Tag Archives: Karen Stephens

The Cancellation of Lauren Fein at Palm Beach Dramaworks

    By Oline H. Cogdill On the surface, Lauren Fein would seem to be immune to the fallout of the cancel culture. She’s a brilliant research scientist whose ground-breaking sickle-cell research brings in millions to the private university where …

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Clyde’s launches Zoetic Stage’s 14th season

By Oline H. Cogdill A sandwich is more than ingredients between two slices of bread at Clyde’s, the truck stop diner that is the setting and title of Lynn Nottage’s deliciously insightful play now receiving a superb production at Zoetic …

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Boca Stage’s Time Alone Examines Grief, Doubt Within Two Isolated People

Time Alone brings out moments of self-doubt; of deep, endless grief; questions of what ifs and should haves —so skillfully explored in Boca Stage’s scintillating Time Alone. Credit director Genie Croft and first-class actors Karen Stephens & Rio Chavarro — who elevate it into a bold, emotional production.

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Dorothy’s Dictionary at Theatre Lab Is Entry Worth Looking Up

In a time when so much theater and film seem dependent on sling-shots of unexpected left turns there’s a quiet life-affirming pleasure in a work that follows precisely the arc you expect from its familiar telegraphy. Such is the world premiere of E.M. Lewis’ Dorothy’s Dictionary at Theatre Lab – a warm and poignant celebration of words, books and bonds between people who love them

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Slow Burn Gives New Life To Matilda Musical

Slow Burn Theatre Company’s Matilda is a lesson in theater education, showing how a regional director takes a successful Broadway show and road tour and makes it his own highly entertaining production that showcases many homegrown talents from South and Central Florida.

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Armature Combines Race, Politics & Sex In Call For Change

Armature premiering at Island City Stage explores racism, politics, homosexuality, marital relations in tale suffused with humor and tragedy. The deeply committed work of the cast, co-directors and design team delivers the guts of Andrew Kramer’s overarching earnest call to aggressively address the social challenges of the day. But this admirable production illustrates the script still need a bit more work.

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Dickens Nailed It: South Florida Theater Two Years In Review

If Dickens’ opening line in A Tale of Two Cities has become a trite cliché through overuse it has become a painfully accurate truism about theater over the past two years, especially South Florida theater. Crippling loss and inspiring resurrection. Surrender and perseverance. And , now, the Covid threat has reasserted. But looking back on those two years delivers a testament worth celebrating and learning from.

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2020 SoFla Theater: What A Long Strange Trip It’s Been

A look back at 2020: Yes, South Florida theater was crippled by the pandemic. But its acolytes remained driven to express their artistry, and patrons remained ravenous for their work. They continued to explore projects, create avenues and seek paychecks with efforts ranged from filmed full-fledged productions to monologues newly penned in bedrooms.

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Coming: Hamlet in the A.M., MNM Gets Closer Than Ever, Lupone Sends A Live Concert

With exploratory baby steps, South Florida theater companies are staging events: A cut-down Hamlet by the Shakespeare Troupe, a filmed full production of Closer Than Ever by MNM, and Patti LuPone in a livestreamed concert for the Broward Center.

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Racism & South Florida Theater: Changing The Dance Steps

Asked to spotlight specific problems and potential solutions, everybody had a story of racism infecting the South Florida theater community. Some cited unintentional micro-aggressions in pressure-laden rehearsals. Others underscored systemic failings whose reform will require leaders, supporters and audiences to revaluate everything from what goes on stage to who decides what goes on stage.

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