James Lindhorst - Page 2

Albion Theatre consistently produces polished and well rehearsed plays. I Have Been There Before is no exception. It is extremely well directed, acted, designed, and stage managed. Priestly’s script has never connected with an audience to enjoy a lengthy theatrical run, but the Albion production is entertaining, with the second and third acts moving much more briskly than the first.

The legendary Marilyn Maye returns to St. Louis on November 19, 2025, with her musical tribute to the King of Late Night, Johnny Carson. For one night only, Maye will entertain audiences with her music and musings. Maye last appeared in St. Louis for two shows in February of 2024.

For the past year, St. Louisan Michael Schimmele has been living his dream. Schimmele is currently playing Babkak in Disney’s Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway. Babkak is Aladdin’s food-loving, wise cracking friend with a sky-high tenor. He is one-third of the storytelling trio who function like a mini-Greek chorus setting the stage, providing commentary, and helping to advance the plot.

Professor House blends Jacob Juntunen’s psychologically charged script with visionary direction, spellbinding performances, and evocative lighting and sound design. Director Sam Hayes, the cast, and technical team create an otherworldly experience that is riveting, thrilling, and absorbing. The macabre subject matter is deeply unsettling, but Hayes’ immersive storytelling is impressively unforgettable. It is a directorial masterwork from an emerging theater artist with an immense amount of vision and talent.

Elsinore is a bit of a coming-of-age tragedy peppered with romance, envy, and bloodlust, setting the stage for the beginning of Hamlet. It written with formal vernacular to enhance the story’s credibility. David Nonemaker and Eric Satterfield’s storytelling relies on many Shakespearean conventions including the use of soliloquies and asides, ghostly visits, a mix of comedy and tragedy, conflict, and one murder most foul. The one thing that is missing is a resolution. Elsinore is a bit like episodic television. It ends with a cliffhanger, but audiences already know the rest of the story.

Actors Alexandrea (Alex) and Justin Reynolds play members of The Shirelles and The Drifters. Alex sings lead on “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and Justin takes the lead on “Up on a Roof.” The couple, married in real life, sat down with Broadway World to talk about getting the opportunity to work together at STAGES St. Louis and sing King’s iconic tunes.

Tony nominee and Disney Channel star Kevin Chamberlin is bringing his family friendly cabaret show, “Finding the Joy,” to Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge. Chamberlin calls his show funny, emotional, and says it is peppered with fascinating stories about his career and how he became a TikTok sensation with nearly 11-million followers. Kevin took the time to sit down with Broadway World to talk about his upcoming performances in St. Louis.

The Midnight Company’s production of St. Nicholas is built for fans of vampire stories. The story of obsession leads a man to walk down a dark path with irreversible consequence. The script and Hanrahan’s delivery never quite reach a level of creepy macabre, but it is a fascinating story that’s suited to the Halloween season. The Midnight Company’s production of St. Nicholas continues at Greenfinch Theater and Dive Bar through October 5, 2025. Visit midnightcompany.com for more information.

Local theater artist Sam Hayes is finding their niche. The Louisiana native studied theater at The University of Southern Mississippi, earning two Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees, one in acting/performance and the other in costume design/technology. Following graduation, Hayes moved to St. Louis to begin their theater career at STAGES St. Louis. Since arriving they have worked non-stop acting, directing, and desiging costumes for shows.

STAGES St. Louis has announced their 40th Anniversary Season today.  Their season opens on May 30 – June 28, 2026. with the hilarious and quirky The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The season continues July 24 – August 23, 2026, with what many consider to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys and Dolls. The season closes with the long-awaited STAGES premiere of Come From Away on September 18 – October 18, 2026.

The talented and likeable Taylor Louderman charmed, delighted, and amused in her Blue Strawberry debut. Ending her set with the Tim McGraw hit “Humble and Kind,” Louderman sang, “Hold the door, say please, and say thank you. I know you’ve got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind.” No doubt words that this affable artist and compelling storyteller lives by.

Metro Theater Company continues its mission of introducing meaningful and entertaining theatrical productions to young audiences. Their current production, Carmela Full of Wishes, is Alvaro Saar Rios’ adaptation of Matt de la Peña’s graphic children’s book. Ageless actor Fabiola Cabrera stars as 7-year-old Carmela. The recent college graduate delivers a thoroughly convincing child like performance. Cabrera’s optimistic exuberance coupled with her playful imagination drives Carmela Full of Wishes. She charms with infectious vivacity and her zestful portrayal of the hopeful Carmela.

One of the most anticipated shows this fall is the regional premiere of Tracy Letts’ The Minutes at Stray Dog Theatre. The Minutes allows the audience to eavesdrop on a closed session of a small-town city council meeting. Hypocrisy and greed are exposed during the 90-minutes council meeting in the fictional town of Big Cherry. Broadway World had the opportunity to sit down with director Justin Been and St. Louis Theater Circle Award winner Stephen Peirick to talk about The Minutes

STAGES St. Louis production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is not only wonderfully nostalgic musically, but it is a richly entertaining evening of musical comedy. Director Jennifer Werner’s attention to detail creates an immensely enjoyable piece of period storytelling. The expressive and well-crafted performances of Brianna Kothari Barnes, Sean McGee, Kailey Boyle, and David Socolar skillfully tell the story of the two prolific songwriting teams whose music has stood the test of time.

On Friday, September 26 and Saturday September 27, 2025, Tony nominee Taylor Louderman will bring her cabaret show to the Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge. Louderman grew up in neighboring Bourbon, Missouri and started her career at The Muny. She took valuable time from her rehearsal schedule and her work with her non-profit organization, the Write Out Loud Project, to sit down with Broadway World and talk about her upcoming shows at Blue Strawberry.

The world-renowned Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) was recognized with nominations in two categories for the 2025 International Opera Awards. The world premiere staging of This House by Ricky Ian Gordon, Lynn Nottage and Ruby Aiyo Gerber was nominated for Best World Premiere, and the 2025 OTSL Festival Season was nominated for Best Festival.

Classic Adventure Movie; or Never Say Die will be a side-splitting, nostalgic paroday for cult fans of The Goonies. Those who’ve seen the movie once or twice will be entertained, find a few laughs, enjoy the cast’s animated exuberance, and be impressed by the show’s technical elements.

The performances in The Wanderers are first rate, but it is Robert Quinlan’s expertly crafted, immersive, and precise storytelling that ensnares the audience. Anna Ziegler’s nonlinear bittersweet script is laced with humor and several unexpected turns. The conclusion may be a bit overwrought, but Quinlan’s vision, direction, and staging overcomes the too full ending.

The musical Raisin, currently on stage at The Black Rep, is based on Lorraine Hansberry's 1950’s drama A Raisin in the Sun. The story tells of three generations of the Younger family sharing a cramped inner-city apartment on Chicago’s southside.

Death Jam is more a theatrical experience than storytelling. It is poetry and dramatic reading supported by modernistic lighting, sound, and video projections. Davis impresses with his command of the text and his vocal and physical interpretation. Bradford Lewis Rolen’s direction and set design, Bryant Powell’s transformative lighting design, and Davis’s sound and projection design engulf the audience into the Teller’s unearthly and dreamlike state.