New Normal Rep triumphs with ‘Two Sisters and a Piano’
© New Normal Rep Florencia Lozano and Daphne Rubin-Vega appear as Maria Celia and Sofia, respectively, in New Normal Rep’s production of Two Sister and a Piano. By AARON KRAUSE The power of art to heal, transform, offer hope, and inspire in a seemingly hopeless world...
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,...
‘Compensation’ is a compelling, timely new play
Photo by Matthew Tippins Tara (Gaby Tortoledo), Gabriel (Stephen Kaiser), and Elliot (Israel Vinas) are engaged in conversation in Island City Stage’s world premiere production of Compensation. By AARON KRAUSE If you couldn’t have children the conventional way, how far would you go to form and raise a family...
Area Stage’s revived ‘Shrek’ is equally magical
Photo by John Rodaz Members of a fictional theatrical troupe prepare to act in a production of Shrek The Musical in Area Stage Company’s revival of its hit 2018 production. By AARON KRAUSE Two southeast Florida theater companies are demonstrating how quality, live,...
Everyone’s favorite ogre to rise again at Area Stage Company
Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company In the 2018 production, Shrek (Ryan Bauta) gives fair warning to anyone daring to enter his territory By AARON KRAUSE It really isn’t easy being green. In fact, in the fictional world, such characters as Wicked’s Elphaba, Jim Henson’s Kermit the Frog, and...
MNM’s ‘Closer Than Ever’ is creative, heartfelt
Photo courtesy of MNM Theatre Company. Thanks to technology, actors are able to look as though they’re near each other, and even holding hands, in MNM’s Closer Than Ever. By AARON KRAUSE The telling and timely stage picture appears at the end of West Palm Beach-based MNM Theatre...
Good news for parade fans this Thanksgiving Day
By AARON KRAUSE Everyone loves a parade. Therefore, they’ll be happy to know that, despite the pandemic, the beloved Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City will occur this year. “Macy’s believes in celebration and the joy of marking milestone moments with family and friends,” officials wrote on the...
MNM Theatre Co. to bring audiences ‘Closer Than Ever’
By AARON KRAUSE “Since we haven’t been together for a long time, we knew it was time to be Closer Than Ever,” said MNM Theatre Company Producing Artistic Director and CEO Marcie Gorman. “Just the name of this show seemed to be a perfect fit for these times.”...
Island City Stage in Wilton Manors announces hybrid season
By AARON KRAUSE Island City Stage’s upcoming season will feature both live and virtual productions. Artistic Director Andy Rogow said that responses from a recent survey of patrons informed this decision. Specifically, a “portion” of respondents indicated they are ready to return to the theater. At the...
‘Gifts’ focuses on the power of story during dark moments
Photo courtesy of Irish Repertory Theatre (From left) Marty Rea, as Tom, Sean McGinley as Larry, and Marie Mullen as Rose. By AARON KRAUSE What are some “gifts” that you’ve brought to dark, anxiety-inducing times, places, or situations? Perhaps you smiled brightly while visiting a lonely, scared person forced...
