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

September 13, 2019 0

(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’

August 15, 2019 0

      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

September 4, 2018 2

  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

July 22, 2018 0

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

March 14, 2018 0

(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

July 15, 2017 0

  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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San Francisco showcases its vibrant, diverse theater scene

June 23, 2017 18

  SAN FRANCISCO — Talk about looking ahead… A group of theater professionals and members of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA, americantheatrecritics.org) were discussing the importance of keeping the Bard and his work vital for years – specifically, 400 years. Although William Shakespeare would be more than 400 years old...

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