‘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...
‘One More Yesterday’ deserves a bright future
Lydia Taylor (Angie Radosh) becomes quite popular after starring in The Vigalanny Granny. By AARON KRAUSE Let’s not mince words: Versatile theater artist Ronnie Larsen’s new musical, One More Yesterday, is a life-affirming, funny, touching, imaginative, and gorgeous show that will invigorate you. Indeed, if you are a theater...
New City Players’ ‘Cry Old Kingdom’ emits a vital sound
The artist Edwin (Denzel McCausland) and his wife, Judith (Odlenika Joseph) harbor different ideas about how to deal with the murderous Duvalier regime in 1960s Haiti in New City Players’ production of Cry Old Kingdom. By AARON KRAUSE What sacrifices would you make for freedom? What about just to...
‘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,...
‘Red Speedo’ represents a nice depature from Ronnie Larsen’s usual fare
Dennis Dean/courtesy Ray (Gabriell Salgado) speaks with his brother Peter (Chris Anthony Ferrer) in Ronnie Larsen’s production of Red Speedo. By AARON KRAUSE How far would you really go to win if the stakes were sky high, you encountered at least one significant obstacle, and were desperate? Perhaps it...
Ronnie Larsen’s ‘The Actors’ is suitable for almost all ages
Photo by Jeff Walters “Actor Jay” (Chad Raven) prepares to blow out his birthday candles during a scene from Ronnie Larsen’s comedy-drama The Actors. Pictured from left to right are “Actor Jay,” Jean (Jeni Hacker), Clarence (David Kwiat), and Larsen. By AARON KRAUSE Many people know versatile live...
Island City Stage’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is consistently entertaining
Photo by Matthew Tippins Nicodemus Underwood (Larry Buzzeo, back) startles Jane Twisden (Bruce Linser) in Island City Stage’s production of The Mystery of Irma Vep. By AARON KRAUSE Comic brilliance is on display at Island City Stage (ICS). There, a side-splitting production of the hilarious 1984 spoof, The Mystery...
Island City Stage demonstrates boldness by producing ‘Suddenly Last Summer’
Photo by Matthew Tippins An overwhelmed Catharine (Jeanine Gangloff Levy) rests her head against Dr. Cukrowicz’s chest (Jonathan Furedy) during a scene from Island City’s Stage’s production of Suddenly Last Summer. By AARON KRAUSE A grieving mother fights to keep her late son’s reputation blemish-free. Family members argue over...
Explosive ‘Armature’ erupts at Island City Stage
Photo by Matthew Tippins Shod (Michael Ford) and Evan (Matthew Salas) appear in a passionate scene from Island City Stage’s world premiere production of Armature. By AARON KRAUSE Shod, a gay man in Andrew Kramer’s sexy and searing, dark and disturbing new play, Armature, removes his white, sleeveless shirt....
New City Players’ ‘Lungs’ is eye-opening
Photo by Ryan Arnst Marlo Rodriguez and Denzel McCausland appear in one of the more upbeat scenes in Lungs By AARON KRAUSE In Duncan Macmillan’s devastating drama, Lungs, a woman and her lover’s decision to have a kid could come with dire consequences. Let her explain. “I could fly...
