Author Archives: nealnewman

Review by Neal Newman December 14, 2024 KISS ME KATE AT Quintessence Theatre is a joyful ride.  Inventive choreography, direction, colorful designs, and a fine cast make for a happy audience. Cole Porter’s score remains one of the Golden Age classics. Fans of Porter’s 30’s musicals like Anything Goes will recognize the sassy beat in “Too DarnContinue reading “KISS ME KATE at Quintessence”

Review by Neal Newman December 8, 2024 PETER PAN fills us senior citizens with profound memories. Who wouldn’t like to remain a little kid for as long as you want? Who hasn’t dreamed of being able to fly, not to mention fighting all those villains with guns or swords in “an awfully big adventure?”  Today’sContinue reading “PETER PAN at Arden Children’s Theatre”

Review by Neal Newman October 6, 2024 The Quintessence Theatre Group has reached its 15th season, which is amazing for a classical theater in this society. Improvements are on the way to the old Sedgwick Theatre, which opened in 1928 and is now owned by the Quintessence Theatre Group. Bravo to all. Classical theatre lovers haveContinue reading “CYRANO DE BERGERAC at Quintessence”

Review by Neal Newman September 25, 2024 The great news for today is that every Thursday at about 9:15 after the performance of THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL at People’s Light in Malvern, the talented musicians of the three-person cast will host a hootenanny of all kinds of country music. All are invited for free,Continue reading “THE PORCH ON WINDY HILL at People’s Light”

Review by Neal Newman September 22, 2024 The New York Times for today, September 23, 2024, features a significant article calling Amanda Jones, a middle school librarian in Louisiana, a “superhero.”  She has written a best-selling book detailing her adamant refusal to ban books that local politicians claim do not properly reflect their communities. TimesContinue reading “ALABAMA STORY at Old Academy Players”

Review by Neal Newman September 15, 2024 Timeless and captivating, THE GIN GAME, presented by Bristol Riverside Theatre, is a brilliant play. Despite its debut in 1976, it remains fresh and vital, a testament to its enduring appeal. Its international success, with performances in India and Turkey, further underscores its unique perceptiveness. It’s a trueContinue reading “THE GIN GAME AT BRISTOL RIVERSIDE”

Review by Neal Newman August 11, 2024 AN ACT OF GOD is a one-act play starring God. The set is a cloud-capped sky, and the costumes are all white. The angels have wings. God is a combination of standup comic and game show host. He has several things to tell us. Some are trivial: heContinue reading “AN ACT OF GOD At ACT II”

Review by Neal Newman July 21, 2004 SOMEWHERE OVER THE BOARDER, with book, music, and lyrics by Brian Quijada, is a captivating Hispanic musical that intertwines THE WIZARD OF OZ with THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE to narrate a poignant story of a young girl’s illegal journey from El Salvador to the USA. This story, inspiredContinue reading “SOMEWHERE OVER THE BORDER at People’s Light”

Review by Neal Newman May 22, 2024 Is life based on logic, probability, and scientific truth, or is it just a shower of pachinko balls? (Says the author.)  Are we the cue balls in a billiard game played by monkeys? (Says me.)  These are some of the many questions and ideas that streak through thisContinue reading “OFF BY ONE at People’s Light”

Review by Neal Newman May 31, 2024 MOON OVER BUFFALO is being given a nearly flawless farce production. The design, direction, and cast achieve the madcap mania farce demands, which is not easy to do and sustain for two hours. The Candlelight Dinner Theatre’s production is so well done that one hardly notices the faultsContinue reading “MOON OVER BUFFALO at Candlelight Theatre”