What do you get when you pair a semi-neurotic, New York gay comedy writer with two queer music superstars from Nashville?
A hilarious and audacious farm-to-fable musical about the one thing Americans everywhere can’t get enough of: corn. “Shucked,” running June 10-22 at The Broward Center, is the new musical comedy that proves sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life. “Shucked” is turning musical theater on its ear and is offering a kernel of hope for our divided nation, with more than a few corn puns along the way.
NEW SHOWS SHORT RUNS
There’s a new player in town: Latiné Theater Lab. For its inaugural offering, it presents “Mud” by María Irene Fornés. The psychological thriller explores the tangled web of sex, power, and survival. The haunting blend of horror and drama — ideal for fans of horror, and bold theatrical experiences — winds up its short run at Empire Stage this weekend. Go to latinetheaterlab.com.
Meanwhile, New City Players gives the unpredictable satire, “Confederates,” by Dominique Morisseau, its Florida premiere on July 12. This fresh-from-off-Broadway show blends outrageous humor with sobering truths, challenging our perceptions of progress and history. In the play, Sara risks everything to smuggle military secrets from her Confederate plantation to her Union-fighting brother. One hundred and sixty years later, Sandra watches her tenured university career unravel after a racist image appears on her office door. It runs through July 27 at Island City Stage. New City Players offers a special pay-what-you-can preview ($5-$25) on July 11. I’m sure the irony of performing at a theater on Dixie Hwy. is not lost on them.
TOTALLY AWESOME SUMMER FUN
The Broward Center began its jump back in time with the “Time Warp” of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 50th anniversary screening earlier this month, and it continues all summer with more '80s-inspired fun. The South Florida Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 40th Anniversary of an iconic film with “Back to the Future in Concert” on July 3. Watch the film in high def, accompanied by the South Florida Symphony Orchestra performing award-winning composer Alan Silvestri’s dazzling musical score live in sync with the film. Audiences will enjoy an exclusive treat with 20 minutes of brand-new music added by Silvestri to the film’s score. There’ll even be a DeLorean parked in front for photo ops. Then on Aug. 2, ‘80s pop queens Taylor Dayne and Lisa Lisa appear at the Broward Center. “Tell it to My Heart!”
SPEAKING OF DIVAS
There will be plenty on display (on stage and in the house) at the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida to give a significant shout-out to the superstar women who gave us unforgettable music and have publicly and unapologetically stood behind the LGBTQ community. For its Pride concert, it's our turn to love them back! The chorus will pay tribute to Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Whitney Houston, Chappell Roan, and more in a concert filled with a rainbow of styles and surprises. And if you want to come dressed as your favorite diva, I’m certain no one will mind (just so long as your hair or costume doesn’t block anyone’s view). You don't want to miss it! Go to gmcsf.org for your tickets.
LOOKING FORWARD AND BACK
The Norton Museum of Art looks backward and forward with two new exhibitions this summer. “Veiled Presence: The Hidden Mothers and Sara VanDerBeek” opens June 14 and explores 19th-century photographs of children, and their mothers or caregivers who are elaborately concealed in textiles, obscured by furniture, or blotted or scratched out of the images entirely. “The Virtue of Vice: The Art of Social Commentary” opens July 12. Curated by Regina Palm, Norton’s Senior Curator of Modern Art, it displays more than 25 works on paper that reflect how artists have drawn upon social commentary as a means of artistic expression.
