MRS. DOUBTFIRE: The New Musical Comedy now blasting through Broward Center as part of their Broadway in Fort Lauderdale series is everything a contemporary musical, comedy, and live show should be … and so much more! For one, it’s incredibly outrageously funny, while featuring all the beautiful vocals and master choreography that one expects from a musical. And in this case, expectations for the updated version of the beloved 1993 film starring Robin Williams and Sally Field run high, to say the least.

For the first three weekends in April, the Lake Worth Playhouse is closing out their 2023/24 season with the award-winning musical Ragtime. This timeless tale transports audience members back to early-twentieth-century New York, where we follow the intersecting journeys of three very different individuals, played by actors who give unforgettable performances: Mother (Jessica Perry), a wealthy White housewife constrained by the demands of her upper-class life in New Rochelle, Coalhouse Walker Jr. (Chase Stante), a talented Black pianist fighting for change in Harlem, and Tateh (Tom Hallett) an ambitious Jewish artist who has recently immigrated to the Lower East Side from Latvia with his young daughter.

Written By Michelle F. Solomon

Originally published on artburstmiami.com. 

Change takes on many meanings in “Caroline, or Change,” now playing on the mainstage of Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre in Coral Gables. There’s pocket change. Political change. A desire to change circumstances into a better present, and the present into a better future.

South Florida-favorite Slow Burn Theatre Company premiered its penultimate performance this past week with The Prom. All at once, a tale of acceptance, teenage love, and popularity, told through LGBTQ characters in homophobic settings, The Prom scratches a pestering itch inside us who have an unruly heart. Slow Burn’s production here is guaranteed to make you laugh and feel a little better about loving your neighbor after you leave.

Annually producing about five productions, Miami City Ballet is nearing the end of a noteworthy season with its current production of “Spring Mix,” on view at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach and the Arsht Center in Miami. Featuring three shorter ballets of about thirty minutes, the production showcased another Balanchine work, a modern work by Alonzo King, and a world premiere from Brazilian-born choreographer Ricardo Amarante. South Florida Theater Magazine was fortunate enough to attend one of the performances at the Arsht, and I was thoroughly impressed and elated from such great movement and precision demonstrated by Miami City Ballet. 

Aside from annual in-the–park offerings, there really isn’t a lot of opportunity for South Floridians to engage with the work of William Shakespeare. Thus, it’s actually rather exciting to see Thinking Cap Theatre taking on the timeless work of the celebrated playwright. And while Taming of the Shrew probably wouldn’t have been my first pick from the Bard’s expansive repertoire- in large part due to the fairly blatant misogynistic implications of the somewhat sophomoric plot- director Nicole Stodard makes an admirable effort to mitigate these implications with a distinct reimagining. 

If timing is everything, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG’s time is NOW. The latest iteration of Stephen Sondheim’s “most autobiographical musical” is currently experiencing enthusiastic crowds and rave reviews on Broadway. Labeled “a revelatory and intoxicating revival” by “The Washington Post” and considered “one of the best musicals of the theatre season!” by “The New York Post.”

Around once again is the classic-become-cult musical about a rapping Founding Father, Hamilton. First having its current run at the Arsht Center in Miami, the production will head slightly up the coast to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach for a run in April. Just in case you don’t get a chance to see it this month, the hit show will still be in South Florida next month. It was my first time seeing the raved-about show, and it’s evident why it’s already held so dearly to those who love theater: the songs are great, the diversity is integral, and the production value is remarkably high.

Norm Foster may not be a household name in the Lower 48, but up north he’s often referred to as “the Canadian Neil Simon.” Canada’s most-produced contemporary playwright (his plays currently number over 55), is treasured for his humor, accessibility, and insight into the trials faced by ordinary people in today’s world.

Zoetic Stage’s production of the classic John Kander/Fred Ebb 1966 Broadway musical “Cabaret”, running now through April 7 at the 250 seat Carnival Studio Theater at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami, captures the attention of the audiences even before the musical begins.