‘Dry Powder’ isn’t dry theater as GableStage’s powerful production proves
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The two characters with opposing views in “Dry Powder,” a scorching, relevant, riveting and unpredictable comic-drama set in the high-stakes world of big-city finance, might as well wear protective helmets and faceguards. There’s enough verbal combat to leave the combatants bloody and bruised if the power...
‘Something Rotten’s!’ current tour is perfect timing for arts funding advocacy
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — If you need extra incentive to advocate for arts funding in the wake of the proposed elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities as part of President Trump’s budget, what better way to receive that added drive than by...
‘A Special Day’ staged in a unique way by Miami New Drama
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — You might have seen the 1977 Italian, Academy Award-nominated film “A Special Day” (“Una Giornata Particolare” in Italian). But you likely haven’t seen it performed on stage in the ingenious manner Miami New Drama is presenting the comic, touching story. You have four more chances to...
A big bravo to Slow Burn Theatre Company’s ‘Big River’
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Ft. Lauderdale-based Slow Burn Theatre Company demonstrates why it received 12 Carbonell Award nominations this year through its strong production of “Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” It’s easy to gloss over the musical’s flaws with the talent on display on the Broward Center for...
‘Fiddler on the Roof’ lyricist fondly looks back on his career
Sheldon Harnick’s mind was stuck on a lyric, but his body was on the move. He walks or finds other ways to get moving to free his creative process when he’s suffering a case of writer’s block. A truck was also in motion. It was headed toward the award-winning, legendary...
‘Anything Goes’ at Ft. Myers dinner theater proves a pure, delightful escape
FT. MYERS, Fla. — As many recent South Florida productions have proven, live theater can powerfully mirror the ails of today. But there’s a limit as to how much dark, disturbing fare, however timely, we can take before we become overwhelmed. At certain points, we require pure escapism. Broadway Palm...
Florida Rep.’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ speaks to us
The program for Florida Repertory Theatre’s powerful production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” lists Maycomb, Ala., 1935 as the time and setting. That is partially correct: Director Robert Cacioppo’s smart staging of the classic, based on Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, takes place as much in 2017 in Anytown, USA...
This ‘Little Mermaid’ largely sinks
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The mostly dull theme park attraction which opened Wednesday at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts isn’t without merit. Diana Huey, who plays the lead role of mermaid Ariel in the second-rate attraction (sorry, musical) “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” can sing pleasantly, powerfully and clearly. She...
Chief villain of ‘Newsies” can bring to mind our current commander-in-chief
It’s probably not popular to brand a journalist a villain during these early days of the Trump presidency, what with his attacks on the media. Champions of the First Amendment surely will cast journalists in a positive light and “The Donald” in a negative one. But flash back to the...
Carousel’s emotions, moods vividly depicted in Actors Playhouse outsanding production
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Many would argue that, in today’s troubled world, we especially need to hear the comforting song “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The moving, majestic, memorable melody is one of many Richard Rodgers’ and Oscar Hammerstein II’s gems that stick in our mind and soul once we’ve heard...
