Workplace depression is not an officially recognized medical condition, but that does not stop Schmidt Pharma from trying to develop a lucrative cure for what ails so many of us. That includes Meena Pierotti, managing editor of American Cattle and Swine magazine, a trade publication so dreary that depression seems the logical response to employment there. Meena is the … [Read more...]
Laura’s turn: Stellar Mama Rose makes Wick’s ‘Gypsy’ a must-see
The musical Gypsy is ostensibly about the rise to fame of striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, but the leading character is actually Rose Hovick, the ultimate pushy stage mother. Despite the show’s large cast of many crucial roles, it succeeds or fails on the strength of its Mama Rose. And by that measure, the production at Boca Raton’s Wick Theatre is an indisputable winner … [Read more...]
LW Playhouse’s ‘9 to 5’ a bright revival of workplace classic
By Dale King Lake Worth Playhouse flips the calendar page on its 2021-22 season, opening the new year with a lively and entertaining revival of the comic workplace improvement saga, 9 to 5. The 2008 stage production inspired by the 1980 film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton (who wrote the tunes and lyrics for the show’s mainly up-tempo soundtrack) … [Read more...]
‘Almost, Maine’ at Dramaworks: Dramatic fare takes pleasant backseat to whimsy
Palm Beach Dramaworks likes to say that it traffics in “theater to think about.” But if you are looking for an entertaining night out without much thinking required, the West Palm Beach stage company has a lightweight slice of whimsy on view now that certainly fills that bill. Called Almost, Maine, it consists of nine brief vignettes on the subject of romance, … [Read more...]
Like Mama Rose herself, Wick’s ‘Gypsy’ soldiers on
Many shows in South Florida have had to be canceled or postponed because of the COVID pandemic, but the Wick Theatre’s production of the musical Gypsy has toughed it out and barreled on – just like its leading character, Mama Rose Hovick, the ultimate stage mother. Veteran director Norb Joerder has dozens of shows to his credit, but he has never experienced anything … [Read more...]
Dramaworks opts for lightness, warmth with ‘Almost, Maine’
Almost, Maine, is a tiny rural town in the northern part of the state, about 150 miles from the coast. But do not look for it on a map, for it exists only in the imagination of playwright John Cariani and, for the next two-and-a-half weeks, onstage at Palm Beach Dramaworks. (Because of production complications from COVID-19, the first show has been moved back three days, to … [Read more...]
COVID postpones ‘Summer,’ ‘Gypsy’ as omicron takes its toll
COVID-19 is playing havoc with local theater schedules. Breakthrough omicron cases have been reported within the company of the touring show Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, which was scheduled to play the Kravis Center this week as part of its Broadway series. The show has now been rescheduled for May 20-26, with tickets for the new performance dates to be mailed out … [Read more...]
Omicron cancels ‘RomaDrama’ convention, Theatre Lab play festival
A convention featuring stars and writers from romance dramas featured on channels such as Hallmark, Lifetime and Netflix has been canceled because of the spread of the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. The second RomaDrama Live! convention, which debuted last year in Nashville, had been scheduled for Jan. 7-9 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm … [Read more...]
‘Evan Hansen’ makes compelling art of insecurity, solitude
With the recent death of composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, many felt that the future of musical theater was thrown into doubt. But we need not fret over the fate of this quintessentially American art form with the emergence of the songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Having shown impressive promise with Dogfight and A Christmas Story, the duo proclaimed their … [Read more...]
Christie whodunit opens DB Playhouse season in witty style
By Dale King The Delray Beach Playhouse marks its 75th anniversary with the COVID-delayed opening of its 2021-22 season of mainstage productions, kicking off with A Spider’s Web, a delightfully wry and redoubtable Agatha Christie whodunit. The DBP, on the east shore of Lake Ida, fully opens in January with the addition of Lunch Club Matinees and a schedule of Classic Rock … [Read more...]