PBD: Get lost in award-winning ‘Lost in Yonkers’

PBD: Get lost in award-winning ‘Lost in Yonkers’

  By AARON KRAUSE When you hear the name Neil Simon, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is comedy. Indeed, the late great playwright’s early work is most notable for, among other things, snappy one-liners. But Simon’s talent extends beyond his ability to make people laugh. This is...

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These ‘Steel Magnolias’ will win you over at Empire Stage

These ‘Steel Magnolias’ will win you over at Empire Stage

Photo courtesy of Art Buzz Theatrics and Florida Theatrical Events Shelby (Alexandra Van Hasselt, front) and Clairee (Elissa D. Solomon) laugh during an upbeat scene from a South Florida co-production of the Robert Harling comedy-drama, Steel Magnolias.   By AARON KRAUSE In the script for his funny and moving 1980’s-set...

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Time travel, comedy make meaty play an engaging experience

Time travel, comedy make meaty play an engaging experience

Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography The titular character (Sarah Romeo) plots with her Uncle Craig (Troy Davidson) in the Florida premiere of The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd.   By AARON KRAUSE Time travel sounds so tempting, doesn’t it? Indeed, if you regret something that you did, you simply...

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Palm Beach Dramaworks poised to perform ‘August: Osage County.’

Palm Beach Dramaworks poised to perform ‘August: Osage County.’

Sarah Morsey and Kathy McCafferty appear in a scene from Palm Beach Dramaworks’ upcoming production of August: Osage County.   By AARON KRAUSE The last time Nikki Fridh performed in front of an audience, she did so on Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) stage, or more specifically, in the dead of...

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‘The Science of Leaving Omaha’ a new moving play at PBD

Photo by Tim Stepien Baker (Nicholas-Tyler Corbin) gets the attention of Iris (Georgi James) in the world premiere production of The Science of Leaving Omaha.   By AARON KRAUSE In his classic poem, Harlem, Langston Hughes wondered what happens to a “dream deferred.” In particular, he wrote: “Does it dry...

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‘Last Night in Inwood’ is a cautionary tale for our time

  Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Here is the cast of Theatre Lab’s world premiere production of Alix Sobler’s comic drama, Last Night in Inwood. All of the cast members are in this scene, except for Jovon Jacobs, who portrays Cal.    By AARON KRAUSE “Sometimes you just have to… encourage...

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‘Dorothy’s Dictionary’ is a new, moving piece of live theater

    Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Dorothy (Karen Stephens) and Zan (Elijah Moseley) sample some of Zan’s favorite music in the world premiere production of E.M. Lewis’s comic-drama, Dorothy’s Dictionary.   By AARON KRAUSE During a time when censorship is happening too often, it is heartening to discover life-affirming...

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Ronnie Larsen’s ‘The Actors’ is suitable for almost all ages

Ronnie Larsen’s ‘The Actors’ is suitable for almost all ages

Photo by Jeff Walters “Actor Jay” (Chad Raven) prepares to blow out his birthday candles during a scene from Ronnie Larsen’s comedy-drama The Actors. Pictured from left to right are “Actor Jay,” Jean (Jeni Hacker), Clarence (David Kwiat), and Larsen.     By AARON KRAUSE Many people know versatile live...

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Island City Stage’s ‘One in Two’ is eye-opening

Island City Stage’s ‘One in Two’ is eye-opening

Photo by Matthew Tippins The cast of Island City Stage’s production of “One in Two” prepares to face the audience.   By AARON KRAUSE The last show that Island City Stage (ICS) mounted elicited plenty of laughs. After all, the play was the hilarious 1984 spoof, The Mystery of Irma...

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‘Educating Asher’ is an emotionally-satisfying new play

‘Educating Asher’ is an emotionally-satisfying new play

Photo by Carol Kassie The ghost of Elliot Weiss (Murphy Hayes) tries to express himself but Asher (Eytan Deray) is having none of it.    By AARON KRAUSE If you were blessed with an Elliott Weiss in your life, Educating Asher, a heartfelt and humorous new play, will touch you...

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