World premiere of ‘Starmaker’ shines bright at Island City Stage
Photo courtesy of Wentzler Photography Henry Willson (David Edwards) feels like he’s on top of the world, surrounded by his star “creations” in Michael Leeds new play, “Starmaker.” The work’s debut production runs through Sept. 8 at Island City Stage, near Ft. Lauderdale. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS — It’s...
‘Veronica’s Position’ entertains, provokes thought at Island City Stage
Photo by George Wentzler Philip Wilder (Ben Sandomir) is flanked by the women in his life. To our left, looking at the screen, is stage director Christina Groom (Mallory Dascomb) and Veronica Fairchild (Laura Hodos) By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — The senator proclaims his vision for...
Island City Stage’s From White Plains packs an emotional punch
Photo by George Wentzler Ethan (Todd Bruno) and John (Alex Alvarez) live it up in Island City Stage’s production of From White Plains. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — William Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” And in a devastatingly honest...
Prolific theater artist finds a welcoming permanent working home in Wilton Manors
Larsen (Photo by Christian Caroll) By AARON KRAUSE For renowned theater artist Ronnie Larsen, “the roots are setting very deep” in Wilton Manors. “It just feels right to stay here,” said the 50-year-old affable man. Larsen has worked in theater in a variety of capacities for most of his life....
Imagining an implausible but delightful scenario with Island City Stage’s ‘Buyer & Cellar’
Photo by George Wentzler Matthew Buffalo plays several roles, including struggling L.A. actor Alex More, in Island City Stage’s production of Buyer & Cellar. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — If Alex More were a real-life struggling actor, you probably wouldn’t want to roll up his sleeves if...
New musical has promise, but flaws hamper it
Photo courtesy of Ronnie Larsen Presents Daniel #1 (Cody Jenkins) snuggles up with Greg #1 (Conor Walton) in the world premiere production of Now & Then. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — Time flashes years forward and backward in sometimes sunny beams of hope and love, but also darker...
‘The Gay Naked Play’ is a fun-filled experience at The Foundry
Photo courtesy of Ronnie Larsen presents The cast of The Gay Naked Play clowns around. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — Sometimes, filling theater seats can be as painful as pregnancy contractions. Just ask expectant mom Amanda. She’s an actress in the off-off-off-off Broadway south Florida theatrical company The...
The Big D is touching, rowdy in world-premiere production of new play at the Abyss Theater
(Photo courtesy of Ronnie Larsen) Chuck (Grant Tambellini) and Todd (Gabriel Andrade) appear in a scene from the world premiere production of Michael Mizerany’s The Big D. By AARON KRAUSE WILTON MANORS, Fla. — For all the raunchy scenes in Michael Mizerany’s new play The Big D, the message...
New universally-relevant McKeever play receives strong world premiere
(Photo by George Wentzler) Mr. Parker (Michael McKeever) and Justin (Samuel Maya) enjoy a playful moment in the world premiere production of Mr. Parker. WILTON MANORS, Fla. — You don’t have to be gay to find resonance in Mr. Parker, a funny, touching play receiving its world premiere at Island...
Putting Irma behind them — eight months later
Matherson WILTON MANORS, Fla. — Daimien J. Matherson and his new South Florida theater company are finally about to put an undesired nickname — and Hurricane Irma — behind them. Almost exactly eight months after the storm invaded South Florida, they’re ready to forget about the storm that postponed their...
