Area Stage’s immersive ‘Annie’ shines

Area Stage’s immersive ‘Annie’ shines

Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz The orphans look up to Annie in Area Stage Company’s immersive production   By AARON KRAUSE Young, visionary director Giancarlo Rodaz’s winning approach in Area Stage Company’s (ASC) current unorthodox, yet triumphant production of the classic musical Annie features eight actors playing all roles. That compares to a...

Read more
Area Stage’s ‘Annie’ will be fresh, director says.

Area Stage’s ‘Annie’ will be fresh, director says.

Giancarlo Rodaz     By AARON KRAUSE For its next professional production, South Miami’s Area Stage Company (ASC) promises the musical Annie “like you’ve never seen before.” Still, ASC Associate Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz, who is mounting the production, said the award-winning, nonprofit professional company will present the classic next...

Read more
Area Stage’s revived ‘Shrek’ is equally magical

Area Stage’s revived ‘Shrek’ is equally magical

            Photo by John Rodaz Members of a fictional theatrical troupe prepare to act in a production of Shrek The Musical in Area Stage Company’s revival of its hit 2018 production.   By AARON KRAUSE Two southeast Florida theater companies are demonstrating how quality, live,...

Read more
Everyone’s favorite ogre to rise again at Area Stage Company

Everyone’s favorite ogre to rise again at Area Stage Company

Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company In the 2018 production, Shrek (Ryan Bauta) gives fair warning to anyone daring to enter his territory   By AARON KRAUSE It really isn’t easy being green. In fact, in the fictional world, such characters as Wicked’s Elphaba, Jim Henson’s Kermit the Frog, and...

Read more
Theater company recording original 60’s musical as a radio series

Theater company recording original 60’s musical as a radio series

      By AARON KRAUSE Giancarlo Rodaz was not a child of the 60’s. But Rodaz, who is in his mid-20’s, loves music from the era, and researched the decade. Further, he feels that musical theater could use more 1960’s shows. So, the versatile, visionary South Florida theater artist...

Read more
Area Stage’s ‘Matilda’ is filled with humor, heart and magic

Area Stage’s ‘Matilda’ is filled with humor, heart and magic

    Photo by John Rodaz Katie Duerr as Miss Honey and Alejandra Bess as Matilda are deep in thought in Area Stage’s commendable production of Matilda.   By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES — The smell of rebellion from “revolting” children has rarely been sweeter. The aroma emanates these days from...

Read more
Area Stage Company’s vibrant ‘Cabaret’ speaks to our times, implicates us.

Area Stage Company’s vibrant ‘Cabaret’ speaks to our times, implicates us.

  (Photo by Giancarlo Rodaz) The flamboyant, charismatic Master of Ceremonies (Giorgio Volpe) interacts with the audience in Area Stage Company’s production of Cabaret. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES — Without warning, a group of Nazi flag-waving activists march down the aisle of the audience seating area, fervently singing the anthem...

Read more
Minimalism means more in Area Stage Company’s Shrek

Minimalism means more in Area Stage Company’s Shrek

    (Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company) Shrek (Ryan Bauta) gives fair warning to anyone daring to enter his territory. CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Can audience members believe in a world onstage even if the theatrical magic is simple and visible? After witnessing Area Stage Company’s (ASC) exhilarating production...

Read more
Hop on this emotional, heartfelt and humorous ‘Ride’

Hop on this emotional, heartfelt and humorous ‘Ride’

Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company Abigail Baldwin, Kate Markus and Jackeline Gonzalez appear in a scene from Area Stage Company’s production of Eric Lane’s Ride. CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Stories about a long journey allow the playwright to focus not only on the physical trek but to metaphorically suggest...

Read more
A unique stage experience is brought to vivid life

A unique stage experience is brought to vivid life

(Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company) Mallory Newbrough (Dora) and George (Robert Richards, Jr.) appear in a scene from Area Stage Company’s production of An Octoroon CORAL GABLES, Fla. — “If anything, the theatre is no longer a place of novelty,” says a character in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’  An Octoroon. “The...

Read more