This past season was the year of the comedy in St. Louis Theater. Companies across the city had audiences laughing all season long with slapstick, farce, and satire. There were some wonderful musical productions that really sang, a few hard hitting dramas, but comedies reigned in both quantity and quality. Instead of publishing a Top 10 list this year, I’m going to recognize the Best in St. Louis Theater for 2025. “The Best” is still a shortened list of just 13 shows out of the nearly 90 shows I saw this past year. It took weeks of thought and painstaking consideration to decide which productions would be included in my annual list. Here they are. The productions are listed in alphabetical order, not ranked by favorites:
The Muny’s emotionally impactful Come From Away captures the humanity, heart, and soul of Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s poignant book and beautifully soaring score. This elite cast of actors transports the audience back to Gander, Newfoundland with lived-in and emotionally truthful performances. Director Seth Skylar-Heyn did the near impossible shrinking the colossal Muny’s stage into an intimate storytelling space. Scenic designer Edward E. Haynes’ revolving stage is genius.
The Muny is now presenting Come From Away. The star-studded cast includes Heidi Blickenstaff, John Bolton, and more. See footage from the show here and learn more!
The Muny has released photos of its new production of Come From Away, which opened on June 26 and runs through July 2. The star-studded cast includes Heidi Blickenstaff, John Bolton, Ashley Brown, Andréa Burns, Trey DeLuna, Alan H. Green, Adam Heller, Abigail Isom, Jacob Keith Watson, Tamika Lawrence, Jason Tam and Zoe Vonder Haar.
The Muny has released the first teaser video for its new production of Come From Away. The star-studded cast includes Heidi Blickenstaff, John Bolton, Ashley Brown, Andréa Burns, and more.
On Thursday when The Muny opens their production of Come From Away, actor Heidi Blickenstaff will take center stage in her dual roles as American Airlines Captain Beverley Bass and Gander resident Annette. The uber talented Blickenstaff has originated roles on Broadway in Something Rotten, [title of show], and Jagged Little Pill.
The Muny has announced the full cast for its premiere production of Come From Away, which begins this month on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park. Come From Away is based on actual events in the aftermath of 9/11.
The cast has been set for Come From Away when the musical makes its Muny premiere this summer in Forest Park. Learn more about the upcoming production here!
The St. Louis Theater Circle has announced their 2025 nominations for their annual awards. Each year, the Circle honors excellence in professional theater with awards in 34 categories for producing, directing, acting, and technical theatre. This year The Muny leads all companies with 30 nominations spread across their seven musicals presented in their 106th season. STAGES St. Louis, The New Jewish Theatre, and The Repertory Theater of St. Louis earned 19 nominations each. St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s production of AS YOU LIKE IT and STAGES St. Louis production of RAGTIME are the most nominated productions of the year with 10 nods each.
The Muny has released production photos for Fiddler on the Roof, the fourth show in the theatre’s 106th season, which runs through July 25 on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park. Get a first look at the production with a clip of 'To Life!'
What did our critic think of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at The Muny?What can be said about an absolutely perfect production of one of the most well written musicals of all time? Hurling superlatives seems cliché but there is nothing about The Muny’s latest offering of the classic FIDDLER ON THE ROOF that can be criticized. From the opening when the town’s residents circle to share their “Traditions,” to their closing moments mourning the loss of their community “Anatevka,” this production makes you laugh and cry, and laugh and cry repeatedly. It is emotion-packed storytelling at its finest with superb direction, divine choreography, outstanding orchestral accompaniment, pristine sound, and a dream cast acting and singing at the top of their game. The costume, set, video, and lighting design are picture perfect.
The Muny's production of Fiddler on the Roof, the fourth show in the theatre’s 106th season, is now running through July 25 on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park. See video footage from the production here!
Next up at The Muny is Fiddler on the Roof, the fourth show in the theatre’s 106th season, which runs July 19-25 on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park. Watch video highlights from rehearsals here!
The Muny has announced its full cast, design and production teams for Fiddler on the Roof, the fourth show in the theatre’s 106th season, which runs July 19-25 on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park.
For the second year in a row, STAGES St. Louis knocks it out of the park with a non-musical offering. STEEL MAGNOLIAS is a laugh out loud comedy-drama about sisterhood and how friends overcome fear, uncertainty, sadness, and profound grief. Price’s directorial vision, the casts’ exceptional performances, and the ravishing work of the technical team make this production as beautiful as a Louisiana magnolia tree in full June bloom.
STAGES St. Louis unveiled their stellar ensemble cast for its upcoming production of Steel Magnolias. The cast includes Amy Loui (M'Lynn), Taylor Quick (Shelby), Jilanne Marie Klaus (Truvy), Abigail Isom (Annelle), Zoe Vonder Haar (Ouiser), Kari Ely (Clairee) Lari White (Standby), Lexy Witcher (Standby), and Meme Wolff (Standby). This beloved story, known for its memorable characters and heartfelt message, will grace the stage from May 31 – June 30 in The Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.
The St. Louis Theatre Circle announced their 2024 Nominations on Friday. STAGES St. Louis’ production of CLUE and New Jewish Theatre’s production of INTO THE WOODS lead all productions with 11 nominations each. Twenty-four different companies and 55 unique productions were represented among 165 nominations in 33 categories. Awards will be handed out on Monday, March 25th, 2024, at The Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts on the Webster University campus.
