Michael Sexton

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:

Compass Rose Theater Reveals Madeline Austin As Artistic Director
by Stephi Wild - Jun 17, 2025

Compass Rose Theater appointed Madeline Austin as Artistic Director for Compass Rose Theater. She replaces the theater's Founding Artistic Director, Lucinda Merry-Browne, who had led the theater since 2011 and retired in 2024. 

Video: HAMLET at St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
by Joshua Wright - Jun 10, 2025

The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s 2025 Shakespeare in the Park production of Hamlet sets the story in the 1960s, with design elements inspired by Mad Men and an original jazz score performed live.

Review: St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s HAMLET is Mid-Century Jazzy Cool
by James Lindhorst - May 31, 2025

Often a modern take on a classic will go awry, but Michael Sexton’s brilliant vision creates a phenomenal retelling of Hamlet. His collaboration with his actors and designers gives this production it very cool retro and jazzy vibe. The show’s running time clocks in at just under three hours. It is well paced, moves along expediently, and is masterful storytelling. This is an excellent production that is entertaining for the masses, not just for the Bardolators.  

ROMEO + JULIET Recoups on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Feb 17, 2025

Sam Gold’s production of ROMEO + JULIET recouped its $7 million capitalization during its extended, standing-room-only, 20-week limited engagement at  Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre.

ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE & More Set for The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival 25th Anniversary
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 6, 2025

The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival has unveiled its landmark 25th anniversary season, featuring a groundbreaking collaboration with the Saint Louis Zoo and more. See full programming and learn more!

Video: Jack Antonoff Talks New Music and Songs for ROMEO + JULIET
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 2, 2024

Composer and musical guru Jack Antonoff stopped by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to discuss the new Broadway production of Romeo + Juliet, which just began previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre. The songwriter and record producer wrote new music for this modern take on the Shakespeare tragedy.

Gabby Beans, Tommy Dorfman & More Will Join Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler in ROMEO + JULIET
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 12, 2024

The scene is being laid in fair Verona. The new Broadway production of ROMEO + JULIET, starring Kit Connor and Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Zegler, has just announced its complete cast.