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

by Meg Bryan We all can name at least one book we were made to read in school that has stuck in our heads for the rest of our lives. Those classic stories like The Outsiders, Old Yeller, 1984, Catcher in the Rye, and many more were integral to our learning experience as children. However, the one story that has stuck with me personally the most was when my class read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in high school. Every turn this story took had terrified and rattled me to m

by Stephen Kreal On Saturday, March 21 st , I attended a performance of Funny Money , produced at Playmasters Theater Workshop in Bensalem PA. Playmasters is located in Neshaminy State Park. Funny Money is a well-known farce written by playwright Ray Cooney (“master of the farce”). It premiered in 1995 at the Playhouse Theatre in London's West End, and enjoyed a successful two-year run. Among Cooney’s other famous plays are Run for Your Wife and Two into One. Funny Mon

by Mike McKeon Anyone remotely interested, as well as those with no interest at all in D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) needs to see this show. As a slight D&D “geek” myself I would be lying if I said I haven’t been excitedly awaiting She Kills Monsters . Just the idea of the show sounded fun to me as I tried to imagine different ways how anyone could bring D&D to life on stage. I must say, Ritz Theatre Company in Haddon Township, NJ went far beyond my imagination and their produ

by Ash Kotter I can say with confidence that theatre enthusiasts typically first meet Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House in a classroom, as a staple of dramatic history, as something you read to discuss later and analyze. And, rightfully so, considering its cultural context: Ibsen wasn’t exactly being subtle in dramatizing a wife walking out on her husband and children in 1879. I probably read this play in high school. I’m sure I definitely read it in college. Could make a stro

by Amber Kusching “Sometimes a revolution needs a woman’s touch.” Four bold women—playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, ribbon-loving Marie Antoinette, and the Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle—team up in a wild, feminist comedy set amid the Reign of Terror. As they plot, spar, and even murder Marat, they battle the rising madness of 1793 Paris. Blending history and fantasy, this sharp, irreverent play explores violence, legacy, activism, and sisterhood—part t

by Deitra Oliver Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Uncomfortable in your own skin? Have you ever thought it would be easier to let someone else lead and take the backseat in your own life? Ever wondered what you would do in the event of a zombie apocalypse? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be just the right candidate for a SQUIP (Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor) or, more realistically, a ticket to see Be More Chill at The Players Club

by Michael McKeon This past Saturday I was able to visit my favorite South Jersey community theater, The Blue Moon Theatre. I love everything about this little theater, including the beautiful scenic drive I get to enjoy on the way there. I had the opportunity to see The Blue Moon Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest directed by Stacey Bachman and Assistant Director Mike Russell . The Importance of Being Earnest was written by Oscar Wilde in 1894 and d