Got a problem? Ask Edwina! Edwina Spoonapple is a spunky preteen with a wheelbarrow full of woes—literally. During the hour long musical Dear Edwina, Edwina and her pals read through letters seeking help and then deliver advice singing and dancing.

While this musical at the DR2 Theatre is aimed at children and preteens, adults will find enough here to enjoy. Daryl Roth, the Broadway producer, sees the show as one that can bring families together. “I’m so thrilled to bring the show back this season and love that it has become a New York holiday tradition,” she says, “It’s rare to find a show that parents and grandparents enjoy as much as the children they bring.”

For the smaller children, there are booster seats made to look like the yellow pages—useful for the 5-year-old seated behind my 6-foot-4 guest, who was able to watch the show without a problem.

A Kids Playbill keeps young ones entertained while they wait for the show to start. Inside the playbill, young ones find “Edwina’s Theatre Etiquette” with tips such as “Laugh or clap when things are funny or well done,” and, “Keep your feet on the ground—you don’t want to bother the people sitting in front of you by kicking them.”

The stage is decorated simply, a tire swing with a yellow flower painted on it, a garage and the front door of the Spoonapple residence. The musicians are stationed in plain sight on a small stage above the garage and occasionally take part in the show.

Edwina, born into a family of talented children, wants her own spot on the fridge along side the achievements of her siblings. Her special talent, giving phenomenal advice to her peers through song and dance, is not one normally rewarded by ribbons and letter grades.

The show takes place in Paw Paw, Michigan, on the day of Edwina’s Advise-a-palooza audition, her one chance to make it onto the fridge. With the help of her friends, she puts together a show that she hopes will guarantee her an invitation to an advice convention in Kalamazoo.

With songs like “Fork, Knife, Spoon” and “Say No Thank You” Edwina gives the children in the audience lessons in proper dining etiquette and how to set a table. The catchy lyrics and energetic dance routines make learning good manners fun.

Edwina is so caught up in her quest for recognition, she fails to see that Scott, played by Noah Zachary, is infatuated with her. At the end of Edwina’s audition, Scott sings “Edwina” a lovely ballad where he confesses his love.

Beth Cheryl Tarnow’s perfectly captures Edwina’s drive, earnestness, and childlike enthusiasm. Her out-of-tune rendition of “Say No Thank You,” brings laughs, while her performance of “Fridge Breakdown,” reveals her youthful pain. “Sing Your Own Song,” truly showcases Tarnow’s vocal talents while delivering the show’s most important message, for young and old alike—“Be yourself.”

The dance numbers and grand gestures from the actors will keep younger children engaged in the show. What’s not fun about seeing grownups making silly faces at random? They will certainly enjoy the antics of David McDaniel, who plays Billy, who licks his shoe, picks his nose and reminds everyone of that gross kid from elementary school. Preteens will zero in on the dialog and song lyrics. One example—the rhyming of “cretin” and “eaten” in “Say No Thank You,” a song about politely declining foods.

I found myself caught up watching the dancers, particularly Katie Whetsell (Kelli), as the child ballerina. She reminded me of all the dance majors at my school who are constant pirouette around the dining hall and choose to plié rather than bend.

Daryl Roth is right. Dear Edwina is fun for the while family and a true holiday—and after holiday—treat.

Dear Edwina
DR2 Theatre
103 East 15th Street, at 20 Union Square East
70 minutes with no intermission
Through February 25, 2011
www.dearedwina.com