In the 21 years since the Royal Poinciana Playhouse closed its doors, several groups have tried unsuccessfully to bring the former jewel box performance space back to life. Now, however, on the site of the dormant theater, a much-redesigned multi-purpose arts center in Palm Beach is under construction, poised to launch by the end of this year. The difference this time? … [Read more...]
‘Ain’t Too Proud’: Motown supergroup’s story compelling, but songs are the real draw
For a singing group known for their close harmonies, the saga of The Temptations is full of discord. Anyone who lived through the 1960s and 1970s surely knows the hits of this Detroit-bred rhythm and blues group, but they probably do not know the story of their rise to fame and ultimate implosion. That is the essence of Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The … [Read more...]
Hap’s fearless Tony predictions
It was a good season for quantity of productions. Not so much for quality. But there were a few standout shows (Maybe Happy Ending, Purpose, Yellow Face), some nail-biter head-on clashes (Audra McDonald vs. Nicole Scherzimger) and complete toss-ups (We're looking at you, design categories). So, the chances are I will get a lot of these wrong, but here are my picks to … [Read more...]
At Dramaworks: ‘Dangerous Instruments’ is a harrowing look at a broken system
From the opening alarm bell signifying an institutional lockdown, Gina Montet’s Dangerous Instruments, now playing at Palm Beach Dramaworks, foreshadows the all-too-familiar inevitability of gun violence in America. Told as a gripping case study of a young, mentally troubled boy and his mother’s battle to save him from being dismissed by an inadequate social services system, … [Read more...]
Broadway roundup: Reviews from the New York spring season
Here is a look at a handful of shows from Broadway’s spring season, in a run-up to the Tony Awards, which will be broadcast June 8. Real Women Have Curves: Although based on Josefina Lopez’s 1990 play and the subsequent HBO movie starring America Ferrera from 2002, the newly arrived musical, Real Women Have Curves, seems extremely timely in the current days of … [Read more...]
Postcard from Broadway No. 6: ‘Real Women’ is an upbeat paean to empowerment
On my last full day in New York, I ended my theatergoing splurge with another new musical, Real Women Have Curves, based on the 2002 movie that introduced America Ferrera to the world. The musical tells of an East L.A. dress factory peopled mainly by undocumented Latina immigrants, in constant threat of deportation. And like in the movie, they get an order for 200 dresses to … [Read more...]
Postcard from Broadway, No. 5: ‘Purpose’ explores dysfunctional family dynamic
There are no matinees in New York on Fridays, but this Friday there was a public orchestra rehearsal with singers of that cult favorite Stephen Schwartz musical from 1972, Pippin, at the Library of Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Featured were three A-listers from the recent revival — Terrence Mann, Charlotte d’Amboise and Andrea Martin. Only in New York, as they … [Read more...]
Postcard from Broadway No. 4: ‘Boop!’ a delightful throwback, led by a rising star
Do you remember the Max Fleischer hand-drawn black-and-white animated shorts from the 1930s? Director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell is hoping you do and are interested in his new musical, Boop!, centered on that spit-curled spitfire kewpie doll, Betty Boop. Besides harkening back to a Depression-era cartoon celebrity, Boop! takes us back to the days when musicals … [Read more...]
Postcard from Broadway No. 3: ‘Dead Outlaw’ is weirdly compelling, ‘Smash’ is a wreck
After yesterday’s superlative Gypsy, tonight I saw another show that ranks as a superlative — the most peculiar musical I’ve ever seen — Dead Outlaw. It’s based on an allegedly true story of Elmer McCurdy, an outlaw and murderer who was himself killed and mummified before changing several hands and eventually being buried 68 years later. And yes, it’s a musical, composed by … [Read more...]
Postcard from Broadway No. 2: Audra, the greatest Rose I’ve ever seen
Our first night in New York, we saw what is likely to be the high point of our trip — Audra McDonald in the latest revival of Gypsy. It is a show I have seen countless times, including with such Mama Roses as Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly and Bernadette Peters, and none of them has come close to the dramatic impact of McDonald’s performance. Let me gush further. In my … [Read more...]