New Normal Rep. scores a hit with ‘Jericho.’
Photo courtesy of New Normal Rep. Beth (Eleanor Handley) talks to the ghost of her husband, Alec (C.K. Allen) in New Normal Rep.’s inaugural online production of Jericho. By AARON KRAUSE A problem with online theater, especially a taped production, is that performers cannot take bows. In addition,...
Promising musical theater artists honored
Here are Benjamin Scheuer, Melissa Li, and Kit Yan. Melissa Li, Benjamin Scheuer, and Kit Yan are names to remember in musical theater. Indeed, these individuals have each earned the 2021 Kleban Prize for Musical Theatre. The honor’s namesake is Edward L. Kleban. He is the late Tony and...
Brush up your sleuthing skills for ‘Safe House’
Photo by Jack Cooper Krystal Millie Valdes and Chris Hayhurst will not appear in person, but digitally in Urbanite Theatre’s production of Safe House. By AARON KRAUSE After Fletcher leaves his cybersecurity job with a powerful corporation, he and his wife, Ava, hide with damning company secrets. Then...
‘Compensation’ is a compelling, timely new play
Photo by Matthew Tippins Tara (Gaby Tortoledo), Gabriel (Stephen Kaiser), and Elliot (Israel Vinas) are engaged in conversation in Island City Stage’s world premiere production of Compensation. By AARON KRAUSE If you couldn’t have children the conventional way, how far would you go to form and raise a family...
‘Long Distance Affair’ is intimate, immersive theater
By AARON KRAUSE The young man had never ventured outside the U.S. That is, until recently, when he and others dropped by Segun Adefila’s home and arts center in Lagos, Nigeria. Adefila was deep in incantation. Nevertheless, he was thrilled to meet his visitors. The Nigerian welcomed them...
‘A Class Act’ shines at The Garden Theatre near Orlando
Photo courtesy of Steven Miller Photography Edward Kleban (Sean Powell) is the center of attention in a scene from The Garden Theatre’s current production of A Class Act. By AARON KRAUSE When you’re feeling down about yourself, it can be comforting to learn that somebody who achieved a...
Have a whale of a time with this Irish theater festival
If you haven’t seen all nine original digital productions that the Irish Repertory Theatre (IRT) created during the COVID-19 shutdown, you’re in luck. That’s because the New York City-based theater company will show all nine productions for its Theatre @ Home Winter Festival. It will start on Jan. 26...
Temptation to linger on Lincoln Road
Photo courtesy of Ernesto Sempoll Mia Matthews and Gerald McCullouch play sparring siblings in a play about greed, All I Want is Everything, part of Miami New Drama’s Seven Deadly Sins. Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road will remain sinful for at least 15 more days. After weeks of sold-out performances, Miami...
Everyone’s favorite ogre to rise again at Area Stage Company
Photo courtesy of Area Stage Company In the 2018 production, Shrek (Ryan Bauta) gives fair warning to anyone daring to enter his territory By AARON KRAUSE It really isn’t easy being green. In fact, in the fictional world, such characters as Wicked’s Elphaba, Jim Henson’s Kermit the Frog, and...
Island City Stage offers ‘Compensation’ as its next production
PHOTO BY MATT TIPPINS The cast of Island City Stage’s upcoming production of Compensation comprises (l-r) Stephen Kaiser, Gaby Tortoledo, and Israel Vinas. When Island City Stage (ICS) Artistic Director Andy Rogow discovered a new piece titled Compensation, “I knew right away this was a play...
