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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New play about veteran actor has potential

New play about veteran actor has potential

Photo by Magnus Stark Ruben Rabasa appears as himself in the world premiere of Rubenology: The Making of An American Legend.   By AARON KRAUSE Rubenology: The Making of An American Legend is a new one-person play whose title suggests a journey or process. Actually, the piece itself has a...

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Actors’ Playhouse handles Hank Williams bio-musical with care

Actors’ Playhouse handles Hank Williams bio-musical with care

Photo by Alberto Romeu Hank Williams (Andy Christopher, center) happily plays and sings. Flanking him are Chaz Rose (left) as Tee-Tot and Lindsey Corey as Audrey Williams.   By AARON KRAUSE For much of the run of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre’s spirited and believable production of the stirring,...

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‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ is powerful theater at GableStage

‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ is powerful theater at GableStage

Photo by Magnus Stark Joan Didion (Sara Morsey) appears in a scene from The Year of Magical Thinking.   By AARON KRAUSE A mirrored floor is part of the minimal yet effective set in GableStage’s haunting production of the moving, one-character stage adaptation of writer Joan Didion’s powerful memoir, The...

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This time, we are in the room when ‘The Belle of Amherst’ happens

This time, we are in the room when ‘The Belle of Amherst’ happens

Emily Dickinson (Margery Lowe) embraces life in William Luce’s one-performer play, The Belle of Amherst   By AARON KRAUSE While looking at them through wide, radiant brown eyes, Emily Dickinson extends the black cake to her guests. This time, no screen separates the famed poetess from her visitors. Would they...

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Live, in-person audience to join ‘Belle of Amherst’

Live, in-person audience to join ‘Belle of Amherst’

  By AARON KRAUSE When Margery Lowe starred as Emily Dickinson last year in a filmed theatrical co-production of William Luce’s 1976 Broadway play, The Belle of Amherst, the performer lacked her scene partner. Fortunately for Lowe, the partner will be back when she soon reprises her role as the...

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Broadway coming to South Florida next season

Broadway coming to South Florida next season

Photo by Joan Marcus Here is the Broadway cast of Six.   Some of Broadway’s hottest shows are headed to South Florida. Specifically, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale have announced Broadway...

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‘Cats’ still wins us over

‘Cats’ still wins us over

Photo by Matthew Murphy The Jellicle Cats appear close together, suggesting a tight-knit group.   By AARON KRAUSE They cartwheel, crawl, kick, shake, sing, slide, spin, somersault, speak, jump, kneel, tap dance, talk, walk, and leap – right into our hearts. Even after more than four decades, these felines still...

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MNM’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ is a mixed bag

MNM’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ is a mixed bag

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Miss Adelaide (Leah Sessa) wishes her fiance, Nathan Detroit (Larry Buzzeo, right) would marry her in MNM Theatre Company’s production of “Guys and Dolls.”    By AARON KRAUSE Accurately depicting Damon Runyon’s fantasy world of colorful characters can prove a tough task. In particular, a director...

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Island City Stage demonstrates boldness by producing ‘Suddenly Last Summer’

Island City Stage demonstrates boldness by producing ‘Suddenly Last Summer’

Photo by Matthew Tippins An overwhelmed Catharine (Jeanine Gangloff Levy) rests her head against Dr. Cukrowicz’s chest (Jonathan Furedy) during a scene from Island City’s Stage’s production of Suddenly Last Summer.   By AARON KRAUSE A grieving mother fights to keep her late son’s reputation blemish-free. Family members argue over...

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