Touring production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ offers a relatable titular character
Photo by Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman, MurphyMade Jesus Christ (Aaron LaVigne) stands out in this dance number from the 50th anniversary national touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. By AARON KRAUSE Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s glorious music is front and center in the moving and intense,...
This time, we are in the room when ‘The Belle of Amherst’ happens
Emily Dickinson (Margery Lowe) embraces life in William Luce’s one-performer play, The Belle of Amherst By AARON KRAUSE While looking at them through wide, radiant brown eyes, Emily Dickinson extends the black cake to her guests. This time, no screen separates the famed poetess from her visitors. Would they...
‘Water by the Spoonful’ is richly symbolic, moving
Photo by Ryan Arnst The title ‘Water by the Spoonful’ is symbolic in the play. In the above photo, Arlette del Toro, as Haikumom, appears in a scene from the play. By AARON KRAUSE If you are trying to escape from a stressful past or painful situation, taking small,...
Live, in-person audience to join ‘Belle of Amherst’
By AARON KRAUSE When Margery Lowe starred as Emily Dickinson last year in a filmed theatrical co-production of William Luce’s 1976 Broadway play, The Belle of Amherst, the performer lacked her scene partner. Fortunately for Lowe, the partner will be back when she soon reprises her role as the...
‘Cats’ still wins us over
Photo by Matthew Murphy The Jellicle Cats appear close together, suggesting a tight-knit group. By AARON KRAUSE They cartwheel, crawl, kick, shake, sing, slide, spin, somersault, speak, jump, kneel, tap dance, talk, walk, and leap – right into our hearts. Even after more than four decades, these felines still...
MNM’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ is a mixed bag
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Miss Adelaide (Leah Sessa) wishes her fiance, Nathan Detroit (Larry Buzzeo, right) would marry her in MNM Theatre Company’s production of “Guys and Dolls.” By AARON KRAUSE Accurately depicting Damon Runyon’s fantasy world of colorful characters can prove a tough task. In particular, a director...
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...
‘Ben Butler’ is not your average play about war
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Major Cary (Jim Gibbons) argues with Major General Benjamin Butler (Troy J. Stanley) in Boca Stage’s production of Ben Butler. By AARON KRAUSE You normally would not expect to laugh uproariously while watching a play about the Civil War, set during that time period. But...
‘Anastasia’ awes in national touring production
Photo by Jeremy Daniel Anya (Kyla Stone) goes on a journey into her past in the non-equity touring production of Anastasia, currently playing in Miami. By AARON KRAUSE A ride up the Eiffel Tower and a journey by train through the early 20th century European countryside are some...