Much is nice about ‘Mean Girls’

Much is nice about ‘Mean Girls’

  By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Let’s say you are part of an audience watching the energetic, entertaining, savage and explosive stage musical adaptation of the widely-known 2004 movie, Mean Girls. And you’re a newbie. More specifically, you’re a member of that rare species that is as unfamiliar with...

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‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a winner at Lauderhill’s LPAC

‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a winner at Lauderhill’s LPAC

    Photo by Carol Kassie Belle (Rebecca Rene Kelley) and the beast (James Arthur Douglas) dance with each other.   By AARON KRAUSE LAUDERHILL — With incidents of bullying and resultant suicides in the news, it’s an appropriate time to mount a production of Beauty and the Beast. Sure,...

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A vibrant ‘Hamilton’ invades Miami

A vibrant ‘Hamilton’ invades Miami

    By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — At this time, drama students do not have license to mount a production of the musical phenomenon, Hamilton. But just you wait — just you wait! Once youngsters, many of whom are committed activists these days, get their chance to climb into passionate,...

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Humor and humanity are in ‘Groundhog Day’s’ forecast

Humor and humanity are in ‘Groundhog Day’s’ forecast

Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz Phil Connors (Clay Cartland) gets to know Rita Hanson (Kimmi Johnson) in the Slow Burn Theatre Co./Broward Center for the Arts co-production of Groundhog Day: The Musical. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Whoever said “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”...

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‘Evita’ proves particularly timely in Wick Theatre’s laudable production

‘Evita’ proves particularly timely in Wick Theatre’s laudable production

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Eva Peron (Daniella Mass) shows her supposed love for the Argentine people in The Wick Theatre’s production of Evita.   By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON, Fla. — As divided as the United States might be, Americans can agree on this much: People either hate or love...

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‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ sweet, not scrumptious

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ sweet, not scrumptious

Photo by Jeremy Daniel Willy Wonka (Cody Garcia, far right) shows visitors his chocolate factory.   By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — Remember Willy Wonka’s chewing gum? When it assumes a blueberry pie flavor, problems arise. Well, the stage musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is also problematic. To...

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Wick Theatre’s ‘The Music Man’ mesmerizes

Wick Theatre’s ‘The Music Man’ mesmerizes

        Photo by Amy Pasquantonio John Tartaglia works his magic as Harold Hill in The Wick Theatre’s production of The Music Man.   By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON –Before Lin-Manuel Miranda there was Meredith Willson. Sure, Miranda’s bold use of non-traditional musical genres in Hamilton may have changed...

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Song and dance are strong points in Broadway bio-musical ‘Ain’t Too Proud.’

Song and dance are strong points in Broadway bio-musical ‘Ain’t Too Proud.’

  Photo by Matthew Murphy The core group as depicted in Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations.   By AARON KRAUSE NEW YORK, N.Y. — If you want to hear current members of the famed musical group The Temptations perform live this year, you’re out of...

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Measure for Measure’s ‘In the Heights’ is touching, electric

Measure for Measure’s ‘In the Heights’ is touching, electric

  Photo by Kelly Johnson Abuela (Sophia Molfetas) and Usnavi (Spencer Landis) perform in Measure for Measure Theatre Company’s production of In the Heights.   By AARON KRAUSE SUNRISE — A strong sense of culture, community and camaraderie pervades Washington Heights in the award-winning Measure for Measure Theatre Company’s solid...

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MNM’s ‘Man of La Mancha’ delves into material’s darkness

MNM’s ‘Man of La Mancha’ delves into material’s darkness

    Courtesy of Jacek Photo Don Quixote (Michael McKenzie) and Sancho (Mark Kirschenbaum) stand and sit tall and proud in MNM’s production of Man of La Mancha. By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — This isn’t how your grandparents experienced Man of La Mancha. No, the nonprofit, professional MNM...

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