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

by Meg Bryan Few theatrical experiences have felt as gleefully alive as Maurer Productions OnStage's production of The 39 Steps (at the Kelsey Theatre) as adapted for stage by Patrick Barlow. This show is full of heart with the quartet of a cast delivering a performance that is delightfully unrestrained. There’s a palpable joy in the way the cast navigates its challenges, ignoring limitations and turning theatrical convention on its head. The result is a show that feels sim

by Angela Robb Ever since I started writing for South Jersey Theatre Critics I have been given the opportunity to go to a variety of theaters, including several for the first time. Players Club of Swarthmore has definitely become a favorite of mine. It’s a theatre I can keep returning to with confidence knowing whatever show I see will be top notch. The production quality consistently rivals local regional houses. This confidence in PCS’s storytelling made me especially eage

by Stephen Kreal On Friday, May 1st, I attended the opening night performance of The Pirates of Penzance, the classic operetta written by Gilbert & Sullivan at Burlington County Footlighters Theater in Cinnaminson NJ. The production was directed AND choreographed by Lizi Baldwin. Heidi Kleber acted as stage manager. This spirited and fun musical debuted in 1879, and has remained popular ever since. The opera has been frequently revived, including a popular 1981 Broadway prod

by Sarah Dorsey Well I surely attended the tale of Sweeney Todd this week (opening night no less) at Village Playbox in Haddon Heights, NJ. The musical, book by Hugh Wheeler and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, takes place in 19th-century London on the dark and gothic Fleet Street. The musical tells the tale of Sweeney Todd, once Benjamin Barker, and his accomplice Mrs. Lovett. They work together– barber shop and pie shop– to get revenge on those that falsely accused h

by Sarah Dorsey And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie, tells the haunting tale of ten strangers that were brought together on a remote island by a mystery “U.N. Owen.” While the strangers prepare to settle into the home, they hear an eerie recording through the gramophone accusing each guest of a horrifying past. Tension escalates when the guests begin to die one by one– with each death mirroring the lines of the macabre nursery rhyme hung above the fireplace. Who is

by Deitra Oliver Don’t wait! Get your tickets to see The Last Five Years presented by Cumberland Players and Herrick Theatricals today! This production is one of the many reasons I love community theater: I don’t have to take the train to New York and pay New York prices to see an excellent show. Director Julie Morell brings the popular musical to New Jersey with a clear understanding and care for the story and characters, along with a wonderful eye for detail. The Last Fiv

by Ellorah Maeve The 39 Steps started as an adventure novel by John Buchan in 1915, which started as a weekly series in a magazine. There are many film adaptations; but the most famous version is a spy thriller film from 1935 directed by Alfred Hitchcock, who was also known as the “Master of Suspense”. But for the play, adapted by Patrick Barlow, it was turned from a mystery thriller into a slap stick comedy. Audience members of all ages will enjoy the moments of truth and h

by Deitra Oliver Burlington County Footlighters 2nd Stage theater is bringing the hilarious satire of Jason Milligan’s Walking on the Moon to life this week in Cinnaminson. The show debuted in 1995, and I am so glad I was able to see this specific iteration, directed masterfully by Kevin Esmond. Walking on the Moon tells the story of Chad Williams, a former astronaut who walked on the moon. Kind of a big deal. Unfortunately for Chad, his accomplishment is overshadowed by h

by Aidan Rowe Gateway Playhouse’s electrifying production of Jesus Christ Superstar is now in motion. The rock opera musical, written by Tim Rice with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, shows us the story of Jesus Christ from his grand entrance to Jerusalem to his dreaded crucifixion. The stage is framed by tall columns at each side of the infamous cross positioned at the center of the backdrop. The columns and surrounding scenery are covered in graffiti, adding a sense of grit

by April Johnson I had the privilege to view the world premiere of the original musical It’s Never Too Late on Saturday, April 4 th at the Kelsey Theater at Mercer presented by Theater to Go Production Company. Starting as a means of catharsis, Lou DiPietro (Book & Lyrics) created a show idea seven years ago relating to his experiences of playing professional baseball in the Minor Leagues in search of a big break. Expecting that his chances of making the Major League w

by Meg Bryan Putting on classic shows with changes that are vastly different than how they are traditionally done can be a tricky thing to succeed at. I’m sure we can all name one of these types of shows that, to put it bluntly, did not work for whatever reason. This is not the case when talking about Viviana Theatre’s production of Godspell . The team made a bold choice with the setting of the show, placing the cast in the lobby of an airport. Not only that, but there was t

by Lisa Croce On Friday night, I had the opportunity to see the opening night performance of Witch at Player’s Club of Swarthmore. This performance took place in their 2 nd stage space, which is a smaller black box space. The play leant itself to the intimacy provided by this environment. Seating was limited, so I recommend getting there early to get the best seat and view of the action. Additionally, we were not advised that there was no intermission before the show start