‘A Bronx Tale’ shines in Ft. Myers

‘A Bronx Tale’ shines in Ft. Myers

  Photo courtesy of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. Characters are in heavy concentration in Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre’s production of A Bronx Tale.     By AARON KRAUSE When it comes to musicals, A Bronx Tale is not one of the great ones. Still, it’s a crowd-pleasing, familiar tale populated...

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‘Long Distance Affair’ is intimate, immersive theater

‘Long Distance Affair’ is intimate, immersive theater

    By AARON KRAUSE The young man had never ventured outside the U.S. That is, until recently, when he and others dropped by Segun Adefila’s home and arts center in Lagos, Nigeria. Adefila was deep in incantation. Nevertheless, he was thrilled to meet his visitors. The Nigerian welcomed them...

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‘A Class Act’ shines at The Garden Theatre near Orlando

‘A Class Act’ shines at The Garden Theatre near Orlando

  Photo courtesy of Steven Miller Photography Edward Kleban (Sean Powell) is the center of attention in a scene from The Garden Theatre’s current production of A Class Act.   By AARON KRAUSE When you’re feeling down about yourself, it can be comforting to learn that somebody who achieved a...

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This theatrical experience allows you to safely ‘travel’ around the world.

This theatrical experience allows you to safely ‘travel’ around the world.

  Photo by PopUp Theatrics June Romero awaits you in Miami.   By AARON KRAUSE In a matter of hours, you can laugh in Miami, sing “Happy Birthday” in Paris, and kick some butt in Singapore. To zoom from one destination to another, you don’t need a passport, a suitcase...

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‘Hairspray’ inspires and rocks at Beef & Boards in Indy

‘Hairspray’ inspires and rocks at Beef & Boards in Indy

(Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre) Tracy Turnblad (Adee David), center, introduces herself as the newest dancer on the Corny Collins Show in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Hairspray, now on stage through Oct. 6. By AARON KRAUSE INDIANAPOLIS — Hairspray might not offer the most in-depth...

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‘Black Theatre is for everyone’

‘Black Theatre is for everyone’

      By AARON KRAUSE WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Larry Leon Hamlin, the late founder of The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., would likely have described the 2019 event using a favorite word he coined – “marvtastic,” a combination of “marvelous” and “fantastic.” Indeed, ticket sales were...

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A darker Oliver! is still tuneful, hopeful, compelling at Goodspeed Opera House

A darker Oliver! is still tuneful, hopeful, compelling at Goodspeed Opera House

  Photo by Diane Sobolewski The Artful Dodger (Gavin Swartz) takes Oliver (Elijah Rayman) under his wing in Goodspeed Musicals’ production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!   By AARON KRAUSE EAST HADDAM, Conn. — Goodspeed Musicals’ impressive production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! isn’t shrouded in darkness and dismay. But, make no mistake: This...

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Amid the remote Wisconsin countryside, a hidden theatrical gem beckons

Amid the remote Wisconsin countryside, a hidden theatrical gem beckons

Photo by Liz Lauren Billie Dawn (Colleen Madden) resists attempts by Harry Brock (David Daniel) to control her in American Players Theatre’s production of Born Yesterday. By AARON KRAUSE SPRING GREEN, Wisc. — It’s tucked away amid 110 acres of hilly woods and meadows near this town of about 1,600...

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Partnership between Cincinnati theater companies should appeal to Bard, history buffs

Partnership between Cincinnati theater companies should appeal to Bard, history buffs

(Photos courtesy of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati) Othello (William Oliver Watkins) tries to reason with Iago (Nicholas Rose) to no avail in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of Othello. At right are cast members of Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of Red Velvet.   CINCINNATI — Theater...

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Adaptation of graphic novel set to music has world premiere

  PALO ALTO, Calif. — Award-winning Bay Area playwright and composer Min Kahng thought his discovery several years ago was “fascinating” and “unique.” It would be “fun and interesting” to adapt for the stage, he further believed. Kahng has done that. His adaptation of one of the first-ever graphic novels...

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