For the two seasons that Matt Stabile has taken the artistic helm of Florida Atlantic University’s Theatre Lab, he has begun with a Heckscher Theatre for Families production. In addition to introducing youngsters to live stage shows, these plays strive to appeal to adults as well, which is a tricky juggling act. Bridging that gap with whimsical skill and more than a … [Read more...]
Appreciation: Harper was so much more than Rhoda
Say the name Valerie Harper to most people and the response you invariably get is “Rhoda.” After all, she did win four Emmy Awards playing the unlucky-in-love, self-deprecating sitcom character in the 1970s, first as sidekick on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later on her own starring vehicle spinoff. While she remained appreciative of her success with the role of her … [Read more...]
Polo Club residents try their luck with ‘Boca Bound,’ new musical at The Wick
Bonnie Logan and Richard Peshkin readily concede that they are novices when it comes to writing musicals, but that is what has occupied much of their time for the past two years. If all goes well at their four-night premiere run beginning Sept. 19 at the Wick Theatre, their show – Boca Bound: A New Musical – may be bound for productions at regional theaters all across the … [Read more...]
Teens in summer Maltz program tackle ‘Romeo and Juliet’
By Jan Engoren What do teenagers know about love? Apparently, a lot, as the original Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed teenagers. At the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, teen students are getting the chance this month to show they know what it’s all about in a youth production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, the plot – if you’ve … [Read more...]
Appreciation: A true monarch of the theater
Broadway director-producer Harold Prince had difficulty remembering how many Tony Awards he had won. In part, that was because he was much more interested in the work than in the inevitable accompanying accolades. And in part it was because he amassed 21 Tonys during his six-decade career, by far the most for a single individual. He died on Wednesday at the age of 91, in … [Read more...]
Delightful ‘Sister Act’ wraps FAU’s Summer Rep
By Dale King Mirth and glitz mingle with murder, mobsters and fine vocals in Sister Act, the musical that’s wrapping up the two-play Summer Rep schedule at Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus. Students in the master of fine arts graduate program join forces with four Actors Equity performers to present the show based on the 1992 movie featuring Whoopi Goldberg … [Read more...]
Entr’Acte returns with strong ‘Spamalot’
By Dale King Monty Python’s Spamalot is back, and winning over audiences at the venerable Crest Theatre in Delray Beach. While the run of the show is limited – it opened June 20 and concludes Sunday – the laughs are unrestrained, thanks to a fine ensemble that exquisitely interprets the silly songs and dialogue crafted by the Pythons in their addled “tale of the Grail.” … [Read more...]
Lead performance lets FAU’s ‘Sabrina Fair’ get summer off to sparkling start
By Dale King Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Theatre and Dance has launched its two-play Festival Rep summer series with Sabrina Fair, a captivating mid-20th century romantic comedy. The play features delightful performances by FAU Class of 2020 master of fine arts students along with a couple of Actors Equity players who give them a taste of the real-world … [Read more...]
New ‘Victory Dolls’ group recreates musical magic of World War II
By Dale King Memories of World War II are getting a shot in the arm from a group of talented stage performers and a veteran theater management CEO, all intent on reviving the music and cultural impact of the war period. Kevin Barrett, a theater manager for 28 years who took over last year as director of the Delray Beach Playhouse, has joined forces with Carbonell … [Read more...]
The New York season: Irish drama ‘Ferryman’ leads play pack
Editor’s note: Each season, Hap Erstein heads to New York to see the new plays and musicals in advance of the Tony Awards, which are scheduled for this Sunday. All things considered, it was a good Broadway season for new plays, which are generally thought of as unwelcome compared to musicals. An epic play of the Irish Troubles, The Ferryman, has had a healthy eight-month … [Read more...]