Review: Pen Pals Off Broadway is A Delightful, Engaging Look at the Lives Of Two Very Strong Women - Running through March 15, 2026 with A New Cast Every 2 Weeks

By Suzanne Ordas Curry

I might be a little partial to the story in Pen Pals because I am a Jersey Girl, and I live near Secaucus. And I had a pen pal when I was in grade school.

But even if I wasn't, I think anyone - especially women - would be engrossed in the correspondence between the two ladies in Pen Pals, playing at the  DR2 Theatre, 103 East 15th Street at Union Square East in New York City through March 15th, 2026. When I went to see Pen Pals, Maureen McCormick (aka Marcia Brady) played the American "Bernie" and Sharon Lawrence played British "Mags". 

Meet Actress/Producer Mikaela Phillips of Series, Films and Podcasts - What Zavier and the Nightkeeper is About - and Why She Kept Her Australian Accent

Mikaela Phillips started her journey in entertainment at the age of 6, This is a woman who knew what she wanted to do in life, and now she is a successful actor and producer. She has produced films and series independently and for the likes of Netflix, ViacomCBS, MTV and more. 

An Australian native, she started her career as a host on Afterbuzz TV USA. She then became well-known for starring as Faith Morgan in the TV Drama Series Counter Play (2016–2018), which she also executive produced alongside her mother, writer/director Chrys Phillips. 

Mikaela tells us about her inspiration, her words for others and about new newest film.

Feel Good Interview Series: Three Time Daytime Emmy Winner Rick Hearst of General Hospital and So Much More Shares 10 Things About Himself

By Markos Papadatos

Rick Hearst is a three-time Emmy award-winning actor. He is known for playing Scott "Scotty" Banning in "Days of Our Lives," Alan-Michael Spaulding in "Guiding Light," Matt Clark in "The Young and The Restless," Whip Jones in "The Bold and The Beautiful," and more recently, Ric Lansing in "General Hospital."

Rick's Favorite Movies

His favorite movies include “The Godfather I and II” and “Jaws.” “I have a very diverse section of films that I am enjoy,” he said.

Feel Good Interview Series: Meet Broadway Star Emily Skinner Recently in Pen Pals - 11 Things To Know About Her

By Markos Papadatos

Broadway performer and Tony Award-nominated Emily Skinner is known for starring in the Off-Broadway show "House of McQueen," opposite Luke Newton of "Bridgerton" as the title character, where she played fashion designer Alexander McQueen's mother Joyce, and her performance earned her rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

Most recently, she starred in the Off-Broadway show "Pen Pals," where she played the role of Bernie opposite her real-life best friend Donna Lynne Champlin. Skinner shared 10 interesting and fun things about herself.

Feel Good Interview Series: Hunter McVey of '9-1-1 Nashville' — 10 Things to Know About This Model, Actor, Podcaster and Entrepreneur - Including What Sport he Played Competitively

By: Markos Papadatos

Hunter McVey is one of the male leads on the new hit ABC procedural drama series "9-1-1 Nashville," where he plays Blue Bennings. McVey was born in Franklin, Tennessee, and attended Virginia Tech University. He is an established entrepreneur, host of the Wholesome Degenerate Podcast, model, actor, and successful influencer and endorser on all social media platforms. He shared 10 interesting and exciting things about himself.

Favorite Movies

He listed “Happy Gilmore,” “Caddy Shack,” “Talladega Nights,” “Twist,” “James Bond,” and “Harry Potter” as his favorite movies, as well as the occasional rom-com.

Feel Good Interview Series: Get to Know Actor Sam Page from Christmas Movies, Mad Men, The Bold Type and More - 10 Things to Learn About Him

By Markos Papadatos

You might know Sam Page from the 2025 Great American Family holiday movie "There's No Place Like Christmas" opposite Cindy Busby. He is also known for his acting work in “All My Children,” “Mad Men,” Desperate Housewives,” “House of Cards,” “Switched at Birth,” “Scandal,” and “Gossip Girl,” among others.

Page shared 10 interesting and exciting things about himself.

Sam's Favorite Movie

His favorite movie is “Miller’s Crossing” by the Coen Brothers. “I would argue that it’s the perfect film,” Page said. “I highly recommend it!”

Feel Good Interview Series: Sharna Burgess of "Dancing with the Stars" and "Pen Pals" Off-Broadway - 10 Things to Know about this Australian Dancer/Actor

By Markos Papadatos

Sharna Burgess is an Australian ballroom dancer who is known for her dancing work as a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars." 

Most recently, she made her Off-Broadway debut, and she starred in the Off-Broadway show "Pen Pals" as a British character Mags opposite Paige Davis (TLC's "Trading Spaces") who played Bernie. Burgess shared 10 interesting, fun and exciting things about herself.

 

Sharna's Favorite Movies

The classics “Hello, Dolly!” and “Singin’ in the Rain” are two of her favorite movies. “The stories are magical, and the films are just beautiful,” she admitted.

Feel Good Interview Series — Get To Know Robbie Simpson of "Finding Mr. Christmas", TV and Broadway - 9 Things to Know

By: Markos Papadatos

Robbie Simpson competed in Season 2 of "Finding Mr. Christmas." Simpson is an actor and producer, who hails from New York. The show is hosted by Jonathan Bennett ("Mean Girls") with Melissa Peterson serving as a judge.

Simpson, who was the sole LGBTQ contestant this season, shared nine interesting and fun things about himself.

Robbie's Favorite Movies

His favorite movie of all time is “The Wizard of Oz.” “I used to watch it with my family, and to this day, it’s my favorite movie,” he admitted.

Feel Good Interview Series: 10 Things to Know about Davey Fisher of Hallmark's "Finding Mr. Christmas'" - Including what World Record He Broke

By Markos Papadatos

Davey Fisher was one of the 10 contestants in Season 2 of the hit Hallmark reality series "Finding Mr. Christmas," which is hosted by Jonathan Bennett.

Most recently, on December 30th, Fisher shattered the world record for most walking lunges at Aviation Park in Redondo Beach, California.

Fisher shared 10 interesting and exciting things about himself.

Davey's Favorite Movies

On his favorite movies, he said, “I have to lean towards comedies because that is where my heart lies. Probably ‘Step Brothers’ for a comedy, and ‘Terminator 2’ was super nostalgic in my childhood. There are so many. I’ve always thought ‘The Departed’ is really pretty.”