Palm Beach Dramaworks to premiere ‘The Duration’
By AARON KRAUSE In playwright Bruce Graham’s new piece titled The Duration, “the writing is authentic, the characters are compelling, and the play is emotionally powerful and moving,” said Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) Producing Artistic Director William Hayes. In fact, audiences will be able to judge for themselves when...
Explosive ‘Armature’ erupts at Island City Stage
Photo by Matthew Tippins Shod (Michael Ford) and Evan (Matthew Salas) appear in a passionate scene from Island City Stage’s world premiere production of Armature. By AARON KRAUSE Shod, a gay man in Andrew Kramer’s sexy and searing, dark and disturbing new play, Armature, removes his white, sleeveless shirt....
‘Grease’ pulsates with energy at Lauderhill’s LPAC
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio/Amatista Photography Jessie Dez as Sandy, and Jordan Gonzalez as Rizzo appear in MNM Theatre Company and North End Theater Company’s co-production of Grease in Lauderhill. By AARON KRAUSE Some arrived at the theater wearing outfits emblazoned with the word “T-birds.” Others came clad in clothing containing the...
Love is real — and surreal — in Almost, Maine
Photo by Tim Stepien Brandon Morris (left) and Niki Fridh play two of many characters who are dealing with love in John Cariani’s play, Almost, Maine. By AARON KRAUSE It is frigid these days at Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD). Therefore, frostbite is a distinct possibility in a part of...
The Wick’s ‘Gypsy’ is a gem
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Mama Rose (Laura Hodos, right) has big aspirations for her daughter, Louise ( Melissa Whitworth). By AARON KRAUSE Mama Rose, from Gypsy, is an abusive parent. True, she might not get physical with her daughters. However, chances are that the words this mother of all...
New play reveals the ‘Real Cuba’
Photo by Tony Tur Cast members appear in a scene from the world premiere production of GringoLandia. By AARON KRAUSE If you talk to Miami native and Cuban-American playwright Hannah Benitez about Cuba today, she might quote a saying. It goes something like this: “If you visited...
‘Tootsie’ tickles the funny bone, inspires in national tour
Photo by Evan Zimmerman Jeff Slater (Jared David Michael Grant) looks on amusingly as Michael Dorsey (Drew Becker) argues with Sandy Lester (Payton Reilly) in a non-equity national touring production of Tootsie. By AARON KRAUSE There is at least one time for celebration in Tootsie, the engaging and compelling,...
Miami New Drama’s ‘A Wonderful World’ is a show stopper
Photo by Ernesto Sempoll Juson Williams as Louis Armstrong and members of the cast of Miami New Drama’s “A Wonderful World.” By AARON KRAUSE Sure, it feels good to be positive and optimistic. And it can be healthy emotionally. However, there are times that call for reality and balance....
Magic might be in the air during this play
Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Dramaworks Cast members appear as their characters in Palm Beach Dramaworks upcoming production of Almost, Maine. By AARON KRAUSE For years, Palm Beach Dramaworks resident director, J. Barry Lewis, has wanted to stage Almost, Maine. In fact, it is one of the American theater’s...
New touring ‘Hairspray’ is mostly a hit
Photo by Jeremy Daniel Tracy Turnblad (Niki Metcalf) and Edna Turnblad (Andrew Levitt) appear in a scene from a new non-equity national touring production of Hairspray. By AARON KRAUSE Ever since Niki Metcalf witnessed the original 2002 Broadway production of the hit musical comedy, Hairspray, the young New York-based...