First Stage's 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' turns middle school ordeal into a comic musical

First Stage's snappy new show, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical," makes the ordeal that is middle school a good time.

That is, as long as you're sitting in the audience watching young Greg Heffley's comic struggle for social status.

This musical for young audiences is adapted from Jeff Kinney's popular "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books starring young cartoonist and middle schooler Greg. The books have an attractive homemade look; scenic designer Casey Price has transferred that look to the stage here.

Kevin Del Aguila wrote the musical's book; Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler created the songs.

First Stage's children's roles are double-cast. At Saturday's opening performance, I saw the Cheese cast, featuring Ryan Stepanski of New Berlin as Greg, a middle child just starting middle school who wants to do something remarkable to achieve high social status. But like a mini-George Costanza, his attempts frequently backfire.

Greg wants to be with the cool kids, but he reluctantly settles for the friendship of the eccentric but enthusiastic Rowley (Gwen Madson of West Allis). (I know this musical is Greg's story, but I could not get enough of Madson's dynamic and totally committed performance.)

In its fast-paced hour on stage, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" touches some deep issues about bullying and popularity. In a subtle way, too, it critiques the way that peer pressure molds boys in this age group to be less openly emotional and more conformist. Yet the two least conformist and most expressive characters on stage, Madson's Rowley and Zoe Smith's Fregley, also appear to be among the freest and happiest people.

At the same time, "Diary of Wimpy Kid" is less sentimental and didactic than some other First Stage productions I've seen, and I like that. Stepanski is a winning and charismatic performer, but Greg the character is neither a hugger nor a learner until he makes a final wise decision.

Julie Woods-Robinson directed this production, with musical direction by Paula Foley Tillen and choreography by Molly Rhode.

Saturday's audience was the most enthusiastic one I've heard at First Stage this season.

Kudos to William Swoboda of Whitefish Bay for nailing a rock-'n'-roll double. First, as Greg's older brother Rodrick, he looks like he just arrived from The Cure fan club. But at the start of Act Two, he morphs into Joshie, a sparkly, spangly European pop icon. The Joshie song "Animal Heart" and accompanying moves are totally ready for the next Eurovision Song Contest.

If you go

First Stage performs "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical" through May 5 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. For tickets, visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: First Stage goes to middle school in 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' musical