Whit Reichert News

It's time to cut loose because Mason Reeves is taking over BroadwayWorld's Instagram Story on Saturday July 20th at The Muny's production of Footloose! Be sure to tune in and kick off your Sunday shoes to get a behind-the-scenes look at this 80s favorite! Let's hear it for the boy and for this takeover!

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

Annie, based on the popular 1920s Harold Gray comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, is a seven-time Tony Award-winner and considered one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time. It features unforgettable hits like 'It's the Hard Knock Life,' 'Easy Street' and the iconic Broadway standard 'Tomorrow.' You can bet your bottom dollar this is one beloved, multigenerational Muny favorite guaranteed to entertain the entire family.

Annie, based on the popular 1920s Harold Gray comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, is a seven-time Tony Award-winner and considered one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time. It features unforgettable hits like "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the iconic Broadway standard "Tomorrow." You can bet your bottom dollar this is one beloved, multigenerational Muny favorite guaranteed to entertain the entire family.

The sun's on its way out at the Muny with the approaching opening of Annie, get a sneak peek below!

The Muny announced today its full cast, design and production teams for the theatre's centennial season production of Annie, July 18 -25. 

SWEET REVENGE, with the subtitle of: as performed by the Julius Slowacki Players, Saint Louis, 1933, is a delightful look back at our city's own Polish heritage. Artistic Director Philip Boehm translates ZEMSTA by playwright Aleksander Fredo, but gives the work a twist by showing us how the troupe, which ceased performing in 1959, would have staged the piece, albeit, in English. This is an enjoyable romp that's amusing, and supposedly based on a true bit of history that Fredo ran across. Boehm's translation maintains Fredo's clever rhyming scheme, which gives it a playful, lighthearted air.

Considered the finest Polish comedy ever written, this 19th century verse drama uses Moli re-like wit to poke fun of human follies. Upstream takes the hijinks to another level by presenting the play as performed by an actual amateur St. Louis Polish immigrant theater troupe from the 1930s.

Brimming with painfully amusing puns, by gag writers Larry Gelbart and Bert Shevelove , who bring a bit of borscht belt humor and a sprinkling of vaudeville to the proceedings, and adorned with the wonderful music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is an incredibly engaging and entertaining show, and it's the current attraction at The MUNY. It's a great match, and a perfect show for a summer evening, filled with sparkling, bawdy jokes, and brought to life with considerable energy by a stellar cast. I highly recommend this classic musical!

The Muny just celebrated the opening night performance of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Supported by a sensational company of Muny and Broadway stars, Jeffrey Schecter (Pseudolus), gave an awe-inspiring performance after stepping into the lead role just 3 days before opening. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is the third production of The Muny's 99th season, playing now through July 11. BroadwayWorld has a first look at highlights from the show below!

 The Muny announced today Jeffrey Schecter will star as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the third production of its 99th season, which plays July 5-11. Schecter replaces Peter Scolari, who struggled with allergies during rehearsals that resulted in extreme vocal stress and a severe sinus infection.

BroadwayWorld has learned that Peter Scolari will join The Muny's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as Pseudolus. Forum is the the third production of its 99th season, which plays July 5-11.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of The Winter's Tale opens at 8 p.m., on Fri., June 2, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. Highlights to this year's production include original music composed by St. Louis-based The Rats & People Motion Picture Orchestra, a diverse cast under the direction of four-time Festival director Bruce Longworth, and the unveiling of Schlafly's custom-labeled draft beer, The Winter's Ale. Preview performances are scheduled May 31 and June 1. Performances run nightly, except Tuesdays, and begin at 8 p.m., through Sun., June 25.

The Muny announced today its full cast and design teams for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, the third production of its 99th season, which plays July 5-11. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is proudly sponsored by Clarkson Eyecare.

Following its initial casting announcement, The Muny announced today additional principal casting for its spectacular 99th season. This star-packed group includes a mixture of some of the brightest names from stage and screen, with many making their Muny debut this summer.

The Repertory Theatre of St Louis is presenting Christopher Sergel's adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and it's a stunning production that is sure to be a smash hit. The addition of a representative group of African Americans referenced in the program as 'The Community' improves the experience immeasurably. The play itself has only a couple of characters of color, and in previous productions I've seen this presented a problem for me, given that the story is about injustice. This seemed to me to be a sort of injustice in and of itself. The basic story was there, of course, but something was missing that would further enhance a clearer understanding of the atmosphere and period. Now I can't imagine a staging that shouldn't follow this lead. This is a powerful and timely show that qualifies impressively as must-see entertainment.

The vengeful and doubting King Leontes and his falsely accused wife Queen Hermione will be played by Festival veterans Charles Pasternak and Cherie Corinne Rice in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of The Winter's Tale, June 2-25, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. This marks the company's 17th season of free, outdoor, professional theatre in the park. Preview performances are scheduled May 31 and June 1.  Performances run nightly, except Tuesdays, and begin at 8 p.m. 

When President Barack Obama gave his farewell address earlier this month, he chose to quote a great literary character: To Kill a Mockingbird's Atticus Finch.

It's always fun to take in the many treats available at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis each year in Forest Park, and I'm not just talking about the food and drink stands, but also all the performers, mini-versions of the show, etc, that take place before the main attraction begins (arrive early). And,with the weather just a touch cooler there's no excuse not to attend, Besides, it's truly special watching a classic work by the immortal bard under the stars. This year a most apropos example of his work, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, takes flight in the wooded confines, exactly the place where the action of this play occurs. It's a match made in heaven, and it's also a work that, as I've stated in other reviews, is a great introduction to the playwright. So, by all means, bring the family and enjoy this fantastic production.