Playwright peels away ‘The Niceties’ from her piece
“We spend so much of our time berating the far right for being racist,” Island City Stage (ICS) Associate Artistic Director Michael Leeds says. However, “we don’t often look to ourselves to see how we might be perpetuating the system. We’re always the ‘nice’ guys. But what happens when...
New Normal Rep. scores a hit with ‘Jericho.’
Photo courtesy of New Normal Rep. Beth (Eleanor Handley) talks to the ghost of her husband, Alec (C.K. Allen) in New Normal Rep.’s inaugural online production of Jericho. By AARON KRAUSE A problem with online theater, especially a taped production, is that performers cannot take bows. In addition,...
Promising musical theater artists honored
Here are Benjamin Scheuer, Melissa Li, and Kit Yan. Melissa Li, Benjamin Scheuer, and Kit Yan are names to remember in musical theater. Indeed, these individuals have each earned the 2021 Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre. The honor’s namesake is Edward L. Kleban. He is the late Tony and...
Brush up your sleuthing skills for ‘Safe House’
Photo by Jack Cooper Krystal Millie Valdes and Chris Hayhurst will not appear in person, but digitally in Urbanite Theatre’s production of Safe House. By AARON KRAUSE After Fletcher leaves his cybersecurity job with a powerful corporation, he and his wife, Ava, hide with damning company secrets. Then...
‘Compensation’ is a compelling, timely new play
Photo by Matthew Tippins Tara (Gaby Tortoledo), Gabriel (Stephen Kaiser), and Elliot (Israel Vinas) are engaged in conversation in Island City Stage’s world premiere production of Compensation. By AARON KRAUSE If you couldn’t have children the conventional way, how far would you go to form and raise a family...
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...
Watch the world premieres of five short musicals
Could the next Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen emerge from a musical theater partnership in the Cleveland area? A collaboration between the Beck Center for the Arts and the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre Program has existed for 10 years. And this month, the collaborating partners will present five...
Broadway in Miami to return this fall
Photo by Matthew Murphy Actor Andre De Shields appears in a scene from the Broadway production of Hadestown. Rejoice, South Florida. Soon after Broadway in Ft. Lauderdale officials announced that touring productions will return to the Broward Center this fall, Broadway in Miami officials made a similar announcement for...
‘A Class Act’ shines at The Garden Theatre near Orlando
Photo courtesy of Steven Miller Photography Edward Kleban (Sean Powell) is the center of attention in a scene from The Garden Theatre’s current production of A Class Act. By AARON KRAUSE When you’re feeling down about yourself, it can be comforting to learn that somebody who achieved a...
Area Stage’s revived ‘Shrek’ is equally magical
Photo by John Rodaz Members of a fictional theatrical troupe prepare to act in a production of Shrek The Musical in Area Stage Company’s revival of its hit 2018 production. By AARON KRAUSE Two southeast Florida theater companies are demonstrating how quality, live,...