Dale Reiling

Hodges and Hodges Set the Stage for The Phantom of the Opera at SHNSF's Orpheum Theatre, playing now through October 4th.

Though the weather was stormy on the opening night of the MUNY's presentation of the American Repertory Theater's 2011 update of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, and believe me I drove through some heavy downpours as I made my way to Forest Park, somehow the rain held off and allowed this wonderful show to proceed. Purists have been in an uproar over the fact that the original show has been altered, and while I certainly understand what all the fuss was about, there's no denying the fact that this new interpretation is a moving and compelling production that's definitely a winning crowd-pleaser.

On May 12th company members from the national tour of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess presented Inspired By Love: The Music of Brett Macias Upstairs at Vitellos, benefiting Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP). Inspired By Love featured selections from composer Brett Macias's musicals Gumbo, Beautiful Dreamer, and Beneath the Surface as well as a world premiere song cycle based on the love sonnets of Pablo Neruda. Scroll down for photos from the concert!