‘Clue’ serves up hilarity in touring production

‘Clue’ serves up hilarity in touring production

      By AARON KRAUSE Whodunnit, you ask? It doesn’t matter. Experiencing Clue Live on Stage (80 minutes, no intermission) is so much fun that you forget about the reveal and just bask in the hilarity leading up to the conclusion. In fact, you don’t want the show to...

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‘Cats’ still wins us over

‘Cats’ still wins us over

Photo by Matthew Murphy The Jellicle Cats appear close together, suggesting a tight-knit group.   By AARON KRAUSE They cartwheel, crawl, kick, shake, sing, slide, spin, somersault, speak, jump, kneel, tap dance, talk, walk, and leap – right into our hearts. Even after more than four decades, these felines still...

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‘Tootsie’ tickles the funny bone, inspires in national tour

‘Tootsie’ tickles the funny bone, inspires in national tour

Photo by Evan Zimmerman Jeff Slater (Jared David Michael Grant) looks on amusingly as Michael Dorsey (Drew Becker) argues with Sandy Lester (Payton Reilly) in a non-equity national touring production of Tootsie.    By AARON KRAUSE There is at least one time for celebration in Tootsie, the engaging and compelling,...

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‘Come From Away’ wraps us in a recognizable, tight embrace

‘Come From Away’ wraps us in a recognizable, tight embrace

Photo by Matthew Murphy Come From Away can remind us of the joys that come with connecting with folks. Here, cast members appear in a scene from the North American Equity touring production.   By AARON KRAUSE Come from Away, the beloved, big-hearted Broadway musical about a small Canadian town...

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Slow Burn’s ‘Songs for a New World’ sizzles

Slow Burn’s ‘Songs for a New World’ sizzles

Photo by Marjorie Vitalherne Cast members Heather Jane Rolff, Timothy Michael Quinn, Darius J. Manuel, and Cecilia Snow appear in a scene from Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of Songs for a New World.   By AARON KRAUSE The fantastic foursome comprising the cast of Slow Burn Theatre Company’s rousing...

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Broadway in Ft. Lauderdale back in business by November

Broadway in Ft. Lauderdale back in business by November

Broadway in Ft. Lauderdale at Broward Center for the Performing Arts will return to the stage this November. Specifically, the season will open on Nov. 3. That is when the musical hit Come From Away will land in Ft. Lauderdale for an 11-day run. The musical, about a Canadian town...

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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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Despite its flaws, ‘A Bronx Tale’s’ heart and humor win us over

Despite its flaws, ‘A Bronx Tale’s’ heart and humor win us over

Photo by Joan Marcus Athletic, even acrobatic choreography helps tell the ‘tale’ in A Bronx Tale. Pictured above are touring cast members.    By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — A couple of reviews of A Bronx Tale, the Broadway musical, describe the show as a blending between Jersey Boys and West Side Story. Many might rightly...

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Finding Neverland fails to soar to great heights

Finding Neverland fails to soar to great heights

Photo by Jeremy Daniel Here is the part of the national touring cast of Finding Neverland during a playful scene WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Sorry Tink. Your special fairy dust doesn’t transform Finding Neverland into the magical, soaring stage musical it could be. With its eye candy, child characters, live...

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Slow Burn’s less-is-more approach works with Tarzan

Slow Burn’s less-is-more approach works with Tarzan

Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz Tarzan (Natale Pirrotta) and Jane (Lindsey Corey) share a moment in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of Tarzan.   FT. LAUDERDALE — There are lighting effects galore (some overdone, some mood-enhancing by Thomas Shorrock) in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s mostly commendable, high-flying production of Tarzan: The Stage...

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