James Reed News

Hosted by Rob Nelson (Science Channel's Secrets of the Underground) Discovery's all-new special MAN-EATING PYTHON reveals the science behind these remarkable python attacks and how we as humans could be contributing to the rise in them. The one-hour special premieres on Friday, August 25 at 10pm ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

Growing up in Northern California, it is impossible not to hear about the Donner Party, the group of 87 pioneers who tried to cross the Sierra Nevada mountains in the winter of 1846. Unfortunately, the name has become synonymous with cannibalism. After being trapped in an early winter storm at Truckee (now Donner) Lake, members of the party were forced to eat their dead in order to survive. In the horror that the imagery generates, it is difficult to remember that these were very real, living, breathing people who had dreams of providing a better life for themselves and their families. The Donner Party, A New American Musical, tells the story of 16 of those pioneers. Commissioned by Sacramento Theatre Company and written by Margaret Rose with music by Eric Rockwell, this is the musical's world premiere right here in Sacramento.

The first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, Cats, returned to Broadway just last night at the Neil Simon Theatre (250 W 52nd Street). BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the star-studded red carpet below!

Seeing the women of Buffalo going crazy over a performance by the Chippendale male striptease performers gives Jerry an idea.

Taking it's name from the campaign slogan Lyndon B. Johnson would utilize for his run for the presidency in 1964, playwright Robert Schenkkan has crafted a brilliant, compelling, and very informative work with ALL THE WAY that picks up right after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November of 1963. Schenkkan has actually written another play (THE GREAT SOCIETY) that follows subsequent events in Johnson's life from 1964-1968. But, here the focus is on that tumultuous period when the nation was basically in shock as they witnessed their iconic fresh-faced president being gunned down, and with it their dreams of a 'new frontier'. However, they didn't realize they were in the hands of a career politician who knew that the road to something more than an 'accidental' presidency lay in his ability to make sweeping changes in our society, no matter what the cost. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens their season with a masterful production of this intriguing play, and I think you'll be blown away by revelations that have been glossed over in history books. A very strong cast and crew bring this story to life with amazing results that are thought-provoking and fascinating.

This week, we go around our Broadway World to feature stories in Cleveland, Birmingham, Denver and more. Check out our top 10 stories around our Broadway World below, which include Ken Ludwig's A COMEDY OF TENORS at the Tony Award-Winning Cleveland Play House, BIG FISH in Birmingham, and the Regional Premiere of ROCK OF AGES in Denver, just to name a few.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents All the Way by Robert Schenkkan and directed by Steven Woolf. More topical than ever before, this behind-the-scenes view of Lyndon B. Johnson's presidency runs September 9 - October 4 on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University).

I think that nearly every review of the MUNY's extraordinary production of BUDDY - THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY will probably make mention of Don McLean's song 'American Pie', which is lyrically centered around the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of three of music's rising stars one very cold day in February of 1959. In fact, 'the day the music died' has become a rather morbid catchphrase of sorts that has been utilized far too often by the media whenever an iconic musician passes on. I also believe I'm not alone in my assessment that this early'jukebox' musical is an absolutely terrific show that's immensely entertaining. I not only highly recommend this excellent show, but am branding it as a must see production!

The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed byJosh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a look inside the opening night cast party!

The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning tonight, July 13, and running through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production!

The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning tonight, July 13, and running through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the production!

The Muny presents Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, beginning tonight, July 13, and running through July 20 at Forest Park. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley.

The Muny announced today the cast for its production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Written by Alan Janes, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographed by Josh Walden and music directed by Michael Horsley.

One of the joys of late Spring is taking in the latest offering by Shakespeare Festival St. Louis each year in Forest Park. There's just something truly special about sitting under the stars and watching the immortal bard's words come to life on stage. This year the play of choice is the tragedy ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, which has the distinction of having more scenes than any other play he penned. It's also chock full of wonderful, poetic language, takes place in an exotic location (ancient Egypt), and makes a convincing argument for staying out of the affairs of the Middle East. This production is distinguished by some particularly excellent performances, as well as some wonderful stagecraft, but it may be a bit too verbose, and lacking in action, for its own good.

Nearly 400 people hooped, hollered and packed the auditorium at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) on Monday, March 23, 2015 for the third annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards ceremony. The event honors outstanding achievement in local professional theater by performers and behind-the-scenes artists. Awards were given in 31 different categories covering comedy, drama and musicals, along with two special awards bestowed on Donna Northcott, founder and artistic director of St. Louis Shakespeare, and Agnes Wilcox, founder and artistic director of Prison Performing Arts. Both women have retired this year and turned their companies over to new artistic directors, Suki Peters for St. Louis Shakespeare and Christopher Limber at Prison Performing Arts.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' artistic director, Steven Woolf, always has a knack for finding a classic, sometimes a neglected one, to present each season. This year it's Terence Rattigan's revered play THE WINSLOW BOY, which some will remember from various revivals and film versions (1948 & 1999), and which stands out as a dramatic piece fraught with injustice. It's a story, based on fact, that is still as relevant today as it was when it was written. A splendid cast and keenly sharpened direction combine to provide a very compelling piece of theatre.

New York performers Michael Sharon and Shirine Babb will play the roles of Antony and Cleopatra, respectively, in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of Antony and Cleopatra, May 22 through June 14, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. This marks the company's 15-year anniversary of free, live, outdoor, professional theatre in the park.

New Line Theatre's production of BONNIE & CLYDE tied with Stages St. Louis' rendition of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING with nine nominations apiece for the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards to lead nominations for all shows produced by local professional theater companies in 2014.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan and directed by Steven Woolf. Based on a true events, The Winslow Boy 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, February 11-March 8, 2015.

If I were asked to provide the perfect introduction to the work of playwright William Shakespeare I would advise that person to check out The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' current production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Unlike the bard's histories or tragedies, this play is truly lyrical, funny, and filled with magical elements that make it especially appealing. It's also one of his few tales that isn't based on another source, springing with startling originality from his own fervid imagination, which makes it particularly special among his bountiful canon. It seems like I'm always saying this about the Rep, but they provide must-see entertainment on a regular basis, with this enchanting presentation acting as another fine example of their exemplary work.