‘Wicked’ is a winner in Miami

Photo by Joan Marcus Lissa deGuzman plays Elphaba in an equity national touring production playing in Miami.   By AARON KRAUSE Clearly defining the megahit musical Wicked can prove almost as daunting as defying gravity. Indeed, it is part origin story, part musical, part fantasy, part prequel, part fable, part...

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‘Chicago’ remains entertaining and terribly timely

‘Chicago’ remains entertaining and terribly timely

Photo by Jeremy Daniel Billy Flynn (Jeff Brooks) makes a point during a performance of the national non-equity touring production of Chicago.   By AARON KRAUSE During the age of Donald J. Trump, “Fake News,” “Alternative Facts,” and George Santos, the musical Chicago seems torn from today’s headlines. Indeed, although...

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‘Anything Goes’ at The Wick is a much-needed respite

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Billy Crocker (Jeremy Benton) and Reno Sweeney (Aaron Bower) live it up in The Wick Theatre’s production of Anything Goes.   By AARON KRAUSE Try to look away from her. Just try. She’ll captivate you, my pretties! And her castmates will too! With a clarion voice, cool,...

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A fine cast shines in ‘The Full Monty’ in Lauderhill

Photo courtesy of Lauderhill Performing Arts Center The men prepare for their big night in The Full Monty.   By AARON KRAUSE Do the men of The Full Monty really strip naked all the way? They come pretty close. At least they do in Broadway in Lauderhill’s strong season-opening production...

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‘Aladdin’ astonishes anew

    The titular character (Adi Roy) touches gold in an equity national  touring production of Aladdin.     By AARON KRAUSE The last time Aladdin visited South Florida, life as we knew it was still operating. Specifically, a little less than three years ago, in January 2020, virtually nobody...

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Wick Theatre shines in rare mounting of ‘Milk and Honey’

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Ruth Stein (Laura Turnbull) and Phil Arkin (Avi Hoffman) share an intimate moment in The Wick Theatre’s touching production of the rarely performed “Milk and Honey.”   By AARON KRAUSE It is unfortunate that Milk and Honey, the show for which Jerry Herman penned his first...

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Actors’ Playhouse handles Hank Williams bio-musical with care

Actors’ Playhouse handles Hank Williams bio-musical with care

Photo by Alberto Romeu Hank Williams (Andy Christopher, center) happily plays and sings. Flanking him are Chaz Rose (left) as Tee-Tot and Lindsey Corey as Audrey Williams.   By AARON KRAUSE For much of the run of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre’s spirited and believable production of the stirring,...

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Touring production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ offers a relatable titular character

Touring production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ offers a relatable titular character

  Photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman, MurphyMade Jesus Christ (Aaron LaVigne) stands out in this dance number from the 50th anniversary national touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar.    By AARON KRAUSE Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s glorious music is front and center in the moving and intense,...

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‘Cats’ still wins us over

‘Cats’ still wins us over

Photo by Matthew Murphy The Jellicle Cats appear close together, suggesting a tight-knit group.   By AARON KRAUSE They cartwheel, crawl, kick, shake, sing, slide, spin, somersault, speak, jump, kneel, tap dance, talk, walk, and leap – right into our hearts. Even after more than four decades, these felines still...

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MNM’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ is a mixed bag

MNM’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ is a mixed bag

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Miss Adelaide (Leah Sessa) wishes her fiance, Nathan Detroit (Larry Buzzeo, right) would marry her in MNM Theatre Company’s production of “Guys and Dolls.”    By AARON KRAUSE Accurately depicting Damon Runyon’s fantasy world of colorful characters can prove a tough task. In particular, a director...

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