Island City Stage’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is consistently entertaining

Island City Stage’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is consistently entertaining

Photo by Matthew Tippins Nicodemus Underwood (Larry Buzzeo, back) startles Jane Twisden (Bruce Linser) in Island City Stage’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep.   By AARON KRAUSE Comic brilliance is on display at Island City Stage (ICS). There, a side-splitting production of the hilarious 1984 spoof, The Mystery...

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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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‘Water by the Spoonful’ is richly symbolic, moving

‘Water by the Spoonful’ is richly symbolic, moving

Photo by Ryan Arnst The title ‘Water by the Spoonful’ is symbolic in the play. In the above photo, Arlette del Toro, as Haikumom, appears in a scene from the play.    By AARON KRAUSE If you are trying to escape from a stressful past or painful situation, taking small,...

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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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‘Intimate Apparel’ is a fine fit at Palm Beach Dramaworks

‘Intimate Apparel’ is a fine fit at Palm Beach Dramaworks

Jason Nuttle Photography George Armstrong (Jovon Jacobs) and Esther Mills Armstrong (Rita Cole) share an intimate moment in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ current production of Intimate Apparel.     By AARON KRAUSE The nonprofit, professional company, Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD), has fashioned a fine production of Lynn Nottage’s award-winning play, Intimate...

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‘Ben Butler’ is not your average play about war

‘Ben Butler’ is not your average play about war

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Major Cary (Jim Gibbons) argues with Major General Benjamin Butler (Troy J. Stanley) in Boca Stage’s production of Ben Butler.   By AARON KRAUSE You normally would not expect to laugh uproariously while watching a play about the Civil War, set during that time period. But...

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‘Anastasia’ awes in national touring production

‘Anastasia’ awes in national touring production

Photo by Jeremy Daniel Anya (Kyla Stone) goes on a journey into her past in the non-equity touring production of Anastasia, currently playing in Miami.     By AARON KRAUSE A ride up the Eiffel Tower and a journey by train through the early 20th century European countryside are some...

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‘Frozen’ the musical leaves you feeling warm inside

‘Frozen’ the musical leaves you feeling warm inside

Photo by Deen van Meer A frozen set is one of many visuals in an equity national touring production of Frozen.   By AARON KRAUSE There are plenty of visual delights and surprises in the captivating and faithful stage musical adaptation of Frozen to enthrall fans of the film. In...

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