Reyna, left, and McKeever
SPOTLIGHT ON
the creativity to write more plays and discuss other projects outside of Microtheater.” Playwrights and
directors cherish Microtheater for the challenges it presents, from adhering to a theme and writing succinctly to staging in a compact space. Los Angeles screenwriter Michael Kingston, formerly of Miami, champions those obstacles. “The space is constricting, but a lot of times those things force directors to think harder about how they’re going to use the space and come up with creative things,” he says. “And they’re putting out original material, so it’s great for writers.” Each Microtheater session coalesces
its plays around a theme, and the summer features LGBTQ programming in “Out of the Container” (May 25 –June 25), followed by “Micromusicals” (June 29 –July 30). From August 3 through September 3, local theater companies submit their best 15-minute works. If the past five years are any indication, expectations are as high as the experience is brief. à Microtheater is located at 1490 Biscayne Blvd (305-814- 6151,
microtheatermiami.com); $5/play.
“We get talent you can see on TV. But they’re here in this very small format, where they’re basically sweating on you.” —Muñoz
Homegrown talent
This summer marks a season of world-premiere productions from some of South Florida’s most accomplished playwrights.
Michael McKeever
Finding Mona Lisa Fresh off the award-winning success of last year’s After, McKeever is already back with the play’s innovative follow-up. In Actors’ Playhouse’s Finding Mona Lisa, his protagonist is the titular painting, the journey of which he explores from its creation by Leonardo da Vinci through vandalism, thefts and cameos in the lives of public figures from Napoleon to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. à 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables (305-444- 9293,
actorsplayhouse.org). July 12–Aug 13 at various times; $40–$58.
Stuart Meltzer
The Goldberg Variations At Fort Lauderdale’s Island City Stage, Meltzer, a.k.a. the artistic director of Zoetic Stage, premieres The Goldberg Variations, a play that has been gestating for 13 years. A young gay man’s relationship with his disapproving father is the center of this dysfunctional-family
47
comedy, which marries whimsy with pathos—and makes exceptional use of the Bach aria that lends the show its title. à 2304 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL (954- 519-2533,
islandcitystage.org). June 15– July 17 at various times; $35.
Theo Reyna Firemen Are
Rarely Necessary Mad Cat Theatre member Reyna, whose works feature deft wordplay and dystopian wit, concludes his company’s politically charged 2017 season with Firemen Are Rarely Necessary. Inspired by Governor Rick Scott’s infamous restriction of the phrase “global warming” in official Department of Environmental Protection communiqués, Reyna imagines a Florida future gone awry, with few approved words to describe the decline. à 9806 NE Second Ave (305-751-9550,
madcattheatre.org). June 29–July 16 at various times; price TBA. ■ John Thomason
May 18–August 16, 2017 Time Out Miami
PHOTOGRAPH: TOP CENTER: GEORGE SCHIAVONE; TOP RIGHT: COURTESY MICHAEL MCKEEVER
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
