Adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s ‘Bridge’ triumphs at Miami New Drama

By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI BEACH — In David Greenspan’s winning adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer-Prize winning 1927 novel, “The Bridge of San Luis Rey,” the adapter describes a Peruvian performer as possessing “wit and grace, intelligence, elegance and command of rhyme.” Of course, one can attribute the same qualities to...

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New City Players rise to the challenge of presenting the touching, honest play, ‘Falling’

New City Players rise to the challenge of presenting the touching, honest play, ‘Falling’

Photo courtesy of New City Players Tami (Arlette Del Torro) comforts her 18-year-old severely autistic son, Josh (Timothy Davis) in New City Players’ production of Falling.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Characters either prepare sweet foods or eat them in Falling, Deanna Jent’s heartfelt, empathy-building and beautifully-written play....

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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...

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A shattering ‘Streetcar’ at Palm Beach Dramaworks

A shattering ‘Streetcar’ at Palm Beach Dramaworks

  Photo by Samantha Mighdoll Stanley Kowalski (Danny Gavigan) pleads with his wife, Stella (Annie Grier) to forgive him in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ stellar production of A Streetcar Named Desire.   By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — Brutal reality shatters sensitivity, fragility and illusion with the force of a monster...

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‘Wiesenthal’ is a winner at GableStage

‘Wiesenthal’ is a winner at GableStage

Photo by George Schiavone Simon Wiesenthal (David Kwiat) takes some time to reflect in the one-character play, Wiesenthal.   By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES — An admirable quality of one-person plays is their ability to establish an especially intimate connection between the audience and the character. Such a bond can...

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Main Street Players ‘True West’ is solid but uneven

Main Street Players ‘True West’ is solid but uneven

Photo by Dennis Lyzniak A crazed Austin (Tyler Grimes) chokes Lee (Christopher Millan) in Main Street Players’ production of “True West.”  By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI LAKES — The aroma of freshly toasted bread wafts throughout the Main Street Playhouse’s intimate theater space. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear the...

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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...

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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...

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‘Hairspray’ inspires and rocks at Beef & Boards in Indy

‘Hairspray’ inspires and rocks at Beef & Boards in Indy

(Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre) Tracy Turnblad (Adee David), center, introduces herself as the newest dancer on the Corny Collins Show in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Hairspray, now on stage through Oct. 6. By AARON KRAUSE INDIANAPOLIS — Hairspray might not offer the most in-depth...

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New musical, ‘Boca Bound’ demonstrates it’s possible to repair relationships

New musical, ‘Boca Bound’ demonstrates it’s possible to repair relationships

        Richard Peshkin and Bonnie Logan   By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON — It took a crushed femur for Boca Raton resident Bonnie Logan to find her passion – writing for the stage. Indeed, if Logan hadn’t broken the longest and thickest bone of the human skeleton,...

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