Les Miz remains a favorite due to upbeat messages, breathtaking songs

Les Miz remains a favorite due to upbeat messages, breathtaking songs

    Photo by Mattthew Murphy Nick Cartell appears as a transformed, polished Jean Valjean in a U.S. touring production of Les Miserables.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Even after witnessing Les Miserables for the umpteenth time, this beloved British megamusical from the 1980’s somehow re-assures us anew...

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MNM’s ‘Man of La Mancha’ delves into material’s darkness

MNM’s ‘Man of La Mancha’ delves into material’s darkness

    Courtesy of Jacek Photo Don Quixote (Michael McKenzie) and Sancho (Mark Kirschenbaum) stand and sit tall and proud in MNM’s production of Man of La Mancha. By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — This isn’t how your grandparents experienced Man of La Mancha. No, the nonprofit, professional MNM...

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Area Stage’s ‘Matilda’ is filled with humor, heart and magic

Area Stage’s ‘Matilda’ is filled with humor, heart and magic

    Photo by John Rodaz Katie Duerr as Miss Honey and Alejandra Bess as Matilda are deep in thought in Area Stage’s commendable production of Matilda.   By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES — The smell of rebellion from “revolting” children has rarely been sweeter. The aroma emanates these days from...

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New City Players’ bleak ‘Macbeth’ reflects the zeitgeist

New City Players’ bleak ‘Macbeth’ reflects the zeitgeist

      Photo courtesy of New City Players Macbeth (Seth Trucks) makes a point to his wife, Lady Macbeth (Laura Plyler) in New City Players’ production of “The Scottish Play.”   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDREDALE — If you ask most people, they may tell you that they’ve always...

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Promising, talented actors strut their stuff alongside veterans in Entr’Acte Theatrix’ Monty Python’s Spamalot

Promising, talented actors strut their stuff alongside veterans in Entr’Acte Theatrix’ Monty Python’s Spamalot

Photo by Carol Kassie Here are “The Knights of the Roundtable,” in Entr’Acte Theatrix’ production of Monty Python’s Spamalot. Pictured from left are Christian Ortega, Dallas Erwin, Chris Cimorelli, Troy Stanley (as King Arthur), Greg Halmos and Rosseroni Parris.   By AARON KRAUSE DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — It is a sheer joy to...

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Anastasia offers eye-popping visuals, soaring music and heartfelt emotion

Anastasia offers eye-popping visuals, soaring music and heartfelt emotion

      Photo by Matthew Murphy Anya (Lila Coogan) basks in the glow of lights in one of the stunningly vivid projections.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Dramamine is not one of the products for sale in the theater lobbies where the Broadway musical adaptation of Anastasia plays. But...

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Measure for Measure’s Murder Ballad captivates at Broward Center

Measure for Measure’s Murder Ballad captivates at Broward Center

  (Photo by Tall Glass Photography) Michael (Christopher Alvarez) and Sara (Sabrina Lynn Gore) appear in a scene from Measure for Measure Theatre’s production of Murder Ballad.    By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Every once in a while, you hear about a husband and wife who’ve experienced many decades...

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‘Indecent’ entertains and exercises minds at GableStage

‘Indecent’ entertains and exercises minds at GableStage

(Photo by George Schiavone) Yekel (David Kwiat) deals harshly with his daughter, Rivkele (Hannah Benitez), while her mother (Irene Adjan) tries to restrain her husband. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — “They say America is free? What do you know here is free?” The above line is from Paula...

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Hello, indeed, to a devoted, dear Dolly!

Hello, indeed, to a devoted, dear Dolly!

Photo by Julieta Cervantes A graceful, thankful Dolly (Betty Buckley) takes in the loving atmosphere at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant in the national equity tour of the most recent Tony-Award-winning Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!      By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — The woman of the moment rises. She approaches us...

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‘Admissions’ is complex, yet compelling, relatable at GableStage

‘Admissions’ is complex, yet compelling, relatable at GableStage

    Photo by George Schiavone Charlie (Joshua Hernandez, right) non-verbally expresses disgust with his father, Bill (Tom Wahl) in GableStage’s production of Admissions. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — If you wanted to write a truly satiric, but apropos commercial for Joshua Harmon’s unapologetically satiric, scorching play, Admissions,...

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