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Thomas Gibbons' drama featured complex characters locked in a fierce struggle over race and culture, examining the deep currents of casual prejudice and paranoia that continue to flow under the surface of American life. But the fiery, articulate ideas were only part of this play's appeal. Gibbons has the uncanny knack of revealing one of the most maddening and central aspects of human experience -- his people are expert at spotting the flaws of others but completely unable to see their own.

Thomas Gibbons' drama featured complex characters locked in a fierce struggle over race and culture, examining the deep currents of casual prejudice and paranoia that continue to flow under the surface of American life. But the fiery, articulate ideas were only part of this play's appeal. Gibbons has the uncanny knack of revealing one of the most maddening and central aspects of human experience -- his people are expert at spotting the flaws of others but completely unable to see their own.

Fort Lauderdale's Sol troupe has found a devoted and growing following for its funky, informal "lounge theater" style. Offering a tossed salad of updated classics and high-powered, issue-oriented new plays, Robert Hooker and company have come a looong way in only a few short years. With such recent hits as Marisol, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and the blazing Stop Kiss, this Sol is generating a whole lotta heat.
Fort Lauderdale's Sol troupe has found a devoted and growing following for its funky, informal "lounge theater" style. Offering a tossed salad of updated classics and high-powered, issue-oriented new plays, Robert Hooker and company have come a looong way in only a few short years. With such recent hits as Marisol, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and the blazing Stop Kiss, this Sol is generating a whole lotta heat.

As the quality of South Florida theater continues to rise, several companies merit high praise but none more than Florida Stage for its challenging, high-quality productions, outstanding mix of local and national talent, and 100 percent dedication to new scripts. Instead of relying on star vehicles or recent New York hits, the Manalapan company, headed by producing director Louis Tyrrell, presents an array of new writers and contemporary issues for a discerning, adventurous audience. The funny, fantastical Running with Scissors took on the age-old conflict between love and death. The romantic, mysterious Mercy of a Storm delved into marital discord and class consciousness, while the fiery, articulate Permanent Collection tackled racial prejudice. To this add top-quality directors of national renown, top-caliber acting, production, and design and the result is a consistently high standard of theatrical art.

As the quality of South Florida theater continues to rise, several companies merit high praise but none more than Florida Stage for its challenging, high-quality productions, outstanding mix of local and national talent, and 100 percent dedication to new scripts. Instead of relying on star vehicles or recent New York hits, the Manalapan company, headed by producing director Louis Tyrrell, presents an array of new writers and contemporary issues for a discerning, adventurous audience. The funny, fantastical Running with Scissors took on the age-old conflict between love and death. The romantic, mysterious Mercy of a Storm delved into marital discord and class consciousness, while the fiery, articulate Permanent Collection tackled racial prejudice. To this add top-quality directors of national renown, top-caliber acting, production, and design and the result is a consistently high standard of theatrical art.

There might soon be a pill, if it's approved, and it probably will be, that would wipe out negative memories from the human brain permanently. Regret. Heartbreak. Failure. Your significant other throwing a pair of scissors at you. Anything your brain encodes as distressing. Before we all turn into Stepford wives, listen to Charm Wrestling, the debut album from Summer Blanket, and soak up the regret and heartbreak of Keith Michaud's voice as it glides over the dystopia of South Florida with achingly beautiful, blissful rock and the pastoral hues of something straining to break out of this water-logged state.

There might soon be a pill, if it's approved, and it probably will be, that would wipe out negative memories from the human brain permanently. Regret. Heartbreak. Failure. Your significant other throwing a pair of scissors at you. Anything your brain encodes as distressing. Before we all turn into Stepford wives, listen to Charm Wrestling, the debut album from Summer Blanket, and soak up the regret and heartbreak of Keith Michaud's voice as it glides over the dystopia of South Florida with achingly beautiful, blissful rock and the pastoral hues of something straining to break out of this water-logged state.

So the argument of what's considered "rock" gets bandied about with indifference these days, and every band in the past four years wants to think it's started the "rock revival." Fort Lauderdale's Pandabite isn't part of any rock revival, but it should get props for making music so loud and bombastic that it could practically make you shit in your pants. Its debut EP, Doom Box, contains four songs that are thicker than Guinness and sweep through the speakers like a wrecking ball. As for the live shows, two types of people can usually be spotted: the folks with the glassy-eyed stare who are too paralyzed with fear to make a run from the band's ear-assaulting metal and those who are there to do the heavy-metal hair swing right along with singer Juan Montoya.
So the argument of what's considered "rock" gets bandied about with indifference these days, and every band in the past four years wants to think it's started the "rock revival." Fort Lauderdale's Pandabite isn't part of any rock revival, but it should get props for making music so loud and bombastic that it could practically make you shit in your pants. Its debut EP, Doom Box, contains four songs that are thicker than Guinness and sweep through the speakers like a wrecking ball. As for the live shows, two types of people can usually be spotted: the folks with the glassy-eyed stare who are too paralyzed with fear to make a run from the band's ear-assaulting metal and those who are there to do the heavy-metal hair swing right along with singer Juan Montoya. Readers' Choice: The Freakin' Hott

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