The season, in geographic order, from Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade, kicks off at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre with that Agatha Christie chestnut The Mousetrap, based on her Ten Little Indians, the serial murder mystery that had a record-breaking run in London’s West End (Oct. 25-Nov. 8). Then, with most of its audience back in the area, it rolls out a pair of mega-musicals, … [Read more...]
FGO’s ‘Nabucco’ an old-fashioned pleasure
There is something about Florida Grand Opera’s current production of Nabucco that brings out what I imagine to be the atmosphere of its first groundbreaking performances in 1842. It may have to do with the way the set and the costumes combine with the conviction of the performers, the prominence with which the chorus is used, or the ferocity of fresh discovery that its … [Read more...]
‘War Horse’ remains magical, stunning theater
Broadway has long featured the creative use of puppets. Think Avenue Q, Disney’s The Lion King and even the revival of Little Shop of Horrors. But they all pale in comparison to the five-time Tony Award-winning War Horse and its expressive, full-sized equine puppets, which come to life in a stunning theatrical adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s popular children’s book. The … [Read more...]
‘War Horse’ is best bet for Kravis’ 2013-14 Broadway season
It was to be a routine announcement of the show titles for next year’s “Kravis on Broadway” series, the sixth season of touring productions since the West Palm Beach performing arts center began presenting road shows on its own. But the publicist kept frantically e-mailing a strong suggestion that I bring a camera to the event. Which headliner of which show had the center … [Read more...]
Comment: Arts Garage successful, so of course, it’s threatened
Perhaps only a conspiracy theorist could come up with a scenario where a fledgling arts center revives and enhances a region's jazz, blues, Latin, hip-hop, musical education and theater scenes, only to literally be sold out. But this is South Florida. And the Arts Garage (http://artsgarage.org) ― the 18-month-old Delray Beach venue that's distinguished itself by presenting … [Read more...]
Tonight, Carbonells honor best in South Florida theater
Tonight, the South Florida theater community gets together for the 35th annual Carbonell Awards, the citations for excellence among area professional theaters that has been shrouded in controversy in recent years. Last year, as you may recall, the awards board of directors announced the program would be suspended to study and fix the perceived deficiencies in the system. … [Read more...]