The Wick’s stirring ‘I Love a Piano’ will make you nostalgic

The Wick’s stirring ‘I Love a Piano’ will make you nostalgic

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Cast members perform while surrounding the titular piano.    By AARON KRAUSE If America’s favorite Little Orphan Annie were a real person, you couldn’t help but believe that the vibrant red-headed young girl would have befriended composer-lyricist Irving Berlin (1888-1989). And vice versa. Surely their shared...

Read more
Once again, ‘Annie’ wins us over

Once again, ‘Annie’ wins us over

Photo by Matthew Murphy Here are Annie and Daddy Warbucks during one of the musical’s brightest moments.   By AARON KRAUSE In the irresistible, new, non-equity national touring production of Annie, the orphans circle Miss Hannigan like vultures. Then, they unload garbage on her as though she were a dump....

Read more
An impressive South Florida co-production offers a peek into ‘Sordid Lives’

An impressive South Florida co-production offers a peek into ‘Sordid Lives’

Photo courtesy of ArtBuzz Theatrics and Empire Stage The women of Sordid Lives are eccentric yet well-meaning.    By AARON KRAUSE In a scene from the hilarious and moving hit play, Sordid Lives, a small-town Texas therapist in 1998 tries to “dehomosexualize” a gay male transvestite. The scene, which may...

Read more
Small Miami theater company wins award, triumphs with its recent show

Small Miami theater company wins award, triumphs with its recent show

Photo by Juan Gamero Lola (Noellle Nicholas) dons a mask when Lauren becomes a camgirl at her home at night.   By AARON KRAUSE Face it: We humans are complex, mysterious, even frustrating beings. Indeed, we may exhibit contradictory traits (think “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”) And it can be...

Read more
MNM Theatre Company presents a vivacious ‘Five Guys Named Moe’

MNM Theatre Company presents a vivacious ‘Five Guys Named Moe’

  Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Michael L. Wallace, as Four-Eyed Moe, deftly executes part of Jacquez Linder-Long’s physical choreography in MNM Theatre Company’s production of Five Guys Named Moe.   By AARON KRAUSE Art’s healing power, and its ability to affect change, are hardly secrets. So, you can understand why...

Read more
Boca Stage relocates

Boca Stage relocates

  Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Political “fixer” Nathan Berkshire (Wayne LeGette) comforts assemblyman Julius Lee (Paul Wong) in Boca Stage’s recent production of Warrior Class at Boca Raton’s Sol Theatre. Now, Boca Stage will mount its shows at the larger Delray Beach Playhouse.   By AARON KRAUSE Boca Stage has a...

Read more
‘Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks’ charms, touches at ArtBuzz Theatrics

‘Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks’ charms, touches at ArtBuzz Theatrics

Photo by Amy Mahon Lily Harrison (Lory Reyes) is clearly not pleased as Michael Minetti (Larry Buzzeo) is comically over-the-top.    By AARON KRAUSE Since its Los Angeles premiere and Broadway opening, Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks has undergone translations into 14 languages and traversed the globe with productions...

Read more
‘Tracy Jones’ is moving, funny at Island City Stage

‘Tracy Jones’ is moving, funny at Island City Stage

Photo by Matthew Tippins Cast members Sara Grant, Irene Adjan, and Niki Fridh act out a comical scene from Island City Stage’s production of Tracy Jones.     By AARON KRAUSE Comedy can be an effective tool for playwrights to deliver messages to audiences. Indeed, once we start at least...

Read more
Main Street Players’ ‘Sweat’ sizzles

Main Street Players’ ‘Sweat’ sizzles

Photo by Olimac Media Clear tension exists between Brucie (Warren Welds) and his estranged wife, Cynthia (Chasity Hart) in Main Street Players’ production of Sweat.   By AARON KRAUSE “What the f–k is NAFTA? Sounds like a laxative,” a woman opines. She is speaking in Lynn Nottage’s explosive, wildly engrossing,...

Read more
PPTOPA’s ‘Pippin’ entertains, invigorates

PPTOPA’s ‘Pippin’ entertains, invigorates

Here is the cast of Pembroke Pines Theatre of the Performing Arts’ production of Pippin.     By AARON KRAUSE If you think about it, Pippin is the kind of show that seems fit for the 1960s. Indeed, the titular character takes a stand against his royal father’s tyrannical policies....

Read more