The Scene for June 12, 2015

Who says there's nothing good to see in South Florida during the summer?  Not us! 

Scroll down and read some of those glowing reviews - and there are more shows opening this weekend!
   

The South Florida Theatre League’s Summerfest Play Reading Series is moving right along.  Every Monday now through August 31, there is a free reading of an original play written by a local playwright at one of the member theaters.  This Monday, Storycrafter Studio presents Fortuna's Ire at the Luna Star Cafe.
   

Here’s what’s playing this week on The Scene:

City Theatre: Summer Shorts 20 (reviews)

City Theatre opened the 20 anniversary edition of Summer Shorts at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on June 4, 2015.

The annual kick-off of the summer theatre season is back with an all new celebration of 20 years of the best short plays in the country! Summer Shorts: America’s Short Play Festival features the nation’s best new 10 minute plays in one hilarious and thought provoking evening. City Theatre is the national leader in producing innovative original short plays that enlighten, inspire and entertain. Come join the fun, walk our red carpet, vote for your favorite play, and get ready for the unexpected. You never know what you’re going to see.

John Manzelli, Paul Tei, Margaret M. Ledford, Bechir Sylvain, directed a cast that included Karen Stephens, Chastity Hart, Paul Tei, Elizabeth Dimon, Michael Uribe, Bechir Sylvain, and Tom Wahl.

Slow Burn Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors (reviews)

Slow Burn Theatre Company opened Little Shop of Horrors at the West Boca Performing Arts Theater on June 5, 2015.  It is their last production at this venue before moving to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts this fall.

The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!

Patrick Fitzwater directed a cast that included Michael Westrich, Amy Miller Brennan, Matthew Korinko, Shane Tanner, Christina Alexander, Nicole Dikun, Elisa Dannielle, Rick Peña, and Geoffrey Short.

The Scene for June 5, 2015

It’s hurricane season, and you know what that means:
   

It’s time for the South Florida Theatre League’s Summerfest Play Reading Series.  Every Monday now through August 31, there will be a free reading of an original play written by a local playwright at one of the member theaters.  This Monday, check out A Girl’s Guide to Saving the Universe at The Deering Estate.  And starting on Tuesday, sign up for a Free Night of Theatre.
   

And for the twentieth summer in a row, City Theatre is staging Summer Shorts, South Florida’s original and best short play festival.

   

Here’s what’s playing this week on The Scene:

Island City Stage: Daniel's Husband (8 reviews)

Island City Stage opened its world premiere production of Michael McKeever's Daniel's Husband at Empire Stage on May 28, 2015.  An extension of the production was announced on June 6, 2015.

The season finishes with a flourish with the world premiere of award-winning playwright Michael McKeever’s Daniel’s Husband. The play is about a contemporary gay couple who are challenged with the consequences of not getting officially married. Even in an enlightened society, when fundamental rights are denied, the results can be devastating to all involved. With humor, pathos and great insight, Daniel’s Husband explores the consequences of accepting the limitations defined by society. Ever.

Andy Rogow directed a cast that included Alex Alvarez, Antonio Amadeo, Larry Buzzeo, Kristian Bikic, and Laura Turnbull.

New Theatre: Leveling Up (reviews)

New Theatre opened its production of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s Leveling Up at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center on May 30, 2015.

In this new play, three twenty-something roommates are glued to their video games. They are masters of the virtual worlds behind the computer screens in their Las Vegas basement. When one of them uses his gaming skills to land a job with the National Security Agency launching actual drones and missiles, online battles begin to have real consequences.

Ricky J. Martinez directed a cast that included Joel Alexander, Daniel Gil, Danny Leonard, and Rebecca Jimenez.

GableStage: Casa Valentina (reviews)

GableStage opened its production of Harvey Fierstein’s Casa Valentina on May 30, 2015.

In 1962 most men went to the Catskills to escape the summer heat, but others went to an inconspicuous bungalow colony that catered to a very special clientele: heterosexual men whose favorite pastime was dressing and acting as women. A moving, insightful and delightfully entertaining new work based on actual events – by the winner of five Tony Awards.

Joe Adler directed a cast that included Wayne LeGette, Roland Rusinek, Irene Adjan, Kevin Reilley, Cliff Burgess, Kevin Reilly, Patti Gardner, and Ryan Didato.

Actors’ Playhouse: The Book Club Play (5 reviews)

Actors’ Playhouse opened its production of The Book Club Play at the Miracle Theater on May 13, 2015.

THE BOOK CLUB PLAY is a delightful new comedy about books and the people who love them. When the members of a devoted book club become the subjects of a documentary filmmaker, their intimate discussions of life and literature take on a new meaning with the camera rolling. Add in the unexpected arrival of a provocative new member, and the sudden inclusion of some questionable titles, and long-standing group dynamics take a hilarious turn. This engaging new play is sprinkled with wit, joy and novels galore.

David Arisco directed a cast that featured Michael McKeever, Barbara Sloan, Stephen G. Anthony, Niki Fridh, Lela Elam, and Paul Tei.