PPTOPA’s ‘Pippin’ entertains, invigorates
Here is the cast of Pembroke Pines Theatre of the Performing Arts’ production of Pippin. By AARON KRAUSE If you think about it, Pippin is the kind of show that seems fit for the 1960s. Indeed, the titular character takes a stand against his royal father’s tyrannical policies....
’42nd Street’ sparkles at LPAC
Photo by David Popken The cast performs a scene from the Broadway at LPAC’s production of “42nd Street.” By AARON KRAUSE In the classic Broadway musical, 42nd Street, a character invites another to “come on along and listen to…the lullaby of Broadway.” But a current professional production of...
‘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...
‘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...
‘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,...
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...
‘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...
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...
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,...
