’s over the top, mythic stories weren’t necessarily to frustrate him but to teach him about people and life’s greatest challenges. Players

by Deitra Oliver with Guests: Jude (Age 12) and Kendrick (Age 9) Middle school isn’t for the faint of heart. Things like popularity, the Cheese Touch, and the numbers 6 and 7 reign supreme in the hallowed halls of every middle school. My personal recollections of my time there, honestly not that long ago, are fuzzy at best. Since I am not the most reliable source on all things middle school, I brought my nephews, Jude and Kendrick, along with me to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid

by Michael McKeon One consistent hassle in life we can all agree on, regardless of your own personal demographic, is that dealing with salesmen is a necessary evil. Whether it be buying a car, a home, or hell even a cell phone you must sit down at the table and play the game. Then you must decide if this person on the other side of the table is genuine or has a motive. How can you get the best deal? Should you look somewhere else for a better price? The Blue Moon Theatre

by Deitra Oliver Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, presented by The Ritz Theatre Company, directed by Darryl S. Thompson, Jr., is nothing short of a triumph. Set in a fictional African-American tenement called Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, during the early 1920’s, the folk opera tells the story of Porgy, played by Stephan Burse, a disabled black man forced to live as a beggar, and his unlikely love affair with the free-spirited Bess, played by Erica Imani Liburd; both

by Stephen Kreal On Friday, May 15th, I went to see Bridge Players Theater’s production of “Seussical”. This is the last show of their 49th season. The production was directed and choreographed by Joanne Piazza, and stage-managed by Alice Weber. Credit for assistant stage managers is given in the program to Kate Petrovich and Damon Strothers. Seussical was co-produced by Lauren and Marissa DiPilla. Inspired by the Dr. Seuss books, the music was written by Tony Award-winni

by Donald Toal Jukebox musicals have rarely been this reviewer’s cup of tea. Oftentimes they are a fun romp with some catchy earworms but little in the way of deeper, lasting substance (looking at you, “Mamma Mia!”). Sometimes, though, a jukebox musical not only has something meaningful to say, but says it with its full chest and raw honesty. Material that is full of sharp edges, but ones that need to be swallowed. 2018’s Jagged Little Pill: the Musical fits that role t

by Stephen Kreal On Friday, May 8th, I attended the opening night performance of Chicken & Biscuits at South Camden Theater Company. Chicken & Biscuits is written by Douglas Lyons. The play is directed by Damien J. Wallace, with Gabriella Velasquez credited as Assistant Director. This production is stage-managed by August Fen DeLuca. Assisting with stage management are Dione Taylor (ASM), and Samantha Coyle (stage hand). Credit for Props Management is given to Pam Staley. SC

by Aimee Renna The rent is due in Manayunk and the cast is getting their bag at the Ghostlight Players’ completely sold out run of Jonathan Larson’s Rent. This famous show follows the complex lives of several young impoverished artists in New York City during the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Larson’s rock opera was the first of its kind in 1996 and has had a massive lasting impact on Musical Theater as it has evolved through the 21st century. This production at the Venice Island Perfo

by Laura Duffy Despite being one of Stephen Sondheim’s many devotees, I was unfamiliar with his and George Furth’s 1970 musical Company - that is, until this past Friday night. Masquerade Theatre’s opening night performance was nearly sold out and highly energetic, with an audience full of friends and Company fans. For those also unfamiliar, Company is a concept musical about marriage and dating in New York City, and follows Robert (often referred to as Bobby) through a seri