By PAM HARBAUGH The Henegar Center erupts with talent as five remarkable performers and an unflinching pit orchestra take you on a ride through the music, humor and atmosphere of the Harlem Renaissance in “Ain’t Misbehavin’ – The Fats Waller Musical Show.” While most musical revues struggle to present a story-like...
Review: Cocoa Village Playhouse’s ‘Oliver!’
By CATHY MATHIAS With a cast of adorable orphans and talented vocalists, “Oliver!” ranks as one of the best shows ever at Cocoa Village Playhouse. This popular 1960s British musical has never lost its appeal after long runs in London and New York and several revivals, plus the Academy-Award-winning 1968 film...
Review: ‘Nunsense II’ at Surfside Playhouse
By CATHY MATHIAS Catholic nuns dancing, singing and basically making fools of themselves all in the name of a good cause is a good description of the musical, “Nunsense II”, now playing at Surfside Playhouse in Cocoa Beach. This is the sequel to the original musical “Nunsense” which was an international...
Review: ‘Venus in Fur’ at Mad Cow Theatre
By PAM HARBAUGH Something fantastical this way comes in Mad Cow Theatre Company’s offertory for the spooky season. It’s their seductive production of David Ives’ “Venus in Fur.” Those of a certain generation baptized in theatrical cruel role playing articulated so luridly in the mid-20th century by Jean Genet will find...
Review: Mad Cow Theatre’s ‘Other Desert Cities’
By PAM HARBAUGH The Palm Springs home of Lyman and Polly Wyeth is perfectly set for the holidays. The pillows are plumped just so. All the gifts beneath the Christmas tree sit in an aesthetically pleasing order. Even the fireplace imparts a sense of cool serenity. But in Jon Robin Baitz’...
Review: ‘Forever Plaid’
By CJ MATHIAS The musical revue “Forever Plaid” will bring back memories of the 1950s with songs like “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Catch a Falling Star” and “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.” With book by Stuart Ross and musical arrangements by James Raitt, “Forever Plaid” features four singers who call...
Review: “The Cocktail Hour”
By PAM HARBAUGH Melbourne Civic Theatre dusts off A.R. Gurney’s subtle and witty play, “The Cocktail Hour,” with a production that is both taut and articulate. In it, Bradley and Ann have lived the good life, and continue to do so as long as they look in the rear view mirror....
Review: ‘Young Frankenstein’ at Cocoa Village Playhouse
By Pam Harbaugh Cocoa Village Playhouse comes alive! alive! with its thoroughly enjoyable, laugh-a-minute production of Mel Brooks’ musical “Young Frankenstein.” In case you’ve had your nose in books too much, here’s the idea behind the story: Young Dr. Frankenstein is a respected neurosurgeon in New York City. He is beckoned...
Review: Titusville Playhouse “Les Miserables”
By PAM HARBAUGH Titusville Playhouse proved itself “The Little Engine That Could” on opening night of “Les Miserables.” Despite a major technical glitch that threatened to derail the show, the triumphant essence of a story well told by spectacular talent shone from first downbeat to tear-jerking final moment. Directed beautifully by...
Review: “The Cortez Method”
By PAM HARBAUGH With its professional world premiere production of Rob Keefe’s gripping new play, “The Cortez Method,” the Orlando Shakespeare Theater explores the frightening notion that humanity is on the line. Of course, you don’t have to look far to see that: the threat of war, genetic modification of food,...