‘Grease’ pulsates with energy at Lauderhill’s LPAC

‘Grease’ pulsates with energy at Lauderhill’s LPAC

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio/Amatista Photography Jessie Dez as Sandy, and Jordan Gonzalez as Rizzo appear in MNM Theatre Company and North End Theater Company’s co-production of Grease in Lauderhill.   By AARON KRAUSE Some arrived at the theater wearing outfits emblazoned with the word “T-birds.” Others came clad in clothing containing the...

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‘Angela’s Ashes: The Musical’ delivers emotionally

‘Angela’s Ashes: The Musical’ delivers emotionally

Photo courtesy of the Pat Moylan production of Angela’s Ashes: The Musical. Frank (Eoin Cannon) exults during a scene toward the end of The Pat Moylan production of Angela’s Ashes: The Musical.   By AARON KRAUSE A story that is ripe with rich, raw, and real emotion is often a...

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The 1950’s feel like today in compelling ‘Ordinary Americans’

The 1950’s feel like today in compelling ‘Ordinary Americans’

Photo courtesy of GableStage   Gertrude “Tillie” Berg (Elizabeth Dimon) asks a favor from Cardinal Spellman in the world premiere co-production of Joseph McDonough’s play Ordinary Americans.   By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Late actor Philip Loeb was a “stain,” which wouldn’t “go away,” if you believe one...

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Wick Theatre’s ‘The Music Man’ mesmerizes

Wick Theatre’s ‘The Music Man’ mesmerizes

        Photo by Amy Pasquantonio John Tartaglia works his magic as Harold Hill in The Wick Theatre’s production of The Music Man.   By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON –Before Lin-Manuel Miranda there was Meredith Willson. Sure, Miranda’s bold use of non-traditional musical genres in Hamilton may have changed...

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World premiere of ‘Starmaker’ shines bright at Island City Stage

World premiere of ‘Starmaker’ shines bright at Island City Stage

Photo courtesy of Wentzler Photography Henry Willson (David Edwards) feels like he’s on top of the world, surrounded by his star “creations” in Michael Leeds new play, “Starmaker.” The work’s debut production runs through Sept. 8 at Island City Stage, near Ft. Lauderdale. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS — It’s...

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Palm Beach Dramaworks’ Fences offers ample power, pathos

Palm Beach Dramaworks’ Fences offers ample power, pathos

Photo by Samantha Mighdoll Rose (Karen Stephens) confronts her husband, Troy (Lester Purry) in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ riveting production of August Wilson’s Fences.  By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Toward the end of Palm Beach Dramaworks’ breath-stealing, intense and all-together riveting production of August Wilson’s masterpiece, Fences, fierce thunder claps...

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Director learns from actors while staging complex classic ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Director learns from actors while staging complex classic ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

(Ryan Arnst Photography/Courtesy) Walter Lee Younger (Jovon Jacobs) is in obvious agony. Jacobs plays a suffering, flawed offspring in New City Players’ powerful production of A Raisin in the Sun.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — The prospect of directing A Raisin in the Sun thrilled Mary Elizabeth Gundlach....

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