‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a winner at Lauderhill’s LPAC

‘Beauty and the Beast’ is a winner at Lauderhill’s LPAC

    Photo by Carol Kassie Belle (Rebecca Rene Kelley) and the beast (James Arthur Douglas) dance with each other.   By AARON KRAUSE LAUDERHILL — With incidents of bullying and resultant suicides in the news, it’s an appropriate time to mount a production of Beauty and the Beast. Sure,...

Read more
‘Evita’ proves particularly timely in Wick Theatre’s laudable production

‘Evita’ proves particularly timely in Wick Theatre’s laudable production

Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Eva Peron (Daniella Mass) shows her supposed love for the Argentine people in The Wick Theatre’s production of Evita.   By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON, Fla. — As divided as the United States might be, Americans can agree on this much: People either hate or love...

Read more
This ‘Forum’ is a hoot at MNM Theatre Company

This ‘Forum’ is a hoot at MNM Theatre Company

  Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Johnbarry Green (left) appears as Pseudolus and Michael Scott Ross as Hysterium in MNM Theatre Company’s production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.    By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — “Think of musical comedy, the  most glorious words in the English...

Read more
Inaugural Broadway in Broward season starts with compelling ‘West Side Story’

Inaugural Broadway in Broward season starts with compelling ‘West Side Story’

Photo by Carol Kassie Jacob Tarconish appears as Tony and Alexa Lopez as Maria in West Side Story at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center     By AARON KRAUSE LAUDERHILL — It is virtually impossible to walk away from West Side Story without vividly remembering something. Indeed, whether it’s the strongly...

Read more
Stage adaptation of ‘Tootsie’ improves upon the film

Stage adaptation of ‘Tootsie’ improves upon the film

Photo by Matthew Murphy The cast of “Tootsie” with Santino Fontana, center, as Dorothy Michaels.    By AARON KRAUSE NEW YORK, N.Y. — Dorothy Michaels is unstoppable. We learned that much in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical adaptation of Tootsie. It is based on the popular Academy Award-nominated 1982 movie with the...

Read more
Song and dance are strong points in Broadway bio-musical ‘Ain’t Too Proud.’

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...

Read more
Measure for Measure’s ‘In the Heights’ is touching, electric

Measure for Measure’s ‘In the Heights’ is touching, electric

  Photo by Kelly Johnson Abuela (Sophia Molfetas) and Usnavi (Spencer Landis) perform in Measure for Measure Theatre Company’s production of In the Heights.   By AARON KRAUSE SUNRISE — A strong sense of culture, community and camaraderie pervades Washington Heights in the award-winning Measure for Measure Theatre Company’s solid...

Read more
Les Miz remains a favorite due to upbeat messages, breathtaking songs

Les Miz remains a favorite due to upbeat messages, breathtaking songs

    Photo by Mattthew Murphy Nick Cartell appears as a transformed, polished Jean Valjean in a U.S. touring production of Les Miserables.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Even after witnessing Les Miserables for the umpteenth time, this beloved British megamusical from the 1980’s somehow re-assures us anew...

Read more
MNM’s ‘Man of La Mancha’ delves into material’s darkness

MNM’s ‘Man of La Mancha’ delves into material’s darkness

    Courtesy of Jacek Photo Don Quixote (Michael McKenzie) and Sancho (Mark Kirschenbaum) stand and sit tall and proud in MNM’s production of Man of La Mancha. By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — This isn’t how your grandparents experienced Man of La Mancha. No, the nonprofit, professional MNM...

Read more
Area Stage’s ‘Matilda’ is filled with humor, heart and magic

Area Stage’s ‘Matilda’ is filled with humor, heart and magic

    Photo by John Rodaz Katie Duerr as Miss Honey and Alejandra Bess as Matilda are deep in thought in Area Stage’s commendable production of Matilda.   By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES — The smell of rebellion from “revolting” children has rarely been sweeter. The aroma emanates these days from...

Read more