For the two seasons that Matt Stabile has taken the artistic helm of Florida Atlantic University’s Theatre Lab, he has begun with a Heckscher Theatre for Families production. In addition to introducing youngsters to live stage shows, these plays strive to appeal to adults as well, which is a tricky juggling act. Bridging that gap with whimsical skill and more than a … [Read more...]
Soggy, sluggish ‘Harlowe’ disappoints at FAU Theatre Lab
“Yes, it really rains onstage!” That was the promotional tagline for the stage adaptation of Singin’ in the Rain and the most interesting thing about Jennifer Lane’s Harlowe, a listless little play about healing, currently receiving a watery world premiere production at Florida Atlantic University’s Theatre Lab. As the audience enters the intimate Lab space, a … [Read more...]
Young playwright gets world premiere at FAU Theatre Lab
Playwright and novelist Jennifer Lane recalls exactly what the initial motivation was for her to write Harlowe, which is having its world premiere Friday at Florida Atlantic University’s Theater Lab. It was years ago, while she was in Columbia University’s graduate playwriting program. She was falling behind in her work and the program director was growing impatient with … [Read more...]
Ryan’s ‘Tar Beach,’ at FAU, is compelling but feels unfinished
As even 14-year-old Reenie – the narrator of Tammy Ryan’s memory play, Tar Beach, now on at Florida Atlantic University’s Theatre Lab – senses, the summer of 1977 is a significant time, particularly for her coming-of-age in her hometown of Ozone Park, Queens. Amid a sweltering heat wave, serial killer Son of Sam lurks about, terrorizing teenage girls. Just as … [Read more...]
Theatre Lab’s ‘Ronia’ overlong, but captivates young and old
The Holy Grail of family theater is a play that speaks to both youngsters and adults. That is apparently also the quest of The Heckscher Foundation for Children, which is funding an annual production at FAU Theatre Lab. The program kicks off with the U.S. premiere of Allison Gregory’s whimsical Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter, based on the kid lit book by Astrid Lindgren … [Read more...]
Theatre Lab’s new director committed to South Florida
Louis Tyrrell, a South Florida champion of new works for the theater, has been an artistic director for almost four decades. First at the Theatre Club of the Palm Beaches, which morphed into Florida Stage, then at the Arts Garage and most recently at Florida Atlantic University’s Theatre Lab, where he currently one of a four-member staff. But Tyrrell has now passed the baton … [Read more...]
Gregory’s ‘Motherland’ compelling, but lacks Brecht’s weight
As Constable Dogberry once observed, “Comparisons are odious.” So do what you can to resist pitting Allison Gregory’s new work, Motherland, in your mind against the play that inspired it, Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children. The former, a contemporary tale of a wily, maternal ghetto merchant, has plenty to recommend it, but it is lightweight stuff compared to … [Read more...]
Quirky, brilliant ‘Random World’ engages at FAU Theatre Lab
“Connect, Georges,” says Dot to a brilliant, but obtuse pointillist painter in the musical Sunday in the Park with George. And in a similar way, theatergoers at Steven Dietz’s wise and witty comedy of missed connections, This Random World, will want to shout to the characters to open their eyes and understand what links them. Dietz’s intricately structured script, now … [Read more...]