From left to right, Stefan Kent as Ira, Paul Weir as Val, and Bart Elgar as Kenny in Laughter on the 23rd Floor at the Waukesha Civic Theatre. Photo credit: Anne Kenny Creative A review of Laughter on the 23rd Floor by Benjamin Earnest, age 13 Comedy, violence, and a dash of psychopathy: those are what you can expect from Laughter on the 23rd Floor at the Waukesha Civic Theatre. Welcome to the Max Prince Show  folks, where all the comedic gold happens! Neil Simon’s 1993 play

Emily Norton as Countess Lily (in blue) and the cast of Anastasia: The Musical at Lake Country Playhouse. Photo credit: Taran Schatz. A review of Anastasia: The Musical by DevinReigh Endries, age 14 Anastasia: The Musical tells the story of the Romanov family and how the youngest daughter is rumored to still be alive after the massacre of the rest of the family. The surviving grandmother is offering a heavy sum of money to have her granddaughter returned to her. Two men on t

From left to right (front row), Zoah Hirano as Brooke, William Jelenchick as Zeke, Olivia Schmitz as Cami, Fiona Castillo as Steve, and cast in Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo A review of Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium by Jordan Staacke, age 11 Hi, my name is Jordan Staacke and this is my review of Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium  at First Stage. This show isn’t just a play someone made - it is actually based on a

Danny Slattery as Deputy Commissioner Gleb in Anastasia: The Musical at Lake Country Playhouse. Photo credit: Taran Schatz. A review of Anastasia: The Musical by Ellory Woodford, age 12 On October 9, 2025 I attended Anastasia: The Musical  at Lake Country Playhouse, directed by Sarah Jo Martens. Anastasia  is the story of the lost princess Anastasia Romanov as she tries to uncover if she truly is who she’s told she is. This show reminds us that even when we’re surrounded by

Lucy Ashley as Simba (front) and Pensee Maher, Kennedy Freiberg, Lucy Berthold, Vivian Brockmann, and Zoey Cephas as Rafiki (back) in The Lion King KIDS at the Waukesha Civic Theatre. Photo credit: Andy Holley. A review of The Lion King KIDS by Lake Siglin, age 11 Hello, I am Lake and I saw The Lion King KIDS at the Waukesha Civic Theatre. Here's what I thought! It was an awesome, funny show and I loved it. There were some scenes where they spoke and sang in a different lan

Jenna Krysiak as Brooke (left) and Ryan Stepanski as Brian (right) in Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium by Madelyn Verhyen, age 13 I have never seen any Goosebumps  production, movie, or book before this musical, but Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium  at First Stage was an amazing first impression. It makes me want to see more shows from First Stage, and starring kids in gen