Hamilton makes history learning fun, imparts valuable lessons
Photo by Joan Marcus The ultra-popular Hamilton remains docked in Miami through March 24 By AARON KRAUSE With the state of our country today, maybe we need to go back in time and learn (or re-learn) why our forefathers founded this nation. And there aren’t that many better shows...
Controversial ‘Bent’ is a cautionary play for our times
Warning: This play contains brief nudity, disturbing images, and subject matter. Photo by Preston Bircher Max (Matthew Salas) tries to get a point across to Rudy (Ben Shaevitz) in a co-production of the historical play, “Bent.” By AARON KRAUSE If Martin Sherman’s moving and disturbing, at times implausible...
Perhaps you’ve never heard of this ‘Cowboy.’
Photo courtesy of Christa Ingraham Theater artist Layon Gray directs and stars as deputy U.S. marshal Bass Reeves in M Ensemble’s Cowboy. By AARON KRAUSE If I don’t tell the stories, who will? It’s not just a rhetorical question but an attitude through which multi award-winning theater artist Layon...
ICS’ ‘The Niceties’ neatly captures the zeitgeist
Photo by Matthew Tippins Zoe (Rachel Michelle Bryant) is clearly unhappy with her professor (Lisa Kay King) in Island City Stage’s production of The Niceties. By AARON KRAUSE “What are you doing to promote equality?” a black college student demands of her white professor in Eleanor Burgess’s taut, intense,...
Play finalists for Primus Prize focus on aftermath of violence
By AARON KRAUSE How do we cope ahead in the aftermath of large-scale violence? A group of plays answer that question in ways that make the pieces stand out, said the chairwoman of a committee that recognizes the outstanding work of emerging female playwrights. From 2019, Ripe Frenzy, Benevolence,...
A vibrant ‘Hamilton’ invades Miami
By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — At this time, drama students do not have license to mount a production of the musical phenomenon, Hamilton. But just you wait — just you wait! Once youngsters, many of whom are committed activists these days, get their chance to climb into passionate,...
Family-oriented ‘When She Had Wings’ soars at Theatre Lab
By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON — If you listen closely, you’ll hear what sounds like the opening notes to the Stephen Sondheim classic, “Send in the Clowns” as part of the music to Theatre Lab’s magical production of When She Had Wings. Chances are, this...
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...
Actors’ Playhouse ends season with a much-anticipated, strong ‘Bang’
Photo by Alberto Romeu Ken Clement and Nick Santa Maria star in The Big Bang, now through Sept. 2 at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — It’s too bad Max Bialystock didn’t attend a backers’ audition for the latest proposed musical. Certainly,...
‘Finding Mona Lisa’ brings history to life entertainingly
(Photo courtesy of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre) CORAL GABLES, Fla. — You hardly have to brush up on your art history to enjoy award-winning playwright Michael McKeever’s new play Finding Mona Lisa. McKeever takes us on a fun-filled trip featuring stops in France and Italy and time periods...
