Cristina Pla-Guzman - Page 2

The Colony Theatre once again showcases exceptional work with 'Gente Ociosa' based on the classic text 'Uncle Vanya' by renown Russian writer and playwright Antón Chekhov. 'Gente Ociosa' is adapted by Venezuelan playwright Karin Valecillos, directed by Michel Hausmann.

The roar of the audience's appreciation at the curtain call still rings loudly in my ear. Although I alternated between laughing and crying while watching the national tour of COME FROM AWAY at the Adrienne Arsht Center, what I remember feeling once the curtain came down was joy. I may have discovered for myself why this show is such a hit on Broadway and on tour because while it talks about a challenging time in our history, it also reminds us of how kind people were in the aftermath of 911. (Something that feels lacking in our current political climate.) It is easy to be kind to those you love, but the unquestionable kindness people can have for strangers - inspires. COME FROM AWAY is a story we need to keep telling. It's a story we should continue to tell to remind us that people can and should genuinely care for one another even and especially when they have nothing to gain. 

Miami is thrilled to welcome one of our own Nick Duckart performing in the national tour of COME FROM AWAY, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world after 9/11 when the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all. COME FROM AWAY will make its Miami debut at the Center's Ziff Ballet Opera House for a limited engagement on June 18 - 23, 2019. Nick Duckart was born and raised in Hialeah, FL, attended Hialeah High School, New World School of the Arts and the University of Florida and still has family in the area. Nick reminisces as we talk about his humble beginnings in Hialeah that shaped him into who he is today.

Set on the stoops of the Bronx in the socially turbulent 1960s a young man, Calogero, is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he would love to be. As he grows into a teenager on the streets of the Bronx, Calogero "C" gets taken under the wing of neighborhood mobster Sonny. Despite the warning from his straight-arrow bus driver father, Lorenzo, Sonny initiates the boy into the ways of gang life after "C" covers up a murder for Sonny. The story gets kicked up a notch when "C" falls for his African-American classmate, Jane, and the repercussions threaten the entire neighborhood. Featuring an original doo-wop score, this is a tale about respect, loyalty, love, and above all else: family.

Miamians pride themselves in living in the city where everyone vacations. If there is a list of cities that know how to party, Miami would be at the top. And there is no greater time to celebrate being in the Magic City than in Summer. Summer in Miami means schools out, trips to the beach, tan lines, and SUMMER SHORTS! SUMMER SHORTS has been the official start to the theatre summer season for twenty-four years and last night's opening night was no exception. While the Arsht Center was celebrating National Pride Month outside with all kinds of fun events from Drag Shows to live music, inside the opening night of SUMMER SHORTS was in full swing. The who's who of Miami Theatre gathered in a packed house. Stepping into what felt like a Beach Party film of the 1960s, the party was underway. Images of typical summer fun from Surfboards and flipflops found everywhere along with palm tree cutouts and a photo opt right at the entrance. City Theatre and Adrienne Arsht Center's SUMMER SHORTS 2019 runs May 30 through June 23 at Carnival Studio Theater on the Susan Westfall Stage (named after City Theatre's Co-Founder). America's Short Play Festival is here with an all-new SUMMER SHORTS lineup for 2019. Featuring exciting, funny, provocative and always original 10-minute comedies, dramas, and mini-musicals, SUMMER SHORTS is Miami's favorite fun-filled summer theatrical experience!

I don't wanna be a snitch but I can tell you A BRONX TALE is based on the one-man show that inspired the now classic film, this streetwise musical takes audiences to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s-where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he'd love to be. Featuring an original doo-wop score, this is a tale about respect, loyalty, love, and above all else: family. I have great news for you, mafiosos. Bronx Tale will play the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on June 11 through 23, 2019 and you don't need to wack anyone to see it!

City Theatre's Artistic Director, Margaret Ledford, was a joy to interview- as intelligent as she was funny. We talk all things SUMMER SHORTS. City Theatre and the Adrienne Arsht Center present Summer Shorts 2019, May 30 - June 23, at Carnival Studio Theater. The summer theater season starts with a fresh batch of City Theatre's SHORTS at the Arsht Center!

Infectious. Hopeful. A Celebration of Life. Viva La Parranda! Miami New Drama has become the pulse of the Miami Theatre scene; a place where the Magic City's melting pot of cultures, languages and this time even food is celebrated. This isn't just lip service! Their audiences come to see themselves and their neighbors on stage. Miami New Drama's world premiere musical, Viva La Parranda!, was an absolute celebration of life, of our diversity and what makes our society richer. It reveals the story of a small folkloric Afro-Caribbean band, artists Betsayda Machado y La Parranda El Clavo, that emerged from a remote village in Venezuela, the most dangerous country in Latin America, to become New York Times Best Album and captured the world's imagination with their unique sound.

Disney's The Lion King at the Adrienne Arsht Center was packed with excitement even before the first song was sung. People flocked to the Arsht Center because of what a Disney musical promises: larger than life characters, lavish costumes, out of this world set design and stories we adore. The Lion King delivers in every aspect. Honestly, what is there not to love? It is still my favorite of all Disney musicals closely tied with Beauty and the Beast because of its ionic status. Lions, Tigers and... Elephants. The opening number, 'Circle of Life', has all the WOW factor I remember when I first watched it years ago. Watching beautifully elaborate costumes, puppetry, makeup and all the spectacle is what you come to expect from Disney's The Lion King. Once the huge elephant was making its way from the house to the stage you can hear audible gasps from the audience from adults and children alike. The Serengeti came alive all around us.

Nostalgia. The dictionary defines it as a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with a happy personal association. For me, nothing defines it better than the words 'The Lion King'. I still remember how I felt the first time I saw Mufasa hanging on to the cliff for dear life or hearing the words 'Hakuna Matata'. The iconic movie is clearly a part of my childhood memories. I watched over and over again my favorite Disney film on my family's VCR player. I also clearly remember the madness and sheer joy it brought to Broadway when I was just a little girl. That same little girl within me that still loves everything Disney (as a true Floridian does) can't wait to see Disney's The Lion King at The Adrienne Arsht Center, May 8 through the 26. Disney's The Lion King is making its triumphant return to the Arsht Center! With all the magic found in the film, the musical out does itself. Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist.

Last night the heaven's opened the flood gates and it rained as if a hurricane was upon us in Miami, Florida. I have never seen so many lightning bolts nor that much flooding on I-95. Although not many people braved the storm, I was proud to be among the few that came to watch the Adrienne Arsht Center and The House Theatre of Chicago's UNITED FLIGHT 232. In one word, exquisite. The storytelling was incredibly inspired. I have a brand new appreciation and love for documentary style theatre. In the intimate Carnival Studio Theatre, it was hard not to hear the very visceral response the audience was having. As tears ran down my face, I could hear the muffled sounds of crying as the remarkable cast told the true story of fatal United Flight 232. It's adapted for the stage from the critically acclaimed book, Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival by Laurence Gonzales.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and The House Theatre of Chicago are proud to present UNITED FLIGHT 232. Playing May 4-May 19, 2019 in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater (Ziff Ballet Opera House), UNITED FLIGHT 232 closes Center's 2018-2019 Theater Up Close Series. Based on the true story of fatal United Flight 232 and adapted from the critically acclaimed book, Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival by Laurence Gonzales, this award-winning play depicts the power of the human spirit to defy unimaginable obstacles and transcend tragedy.

I dare you not to fall in love with Abigail Bengson. With her wild curls, quirky humor, pristine white jeweled dress and cowboy boats she stood on the stage and a light shined from inside her. As she sang, sometimes the sweetest sounds and other times wails of grief, she was mesmerizing. The only thing I was more captivated by then Abigail was Abigail and Shaun's love story. HUNDRED DAYS is the real life courtship of the Bengsons who married after three weeks of meeting each other and the rest is history. Although their love story is unconventional, the whirled wind romance felt relatable to anyone that has ever found their 'person'.

Pure Joy turned into Grief and Terror then finally Relief coursed through me. For 90 minutes, I was completely immersed in the experience that is AMPARO. And that is exactly what AMPARO is; a complete theatrical experience. As I am writing this I can still feel all the emotions I went through when I first participated in AMPARO. I say participated because you don't watch AMPARO, you live it. I also haven't stopped talking about it to anyone who will listen and even now when I describe the experience as I am urging family and friends to GO SEE IT, I get goosebumps. I fear that I won't do the experience justice with my mere words but I will do my best.

HUNDRED DAYS is the uncensored, exhilarating and heartrending true story about embracing uncertainty, taking a leap, and loving as if you only had 100 days to live. With magnetic chemistry and anthemic folk-punk music, creators and stars Abigail and Shaun Bengson explore a fundamental question: how do we make the most of the time that we have? HUNDRED DAYS was written by The Bengsons and Sarah Gancher, Music & Lyrics by The Bengsons, Directed by Anne Kauffman, Movement Direction by Sonya Tayeh. It was the 2018 Lucille Lortel & Drama League Nominee for Outstanding Musical.

God, I love Lincoln Road. And nope, I am not a tourist. Even though I have lived in Miami my whole life, I still get a thrill of walking down Lincoln Road people watching: girls in barely-there outfits with thongs exposed, men with chains heavy enough to weigh them down walking dogs who are dressed like people and people dressed like statues fully covered in sliver paint… BECAUSE MIAMI! Last night there was an added excitement that buzzed just steps away from South Beach and all the craziness surrounding Ultra. You can feel the excitement of the crowds entering the Colony Theatre to watch Miami New Drama's World Premier of Confessions of a Cocaine Cowboy in collaboration with the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning studio rakontur, written by Billy Corben and Aurin Squire, directed by Michel Hausmann. There was a sense of anticipation and energy entering the theatre as people poured into an almost sold out show. As the seats filled, I likened the energy of people talking excitedly in their seats to the party atmosphere of Miami Beach's lifestyle. It was obvious that, like myself, the crowd was filled with people who were fans of the documentary and were thrilled to see if the play would do it justice. And that it did.

Approximately 330 miles…That's how far Havana, Cuba is from Miami, Florida. Within that space lies a distance of less than an hour. However, to some people it might as well be a lifetime away. I remember all my childhood being told about what Cuba used to be by my grandparents. As a third generation Cuban American living in Miami, Florida, as soon as we start to crawl, you are hearing about the good ole days before Fidel Castro stole Cuba from the people - people who still long for home. So I was thrilled to research into AMPARO. This one of a kind immersive theater experience is based on the compelling, true story of an immigrant family's triumph through exile. From present-day Miami to 1957-Cuba, where you will follow cast members through the Cuban Revolution, bearing witness to the story of the Arechabala family--founders of THE REAL HAVANA CLUB rum.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a cult classic. People who love this musical don't just love the musical, they LOVE the musical. I, myself, have had a long time love affair with Sondheim's work. Stephen Sondheim has changed the American musical forever. As I sat in the audience on opening night of Zoetic Stage's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Arsht Center, a show I have seen many times, I threw the proverbial gauntlet at the director, Stuart Meltzer. I thought to myself, show me something I haven't seen before.

Well, Hockadoo! Memphis at the Actors' Playhouse was FANTASTICAL! Memphis was so fantastical that you can 'stick it in your gas tank and it will make your car run…you can rub it all over your head and watch your hair grow back… it's so good your nagging wife will shut up; your kids will stop screaming…' You catch my drift? It's one hell of a production. I remember watching Once the musical at Actors' Playhouse last year thinking that it was magic and I had those same feelings watching Memphis last night. The moment the curtains rose the tangible energy rippling off the stage was exciting.

Jeremy Jordan in concert was like meeting up with an old friend for coffee. An incredibly talented, handsome and funny friend… His ease and comfort in the delivery of small conversations with his equally talented and witty music director, Benjamin Rauhala, was refreshing. It felt honest and intimate. Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, Bonnie and Clyde, The Last Five Years) performed at the Aventura Arts and Cultural Center on March 6 as a part of their Broadway Concert Series.