Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical at the Erie Playhouse

A Theater Review

Maybe what makes a book, a film or a musical so popular is that it’s relatable to so many others.

After all, everyone tries to be cool, popular, talented and a magnet for the opposite sex.

But who really succeeds?

Very, very few.

So maybe it’s cathartic (Or is it schadenfreude?) to watch others fail where we failed before them?

That’s probably why kids—and adults—love the comic misadventures within the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical.”

At the Erie Playhouse as part of its Youtheatre program, “Wimpy Kid” is based on the book series by Jeff Kinney, with music and lyrics supplied here by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler.

Greg Heffley (Cavin Kress), is a new middle school kid dealing with midddle-school issues: Fitting in, dealing with classes and avoiding bullies. His only friend is Rowley (Orin Stiffler) a sweet, stocky, too-uncool-for-school naivete that continually embarrasses Greg in public.

At home it’s not much better: with a doting mother (Amelia Van Riper), a flummoxed father (Aaron Maracci), a cutesy can’t-do-anything-wrong baby brother Manny (Brimm Wilson) and a bedeviling big brother Rodrick (Liam Terrcero).

Directed and choreographed by Ahnika Lexvold, the two-act, 60-some cast, 30-song musical offers several memorable tunes: “You’re Changing,” Greg’s sex talk with his dad; “Better Than You,” a one-upmanship song from Greg’s enemy, Patty (Phoebe Wheeler); and the hip-hoppy “All About the Mom Bucks,” about Greg’s mom’s funny money reward system for her kids.

From funny-creepy Fregley (Gianna Ocasio), to euro dreamboat for tweenage girls Joshie (Braeden Brickell), the cast brings to life the few rewards and many embarrassments that Greg endures.

Occasionally self-serving and deceiving, Kress’s version of Greg offers up enough innocence and empathy that the audience roots for him.

Yet call it my “granny ears” but I had trouble hearing Greg’s lines throughout the performance I attended, as if his dialogue was being rushed. Was I the only one?

See “Wimpy Kid” and be glad his relatable middle school travails are far behind you.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical continues through May 19. For more information visit erieplayhouse.org

***Daphne Beaumont

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