John Flack News

STAGES ST. LOUIS continues its tradition of presenting Broadway-quality family theatre in its seventh year of the STAGES Theatre for Young Audiences Program with Disney's 101 Dalmatians. The musical adapted from the hit Disney film will run from June 22 through July 3 at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

The stage version of 101 DALMATIANS differs greatly from the original 1961 Disney film classic, but the changes are smart ones that focus our attention more on the evil villain of the piece, Cruella De Vil, rather than on a lengthy, suspense filled chase through snowy woods and icy ponds, which really wouldn't translate well to the stage anyway. Instead we're left with a brisk piece of family-friendly entertainment that's not only delightful, but never dull in the least. Stages St. Louis is presenting a wonderfully realized production of this material that features a terrific cast singing and barking their hearts out.

STAGES ST. LOUIS continues its tradition of presenting Broadway-quality family theatre in its seventh year of the STAGES Theatre for Young Audiences Program with Disney's 101 Dalmatians. The musical adapted from the hit Disney film will run from June 22 through July 3 at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

STAGES ST. LOUIS continues its tradition of presenting Broadway-quality family theatre in its seventh year of the STAGES Theatre for Young Audiences Program with Disney's 101 Dalmatians. The musical adapted from the hit Disney film will run from June 22 through July 3 at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

Sophie Tucker, born Sophie Kalish, was an extraordinary performer, possessing a big voice and an even bigger personality, she charmed audiences with her spicy humor and risque material. Tony Parise (who also directs this staging) and Karin Baker have assembled an entertaining and informative show, LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS...A SOPHIE TUCKER REVUSICAL, that tells Tucker's life in story and song, offering up over 30 selections that are culled from a lengthy and successful career that found her doggedly moving forward through vaudeville, burlesque, the follies, radio, Hollywood, and television. The New Jewish Theatre is offering up a delightful and nostalgic production filled with catchy and moving tunes and tales, and it positively sizzles.

Before Madonna, before Marlene, there was the legendary Sophie Tucker, the Queen of Vaudeville and the jazz age, whose career spanned a sensational 60 years in showbiz. THE LAST OF THE RED HOT MAMAS, the Sophie Tucker Revusical, an original musical about the life of the Russian-born chanteuse features many of the songs she made famous including 'My Yiddishe Momme' and her signature song 'Some of These Days.' Tucker, born Sonia Kalish, was known for her for her bawdy sense of humor and outspoken views on men and relationships. Her legacy has influenced comediennes and singers alike for generations. During her career, which spanned over seven decades, this gutsy vaudeville entertainer found popularity and fame with self-parody and suggestive songs like 'I'm the Last of the Red Hot Mamas.'

As State Fairs take place around the country, Stages St. Louis concludes its 24th season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical STATE FAIR at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood from September 3 - October 3, 2010.

STATE FAIR was the only musical that Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote specifically for Hollywood and two versions were filmed, one in 1945 and the other in 1962. The one that's probably most familiar to audiences today is the rather forgettable 1962 version which features Pat Boone serenading a pig. Hammerstein's son, James, revived the musical in 1995, plucking tunes from ME AND JULIET, PIPE DREAM and ALLEGRO! to round out the score. While the results are certainly a mixed bag musically, the latest presentation by Stages St. Louis is splendidly mounted, and provides a lively and engaging look back at a simpler time in our history.

As State Fairs take place around the country, Stages St. Louis concludes its 24th season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical STATE FAIR at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood from September 3 - October 3, 2010.

As State Fairs take place around the country, Stages St. Louis concludes its 24th season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical STATE FAIR at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood from September 3 - October 3, 2010.

The Stages St. Louis production of PROMISES,PROMISES will be produced and presented from the original script and score that premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1968. Adapted from Billy Wilder's 1960 Oscar-winning film The Apartment, PROMISES,PROMISES focuses on a rising executive, Chuck Baxter, who tries to curry favor with his superiors by letting them borrow his apartment for romantic trysts. Set in the Mad Men era of Manhattan's Madison Avenue, Promises, Promises remains slick, hip and timeless. With its propulsive score, eye-catching dances, dazzling designs, and laugh-out-loud hilarity, PROMISES,PROMISES is a show you will long carry in your heart.

I grew up listening to the music and lyrics of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and I've always had a warm spot in my heart for their tuneful pop confections. So, it was with a considerable amount of anticipation that I looked forward to getting a chance to see a production of their 1968 hit PROMISES, PROMISES, which combines their songs with a funny and touching script by master comedy scribe Neil Simon (a rare adaptation by the finicky writer of I.A.L. Diamond and famed film director Billy Wilder's original screenplay from their Oscar-winning film, The Apartment). Stages St. Louis has put together a stunning production that completely captures that swinging 60's vibe. An exceptional cast and sparkling direction combine to make this a must-see event.

The Stages St. Louis production of PROMISES,PROMISES will be produced and presented from the original script and score that premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1968. Adapted from Billy Wilder's 1960 Oscar-winning film The Apartment, PROMISES,PROMISES focuses on a rising executive, Chuck Baxter, who tries to curry favor with his superiors by letting them borrow his apartment for romantic trysts. Set in the Mad Men era of Manhattan's Madison Avenue, Promises, Promises remains slick, hip and timeless. With its propulsive score, eye-catching dances, dazzling designs, and laugh-out-loud hilarity, PROMISES,PROMISES is a show you will long carry in your heart.

The Stages St. Louis production of PROMISES,PROMISES will be produced and presented from the original script and score that premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 1968. Adapted from Billy Wilder's 1960 Oscar-winning film The Apartment, PROMISES,PROMISES focuses on a rising executive, Chuck Baxter, who tries to curry favor with his superiors by letting them borrow his apartment for romantic trysts. Set in the Mad Men era of Manhattan's Madison Avenue, Promises, Promises remains slick, hip and timeless. With its propulsive score, eye-catching dances, dazzling designs, and laugh-out-loud hilarity, PROMISES,PROMISES is a show you will long carry in your heart.

Based on Laurie Frey's own experience dealing with the physical ravages of stage three breast cancer, UNBEATABLE! attempts to put a musical spin on her story, providing viewers with a unique interpretation of Frey's struggle to overcome this deadly disease. The most appreciative audience for this material may well be cancer survivors and the extended families of anyone who's ever been touched by this terrible illness.

UNBEATABLE! is a ground-breaking new musical that seamlessly weaves moments of poignant drama and well-timed comedy. UNBEATABLE! reminds us and audiences that at any given moment, an unforeseen event can drastically change the course of our lives, and force us to re-evaluate our priorities.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Webster University will co-host the St. Louis premiere reading of the epilogue to the acclaimed play The Laramie Project which, since its debut in 2000, has been one of the most performed plays in America.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Webster University will co-host the St. Louis premiere reading of the epilogue to the acclaimed play The Laramie Project which, since its debut in 2000, has been one of the most performed plays in America.

Stages St. Louis will present the final show of its 2009 season, Guys and Dolls, at the Robert G. Reim Theater in Kirkwood from September 4 - October 4.

UNBEATABLE! is a ground-breaking new musical that seamlessly weaves moments of poignant drama and well-timed comedy. UNBEATABLE! reminds us and audiences that at any given moment, an unforeseen event can drastically change the course of our lives, and force us to re-evaluate our priorities.