Matthew McCarthy News

MY ONE AND ONLY is what I like to call a "retrofit" musical, appropriating tunes from the Gershwin brothers (Ira and George, of course) catalog, while creating a book (Peter Stone and Timothy Mayer) that incorporates familiar elements from 1927, the year it's set in. That being said, it's a slick and flashy excursion into fun that's "all talking, all singing, and all dancing". This final production of the season for Stages St. Louis is a terrifically convivial ride utilizing the old "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" plot that so many musicals, particularly from that era, rely on.

From September 7 through October 7, The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood will be roaring with 1920s melodies sure to have you on your feet and dancing out the door with STAGES final production of the 2012 season, My One and Only. Meet the cast in the photos below!

The Sound of Music just closed at STAGES St. Louis, and Casey Erin Clark, who played the starring role of Maria Rainer, captured her experience in photos. Scroll down for a day-in-the-life photo diary of Clark's experience onstage!

There are a number of reasons that Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC is still so popular today. The songs are definitely catchy and familiar, and the story is compelling. But, it takes a good cast and solid direction to make it work properly, and the troupe that Stages St. Louis has corralled are excellent in their roles. This venerable warhorse of a show is their current production, and its charm still holds up remarkably well after all these years.

From tonight, July 20 through August 19, The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood will transform into the beautiful hills of Austria echoing tunes of childhood when STAGES ST. LOUIS presents the beloved musical masterpiece, The Sound of Music.

From July 20 through August 19, The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood will transform into the beautiful hills of Austria echoing tunes of childhood when STAGES ST. LOUIS presents the beloved musical masterpiece, The Sound of Music.

On Friday, June 29, 2012 Tony Award winner and Ain't Misbehavin' creator, Richard Maltby Jr. visited STAGES ST. LOUIS to experience their critically acclaimed production first hand. Following the 8:00 pm performance Maltby Jr., met with the cast and crew to congratulate them on a successful run. Check out photos of Maltby with the cast below!

The musical adaptation of the 1967 animated feature film, THE JUNGLE BOOK, is a sheer delight, perhaps best viewed through the eyes of a child. And, the first production I ever took my young son to see was this same show a few years back. But, he was so small he didn't really remember it that well. So, the opportunity to see it again afforded me the perfect chance to reacquainted him with its many charms. Stages St. Louis's presentation didn't disappoint, providing a crisply paced production that fully captured my son's attention and imagination once again.

One of the first shows I remember reviewing when I became a theatre critic was AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', and it's become a favorite of mine ever since. Although, I've had to wait quite a few years for a group to do a revival of this fascinating revue based on the songs and recordings of the fabulous Fats Waller. To kick off their season, Stages St. Louis is presenting a very fine production of this show, and it features, not only five terrifically talented singers, but also a live band to accompany them. This is the first time I've seen Stages actually utilize a live band, and I must say it works out wonderfully well. There's a palpable intensity in the performers as they feed off the positive energy of these exceptional musicians that makes this a must-see event.

Florida Repertory Theatre announced the opening of the final show in its 2011-2012 season, The Mystery of Irma Vep, a funny, and fast-paced spoof of classic melodrama. Running May 4-20, with three nearly sold out discounted previews on May 1, 2, and 3, The Mystery of Irma Vep is two parts The 39 Steps, one part Jane Eyre, and four parts witty.

Florida Repertory Theatre announced the opening of the final show in its 2011-2012 season, The Mystery of Irma Vep, a funny, and fast-paced spoof of classic melodrama. Running May 4-20, with three nearly sold out discounted previews on May 1, 2, and 3, The Mystery of Irma Vep is two parts The 39 Steps, one part Jane Eyre, and four parts witty.

The Ceremony for the Seventh Annual Kevin Kline Awards took place last night at the Loretto-Hilton Theater, honoring productions in St Louis from 2011. We've got the full list of nominees and winners below.

A woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman? The side-splitting musical comedy, Victor/Victoria closes October 10 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

What is it about movie adaptations and Broadway? They're constantly adapting motion pictures for the stage, and yet, the majority are expensive flops and failures. Is it the fickle nature of the 'Great White Way', or simply cynical critics and theatre patrons who are jaded by these repeat offenders? Well, their loss is our gain, and the funny, romantic, utterly charming and delightful production of VICTOR/VICTORIA by Stages St. Louis is certainly proof enough that something is amiss in their estimations. This closer for Stages season is well worth you time and attention, and proves once again that some productions just work better in other venues.

Victor/Victoria opens September 9 at STAGES ST. LOUIS and continues through October 9 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

A woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman? The side-splitting musical comedy, Victor/Victoria opens September 9 at STAGES ST. LOUIS and continues through October 9 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

A woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman? The side-splitting musical comedy, Victor/Victoria opens September 9 at STAGES ST. LOUIS and continues through October 9 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

Frances Hodgson Burnett's work, THE SECRET GARDEN, was initially serialized before being published in 1911 and becoming a children's classic. Several attempts by Hollywood have tried to capitalize on it's dramatic and hope-filled story, with the 1949 MGM adaptation, starring Margaret O'Brien, wonderfully changing from black and white into full-blown technicolor as the garden is revealed in all it's splendor. However. most folks today will probably be more familiar with the the rather staid, but thoughtful motion picture made in 1993, which was fairly well mounted. This current stage adaptation is far more appealing in any number of ways, with stronger acting and a memorably performed score being among the many highlights that are attractive to an audience interested in the material.

Unlock the magic behind The Secret Garden,opening July 22 at STAGES ST. LOUIS.The Secret Garden continues through August 21 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

Unlock the magic behind The Secret Garden,opening July 22 at STAGES ST. LOUIS.The Secret Garden continues through August 21 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.