MNM’s ‘Sister Act’ is heavenly
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio The cast of Sister Act is divine. By AARON KRAUSE While you might not rush to buy the cast recording, the stage musical adaptation of the hit 1992 film, Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, nevertheless succeeds. For instance, the live show features...
‘Tootsie’ tickles the funny bone, inspires in national tour
Photo by Evan Zimmerman Jeff Slater (Jared David Michael Grant) looks on amusingly as Michael Dorsey (Drew Becker) argues with Sandy Lester (Payton Reilly) in a non-equity national touring production of Tootsie. By AARON KRAUSE There is at least one time for celebration in Tootsie, the engaging and compelling,...
New touring ‘Hairspray’ is mostly a hit
Photo by Jeremy Daniel Tracy Turnblad (Niki Metcalf) and Edna Turnblad (Andrew Levitt) appear in a scene from a new non-equity national touring production of Hairspray. By AARON KRAUSE Ever since Niki Metcalf witnessed the original 2002 Broadway production of the hit musical comedy, Hairspray, the young New York-based...
‘Middletown’ offers a thoroughly satisfying emotional experience
Photo by Alberto Romeu Cast members act out an upbeat moment from Middletown: The Ride of Your Life! by Dan Clancy. Pictured from left are Adrian Zmed as Tom, Didi Conn as Peg, Loretta Swit as Dotty, and Donny Most as Don. By AARON KRAUSE As a playwright, you...
GableStage’s ‘The Price’ is first rate
Photo by George Schiavone Victor Franz (Gregg Weiner, seated), Esther Franz (Patti Gardner), and Walter Franz (Michael McKenzie) appear in a tense scene from GableStage’s production of The Price, by Arthur Miller. By AARON KRAUSE These days, witnessing a theater company staging a live, in-person production with as...
Award winning actor inhabits more than 20 characters in one-performer show
Photo courtesy of Elena Maria Garcia Elena Maria Garcia plays a variety of characters in her one-performer show By AARON KRAUSE By her admission, Elena Maria Garcia is the type of person who will easily complete 10 tasks if someone designates that many for her. So, it is not entirely...
Slow Burn’s new season starts in October
Songs for a New World, Kinky Boots, Once on this Island, Matilda, and Head Over Heels are the shows that comprise Slow Burn Theatre Company’s recently-announced 2021-22 season. Slow Burn’s Sparks, the company’s performance youth troupe, announced the season on video (to watch, visit https://www.facebook.com/Slowburntheatre/videos/329747035168733). “We are so excited to...
‘Bright Colors and Bold Patterns’ is a comic delight at Island City Stage
Photo by Matthew Tippins Gerry (Thomas Mark) makes a grand entrance in Island City Stage’s production of Bright Colors and Bold Patterns. By AARON KRAUSE While watching Drew Droege’s delightfully comic, single-character play, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, one might wonder: Is the horizontally big fellow at the piece’s...
Island City Stage audiences to see Bright Colors and Bold Patterns
By AARON KRAUSE After producing a couple of timely, thought-provoking plays, Island City Stage (ICS) will wrap up its 9th season with a much lighter piece. Specifically, the Wilton Manors professional, nonprofit company will sport Bright Colors and Bold Patterns from June 4-29. ICS has added mask optional in-theater...
‘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...