Our St. Louis Critics
View All »
BWW Reviews: Fabulous Family Fun with the Black Rep's ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
Parents often ask me where they can find 'family-friendly' shows to see, and judging by the small audience in attendance at the Edison Theatre for the Black Rep's terrific production of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (by the award-winning duo of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty), they're unaware of the wonderf...
BWW Reviews: Provocative Production of ART by The St. Louis Actors' Studio
How many times have you heard someone say "my kid could have painted that" when referring to a particular piece of artwork. Art is something that has, and will always manage to, provoke different responses from different individuals. That's the true beauty and nature of it. Yasmina Reza's provocativ...
BWW Reviews: Excellent Production of THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER by Upstream Theater
In the director's notes for Upstream Theater's recent production of THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER, Patrick Siler mentions the fact that he was first exposed to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's work when he was around ten years of age. Interestingly enough, I brought my nine year old along with me so that...
BWW Reviews: Nostalgic I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE at the Peabody Opera House
When I was growing up, I Love Lucy was a morning television staple, even though it had been off the air for many years. Reality shows have since replaced pretty much all of the stuff I grew up on, at least on the major networks, but you can still find the re-runs on stations like Me TV, which cater ...
BWW Reviews: Great Fun at The Fox with STOMP
One thing I really love about STOMP is that no matter how many times you've seen it, there are always a few new bits thrown in for you to enjoy. It's a constantly evolving show, although you can bet it will always begin with the troupe using their brooms to demonstrate how common items can be utiliz...
BWW Reviews: Stray Dog Theatre's Riotous THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD
If you're looking at the program for THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, see the name Rupert Holmes (book, music, and lyrics) and are instantly reminded of the fact he wrote and sang the number one hit 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song'), you'll probably be a bit surprised at the production that you're about to...
BWW Reviews: The Rep's Hilarious VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE
Although a handful of playwrights have used elements from Anton Chekhov's canon of classics (such as Neil Simon's The Good Doctor), I can't think of any other writer who's displayed such ingenuity in incorporating bits and pieces from his work the way that Christopher Durang has in his play VANYA AN...
BWW Reviews: Funny and Touching BUYER & CELLAR by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Playwright Jonathan Tolins uses Barbra Streisand's book My Passion for Design as a jumping off point for his hilarious one man show BUYER & CELLAR. It's a fun-filled romp that fans of the lady with the magnificent voice, and questionable temperament, will find absolutely delightful. Even if you're n...
BWW Reviews: The New Jewish Theatre's Compelling SIGHT UNSEEN
Art is something that can be entirely subjective. Everyone can have their own opinion, with different people viewing a particular work and coming away with distinctly unique perspectives on its merit, or lack thereof. That's part of what makes SIGHT UNSEEN, by playwright Donald Margulies so intrigui...
BWW Reviews: Metro Theater Company's Outstanding AFFLICTED: DAUGHTERS OF SALEM
Playwright Laurie Brooks examines the events that led to the infamous Salem Witch Trials from a different perspective with her intriguing and thought-provoking work, AFFLICTED Daughters of Salem. Unlike Arthur Miller's masterpiece, The Crucible, this play focuses our attention solely on the young gi...
BWW Reviews: COCA Theatre Company's Extraordinary THE LITTLE PRINCE
If you're looking for thoughtful entertainment that's suitable for children and adults then you should definitely check out the COCA Theatre Company's current production of THE LITTLE PRINCE based on the classic book by Antoine de Saint Exupery (music by Rick Cummins with book and lyrics by John Sco...
BWW Reviews: New Line Theatre's Shocking and Superb JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA
I always know to expect the unexpected when I attend a production by New Line Theatre. Artistic Director Scott Miller has a gift for choosing shows that are consistently engaging, entertaining, and smartly cast and directed. Whether it's a revival of a classic or something of a more recent vintage, ...
BWW Reviews: MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Rocks the Fabulous Fox Theatre
While it is certainly a fact that on December 4, 1956, Sun Records was host to an incredible gathering of talent (Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis), a listen to the actual recordings made that day were more along the lines of favorite folk and gospel numbers that the four...
BWW Reviews: St. Louis Actors' Studio's Stunning Production of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
Most people are familiar with WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, undoubtedly playwright Edward Albee's masterpiece, from the film that starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor (released in 1966). But, seeing the play in person is a completely different experience, and one that's incredibly worthwhi...
BWW Reviews: Outstanding Production of THE WINSLOW BOY by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' artistic director, Steven Woolf, always has a knack for finding a classic, sometimes a neglected one, to present each season. This year it's Terence Rattigan's revered play THE WINSLOW BOY, which some will remember from various revivals and film versions (1948 & 1...
BWW Reviews: Entertaining New Work WHITE TO GRAY at Mustard Seed Theatre
Rob Maesaka, a St. Louis playwright, receives the opportunity to have one of his works premiered with Mustard Seed Theatre's presentation of his play, WHITE TO GRAY. It's an engaging piece of theatre that tells an interesting story that's dramatic and even occasionally funny at times. Judging a new ...
BWW Reviews: Stray Dog Theatre's Hilarious GOD OF CARNAGE
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 feelin...
BWW Reviews: Upstream Theater's Remarkable BASHIR LAZHAR
BASHIR LAZHAR, by Evelyne De La Cheneliere (translated into English by Morwyn Brebner) tells a fascinating story that will surely touch your heart, while making you think as well. Though primarily a one-man show (although there is a cameo appearance), this production benefits, as a lot of Upstream T...
BWW Reviews: Winter Opera St. Louis Shines with Rare Mascagni
Winter Opera St. Louis, after a brilliant production of 'Le Nozze di Figaro', continues its eighth season with a venture into less familiar fare - Pietro Mascagni's 'L'amico Fritz'....
BWW Reviews: The New Jewish Theatre's Spellbinding IMAGINING MADOFF
There's no doubt in my mind that people who are familiar with the despicable actions of Bernie Madoff will never find it in their hearts to forgive the way he bilked so many trusting and innocent victims out of their life savings with his nefarious Ponzi schemes. And yet, with playwright Deborah Mar...
BWW Reviews: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Masterful Production of SAFE HOUSE
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. ...
BWW Reviews: Lovely Production of RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA at the Fabulous Fox
A fairytale is brought to its full fruition on the stage of the Fabulous Fox Theatre with their current presentation of RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA. It's a lovely experience that makes the most of the large stage, filling it with songs and beautiful surroundings fit such a lavishly told tale....
BWW Reviews: Chris Gibson's Best of 2014 in St. Louis
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 reg...
BWW Reviews: The Rep's Uplifting and Amusing GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER
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 wonder...
BWW Reviews: The Imaginary Theatre Company's Delightful BAH! HUMBUG!
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Imaginary Theatre Company has produced a wonderful musical spoof of Charles Dickens' holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, titled BAH! HUMBUG!. There have been so many different takes on the original story that one would think it's already been played out, but this...
Videos
|
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Stages St. Louis at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (5/29-6/28) |
|
God of Carnage New Jewish Theatre (NJT) (6/11-6/28) |
|
The Light in the Piazza Loretto-Hilton Center (5/30-6/28) |
|
The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcom Albion Theatre (6/12-6/28) |
|
Kauffman Stadium Kauffman Stadium (7/15-7/15) |
|
Terms of Endearment Clayton Community Theatre (7/23-8/02) |
|
Please Don''t Destroy: Live The Pageant (8/08-8/08) |
|
Liverpool Legends 'The Complete Beatles Experience!' Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center (6/27-6/27) |
|
The Addams Family COCA (8/07-8/08) |
|
Journey Great Southern Bank Arena (6/25-6/25) |
| VIEW ALL SHOWS ADD A SHOW | |