PBD’s ‘The Cancellation of Lauren Fein’ is must-experience theater

PBD’s ‘The Cancellation of Lauren Fein’ is must-experience theater

Photo by Alicia Donelan (From left) Lindsey Corey, Diana Garle, Niki Fridh, Barbara Sloan (with gavel), and Karen Stephens in The Cancellation of Lauren Fein.    By AARON KRAUSE “We don’t need you to tell us about (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). We live it,” the title character says in Christopher...

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‘The Messenger’ is must-experience theater at Palm Beach Dramaworks

‘The Messenger’ is must-experience theater at Palm Beach Dramaworks

Photo by Alicia J. Donelan Angela Gulner, Gracie Winchester, Margery Lowe, and Annie Fang appear in a scene from The Messenger at Palm Beach Dramaworks.     By AARON KRAUSE Jenny Connell Davis’s vital new play, The Messenger may be the most important piece of live theater that you experience in...

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Palm Beach Dramaworks presents a shattering ‘Topdog/Underdog’

Palm Beach Dramaworks presents a shattering ‘Topdog/Underdog’

Photo by Alicia Donelan Booth (Jovon Jacobs, right) concentrates heavily as Lincoln (George Anthony Richardson) demonstrates how to deftly operate a three-card monte game in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ production of Topdog/Underdog.   By AARON KRAUSE If a prize existed for malicious jokes, you would have to nominate the father of...

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Main Street Players’ ‘Sweat’ sizzles

Main Street Players’ ‘Sweat’ sizzles

Photo by Olimac Media Clear tension exists between Brucie (Warren Welds) and his estranged wife, Cynthia (Chasity Hart) in Main Street Players’ production of Sweat.   By AARON KRAUSE “What the f–k is NAFTA? Sounds like a laxative,” a woman opines. She is speaking in Lynn Nottage’s explosive, wildly engrossing,...

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Boca Stage presents a riveting ‘Time Alone.’

  Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Gabriel Wayland (Rio Chavarro) expresses himself in Boca Stage’s riveting production of Time Alone.     By AARON KRAUSE Two contrasting sets rest side by side on Boca Stage’s wide playing space for the professional company’s impressive current production of the moving drama, Time Alone....

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Palm Beach Dramaworks’ ‘Twelve Angry Men’ is a total triumph

Photo by Tim Stepien  David Kwiat as Juror 11 confronts Juror 7 (John Leonard Thompson) while Juror 5 (Jim Ballard) listens.   By AARON KRAUSE Folks, when it comes to top-notch live theater, it does not get any better than Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) Carbonell Award-deserving production of the ensemble...

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‘Red Speedo’ represents a nice depature from Ronnie Larsen’s usual fare

‘Red Speedo’ represents a nice depature from Ronnie Larsen’s usual fare

Dennis Dean/courtesy Ray (Gabriell Salgado) speaks with his brother Peter (Chris Anthony Ferrer) in Ronnie Larsen’s production of Red Speedo.   By AARON KRAUSE How far would you really go to win if the stakes were sky high, you encountered at least one significant obstacle, and were desperate? Perhaps it...

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‘Misery’ mesmerizes at Empire Stage

  Photo by Joseph Long Annie Wilkes (Elizabeth Price) tends to Paul Sheldon (David R. Gordon) in Empire Stage’s triumphant production of Misery.   By AARON KRAUSE The riveting stage adaptation of Stephen King’s 1987 suspenseful novel, Misery, grabs you in a vice-like grip and never lets go. Undoubtedly, you...

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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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