The Big D is touching, rowdy in world-premiere production of new play at the Abyss Theater
(Photo courtesy of Ronnie Larsen) Chuck (Grant Tambellini) and Todd (Gabriel Andrade) appear in a scene from the world premiere production of Michael Mizerany’s The Big D. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — For all the raunchy scenes in Michael Mizerany’s new play The Big D, the message...
GableStage’s riveting ‘I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard’ is a hit
(Photo by George Schiavone) David (Tom Aulino) seems more interested in his booze than his daughter, Ella, in GableStage’s production of I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard. CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Our desire for affirmation that others value us is sometimes as strong as our hydration needs on...
New universally-relevant McKeever play receives strong world premiere
(Photo by George Wentzler) Mr. Parker (Michael McKeever) and Justin (Samuel Maya) enjoy a playful moment in the world premiere production of Mr. Parker. WILTON MANORS, Fla. — You don’t have to be gay to find resonance in Mr. Parker, a funny, touching play receiving its world premiere at Island...
An emotionally-potent ‘Next to Normal’ shines in South Florida co-production
Photo by Fernando Barron II (From left) Christopher Alvarez as Gabe, Sabrina Lynn Gore as Diana and Johnbarry Green appear in Infinite Abyss Productions and Measure for Measure’s staging of Next to Normal WILTON MANORS, Fla. — A current South Florida co-production of the Pulitzer-Prize-winning musical Next to Normal is...
‘Queen of Basel’ is an eye-opener of a play at Miami New Drama
(Photo by Stian Roenning) Rudi Goblen and Betsy Graver appear in Miami New Drama’s world premiere production of Queen of Basel. MIAMI BEACH — Is it possible to write and stage an August Strindberg play adaptation that’s #MeToo friendly? Playwright Hilary Bettis and Miami New Drama have succeeded admirably...
‘Be Here Now’ an engrossing experience at FAU Theatre Lab
(Photo courtesy of FAU Theatre Lab) Mike Cooper (Desmond Gallant) and Bari (Laura Turnbull) appear in a scene from FAU Theatre Lab’s production of ‘Be Here Now.’ BOCA RATON, Fla. — Bari has a pre-cancerous brain tumor – which she considers a treasure. From Bari’s perspective, her growth is...
Meaty, cerebral Clybourne Park is a necessary visit at New City Players
(Photo courtesy of New City Players) Pleasantness doesn’t last long in Clybourne Park. Pictured from left are Daniel Gil as Karl, Krystal Millie Valdes as his wife, Betsy, Ilana Isaacson as Bev and John A. Dalton as her husband, Russ. FT. LAUDERDALE — Maybe developing two left feet would...
See The Sound of Music from a different perspective with Radicalization of Rolfe
Photo credited to Wentzler Photography Herr Zeller (Michael Kehr, standing), shows tough love toward Rolfe Gruber (Jordan Armstrong) in The Radicalization of Rolfe. WILTON MANORS, Fla. — In a way, The Radicalization of Rolfe is to The Sound of Music as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is to Hamlet. Consider:...
‘Dancing Lessons’ is a touching, thoughtful play
Photo by Justin Namon Senga Quinn (Lindsey Corey) reaches out to Ever Montgomery (Caleb Scott) in Zoetic Stage’s fine production of Mark St. Germain’s Dancing Lessons MIAMI — People attend live theater because they “feel other people’s emotions, see the world like they do,” opines a character in Dancing...
Characters, issues in If I Forget will stay with you
Photo by George Schiavone Holly Fischer (Patti Gardner) speaks her piece as family members look on in GableStage’s production of If I Forget. CORAL GABLES, Fla. — In Tony Award-winning playwright Steven Levenson’s deeply unsettling drama If I Forget, dread hovers over a family like funnel clouds over Hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico last...