Theatre Review: New Line Opens 28th Season With ‘The Zombies of Penzance’
The famous duo of Gilbert and Sullivan released their fifth collaboration, The Pirates of Penzance, in December of 1879. The opera proved highly successful and was performed around the world for well over a century. Probably the most popular version of the show is the 1981 Broadway musical, which won the Tony for best revival. Produced by […]
Theatre Review: Grand Production of ‘Evita’ Opens The Rep’s 52nd Season
Evita is the musical story of Eva Perón, an aspiring actress who became the First Lady of Argentina and a spiritual leader for the people. Created by the legendary duo of Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (book and lyrics), the show has captivated audiences all around the world since its debut in 1978. […]
Review: ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ Closes Incredible 100th Season at The Muny
Allow me to borrow from one of the songs of another Muny centennial season show, Jersey Boys, and say – “Oh, what a season!” This summer has truly shown what the phrase “Muny magic” means. It was clear Saturday night as Meet Me in St. Louis (the final show of the 100th season) opened, that […]
Theatre: Muny’s ‘Annie’ Has Audiences Fully Dressed With Smiles, Ear to Ear
Annie made its Broadway debut in 1977, nominated for ten Tony Awards and winning seven of them – including best musical. The show is based on, of all things, a comic strip from 1924 – Little Orphan Annie, by Harold Gray. With music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and a book by Thomas […]
Review: ‘Jersey Boys’ Delights Muny With Frankie Valli and Four Seasons Story
“Oh, what a night” indeed! The story of Frankie Valli, and his hit ’60s group The Four Seasons, makes for the perfect musical. Writers Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice have taken the true-story, and crafted a delightful show – full of plenty of laughs and of course numerous hit songs. It’s the kind of show that […]
Review: ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ is the Definition of Muny Magic
Last night at The Muny, on a beautiful summer evening in St. Louis, the audience experienced pure, theatrical joy. Those lucky enough to be in attendance for the opening night of Singin’ in the Rain are able to say that they were there when it happened. That is, when a life-long dream became a reality for 29-year-old […]
Southern Gothic and Skullduggery Abound in Opera Theatre’s Voracious ‘Regina’
The treachery and deceit of a Southern family in Gilded Age Alabama is the focal point of of Regina, Opera Theatre St. Louis’ second production of the season. Adapted from Lillian Hellman’s 1939 stage play, The Little Foxes, and composed by Marc Blitzstein, Regina is just as unscrupulous today as it was when it premiered […]
Review: Tension and Tuberculosis Highlight Glorious ‘La Traviata’
You can never say that Opera Theatre of St. Louis is short on ambition. As the company launches it 43rd season it once again brings its proclivity of showcasing both emerging artists and major stars for a dazzling season highlighted by their 27th world premiere and presenting a vibrant reboot of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, […]
Theatre Review: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ Plays Tennessee Williams Festival Through May 19
Widely considered to be the author’s best work, “A Streetcar Named Desire” kicked off the 3rd Annual Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis at The Grandel Theater last Thursday night. The dynamic, age-appropriate cast brings director Tim Ocel’s faithful production of Streetcar to life with intensity and passion. Exploring the human condition at its finest, the […]
Theatre Review: ‘Hamilton’ at the Fabulous Fox in St. Louis (April 3 – 22)
My first exposure to Hamilton – or at least what would eventually become the phenomenon – was in 2009, when Lin-Manuel Miranda performed at the White House Poetry Jam. At the time, Miranda was working on a hip-hop concept album called The Hamilton Mixtape, inspired by the biography Ron Chernow wrote in 2004. I was completely blown away […]