rakontur

I have to let the people of Miami know that something extraordinary is happening in a little black box theater on Biscayne Boulevard and 30th Street…

It is the Florida premiere of a play called, SOME GIRL(S), by Neil LaBute, an outstanding work from an accomplished and controversial playwright. LaBute is the man behind such compelling films and plays as, IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, THE SHAPE OF THINGS and NURSE BETTY. It is also a superb production, with meticulous casting, nuanced performances and deft direction from the members of the young, fresh Mad Cat Theater Company. It is clear that everyone involved in this project, on stage and off, has put something incredibly personal on display here — emotional nudity, if you will.

It is the story of a man, a journalist, on the verge of his wedding, who is traveling around the country, meeting with ex-girlfriends in an effort to talk things out and “right some wrongs.” The play consists of five scenes, each with the man and a different woman in a different hotel room. This story spoke to me on so many levels. It is a show for any man who has ever loved a woman — or too many women. Or any woman who has loved a man today, who was gone tomorrow, and has thought of him everyday since. See it — TWICE!

The production is not without its flaws, though it is among the best that Florida theater has to offer and a GREAT night out (they serve drinks). It received raves from both the Miami Herald, where it was named a “Critic’s Pick,” and the Sun Sentinel. It is certainly the finest production I have yet to see from the ambitious and accomplished Mad Cat Theater troupe, since I attended their inaugural season many years ago.

COCAINE COWBOYS has become an international cult classic thanks, in no small part, to a parade of artists such as Pharrell, Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, Pitbull, et al. After these (and many other) folks saw CC, they made it their personal crusade to go public and tell everyone they know about it. Now I feel compelled to pay it forward: See SOME GIRL(S) — TWICE! Because if you have seen it, it is worth a second look. And if you haven’t seen it, it is worth a first AND second look. I plan to give it a third and a fourth look, so I’ll see you there!

SOME GIRL(S) is playing at the Miami Light Project at 3000 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8PM through March 15th. For ticket info go to www.myspace.com/madcatcompany.

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