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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‘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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‘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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A ‘lovely, talented group’ will act in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ ‘Intimate Apparel.’

A ‘lovely, talented group’ will act in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ ‘Intimate Apparel.’

  Cole                                                                          Boyd   By AARON KRAUSE In a pandemic-free world, Rita Cole would...

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Palm Beach Dramaworks to premiere ‘The Duration’

Palm Beach Dramaworks to premiere ‘The Duration’

  By AARON KRAUSE In playwright Bruce Graham’s new piece titled The Duration, “the writing is authentic, the characters are compelling, and the play is emotionally powerful and moving,” said Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) Producing Artistic Director William Hayes. In fact, audiences will be able to judge for themselves when...

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Explosive ‘Armature’ erupts at Island City Stage

Explosive ‘Armature’ erupts at Island City Stage

Photo by Matthew Tippins Shod (Michael Ford) and Evan (Matthew Salas) appear in a passionate scene from Island City Stage’s world premiere production of Armature.   By AARON KRAUSE Shod, a gay man in Andrew Kramer’s sexy and searing, dark and disturbing new play, Armature, removes his white, sleeveless shirt....

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‘The People Downstairs’ receive much-deserved recognition at Dramaworks

‘The People Downstairs’ receive much-deserved recognition at Dramaworks

Photo by Alicia Donelan Photography Henk (Bruce Linser) and Miep (Amy Miller Brennan) comfort each other during a scene from Palm Beach Dramaworks’ world premiere production of  The People Downstairs.   By AARON KRAUSE If you knew him, you may not have wanted to invite Mr. Visser to your house....

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Approaching Anne Frank from another angle

Approaching Anne Frank from another angle

Photo by Tim Stepien Amy Miller Brennan plays Miep Gies in the world premiere production of Michael McKeever’s play, The People Downstairs.   By AARON KRAUSE Whenever Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) Producing Artistic Director William Hayes read or watched Anne Frank’s story play out on stage or screen, he wondered...

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New City Players’ ‘Lungs’ is eye-opening

New City Players’ ‘Lungs’ is eye-opening

Photo by Ryan Arnst Marlo Rodriguez and Denzel McCausland appear in one of the more upbeat scenes in Lungs   By AARON KRAUSE In Duncan Macmillan’s devastating drama, Lungs, a woman and her lover’s decision to have a kid could come with dire consequences. Let her explain. “I could fly...

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Boca Stage’s riveting ‘Warrior Class’ exposes the underbelly of political campaigns

Boca Stage’s riveting ‘Warrior Class’ exposes the underbelly of political campaigns

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Political “fixer” Nathan Berkshire (Wayne LeGette) comforts assemblyman Julius Lee (Paul Wong) in Boca Stage’s production of Warrior Class.   By AARON KRAUSE Early on in Kenneth Lin’s fierce, fast-paced, at times humorous political drama, Warrior Class, a character explains how a particular restaurant makes a...

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