‘Broadway Bound’ illustrates necessity of humor, family ties in today’s world
MARGATE, Fla. — What state of mind would we find ourselves in today’s world without the comforts of humor and family? To be blunt: We’d buckle under the weight of all the uncertainty and danger that has just added to the fragility of life. If Neil Simon were working on a...
Palm Beach Dramaworks offers a faithful, fresh ‘1776’
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Setting the musical “1776” in present-day England is probably not a good idea. Fortunately, no such piece-destroying choice is made by Clive Cholerton, director of Palm Beach Dramaworks’ brilliant current production. The well-known historical musical about our founding fathers’ mission to make America independent from...
‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ resonates 60 years after its Broadway opening
NEW YORK CITY — Jessica Lange is off, if she hasn’t already arrived, to her isolated Minnesota cabin where “peace and quiet,” reign, she has told Playbill magazine. Hopefully, Lange’s place for respite isn’t nearly as dark and dreary as the summer home occupied by the long-suffering Tyrone family in...
‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’ still a transformative experience
FORT LAUDERDALE — Let’s pretend we’re about to go on a vacation, shall we? After the horrific shootings in Orlando and other tragic events, sure, we mourned. But let’s embark on a very familiar, multi-award-winning Disney experience that will still prove to be transformative, refreshing, energetic and feel fresh. It...
‘Heathers the Musical’ is enjoying triumphant production in Ft. Lauderdale
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The adjective “Beautiful” seems out of place in a show dealing with homicide, suicide, school bullying and peer pressure. That’s especially true in light of the recent mass shooting in Orlando that left about 50 dead and about the same amount injured. Some may feel uncomfortable...
‘Feeding the Bear’ is a painfully recognizable act in this touching play
WILTON MANORS, Fla. — A young man with a life threatening illness decides to become infected with the HIV virus. He figures contracting it represents his best chance at receiving healthcare. A black man at the turn of the century makes a fortune by composing minstrel songs. These storylines from...
GableStage presents riveting production of ‘Royale’ knockout of a play
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — A boxer has enough trouble fighting his opponent. What if he had to endure two battles during the same match? Such is the case in “The Royale,” Marco Ramirez’s taut, tough, thought-provoking and riveting play receiving a remarkable southeastern premiere at GablesStage in Coral Gables. The...
Letting Pulitzer-Prize-winning play ‘The Flick’ grow on you will prove fruitful
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. — You’re bound to raise or lower an eyebrow as you enter the theater for Annie Baker’s Pulitzer-Prize winning comedy-drama “The Flick.” You make your entrance onto the “stage,” which in this case is the traditional audience seating area. Your seat is on what’s usually the real...
Sondheim revue comes together quite well at Stage Door Theatre
MARGATE, Fla. — South Florida theater professionals this season have demonstrated a hefty appetite for Stephen Sondheim, with presentations of several of his shows. Hopefully, the theatergoing public has shared the enthusiasm for this sophisticated, bold, creative artist; Sondheim, one of the greatest lyricists/composers ever, offers meaty, muscular, brainy fare....
Stepping into tradition on the Broadway stage
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Michael Bernardi lost his father, Herschel, when he was not yet two. Still, for much of his life, he has sensed his father’s presence. For Michael, his dad has come alive through anecdotes told by “little Jewish ladies.” They’d “pinch his cheeks” while telling him...