Michael Baxter

Around The BroadwayWorld: Top News, Reviews, Interviews & More from May 2026
by Team BWW - Jun 9, 2026

Around the BroadwayWorld is our monthly snapshot of the biggest stories making waves across the global theatre community. In this May 2026 edition, we're bringing you a fresh batch of standout reviews from regional stages across the country - from Brigadoon at Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles to The Phantom of the Opera at Seattle's Paramount Theatre and Pippin at Signature Theatre in DC.

Interview: Chatting with The Muny's Casting Director Michael Baxter
by James Lindhorst - May 28, 2026

Michael Baxter’s work will shine on The Muny stage during all 50 performances this summer. He led the efforts and had a hand in hiring every one of the 194 actors who will fill the principal and ensemble roles.

Casey Likes, Michael Park, Anastacia McCleskey, and More Will Lead NEWSIES at The Muny
by Stephi Wild - May 12, 2026

The Muny announced the principal cast for Disney's NEWSIES, starring Casey Likes, Michael Park, and Anastacia McCleskey, among others, in the production's first Forest Park return since 2017.

Matt Doyle, Jacob Dickey, and More Will Lead SOMETHING ROTTEN! at The Muny
by Stephi Wild - May 7, 2026

The Muny announced the lead cast for SOMETHING ROTTEN!, including Tony winner Matt Doyle and Bryonha Marie, as the musical comedy makes its Muny premiere to close Season 108 in Forest Park.

Anna Zavelson Will Play Christine Daaé in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA in London
by Stephi Wild - May 5, 2026

Anna Zavelson, known for her Broadway debut in THE NOTEBOOK, will join the cast of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty's Theatre in London for an 11-week run alongside Dean Chisnall as The Phantom.

Nick Rashad Burroughs, Jawan Jackson, and More Will Lead AIN'T TOO PROUD at the Muny
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026

The Muny announced the cast for its premiere production of AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, starring James T. Lane, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Jawan Jackson, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, and Daniel Yearwood.

Joan Almedilla, Michael Canu, Bobby Conte, and More Join SOUTH PACIFIC at The Muny
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2026

The Muny announced the lead cast for its upcoming production of SOUTH PACIFIC, starring Paulo Szot and Taylor Louderman alongside ten additional performers at the outdoor theatre in Forest Park.

Photos: Beatrice Penny-Touré, Dean Chisnall, and More in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2026

New production photos have been released for Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty’s Theatre. Check out the photos here!

Beatrice Penny-Touré to Play Christine in His Majesty's Theatre's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
by Gillian Blum - Feb 6, 2026

Beatrice Penny-Touré will play the role of Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre for 10 weeks only, from Monday, March 2 until Saturday, May 9.

Critic James Lindhorst's Best of St. Louis Theatre in 2025
by James Lindhorst - Dec 15, 2025

This past season was the year of the comedy in St. Louis Theater. Companies across the city had audiences laughing all season long with slapstick, farce, and satire. There were some wonderful musical productions that really sang, a few hard hitting dramas, but comedies reigned in both quantity and quality. Instead of publishing a Top 10 list this year, I’m going to recognize the Best in St. Louis Theater for 2025. “The Best” is still a shortened list of just 13 shows out of the nearly 90 shows I saw this past year. It took weeks of thought and painstaking consideration to decide which productions would be included in my annual list. Here they are. The productions are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked by favorites:

Photos: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Extends at His Majesty's Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Sep 22, 2025

New production photos have been released for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty’s Theatre. Check out the photos and learn more here!

Review: The Muny's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is The Best of Times
by James Lindhorst - Aug 10, 2025

The Muny’s La Cage Aux Folles is enormity in storytelling. Contrasted with the intimacy of last week’s Dear Evan Hansen, Marsha Milgrom Dodge’s La Cage captures the grandeur of what The Muny does best. It is a grand venue that supports epic productions.

Review: The Muny's Emotionally Charged DEAR EVAN HANSEN Packs an Emotional Wallop
by James Lindhorst - Jul 30, 2025

The Muny production of Dear Evan Hansen is a departure from the huge overblown musical extravaganzas that normally populate The Muny stage. It's a much smaller show but it is profoundly emotional. It creates intimacy that was once thought impossible in this large venue and opens other opportunities for the stories that the Muny can tell.  Like his emotionally charged direction of Fiddler on the Roof last season, Rob Ruggerio’s Muny version of Dear Evan Hansen packs an emotional wallop. Michael Fabisch, Jackie Burns, Maggie Lakis, Rob McClure, Afra Sophia Tully, and the rest of this cast grabs the audience, holds them close, and leaves them with a deeply touching and poignantly warm theatrical experience. 

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.

Review: COME FROM AWAY at The Muny is a Soul-Stirring Piece of Musical Storytelling
by James Lindhorst - Jun 28, 2025

The Muny’s emotionally impactful Come From Away captures the humanity, heart, and soul of Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s poignant book and beautifully soaring score. This elite cast of actors transports the audience back to Gander, Newfoundland with lived-in and emotionally truthful performances. Director Seth Skylar-Heyn did the near impossible shrinking the colossal Muny’s stage into an intimate storytelling space. Scenic designer Edward E. Haynes’ revolving stage is genius.

Full Cast Set For FROZEN at the Muny
by Stephi Wild - Jun 25, 2025

The Muny has revealed the full cast for its premiere production of Disney's Frozen, which runs next month on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park. Learn more here!

New Cast Will Join THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty's Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jun 23, 2025

New casting has been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at His Majesty's Theatre, Joining the company on Monday 28 July will be Adam Rhys-Charles as Raoul and Bradyn Debysingh as Ubaldo Piangi.

Video: Behind the Scenes of BRING IT ON at The Muny
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 13, 2025

The Muny has shared a new look behind the scenes of Bring It On: The Musical! Brace yourself for the ultimate cheer showdown with The Muny's first production of the summer! Their upcoming season will also include Frozen, Evita, Come From Away, and more. Watch the video!

Video: Kennedy Holmes Performs 'We Ain't No Cheerleaders' From BRING IT ON at The Muny
by Michael Major - Jun 11, 2025

The Muny has shared a video of Kennedy Holmes performing “We Ain’t No Cheerleaders” from Bring It On: The Musical! Brace yourself for the ultimate cheer showdown with The Muny's first production of the summer!

Full Cast Set For BRING IT ON at the Muny
by Stephi Wild - Jun 5, 2025

The Muny has announced the full cast for its premiere production of Bring It On: The Musical, which opens the theatre's 107th season in Forest Park beginning this month.