Lake Worth Playhouse, a staple in the community of Palm Beach County, located in downtown Lake Worth, began its 2023-2024 season this past week with a rendition of “West Side Story,” the classic musical retelling of Romeo and Juliet. In the musical, the story takes place in a slum of New York where two rival gangs are warring over dwindling territory, but there are racial implications in this aggression, as well. The youth actors and actresses that made up the ensemble and cast brought their characters to life in a way that made this production feel different, special in a unique way that only local theater can give you.
Concluding its 2022-2023 season, Slow Burn Theatre Company finaled with Newsies the Broadway Musical at its usual stomping grounds, on the stage at the Amaturo Theater of the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale. This musical is famous for its almost all-male cast and its balletic choreography, telling the story of the newspaper boy strike of the late 19th century. With love, brotherly camaraderie, action and a moral compass, Newsies has something for just about everyone. South Florida Theater had the privilege to see two different performances of this production’s run, specifically on the first night of their closing weekend, Thursday, June 22, for this review.
Broadway in Ft. Lauderdale has found its closing show for the 2022-2023 in Beetlejuice, the musical retelling of the cult classic movie. At the Broward Center, this show promises to make you laugh, maybe feel a little comfort in however you define your sexuality, and the cast and crew deliver the experience of being dead. South Florida Theater Magazine was there on opening night to report back that this is a show that aspires, and achieves, to be better than its source material. Yes, this musical improves on the movie in several ways, and that’s why it’s worthy of a closing slot.
To end its 2022/2023 season, Miami City Ballet closed out with Entradas, a performance dedicated to the pioneers of American ballet, with choreography from renowned choreographers like George Balanchine. Not only did this concert show what the company is made of, but where it came from, and that’s my biggest takeaway. First premiering at the Kravitz Center in West Palm Beach on Friday, May 12, South Florida Theater Magazine caught its final show at the Arsht Center in Miami on Sunday, May 21.
In what might be one of the most hilariously chaotic plays I’ve ever seen in my life, a zany rendition of Noises Off is currently on at Delray Beach Playhouse until May 14. The slapstick kind of comedy is exactly what I didn’t know I needed when I caught the opening night’s performance, and you might need it, too. Just laugh.
CM: Hello, I’m Christopher from South Florida Theater Magazine, the reviewer for tonight’s show of To Kill A Mockingbird. I like to write about art, art in the community, and things like that, so thanks for chatting with me.
Wrapped up this previous weekend at the Broward Center, Broadway found its way back to south Florida with To Kill A Mockingbird and a star-studded cast. Based on the movie, which was based on the novel, this play is a newer adaptation by playwright Aaron Sorkin, famed writer for his contributions to popular TV shows like “The West Wing,” and more. Emmy award-winning actor Richard Thomas commanded the audience like he did in the courtroom as Atticus Finch. South Florida Theater Magazine got a chance to see the poignant play, and let me tell you: it’s just as important today as it was when it was published in 1960.
If you didn’t know, Slow Burn Theatre Co. is currently putting on their iteration of the classic tale of “Mary Poppins” at the Broward Center’s Amaturo Theater. The musical is a stage adaptation of the original movie, but here in south Florida, the magic feels extra real. South Florida Theater Magazine was present on opening night of Saturday, March 25, to report back that the next generation of theater-goers is well on its way to centerstage.
To only solidify its place as the one of, if not the one, most recognizable musicals in the history of musicals, Wicked found its way to the Adrienne Arsht Center for the fourth time. Beginning February 16, and running until March 5, the infamous Elphaba and the famous Glinda share the stage to melt your hearts alongside your best friend’s. South Florida Theater Magazine was there for the run during the last days of February to see how the classic fared in 2023, and it did not disappoint.
