Author Archives: nealnewman

Review by Neal Newman January 22, 2024 SMALL, an area premiere written and performed by Robert Montano, is not your typical one-person show. It is a Jerome Robbins ballet. Or at least it appears to be. This is no monologue delivered by an older actor behind a podium. This is a SHOW, featuring an astonishingContinue reading “SMALL at People’s Light”

Review by Neal Newman August 5, 2023 There’s some impressive acting in BOCA which just opened at the ACT II Playhouse in Ambler. 5 performers impersonate 10 unique characters in the story of a 55-plus retirement complex in Florida. I didn’t read the program carefully before the 80-minute area premiere comedy began, and it wasContinue reading “BOCA at ACTII”

Review by Neal Newman June 25, 2023 The best way to introduce LETTIE by Boo Killebrew, now playing at People’s Light, is to introduce the people. After seven years, Lettie (Danielle Skraastad) has just been released from prison. Her traumatic childhood was peppered with drugs, alcohol, and impulsive decisions. She says, “I could never beContinue reading “LETTIE at People’s Light”

Review by Neal Newman June 11, 2023 At first glance, BAKERSFIELD MIST seems to be a sitcom cartoon. But wait, it’s not. We meet Maude, who lives in a trailer park, furnishes it from cast-offs from junk stores, is a fired bartender, and a proud gun owner. She is also highly foul-mouthed. Lionel is aContinue reading “BAKERSFIELD MIST at Montgomery Theater”

May 27, 2023 Review by Neal Newman All photos by John Daggett These days, theater tickets for professional productions can range from over $100 to much higher. Steel River Playhouse’s INTO THE WOODS is professional: technical, musical, direction, singing, and acting—all at community theater prices. Buy tickets. First, a bit about the show: Stephen SondheimContinue reading “INTO THE WOODS at Steel River Playhouse”

Review by Neal Newman April 23, 2023 Actors Net of Bucks County presents THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE by Lauren Gunderson. It tells the story of the famed scientist who discovered radium and won two Nobel Prizes for physics and chemistry; she is abetted in this two-character play by Hertha Ayrton, another brilliant woman scientistContinue reading “MARIE CURIE at Actor’s Net Bucks County”

Review by Neal Newman April 16, 2023 Idealism is in short supply these days, so it is marvelous to report that the Montgomery Theater’s CAMELOT is a rousing success.  This monumental work by Lerner and Loewe is one of those musical plays that audiences really hope will succeed but usually doesn’t due to problems withContinue reading “CAMELOT at Montgomery Theater”

Review by Neal Newman April, 5, 2023 August Wilson, RADIO GOLF:           Sterling:  Negroes got blindeyetis. A dog knows it’s a dog.  A cat             Knows it’s a cat. But a Negro don’t know he’s a Negro.  He thinks             he’s a white man. Wilson’s play, being presented at the Arden Theatre Company, is aboutContinue reading “RADIO GOLF at Arden Theatre”

Review by Neal Newman March 29, 2023 MISTAKES WERE MADE by Craig Wright at the ACT II Playhouse is an amusing 75-minute excursion into a day in the life of a theatrical producer who will do ANYTHING to get his show on. Directed by and starring Tony Braithwaite, this producer, Felix, is a consummate liar,Continue reading “MISTAKES WERE MADE at ACT II Playhouse”

Review by Neal Newman March l9, 2023 The New Light Theatre’s A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE production is exemplary. Directed by Megan Bellwoar, Arthur Miller’s classic family tragedy comes to life in a tiny circle surrounded by an enwrapped audience. This simple in-the-round performance may lack the grandeur of past realistic Broadway stagings. Still, onceContinue reading “A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE at New Light Theatre”