By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”) Imagine Alice Walker’s book “The Color Purple” in which the story of Celie would be a happy tale. Walker would write of an idyllic, happy childhood in which Celie’s mother and father unconditionally love him and his brother Nettie. Later, when the siblings attend college together, they […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) The partial collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel under construction in New Orleans on Saturday, October 12, sent tons of debris and a crane across the street impacting the historic Saenger Theater building, where the national tour of Wicked was being housed. With street closures around the […]
By ROY BERKO There is an old adage in the theater that an audience should not leave a musical theater production whistling sets and costumes. In other words, it should be the music and story-line that are most important. Obviously, the person who dreamt up that line hadn’t been exposed to Julie Traymor’s costumes and […]
By ROY BERKO When I saw Come From Away on Broadway I was totally blown away! As the lights faded on the last scene, I shot out of my seat to give a standing, yelling salute. Yes, me, the person who doesn’t believe in standing ovations unless the show is an A+ was totally “in” on awarding this […]
By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — Do yourself a favor: Do not think about Come From Away as just another show “about 9/11.” To be sure, this remarkable true story would not exist had the terrorist attacks on one of the world’s darkest days not occurred. But Come From Away, which is hardly depressing, is about so much more […]
By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — A couple of reviews of A Bronx Tale, the Broadway musical, describe the show as a blending between Jersey Boys and West Side Story. Many might rightly agree. However, we should add to that mix Guys and Dolls as well as Memphis the Musical. True, A Bronx Tale features a fictional fledgling singing group. Perhaps, if they were real, one […]
By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — With Hamilton capturing the theater world’s attention like few shows in recent memory, it can be easy to pass without a glance the marquee of another musical phenomenon that has played on Broadway seemingly forever. Of course, the latter show is The Lion King. It will quietly enter its 22nd year on the Great […]
By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Dramamine is not one of the products for sale in the theater lobbies where the Broadway musical adaptation of Anastasia plays. But if you are prone to motion sickness or equilibrium disturbances, you may want to consider asking your doctor or pharmacist about taking medication before attending. To be sure, nothing […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) New Orleans is finally in the room where it happens. The groundbreaking work of Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton: An American Musical, currently on its second national tour at the historic Saenger Theater, offers theatre lovers an opportunity to expand their minds and break free from the past in […]
By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — The woman of the moment rises. She approaches us with purpose, flashes a welcoming smile and waves warmly and enthusiastically to us. Perhaps the suddenly-skyrocketed wattage resulting from her warmth and brightness tempts us to silently hum the opening lyrics to the iconic title song. Of course, that number is “Hello, Dolly!,” […]