First Stage

Cai Weiss as Casca (left) and Natalie Ottman as Cassius (right) in Julius Caesar at First Stage Young Company. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Julius Caesar by Benjamin Earnest, age 13 Julius Caesar, a well-known history by William Shakespeare, is a play that talks about the life of its titular historical figure and the effect his death had on the Roman Republic. This production, performed by First Stage's Young Company, shows how the conspirators who fought against

Todd Denning as Captain Hook (front left), Marko Van Slyke as Peter Pan (front right), and the cast of Peter Pan and Wendy at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Peter Pan and Wendy by Lorelei Hardt, age 13 Tick Tock Tick Tock!!!!! I saw the Shadow Cast of Peter Pan and Wendy, produced by First Stage. This amazing story shows us Wendy, John, and Michael’s journey with Peter Pan through Neverland while meeting a terrible villain named Captain Hook. Can the g

Marko Van Slyke as Peter Pan in Peter Pan and Wendy at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Peter Pan and Wendy by Benjamin Earnest, age 13 Based on the original novel by J.M. Barrie, First Stage’s production of Peter Pan and Wendy is a very family-friendly show that welcomes imaginative characters and care-free personalities. While the more well-known Disney movie Peter Pan focuses on the adventures of the Darlings around Neverland, Peter Pan and Wendy cente

Christopher Feiereisen as Troubadour in Lovabye Dragon at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Lovabye Dragon by Kennedy Freiberg, age 12 Lovabye Dragon at First Stage is a musical about a lonely princess who longs to have a dragon and to go outside and see the world — but her overprotective parents won’t let her. She goes to bed one night and cries magical tears that bring a dragon to her. The musical follows her and her new dragon and all the adventures an

From left to right, David Flores as Smee, J.T. Backes as Starkey, and Sawyer Felkey as Curly Lost One in Peter Pan and Wendy at First Stage. Photo credit: Paul Ruffolo. A review of Peter Pan and Wendy by Madelyn Verhyen, age 14 The best word to describe First Stage’s production of Peter Pan and Wendy is magical. In this show, Peter Pan flies Wendy and her two brothers to Neverland so the Lost Boys can have a mother. During her time in Neverland, she tells them stories and k

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