‘Something Rotten’s!’ current tour is perfect timing for arts funding advocacy
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — If you need extra incentive to advocate for arts funding in the wake of the proposed elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities as part of President Trump’s budget, what better way to receive that added drive than by...
‘A Special Day’ staged in a unique way by Miami New Drama
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — You might have seen the 1977 Italian, Academy Award-nominated film “A Special Day” (“Una Giornata Particolare” in Italian). But you likely haven’t seen it performed on stage in the ingenious manner Miami New Drama is presenting the comic, touching story. You have four more chances to...
A big bravo to Slow Burn Theatre Company’s ‘Big River’
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Ft. Lauderdale-based Slow Burn Theatre Company demonstrates why it received 12 Carbonell Award nominations this year through its strong production of “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” It’s easy to gloss over the musical’s flaws with the talent on display on the Broward Center for...
‘Fiddler on the Roof’ lyricist fondly looks back on his career
Sheldon Harnick’s mind was stuck on a lyric, but his body was on the move. He walks or finds other ways to get moving to free his creative process when he’s suffering a case of writer’s block. A truck was also in motion. It was headed toward the award-winning, legendary...
‘Anything Goes’ at Ft. Myers dinner theater proves a pure, delightful escape
FT. MYERS, Fla. — As many recent South Florida productions have proven, live theater can powerfully mirror the ails of today. But there’s a limit as to how much dark, disturbing fare, however timely, we can take before we become overwhelmed. At certain points, we require pure escapism. Broadway Palm...
Florida Rep.’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ speaks to us
The program for Florida Repertory Theatre’s powerful production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” lists Maycomb, Ala., 1935 as the time and setting. That is partially correct: Director Robert Cacioppo’s smart staging of the classic, based on Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, takes place as much in 2017 in Anytown, USA...
‘Terror’ a riveting, thought-provoking new play splendidly performed by Miami New Drama
MIAMI BEACH — As the riveting, disturbing and heartbreaking play “Terror” illustrates, in our post-Sept. 11 world, black and white morality can blow up in pieces, leaving lots of grey – just like the shattered, shot-down civilian commercial jet at the center of the new play, leaving shards and grey...
Critics told Cabaret is ‘at the core of all performance’
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — At its root, Cabaret is real estate. “It’s a room,” writer/director Gerry Geddes said. “And what happens in that room can be magic. A performer can do whatever they want in the space of a cabaret.” Geddes spoke those words while surrounded by Cabaret performers....
Panelists discuss possible solutions to theater criticism ‘crisis’
With the future of theater criticism facing uncertainties, a “new economic model” to help fund its continued practice may be necessary. That’s what a critic and author suggested during a panel discussion at the American Theatre Critics Association’s recent mini conference in New York City. Matt Windman, author of “The...
Non-equity touring production of ’42nd Street’ clicks
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — It’s a safe bet to assume many people see “42nd Street” to “come and meet…those dancing feet.” Current non-equity national tour director Mark Bramble doesn’t disappoint in a mostly commendable production that played a one-night stand in West Palm Beach on New Year’s Eve. The...
