PPTOPA’s ‘Pippin’ entertains, invigorates

PPTOPA’s ‘Pippin’ entertains, invigorates

Here is the cast of Pembroke Pines Theatre of the Performing Arts’ production of Pippin.     By AARON KRAUSE If you think about it, Pippin is the kind of show that seems fit for the 1960s. Indeed, the titular character takes a stand against his royal father’s tyrannical policies....

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New City Players’ ‘Cry Old Kingdom’ emits a vital sound

The artist Edwin (Denzel McCausland) and his wife, Judith (Odlenika Joseph) harbor different ideas about how to deal with the murderous Duvalier regime in 1960s Haiti in New City Players’ production of Cry Old Kingdom.   By AARON KRAUSE What sacrifices would you make for freedom? What about just to...

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Palm Beach Dramaworks poised to perform ‘August: Osage County.’

Palm Beach Dramaworks poised to perform ‘August: Osage County.’

Sarah Morsey and Kathy McCafferty appear in a scene from Palm Beach Dramaworks’ upcoming production of August: Osage County.   By AARON KRAUSE The last time Nikki Fridh performed in front of an audience, she did so on Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) stage, or more specifically, in the dead of...

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Maltz Jupiter Theatre triumphs with ‘Oliver!’

Jason Nuttle Photography Mr. Bumble (Troy J. Stanley) is astonished after Oliver Twist (Benjamin Pajak) asks for more gruel.   By AARON KRAUSE Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s current production of Lionel Bart’s beloved classic musical, Oliver!, is mostly a winner. The professional, nonprofit company has assembled a talented cast that includes...

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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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‘Wicked’ is a winner in Miami

Photo by Joan Marcus Lissa deGuzman plays Elphaba in an equity national touring production playing in Miami.   By AARON KRAUSE Clearly defining the megahit musical Wicked can prove almost as daunting as defying gravity. Indeed, it is part origin story, part musical, part fantasy, part prequel, part fable, part...

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‘Chicago’ remains entertaining and terribly timely

‘Chicago’ remains entertaining and terribly timely

Photo by Jeremy Daniel Billy Flynn (Jeff Brooks) makes a point during a performance of the national non-equity touring production of Chicago.   By AARON KRAUSE During the age of Donald J. Trump, “Fake News,” “Alternative Facts,” and George Santos, the musical Chicago seems torn from today’s headlines. Indeed, although...

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‘The Science of Leaving Omaha’ a new moving play at PBD

Photo by Tim Stepien Baker (Nicholas-Tyler Corbin) gets the attention of Iris (Georgi James) in the world premiere production of The Science of Leaving Omaha.   By AARON KRAUSE In his classic poem, Harlem, Langston Hughes wondered what happens to a “dream deferred.” In particular, he wrote: “Does it dry...

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‘Anything Goes’ at The Wick is a much-needed respite

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Billy Crocker (Jeremy Benton) and Reno Sweeney (Aaron Bower) live it up in The Wick Theatre’s production of Anything Goes.   By AARON KRAUSE Try to look away from her. Just try. She’ll captivate you, my pretties! And her castmates will too! With a clarion voice, cool,...

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‘Tina’ triumphs in national touring production

Photo courtesy of Broadway Across America Naomi Rodgers slays as Tina Turner in an equity national touring production traversing the U.S.   By AARON KRAUSE Tina Turner reportedly said that she summoned her “Inner Lion” to make it through various challenges. Certainly, the renowned performer’s fierce inner strength, fire, and...

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