Palm Beach Dramaworks’ ‘Twelve Angry Men’ is a total triumph

Photo by Tim Stepien  David Kwiat as Juror 11 confronts Juror 7 (John Leonard Thompson) while Juror 5 (Jim Ballard) listens.   By AARON KRAUSE Folks, when it comes to top-notch live theater, it does not get any better than Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) Carbonell Award-deserving production of the ensemble...

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‘Red Speedo’ represents a nice depature from Ronnie Larsen’s usual fare

‘Red Speedo’ represents a nice depature from Ronnie Larsen’s usual fare

Dennis Dean/courtesy Ray (Gabriell Salgado) speaks with his brother Peter (Chris Anthony Ferrer) in Ronnie Larsen’s production of Red Speedo.   By AARON KRAUSE How far would you really go to win if the stakes were sky high, you encountered at least one significant obstacle, and were desperate? Perhaps it...

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‘Dorothy’s Dictionary’ is a new, moving piece of live theater

    Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Dorothy (Karen Stephens) and Zan (Elijah Moseley) sample some of Zan’s favorite music in the world premiere production of E.M. Lewis’s comic-drama, Dorothy’s Dictionary.   By AARON KRAUSE During a time when censorship is happening too often, it is heartening to discover life-affirming...

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‘4000 Miles’ nourishes the soul at PBD

Photo by Alicia Donelan Leo Joseph-Connell (Gabriell Salgado) and Vera Joseph (Patricia Conolly) share a moment in Palm Beach Dramawork’s production of 4000 Miles.   By AARON KRAUSE In the musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck and runaway slave, Jim, use distance as a metaphor to describe the...

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‘Misery’ mesmerizes at Empire Stage

  Photo by Joseph Long Annie Wilkes (Elizabeth Price) tends to Paul Sheldon (David R. Gordon) in Empire Stage’s triumphant production of Misery.   By AARON KRAUSE The riveting stage adaptation of Stephen King’s 1987 suspenseful novel, Misery, grabs you in a vice-like grip and never lets go. Undoubtedly, you...

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Palm Beach Dramaworks to open season with Pulitzer finalist

Palm Beach Dramaworks to open season with Pulitzer finalist

Photo by Tim Stepien Gabriell Salgado and Trish Connolly will star as a grandson and grandmother in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ upcoming production of 4000 Miles.   By AARON KRAUSE After a doctor diagnosed his grandmother with dementia, Gabriell Salgado did not want to visit her. While he still loved her,...

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Ronnie Larsen’s ‘The Actors’ is suitable for almost all ages

Ronnie Larsen’s ‘The Actors’ is suitable for almost all ages

Photo by Jeff Walters “Actor Jay” (Chad Raven) prepares to blow out his birthday candles during a scene from Ronnie Larsen’s comedy-drama The Actors. Pictured from left to right are “Actor Jay,” Jean (Jeni Hacker), Clarence (David Kwiat), and Larsen.     By AARON KRAUSE Many people know versatile live...

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Controversial ‘Bent’ is a cautionary play for our times

Controversial ‘Bent’ is a cautionary play for our times

  Warning: This play contains brief nudity, disturbing images, and subject matter. Photo by Preston Bircher Max (Matthew Salas) tries to get a point across to Rudy (Ben Shaevitz) in a co-production of the historical play, “Bent.”   By AARON KRAUSE If Martin Sherman’s moving and disturbing, at times implausible...

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Island City Stage’s ‘One in Two’ is eye-opening

Island City Stage’s ‘One in Two’ is eye-opening

Photo by Matthew Tippins The cast of Island City Stage’s production of “One in Two” prepares to face the audience.   By AARON KRAUSE The last show that Island City Stage (ICS) mounted elicited plenty of laughs. After all, the play was the hilarious 1984 spoof, The Mystery of Irma...

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‘Educating Asher’ is an emotionally-satisfying new play

‘Educating Asher’ is an emotionally-satisfying new play

Photo by Carol Kassie The ghost of Elliot Weiss (Murphy Hayes) tries to express himself but Asher (Eytan Deray) is having none of it.    By AARON KRAUSE If you were blessed with an Elliott Weiss in your life, Educating Asher, a heartfelt and humorous new play, will touch you...

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