School of Rock: The Musical proves empowering, especially today

School of Rock: The Musical proves empowering, especially today

  (Photo by Matthew Murphy) The kids rock out in the stage musical version of School of Rock’s national touring production Ft. LAUDERDALE — When School of Rock opened as a movie musical in 2003 and as a faithful, if somewhat formulaic Broadway stage musical in 2015, it was hard to...

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Slow Burn’s ‘The Secret Garden’ blossoms

Slow Burn’s ‘The Secret Garden’ blossoms

  Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz Dr. Neville Craven (Matthew Korinko) and Mary Lennox (Alexa Lasanta) argue in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of The Secret Garden. FT. LAUDERDALE — In 1991, at age 12, Daisy Eagan became the youngest actress ever to win a Tony Award. She received the honor...

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‘Winter Shorts’ a sumptuous South Florida treat for the holidays

‘Winter Shorts’ a sumptuous South Florida treat for the holidays

Photo by Justin Namon Margot Moreland and Dave Corey appear in “Becky’s Christmas Wish.” MIAMI — Oy Vey Maria is anything but your typical school Christmas pageant. It’s one of the most thoughtful, smartly-written and inventive holiday plays you’re likely to see. The Miracle of Chanukah, meanwhile, is not normally...

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‘Billy & Me’ a memorable memory play at Palm Beach Dramaworks

‘Billy & Me’ a memorable memory play at Palm Beach Dramaworks

(Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Dramaworks) Tennessee Williams (Nicholas Richberg) and William Inge (Tom Wahl) share a moment during the world premiere production of Billy and Me. WEST PALM BEACH — Characters down alcohol with an equilibrium-upsetting frequency in Billy and Me, a new, engrossing, thought-provoking memory play receiving its...

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Mormon’s positive message feels more vital

Mormon’s positive message feels more vital

    Photo courtesey bookofmormonbroadway.com/tour The missionaries from The Book of Mormon prepare to head off for their assignments.   MIAMI — No matter how many times you’ve seen The Book of Mormon, the musical phenomenon feels more uplifting, encouraging and vital this time around. At this writing, more than a month...

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Touching bioplay relates a part of ‘Dr. Ruth’ we might not know

Touching bioplay relates a part of ‘Dr. Ruth’ we might not know

  Photo courtesy of GableStage.   CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Chances are, you won’t have the opportunity to visit renown sex therapist Ruth Westheimer (“Dr. Ruth”) in her New York home. The next best thing awaits you through Dec. 24 at suburban Miami’s GableStage. That is where the media personality will...

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Island City Stage scores a triumph with outrageous season-opening HIR

Island City Stage scores a triumph with outrageous season-opening HIR

Photo by George Wentzler Lawrence Buzzeo (front) as Arnold Connor appear in a scene from Island City Stage’s production of HIR. Pictured in the back are Daniel Capote as Isaac Connor and Mia Matthews as Paige Connor. WILTON MANORS, Fla. — The curtain opens, revealing a cheery, brightly-colored home sporting...

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Phantom sequel’s lush melodies, visuals enthrall

Phantom sequel’s lush melodies, visuals enthrall

  Photo by Joan Marcus The Phantom, regularly played by Gardar Thor Cortes (left), seduces Christine Daae (Meghan Picerno) in the national tour of Love Never Dies. FT. LAUDERDALE — There are moments in Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, that will likely startle, or...

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A sensitive, encouraging show brimming with humanity

A sensitive, encouraging show brimming with humanity

  (Photo by Ahron R. Foster) Dina (Katrina Lenk) and Tewfiq (Tony Shalhoub) share a moment in The Band’s Visit.   NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — You might call them “The Hope Musicals.” The Broadway shows Come From Away and The Band’s Visit offer hope — hope that goodness still exists...

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Comedy goes right in The Play That Goes Wrong

Comedy goes right in The Play That Goes Wrong

  NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — The Play That Goes Wrong should be titled The Play That Goes Right. Oh, it’s understandable why authors Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields came up with their title. Practically nothing the characters do in this play-within-a-play, now on Broadway, seems to be correct....

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