Celebrating top ‘Shorts’

And the winner is — Webster’s Bitch. More specifically, it is the winning short play in Miami-based City Theatre’s annual National Short Playwrighting Contest. City Theatre staff chose Webster’s Bitch, and 24 finalists, from more than 750 writers. “The list comprises playwrights new to the company, alongside several writers who...

Read more
Prize-winning play focuses on women’s strength and resilience

Prize-winning play focuses on women’s strength and resilience

  Stephanie Alison Walker   By AARON KRAUSE The 2019 winner of a national award recognizing an emerging female playwright penned a piece about “the strength and resilience of women,” in the author’s words. The American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA) has honored Stephanie Alison Walker with the Francesca Primus Prize....

Read more
Play finalists for Primus Prize focus on aftermath of violence

Play finalists for Primus Prize focus on aftermath of violence

  By AARON KRAUSE How do we cope ahead in the aftermath of large-scale violence? A group of plays answer that question in ways that make the pieces stand out, said the chairwoman of a committee that recognizes the outstanding work of emerging female playwrights. From 2019, Ripe Frenzy, Benevolence,...

Read more
In unsettling times like these, ‘Hairspray’ is a balm…and a call to action

In unsettling times like these, ‘Hairspray’ is a balm…and a call to action

  Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Tracy Turnblad (Adee David), center, introduces herself as the newest dancer on the “Corny Collins Show” in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Hairspray. I saw and reviewed the production at the Indianapolis theater last fall.   By AARON KRAUSE My...

Read more
National award-winning play shows “How the Light Gets In.”

National award-winning play shows “How the Light Gets In.”

  By AARON KRAUSE “It’s about finding the courage to reach each other during the darkest and most difficult times,” said the winner of a national new play award for her piece, How the Light Gets In. From her description, it sounds like playwright E.M. Lewis penned her award-winning play...

Read more
Which new plays will receive top national awards?

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...

Read more
Six new plays in running to receive prestigious prize

Six new plays in running to receive prestigious prize

While the “Red Carpet,” glorious clothes and this year’s best movies grab much of the attention, it’s also time for highly promising new plays to receive their moment in the spotlight. With that said, a committee comprising critics has selected six finalists for the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play...

Read more
‘Winter Shorts’ a sumptuous South Florida treat for the holidays

‘Winter Shorts’ a sumptuous South Florida treat for the holidays

Photo by Justin Namon Margot Moreland and Dave Corey appear in “Becky’s Christmas Wish.” MIAMI — Oy Vey Maria is anything but your typical school Christmas pageant. It’s one of the most thoughtful, smartly-written and inventive holiday plays you’re likely to see. The Miracle of Chanukah, meanwhile, is not normally...

Read more
‘Billy & Me’ a memorable memory play at Palm Beach Dramaworks

‘Billy & Me’ a memorable memory play at Palm Beach Dramaworks

(Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Dramaworks) Tennessee Williams (Nicholas Richberg) and William Inge (Tom Wahl) share a moment during the world premiere production of Billy and Me. WEST PALM BEACH — Characters down alcohol with an equilibrium-upsetting frequency in Billy and Me, a new, engrossing, thought-provoking memory play receiving its...

Read more