This ‘Little Mermaid’ largely sinks
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The mostly dull theme park attraction which opened Wednesday at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts isn’t without merit. Diana Huey, who plays the lead role of mermaid Ariel in the second-rate attraction (sorry, musical) “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” can sing pleasantly, powerfully and clearly. She...
Chief villain of ‘Newsies” can bring to mind our current commander-in-chief
It’s probably not popular to brand a journalist a villain during these early days of the Trump presidency, what with his attacks on the media. Champions of the First Amendment surely will cast journalists in a positive light and “The Donald” in a negative one. But flash back to the...
Carousel’s emotions, moods vividly depicted in Actors Playhouse outsanding production
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Many would argue that, in today’s troubled world, we especially need to hear the comforting song “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The moving, majestic, memorable melody is one of many Richard Rodgers’ and Oscar Hammerstein II’s gems that stick in our mind and soul once we’ve heard...
Award-winning producer steers August Wilson’s ‘Jitney’ to Broadway
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Chalk up another success for award-winning Broadway producer Ron Simons — putting on Broadway the only August Wilson “Pittsburgh Cycle” play that has yet to appear on the Great White Way. Simons doesn’t have a definitive answer as to why Wilson’s play “Jitney” had never...
GableStage’s intense ‘Between Riverside and Crazy’ is a compassionate look at troublemakers
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The desperate, proud man at the center of GableStage’s excellent production of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning dramedy “Between Riverside and Crazy” spreads his arms wide and yells his name as if for all of New York City to hear. It’s a desperate plea for attention, a...
A beloved Miami couple’s true story to open Arsht Center’s 2017-18 season
MIAMI, Fla. — Miami theater lovers, prepare to get on your feet. The 2017-18 Broadway in Miami season at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts will kick off with “On Your Feet!,” featuring the true story of Miami legends Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The multiple Grammy-Award-winning husband-and-wife artists,...
Palm Beach Dramaworks presents provocative production of ‘Collected Stories’
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Toward the end of Palm Beach Dramaworks’ powerfully-acted, riveting production of Donald Margulies’ prized, multi-layered play “Collected Stories,” aging writing professor and accomplished author Ruth Steiner acts like a dementia-stricken patient. Her wide eyes betray an expression of bewilderment, wariness and anger. Steiner in no way...
A visually striking, mesmerizing ‘Sunday’ at Zoetic Stage
MIAMI, Fla. — With a practically bare, white playing space as a blank canvas, Zoetic Stage’s Stuart Meltzer, his cast and crew have fashioned a gorgeous work of art in the award-winning Miami company’s current production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s masterpiece “Sunday in the Park with George.” The...
Addiction struggles are humorously yet honestly and insightfully depicted in this ‘Diary’
Addiction struggles humorously yet honestly depicted in this ‘Diary’ WILTON MANORS, Fla. — Sometimes, before you’re able to confront a problem, you must admit the problem exists. It can be easier said than done. That is what writer/director Michael Leeds conveys in his honest, funny, vivid and unapologetically shameless and...
This ‘Most Happy Fella’ is one worth seeing and, especially, hearing
MARGATE — Stage Door Theatre’s breathtaking production of “The Most Happy Fella” offers some of the strongest singing you’ll hear on a stage. And you’ve got a little less than a month to hear the gorgeous voices belonging to members of a superb cast. “The Most Happy Fella,” a touching,...
