Music historians and lecturers always credit Black gospel, rhythm & blues, along with boogie woogie and jazz, for giving birth to America’s 1950’s rock ‘n’ roll craze – a perennially popular music genre to this day. I’ve attended several such scholarly talks, but getting it with your brain is nothing like feeling it in your gut … and soul. That’s why MEMPHIS, the musical that’s creating a sensation over at Broward’s hottest new musical venue, the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center (LPAC), made me wonder: “Where has this phenomenal show been all my life?”

Written by Christine Dolen

Originally published on artburstmiami.com.

Aristophanes’ 411 B.C. “Lysistrata,” in which the women of Greek city-states try to end the Peloponnesian War by withholding sex until peace is achieved, is an ancient Greek comedy that endured because of its author’s brilliance and the timeless truth-telling it contains.

Currently on through an extended run, Palm Beach Dramaworks presents “The Cancellation of Lauren Fein,” a world premiere of a play; a tragedy in a modern era of accountability. Written by Christopher Demos-Brown, this play provides a thought-provoking story of a collegiate professor with privilege being held accountable for her insensitivity. It is a story of stereotypical characters fearing cancel culture, with no rise or break for their transgressions, resulting in tragedy for all.

Written by Christine Dolen

Originally published on artburstmiami.com.

Playwright, director and actor Layon Gray has a talent for getting inside so many different facets of Black life and history – and for taking engaged audiences on that journey with him.

Miami’s M Ensemble, the state’s oldest Black theater company, has just begun its 53rd season with a production of Gray’s The Girls of Summer.

As has been the case with past Area Stage productions of the family musicals Annie, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, once again Area Stage Artistic Director Giancarlo Rodaz has immersed the audience into the stage in the company’s unique presentation of Oliver!, running now through February 25 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami.