The Wick’s stirring ‘I Love a Piano’ will make you nostalgic
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Cast members perform while surrounding the titular piano. By AARON KRAUSE If America’s favorite Little Orphan Annie were a real person, you couldn’t help but believe that the vibrant red-headed young girl would have befriended composer-lyricist Irving Berlin (1888-1989). And vice versa. Surely their shared...
Once again, ‘Annie’ wins us over
Photo by Matthew Murphy Here are Annie and Daddy Warbucks during one of the musical’s brightest moments. By AARON KRAUSE In the irresistible, new, non-equity national touring production of Annie, the orphans circle Miss Hannigan like vultures. Then, they unload garbage on her as though she were a dump....
An impressive South Florida co-production offers a peek into ‘Sordid Lives’
Photo courtesy of ArtBuzz Theatrics and Empire Stage The women of Sordid Lives are eccentric yet well-meaning. By AARON KRAUSE In a scene from the hilarious and moving hit play, Sordid Lives, a small-town Texas therapist in 1998 tries to “dehomosexualize” a gay male transvestite. The scene, which may...
MNM Theatre Company presents a vivacious ‘Five Guys Named Moe’
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Michael L. Wallace, as Four-Eyed Moe, deftly executes part of Jacquez Linder-Long’s physical choreography in MNM Theatre Company’s production of Five Guys Named Moe. By AARON KRAUSE Art’s healing power, and its ability to affect change, are hardly secrets. So, you can understand why...
‘Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks’ charms, touches at ArtBuzz Theatrics
Photo by Amy Mahon Lily Harrison (Lory Reyes) is clearly not pleased as Michael Minetti (Larry Buzzeo) is comically over-the-top. By AARON KRAUSE Since its Los Angeles premiere and Broadway opening, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks has undergone translations into 14 languages and traversed the globe with productions...
‘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...
Main Street Players’ ‘Sweat’ sizzles
Photo by Olimac Media Clear tension exists between Brucie (Warren Welds) and his estranged wife, Cynthia (Chasity Hart) in Main Street Players’ production of Sweat. By AARON KRAUSE “What the f–k is NAFTA? Sounds like a laxative,” a woman opines. She is speaking in Lynn Nottage’s explosive, wildly engrossing,...
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....