Author Archives: nealnewman

Review by Neal Newman October 1, 2022 The plays of Eugene Ionesco are a celebration for actors, directors, and designers. You know that every production must be unique, and those above mentioned will pull out all the stops to be as inventive as possible. Such is the case at Quintessence Theatre with THE CHAIRS, oneContinue reading “Review: THE CHAIRS at Quintessence Theatre”

Review by Neal Newman September 18, 2022 People’s Light has opened a world premiere bilingual production of MUSHROOM, featuring an imported company of mostly Latinx performers. Malvern theatergoers may be unaware that nearby Kennett Square is called the mushroom capital of the world. Most of the workers are migrants, and many are undocumented. Elisa Davis’sContinue reading “MUSHROOM at People’s Light”

Review by Neal Newman September 11, 2002 THE UNDERSTUDY by Theresa Rebeck (2007) is skillfully revived by the Montgomery Theater. Rebeck, whose works include Broadway’s MAURITUS, the TV series SMASH, and the fierce memoir FIRE FREE ZONE, has a tasty bone to pick with theater people. THE UNDERSTUDY is a no-holds-barred satire on this bizarreContinue reading “THE UNDERSTUDY at Montgomery Theater”

By Neal Newman September 2, 2022 Tony Braithwaite is a hilarious actor. Sabrina Profitt and director Tom Teti ably abet him. Neil Simon’s THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE may not be a great play, but when The Act II playhouse has you thinking and laughing in the same breath, who can notice? PRISONER is oneContinue reading “The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue at ACT II”

By Neal Newman August 28, 2022 The Langhorne Players in Tyler State Park are presenting an excellent production of THIRD by Wendy Wasserstein. This was her final play which premiered in 2005.  Seeing this was a “Circle of Life” experience for me because I reviewed the opening night of UNCOMMON WOMEN for Show Business (theContinue reading “Review: THIRD at the Langhorne Players”

By Neal Newman August 17, 2022 A visit to Theater with a View is always an unusual and memorable experience.  The setting, after a long, gorgeous drive in the country, is the back of a large house set on a huge and sylvan backyard landscape.  This time the maskless audience sits in a circle surroundingContinue reading “REVIEW: THE GROWN-UPS at Theater With A View”

By Neal Newman August 7, 2022 The play begins with a long silent sequence with an older husband and wife serving dinner. Evidently, they have done these things thousands of times before and have nothing to say. Finally, the wife speaks: “I want a divorce.” The husband gives no reaction and says: “All right.” TheContinue reading “Review: Grand Horizons at Peoples Light and Theatre”

Review:  THE VINEGAR TREE at People’s Light. By Neal Newman July 3, 2022 If you crave a truly extraordinary theatrical experience, stop reading this and run to the phone and call 610-644-3500 to order tickets for THE VINEGAR TREE.  It is one of the most perfect productions I have ever seen in Philadelphia. Paul Osborn’sContinue reading “Review: The Vinegar Tree at People’s Light”

Review by Neal Newman June 19, 2022 The great black artist, Hattie McDaniel, when asked by a not too bright reporter why she only played maids, once quipped, “Honey, I can get $500 a week playing one, or $50 a week being one.”  There were no choices for Black actors in Depression-era Hollywood. Performers withContinue reading “The Stagecfafters: By the Way Meet Vera Stark”

Review by Neal Newman June 16, 2022 American History is filled with little-known details that, when discovered can fascinate. Did you know that after the Civil War, formerly enslaved people migrated to the Midwest to claim land grants due to the Homestead Act?  Two enlightened men founded the town of Nicodemus, in northern Kansas, intendingContinue reading “Quintessence Theatre Group: Flyin’ Blind”