‘Tracy Jones’ is moving, funny at Island City Stage
Photo by Matthew Tippins Cast members Sara Grant, Irene Adjan, and Niki Fridh act out a comical scene from Island City Stage’s production of Tracy Jones. By AARON KRAUSE Comedy can be an effective tool for playwrights to deliver messages to audiences. Indeed, once we start at least...
PPTOPA’s ‘Pippin’ entertains, invigorates
Here is the cast of Pembroke Pines Theatre of the Performing Arts’ production of Pippin. By AARON KRAUSE If you think about it, Pippin is the kind of show that seems fit for the 1960s. Indeed, the titular character takes a stand against his royal father’s tyrannical policies....
‘Refuge’ shines at Theatre Lab as rolling world premiere continues
Photo by Morgan Sophia Photography Performers tell the story using a variety of techniques. By AARON KRAUSE “I may be a wolf but I’m afraid all the time,” the wild animal tells us in the compelling new play, Refuge. He lives in “a state of fear even in my...
Palm Beach Dramaworks poised to perform ‘August: Osage County.’
Sarah Morsey and Kathy McCafferty appear in a scene from Palm Beach Dramaworks’ upcoming production of August: Osage County. By AARON KRAUSE The last time Nikki Fridh performed in front of an audience, she did so on Palm Beach Dramaworks’ (PBD) stage, or more specifically, in the dead of...
’42nd Street’ sparkles at LPAC
Photo by David Popken The cast performs a scene from the Broadway at LPAC’s production of “42nd Street.” By AARON KRAUSE In the classic Broadway musical, 42nd Street, a character invites another to “come on along and listen to…the lullaby of Broadway.” But a current professional production of...
‘Wicked’ is a winner in Miami
Photo by Joan Marcus Lissa deGuzman plays Elphaba in an equity national touring production playing in Miami. By AARON KRAUSE Clearly defining the megahit musical Wicked can prove almost as daunting as defying gravity. Indeed, it is part origin story, part musical, part fantasy, part prequel, part fable, part...
‘Chicago’ remains entertaining and terribly timely
Photo by Jeremy Daniel Billy Flynn (Jeff Brooks) makes a point during a performance of the national non-equity touring production of Chicago. By AARON KRAUSE During the age of Donald J. Trump, “Fake News,” “Alternative Facts,” and George Santos, the musical Chicago seems torn from today’s headlines. Indeed, although...
‘The Science of Leaving Omaha’ a new moving play at PBD
Photo by Tim Stepien Baker (Nicholas-Tyler Corbin) gets the attention of Iris (Georgi James) in the world premiere production of The Science of Leaving Omaha. By AARON KRAUSE In his classic poem, Harlem, Langston Hughes wondered what happens to a “dream deferred.” In particular, he wrote: “Does it dry...
‘Rotterdam’ is relatable, touching theater at Island City Stage
Photo by Matthew Tippins Alice (Suzanne Ankrum) and Fiona/Adrian (Autumn Kioti Horne) play lovers in Jon Brittain’s touching play, Rotterdam. By AARON KRAUSE Change can be hard for anybody, especially when they least expect it. With that in mind, you may find it easy to identify with Alice,...