What was the first musical you ever went to see? Every one of us has a story of that first musical experience: who took us, what the show was that we saw, and what our perception was of the experience. Pamela's First Musical channels that extraordinary experience of the wonder and enchantment of attending your first musical with their unique musical-within-a-musical and brings it to the stage in an upbeat, charming manner.
We were invited to see the World Premiere of Pamela's First Musical at Two River Theater in Red Bank. The top-notch cast made the show a most enjoyable experience from start to finish. Based on the popular children's book by Wendy Wasserstein and Christopher Durang, this musical theater production offers a humorous and heartwarming jaunt with Pamela, played by 12-year-old Sarah McKinley Austin, into the wonder of that first trip into the New York City theater world. Pamela's father, played by two-time Tony Award nominee Howard McGillin, has a hard time understanding his daughter's vivid imagination and idiosyncratic personality. Her unconventional Aunt Louise, played by three-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello, has promised her many times to bring her to that very first Broadway show and on this particular birthday, that day has finally come for Pamela.
The duo has a magnificent time visiting the bustling city of New York, meeting a very eclectic cast of characters, dining at Sardi's, and seeing the musical together. Along with Pamela and her Aunt Louise, musical comedy star Mary Ethel Bernadette (Drama Desk Award winner Andréa Burns), producer Bernie S. Gerry (Tony Award nominee David Garrison) and director Hal Hitner (Tony Award nominee Michael Mulheren) bring an engaging energy and humor to the audience with their excellent performance during these scenes. Brought to life on the stage through these experiences are the underlying storyline of Pamela finding a place where she feels she seems to fit and her father who, in the absence of her mother who has died, is working to try to understand his individualistic daughter.
The name given to the musical-within-a-musical and some of the scenes portrayed wonderfully by Andrea Burns and Howard McGillin within it were hilarious; my kids are still referencing them days later! We were quite impressed by Ms. Austin's vocal abilities and delightful theatrics throughout the show and alongside of Carolee Carmello's strong character portrayal and vocals, together they made for an exceptional duo. David Garrison's portrayal of the producer was phenomenal. Overall, Pamela's First Musical offers a real treat for the entire family. We highly recommend that you see it while it's still playing at Two River Theater through October 7th.
Show Dates & Times
Wednesday, September 19 at 1pm and 7pm
Thursday, September 20 at 8pm
Friday, September 21 at 8pm
Saturday, September 22 at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday, September 23 at 3pm
Wednesday, September 26 at 1pm and 7pm
Thursday, September 27 at 10am (student matinee) and 8pm
Friday, September 28 at 8pm
Saturday, September 29 at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday, September 30 at 3pm
Wednesday, October 3 at 1pm and 7pm
Thursday, October 4 at 10am (student matinee) and 8pm
Friday, October 5 at 8pm
Saturday, October 6 at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday, October 7 at 3pm
For Ages 8+. Tickets range from $20-$70 and are available for purchase at this link. Tell them you saw it on Macaroni Kid. Tickets are also available by calling 732.345.1400. Pamela’s First Musical is a world premiere with a book by Wendy Wasserstein and Christopher Durang, music by Cy Coleman and lyrics by David Zippel, directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele.
