New City Players’ Confederates: A Fierce, Funny Look at Slavery’s Lingering Shadows
Photo by Kevin Ondarza Sara (Nai Fairweather) is unafraid of battle in Dominique Morisseau’s powerful play Confederates. By AARON KRAUSE Slavery’s chains still bind in unexpected ways, and Dominique Morisseau’s bold, nuanced dramedy Confederates urges us to unshackle ourselves—and one another—from their lingering grip. New City Players’ (NCP) riveting professional...
‘Tina’ triumphs in national touring production
Photo courtesy of Broadway Across America Naomi Rodgers slays as Tina Turner in an equity national touring production traversing the U.S. By AARON KRAUSE Tina Turner reportedly said that she summoned her “Inner Lion” to make it through various challenges. Certainly, the renowned performer’s fierce inner strength, fire, and...
Explosive ‘Armature’ erupts at Island City Stage
Photo by Matthew Tippins Shod (Michael Ford) and Evan (Matthew Salas) appear in a passionate scene from Island City Stage’s world premiere production of Armature. By AARON KRAUSE Shod, a gay man in Andrew Kramer’s sexy and searing, dark and disturbing new play, Armature, removes his white, sleeveless shirt....
‘Shakespeare is a White Supremacist’ a timely wake-up call
Photo courtesy of Olimac Media Actress (Erin Christine Wilbanks) and Macbeth (Roderick Randle) act out a tense moment. By AARON KRAUSE In his eye-opening, smart, incisive, and drily funny new play, Shakespeare is a White Supremacist, Andrew Watring doesn’t mince words while describing the problem live theater, and...
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,...
Watch the world premieres of five short musicals
Could the next Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen emerge from a musical theater partnership in the Cleveland area? A collaboration between the Beck Center for the Arts and the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre Program has existed for 10 years. And this month, the collaborating partners will present five...
Song and dance are strong points in Broadway bio-musical ‘Ain’t Too Proud.’
Photo by Matthew Murphy The core group as depicted in Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. By AARON KRAUSE NEW YORK, N.Y. — If you want to hear current members of the famed musical group The Temptations perform live this year, you’re out of...
Dynamic ‘Memphis’ is a rousing hit at Actors’ Playhouse
Photo by Alberto Romeu Huey (Eddie Egan) and his mother (Margot Moreland) argue in a scene from Actors’ Playhouse’ production of Memphis: The Musical. By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — About a year ago, Ft. Lauderdale-based Slow Burn Theatre mounted a dynamic production of the highly-charged, Tony-winning musical, Memphis. Today,...
‘Race’ is vital, engrossing theater at Main Street Players
(Photo by Dennis Lyzniak) Attorney Jack Lawson (Christopher Dreeson) is animated while making a point. Listening are his client, Charles Strickland (Brian McCormack), law assistant Susan (Trittney Huzzie) and law partner Henry Brown (Keith Oliver). By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI LAKES – In Main Street Players’ riveting, unmissable mounting...
One vivid, compelling Night in the Magic City at Miami New Drama
Photo courtesy of Miami New Drama Cassius Clay (Kieron Anthony) makes his presence known in Miami New Drama’s compelling production of One Night in Miami By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI BEACH — One Night in Miami is about a celebration following an underdog boxer’s victory in a big battle....
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