John Wylie News

New Line Theatre's production of BONNIE & CLYDE tied with Stages St. Louis' rendition of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING with nine nominations apiece for the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards to lead nominations for all shows produced by local professional theater companies in 2014.

The critically acclaimed New York, Off-Broadway hit musical Inside Out will celebrate its 20-year anniversary at the Grove Theatre Center in Burbank, CA February 12th - March 22nd, it was announced today by Kritzerland Entertainment and PlayWorks Music. Veteran TV/Film/Theatre/Actor/ Author/Performer/Playwright and CEO of Kritzerland Records Bruce Kimmel has been set to direct the musical by Doug Haverty (book and lyrics) and Adryan Russ (lyrics and music). An all-star female ensemble/cast of six features Sandy Bainum, Cynthia Ferrer, Stephanie Fredricks, Dana Meller, Leslie Stevens and Adrienne Visnic. Preview performances are February 12th and 13th with the show's official opening scheduled for February 14th.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis open their Studio Theatre season with playwright Daniel Pearle's A KID LIKE JAKE, a layered and contemporary look at issues of gender identification as seen through the eyes of a pair of concerned parents, who are conflicted in their feelings about the dress up roles their preschool age son is drawn toward. It's an engaging and, in many ways, touching and sensitive production that's sure to spark a lot of positive conversation about the subject, and that makes it important enough in and of itself, but its also a work that makes you really care about these characters in a very raw and emotional way that is quite unexpected.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens the 2014-2015 Studio Theatre series with A Kid Like Jake Jake by Daniel Pearle and directed by Seth Gordon. This moving production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, today, October 29-November 16, 2014.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens the 2014-2015 Studio Theatre series with A Kid Like Jake Jake by Daniel Pearle and directed by Seth Gordon. This moving production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, October 29-November 16, 2014.

Festival Celebrates 15 Year Anniversary of Free, Live, Outdoor Theatre in Forest Park. St. Louis Native Mike Donahue to Direct Epic Tale of Rulers and Lovers

Since the stories and cast of HENRY IV (pts. 1 & 2) and HENRY V intertwine, it's only fitting that I review Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' marvelous productions together. The shows will alternate (every evening except Tuesdays), and there will be special performances the next two weekends where both plays will be performed back to back. It's an amazing feat and since it's free to the public there's no reason not to pack up the whole family for a trip to Forest Park to check out these entertaining history lessons. Artistic Director Rick Dildine has put together an experience that I cannot recommend highly enough. It's truly a triumph.

Jim Butz will play the expansive role of Prince Hal/King Henry V in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' productions of Henry IV and Henry V, today, May 17 through June 15, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, it was announced today by Rick Dildine, artistic and executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.

A graduate of the Rep's Ignite! Play Festival (the 2014 festival takes place this week), playwright Rebecca Gilman's work, SOUPS, STEWS AND CASSEROLES: 1976, is currently receiving it's world premiere in the Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton. This is a smart and funny piece with a message that still resonates today, and I found myself genuinely moved by it. Having been a teen during the year 1976 when this action takes place, I can readily identify with the themes and values presented here. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) concludes its 2013-2014 Studio Theatre series with the topical Soups, Stews and Casseroles: 1976 by Rebecca Gilman and directed by Seth Gordon. This moving production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, today, March 12-30, 2014.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) concludes its 2013-2014 Studio Theatre series with the topical Soups, Stews and Casseroles: 1976 by Rebecca Gilman and directed by Seth Gordon. This moving production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, March 12-30, 2014.

Jim Butz will play the expansive role of Prince Hal/King Henry V in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' productions of Henry IV and Henry V, May 17 through June 15, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, it was announced today by Rick Dildine, artistic and executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.

Kimiye Corwin and Anderson Matthews will headline Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of 'Twelfth Night' tonight, May 24 through June 16 at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. Both Corwin and Matthews were last seen in SFSTL's production of 'Hamlet' as Ophelia and Polonius, respectively, in 2010. Preview performances are scheduled for May 22-23. Rick Dildine, executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, will direct.

In a first for Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, live music will be featured during the performances of 'Twelfth Night,' which is scheduled May 24 through June 16 in Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park. Preview performances are scheduled tonight, May 22-23.

In a first for Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, live music will be featured during the performances of 'Twelfth Night,' which is scheduled May 24 through June 16 in Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park. Preview performances are scheduled May 22-23.

Kimiye Corwin and Anderson Matthews will headline Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of 'Twelfth Night' May 24 through June 16 at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. Both Corwin and Matthews were last seen in SFSTL's production of 'Hamlet' as Ophelia and Polonius, respectively, in 2010. Preview performances are scheduled for May 22-23. Rick Dildine, executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, will direct.

While watching playwright Amy Herzog's wonderful play, 4000 MILES, I kept being reminded of my own relationship with my grandmother (on my mother's side of the family) who passed away many years ago (unfortunately, I never met my grandmother on my father's side). I secretly wished that I had been able to speak with her with the same amount of candor and openness that the character of Leo is able to in the play, but I was simply much too young, and she was far too reserved for that to have ever happened. That being said, the experience of watching these two interact was tremendously affecting, and something that will stay with me for a very long time. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has put together a great show that's both hilarious and extremely touching, and it features a terrific cast. I found it to be a marvelous production, and I highly recommend it.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) continues its 2012-2013 Studio Theatre series with the funny and moving drama 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog. This heartfelt production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, January 16-February 3, 2013.

Rick Dildine, Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, will direct this year's production of "Twelfth Night," it was announced today. The show will be presented from May 24 to June 16 at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park.