Seth Jackson News

-The Muny announced that John O'Hurley will star in the first show of its fantastic 95th Season, Monty Python's Spamalot, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones.

VENUS IN FUR is currently being presented in the Studio Theatre by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and it's an erotically-charged, sizzling presentation that's powered by incisive direction and exceptional performances. I can't speak highly enough of this smoldering tale. It unfolds with a myriad of twists and turns that serve to heighten the dramatic tension considerably. I can only say that this is an effort that demands to be seen, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) concludes its 2012-2013 Studio Theatre series with the arousing play Venus in Fur by David Ives. This enticing production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, tonight, March 6-24, 2013.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) concludes its 2012-2013 Studio Theatre series with the arousing play Venus in Fur by David Ives. This enticing production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, March 6-24, 2013.

The St. Louis Theater Circle has just announced the nominees for the 2013 Louie Awards, honoring excellence in professional theater. The ceremony is set to take place on March 11 at the Gaslight Theater (358 North Boyle Avenue). To reserve tickets, email stltheatercircle@sbcglobal.net.

The latest extravaganza to grace the stage at The Muny in Forest Park is a hilarious re-working of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of the Penzance (although some of the tunes are lifted from other works by the pair). PIRATES! (or Gilbert and Sullivan Plundr'd) is a spirited romp with a storyline more akin to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers than the original plot, and lyrics (revised book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin) and rearranged musical arrangements (courtesy of John McDaniel) that will amuse even the staunchest purists among us. This is just plain goofy, pirate-laden fare that owes as much to the recent Pirates of the Caribbean film series as to it does to Gilbert and Sullivan. And that's a good thing, at least it is in this case.

The Muny presents the sixth show of its 94th season, Pirates! (or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd), through August 5, directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Denis Jones. Conceived by Gordon Greenburg, Nell Benjamin and John McDaniel, Pirates! (or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd) features lyrics by W.S. Gilbert, and music by Arthur Sullivan. Revised book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin, and music supervision, new arrangements and orchestrations are by John McDaniel. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the show below!

The Muny presents the sixth show of its 94th season, Pirates! (or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd), through August 5, directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Denis Jones. Conceived by Gordon Greenburg, Nell Benjamin and John McDaniel, Pirates! (or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd) features lyrics by W.S. Gilbert, and music by Arthur Sullivan. Revised book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin, and music supervision, new arrangements and orchestrations are by John McDaniel. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from opening night below!

The Muny has announced principal casting for the sixth show of its 94th season, Pirates! (or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd), July 30 - August 5, directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Denis Jones. Conceived by Gordon Greenburg, Nell Benjamin and John McDaniel, Pirates! (or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd) features lyrics by W.S. Gilbert, and music by Arthur Sullivan. Revised book and lyrics are by Nell Benjamin, and music supervision, new arrangements and orchestrations are by John McDaniel.

If you only went to the Muny this week to see a very svelte Jennifer Holliday sing "And I'm Am Telling You I'm Not Going", in the role that virtually made her career, you would already have enough reasons to attend The Muny's production of DREAMGIRLS. But, the fact is, there are so many more things to like about this show, that your attendance is practically mandatory. A superb cast and sharp direction heighten the pleasure of watching this finely rendered presentation.

The Muny has announced today principal casting for the fifth show of its 94th season, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat (July 23-29), directed and choreographed by Lara Teeter. Joseph… is sponsored by Edward Jones.

I missed press night for DISNEY'S ALADDIN: THE NEW STAGE MUSICAL, but I decided to go down this Tuesday and check out the production from the free seats. Armed with a pair of binoculars, which I didn't really need, I was able to take in this wonderfully charming presentation after all. And, I was not disappointed. And, those of you who bring children in tow won't be either. This is a delightfully colorful production that captures the feel of the original movie, while adding quite a few new musical numbers (that were in the original draft of the movie) and wrinkles to it. I highly recommend this spirited show.

The Muny presents the third show of its 94th season, Disney's Aladdin, opening tonight through July 13, directed by Gary Griffin, and choreographed by Alex Sanchez.

The Muny features CHICAGO as its second show of its 94th season, running through July 1- directed and choreographed by Denis Jones. Patti Murin and Natascia Diaz star as Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly, joined by Justin Guarini as Billy Flynn. Also appearing are Jackie Hoffman as Mama Morton, Patti Cohenour as Mary Sunshine and Dean Christopher as Amos Hart. Meet the cast of the show in the videos below!

The Muny features CHICAGO as its second show of its 94th season, running June 25 through July 1, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones. Patti Murin and Natascia Diaz star as Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly, joined by Justin Guarini as Billy Flynn. Also appearing are Jackie Hoffman as Mama Morton, Patti Cohenour as Mary Sunshine and Dean Christopher as Amos Hart. View photos from the opening night performance and after party below!

If you've only seen the movie version of CHICAGO, and it's a pretty sexy and sleek story on the big screen, you have to do yourself a favor and check out the current production at the Muny. The Muny has such an expansive stage that some musicals can get lost, but not this one. In this case, CHICAGO seems larger than life, and that's appropriate since the story and characters are so bold and brazen. I highly recommend this show, especially if you haven't seen it on stage before, because it's a terrific production that pulls no punches.

The Muny features CHICAGO as its second show of its 94th season, running June 25 through July 1- directed and choreographed by Denis Jones. Patti Murin and Natascia Diaz star as Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly, joined by Justin Guarini as Billy Flynn. Also appearing are Jackie Hoffman as Mama Morton, Patti Cohenour as Mary Sunshine and Dean Christopher as Amos Hart. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the show below!

The Muny announced today principal casting for the third show of its 94th season, Disney's Aladdin (July 5-13), directed by Gary Griffin, and choreographed by Alex Sanchez. Tony® Nominees Robin de Jesus and John Tartaglia star as Aladdin and the Genie, respectively. Joining them will be Jason Graae as Omar, Curtis Holbrook as Iago, Francis Jue as Kassim, Eddie Korbich as Babkak, Samantha Massell as Jasmine, Ken Page as the Sultan, and Thom Sesma as Jafar.

The Muny announced today principal casting for the second show of its 94th season, Chicago (June 25 - July 1), directed and choreographed by Denis Jones.