Tag Archives: Larry Buzzeo
A Musical Beauty ‘Pageant’ Like None You’ve Seen – Probably
The musical comedy Pageant at Island City Stage delivers a lush array of talented contestants in carefully coifed wigs and gowns — except they’re all men.
Bent’s Horrors Go Beyond Homicidal Homophobia; Asks What Would You Do If Targeted
Bent deserves honor for putting recognizable human beings amid Hitler’s decimation of homosexuals during the Holocaust – and re-reminding the public of this horror. But rising above the gender topicality of Sherman’s script in Empire Stage’s uneven, but ultimately scorching production are universal issues about the challenge of preserving yourself basic humanity in such times.
No Mystery Here: Irma Vep is a Madcap Hoot at Island City
Andy Rogow is the director of Island City Stage’s The Mystery of Irma Vep, but were he a less humble man, he might also take the title of chief illusionist or conjurer. For the production is nothing if not a magic show, a self-aware cornucopia of tricks from a creakier, more analog time of stage wizardry.
Despite Fine Moments, Guys and Dolls Doesn’t Quite Land
Despite being one of the greatest musicals of all time, Guys and Dolls always poses a difficult make-or-break challenge that determines if a production is mildly entertaining or sublime. So, MNM Theatre Company, which has given us some terrific evenings, delivers some fine individual moments here and there, but they never find that elusive groove.
Grease May Be The One You Might Want From MNM
Grease certainly is the word as the classic rock ‘n’ roll musical glides its way into a solid staging as the first joint production of MNM Theatre Company, North End Theater Company, and the City of Lauderhill. Add also the words energetic, entertaining and engaging as Grease’s enthusiastic cast takes its audiences back to the tunes and attitudes of 1959.
The Graduate Earns A “C” But It Can’t Compare To The “A” Film
Given the multiple challenges inherent in mounting a stage version of the iconic film The Graduate, the Empire Stage production does reasonably well because of the commitment of everyone involved, but it does not qualify any better than an average night of theater.
Measure for Measure Delivers A Rousing ‘In the Heights’
Measure For Measure Theatre’s rousing production in Sunrise brings into focus that Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’s musical is, at its heart, about the twin themes of dreams and community, and their intersection. With passion and ebullience, this edition documents an evolving fluid community of varied mutually supportive souls pursuing a variety of dreams.
Stage Door’s La Cage Surely Entertains But Feels Lackluster
Broward Stage Door’s La Cage aux Folles stresses the universal virtues of love and loyalty, delivered with only a wry smile to acknowledge that its protagonists are an aging gay couple including one drag queen. While undeniably entertaining and featuring some rich voices, this edition is noticeably missing some of the pizzazz that the material requires to make it a memorable evening.
Victor/Victoria Is Two Times The Fun With Emphasis On Antics
There’s more than a bit of Noel Coward running through Broward Stage Door Theatre’s Victor/Victoria. It’s what makes this production tick, a true understanding, and might we say, appreciation of the slapstick foundation of the 1995 Broadway musical version of Blake Edward’s 1982 movie.
Intriguing Script Needs A Lot More Work In Island City’s The Radicalization Of Rolfe
The world premiere The Radicalization of Rolfe at Island City Stage implies a truly intriguing nesting of premises: starting with how Rolfe, the sweet messenger boy romancing Liesl in The Sound of Music ends up with a swastika on his arm helping the Nazis hunt down the Von Trapps? But this gay-themed drama needs a lot more work on the script.
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