Michael Sexton

The 2026 ST. LOUIS THEATER CIRCLE AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED - The Rep Leads All Companies with 38 Nods
by James Lindhorst - Feb 3, 2026

The St. Louis Theatre Circle has announced their nominations for their annual awards to be distributed on March 23, 2026, at the Loretto-Hilton Center. 172 theatre artists have been nominated in 34 categories honoring the best in St. Louis Theater in 2025. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis leads all companies with a record-breaking 38 nominations for their productions of Athena, Clyde’s, Emma, Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Brothers Size, and The Cottage. Emma is the most nominated comedy of the season with 11 nominations.

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 - Jun 1, 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!

Rachel Zegler and Jack Antonoff to Perform on THE LATE SHOW Tomorrow
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 28, 2024

Tune into The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, October 29 for a special performance by the cast of Broadway's Romeo + Juliet! Rachel Zegler, composer Jack Antonoff, and the cast of the production are scheduled to perform at least one piece of new music from the show.

Review Roundup: ROMEO + JULIET Starring Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 25, 2024

Shakespeare's classic tragedy, Romeo + Juliet is now open on Broadway in a modern new production from Tony Award-winner Sam Gold! Did critics fall in love with the new staging of the world's most famous love story? Read the reviews below!

ROMEO + JULIET Single by Rachel Zegler Coming Tomorrow
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 24, 2024

Just in time for the official opening of Romeo + Juliet, producer Jack Antonoff will be sharing a new single from the production sung by Rachel Zegler. Titled Man of the House, the song will be released tomorrow, October 25. Listen to a preview of it here!

Video: Jack Antonoff Forgot About 'All the Death' When Starting Music for ROMEO + JULIET
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 14, 2024

Composer and musical guru Jack Antonoff was profiled in a recent segment on CBS Sunday Morning to discuss some of his latest projects, including the new Broadway production of Romeo + Juliet, currently in previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre. 

Video: Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor Talk ROMEO + JULIET Chemistry
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 9, 2024

Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler stopped by The Today Show to discuss the new Broadway production of Romeo + Juliet, which just began previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

ROMEO + JULIET to Provide Open Captioning for Seats at Every Performance
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2024

ROMEO + JULIET is providing open caption seats, an initiative to make captioning available at every performance of Sam Gold’s new production, starring Emmy Award winner Kit Connor and Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Zegler. 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.

Video: Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor Talk Modern New ROMEO + JULIET
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 1, 2024

Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler stopped by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Monday to discuss the new Broadway production of Romeo + Juliet, which just began previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

Photos: ROMEO + JULIET First Preview
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 29, 2024

Sam Gold's Broadway revival of Romeo + Juliet starring Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor began previews on Thursday, September 26th at Circle in the Square Theatre. Check out photos from the first preview bows and stage door here!

Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor to Appear on THE TONIGHT SHOW Next Week
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 27, 2024

Romeo + Juliet will be on Jimmy Fallon next week! Tune into The Tonight Show on Monday, September 30 to see Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler on the show.

Photos: First Look At ROMEO + JULIET, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 27, 2024

Sam Gold’s production of ROMEO + JULIET, starring Emmy Award winner Kit Connor and Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Zegler, begins previews tonight at the Circle in the Square Theatre. Check out photos of ROMEO + JULIET below! 

Meet the Cast of ROMEO + JULIET, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Sep 26, 2024

Sam Gold’s production of ROMEO + JULIET, starring Emmy Award winner Kit Connor and Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Zegler, begins previews tonight at the Circle in the Square Theatre. The production officially opens Thursday, October 24, 2024. Meet the cast of ROMEO + JULIET here!

ROMEO + JULIET Releases Floor Seats and Sets Rush and Lottery Policies
by Stephi Wild - Sep 20, 2024

ROMEO + JULIET will release a limited number of floor seats for every performance of Sam Gold’s production starring Emmy Award winner Kit Connor and Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Zegler. Plus learn more about the show's rush and lottery policies to get discounted tickets!