Leon Dobkowski News

Matilda the Musical is now open at The MUNY! What did the critics have to say? Read all the reviews!

Mary Engelbreit, that is. Roald Dahl's Matilda, playing now through August 11 at The Muny in Forest Park, is inspireda?'the entire productiona?'by the artwork of St. Louis' own Mary Engelbreit, and is it ever something to see! Even on first glance of the curtain, which is painted with colorful stacks of books, polka dots, and hearts on a vine, one can tell this show is going to be a special kind of Muny magic. And sure enough, that inspiration...

BroadwayWorld has a first look at The Muny's production of MATILDA the Musical! BroadwayWorld has a first look at The Muny's production of MATILDA the Musical! Check out the video!

Currently docked at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach through July 28 is Musical Theater West's wonderfully vibrant new regional production of THE LITTLE MERMAID, Disney's Broadway stage adaptation of their hit 1989 animated classic, which itself was adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. The resulting show achieves a cheerful, pleasant, and often charming hybrid that honors the original Disney-esque qualities of the film, but also shows what one may call a 'director's cut'---wherein the new 'extras' expand the musical even further in size, elements, and thematic mood. MTW's production is a visual treat.

Sunday shoes are being kicked off right and left in Footloose at The Muny right now, as Christian Borle, the two-time Tony Award winner who has been in 11 Broadway shows, makes his musical theatre directing debut. In this four-time Tony Award-nominated adaptation of the 1984 movie by the same title, you'll find actors of all shapes and colors (insert heart-eye emojis for days!) who fill the stage again and again with dynamic dancing to songs...

Kick off your Sunday shoes with this 80s favorite! Based on the 1984 Academy Award-nominated blockbuster hit, Footloose shows how a little teenage rebellion and a love of music can open hearts and transform a town. Featuring chart-topping hits, including a?oeLet's Hear It for the Boy,a?? a?oeHolding Out for a Heroa?? and the Grammy-nominated title track a?oeFootloose,a?? this four-time Tony Award-nominated dancing-sensation will have the entire family burning and yearning to cut loose!

BroadwayWorld has learned Tony nominee Beth Malone will return to The Muny as Miss Trunchbull in Roald Dahl's Matilda, August 5 - 11. Malone played the title role in The Muny's 2017 production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Roald Dahl's Matilda is proudly sponsored by Emerson.   

There is a lot to like packed into this production directed by Randal Myler. The action is well paced and well-staged. The use of turntables, tiering, and scrims are particularly effective elements of the scenic design by Tim Mackabee. The choreography by Brian Reeder, and costumes designed by Leon Dobkowski present a feast for the eyes. The entire 19-members of the cast deliver in acting, singing, and dancing. It would be an oversight not to call out the performance of Richard Crandle. His portrayal of Little Richard is brassy, sassy, and all kinds of Woooooooo. The audience is noticeably energized when Crandle is on stage and few wish he would 'shet-up' as if that were even remotely possible.

There's a rather highbrow gag in the long-ago Broadway musical TOVARICH, where a Gatsby-era gentleman asks an elegant lady if she's read James Joyce's new novel, 'Ulysses.' 'Just the final fifty pages,' she replies with a lustful wink in her voice.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton is now on stage! What did the critics think?

The Muny announced today its complete cast, design and production team for Roald Dahl's Matilda, the seventh and final show of its 101st season, August 5 - 11.

Paper Mill Playhouse closes their 20182019 Season with a dazzling production of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast, The Broadway Musical.' The show enjoys brilliant direction by the Playhouse's Artistic Director, Mark S. Hoebee, spirited choreographies by Alex Sanchez, the finest musical direction by Michael Borth, and a magnificent set.

Paper Mill Playhouse's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, has officially opened. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos!

Paper Mill Playhouse's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, has officially opened. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos of the cast taking their bows!

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Paper Mill Playhouse's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton. 

Muny announced today its complete cast, design and production team for Footloose, the fifth show of its second century, July 18 - 24.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre concludes its 40th season with Molly Smith Metzler's CRY IT OUT, a delightful human comedy that surfs along on the waves of a burgeoning friendship between a pair of mothers of newborn babies, while also acknowledging the myriad challenges that lurk beneath the surface. The playwright examines some of the decisions faced by families when baby makes three, bringing up socioeconomic differences, stresses on the marriage, and debating child-rearing best practices. Over coffee in their adjoining backyards, the women help each other navigate the waters of their new realities and learn that modern day motherhood is no day at the beach.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton.

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) will present Molly Smith Metzler's Cry It Out, an insightful comedy about the absurdities of being a new mom, as the final show of its 40th Anniversary Season, from April 24 to May 19, directed by Amanda Charlton at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall, according to Artistic Director Sean Daniels and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas.