Jonah D. Winston

Review: DISNEY’S FROZEN at The Muny is Moving and Heartfelt Storytelling
by James Lindhorst - Jul 8, 2025

The Muny’s Frozen is filled with endearing performances, gasp-inducing stagecraft, beautiful musical direction by Darryl Archibald, and loveable puppets created by Puppet Kitchen’s Eric Wright. But it's not the many wow moments that make Frozen special. Frozen is touching because of John Tartaglia’s moving storytelling that takes the audience on a journey beyond Arendelle to explore a sister’s love and the basic need for human connection.

Photos: Hannah Corneau, Patti Murin and More in FROZEN at The Muny
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 7, 2025

You can now get a first look at production photos of Frozen at The Muny, starring Hannah Corneau as Elsa, and Patti Murin reprising her role as Princess Anna.

Review: WAITRESS at Paramount Theatre Aurora, IL
by Tina St. Angelo Wetzel - Feb 23, 2025

The current production at the Paramount Theatre is the musical Waitress based upon the motion picture. When it opened, it was the first all-female production team on Broadway. Director and choreographer Katie Spelman gives the audience an evening of laughter, some tears and love. Sarah Bareilles’ music played by the Paramount Orchestra under the direction of Celia Villacres, fills the theater with the beauty of the different styles.

NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Extends at Writers Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 27, 2024

Writers Theatre is extending its hit production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, written by Dave Malloy and directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman with music direction by Matt Deitchman. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Review: NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 at Writers Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - Sep 20, 2024

It’s a joy to experience GREAT COMET end-to-end, and for musical theater lovers that want to hear a complicated score flawlessly performed, this is the ticket. This GREAT COMET soars.

Paramount Theatre Reveals Cast For Midwest Premiere Of Disney's FROZEN
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 19, 2024

Paramount Theatre announced the cast for the regional premiere of Disney's FROZEN, featuring a lineup of seasoned performers. The production is set to bring the beloved story to life on stage in its midwest premiere.

More Than 347,000 Attendees Visit The Muny's 106th Season
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2024

The Muny has announced that more than 347,000 audience members attended performances in Forest Park as part of the theatre’s epic 106th season, which ran June 17-Aug. 25.

Writers Theatre To Present NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 2, 2024

Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, opens its 2024/25 Season with Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 written by Dave Malloy and directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman with music direction by Matt Deitchman. 

Review: The Muny's WAITRESS is a Sweet Slice of Musical Theater Pie
by James Lindhorst - Aug 1, 2024

WAITRESS is another must-see musical production in the Muny’s 106th season. Brown’s direction is incredible. She accomplishes the near impossible staging an intimate musical on a massive stage. Credit her and the entire technical team for pulling off miraculous Muny magic. Vosk is brilliant. The entire cast is superb. They deliver delightful vocals and find all the humor baked into the script. The Muny’s Waitress simply gets everything right. It is a sweet little slice of musical theater pie.