Touring production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ offers a relatable titular character
Photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman, MurphyMade Jesus Christ (Aaron LaVigne) stands out in this dance number from the 50th anniversary national touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. By AARON KRAUSE Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s glorious music is front and center in the moving and intense,...
‘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...
Slow Burn Theatre sparks a rousing ‘Once On This Island’
Photo by Gregory Reed Brinie Wallace is radiant as Ti Moune By AARON KRAUSE Slow Burn Theatre Company’s stirring production of the rousing, Caribbean-flavored folktale of a musical, Once On This Island, is simply stellar. From dynamic, in-sync dancing to believable, charming performances and eye-popping costumes, this production amounts...
Miami New Drama’s ‘A Wonderful World’ is a show stopper
Photo by Ernesto Sempoll Juson Williams as Louis Armstrong and members of the cast of Miami New Drama’s “A Wonderful World.” By AARON KRAUSE Sure, it feels good to be positive and optimistic. And it can be healthy emotionally. However, there are times that call for reality and balance....
An invigorating Mamma Mia! at The Wick
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Donna Sheridan (Jodie Langel, center) clowns around with her friends, Tanya (Aaron Bower, left) and Rosie (Britte Steele) in The Wick Theatre’s energetic production of Mamma Mia! By AARON KRAUSE When Mamma Mia! opened on Broadway in October 2001, the entire country was hurting. A...
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...
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...
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...
MNM Theatre Co. to bring audiences ‘Closer Than Ever’
By AARON KRAUSE “Since we haven’t been together for a long time, we knew it was time to be Closer Than Ever,” said MNM Theatre Company Producing Artistic Director and CEO Marcie Gorman. “Just the name of this show seemed to be a perfect fit for these times.”...
‘Aladdin’ still astonishes with visuals, while offering enough substance
Photo by Deen van Meer The titular character (Jonah Ho’Okano) and Jasmine (Kaena Kekoa) share an intimate moment in a national equity touring production of Aladdin. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — The musical Aladdin might transport us to a “whole new world,” but the show also presents...
