Carpenters legacy tribute includes theatrical twist
Photo by Sally Olson Ned Mills and Sally Olson will perform as Karen and Richard Carpenter this weekend in Southeast Florida. By MARVIN GLASSMAN Guest Columnist The musical duo of Karen and Richard Carpenter and their band has captured the hearts of their fans from 1970-83 with 25-plus...
Ronnie Larsen’s ‘The Actors’ is suitable for almost all ages
Photo by Jeff Walters “Actor Jay” (Chad Raven) prepares to blow out his birthday candles during a scene from Ronnie Larsen’s comedy-drama The Actors. Pictured from left to right are “Actor Jay,” Jean (Jeni Hacker), Clarence (David Kwiat), and Larsen. By AARON KRAUSE Many people know versatile live...
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...
‘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...
‘Kinky Boots’ is the kind of show we need right now
Photo by Gregory Reed Lola (Elijah Word) and Charlie (Dominique Scott) find common ground in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s production of Kinky Boots. By AARON KRAUSE If ever there were a time that we needed a show to “raise us up,” surely it is now. With a pandemic destroying...
Theatre Lab’s ‘To Fall in Love’ is relatable, heartfelt
Photo by Julia Rose Photo For much of To Fall in Love, Wyatt Grimes (Matt Stabile) and Merryn Thomas (Niki Fridh) struggle to connect. By AARON KRAUSE Can a study that scientists claim makes people fall in love actually help save a marriage splintered by tragedy? That is...
‘Middletown’ offers a thoroughly satisfying emotional experience
Photo by Alberto Romeu Cast members act out an upbeat moment from Middletown: The Ride of Your Life! by Dan Clancy. Pictured from left are Adrian Zmed as Tom, Didi Conn as Peg, Loretta Swit as Dotty, and Donny Most as Don. By AARON KRAUSE As a playwright, you...
New City Players’ ‘Lungs’ is eye-opening
Photo by Ryan Arnst Marlo Rodriguez and Denzel McCausland appear in one of the more upbeat scenes in Lungs By AARON KRAUSE In Duncan Macmillan’s devastating drama, Lungs, a woman and her lover’s decision to have a kid could come with dire consequences. Let her explain. “I could fly...
GableStage’s ‘The Price’ is first rate
Photo by George Schiavone Victor Franz (Gregg Weiner, seated), Esther Franz (Patti Gardner), and Walter Franz (Michael McKenzie) appear in a tense scene from GableStage’s production of The Price, by Arthur Miller. By AARON KRAUSE These days, witnessing a theater company staging a live, in-person production with as...
‘Come From Away’ wraps us in a recognizable, tight embrace
Photo by Matthew Murphy Come From Away can remind us of the joys that come with connecting with folks. Here, cast members appear in a scene from the North American Equity touring production. By AARON KRAUSE Come from Away, the beloved, big-hearted Broadway musical about a small Canadian town...