The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis News

Milwaukee Repertory Theater announced final casting for the upcoming World Premiere production of Five Presidents. Broadway and television veterans Mark Jacoby, Martin L'Herault, Steve Sheridan, Jeff Steitzer, and Brit Whittle, along with Rep Associate Artist Reese Madigan, make up the cast of Five Presidents from Emmy Award-winning writer Rick Cleveland (The West Wing, House of Cards, Mad Men, and Six Feet Under).

I first saw playwright Yasmina Reza's play, GOD OF CARNAGE, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis before catching Roman Polanski's film adaptation (screenplay by Reza), which was simply called Carnage. It's an undeniably strong story that tells us a lot about how people behave, especially the feelings that we keep buried beneath the surface. Simply put, it's a comedy of manners that utilizes an unfortunate occurrence to bring together two sets of parents for a civilized discussion about the matter. But, once the alcohol begins to flow emotions and points of view start to skew in interesting directions that lift the veneer of civility. Stray Dog Theatre has put together an entertaining production of this fine work (translation by Christopher Hampton) that never fails to engage. A thoroughly game cast and sharp direction combine to produce superb theatre.

Writers Theatre presents The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman and directed by Kimberly Senior. The show runs February 24 - June 28, 2015 at Books on Vernon, 664 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe. The Press Openings are Wednesday, March 4, and Thursday, March 5, 2015.

The course of love definitely does NOT run smooth when William Shakespeare's family-friendly comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" plays on the Clarence Brown Theatre Mainstage February 19 through March 8, 2015. An Open Captioned performance will take place on Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 pm.

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.

America has a rich history, some of which, of course, we'd all prefer to forget. But, to ignore them can just lead to repeating them, and we all should know better than that by now. However, it's important that we continue to mine the events of the past in order to enlighten and provoke discussion. This is the very thing that Keith Josef Adkins' brilliant work SAFE HOUSE does with a considerable amount of power and conviction. It's a story set in Kentucky in 1843, when slavery was still very much a resident evil that ruled the land, even though there were African Americans who were freeborn. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is currently presenting this new play, and as they always seem to have a knack for doing, it's done in a completely compelling and infinitely memorable fashion that makes for a truly moving and enriching experience.

England's most storied rivalry takes center stage at Folger Theatre in Friedrich Schiller's classic drama Mary Stuart from tonight, January 27- March 8, 2015.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) continues the Ignite! Festival of New Plays. Taking place in March, the festival will include commissions of nationally recognized playwrights, culminating with three public readings including This Thing of Ours by Caridad Svich and directed by Emily Mendelsohn; The Full Catastrophe by Michael Weller, based on the novel by David Carkeet and directed by Seth Gordon; and Molly's Hammer by Tammy Ryan, based on the book Hammer of Justice by Liane Ellison Norman and directed by Seth Gordon. The festival productions will take place in the Sally S. Levy Opera Center, located at 210 Hazel Avenue, directly behind the Loretto-Hilton Center.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis continues the 2014-2015 Studio Theatre series with Safe House by Keith Josef Adkins and directed by Melissa Maxwell. This compelling production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, today, January 21-February 8, 2015.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) will welcome Carla Gibson as marketing director. Gibson will be responsible for marketing, patron services and brand management for the theatre.

I thought it was time to start compiling my best of 2014 since this past year was such an exceptional time for theatre in St. Louis. Although we lost the wonderful contributions of the now defunct HotCity Theatre, there are still new companies starting up and producing quality productions in our region. HotCity will certainly be missed, but when one door closes it always seems like another one opens, and that's a good thing to remember.

Votes are cast; polls are closed; and results have been tabulated! This was our biggest year yet! After a record number of voters in more than 60 regions worldwide, BroadwayWorld is very excited to announce the 2014 St. Louis winners! Thanks to all who voted, and huge congratulations to all the winners!

It seems like more and more films are being adapted for the stage these days. Some for the better and some for the worse. Which brings us to the classic film, GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER, which starred Spencer Tracy (in his final screen appearance), Katherine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier, in a wonderfully inspiring and humorous production being presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. One might think that this particular piece of cinema is outdated, but the fact is that this story is one that will still resonate with audiences today, and maybe that's a just a sad dose of reality that we all have to face. Todd Kreidler's script follows the movie fairly closely (based on the original screenplay by William Rose), but includes large doses of laughs that neatly leaven the dramatic aspects of the piece, making it an engaging and thoroughly entertaining theatrical experience that I cannot recommend highly enough.

The Thirteenth Annual St. Louis Food & Wine Experience, presented by Schnucks, the region's largest international wine tasting and a delicious journey through the sensual pleasures of wine and fine foods, transforms the elegant Chase Park Plaza Hotel, 212 N. Kingshighway, St. Louis, into a spectacular culinary crossroads January 23-25, 2015.

TACT/The Actors Company Theatre is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for Abundance, the 1990 play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley (Crimes of the Heart). An epic tale of friendship set against the backdrop of the sweeping American West, Abundance will be directed by TACT Co-Artistic Director Jenn Thompson, who directed last season's production of William Inge's Natural Affection. Performances begin at Theatre Row's Beckett Theatre (410 West 42nd Street - between 9th & 10th Avenues) on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. Opening night is set forSunday, March 1 at 6:00pm. Performances will continue through March 28, 2015.

England's most storied rivalry takes center stage at Folger Theatre in Friedrich Schiller's classic drama Mary Stuart from January 27- March 8, 2015.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis continues the 2014-2015 Studio Theatre series with Safe House by Keith Josef Adkins and directed by Melissa Maxwell. This compelling production will be performed in the Emerson Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, January 21-February 8, 2015.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!