Theatremaking Outside of the Box in “Trainspotting”
MIAMI NEW DRAMA’S ‘DEFACING MICHAEL JACKSON’ WELL ACTED BUT MISSES ITS CHANCE TO SOAR
Originally Published on artburstmiami.com
Written By Christine Dolen
Aurin Squire’s “Defacing Michael Jackson” is a memory play, at least in part.
Getting its world premiere by Miami New Drama at the Colony Theatre on Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road, the piece is about five teens trying to navigate life, love and a turbulent world in Opa-locka circa 1984. It was sparked by the playwright’s memories of himself and his friends doing the same, albeit some years later.
Being More Than Enough With Florida Native Christian Thompson
Christian Thompson is a 30-year old actor, dancer, singer and writer from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Growing up, his mother moved them across the street from North Andrews Elementary School of the Arts in the hopes that he would be inspired. “Little did she know…” Thompson says with a smirk. He recalls seeing a touring production of Cats at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and that’s when he decided he wanted to be an actor at the young age of 8 years old. “I was sitting in the aisle and I saw an actor dressed as a cat and they get paid to do this?! I want to do that,” Thompson continues, “And that was all I needed, it was a wrap… so I set my mind to it.”
An Electrifying Journey In Zoetic’s Gripping ‘Next To Normal’
Though I was already pretty certain that Zoetic Stage’s production of Next to Normal was bound to be an incredible one based on my familiarity with the show and with the talented team involved, I didn’t quite expect it to be quite as electrifying a ride as it proved to be at the Carnival Studio theatre this weekend. Both fans of the show and newcomers to the story are sure to be taken in by this gripping journey, which is one I first experienced over a decade ago during the Off-Broadway run that preceded the show’s Tony-winning turn on the great white way.
LAUGHS AND MOSTLY TEARS PREVAIL IN ‘MARTY’S BACK IN TOWN’ AT THE STUDIO IN MIZNER PARK IN BOCA RATON
Some laughs, but mostly sadness and tears best describes emotions felt after seeing “Marty’s Back In Town”, a two act play by playwright Norman Shabel, running from Friday, March 24 through Sunday, April 2 at The Studio at Mizner Park in Boca Raton.
The Women are all On Board in Female Version of Neil Simon’s ‘Odd Couple’
Neil Simon’s blockbuster comedy, The Odd Couple, has been packaged, repackaged, filmed, performed live, aired on TV and altered in a variety of ways. To bring its 2022-23 season to a close on a highly humorous note, Boca Stage presents a comic version of Simon’s 1980’s reworking of his original production – one that casts the two lead characters and all their working-class buddies as women.
Moments of Reckoning Given Soulful Voice In ‘Songs From The Brink’
It’s always exciting to find oneself stumbling upon a world premiere, especially one that shows as much promise as Songs from the Brink, a new song-cycle style musical by South Florida playwriting and composing team Robyn Eli Brenner and Mackenzie Anderson.
Zoetic Stage Finds A “Perfect Musical for These Times” In Upcoming Production of ‘Next To Normal’
If you’ve ever found yourself “living on a latte and a prayer” or wondering how you can keep it all together, you’ll probably find a lot to relate to in Next To Normal, the 2009 Pulitzer Prize winning musical that looks to be on its way to becoming a modern classic.
23 YEAR OLD SINGER CHRIS RUGGIERO SINGS ‘50S ROCK AND ROLL AT AVENTURA CENTER
Singer Chris Ruggiero at age 23 is from an era far removed from the vintage 1950s rock and roll sounds of The Duprees, Paul Anka, Frankie Valli and other musical stars of the era.
However, Ruggiero is a fervent fan of the rock and roll era and will showcase his love and skills in performing vintage songs ranging from the 1950s through early 70s at his concert on Friday, March 17 at Aventura Arts & Cultural Center in Aventura.
‘Damn Yankees’ comes to the Wick Theatre in Boca. The devil you say!
