Maybe ... Maybe Not 1996

“So, did you hear the story of the Johnstone twins? As like each other as two new pins. Of one womb born, on the self-same day, how one was kept and one given away?” These are the words spoken by the Narrator at the beginning of BLOOD BROTHERS, the long-running West End musical by Willy Russell which provides the perfect setup for the play that follows. BLOOD BROTHERS is not a show that gets produced that often, but that is likely exactly why the Florida Theatrical Association has opted to mount a production of the musical – to introduce it to new audiences and provide theatregoers the unique experience of seeing the show. I attended opening night and it was, in fact, the first time I have had the chance to see a live production even though I have been familiar with the piece due to its popularity in England and its not-as-successful run on Broadway in the early 1990’s. And though the piece itself has some challenges (more on that later) the FTA’s production is solid with outstanding and emotional performances by the cast and a creative vision true to the material

The sky is blue, the sun is out, and theater classrooms around the country are empty, which can only mean one thing: it’s summertime! Now that you’ve finally survived finals, written your last essay, and handed in your last test, you might be wondering — what the heck am I supposed to do now?

What could it have been like to be the son of a Founding Father, later to become President himself, who interacted with so many of this country’s movers and shakers?  Aaron Posner tackles this question with wit and intelligence in his play JQA, which he subtitles “A Series of Fictitious Encounters Between John Quincy Adams & Sundry Family Members & Political Associates on the Subjects of Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of a More Rational Relationship with Government.”

It's not easy having a conversation with Joel Roster. He's got a lot to tell you, and as the Artistic Director of a new theater company approaching its sophomore production, his manic (and yet genuinely friendly) energy runneth over when the name Aaron Sorkin comes up.