‘Water by the Spoonful’ is richly symbolic, moving
Photo by Ryan Arnst The title ‘Water by the Spoonful’ is symbolic in the play. In the above photo, Arlette del Toro, as Haikumom, appears in a scene from the play. By AARON KRAUSE If you are trying to escape from a stressful past or painful situation, taking small,...
Island City Stage demonstrates boldness by producing ‘Suddenly Last Summer’
Photo by Matthew Tippins An overwhelmed Catharine (Jeanine Gangloff Levy) rests her head against Dr. Cukrowicz’s chest (Jonathan Furedy) during a scene from Island City’s Stage’s production of Suddenly Last Summer. By AARON KRAUSE A grieving mother fights to keep her late son’s reputation blemish-free. Family members argue over...
‘Ben Butler’ is not your average play about war
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Major Cary (Jim Gibbons) argues with Major General Benjamin Butler (Troy J. Stanley) in Boca Stage’s production of Ben Butler. By AARON KRAUSE You normally would not expect to laugh uproariously while watching a play about the Civil War, set during that time period. But...
‘The Duration’ delivers in its world debut at Palm Beach Dramaworks
Photo by Alicia Donelan Audrey Batten (Elizabeth Dimon) and Audrey’s daughter, Emma (Caitlin Duffy) appear in a tense scene from Bruce Graham’s new comedy-drama, The Duration. By AARON KRAUSE The ancient Greek playwright, Aeschylus, said: “There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief.”...
Boca Stage’s ‘Rx’ is just what the doctor ordered
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Dr. Phil Gray (Timothy Mark Davis) is in desperate need of help as Ed (Jim Gibbons) tries to provide assistance. By AARON KRAUSE Connected shapes dot the dark upstage wall as part of the set design for Boca Stage’s humorous, touching, and believable production 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...
‘Kinky Boots’ is the kind of show we need right now
Photo by Gregory Reed Lola (Elijah Word) and Charlie (Dominique Scott) find common ground in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of Kinky Boots. By AARON KRAUSE If ever there were a time that we needed a show to “raise us up,” surely it is now. With a pandemic destroying...
Approaching Anne Frank from another angle
Photo by Tim Stepien Amy Miller Brennan plays Miep Gies in the world premiere production of Michael McKeever’s play, The People Downstairs. By AARON KRAUSE Whenever Palm Beach Dramaworks (PBD) Producing Artistic Director William Hayes read or watched Anne Frank’s story play out on stage or screen, he wondered...
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...