Explosive ‘Armature’ erupts at Island City Stage

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....

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New City Players’ ‘Lungs’ is eye-opening

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...

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Island City Stage’s ‘The Twentieth Century Way’ proves fun, relevant in 2021

Island City Stage’s ‘The Twentieth Century Way’ proves fun, relevant in 2021

Photo courtesy of Island City Stage Clay Cartland (left) and Alfonso Vieites get intimate in Island City Stage’s production of The Twentieth Century Way.   By AARON KRAUSE “I want the truth,” a character says in Tom Jacobson’s highly theatrical play, The Twentieth Century Way. Without a doubt, Jacobson believes...

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‘Bright Colors and Bold Patterns’ is a comic delight at Island City Stage

‘Bright Colors and Bold Patterns’ is a comic delight at Island City Stage

Photo by Matthew Tippins Gerry (Thomas Mark) makes a grand entrance in Island City Stage’s production of Bright Colors and Bold Patterns.   By AARON KRAUSE While watching Drew Droege’s delightfully comic, single-character play, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, one might wonder: Is the horizontally big fellow at the piece’s...

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Island City Stage audiences to see Bright Colors and Bold Patterns

Island City Stage audiences to see Bright Colors and Bold Patterns

  By AARON KRAUSE After producing a couple of timely, thought-provoking plays, Island City Stage (ICS) will wrap up its 9th season with a much lighter piece. Specifically, the Wilton Manors professional, nonprofit company will sport Bright Colors and Bold Patterns from June 4-29. ICS has added mask optional in-theater...

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Island City Stage announces its 10th anniversary season

Island City Stage announces its 10th anniversary season

Photo courtesy of Island City Stage Mike Westrich and Clay Cartland appear in a scene from Island City Stage’s debut production.    By AARON KRAUSE To kick off its 10th anniversary season, Island City Stage will mount a revival of the first play it produced — The Twentieth Century Way...

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ICS’ ‘The Niceties’ neatly captures the zeitgeist

ICS’ ‘The Niceties’ neatly captures the zeitgeist

Photo by Matthew Tippins Zoe (Rachel Michelle Bryant) is clearly unhappy with her professor (Lisa Kay King) in Island City Stage’s production of The Niceties.   By AARON KRAUSE “What are you doing to promote equality?” a black college student demands of her white professor in Eleanor Burgess’s taut, intense,...

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Playwright peels away ‘The Niceties’ from her piece

Playwright peels away ‘The Niceties’ from her piece

  “We spend so much of our time berating the far right for being racist,” Island City Stage (ICS) Associate Artistic Director Michael Leeds says. However, “we don’t often look to ourselves to see how we might be perpetuating the system. We’re always the ‘nice’ guys. But what happens when...

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‘Compensation’ is a compelling, timely new play

‘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...

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Island City Stage offers ‘Compensation’ as its next production

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...

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