DELIVERING HOPE: Kevin Kline Runs for Their Lives (Interview)
A winner of several fest awards, Delivering Hope is a feature documentary about people coming together for something bigger than themselves. Directed by Jordan Orsak, Delivering Hope profiles native St. Louisan Kevin Kline, (who at 13 was told by his father that his life would amount to nothing) touches on how his career as a radio […]
Theatre Review: The Fox’s AIN’T TOO PROUD Is a Triumph of Singing and Dancing
The Fabulous Fox’s new season is off and running with the lively Ain’t Too Proud. Based on Otis Williams’ The Temptations, this tightly energetic chronicle of the band’s rise and fall is filled with over twenty hits from their catalog presented in a relentless barrage of choreographed dance energy. Unlike most jukebox musicals, Ain’t Too […]
Theatre Review: Union Avenue Opera’s Glorious Season Finale Features a Lot of Night Music
Union Avenue Opera concludes its 28th season with a rousing production of A Little Night Music. Based on Ingmar Bergman’s 1955 film, Smiles On A Summer Night, the company’s rousing tribute to Stephen Sondheim is filled with wonderful singing and plenty of laughs. Set in Sweden at the start of the 20th century, A Little […]
Laughter and Lust Propel Union Avenue Opera’s FALSTAFF (Review)
Hosting a 28th season dominated by excellent performances, Union Avenue Opera’s second production, Falstaff may be the strongest of the bunch. Written when he was almost 80, Verdi’s comedic opera is a pared-down version of The Merry Wives of Windsor amended with scenes from Henry IV, Part 1, and Part 2 for dramatic heft and […]
Movie Review: Bosnian Migration to St Louis Profiled in A NEW HOME
Joseph Puleo is once again exploring the impact of immigration in St. Louis. Much like his previous film, America’s Last Little Italy: The Hill, his latest, A New Home examines how Bosnian immigrants built a community in the Gateway City that provided them with a brighter future. Screening at the 22nd Annual Whitaker St. Louis […]
Theatre Review: EUGENE ONEGIN Opens Union Avenue Opera’s New Season
Opening the 28th season in their home for the first time in over two years, Union Avenue Opera is filled with a renewed sense of energy. This vitality is especially apparent in the season’s opener, Eugene Onegin, an intense production filled with incredible performances and beautiful music. Based on Pushkin’s novel, Eugene Onegin is set […]
Opera Theatre of St. Louis Hits All the Right Notes with THE MAGIC FLUTE (Review)
With so much intensity permeating through Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ 48th season, it is good to see the company let its hair down. With two emotionally heavy world premieres surrounding it, The Magic Flute provides some much-need relief. Renovated by director Omer Ben Seadia’s clever pacing, Jessica Jahn’s vivaciously creative costumes, and Ryan Howell’s set design, […]
The Fight for Equality Has Dire Consequences in OTSL’s Poignant HARVEY MILK (Review)
It is only fitting that Opera Theatre St. Louis closes out its 48th season with an opera about overcoming adversity. Back on its home stage in front of an audience for the first time since 2019, the company has faced several challenges, including postponing two world premiere presentations. But, in the case of Harvey Milk, […]
Theatre Review: AWAKENINGS Is the Sleeper Hit of the Season
For Opera Theatre St. Louis, the season doesn’t get much better than having two world premiere operas in the same season. The first, an adaptation of Dr. Oliver Sacks’ book Awakenings, was originally planned as the opener for the 2020 season. Despite being stalled, this highly emotional opera has finally arrived. Relentless in its intensity […]
Review: CARMEN Opens 2022 Festival Season at Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Bullfighting and bravado take center stage for Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ feisty production of Carmen. Set in Franco’s Spain, Rodula Gaitanou’s battle of the sexes takes a little time to get going. But, once it does, the production kicks into overdrive. Opening the company’s 48th season, Gaitanou’s interpretation breaks away from the trendy projections […]
