‘Misery’ mesmerizes at Empire Stage

  Photo by Joseph Long Annie Wilkes (Elizabeth Price) tends to Paul Sheldon (David R. Gordon) in Empire Stage’s triumphant production of Misery.   By AARON KRAUSE The riveting stage adaptation of Stephen King’s 1987 suspenseful novel, Misery, grabs you in a vice-like grip and never lets go. Undoubtedly, you...

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Controversial ‘Bent’ is a cautionary play for our times

Controversial ‘Bent’ is a cautionary play for our times

  Warning: This play contains brief nudity, disturbing images, and subject matter. Photo by Preston Bircher Max (Matthew Salas) tries to get a point across to Rudy (Ben Shaevitz) in a co-production of the historical play, “Bent.”   By AARON KRAUSE If Martin Sherman’s moving and disturbing, at times implausible...

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Island City Stage’s ‘One in Two’ is eye-opening

Island City Stage’s ‘One in Two’ is eye-opening

Photo by Matthew Tippins The cast of Island City Stage’s production of “One in Two” prepares to face the audience.   By AARON KRAUSE The last show that Island City Stage (ICS) mounted elicited plenty of laughs. After all, the play was the hilarious 1984 spoof, The Mystery of Irma...

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‘Educating Asher’ is an emotionally-satisfying new play

‘Educating Asher’ is an emotionally-satisfying new play

Photo by Carol Kassie The ghost of Elliot Weiss (Murphy Hayes) tries to express himself but Asher (Eytan Deray) is having none of it.    By AARON KRAUSE If you were blessed with an Elliott Weiss in your life, Educating Asher, a heartfelt and humorous new play, will touch you...

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Island City Stage’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is consistently entertaining

Island City Stage’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is consistently entertaining

Photo by Matthew Tippins Nicodemus Underwood (Larry Buzzeo, back) startles Jane Twisden (Bruce Linser) in Island City Stage’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep.   By AARON KRAUSE Comic brilliance is on display at Island City Stage (ICS). There, a side-splitting production of the hilarious 1984 spoof, The Mystery...

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This time, we are in the room when ‘The Belle of Amherst’ happens

This time, we are in the room when ‘The Belle of Amherst’ happens

Emily Dickinson (Margery Lowe) embraces life in William Luce’s one-performer play, The Belle of Amherst   By AARON KRAUSE While looking at them through wide, radiant brown eyes, Emily Dickinson extends the black cake to her guests. This time, no screen separates the famed poetess from her visitors. Would they...

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‘Water by the Spoonful’ is richly symbolic, moving

‘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,...

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‘Cats’ still wins us over

‘Cats’ still wins us over

Photo by Matthew Murphy The Jellicle Cats appear close together, suggesting a tight-knit group.   By AARON KRAUSE They cartwheel, crawl, kick, shake, sing, slide, spin, somersault, speak, jump, kneel, tap dance, talk, walk, and leap – right into our hearts. Even after more than four decades, these felines still...

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MNM’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ is a mixed bag

MNM’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ is a mixed bag

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Miss Adelaide (Leah Sessa) wishes her fiance, Nathan Detroit (Larry Buzzeo, right) would marry her in MNM Theatre Company’s production of “Guys and Dolls.”    By AARON KRAUSE Accurately depicting Damon Runyon’s fantasy world of colorful characters can prove a tough task. In particular, a director...

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‘Ben Butler’ is not your average play about war

‘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...

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