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REVIEW: The Princess Finds A Way

By Adam F. Cohen

originally published: 04/03/2016


Once upon a time, an amazing children’s theater company, put on a musical called The Princess Finds A Way.  The company, Silly on Sixth in Hoboken, crafted a creative, engaging production aimed at boys and girls alike.  At the ripe old age of 18, the princess (Leah Sayad) must get married to claim her Queen-dom.  However, Megan doesn’t want to get married, she just wants to run her land and live her life.  With her wise aunts and loyal friend she hatches a plan to win the contest set up to marry her off to the winner.  The plan involves disguising herself as a prince, beating her odious relative, and a handsome prince she doesn’t quite remember having nursed back to health after the war.  Happy endings ensue along with a positive message of fighting for what you want, working hard, playing fair, and taking care of others.

For parent’s tired of the crass sitcom “polish” of Nickelodeon and Disney, Silly on Sixth offers welcome relief.  This is a delightful, essential, way boys and girls to spend some time, see a totally professional production and learn something also.

There’s singing, dancing, a spell or two, a mermaid with a golden apple, and a compelling cast quick with a song and involving the kids in the audience.  Silly on Sixth consistently produces delightful, charming shows that entrance and entertain their core audience of kids three to one hundred and three.  There is no pandering to the audience.  These skillful actors led by director Howard Richman engage the young audience rapturously.  Spend a richly deserved hour with Silly on Sixth.  For parent’s this is an entertaining safe time, without the laugh track of television but the values you may want your children to embrace.

The Princess Finds a Way has something for everyone – an evil villain who gets his comeuppance; cute songs; and a wonderful duet between Howard Richman and Nannette M. Matos singing about what they think the other knows. 

Skillyfully paced and directed by Howard Richman.  Each actor crafts a uniquely memorable character.  Leah Sayad sings and acts beautifully, interacts with the audience wonderfully.  Dave Silberger brings a wondrous sinister veneer to her odious, crafty Lord Sylvester.  Laura DiCerto and Florence Pape are the supportive aunts, sporting blue tinted wigs with aplomb.  Nicole D’Onofrio plays three roles including the mermaid and a key plot turning aunt.  Richard Dwyer’s height and stature are put to good use as the straight up, rule abiding contest judge and host Lord Chancellor.  This is a finely tuned ensemble that’s worked together for several shows that easily welcomes Joseph Braccino as the prince who is less concerned with winning than reconnecting with the princess who made a positive impact on his life.  This is a winning cast and an enjoyable production with values of importance.




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Grab your prince or princess and hustle down to Silly on Sixth for a truly fun professional production.

 

Remaining productions:

Sunday, April 3, 2016  at 11am and 1pm

Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 11am and 1:00pm

For more information visit hudsontheatreensemble.com





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EVENT PREVIEWS

(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- Students from Livingston High School's Theatre Arts 1 program will take center stage in a heartwarming and imaginative production of "The Adventures of Little Billy: In Search of the Magic Tree" on Monday, June 15, 2026 in the Livingston High School Auditorium. This special event is open to the public with free general admission. Showtime is 7:00pm.

The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th

(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.

interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"

(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.
The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase

The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase

(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase, its biennial festival of original one-act plays, from June 19-21, 2026. This three-day event showcases new works of up-and-coming playwrights from the NJ/NY area and beyond and other theatrical talent.

Chatham Community Players present a reading of "Indecent" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel

(CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players present a reading of Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. The play charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.
Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner

Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a reading of What Would Meryl Do? by Neal Lerner on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a one-man comic whirlwind about a desperate man in a small upstate town who decides to teach a class on how to live like Meryl Streep — because why not? Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Middlesex County's Plays in the Park presents "All Shook Up"

(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays in the Park kicks off its season with All Shook Up from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955, and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.

Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park presents "All Shook Up" by Joe DiPietro

(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents All Shook Up by Jersey's own Joe DiPietro from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955 and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.

Cumberland Players presents "Reefer Madness, the Musical"

(VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents Reefer Madness, the Musical across two weekends from June 19-28, 2026. When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. This pointed polticial satire will go straight to your head!
Pioneer Productions presents "Merrily We Roll Along"

Pioneer Productions presents "Merrily We Roll Along"

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions presents Merrily We Roll Along, the groundbreaking musical by Stephen Sondheim with a book by George Furth. Based on the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the musical premiered in 1981 and has since become one of Sondheim's most daring and emotionally resonant works. The show will run weekends from June 19-June 28, 2026 at The Stage at Fellowship Hall, located inside the Morristown United Methodist Church.

 

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