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Review by Neal Newman May 26, 2024 The Sunday afternoon performance of THE PROM at Steel River Playhouse was a smash. The audience howled with laughter and joy as the production, directed by David Williams, scored success after success with design, music, choreography, and performances. And it’s terrifically written musically as well. THE PROM isContinue reading “THE PROM at Steel River Playhouse”

Review by Neal Newman May 22, 2024 Bristol Riverside Theatre is offering something special by presenting the touring company of THE SECOND CITY. This edition, entitled COMEDIAN RHAPSODY, directed by Anne Libera, gives those unable to visit Chicago the opportunity to see this famed ensemble. The good news is that this edition has the expectedContinue reading “SECOND CITY comes to Bristol Riverside”

Review by Neal Newman April 8, 2024 HURRICANE DIANE by Madeleine George is a feminist comedy about climate change and permaculture. If that sounds like a mouthful, it is aided tremendously by the playwright’s wit and skill and a vividly acted and designed production at People’s Light in Malvern. Director Molly Rosa Houlahan has pulledContinue reading “HURRICANE DIANE at Peoples Light”

Review by Neal Newman April 28, 20024 British playwright Tim Crouch is not your typical storyteller. Seeing the American premiere of BEGINNERS at Hedgerow Theatre Company is like playing a game. But it is a rewarding game. The performances, designs, and music are filled with surprises, most of which will not be revealed here. ToContinue reading “BEGINNERS at Hedgerow”

Review by Neal Newman April 7, 2024 Wilma Theater’s THE GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN offers much to admire and many challenges for the audience. Bi Jean Ngo’s performance in the title role is foremost. She illuminates the stage. Bertolt Brecht’s play is the tale of a person who wants to do good in a worldContinue reading “THE GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN at Wilma”

Review by Neal Newman March 30, 2024 Imagine this. You are standing at the bottom of a hill. Suddenly, you hear what sounds like a war, a cacophony of percussion. Over the hill, heading directly toward you is something that resembles a huge army tank. You can’t tell because there are golden lights blinding you.Continue reading “MACBETH at Quintessence”

Review by Neal Newman March 24, 2024 BIG was a smash hit at the Bristol Riverside Theatre this Sunday afternoon. The audience, primarily young parents with preteens, loved almost every minute. The only grey head in the balcony was mine. This is just what the future of our current theater needs.      BIG is theContinue reading “BIG at Bristol Riverside”

Review by Neal Newman March 23, 2024     Why was the year 2008 such a financial disaster for the entire world? Why did a century-old bank like Lehman Brothers surprisingly fail and cease to exist? This is the conundrum explored in THE LEHMAN TRILOGY by Stefano Massini and extensively adapted by Ben Power, an associateContinue reading “THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at the Arden Theatre”

Review by Neal Newman March 23, 2024    Act II Playhouse in Ambler has produced a near-perfect revival of IT’S ONLY A PLAY. Terrence McNally, who has written such esteemed works as THE RITZ, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY, and RAGTIME, has devised the takedown ultimate of the terrible business known as Broadway theater. After all, appearingContinue reading “IT’S ONLY A PLAY at ACT II”

Review by Neal Newman February 19, 2024 When you enter the Hedgerow Theatre, you see the set designed by Marie Laster. It looks like any Irish play of the last 150 years: the ancient furniture, the out-of-date appliances, the cracked Tiffany lamps. The walls show extreme water damage and are mended with corrugated tin. ButContinue reading “THE NEW ELECTRIC BALLROOM at Hedgerow”