First Stage

Mac Heinrich as Magical (center) and the cast of Lovabye Dragon at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Lovabye Dragon by Lucia E. Schrader, age 11 Are you looking for a family-friendly show that’s full of magic? First Stage’s musical production Lovabye Dragon, adapted from the children’s book by   Barbara Joosse, is perfect for kids who like dragons, friendship, magic, and music! The creative props, set, and lighting, the lovable music, and the talented acto

Amelia Sajdak as Girl (left) and Penny Whitmore as Magical (right) in Lovabye Dragon at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Lovabye Dragon by Ellory Woodford, age 12 On Saturday January 24th, I was able to attend the opening performance of  Lovabye Dragon  at First Stage’s Goodman Mainstage Hall. This production was directed by Marion Frank, and is adapted by Jeff Frank and Barbara Joose from Joose’s Girl and Dragon book series. Lovabye Dragon  is a fun and

James Carrington as Elephant Gerald (left) and Rachael Zientek as Piggie in The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! by Meika Olson, age 17 Should you let the pigeon drive the bus? There’s only one right answer to that question—an answer that the excited crowd of First Stage’s world premiere The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! already knew, and shoute

Adyson Ries as Zoomy Squirrel (front) and the cast of The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! by Madelyn Verhyen, age 14 Based on the books and characters by Mo Willems, First Stage presents you with The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!  This musical comedy consists of the squirrels creating the best holiday party, Piggy and Gerald wanting to get the

Kailey Azure Green as The Pigeon in The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of The Pigeon Gets A Big Time Holiday Extravaganza! by Lucia E. Schrader, age 10 1/2 Have you ever read books about The Pigeon? Or other books by Mo Willems? I certainly have! But here’s a question… have you watched a play where the script was written by Mo? I have! I watched a play at First Stage in Milwaukee that’s called The Pigeon Ge

From left to right, William Swoboda as Alex Schmorell , Reiley Fitzsimmons as Sophie Scholl, Marko Van Slyke as Hans Scholl , Lio Landis as Christl Probst , and Natalie Ottman as Else Gebel in The Rose of Treason at First Stage Young Company. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of The Rose of Treason by Sofia Gilson, age 16 Based on the real White Rose resistance group in 1940s Germany, The Rose of Treason tells the story of Sophie Scholl (portrayed by Reiley Fitzsimmons)

Harper Fornstedt as Tina (front) and the cast of Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium by Lake Siglin, age 11 Hi, I am Lake and I saw the Chills Cast of Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium at First Stage in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was a SCARILY good musical. The storyline is really good. It's about a mystery at a haunted middle school, where students are putting on a musical inv

From left to right, William Swoboda as Alex Schmorell, Marko Van Slyke as Hans Scholl, Elliot Lippman as Willi Graf, and Lio Landis as Christl Probst in The Rose of Treason at First Stage Young Company. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of The Rose of Treason by Ellie Wilhelm, age 15 First Stage’s Young Company, an audition-based theatrical group, put on the play The Rose of Treason , which ran through Sunday, November 16. The play, written by James DeVita, tells the true

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

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