Dear Edwina (Review)

(Cross-posted from Mom in the City)

The off-Broadway kids’ musical sensation, Dear Edwina (from the creators of Theatreworks USA’s popular production of Junie B. Jones) is playing at the DR2 Theatre in Union Square through April 19th.

(FYI: Dear Edwina is also a great idea for birthday parties. Groups of 10 or more pay only $29 for individual tickets (regular price is $39). Groups of 20 or more can also party in the downstairs D-Lounge for an hour following the show at no additional cost! For groups fewer than 20, there’s a small fee for the party space.)

Mom in the City member and reviewer Atireme Matos went to see the show last weekend with her daughter. This is what she wrote about the play:

“What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon with my five year-old boss!

This weekend she and I went to see Dear Edwina at the DR2 Theatre in Union Square. A small, intimate theatre, without a bad seat in the house, full of what I’d guess were mostly 5-8 year olds and their families. The space helped to create the perfect environment for a fun, relaxed, entertaining event.

Dear Edwina is about a young girl and her attempts to help others while finding a niche for herself with her own family and friends. Edwina, a self proclaimed expert advice giver, produces a musical advice review out of her garage with the help of five colorful friends and two siblings who provide drum and keyboards for each of the musical numbers. Comparing herself to one sister who is some sort of math wizard and her musical siblings, who win ribbons which are posted on their home refrigerator, Edwina hopes to claim some recognition and a space on the fridge by winning a spot at Adviceapalooza- an advice giving state fair (and talk show host preparatory camp in my opinion).

A wheel barrel filled with letters seeking counsel from Edwina on pressing childhood matters like how to set a table, and what to say to your crush, lead the ensemble into both touching and humorous musical numbers, through which the cast and song lyrics manage to impart useful guidance to the young audience without coming across as lecturing. The large colorful props and quirky choreography help to keep the younger ones entertained when the dialogue and movements become a little quick and garbled at times, but these few moments are quickly made up for by catchy choruses and meaningful messages.

Overall, the performance ran just short of an hour, which was great for my kiddo, and just about at the time when you could feel the other little ones stirring in their seats. Free lemonade after the show and warm greetings and autographs from the cast were a sweet way to end the experience and definitely merit a recommendation.

So, I’d say this is a great way to spend some time with your child, although I would emphasize that they be at least 5 years old- due to the quick language and movements. Edwina also shared some meaningful talk about saying “No thank you”. Immediately after the show, we took a walk over to Barnes and Noble, just two blocks away from the theatre, and shared a hot chocolate at Starbucks just across the street. It was a nice afternoon all in all and definitely worth the trip. Go see it!”