Which new plays will receive top national awards?
By AARON KRAUSE Six finalists for a prestigious national new play award share in common at least one timely theme, according to a new plays committee chairman. Specifically, The American Theatre Critics Association’s Lou Harry said that “a yearning for connectivity — and astute awareness of the challenges to forging...
‘Black Theatre is for everyone’
By AARON KRAUSE WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Larry Leon Hamlin, the late founder of The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., would likely have described the 2019 event using a favorite word he coined – “marvtastic,” a combination of “marvelous” and “fantastic.” Indeed, ticket sales were...
‘She Shorts’ empowers, delights
Photo courtesy of Thinking Cap Theatre and City Theatre An intense scene plays out in Webster’s Bitch, one of several pieces comprising the inaugural presentation of She Shorts. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Looking back, the all-around beneficial collaboration seemed inevitable. To begin with, throughout its...
Panel: Despite challenges, live theater is here to stay
(from left) Eyring and Long By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — America’s regional theaters feature “extraordinary artistry,” a high-ranking advocate told a southeast Florida audience recently. In particular, “so many phenomenal writers” exist, producing “so much wonderful new work,” Theatre Communications Group Executive Director Teresa Eyring said during a...
Head of new South Florida theater company hopes to produce experimental work
Thomas Bazar (Photo by Isabel Bazar) By AARON KRAUSE DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — Like any artistic head of a theater company, Thomas Bazar wants his new troupe, A Band of Actors, to become “more vibrant, more visible.” But it did not take long for the organization, one of...
Prolific theater artist finds a welcoming permanent working home in Wilton Manors
Larsen (Photo by Christian Caroll) By AARON KRAUSE For renowned theater artist Ronnie Larsen, “the roots are setting very deep” in Wilton Manors. “It just feels right to stay here,” said the 50-year-old affable man. Larsen has worked in theater in a variety of capacities for most of his life....
New universally-relevant McKeever play receives strong world premiere
(Photo by George Wentzler) Mr. Parker (Michael McKeever) and Justin (Samuel Maya) enjoy a playful moment in the world premiere production of Mr. Parker. WILTON MANORS, Fla. — You don’t have to be gay to find resonance in Mr. Parker, a funny, touching play receiving its world premiere at Island...
New City Players’ strong, new production is a work of art
(Photo courtesy of New City Players) (From left) Ryan Maloney, Joey De La Rua and Timothy Mark Davis appear in New City Players’ production of Yasmina Reza’s Art FT. LAUDERDALE — It’s funny how someone buying a white painting can nearly destroy long-lasting friendships. If you want to experience...