Robin Weatherall News

Though not as frequently performed or fondly remembered as some of the classics in the Shakespearean canon, PERICLES is an interesting tale nonetheless. While it's usually cataloged along with the romances and comedies, its circumstances are really quite tragic, until it reaches for a fairytale ending that neatly resolves matters in a satisfactory manner. The Black Rep's inspired re-imagining of this piece makes for a very captivating evening of theatre, as the characters travel back and forth in time, and locations are altered from the original text to include scenes in Haiti, Cuba, Sapelo Island, Georgia and New Orleans.

William Shakespeare's PERICLES, a sweeping tale of politics and intrigue, laughter and tears, loss and reunion, lies and treachery, exhilaration and sex, magic and mystery, and death and miracles will be presented by The Black Rep, January 5 through January 30, 2011, at the Grandel Theatre, with performances Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm.

We probably take the cultural impact of rock 'n' roll for granted, not fully comprehending the effect this raw, powerful blast of rebellious freedom has had worldwide, where it has somehow managed to shape generations that are far removed from its origins. With his play ROCK 'N' ROLL, Czech playwright Tom Stoppard is able to show us firsthand how this music molded the beliefs, hopes, and dreams of his own youth, and he filters it through a unapologetic, surprisingly sentimental haze that makes for an engaging and compelling ride through time. The St. Louis Actors' Studio is currently presenting a very entertaining and sharply acted and directed production of this work at the Missouri History Museum.

If you only know about HotCity Theatre because of their dedication to producing new and original works by some of the most talented and unknown playwrights around, then you should also know how adept they are at staging revivals of edgy and provocative modern classics. This season they've chosen Peter Shaffer's taut masterpiece from 1973, EQUUS. And, they've delivered an intense, disturbing and brilliant production that's powered by sharp direction and exceptional performances.

When the weather cooperates as sweetly it did on opening night (May 28, 2010), there's nothing that can compare to the experience of sitting under the stars in Forest Park and watching an ensemble of top notch performers and technicians take on the task of staging one of William Shakespeare's classic works. Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is presenting HAMLET this time around, and it's a splendid production that will provide attendees with the opportunity to catch a performance of what may well be the most famous play in history. It's certainly Shakespeare's finest hour, and you're certain to encounter a veritable plethora of familiar phrases that have become part of our own creative language as you listen to his sparkling dialogue.

The plays of William Shakespeare have been reinterpreted many times over and set in a variety of places and times in order to use Shakespeare's words to tell other stories. Shakespeare has written such universal stories and characters that this can be done without changing the heart of the story. With ROMEO AND JULIET NJT does exactly this in order to shed light on history. In the NJT production, the setting is the British Mandate of Palestine in 1947-48 during the struggle to create the Jewish state of Israel. The show will end its run May 2nd.

If you've read my reviews for the last few years then you know that I really enjoy a good re-imagining of a classic. I like experimentation in theatre, and it's always a thrill to see new life pumped into a time-worn favorite. There are certainly a lot of interesting ideas at work in writer/director Robin Weatherall's revision of Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET, and it's certainly deserving of being labeled as provocative.

The plays of William Shakespeare have been reinterpreted many times over and set in a variety of places and times in order to use Shakespeare's words to tell other stories. Shakespeare has written such universal stories and characters that this can be done without changing the heart of the story. With ROMEO AND JULIET NJT does exactly this in order to shed light on history. In the NJT production, the setting is the British Mandate of Palestine in 1947-48 during the struggle to create the Jewish state of Israel.

Jim Butz, Kevin Kline Award-winner, will play the doomed Prince of Denmark in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of HAMLET, set to open May 26th in Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park. Butz, brother of Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz, is a St. Louis native, and was previously seen at the Festival as Mark Antony in JULIUS CAESAR. Bruce Longworth directs Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' 10th anniversary Shakespeare production, free to the public in Forest Park. Complete casting will be announced in early February.

It's time to do the 'Time Warp' again! The NonProphet Theater Company presents THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by Richard O'Brien as the third show in their 2009 season just in time for Halloween.

St. Louis Actors' Studio, continuing its third season, is honored to participate in the Missouri History Museum's Performing Arts Series with A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. Robert Bolt's classic Tony Award-winning play tells the true story of 16th century Chancellor of England Sir Thomas More. A religiously devout man of conscience, More objected to King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church - a decision that led to his prosecution.

Reading the director's notes for NonProphet Theater Company's production of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW had me wondering, if indeed, 'many people have never seen the movie, much less the stage show'. I mean, I grew up during the 1960's and 70's, so I was exposed to the cult that is 'Rocky Horror' as soon as I could drive (or catch a ride) down to the Varsity Theater on Delmar for a midnight screening. But, I guess the mass proliferation of DVD's and widescreen TV's have replaced that unique communal rite of passage.

It's time to do the 'Time Warp' again! The NonProphet Theater Company presents THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by Richard O'Brien as the third show in their 2009 season just in time for Halloween.

It's time to do the 'Time Warp' again! The NonProphet Theater Company presents THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW by Richard O'Brien as the third show in their 2009 season just in time for Halloween.

The New Jewish Theatre announces their 2009-2010 season. Called a 'Bat Mitzvah Season of Tradition', the list includes: CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER (currently playing), BROOKLYN BOY, THE PEOPLE'S VIOLIN, ROMEO AND JULIET, and LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR.

Love and Honor take center stage in St. Louis Actor's Studio third season 2009-10 season includes something for everyone.

Seventeen different stage productions were honored at the third annual Kevin Kline Awards ceremony. Ten St. Louis area theater companies - double the number of last year's recipients - were recognized with awards. Four of those ten theaters were multiple award winners.

Twenty-four theater companies in the St. Louis area received 118 nominations in 22 different categories. Forty-five different productions received nominations; twenty-five productions receive multiple nominations the Awards Ceremony will be held on March 31 at the Loretto-Hilton Center

The winners of the Kevin Kline Awards have been announced

Seventeen St. Louis theater companies are represented in the nominations for the second annual Kevin Kline Awards. Thirty-seven plays and musicals produced in the St. Louis area during 2006 now share 115 nominations in 22 different categories for the coveted award. The nominations were announced on KWMU-FM's 'Cityscape' on January 19.