‘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...
‘4000 Miles’ nourishes the soul at PBD
Photo by Alicia Donelan Leo Joseph-Connell (Gabriell Salgado) and Vera Joseph (Patricia Conolly) share a moment in Palm Beach Dramawork’s production of 4000 Miles. By AARON KRAUSE In the musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Huck and runaway slave, Jim, use distance as a metaphor to describe the...
New play about veteran actor has potential
Photo by Magnus Stark Ruben Rabasa appears as himself in the world premiere of Rubenology: The Making of An American Legend. By AARON KRAUSE Rubenology: The Making of An American Legend is a new one-person play whose title suggests a journey or process. Actually, the piece itself has a...
Boca Stage’s ‘Rx’ is just what the doctor ordered
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Dr. Phil Gray (Timothy Mark Davis) is in desperate need of help as Ed (Jim Gibbons) tries to provide assistance. By AARON KRAUSE Connected shapes dot the dark upstage wall as part of the set design for Boca Stage’s humorous, touching, and believable production of...
‘Joe Papp at the Ballroom’ offers an up-close look at a legend
Photo by Magnus Stark Avi Hoffman appears as Joe Papp By AARON KRAUSE If you wish to catch The Music Man on Broadway, a seat about four rows from the stage will cost you $714. That is not a misprint. And if you decide instead to sit in the...
‘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...
‘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...
Watch the world premieres of five short musicals
Could the next Hamilton or Dear Evan Hansen emerge from a musical theater partnership in the Cleveland area? A collaboration between the Beck Center for the Arts and the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre Program has existed for 10 years. And this month, the collaborating partners will present five...
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...