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...
MNM’s ‘Man of La Mancha’ delves into material’s darkness
Courtesy of Jacek Photo Don Quixote (Michael McKenzie) and Sancho (Mark Kirschenbaum) stand and sit tall and proud in MNM’s production of Man of La Mancha. By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — This isn’t how your grandparents experienced Man of La Mancha. No, the nonprofit, professional MNM...
Area Stage’s ‘Matilda’ is filled with humor, heart and magic
Photo by John Rodaz Katie Duerr as Miss Honey and Alejandra Bess as Matilda are deep in thought in Area Stage’s commendable production of Matilda. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES — The smell of rebellion from “revolting” children has rarely been sweeter. The aroma emanates these days from...
‘Hairspray’ inspires and rocks at Beef & Boards in Indy
(Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre) Tracy Turnblad (Adee David), center, introduces herself as the newest dancer on the Corny Collins Show in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Hairspray, now on stage through Oct. 6. By AARON KRAUSE INDIANAPOLIS — Hairspray might not offer the most in-depth...
New City Players’ bleak ‘Macbeth’ reflects the zeitgeist
Photo courtesy of New City Players Macbeth (Seth Trucks) makes a point to his wife, Lady Macbeth (Laura Plyler) in New City Players’ production of “The Scottish Play.” By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDREDALE — If you ask most people, they may tell you that they’ve always...
‘Black Theatre is for everyone’
By AARON KRAUSE WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Larry Leon Hamlin, the late founder of The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., would likely have described the 2019 event using a favorite word he coined – “marvtastic,” a combination of “marvelous” and “fantastic.” Indeed, ticket sales were...
World premiere of ‘Starmaker’ shines bright at Island City Stage
Photo courtesy of Wentzler Photography Henry Willson (David Edwards) feels like he’s on top of the world, surrounded by his star “creations” in Michael Leeds new play, “Starmaker.” The work’s debut production runs through Sept. 8 at Island City Stage, near Ft. Lauderdale. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS — It’s...
These ‘Men on Boats’ will win you over
Photo by Dennis Lyzniak Nobody said a group of explorers in 1869 had it easy. But they proved fiercely determined, as Jaclyn Backhaus’ play Men on Boats demonstrates in Main Street Players’ production. By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI LAKES — Chances are, you won’t hear many people equate Jaclyn Backhaus’ play Men...
Intrigue, laughs and multi-skilled actors help make ‘Murder for Two’ a hot ticket
Photo by Alberto Romeu Mark Schenfish and Martin Landry appear in a scene from Murder for Two at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — It’s hardly a mystery as to what has endeared the madcap musical comedy Murder for Two to many...
‘She Shorts’ empowers, delights
Photo courtesy of Thinking Cap Theatre and City Theatre An intense scene plays out in Webster’s Bitch, one of several pieces comprising the inaugural presentation of She Shorts. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Looking back, the all-around beneficial collaboration seemed inevitable. To begin with, throughout its...
