In its 25 years of existence, Palm Beach Dramaworks has gradually altered its emphasis toward the development of new work. But seeing its current, emotionally shattering production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman reminds us that what it does best is tackle the major classics of the American theater, particularly the Pulitzer Prize winners. Seventy-five years ago, … [Read more...]
At GableStage: Absorbing ‘Lehman Trilogy’ is a triumph for its actors, company
It all begins unassumingly with a purchase and sale of cotton. That is how three immigrant brothers — German Jews Henry. Emanuel and Mayer Lehman — arrive in the United States penniless in the 1840s and build a renowned investment empire. Collectively known as Lehman Brothers, their business model evolved from commodities trading to pure finance, money making … [Read more...]
‘Six’ may not be accurate history, but it sure is fun
At a brisk 80 minutes running time, Six: The Musical may not feel like a full evening’s meal, but it packs more entertainment value than any show in less than an hour and a half. Perhaps you might think of it as the appetizer before next month’s main course, Hamilton, for they have much in common. Both, of course, relate history lessons – English for Six and American for … [Read more...]
Big, beautiful ’42nd Street’ at Maltz is dazzling triumph for local theater
At one point in 42nd Street, the production number-heavy backstage musical about a Depression-era Broadway tryout, Julian Marsh, the director of Pretty Lady — the fictional show-within-the-show — calls it “the biggest musical this town has seen in two decades.” While that is true, he could also be referring to what the Maltz Jupiter Theatre has lovingly assembled on a … [Read more...]
‘Tina’ star triumphs, but musical itself is a dud
Jukebox biomusical. That inelegant term defines a popular, but problematic subgenre of theatrical songfests. But for every Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli) or Beautiful (Carole King), two popular and critical successes, there are at least as many Cher Shows and Beautiful Noises (Neil Diamond), unsatisfying and overstuffed also-rans. Into that latter camp we must now deposit … [Read more...]
Stellar ‘Carousel’ at The Wick reminds us what musicals used to be
When they say, “They don’t write ’em like they used to,” they are referring to shows like Carousel. The second collaboration of the landmark team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, this musical drama packs an emotional wallop as well as a knockout punch of entertainment. True, it is a difficult show to pull off well, but you would never know that from the … [Read more...]
At the Kravis: ‘Jagged Little Pill’ is challenging, but rewarding
Here’s a question for fans of statistics. What Broadway musical contains the greatest number of trauma topics? The Guinness Book of World Records is mum on the subject, but based on a viewing of the show currently at the Kravis Center this week, surely the answer is Jagged Little Pill. Based on singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette’s decade-defining 1995 album, adapter Diablo … [Read more...]
‘Plaza Suite’ doesn’t age well, but lead performances save Maltz production
The three one-act playlets of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite have two things in common. They all take place in Suite 719 of New York’s swank Plaza Hotel and they all have a jaundiced view of marriage. OK, two more things. They each run a little too long for their own good and they each feel a little outdated in 2024. Plaza Suite hails from 1968, the fourth play by … [Read more...]
Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’ not just for laughs, Maltz director says
You might think when the Maltz Jupiter Theatre takes a break from its usual musical menu to produce a comedy like Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite that the task is easier. Not so, says director J. Barry Lewis, the Maltz’s go-to guy when it comes to staging Simon’s plays. “They’re always a challenge, there’s no doubt about it,” he says. “It’s one of the oldest sayings in the … [Read more...]
‘Rooted,’ at Theatre Lab, sees actors dig rewardingly deep
Botany and belief systems, both real and dubious, are at the heart of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s Rooted, her latest exploration of life’s contradictions, served up with a strong measure of whimsy. Delivering her ultimately thoughtful outlook is a trio of eccentric souls whose search for meaning has them up a tree, quite literally. Consider Emery Harris, an unschooled … [Read more...]