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...
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...
‘The People Downstairs’ receive much-deserved recognition at Dramaworks
Photo by Alicia Donelan Photography Henk (Bruce Linser) and Miep (Amy Miller Brennan) comfort each other during a scene from Palm Beach Dramaworks’ world premiere production of The People Downstairs. By AARON KRAUSE If you knew him, you may not have wanted to invite Mr. Visser to your house....
‘Middletown’ offers a thoroughly satisfying emotional experience
Photo by Alberto Romeu Cast members act out an upbeat moment from Middletown: The Ride of Your Life! by Dan Clancy. Pictured from left are Adrian Zmed as Tom, Didi Conn as Peg, Loretta Swit as Dotty, and Donny Most as Don. By AARON KRAUSE As a playwright, you...
New City Players’ ‘Lungs’ is eye-opening
Photo by Ryan Arnst Marlo Rodriguez and Denzel McCausland appear in one of the more upbeat scenes in Lungs By AARON KRAUSE In Duncan Macmillan’s devastating drama, Lungs, a woman and her lover’s decision to have a kid could come with dire consequences. Let her explain. “I could fly...
‘A Special Day’ awaits you at Miami New Drama
Photo courtesy of Miami New Drama Ana Graham and Antonio Vega appear in A Special Day. By AARON KRAUSE What better way to mark the return of live, in-person theater than to celebrate the major role an audience’s imagination plays in this unique art form? In fact, the...
A different kind of self portrait
Hammond Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Jess the Mastodon and her human friends coexist in Rachel Teagle’s new play, The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons. By AARON KRAUSE Jim Hammond’s “self-portrait” doesn’t quite resemble him. After all, the work of art stands about nine-and-a-half-feet tall. And it measures roughly 12-feet long...
A Mastodon not easily forgotten
Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Jess the Mastodon and her human friends coexist in Rachel Teagle’s new play, The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons. By AARON KRAUSE Our roughly nine-and-a-half-foot tall heroine lumbers across the stage. Then, she settles into a chair in a vocational advisor’s office. Not long after,...
‘Fuacata’ is timely, touching, and humorous at Actors’ Playhouse
Photo courtesy of Chris Headshots Elena Maria Garcia (above) portrays more than a dozen characters in Fuacata!: Or, a Latina’s Guide to Surviving the Universe. By AARON KRAUSE Listening to and rooting for a “Super Latina Super Hero” might strengthen resolve during a time when Cubans are openly demonstrating...
Main Street Players presents strong world premiere of intense ‘Wolf and Badger’
Photo courtesy of Olimac Media Landon (Brandon Hoffman, middle) tries to impart a message to his half-brother, Maddox (Joshua Lyons) as Landon’s ex-girlfriend, Ainsley (Melissa Bibliowicz) looks on disgustedly. By AARON KRAUSE Wolf and Badger, a taut, intense drama receiving a mostly strong world premiere production at the professional...