Actors’ Playhouse handles Hank Williams bio-musical with care

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,...

Read more
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...

Read more
‘The Year of Magical Thinking’ is powerful theater at GableStage

‘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...

Read more
Touring production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ offers a relatable titular character

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,...

Read more
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...

Read more
‘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,...

Read more
Live, in-person audience to join ‘Belle of Amherst’

Live, in-person audience to join ‘Belle of Amherst’

  By AARON KRAUSE When Margery Lowe starred as Emily Dickinson last year in a filmed theatrical co-production of William Luce’s 1976 Broadway play, The Belle of Amherst, the performer lacked her scene partner. Fortunately for Lowe, the partner will be back when she soon reprises her role as the...

Read more
Broadway coming to South Florida next season

Broadway coming to South Florida next season

Photo by Joan Marcus Here is the Broadway cast of Six.   Some of Broadway’s hottest shows are headed to South Florida. Specifically, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County in Miami and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale have announced Broadway...

Read more
‘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...

Read more
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...

Read more