Braden Phillips News

COCA recently announced the cast and production team for its upcoming production of Swallows and Amazons. The cast includes professional St. Louis actors Steve Isom (AEA), Maria Knasel (AEA), Taylor Pietz and Pete Winfrey, as well as members of the COCA Theatre Company (CTC).

It truly was 'One Wilde Night,' as approximately 250 professional thespians and their guests attended The 2013 Wilde Awards Aug. 19 at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield. Through coincidences and through recurring reference in thoughtful, cogent and brief acceptance speeches, the event was very much a 'family affair.' Scroll down for a full list of the winners!

Professional theaters from across Michigan will share the spotlight August 19 when The 2013 Wilde Awards are presented at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield. Presented by EncoreMichigan.com, the most comprehensive resource for news and information about the state's professional theater industry, The Wilde Awards were established by Pride Source Media Group in 2002 to honor the excellent work produced by Michigan's professional theaters.

Professional theaters from across Michigan will share the spotlight August 19 when The 2013 Wilde Awards are presented at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield. Presented by EncoreMichigan.com, the most comprehensive resource for news and information about the state's professional theater industry, The Wilde Awards were established by Pride Source Media Group in 2002 to honor the excellent work produced by Michigan's professional theaters.

Insight Theatre Company presents Harper Lee's literary classic To Kill A Mockingbird, tonight, September 20-30, 2012.

Insight Theatre Company presents Harper Lee's literary classic To Kill A Mockingbird, September 20-30, 2012.

There are a number of reasons that Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC is still so popular today. The songs are definitely catchy and familiar, and the story is compelling. But, it takes a good cast and solid direction to make it work properly, and the troupe that Stages St. Louis has corralled are excellent in their roles. This venerable warhorse of a show is their current production, and its charm still holds up remarkably well after all these years.

David Johnston's translation of playwright Juan Mayorga's WAY TO HEAVEN is an intriguing play with an interesting concept and execution. Told in five acts, the work, at first, seems to suffer from repetition, until you begin to realize just how this moment in history actually took place. The act which begins after the intermission brings it all together in a much more satisfying and conclusive fashion. Getting there is frustrating at times, but well worth the trip. The current production by the New Jewish Theatre is a spellbinding true tale that will linger in your memory long after the curtain falls on this show. The ensemble work is exceptional, and the story itself is heartbreaking, powerful stuff.

Pete Townshend and the Who's seminal rock opera classic TOMMY comes to the stage of the Tower Grove Abbey courtesy of Stray Dog Theatre adorned in steam punk fashion and scenic design. It's an exhilarating show powered by solid performances, a tight band, and engaging direction that never lets the pace slow for a moment. This is one of the few evenings of theatre that left me feeling goosebumps up my spine as the cast took their bows. A definite must see experience!

The comedy spoof Jersey Show - Season 1(Abridged) will be joined by Ferndale's newest musical sensation, the boy band show Menllenium beginning Thursday, February 17. Jersey Show -Season 1 (Abridged) will close February 27 while Menllenium will continue through the end of March. Sundays at Go Comedy! will welcome a new open improv jam, Sunday Sauce at 7pm beginning February 13. Tickets for Go Comedy! shows ($5-$15) are available online at www.gocomedy.net, by calling (248) 327-0575 or in person at the Go Comedy! box office beginning at 7pm Wednesday - Sunday night.

The comedy spoof Jersey Show - Season 1(Abridged) will be joined by Ferndale's newest musical sensation, the boy band show Menllenium beginning Thursday, February 17. Jersey Show -Season 1 (Abridged) will close February 27 while Menllenium will continue through the end of March. Sundays at Go Comedy! will welcome a new open improv jam, Sunday Sauce at 7pm beginning February 13. Tickets for Go Comedy! shows ($5-$15) are available online at www.gocomedy.net, by calling (248) 327-0575 or in person at the Go Comedy! box office beginning at 7pm Wednesday - Sunday night.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will continue its Marx Theatre season with OVER THE TAVERN by Tom Dudzick.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will continue its Marx Theatre season with OVER THE TAVERN by Tom Dudzick.

It may be cold outside, but Go Comedy! is set to heat things up with spray tan and melodrama in their latest original comedy, Jersey Show Season 1 (Abridged), Thursday evenings at 8pm January through February 26.

It may be cold outside, but Go Comedy! is set to heat things up with spray tan and melodrama in their latest original comedy, Jersey Show Season 1 (Abridged), Thursday evenings at 8pm January through February 26.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents Over The Tavern by Tom Dudzick. This hilarious and poignant production will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, December 1-26, 2010.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis continues their stellar season with their third consecutive play concerning issues of faith, and just like those other two productions, it's a definite winner. Playwright Tom Dudzick has constructed a terrific, semi-autobiographical coming of age piece that's both uproariously funny and emotionally touching. OVER THE TAVERN is required viewing, and a perfect indulgence for the holiday season, with a wonderful cast delivering impressive performances under the expert guidance of director Michael Evan Haney.