Palm Beach Dramaworks’ ‘Twelve Angry Men’ is a total triumph
Photo by Tim Stepien David Kwiat as Juror 11 confronts Juror 7 (John Leonard Thompson) while Juror 5 (Jim Ballard) listens. By AARON KRAUSE Folks, when it comes to top-notch live theater, it does not get any better than Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) Carbonell Award-deserving production of the ensemble...
‘Red Speedo’ represents a nice depature from Ronnie Larsen’s usual fare
Dennis Dean/courtesy Ray (Gabriell Salgado) speaks with his brother Peter (Chris Anthony Ferrer) in Ronnie Larsen’s production of Red Speedo. By AARON KRAUSE How far would you really go to win if the stakes were sky high, you encountered at least one significant obstacle, and were desperate? Perhaps it...
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...
New play about veteran actor has potential
Photo by Magnus Stark Ruben Rabasa appears as himself in the world premiere of Rubenology: The Making of An American Legend. By AARON KRAUSE Rubenology: The Making of An American Legend is a new one-person play whose title suggests a journey or process. Actually, the piece itself has a...
Actors’ Playhouse handles Hank Williams bio-musical with care
Photo by Alberto Romeu Hank Williams (Andy Christopher, center) happily plays and sings. Flanking him are Chaz Rose (left) as Tee-Tot and Lindsey Corey as Audrey Williams. By AARON KRAUSE For much of the run of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre’s spirited and believable production of the stirring,...
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...
‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ is powerful theater at GableStage
Photo by Magnus Stark Joan Didion (Sara Morsey) appears in a scene from The Year of Magical Thinking. By AARON KRAUSE A mirrored floor is part of the minimal yet effective set in GableStage’s haunting production of the moving, one-character stage adaptation of writer Joan Didion’s powerful memoir, The...
Touring production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ offers a relatable titular character
Photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman, MurphyMade Jesus Christ (Aaron LaVigne) stands out in this dance number from the 50th anniversary national touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. By AARON KRAUSE Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s glorious music is front and center in the moving and intense,...
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...