Ohio teens performing ‘The Crucible’ safely and in person
Photo courtesy of Toledo Repertoire Theatre Two cast members from Toledo Repertoire Theatre’s Young Rep group rehearse a scene in person and with social distancing in mind. By AARON KRAUSE Several Toledo teenage thespians who are performing in person Arthur Miller’s classic, The Crucible, are viewing masks and social...
Creating scenes of intimacy safely, seamlessly and convincingly on stage
Photo by Kiaa Janell Spencer Landis as Usnavi and Lauren Horgan as Vanessa appear in a scene from Measure for Measure’s production of In the Heights. Obviously, the scene required a moment of intimacy, which Intimacy Choreographer Nicole Perry staged. By AARON KRAUSE Even before the current strain...
Villainous Company’ rivets and unnerves at Primal Forces
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Here are Rita Cole as Tracy, Anna Lise Jensen as Joanna and Elizabeth Price as Claire in a scene from Primal Forces’ production of Villainous Company. By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON — Do you feel that no one is watching or listening to you when...
City Theatre serves up thoughtful ‘Cake’ at Miami’s Arsht Center
Photo by Justin Namon Jen (Lexi Langs) and Macy (Stephon Duncan) share an intimate moment as a married couple in The Cake. By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — If only the key to a perfect world entailed giving everyone a piece of cake, wouldn’t...
Stage adaptation of ‘Tootsie’ improves upon the film
Photo by Matthew Murphy The cast of “Tootsie” with Santino Fontana, center, as Dorothy Michaels. By AARON KRAUSE NEW YORK, N.Y. — Dorothy Michaels is unstoppable. We learned that much in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical adaptation of Tootsie. It is based on the popular Academy Award-nominated 1982 movie with the...
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...
Area Stage Company’s young leader finds a place at the South Miami theater
Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company Giancarlo Rodaz has proven his versatility at Area Stage Company. Here, he performs in a production of Hair. By AARON KRAUSE SOUTH MIAMI — About a decade ago, Giancarlo Rodaz resembled many youngsters. For instance, he enjoyed playing video games and...
Director learns from actors while staging complex classic ‘A Raisin in the Sun’
(Ryan Arnst Photography/Courtesy) Walter Lee Younger (Jovon Jacobs) is in obvious agony. Jacobs plays a suffering, flawed offspring in New City Players’ powerful production of A Raisin in the Sun. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — The prospect of directing A Raisin in the Sun thrilled Mary Elizabeth Gundlach....
Prolific theater artist finds a welcoming permanent working home in Wilton Manors
Larsen (Photo by Christian Caroll) By AARON KRAUSE For renowned theater artist Ronnie Larsen, “the roots are setting very deep” in Wilton Manors. “It just feels right to stay here,” said the 50-year-old affable man. Larsen has worked in theater in a variety of capacities for most of his life....
Hello, indeed, to a devoted, dear Dolly!
Photo by Julieta Cervantes A graceful, thankful Dolly (Betty Buckley) takes in the loving atmosphere at the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant in the national equity tour of the most recent Tony-Award-winning Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — The woman of the moment rises. She approaches us...