Love is real — and surreal — in Almost, Maine
Photo by Tim Stepien Brandon Morris (left) and Niki Fridh play two of many characters who are dealing with love in John Cariani’s play, Almost, Maine. By AARON KRAUSE It is frigid these days at Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD). Therefore, frostbite is a distinct possibility in a part of...
A different kind of self portrait
Hammond Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Jess the Mastodon and her human friends coexist in Rachel Teagle’s new play, The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons. By AARON KRAUSE Jim Hammond’s “self-portrait” doesn’t quite resemble him. After all, the work of art stands about nine-and-a-half-feet tall. And it measures roughly 12-feet long...
Hounds by Hirschfeld
© The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. All rights reserved. www.AlHirschfeldFoundation.org Man’s Best Friend takes the spotlight in The Al Hirschfeld Foundation’s latest online exhibition. Specifically, The Dog Show: Hounds by Hirschfeld is live at AlHirscfeldFoundation.org/exhibitions through Aug. 15. The show features drawings of some of the most famous...
Perhaps you’ve never heard of this ‘Cowboy.’
Photo courtesy of Christa Ingraham Theater artist Layon Gray directs and stars as deputy U.S. marshal Bass Reeves in M Ensemble’s Cowboy. By AARON KRAUSE If I don’t tell the stories, who will? It’s not just a rhetorical question but an attitude through which multi award-winning theater artist Layon...
Prominent lighting designer dies of cancer
Howell Binkley One of Broadway’s most renowned lighting designers, a two-time Tony Award winner who also received nominations for many other awards, died on Friday. Howell Binkley was 64. He succumbed to lung cancer at a hospital in Jacksonville, N.C., his wife, Joyce Storey, confirmed on Facebook. Binkley’s designs...
Some of South Florida theater’s shining stars
Barbara Bradshaw (Photo by Steve Anthony) Kelley Shanley (Photo by Jason Nuttle) A theater production that a critic hailed as a “masterpiece,” a much-lauded performer, a nationally-renowned regional theater, and a performing arts...
Artist and advocate during the AIDS crisis dies at 84
Larry Kramer Photo by David Shankbone via Wikimedia Commons Larry Kramer, a fiercely passionate playwright, screenwriter, and advocate whom many credited with jump-starting the response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in America, has died in Manhattan. He was 84 and less than a month from his 85th birthday. His husband,...
Online exhibition showcases the lone artist, performer
Self Portrait in Barber Chair, 1989 © The Al Hirschfeld Foundation. All rights reserved. www.AlHirschfeldFoundation.org There is an art to being alone. And at least when it comes to the theater, few have captured that art on paper better than the legendary Al Hirschfeld. Hirschfeld (1903-2003) was an...
Main Street Players ‘True West’ is solid but uneven
Photo by Dennis Lyzniak A crazed Austin (Tyler Grimes) chokes Lee (Christopher Millan) in Main Street Players’ production of “True West.” By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI LAKES — The aroma of freshly toasted bread wafts throughout the Main Street Playhouse’s intimate theater space. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear the...
Area Stage Company’s young leader finds a place at the South Miami theater
Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company Giancarlo Rodaz has proven his versatility at Area Stage Company. Here, he performs in a production of Hair. By AARON KRAUSE SOUTH MIAMI — About a decade ago, Giancarlo Rodaz resembled many youngsters. For instance, he enjoyed playing video games and...