The Scene for January 30, 2015

There were a lot of reviews out this week, because a lot of shows opened last week.  Heck, a lot of shows are opening this week, too.

 

What’s really heartening is that among the standards like Cabaret and La Cage Aux Folles, we also have the opportunity to see rarely produced musicals like Ragtime and Bonnie & Clyde.  And there is plenty of new work to be seen, as well as some classics of American theater.

 

And we mustn’t forget the boon that is MicroTheatre Miami; 7 short plays offered Wednesdays through Sundays – you can see one, or see them all.  And we’ve just learned that Tanya Bravo will be playing in one of the micro-plays; A Foot Apart, by Brian Cohen.

 

No, we’re not New York or Chicago, but we have an exceptionally vibrant theatre community, and the work you can see here is the absolute equal of anything you’ll see there.

 
Here's what's playing on South Florida stages this weekend:  

 

Broward Stage Door: Cabaret (reviews)

The Broward Stage Door Theatre opened its production of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret on January 23, 2015.

Set in Berlin’s seedy Kit Kat Klub in 1931, under the ominous presence of the growing National Socialist Party, the show revolves around cabaret performer Sally Bowles, a jaded good-time girl and her relationship with young American writer Cliff Bradshaw.

Cabaret features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes, and some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre including Money Makes The World Go Round, Two Ladies, Maybe This Time and the renowned title song.

Dan Kelly directed a cast that featured Katherine Amadeo, Pierre Tannous, Ronen Bay, Elissa D. Solomon, Michael H. Small, Ben Prayz, Katrina Michaels, Emily Tarallo, James Giordano, Lauren Kay, Sandi M. Stock, Keagan Tanner, Alexandra Dow, Laura Gill, Krystal Millie Valdes, David Vogel and Ben Solmor.

DreamCatcher Theatre: Into the Woods (reviews)

DreamCatcher Theatre Company opened its production of Into the Woods at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on January 22 2015.

…once upon a time, a baker and his wife were sent on a quest into the woods by a mysterious witch. Thrust into a world of magic and adventure, they find their story intertwined with a group of legendary characters including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and a certain young man named Jack who has some very magical beans. Sondheim's brilliant lyrics and gorgeous music, paired with Lapine's captivating book, make this Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about wishes, chasing your dreams, and the importance of the stories we tell our children both magical and deeply touching.

Justin Fortunato directed a cast that included J.J. Caruncho, Arielle Jacobs, Tituss Burgess, Magan Dee Yantko, Bruno Vida, Annemarie Rosano, Elizbeth Dimon, Jeni Hacker, Oscar Cheda, Christina Flores, Elaine Flores, Roland Rusinnek, Kelsey Flynn and Annett Navarro.

GableStage: Choir Boy (reviews)

GableStage opened its production of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy on January 24, 2015.

When a young man is named leader of the celebrated gospel choir at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for African-American Boys, the sweet harmonies of classical spirituals contrast with the bristling tensions that arise. A music-filled story of masculinity, tradition, coming of age and speaking your truth.

Joseph Adler directed a cast that included  James Randolph, Din Griffin, Melvin Cox, Vlad Dorson, Datus Puryear, Samuel Enmund, and Peter Haig

Theatre at Arts Garage: I and You (reviews)

The Theatre at Arts Garage opened its production of Lauren Gunderson’s I and You on January 16, 2015

Only in high school would two completely unconnected people—cranky, chronically ill Caroline and levelheaded basketball star Anthony—be paired to collaborate on a project to deconstruct a poem about the interconnectivity of everything. But as the two teens cram to finish their presentation on Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, a very real connection is made, and they ultimately learn of the deeper mystery that has brought them together.

Louis Tyrrell directed a cast that featured Terry Guest and Gracie Winchester.

The M Ensemble: The Gift Horse (reviews)

The M Ensemble opened its production of Lydia R. The Gift Horse at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center on January 22, 2015

A violinist resonates as Ruth, an African American artist and teacher, struggles to deal with the men in her life. Whether learning to love a friend suffering from HIV or reeling from memories of her father's abuse, Ruth discovers how to appreciate what she has while she has it. The Gift Horse follows Ruth from college, through therapy, into marriage and finally motherhood as she and the violinist explore what makes love easy and what makes love hard.

Lowell Williams directed a cast that included Andy Barbosa, Othon Cardelle, Andre’ L. Gainey, Carey Hart, and Janice G. Muller

Slow Burn Theatre: Bonnie & Clyde (4 reviews)

Slow Burn Theatre Company opened its production of Bonnie & Clyde at the West Boca Performing Arts Theater on January 23, 2014.

At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America’s most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement’s worst nightmares.  Fearless, shameless, and alluring, their electrifying story of love, adventure and crime captured the excited attention of an entire country. Forced to stay on the run from every southern state’s police force, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo’s fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.

Patrick Fitzwater directed a cast that included Jessica BrookeSandford, Bruno Faria, Christian Vandepas, Kaela Antolino, Patrick Rodriquez, David Cohn, Kaitlyn O’Neill, Meredith Bartmon, David Michael Sirois, Idalmy Carcache, Dan Carter, Matthew Korinko, Bradley Mack, Janelle Mack, Rick Pena, Erin Pittleman, Conor Walton, Nicholas V. Ismailoff and Juliette Valle.

The Scene for January 23, 2015

It’s a busy week on the scene: the nominations for the 39th annual Carbonell Awards were announced on Wednesday.  The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on March 30, 2015.  And once again, the South Florida Theatre League will be hosting an after-party just down the street.
 
But the real news this week are all the plays opening across South Florida this weekend.  Five major regional productions open this week, in addition to four productions blowing through this weekend only, a dozen more productions both professional and amatuer -  and this is also the final weekend to catch Mad Cat’s take on Neil Simon’s The Star Spangled Girl.

Here's what's playing on South Florida stages this weekend:  

 

The Wick: La Cage Aux Folles (reviews)

The Wick Theatre Company opened its production of La Cage Aux Folles on January 8, 2015.

Before there was the popular movie The Birdcage, there was the smash hit Broadway musical, La Cage aux Folles. With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and an incredibly inspired book by Harvey Fierstein, it tells the story of a flamboyant gay couple who must pretend to be straight for one night – with one of the men in drag – to dupe the conservative political family of their son’s fiancé. Broadway’s Lee Roy Reams stars as “Zaza” in this Tony Award-winning musical that features songs like La Cage aux Folles, I Am What I Am, Song on the Sand and The Best of Times.

Norb Joerder directed a cast that included Le Roy Ream, Walter Charles, Phil Young, Aaron Young, Troy Stanle, Angie Radosh, Christina Laschuk, Jodie Dixon Mears, Shane Tanner, Abby Perkins, Justin Schneyer, Wesley Slade, Alexander Zenoz, Casey Weems, Stephen Petrovich, Ramaad Morris, Cameron, Benda, Ashley Klinger, Jessica Ernest, Tony d’Alelio, Sam Rohloff and Jacob Paulson..

The Scene for January 16, 2015

Sorry we’re a bit late getting this week’s Scene posted – we’ve caught that nasty bug that’s going around, and have spent much of the last two days guzzling tea with honey and downing chicken soup like it’s a diet trend.

  

Shakespeare Miami is offering free performances of The Tempest, starting this weekend at Shell Lumber in Coral Gables.  Next week, they’re at the ArtsPark Ampitheatre in Hollywood, and their final week will be at The Barnacle State Park in Coconut Grove.

  

Here's what's playing on South Florida stages this weekend:  

 

Broward Center: Fully Committed (reviews)

Fully Committed opened at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on January 8, 2015.

In this delicious comedy, desperate diners resort to threats, bribes, name-dropping, name-calling and downright begging for that all-important reservation at a posh new restaurant in Manhattan. "Fully Committed" (that's restaurant-speak for "no tables available" unless you're a supermodel, socialite or other VIP) is a one-man show starring John Manzelli who gives a tour-de-force performance as the high-strung maître d' plus 39 other characters!  Arrive 90 minutes before the performance and enjoy drinks and delicious dishes with table service.

John Manzelli directed himself in this one man show with the help of Hugh M. Murphy.

Mad CatTheatre: The Star-Spangled Girl (3 reviews)

Mad Cat Theatre Company opened its production of Neil Simon’s The Star-Spangled Girl at the Miami Theater Center’s Sandbox Studio on January 8, 2015.

Mad Cat Theatre Company unleashes its 15th season with the politically charged romantic comedy The Star-Spangled Girl by Neil Simon. An unlikely fit at first glance, this 1960's piece depicts a country polarized after the hangover of the hippie generation’s summer of love. Now, re-examined by Mad Cat, the play will be deconstructed to take place in 2066, with temperatures rising and political tensions mounting; the action underscored by narration and live music.

Paul Tei directed a cast that featured Jessic Farr, Theo Reyna, and Noah Levine.

Broward Center: The Lion King (reviews)

The national tour of Disney’s The Lion King opened at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on January 7, 2015.

Experience the phenomenon. The most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Au-Rene Theatre stage. Visually stunning, technically astounding and with a musical score like none other you've ever heard. Giraffes strut, birds swoop, gazelles leap. The entire savannah comes to life and as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist.

Julie Taymor directed a cast that features Patrick R. Brown, L. Steven Taylor, Jordan A. Hall. Tre Jones, Jami Remy, Tshedi Manye, Drew Hirshfeild, Ben Lipitz, Nick Cordileone, and Tony Freeman.

 

The Scene for January 9, 2015

So Lion King is at the Broward Center, and it’s HUGE.  If you haven’t seen it yet, see it.  Make a day of it: catch a matinee, have dinner at their new bistro, then attend Fully Committed starring John Manzelli (Naked Stage, City Theatre) in the New River Room.

 

Jan McArt’s New Play Reading Series will be staging Michael McKeever’s new play, Daniel’s Husband, this Monday at Lynn University.  Andy Rogow directs a cast that includes Alex Alvarez, Antonio Amadeo, Kristian Bikic, Barbara Bradshaw, and Larry Buzzeo.

 

Here's what's playing on South Florida stages this weekend:  

 

The Scene for January 3, 2015

Yes, the calendar has rolled into another year, and the theater season is steaming along at full bore.  (Did we mix a metaphor there?  Too much eggnogg.  That’s our story and we’re sticking to it)

 
There is a brief lull for the holidays – there were and are shows playing, but it’s been a little slower.  That changes over the next couple of weeks, with the national tour of The Lion King and the local production of Fully Committed settling into the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for the month of January, and regional productions of La Cage Aux Folles, The Wiz, and Bonnie and Clyde all coming to South Florida stages in January.

 

Here's what's playing on South Florida stages this weekend:  

 

Arsht Center: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (reviews)

The national tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast opened at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on December 30, 2014.

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, this eye-popping spectacle has won the hearts of over 35 million people worldwide. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes, and dazzling production numbers including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song.

Rob Roth directed a cast that included Ryan Everett Wood, Jillian Butterfield, Cameron Bond, Patrick Pevehouse,