PPTOPA’s ‘Barefoot in the Park’ delivers laughs

  Photo by Ron Pollock Stephen Keenan, Sara Grant, Christopher Dreeson and Francine Burns in PPTOPA’s Barefoot in the Park.   By AARON KRAUSE Imagine if everybody in the world married like-minded individuals. Perhaps divorces would become a thing of the past, conflicts between couples would cease, and complete harmony...

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The Wick’s ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ bewitches

The Wick’s ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ bewitches

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Albert Peterson (Jeremy Benton) and Rose Alvarez (Leah Sessa) share a moment.   By AARON KRAUSE Witnessing The Wick Theatre & Museum Club’s current winning production of Bye Bye Birdie is the next best thing to traveling back to the 1950s in a time machine. No...

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‘Tracy Jones’ is moving, funny at Island City Stage

‘Tracy Jones’ is moving, funny at Island City Stage

Photo by Matthew Tippins Cast members Sara Grant, Irene Adjan, and Niki Fridh act out a comical scene from Island City Stage’s production of Tracy Jones.     By AARON KRAUSE Comedy can be an effective tool for playwrights to deliver messages to audiences. Indeed, once we start at least...

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‘One More Yesterday’ deserves a bright future

‘One More Yesterday’ deserves a bright future

Lydia Taylor (Angie Radosh) becomes quite popular after starring in The Vigalanny Granny.   By AARON KRAUSE Let’s not mince words: Versatile theater artist Ronnie Larsen’s new musical, One More Yesterday, is a life-affirming, funny, touching, imaginative, and gorgeous show that will invigorate you. Indeed, if you are a theater...

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’42nd Street’ sparkles at LPAC

’42nd Street’ sparkles at LPAC

Photo by David Popken The cast performs a scene from the Broadway at LPAC’s production of “42nd Street.”      By AARON KRAUSE In the classic Broadway musical, 42nd Street, a character invites another to “come on along and listen to…the lullaby of Broadway.” But a current professional production of...

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O Christmas Tree makes triumphant world premiere as a new holiday play

Courtesy of Thinking Cap Theatre Family members Grandma Anne (Carol Sussman), Frankie (Phillip Andrew Santiago), and Claudia (Angelina Lopez Catledge) rejoice during the world premiere production of O Christmas Tree.   By AARON KRAUSE An interfaith family coexists peacefully while respecting and celebrating their differences in O Christmas Tree, a...

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Island City Stage’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is consistently entertaining

Island City Stage’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is consistently entertaining

Photo by Matthew Tippins Nicodemus Underwood (Larry Buzzeo, back) startles Jane Twisden (Bruce Linser) in Island City Stage’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep.   By AARON KRAUSE Comic brilliance is on display at Island City Stage (ICS). There, a side-splitting production of the hilarious 1984 spoof, The Mystery...

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‘Ben Butler’ is not your average play about war

‘Ben Butler’ is not your average play about war

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Major Cary (Jim Gibbons) argues with Major General Benjamin Butler (Troy J. Stanley) in Boca Stage’s production of Ben Butler.   By AARON KRAUSE You normally would not expect to laugh uproariously while watching a play about the Civil War, set during that time period. But...

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MNM’s ‘Sister Act’ is heavenly

MNM’s ‘Sister Act’ is heavenly

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio The cast of Sister Act is divine.   By AARON KRAUSE While you might not rush to buy the cast recording, the stage musical adaptation of the hit 1992 film, Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, nevertheless succeeds. For instance, the live show features...

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Boca Stage’s ‘Rx’ is just what the doctor ordered

Boca Stage’s ‘Rx’ is just what the doctor ordered

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Dr. Phil Gray (Timothy Mark Davis) is in desperate need of help as Ed (Jim Gibbons) tries to provide assistance.   By AARON KRAUSE Connected shapes dot the dark upstage wall as part of the set design for Boca Stage’s humorous, touching, and believable production of...

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