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...]
Appreciation: Larry Kramer, one angry (and vigilant) man
Immersed, as we all currently are, in the scourge of coronavirus, the AIDS epidemic seems like such a distant memory. But nothing brings its horrors back with a jolt quite like the death Wednesday of activist-playwright Larry Kramer at the age of 84. The co-founder of the AIDS service organization Gay Men’s Health Crisis and founder of the more politically militant ACT UP, … [Read more...]
Jupiter teen, child star sees bright theater future ahead
For Skye Alyssa Friedman, there’s no down time, even in this moment of COVID-19. These days, the Jupiter resident is busy finishing her home-school classes, logging in to video classes on Zoom, interviewing with prospective colleges, reading plays, taking online dance classes and filming audition tapes. But perhaps that’s nothing new for the red-haired 18-year-old who’s … [Read more...]
FAU Theatre Lab readies second online monologue festival
By Dale King Zen Buddhists are notorious, perhaps apocryphally, for spending time pondering the sound of a single hand clapping. But the nearly 40 South Florida actors and artists gathered up last month by Florida Atlantic University’s Theatre Lab for its first-ever Online Original Monologue Festival concluded their singular performances to the sound of no hands … [Read more...]
Streaming theater abounds for us shut-ins
Chances are, if you are reading this, you are an avid fan of the arts and are going through withdrawal pains, since all area theaters, concert halls, performing arts centers and movie houses have been closed by the dreaded COVID-19. And although internet-streamed performances are a poor substitute for the live stuff, a lot of writers, actors, singers and assorted … [Read more...]