‘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...
‘Long Distance Affair’ is intimate, immersive theater
By AARON KRAUSE The young man had never ventured outside the U.S. That is, until recently, when he and others dropped by Segun Adefila’s home and arts center in Lagos, Nigeria. Adefila was deep in incantation. Nevertheless, he was thrilled to meet his visitors. The Nigerian welcomed them...
‘A Class Act’ shines at The Garden Theatre near Orlando
Photo courtesy of Steven Miller Photography Edward Kleban (Sean Powell) is the center of attention in a scene from The Garden Theatre’s current production of A Class Act. By AARON KRAUSE When you’re feeling down about yourself, it can be comforting to learn that somebody who achieved a...
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,...
Theater company recording original 60’s musical as a radio series
By AARON KRAUSE Giancarlo Rodaz was not a child of the 60’s. But Rodaz, who is in his mid-20’s, loves music from the era, and researched the decade. Further, he feels that musical theater could use more 1960’s shows. So, the versatile, visionary South Florida theater artist...
Thinking Cap Theatre’s ‘Laced’ will leave you hopeful for better days
Thinking Cap Theatre Cat (played by Jordan Patriarca in Thinking Cap Theatre’s virtual production) thought wrong. By AARON KRAUSE The owner of a gay bar “used to throw a mean right hook in the face of some homophobic mother—ers, that’s for sure,” a character says in Samantha Mueller’s...
In the age of COVID, ‘The Humans’ is particularly timely
Photo courtesy of Olney Theatre Center Here is the Blake family. Pictured from left is Jonathan Raviv as Richard Saad, Dani Stoller as Brigid Blake, Kimberly Gilbert as Aimee Blake, Sherri L. Edelen as Deirdre Blake, Catie Flye as “Momo” Blake, and Mitchell Hebert as Erik Blake. By AARON...
‘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...
Famed actress Dame Diana Rigg dies of cancer
(NBC via wikimedia commons) Diana Rigg Actress Dame Diana Rigg, a renowned English performer who played roles such as Emma Peel in The Avengers and Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones, has died at age 82. In addition to these roles, the late stage...
Actors’ Playhouse 29th Annual gala auction goes virtual
Courtesy of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre Here is a photo collage of some of the stars that will perform. Actors’ Playhouse’ starry annual major fundraiser will, for the first time, occur virtually this year due to the pandemic. However, that is unlikely to dim the event’s wattage....