BWW Review: Finding Laughs at LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST at Orlando ShakesFebruary 27, 2017Research tells us that LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST could be Shakespeare's first comedies. It is also a Shakespearean comedy that stands the test of time with a plot that could be in any modern day romantic comedy film. While the verse is long winded, the plot is easy to follow and provides great belly laughs that are worth sticking through.
BWW Interview: Donald Rupe on Directing A FEW GOOD MENFebruary 21, 2017The play, A FEW GOOD MEN, preceded the film, but bubbled up in popular culture with the line, "You can't handle the truth." BroadwayWorld Orlando chatted with Director Donald Rupe to get some perspective about bringing this play to life.
BWW Feature: Kim's adventure to Food Truck Friday - Broadway EditionFebruary 6, 2017Food is my favorite thing. Theater is my second favorite thing. Combine those together and it's a sure way to ensure I will appear. Thursday's FAIRWINDS Broadway in Orlando 2017 - 2018 season announcement was met with a lot of excitement. Unlike year's past, there was no formal event to announce the new season. (I pulled my car over on I-4 by Disney to read the press release.)
BWW Review: Visiting Jersey with THE TOXIC AVENGERJanuary 24, 2017Fridays are normally my bad movie night. I traded bad movie night in for bad musical night. (Not that THE TOXIC AVENGER was executed poorly.) I found it thoroughly enjoyable and well casted. This show doesn't take itself seriously and that made this bad movie into a bad musical totally work. I can see why THE TOXIC AVENGER has a cultish following. The plot plus rock music by Bon Jovi's David Bryan makes for a night of laughs and good music.
BWW Review: History Comes Alive in BEN FRANKLIN: AN INGENIOUS LIFE with Ray FlyntJanuary 13, 2017Benjamin Franklin: one of America's Founding Fathers and man on the $100 bill comes to life in Ray Flynt's BEN FRANKLIN: AN INGENIOUS LIFE. Known as a philosopher, inventor, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the guy with the kite and key in thunderstorm, Ben Franklin is the stuff of legend, but a real person nonetheless. Ray Flynt takes on the iconic figure in the one-man-show, which he wrote, directs and performs.
BWW Interview: From Oz to Oz, An Interview with WICKED Tour's Isabel KeatingJanuary 10, 2017WICKED is flying into Orlando this week and those familiar with the story know that it's a story about friendship, acceptance, and connection. I had the opportunity to chat with Drama Desk winner and Tony Award nominee Isabel Keating, who is currently playing Madame Morrible on the WICKED tour. From the moment we began talking, I felt a radiating kinship that made me think twice about Madame Morrible as the 'bad guy' of the show.
BWW Review: Falling in Love with AN AMERICAN IN PARIS at the Dr. Phillips CenterDecember 15, 2016Paris is the city of love and this allure draws people to find themselves surrounded by art, light, and human connection. Set to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, the music of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS are instantly recognizable, but come with a twist in interpretation. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS harks back to the Golden Age of Broadway with archetypal characters, upbeat melodies, and long dance pieces.
BWW Feature: Dancing Full Circle with Alexandra Pernice of AN AMERICAN IN PARISDecember 12, 2016At some point in life you've probably pondered a career in the performing arts. For some that dream dies early, but for others they can turn their talent into a career. Orlando local Alexandra Pernice spent some time growing up here and learning how to be a professional performer. She now returns to Orlando with the national tour of AN AMERICAN IN PARIS this week.
BWW Review: Pass the Eggnog and Settle in for EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD at Orlando ShakesDecember 5, 2016Let's face it there are a lot of Christmas stories out there. From the moment Thanksgiving is over, the holiday movies begin to play non-stop and people begin blasting Christmas music. For theaters around the world Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL is that holiday staple sure to bring in audiences of all ages. EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD takes that idea and turns it on its head.
BWW Review: Exploring the Parallels of AMERICAN BUFFALO at Theater on the EdgeNovember 21, 2016
Capitalism is encapsulated in Theater on the Edge's portrayal of AMERICAN BUFFALO. Written by David Mamet, AMERICAN BUFFALO sits among the best modern American plays. While the play is a microscopic look into the lives of three men just trying to make a buck, it draws parallels to the underlying greed of corporate America. Theater on the Edge gives a raw, raucous, and honest production that would make Mamet proud.
BWW Review: Attending A MARVELOUS PARTY at Winter Park PlayhouseNovember 14, 2016The Winter Park Playhouse brings to life the musings and music of English playwright, composer, master-of-all-things theater Noel Coward. As a playwright, many of Coward's works still make their way into modern theater repertoire including BLITHE SPIRIT, PRIVATE LIVES and many more. A MARVELOUS PARTY is a light show that strings together songs and anecdotes written by Coward. Though slightly high-brow, I like to think of his work as observational satire and a peek into the life of a successful theater genius.
BWW Review: Orlando Shakes' STUART LITTLE is the Pick-Me-Up We All NeedOctober 31, 2016Orlando Shakes' STUART LITTLE delights young audiences and keeps the grown ups entertained too. This play is filled with colorful adventure, limitless optimism, and easy laughs that is exactly the pick-me-up needed this time of year. While most of the performances are sold-out to school audiences, there are still a few shows left for the general public to catch. If you have young ones this is definitely too much fun to miss.
BWW Interview: Alliyah Corley on Directing Rollins College's DYING CITY for Student-Run Rollins PlayersOctober 16, 2016Every year at the anniversary of 9/11, we stop and reflect about where we were, who was lost and the events that followed. It always catches me by surprise how much time has passed since 2001. DYING CITY is a play that follows one family's life after 9/11, but not in the way you may think. Student director, Alliyah Corley took some time to answer BroadwayWorld Orlando's questions about the show.
BWW Feature: Jeremy Seghers Brings to Life a DRACULA You've Never SeenSeptember 28, 2016What does an antique store and vampires have in common? Both will give you the creeps. Walking into Carmine Boutique you would probably look over your shoulder several times as you peruse the shop's collection of skulls and taxidermied items. Carmine Boutique is described as an 'antique, oddities, taxidermy shop with an Edwardian fetish club.' That strange feeling is exactly what Jeremy Seghers felt and immediately sparked the inspiration for producing his immersive staging of DRACULA.
BWW Review: Feeling Pretty at Orlando Shakes' WEST SIDE STORYSeptember 19, 2016It's a Broadway classic with show tunes that have permeated popular culture. This year Orlando Shakes brings WEST SIDE STORY to its mainstage to kick off its 28th season. With everything that Orlando has endured this Summer, WEST SIDE STORY has never been more relevant. At the start of the show, two cast members come out, one speaking in English, the other in Spanish to dedicated the performance to one of the 49 victims of the Pulse tragedy. It is a touching tribute that fits this story well.
BWW Interview: A Moment with Student Director Grace Zottig of Rollins College's THE FOREIGNERSeptember 19, 2016As the school year begins again we get a fresh crop of productions from our local colleges. To kick off this season Rollins College presents THE FOREIGNER. Grace Zottig is a senior and is gaining some hands on experience at directing alongside Thomas Ouellette. Grace took some time out of her busy schedule to answer some of my questions. It is refreshing to hear from someone just at the start of her career.