Monthly Archives: April 2014

Theater Shelf: Godspell, Death Takes A Holiday, The King(s) and I (Actually Several I’s)

Theater Shelf, a recurring feature, reviews recently-released books, CDs and DVDs of interest to theater lovers. Some are popular titles like a new Original Cast Recording, others are works you’ll be intrigued by, but didn’t even know about.

Posted in Book Reviews, CDs / DVDs, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Humana Festival’s New Plays Glimpse What May/Should Come To South Florida Theaters Soon

If you’re seeking safe, predictable mainstream theater, avoid the annual Humana Festival of New Plays at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. If you seeking “thought-provoking, edgy new work,” this is the mecca for South Floridians who want to glimpse what theater is evolving into during the coming decades.

Posted in Features, Performances, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

One More Trip Over The River At Stage Door Remains Warm And Funny Just Not As Vibrant

After nearly two decades of South Florida productions, the hilarious and poignant Over The River And Through The Woods has lost a bit of its power in this perfectly workmanlike and mildly affecting edition by Broward Stage Door. This trip to grandmother’s house may not be as vibrant as the one in your memory, but it still warms the gut like Aida’s ever-present pan of lasagna.

Posted in Performances, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Fresh New Argentina, Of Sorts, For Evita At The Kravis

This national tour of the 2012 Broadway revival of Evita is a strong fresh edition that gives the raw material a thorough makeover but does not deconstruct the piece. The experience is helped immeasurably by the clarion voices of the lead actors. The only facets missing most of the time are the electric sizzle and raging passions that marked earlier productions.

Posted in Performances, Reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wick Takes A Chance With Mixed Bouquet Of Steel Magnolias

See Magnolias for all of the lovely elements the Wick’s production contains and its insightful direction by Mr. Joerder. Some of the thornier aspects should eventually get worked out and by no means are they a reason to dismiss a night of sweet Magnolias at the Wick.

Posted in Performances, Reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Have I Got A Girl For You Entertains, But Proves Island City’s Savvy For New Works

The small, yet “can do” Island City Stage swept the Carbonell Awards for the drama The Timekeepers. Its latest comedy, Have I Got A Girl For You, has an originality that shows what this company really can do.

Posted in Performances, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Demos-Brown Wins Citation In Steinberg/ATCA Competition

Miami playwright Christopher Demos-Brown received a prestigious citation this weekend from one of the most esteemed playwriting programs in the country, the Harold and Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award. The selection was based on the script for his play Fear Up Harsh that premiered in November at Zoetic Stage.

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Outré’s Mr. Marmalade Is An Acquired Taste, Perfect for Savvy Theatergoers

Outré Theater Company goes out on a limb for Mr. Marmalade and for savvy audience members who want to be challenged, it couldn’t be more smartly satisfying.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mae West Play, Dirty Blonde, Doesn’t Quite Seduce At Plaza

The Plaza Theatre’s production of Dirty Blonde, a story of the blessings and curse of celebrity as seen in the life of Mae West, is similarly a conundrum of contradiction – the cast delivers appealing performances, but the play never captures the sex symbol’s blissful bawdiness and nova-like lifeforce that has invigorated other editions.

Posted in Performances, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

New Theatre’s Look At Saturday Night Live Not Ready For Prime Time Never Peaks

New Theatre’s debut of the new, locally written work, Not Ready for Primetime, has a way to go before it is actually ready for prime time

Posted in Performances, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment