University of Miami’s current production is probably ‘As You Like It’
CORAL GABLES — If you’re like many people, the hectic atmosphere amid the “the real world,” takes a toll after a while. You need an escape to a serene setting to relax, slowly think through problems and possible solutions while allowing yourself to breath easily, unwind and even have fun....
Arsht’s 2016-17 season is ‘Beautiful,’ royal and ‘Wonderful’
At this time around next year, something beautiful will appear at the Adrienne Arsht Center in downtown Miami as part of the 2016-2017 Broadway in Miami series. Two shows after “Beautiful–The Carole King Musical” plays the Arsht, “Something Wonderful” will take over the stage; a touring production of the latest,...
‘Matilda The Musical’ dark, delightful
FT. MYERS, Fla. — There’s a scene in the visually-enthralling, dark and delightful “Matilda the Musical” in which Roald Dahl’s little heroin delights the town librarian with a tale that, in some ways, mirrors what happens in the musical. The librarian’s disturbed by a part of the tale. “It’s only...
Precocious young boy is a reviewer/cheerleader for the theater
He’s a 7-year-old theater reviewer who: A) loves Shakespeare’s poetry and B) can articulate what many adults might wonder after witnessing Samuel Beckett’s absurdist, seemingly meaningless play “Waiting for Godot.” Oh, and he interviewed stars on the red carpet before last year’s Tony Awards telecast in June. He was 6,...
Actors Playhouse triumphs again with ‘West Side Story’
CORAL GABLES — After Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre staged the iconic, beloved musical “West Side Story” in 1997, the widely and deservedly respected and honored regional theater won a Carbonell Award for “Best Production of a Musical.” Expect at least a nomination for another such award, which recognizes...
‘Motown the Musical’ makes for a memorable evening of much-loved music
MIAMI — They swayed, they sang along, they clapped. Who knows, some in the audience perhaps even danced. This was, after all, a performance of a national touring production of “Motown the Musical.” And who among us can say we haven’t been touched or moved by Berry Gordy’s famed record...
What’s GableStage’s current production? ‘Only’ a great, satisfying, comedic pleasure.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Successful comedies about the theater, whether they take place backstage or in a producer’s lofty Manhattan mansion, give us a pleasurable, comical and even perhaps educational look into an area of theater that those of us in the field rarely, if ever, get even a peek....
Touching ‘Golem of Havana’ ties figure from Jewish folklore to Cuban revolution
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — What does a musical set in 1958 Havana during the reign of Castro predecessor and dictator Fulgencio Batista have to do with a molded-from-clay monster from Jewish folklore? More than you’d think, playwright-director Michel Hausmann will tell you. Inquire further, and Hausmann will no doubt discuss–and...
‘Ragtime’ more relevant than ever in commendable touring production
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — All the black woman wanted was help for her husband, whose car was vandalized by a bigoted fire chief and his cronies. The seemingly harmless, helpless lady sought assistance from a visiting vice presidential candidate at a rally, but authorities quickly clubbed her to death. The...
‘Sound of Music’ proves its timeliness more than 55 years after Broadway opening
MIAMI — There’s a touching moment in the beloved musical classic “The Sound of Music,” during which Naval Captain Georg von Trapp, still hurting emotionally inside from the death of his wife, remarks that he hears his children singing. Up to this point, music reminded him too much of their...