‘Zanna, Don’t!’ charms, engages
Photo by George Wentzler Zanna (Conor Walton) communicates with his pet bird in Island City Stage’s production of Zanna, Don’t! WILTON MANORS, Fla — You’d have to be a fuddy-duddy or a complete cynic not to feel refreshed and uplifted after seeing the award-winning Off-Broadway hit musical, Zanna, Don’t! This...
Slow Burn’s ‘The Secret Garden’ blossoms
Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz Dr. Neville Craven (Matthew Korinko) and Mary Lennox (Alexa Lasanta) argue in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of The Secret Garden. FT. LAUDERDALE — In 1991, at age 12, Daisy Eagan became the youngest actress ever to win a Tony Award. She received the honor...
‘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...
A sensitive, encouraging show brimming with humanity
(Photo by Ahron R. Foster) Dina (Katrina Lenk) and Tewfiq (Tony Shalhoub) share a moment in The Band’s Visit. NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — You might call them “The Hope Musicals.” The Broadway shows Come From Away and The Band’s Visit offer hope — hope that goodness still exists...
Performance by human actor is strongest part of Oswald puppet play
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — The central figures are puppets in The Life and Times of Lee Harvey Oswald, yet it’s a human actor who proves most effective. In a well-rounded, vivid performance, a riveting Jeffrey Roth shines as the supposed JFK killer. The multi-award-winning, renown La MaMa theater company is...
A Bronx Tale remains relatable, compelling in transition to the stage
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — If you’re the father of a young boy or young man, you can relate to Lorenzo’s predicament: You want to instill wholesome, moral values in your son, whom you feel is learning from you. Then he meets and becomes fascinated by a man with violent...
New ‘Our Town’ helps open our eyes to diversity
(Photo by Arnulfo Maldonado) Emily Webb (Thallis Santesteban) takes a moment for contemplation in Miami New Drama’s world premiere production of a new staging of Our Town MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Birth isn’t one of the major life cycle events at the center of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic Our...
Slow Burn’s less-is-more approach works with Tarzan
Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz Tarzan (Natale Pirrotta) and Jane (Lindsey Corey) share a moment in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of Tarzan. FT. LAUDERDALE — There are lighting effects galore (some overdone, some mood-enhancing by Thomas Shorrock) in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s mostly commendable, high-flying production of Tarzan: The Stage...
Boca’s Wick Theatre serves up a musical treat with The Drowsy Chaperone
Jacob Thompson plays the hilarious, seductive Adolpho in The Wick Theatre’s fabulous production of The Drowsy Chaperone. BOCA RATON — Folks attending the Broadway musical-within-a-comedy The Drowsy Chaperone might want to bring a large envelope or gift box with wrapping paper. The show is so enjoyable – as is The Wick Theatre’s...
A unique stage experience is brought to vivid life
(Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company) Mallory Newbrough (Dora) and George (Robert Richards, Jr.) appear in a scene from Area Stage Company’s production of An Octoroon CORAL GABLES, Fla. — “If anything, the theatre is no longer a place of novelty,” says a character in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ An Octoroon. “The...
