By Dale King Not all of us remember Patsy Cline, the country vocalist whose powerful voice, often measured in tearful tones, vocalized poignant stories in song. But we know her music, even 58 years after she died in a plane crash while returning to her home in Nashville the same year John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Her legacy of tunes is still golden, even in the 21st … [Read more...]
Good performances highlight DBP’s ‘Lost in Yonkers’
By Dale King Performers, sets, lights and activity have returned to the long-empty stage of Delray Beach Playhouse. And while coronavirus continues to stymie lifestyles, the DBP staff has “taken this shutdown to work behind the scenes, planning, cleaning, installing state-of-the-art air purification systems and many other items to cope with the new normal,” said … [Read more...]
‘Closer Than Ever’ compelling despite virtual limitations
For those who are yearning for the return of live theater – and that means most of us, doesn’t it? – MNM Theatre Company is jumping in to fill that void with a simple, but artfully affecting streamed production of Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire’s Closer Than Ever. This introspective and heartfelt revue has been produced many times in South Florida since its premiere … [Read more...]
Spunky, sharp ‘Annie’ takes away our hard-knock life at Lake Worth Playhouse
By Dale King Not every stage show can be introduced with the phrase, “Ten months in the making.” But that’s how Lake Worth Playhouse Artistic Director Daniel Eilola launched Annie when it opened this past weekend at the Lake Avenue performance center. It’s the first live production at the venue that’s been shuttered and vacant since the global coronavirus epidemic struck … [Read more...]
MNM’s virtual ‘Closer Than Ever’ reflects our uneasy times
When director Jonathan Van Dyke first moved to New York in 1990, the hot show off-Broadway was Closer Than Ever, a revue of “the anguish, amazement and human comedy of contemporary living” by lyricist Richard Maltby Jr. and composer David Shire. Van Dyke has fond memories of its intricately personal story songs, so when MNM Theatre Company’s plans to produce Bye Bye Birdie … [Read more...]
Season Preview 2020-21: Theaters mostly in hiding for season
Although Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared the state’s playhouses safe to reopen, the area’s theater companies are less than comfortable with the notion of getting up and running again. Most have canceled their 2020-2021 seasons, some in favor of a presence online with streaming options. A few have pushed their openings to next year with a shortened season of offerings. And … [Read more...]
Area’s theater directors vow to focus on diversity
With the COVID virus so pervasive in Palm Beach County, surviving the shutdown dictated by the pandemic is foremost on the minds of area theaters. But the next priority, artistic directors say, is putting an added emphasis on diversity – in their programming and casting. Most theaters think they have done a pretty good job at diversity, but agree there is still room … [Read more...]
Maltz cancels 2020-21 season, will concentrate on expansion project
While most area theater companies are still mulling the possibility of producing live theater in some form in the upcoming season, the Maltz Jupiter Theatre has announced a firm postponement of its 2020/2021 shows. Instead, it will begin construction this month to complete the expansion of its playhouse complex, previously reported to have a $32 million price tag. The … [Read more...]
‘Hamilton’ on Disney+ close to glory of stage show
If you were growing up in the late 1950s, like I was, you probably were enthralled by a Disney film about a Revolutionary War apprentice silversmith, Johnny Tremain. But from here on, when the Disney name is mentioned with our War of Independence, it will be because the entertainment conglomerate paid $75 million for the rights to a video recording of the award-laden, … [Read more...]
Area’s theaters exploring the question: What now?
Optimism tempered by uncertainty is the mood of area theater companies, which project several possible scenarios for re-opening their playhouses and getting back to producing shows, based on what the government will allow. While champing at the bit to be up and running, to have subscribers and single-ticket buyers return, their plans to restart vary over time, with options that … [Read more...]