Palm Beach Dramaworks co-founders to receive prestigious honor
Photo by Curtis Brown Photography William Hayes and Sue Ellen Beryl In December 2000, in a rundown, soon-to-be-demolished theatre at Palm Beach Atlantic University, a new nonprofit theatre company staged its first-ever production. Its apt title: Greetings! Starting out with a shoestring budget of $10,000 — which included...
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ ‘Purpose,’ Rob Ulin’s ‘Judgement Day’ earn top honors from critics
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Rob Ulin Playwrights Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Rob Ulin are among this year’s recipients of major national awards presented annually by theater critics. Jacobs’ play, Purpose, has received the 2025 Pulitzer Prize...
New City Players presents a sizzling ‘Streetcar’
Photo by Morgan Sophia Stella (Casey Sacco, left), and Blanche (Elizabeth Price) act out a scene from New City Players’ production of A Streetcar Named Desire. By AARON KRAUSE “Bigger isn’t better.” So go the lyrics to a Cy Coleman and Michael Stewart song from the musical “Barnum.” At...
‘The Prisoners’ is a powerful play at the Foundry
Photo courtesy of Ronnie Larsen Presents Jeffrey Roach (front) plays Tim while Brandon Campbell (with beard) plays a prisoner named Justin. Jack Stein (back) plays multiple roles. By AARON KRAUSE Ronnie Larsen’s riveting play, The Prisoners, is a strong piece that works on several levels. For starters, it’s a...
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...
Critics group bestows thousands of dollars in new play awards
A national theater critics organization has presented more than $40,000 in awards to four playwrights to recognize their prestigious accomplishments. The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) presented Chiara Atik with the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award for one of her plays, Poor Clare. The...
Her Honor, Jayne Byrne receives top national play award
By AARON KRAUSE Nicole Brooks describes herself as a playwright who “likes to shove a lot of words into their text.” But recently, Brooks found herself at a loss for words. That’s because Brooks was giving her acceptance speech after winning the 2021 Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre...
Miami New Drama’s ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ honored nationally
Photo courtesy of Ernesto Sempoll Mia Matthews and Gerald McCullouch play sparring siblings in All I Want is Everything, part of Miami New Drama’s Seven Deadly Sins. By AARON KRAUSE A creative, outdoor production that the nonprofit, professional company, Miami New Drama conceived and produced late last year while keeping audiences...
‘Contemporary Voices’ to shine spotlight on Michael McKeever
McKeever Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) will next feature multi award-winning playwright Michael McKeever’s work in the company’s “Contemporary Voices” series. Specifically, PBD will present three of McKeever’s plays as readings on three consecutive Monday evenings next month. The nonprofit, professional theater company will follow those readings each...
Come this Spring, enter Emily Dickinson in co-production
Photo courtesy of Actors’ Playhouse Actors’ Playhouse and Palm Beach Dramaworks present The Belle of Amherst starring Margery Lowe. By AARON KRAUSE Southeast Florida theater goers who have remained isolated during the pandemic might be able to particularly identify with Emily Dickinson when she visits the region this spring. A one-woman...