Articles by: Lila Achuff

Lila Achuff … parent, educator, choreographer, current owner of a growing cottage industry of homemade preserves and condiments (Lila’s Best). Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, most of Lila’s education has earned her degrees in education, counseling and psychology along with an earned doctorate in Urban Education from Temple University. Over the years she has choreographed, or assisted in choreographing, musical productions in schools and local theatre, including Longwood Gardens (South Pacific, 2005). Recent shows she was involved with were “Guys and Dolls” (ACT … Avon Grove Community Theatre), “Carousel” (Rose Valley Chorus) and “Meshuggah Nuns” (Chapel Street Theatre). Because of her relationship with theatre, this makes her well qualified to review upcoming shows for STAGE.

This one’s for all you whodunit fans who especially have a love for the popular murder mysteries of England’s Dame Agatha Christie (1890-1976). THE MOUSETRAP (originally named “Three Blind Mice”) is the “world’s longest running play” which currently still can be seen in London. No need to board a plane [...]

Please don’t let the word “dark” put you off from seeing this series of 28 very short monologues presented by 14 extremely talented women who love to act, seem so comfortable onstage and it shows! There is no connection between the episodic events they’re portraying and I would be remiss [...]

Well, it just never gets old, does it? I’m writing about Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I at the Walnut Street Theatre in its 203rd season. It’s simply enchanting! Remember songs like “Hello Young Lovers” and “Getting to Know You”? In this timeless family musical, directed to perfection and [...]

OK, guys and gals, moms and dads, kids, I know it’s not savvy to make dates at the last minute (you know what I mean … be polite and all that) … but you have my personal permission (yes, redundant) to hurry up and get that date going NOW to [...]

Before you consider going to see Bootless Artworks’ production of PASSING STRANGE, I want you to take a moment to recall HAIR and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. You need to think sex and drugs and leave the kids at home. And probably your parents, too, depending on how old you all are. [...]

Calling all baseball fans! OK, Gang, what do you call a cast that’s super talented? First base! And when you have kicky, lively choreography? Second base! And enough energy to go around? Third base! Bunch ‘em up! What do we have? A home run! I’m not even into baseball, but [...]

Let’s see if you can relate to any of this … you’re a writer with writer’s block (It happens.) … everyone’s raggin’ on you (Can you stand it?) … you just want to stay in your pj’s (OK, you’re depressed.) … it’s time to unload the family home which is [...]

The Inner Light Theatre’s production…amateur? If the Playbill says so, but there’s a shooting star or two in that there production. You want to miss that? I don’t think so. OK, so you’ve seen this show before…I did, too. More than once. However, this one is different. Chris Laning, the [...]

If you’re trying to decide whether you should see RAGTIME this coming weekend at the DuPont Theatre in Wilmington, DE, allow me to encourage you to think “YES”! Even though you might have seen it on Broadway about ten years ago, you have yet to enjoy this Delaware All-State Theatre [...]

Where have all the crooners gone?  Fortunately, if you can find your way to the Walnut Street Theatre, and I strongly suggest that you do, upstairs (Independence Studio on 3) in a cozy-ish intimate setting (sort of) you will be treated to the music and songs of one of the [...]

Readers, I had way too much fun on opening night and it isn’t right that I should have it all without sharing. Give it up for one night of light entertainment just over the border between PA and DE at the New Candlelight (Dinner) Theatre in Arden, DE… remember I [...]

Hear ye! Hear ye! Cometh to the Barnstormers in Ridley Park, PA to enjoyeth Shakespeare as never before-eth. OK, enough of that-eth … I had to do one more. Readers, this is truly different. (I’m still snickering.) If you don’t mind the words and soliloquies of Shakespeare being butchered in [...]

This is not going to be my usual review, Readers, but if you hurry up you could make a performance TODAY at 2:00PM at Penncrest High School in Media, PA. It would be a shame for you to miss this adorable group of young adolescents. Patrick Murphy, Director, a job [...]

Upbeat! Energetic! Joyful! Enthusiastic! Try to sit still through this one, Gang! If you’re not into a high-spirited, extremely talented group of young adolescents singin’ and dancin’ in this rockin’ musical comedy, come anyway! They’ll put a smile on your face! These students are truly comfortable on stage, but since [...]

HIGH ALERT! HIGH ALERT! Look what the wind is carrying in! MARY POPPINS! Well, blow me over…Just when I think I’ve seen the best musical, another comes along! How lucky can I get! Prepare yourself for a night of fun, laughter and tears…bring your imagination in hand as you delight [...]

OK! This is IT … a reason (Who needs that?) to go to the theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, that is, to “experience” THE 39 SHTEPS, er STEPS, just for FUN! No thinking necessary (unless you feel like it). William Roudebush, Director, you must have had a blast with this incredibly [...]

Really… oh, this isn’t going to be easy. Please know, before I get started, that I’m all about supporting local theatre. We’re not talking about expecting perfection here, but if “it” happens, we ought to consider ourselves very lucky. In other words, occasionally we get way more than what we [...]

If I inform you up front that this heart-wrenching drama, RABBIT HOLE, by David Lindsay-Abaire, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007, would that get your attention? It was nominated for several Tony awards in 2006 and won for Best Actress (Cynthia Nixon). How ‘bout that? Mr. Lindsay-Abaire’s adaptation [...]

OK, readers, I must admit (shamefully, sort of) that I’m not into operas, not even operettas, but I’m trying to be open to “it”. As I was sitting through (please note my choice of words here) this amateur production, it was with pride that at least I could understand what [...]

It’s fun and laughs at Neil Simon’s comedy, PLAZA SUITE at Hedgerow in Rose Valley, PA. I’m not sounding very convincing even to myself. This production, directed by Janet Kelsey, was done in two acts with there being no connection between the two acts other than they both take place [...]