Author Archives: Bill Hirschman

The Walls Have Ears Explores Brutal Terror in 1962 Cuba

Politics, family and revolution—each volatile in their own way—provide the harrowing backdrop for Robby Ramos’ debut drama The Walls Have Ears, having its world premiere through May 14 at the Westchester Cultural Arts Center in Miami.

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Theatre Lab’s Refuge Examines Immigration Through Mysticism, Magic and Theatricality

Embracing the eloquence of imaginative theatricality, Theatre Lab’s Refuge depicts a deeply moving journey through the immigration crisis viewed not as a political issue, but a complex human one. It melds music, drama, humor, puppetry, and speeches in Spanish, resulting in a campfire story told through magical realism and mysticism.

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A New Company, Loxen, Bows Little Shop Of Horrors In Miami

It’s always commendable to have new theaters with emerging talent start in South Florida, especially when the goal is to feature local performers. Loxen Productions shows potential with its fourth production, Little Shop of Horrors, performed in its permanent home, the ARTime Theater in Miami.

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Folk-County Music & Soaring Actress Power Actors’ Playhouse’s Bright Star

Actors Playhouse’s lively Bright Star is a folk-country fable replete with spirited dances, classic character types, a genuine respect for everyday folk, and, ultimately, a moral about bedrock virtues persevering over profound tragedy. But this production’s strengths are its banjo-and-fiddle bluegrass score and its soaring performance by Kimberly Doreen Burns.

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Tuneful, Touching Always…. Patsy Cline Is Far From Crazy

Always…Patsy Cline is a cross between a memory play, historical piece, and jukebox musical that is receiving an admirable production from Arts Center Management, the City of Lauderhill and the hosting Lauderhill Performing Arts Center

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Dramaworks’ Devastating, Searing August: Osage County

You don’t want to go home again. Certainly, that’s the Weston family manse in the desolate prairie of Oklahoma as depicted in Palm Beach Dramaworks’ searing, devastating portrait of toxic family dysfunction in Tracy Lett’s masterpiece, August: Osage County, featuring as superb an ensemble as anyone could ask for, expertly molded by director William Hayes.

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A Very Different But Fully Satisfying ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’

Other than the outlines of Harper Lee’s plot, do not go to the superb national tour of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Broward Center expecting echoes of the cherished movie. The style, structure, approach, even subtle thematic emphases have been reimagined to create its own incisive offering, well-distanced from the 1962 film.

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Wicked Still Defying Gravity

So much has been written about Wicked—now 20 years on Broadway and making its umpteenth stop in South Florida—it seems like defying gravity to find something fresh to say about this popular musical. But that’s easy when Wicked’s latest incarnation is as entertaining as the production at the Arsht Center and transferring to the Kravis Center. 

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Kravis Next Season’s Includes Jagged Little Pill; Boca Stage + MNM For Thriller & Comedy

The 2023-24 theater season in South Florida includes alliance of Boca Stage and MNM Theatre’s Wait Until Dark and Boeing Boeing; Kravis Center has Tina, Six, Hamilton and Jagged Little Pill.

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Feature: My Fair Lady Revival On Tour Has New-Found Depth

Madeline Powell, who plays Eliza Doolittle, and Jonathan Grunert, who stars opposite her as Professor Henry Higgins, in the Broadway national tour of My Fair Lady coming to the Arsht Center, agree that there’s a depth in the production that goes deeper than familiar and beautiful songs, and lush costumes and sets.

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