Review: ‘The Sweet Smell of Success’ at New Line Theatre (thru June 24)
Welcome to 1950s New York City. It’s a world of celebrity, nightlife, and the column of J.J. Hunsecker. 60 million people drink their morning coffee while reading the dirt, where anybody who’s anybody wants to read their name in black and white. And if you’re a press agent who wants to eat, you better get […]
Review: Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ THE TRIAL
There is a dystopian uneasiness enveloping Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ The Trial that is both timely and frightening. Based on Franz Kafka’s absurdist novel the opera, making its American premiere with this production, is nothing short of a minimalist masterpiece. It has been transformed from page to stage by Christopher Hampton, who wrote the libretto, […]
Opera Theatre St. Louis’ The Grapes Of Wrath Packs An Intense Wallop
Taking a landmark work of American literature and turning it into an opera is not the easiest thing in the world to do. When the book is The Grapes of Wrath, the stakes are even higher. Knowing that the novel’s social pulse and familiar characters resonate throughout our popular culture, Opera Theatre of St. Louis […]
Review: ‘Madame Butterfly’ Opens 42nd Season of Opera Theatre of St. Louis
There’s a momentum of intensity throughout Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ new production of Madame Butterfly that leaves audiences braced for impact as the production climaxes to an emotionally exhausting final act. Anointed as the opening production of the company’s 42nd season, Giocomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly uses the backdrop of a modernized Japan to reflect […]
Review: ‘Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage’ at the Fabulous Fox (May 12-14)
Fans of the Dirty Dancing film will love the musical that will be at the Fox for this weekend only. The show may have hit a couple sour notes on opening night, but overall, it was a fun, energetic homage to the hit film. Playing the role of Johnny Castle was Christopher Tierney. Taking over a […]
Review: Men Are From Mars – Women Are From Venus LIVE! (Playhouse @ Westport)
Surely most everyone has heard that, “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.” What they may not realize, however, is that expression comes from the title of a book published in 1992 by Dr. John Gray. It’s a metaphor for the differences in how men and women think. In short, they may as well […]
Review: Disney Presents ‘The Lion King’ at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
Now playing through May 7. Live theater truly is a magical artform. Something that I’ve always loved about it is that each experience is unique, and the audience that night gets to be a part of something which nobody else ever will. The performances that came before, and the ones that will follow, will be […]
Review: ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ Makes For a Strong Finish to 50 Years of The Rep
The most famous jam session in rock and roll history took place on December 4, 1956. Million Dollar Quartet is the story of the first and only time Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins would perform and record together. The place was Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee., owned by Sam Phillips – credited […]
Review: SHOTSPEARE is Literally Shots + Shakespeare, and It’s Hilarious
To drink, or not to drink? That is the question! Wouldn’t it be crazy if there were a version of Romeo and Juliet where the cast would go out into the audience, and poor shots of vodka straight into your mouth from the bottle? Or what if members of the audience could yell out, “SHOTSPEARE” in […]
Review: ‘ZORBA’ Offers a Timeless Lesson Among Fun. Now Playing New Line Theatre Through March 25!
“Life is what you do while you’re waiting to die, Life is how the time goes by! Life is where you wait while you’re waiting to leave, Life is where where you grin and grieve!” This verse from the opening number in ZORBA, “Life Is,” perfectly sums up the message of the show. Yet it is only after […]