The 1950’s feel like today in compelling ‘Ordinary Americans’
Photo courtesy of GableStage Gertrude “Tillie” Berg (Elizabeth Dimon) asks a favor from Cardinal Spellman in the world premiere co-production of Joseph McDonough’s play Ordinary Americans. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Late actor Philip Loeb was a “stain,” which wouldn’t “go away,” if you believe one...
Villainous Company’ rivets and unnerves at Primal Forces
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Here are Rita Cole as Tracy, Anna Lise Jensen as Joanna and Elizabeth Price as Claire in a scene from Primal Forces’ production of Villainous Company. By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON — Do you feel that no one is watching or listening to you when...
City Theatre serves up thoughtful ‘Cake’ at Miami’s Arsht Center
Photo by Justin Namon Jen (Lexi Langs) and Macy (Stephon Duncan) share an intimate moment as a married couple in The Cake. By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — If only the key to a perfect world entailed giving everyone a piece of cake, wouldn’t...
Adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s ‘Bridge’ triumphs at Miami New Drama
By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI BEACH — In David Greenspan’s winning adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer-Prize winning 1927 novel, “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” the adapter describes a Peruvian performer as possessing “wit and grace, intelligence, elegance and command of rhyme.” Of course, one can attribute the same qualities to...
New City Players rise to the challenge of presenting the touching, honest play, ‘Falling’
Photo courtesy of New City Players Tami (Arlette Del Torro) comforts her 18-year-old severely autistic son, Josh (Timothy Davis) in New City Players’ production of Falling. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Characters either prepare sweet foods or eat them in Falling, Deanna Jent’s heartfelt, empathy-building and beautifully-written play....
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...
Family-oriented ‘When She Had Wings’ soars at Theatre Lab
By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON — If you listen closely, you’ll hear what sounds like the opening notes to the Stephen Sondheim classic, “Send in the Clowns” as part of the music to Theatre Lab’s magical production of When She Had Wings. Chances are, this...
World premiere of ‘Starmaker’ shines bright at Island City Stage
Photo courtesy of Wentzler Photography Henry Willson (David Edwards) feels like he’s on top of the world, surrounded by his star “creations” in Michael Leeds new play, “Starmaker.” The work’s debut production runs through Sept. 8 at Island City Stage, near Ft. Lauderdale. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS — It’s...
These ‘Men on Boats’ will win you over
Photo by Dennis Lyzniak Nobody said a group of explorers in 1869 had it easy. But they proved fiercely determined, as Jaclyn Backhaus’ play Men on Boats demonstrates in Main Street Players’ production. By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI LAKES — Chances are, you won’t hear many people equate Jaclyn Backhaus’ play Men...
‘She Shorts’ empowers, delights
Photo courtesy of Thinking Cap Theatre and City Theatre An intense scene plays out in Webster’s Bitch, one of several pieces comprising the inaugural presentation of She Shorts. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Looking back, the all-around beneficial collaboration seemed inevitable. To begin with, throughout its...