ST. LOUIS THEATER REVIEWS

Albion Theatre consistently produces polished and well rehearsed plays. I Have Been There Before is no exception. It is extremely well directed, acted, designed, and stage managed. Priestly’s script has never connected with an audience to enjoy a lengthy theatrical run, but the Albion production i...

The atmosphere is scary, the drama is intense, and the unexplained abounds in this well-acted production that relies on atmospherics, lighting, and effects to thrill and chill its audiences. The Woman In Black is an unnerving delight....

There are no musical numbers in the Fox Theatre’s 2025-2026 season opener. But that’s okay. Instead of a full-blown musical spectacle the company has opted for a moving production of The Life of Pi....

Professor House blends Jacob Juntunen’s psychologically charged script with visionary direction, spellbinding performances, and evocative lighting and sound design. Director Sam Hayes, the cast, and technical team create an otherworldly experience that is riveting, thrilling, and absorbing. The ma...

Elsinore is a bit of a coming-of-age tragedy peppered with romance, envy, and bloodlust, setting the stage for the beginning of Hamlet. It written with formal vernacular to enhance the story’s credibility. David Nonemaker and Eric Satterfield’s storytelling relies on many Shakespearean conventio...

Tense, terse, and at times testy, The Minutes is almost two plays in one. While the first half gives off the vibe of a comedic tale of small-town bureaucracy, the second half is a darker and more cynical examination of the erosion of power structures....

The Midnight Company’s production of St. Nicholas is built for fans of vampire stories. The story of obsession leads a man to walk down a dark path with irreversible consequence. The script and Hanrahan’s delivery never quite reach a level of creepy macabre, but it is a fascinating story that’...

The talented and likeable Taylor Louderman charmed, delighted, and amused in her Blue Strawberry debut. Ending her set with the Tim McGraw hit “Humble and Kind,” Louderman sang, “Hold the door, say please, and say thank you. I know you’ve got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kin...

Metro Theater Company continues its mission of introducing meaningful and entertaining theatrical productions to young audiences. Their current production, Carmela Full of Wishes, is Alvaro Saar Rios’ adaptation of Matt de la Peña’s graphic children’s book. Ageless actor Fabiola Cabrera stars...

STAGES St. Louis production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is not only wonderfully nostalgic musically, but it is a richly entertaining evening of musical comedy. Director Jennifer Werner’s attention to detail creates an immensely enjoyable piece of period storytelling. The expressive and w...

The world-renowned Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) was recognized with nominations in two categories for the 2025 International Opera Awards. The world premiere staging of This House by Ricky Ian Gordon, Lynn Nottage and Ruby Aiyo Gerber was nominated for Best World Premiere, and the 2025 OTSL Fes...

Classic Adventure Movie; or Never Say Die will be a side-splitting, nostalgic paroday for cult fans of The Goonies. Those who’ve seen the movie once or twice will be entertained, find a few laughs, enjoy the cast’s animated exuberance, and be impressed by the show’s technical elements....

The performances in The Wanderers are first rate, but it is Robert Quinlan’s expertly crafted, immersive, and precise storytelling that ensnares the audience. Anna Ziegler’s nonlinear bittersweet script is laced with humor and several unexpected turns. The conclusion may be a bit overwrought, bu...

Roaring laughter meets the roaring twenties in The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’ The Cottage. A dramedy in the classic sense, the company’s 59th season starter offers an endless barrage of scandalous dalliances, clever double entendres, and mistaken identities....

The musical Raisin, currently on stage at The Black Rep, is based on Lorraine Hansberry's 1950’s drama A Raisin in the Sun. The story tells of three generations of the Younger family sharing a cramped inner-city apartment on Chicago’s southside....

Death Jam is more a theatrical experience than storytelling. It is poetry and dramatic reading supported by modernistic lighting, sound, and video projections. Davis impresses with his command of the text and his vocal and physical interpretation. Bradford Lewis Rolen’s direction and set design, B...

Marriott Theater’s production of Catch Me If You Can works on every level. It is funny and ridiculously entertaining. The cast has immense chemistry, and their execution of the material is next level. It’s a Broadway quality production and is as close to musical theater perfection as a show can ...

This TOUR CO production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is special. It is delightfully amusing and filled with crowd pleasing performances. The ensemble dazzles and wows. It is just fun. Director Tre'VonGriffith and the actors make Shakespeare accessible and engaging for young and old. Their work wil...

Fans of The Four Season and those that have seen many productions of Jersey Boys are going to enjoy Maggie Burrow’s nostalgic and fresh take. Pablo David Laucerica’s star is on the rise. He’s terrific vocally and has outstanding stage presence. He will soon be making his Broadway debut in the ...

Emphasizing the themes of overcoming a harsh environment, ethics and the complexities of teen relationships, The Second Hurricane packs a lot of drama into a small amount of time....

The Muny’s La Cage Aux Folles is enormity in storytelling. Contrasted with the intimacy of last week’s Dear Evan Hansen, Marsha Milgrom Dodge’s La Cage captures the grandeur of what The Muny does best. It is a grand venue that supports epic productions....

Director Michael James Reed and company present A Streetcar Named Desire with grand showmanship, attention grabbing storytelling, and intense performances. The Tennessee Williams Festival is an outstanding chance to see a superb production of his Williams’ masterpiece. It is hard to say a Tenness...

Madam is a fictional story based on a real-life 19th century entrepreneur and real-estate investor. The adult-themed book’s shrewd protagonist, devilish villains, and supporting characters tell a story of the seedier side of old St. Louis....

Steel Magnolias is an actor's piece. Margery A. Handy’s transformative performance is reason enough to spend two and a half hours revisiting Robert Harling’s play. ...

Over the next few weekends Equally Represented Arts (ERA), one of the city's leading companies in experimental theater, is presenting an adaptation of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Three emerging directors, Miranda Jagels Felix, Spencer Lawton, and Jimmy Bernatowicz, share the directorial efforts.Whe...