A darker Oliver! is still tuneful, hopeful, compelling at Goodspeed Opera House

A darker Oliver! is still tuneful, hopeful, compelling at Goodspeed Opera House

  Photo by Diane Sobolewski The Artful Dodger (Gavin Swartz) takes Oliver (Elijah Rayman) under his wing in Goodspeed Musicals’ production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!   By AARON KRAUSE EAST HADDAM, Conn. — Goodspeed Musicals’ impressive production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! isn’t shrouded in darkness and dismay. But, make no mistake: This...

Read more
‘The Gay Naked Play’ is a fun-filled experience at The Foundry

‘The Gay Naked Play’ is a fun-filled experience at The Foundry

Photo courtesy of Ronnie Larsen presents The cast of The Gay Naked Play clowns around. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — Sometimes, filling theater seats can be as painful as pregnancy contractions. Just ask expectant mom Amanda. She’s an actress in the off-off-off-off Broadway south Florida theatrical company The...

Read more
GableStage’s ‘White Guy on the Bus’ is a necessary ride

GableStage’s ‘White Guy on the Bus’ is a necessary ride

Photo by George Schiavone Ray (Tom Wahl) makes a point to Shatique, who reacts with disgust in GableStage’s production of White Guy on the Bus.   By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — You might hear yourself talk about race when you listen to Molly, a fictional character in a...

Read more
New City Players offers touching ‘Constellations’

New City Players offers touching ‘Constellations’

Photo by Ryan Arnst Marianne (Jessica Schulte) and Roland (Jordon Armstrong) share a moment in New City Players’ production of Constellations. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election. Or perhaps, at the same time, Hillary Clinton bested her Republican challenger in the popular vote...

Read more
Actors’ Playhouse ends season with a much-anticipated, strong ‘Bang’

Actors’ Playhouse ends season with a much-anticipated, strong ‘Bang’

  Photo by Alberto Romeu Ken Clement and Nick Santa Maria star in The Big Bang, now through Sept. 2 at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — It’s too bad Max Bialystock didn’t attend a backers’ audition for the latest proposed musical. Certainly,...

Read more
Feisty women power on display in Main Street Players’ ‘Five Women Wearing the Same Dress’

Feisty women power on display in Main Street Players’ ‘Five Women Wearing the Same Dress’

Photo by Dennis Lyzniak Tripp (Kevin Rubi) gets himself into what he feels is the best position to snap the perfect photograph of the reluctant bridesmaids in Main Street Players’ production of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress. By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI LAKES — Five Women Wearing the Same Dress may not...

Read more
The Big D is touching, rowdy in world-premiere production of new play at the Abyss Theater

The Big D is touching, rowdy in world-premiere production of new play at the Abyss Theater

  (Photo courtesy of Ronnie Larsen) Chuck (Grant Tambellini) and Todd (Gabriel Andrade) appear in a scene from the world premiere production of Michael Mizerany’s The Big D. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — For all the raunchy scenes in Michael Mizerany’s new play The Big D, the message...

Read more
GableStage’s riveting ‘I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard’ is a hit

GableStage’s riveting ‘I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard’ is a hit

  (Photo by George Schiavone) David (Tom Aulino) seems more interested in his booze than his daughter, Ella, in GableStage’s production of I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard. CORAL GABLES, Fla.  — Our desire for affirmation that others value us is sometimes as strong as our hydration needs on...

Read more
New universally-relevant McKeever play receives strong world premiere

New universally-relevant McKeever play receives strong world premiere

(Photo by George Wentzler) Mr. Parker (Michael McKeever) and Justin (Samuel Maya) enjoy a playful moment in the world premiere production of Mr. Parker. WILTON MANORS, Fla. — You don’t have to be gay to find resonance in Mr. Parker, a funny, touching play receiving its world premiere at Island...

Read more
New City Players’ strong, new production is a work of art

New City Players’ strong, new production is a work of art

(Photo courtesy of New City Players) (From left) Ryan Maloney, Joey De La Rua and Timothy Mark Davis appear in New City Players’ production of Yasmina Reza’s Art   FT. LAUDERDALE — It’s funny how someone buying a white painting can nearly destroy long-lasting friendships. If you want to experience...

Read more