Children’s Letters to God

Post author:Jacqueline Parker
Post published: April 9, 2026
Reading time:3 mins read

Children’s Letters to God

The Laurie Beechman Theater, New York, NY, March 29, 2026

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

It’s tempting to say that this show is “just what the doctor ordered” in terms of an escape from the headlines, but it’s more accurate to say that it is “heaven sent.” This concert reading of a work of the same name by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall was presented to a packed house filled with receptive and enthusiastic patrons.

The premise was simple: the basis for the book was based on letters written to God by children. That’s simple and easy enough to understand, but when the premise is put into the hands of skilled theatrical craftsmen magic happens. Drama Desk nominee David Evans, who provided the music, was joined in this venture by award-winning lyricist Douglas J. Cohen. They delivered a score that made these letters come alive and evoked empathy for the child authors who were stumblingrough the myriad travails of growing up. We adults forget what a big deal a birthday party can be at a tender age, much less the trauma of having a parent move away. The five performers—Farah Alvin, Jenn Gambatese, Ryan Silverman, Pablo Francisco Torres, and Jason SweetTooth Williams—evoked the simplicity of a child’s mind wand made us feel the pain of losing a pet or the insecurity of a first crush.

This talented quintet was directed beautifully and even delicately by Don Stephenson. It’s easy to imagine an acting task like this being one in which an actor could succumb to overplaying the role. Even in highly emotional scenes, nothing ever became overdone; as is said in children’s literature, “everything was just right.” Phrases such as “Are raindrops really God’s tears?” and “When I’m in charge” can remind an audience of how differently children often see the world. Perhaps that is why we try to preserve that innocence as long as possible in our own children.

When one member of the group moves to Wyoming to live with his father, the others decide that one way to stay connected would be to view the Big Dipper. They do just that to end the show, reminiscent of the final scene of Merrily We Roll Along.

Bravo to this team of superlative performers led by music director Larry Yurman and a creative team of professionals who opened their hearts to the material. This is a show with something for everyone; we all need to be reminded of the child that’s still within us. This show has been lovingly nurtured and perfected over the past few years, and I’ve no doubt that it will soon find a home for a respectable run at an Off-Broadway venue.

Tags: The Laurie Beechman Theater, Clubs, composer, David Evans, Douglas J. Cohen, Farah Alvin, Larry Yurman, Jenn Gambatese, American Songbook Association, Merrily We Roll Along, Jason Sweettooth Williams, ASA, Jacqueline Parker, Children’s Letters to God, Stuart Hample, Eric Marshall, Pablo Francisco Torres, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, Broadway, Cabaret, Broadway Musicals, American Songbook, Lyricist, Don Stephenson, NYC, Ryan Silverman, CD, Reviews

Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.