Which new plays will receive top national awards?

Which new plays will receive top national awards?

By AARON KRAUSE Six finalists for a prestigious national new play award share in common at least one timely theme, according to a new plays committee chairman. Specifically, The American Theatre Critics Association’s Lou Harry said that “a yearning for connectivity — and astute awareness of the challenges to forging...

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‘Skylight’ nourishes the mind and entertains at Palm Beach Dramaworks

‘Skylight’ nourishes the mind and entertains at Palm Beach Dramaworks

Photo by Alicia Donelan Kyra Hollis (Sarah Street) is deep in thought in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ production of Skylight. By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — Echoes of Henry Higgins and Eliza Dolittle emanate from the stage in Skylight. It is the curious title to British playwright Sir David Hare’s...

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A vibrant ‘Hamilton’ invades Miami

A vibrant ‘Hamilton’ invades Miami

    By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — At this time, drama students do not have license to mount a production of the musical phenomenon, Hamilton. But just you wait — just you wait! Once youngsters, many of whom are committed activists these days, get their chance to climb into passionate,...

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Wick Theatre’s ‘The Music Man’ mesmerizes

Wick Theatre’s ‘The Music Man’ mesmerizes

        Photo by Amy Pasquantonio John Tartaglia works his magic as Harold Hill in The Wick Theatre’s production of The Music Man.   By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON –Before Lin-Manuel Miranda there was Meredith Willson. Sure, Miranda’s bold use of non-traditional musical genres in Hamilton may have changed...

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Family-oriented ‘When She Had Wings’ soars at Theatre Lab

Family-oriented ‘When She Had Wings’ soars at Theatre Lab

            By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON — If you listen closely, you’ll hear what sounds like the opening notes to the Stephen Sondheim classic, “Send in the Clowns” as part of the music to Theatre Lab’s magical production of When She Had Wings. Chances are, this...

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Intrigue, laughs and multi-skilled actors help make ‘Murder for Two’ a hot ticket

Intrigue, laughs and multi-skilled actors help make ‘Murder for Two’ a hot ticket

  Photo by Alberto Romeu Mark Schenfish and Martin Landry appear in a  scene from Murder for Two at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.   By AARON KRAUSE CORAL GABLES, Fla. — It’s hardly a mystery as to what has endeared the madcap musical comedy Murder for Two to many...

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 ‘She Shorts’ empowers, delights  

 ‘She Shorts’ empowers, delights  

    Photo courtesy of Thinking Cap Theatre and City Theatre An intense scene plays out in Webster’s Bitch, one of several pieces comprising the inaugural presentation of She Shorts.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Looking back, the all-around beneficial collaboration seemed inevitable. To begin with, throughout its...

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Complex, relatable Precious Little succeeds in a big way at Thinking Cap Theatre

Complex, relatable Precious Little succeeds in a big way at Thinking Cap Theatre

  Photo by Nicole Stodard Brodie (Sabrina Lynn Gore, back) is intrigued — and comforted — by an ape, played by Carol Sussman in Precious Little.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Awww, isn’t it cute how the little monkey with sad, puppy-dog eyes is sucking on a pacifier?...

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Crossing Delancey is heartwarming at the Levis JCC

Crossing Delancey is heartwarming at the Levis JCC

  PHOTO BY ALAN NASH Izzy (Hannah Marks, far left) clearly doesn’t want to hear what Hannah the matchmaker (Betsy Lichtman, far right) is saying in the Levis JCC Sandler Center Theater production of Crossing Delancey. Pictured between Izzy and Hannah are Sam (Mark Kirschenbaum) and Bubbie (Fern Katz).   ...

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Director learns from actors while staging complex classic ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Director learns from actors while staging complex classic ‘A Raisin in the Sun’

(Ryan Arnst Photography/Courtesy) Walter Lee Younger (Jovon Jacobs) is in obvious agony. Jacobs plays a suffering, flawed offspring in New City Players’ powerful production of A Raisin in the Sun.   By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — The prospect of directing A Raisin in the Sun thrilled Mary Elizabeth Gundlach....

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