Kari Ely News

Several years ago the Steppenwolf Theatre Company's touring production of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY touched down at the Fox Theatre and I was blown away by it. I think it spoiled me with its massive set and terrific ensemble. So, when regional theatre companies began staging playwright Tracy Letts' work, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. But recently I saw the St. Louis Actors' Studio's presentation. Again, I thought this was a work that couldn't be scaled down to fit into the confines of a black box theatre. But, I was wrong. They've done an exceptional job with this production. The acting is superb, and somehow they've managed to parlay the intimacy into something that makes the play seem even more powerful. I think this is must-see theatre, and I urge you to check out this amazing production.

STAGES St. Louis is proud to announce casting for its blockbuster 31st Season: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 9 to 5, The Musical, and South Pacific. According to Artistic Director Michael Hamilton, this season's exceptional talent "explores the triumphant powers of family, friendship, loyalty, and community in an ever challenging world." STAGES also announces the cast for its Theatre for Young Audiences production, the fantastical family adventure, Seussical. All subscription and single tickets are on sale now.

On Today, November 11th, 2016 STAGES St. Louis will hold its fifteenth annual Applause! Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton to support the organization's Education and Artistic programs.

On Friday, November 11th, 2016 STAGES St. Louis will hold its fifteenth annual Applause! Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton to support the organization's Education and Artistic programs.

Due to unprecedented advance ticket sales, STAGES St. Louis is thrilled to announce the addition of a special matinee performance to the original Sister Act show schedule. A conscious effort to meet patron demand, this extra show marks the first additional matinee STAGES has put on in its 30 year history. The added performance will be held on Thursday, September 29th at 2pm.

There's a real reason to rejoice for everybody's favorite nun, Deloris Van Cartier, is coming to STAGES to stir up her special brand of habit-forming fun! Playing September 9-October 9 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, Sister Act will close STAGES' 30th Anniversary Season with the gift of laughter, the power of music, and a touch of heavenly inspiration.

On Monday, August 15th, STAGES St. Louis hosted its 8th annual one-night only cabaret event, Cheers!, benefitting the organization's Education and Artistic Programs.

STAGES St. Louis is proud to present its 8th Annual Summer Cabaret, Cheers!, benefiting STAGES' Education and Artistic programs on Monday, August 15, 2016 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

You say that you're feeling a little blue, or maybe just experiencing some 'non-specific' sadness? Then a sure cure for your condition can be found by attending STAGES St. Louis' scintillating presentation of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. This is an incredible and uproariously funny show that pokes gentle fun at the very core of musical theatre conventions. Everything is fair game in Bob Martin and Don McKellar's witty script, which even manages to lampoon opening blackouts and intermissions. This revival is a much welcomed and thoroughly enjoyable experience, and I can't remember the last time I've laughed so hard!

One of STAGES most frequently requested shows and winner of the Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, makes its triumphant return to the STAGES stage.

 One of STAGES most frequently requested shows and winner of the Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, makes its triumphant return to the STAGES stage. A musical about people who love musicals, The Drowsy Chaperone offers a delightful and hilarious testament to the transformative power of Musical Theatre. This Tony Award-winning show features a laugh-a-minute script and one show-stopping song and dance number after another.

STAGES St. Louis celebrates their 30th year with a very funny musical that deserved a much better fate that the short run it had on Broadway, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU. A play of sorts on the old song 'It Had to be You', this work is difficult to describe simply because there are so many farcical twists and turns that revealing any would spoil the experience. What I can tell you is how terrific this production is. It features a top notch cast that all seem to be having a great time, and why not? It's filled with clever lines and a fine score (music by Barbara Anselmi, book by Brian Hargrove and lyrics by Hargrove, Jill Abramovitz, Michael Cooper, Carla Rose Fisher, Ernie Lijoi, and Will Randall) that's catchy and really fits the show well. I will provide a brief synopsis, but suffice to say, this might be considered the Murphy's Law of shows that feature a wedding. But, you can't go wrong by taking in this superbly rendered presentation, and I heartily recommend that you see it!

Direct from Broadway and in its Mid-Western premiere, the refreshingly modern romantic comedy, It Shoulda Been You launches STAGES St. Louis' celebratory 30th Anniversary Season. This hilarious and heartwarming new musical about a madcap wedding celebration will run June 3rd - July 3rd at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

Following its recent 2016 Arts Organization Award from the Missouri Arts Council and five St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, STAGES St. Louis has announced casting for its celebratory 30th Anniversary Season: It Shoulda Been You, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Sister Act.

On Friday, November 13th, 2015 STAGES St. Louis celebrated the countdown to its 30th Anniversary Season at its fourteenth annual Applause! Gala, a benefit to support the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. Applause! 2015 raised proceeds of over $320,000. This year's numbers came on the heels of a spectacular 29th Season, which exceeded revenue goals with nearly $2 million in ticket sales. Judy and Jerry Kent served as the event's Presenting Sponsors and Honorary Co-Chairs, with Lynne Turley as Committee Chairperson. STAGES stars Kari Ely and Steve Isom co-hosted the night.

If you've seen the movie version of the THE FULL MONTY, and even if you haven't, you should make it a point to see STAGES St. Louis' current production of the musical version, because it's a fabulous show. Sometimes it's silly, sometimes it's serious, but one thing is certain, it's a show that tugs at the heart and has you rooting hard for these unemployed steel workers to pull off the scheme one of them hatches in order to earn some real cash. The show is wonderfully cast, and smartly directed, and more importantly, features a splendid, catchy score (music and lyrics by David Yazbek), and a top notch script by Terrence McNally that retains a lot of the more significant issues that made the movie so special to begin with. At its core it's a story of hope and following your dreams in the face of adversity, something we could all use more of, and that alone makes it an absolute must-see event.

STAGES St. Louis welcomes back its red-hot award-winning smash hit The Full Monty! Featuring a powerful story with enduring characters, this hilarious, yet heartwarming musical comedy will run tonight, September 4, through October 4 at the Robert G. Reim theatre in Kirkwood. 

On Monday, August 10th, STAGES St. Louis hosted its annual one-night-only cabaret event, Cheers!, benefiting the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. This year, STAGES proudly presented the world premiere of The Story Goes On: The Songs of Maltby & Shire, the inaugural workshop production from Emerson American Musical Creative (AMC). AMC is the newest division at STAGES for the creation of new American musicals. Monday night's attending audience was the first to enjoy this brand new show. 

I had the distinct privilege of being invited to attend Cheers! STAGES St. Louis' Annual Summer Cabaret last week, and it was a unique and fun experience that I was able to share with my young son. It's a yearly event that's designed to raise funds for STAGES' educational and artistic programs, and it featured a number of very interesting and entertaining performances, as well as some tasty appetizers and desserts prepared by Michael Brightman's With Love Catering. To say the event was a success is an understatement. What made this particular presentation especially memorable was the world premiere of a work-in-progress production of THE STORY GOES ON, which is a brand new revue of the songs of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire.