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BWW Reviews: Mustard Seed Theatre's Powerful Production of THE HUMAN TERRAIN
The Human Terrain System is a military initiative designed to utilize the research capabilities of individuals in areas where there are conflicts in order to forge a better understanding of the population of a region by gathering sociocultural information. For example, the intrepid protagonist of pl...
BWW Reviews: SDT New Works Laboratory's Fun and Funny Production of FOUR SUGARS
It's always nice to have the opportunity to attend something new and fresh when you see as many shows as I do, and local playwright/actor/director Stephen Peirick's original play, FOUR SUGARS, delivers an engaging and entertaining experience. In this age of cynicism we currently find ourselves in, ...
BWW Reviews: SIEGFRIED Triumphs at Union Avenue
The Union Avenue Opera continues its bold venture into Wagner's Ring Cycle with the opening of a fine production of Siegfried, the third in that titanic tetralogical juggernaut that has rolled through opera history since 1874....
BWW Reviews: Entertaining Version of GREASE at The MUNY
There have been a lot of versions of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's (book, music and lyrics) GREASE that I've seen over the years. Only one, New Line Theatre's brilliant staging a few years back, actually adhered to the musical as originally conceived. The majority have followed the template laid dow...
BWW Reviews: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Shines at Union Avenue Opera
Andre Previn's operatic adaptation of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' opens at the Union Avenue Opera....
BWW Reviews: Marvelous Production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING by Stages St. Louis
The corporate business world of today is far removed from the tropes that abound in the musical HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, and that's one of things that makes it so interesting and enjoyable to watch, particularly when it's a production as sharply staged and exuberantly perfor...
BWW Reviews: The Muny's Kooky and Outstanding Production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Cartoonist and creator of the creepy and kooky characters that make up THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Charles Addams, probably never envisioned his work gracing the Broadway stage, but then, could anyone have imagined that such a thing would come to pass. After all, the original single panel cartoons only hinte...
BWW Reviews: The St. Louis Actors' Studio Intriguing Presentation of the LABUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL (Part One)
St. Louis should feel honored that the St. Louis Actors' Studio has established a new summer tradition with their LABUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL which began last week. It is an opportunity for all theater-goers to see fresh one act plays that are both thought-provoking and engaging. As a special treat ...
BWW Reviews: The Union Avenue Opera's Exquisite Production of LA TRAVIATA
When you think of classic operas LA TRAVIATA is certainly one that immediately comes to mind. Composer Giuseppe Verdi (with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave) created a wonderful piece that has stood the test of time, and when hearing it, you'll often find a number of familiar themes, some of whic...
BWW Reviews: The Muny's Intoxicating Production of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS
Though the weather was stormy on the opening night of the MUNY's presentation of the American Repertory Theater's 2011 update of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, and believe me I drove through some heavy downpours as I made my way to Forest Park, somehow the rain held off and allowed this wonderful sh...
BWW Reviews: Family Fun as TARZAN Swings into Action at The MUNY
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950) got into writing as a lark, musing that he could produce stories that were better than the pulp fiction that was currently on display. Of course, the rest is history, with the prolific author producing a number of memorable series (Tarzan, John Carter, Pellucidar, et...
BWW Reviews: Stages St. Louis's Charming Production of Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY
Along with their regular productions each season, Stages St. Louis always presents a show that's part of their Theatre for Young Audiences series. Since I've been reviewing theatre in St. Louis I've made an effort to attend one of these performances (with my son along for the experience) because the...
BWW Reviews: Stray Dog Theatre's Compelling and Poignant Production of LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!
A lot happens over the course of the three acts that comprise playwright Terence McNally's work LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!. What's particularly interesting is that way that he balances the funny moments that occur with the more poignant ones. There's no doubt that it's an important gay play, and yet,...
BWW Reviews: OTSL's DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES Grandly Rewards Your Patience
The Opera Theatre of St. Louis has opened the fourth production in its June festival season--'The Dialogues of the Carmelites', by Francis Poulenc. The cast features some St. Louis favorites: Kelly Kaduce, who gave us that jaw-dropping Salome five years ago, now plays a much timider leading lady-...
BWW Reviews: The MUNY Opens with a Dazzling Production of BILLY ELLIOT
Another St. Louis tradition continues this summer with the start of the MUNY's 96th season. The opening show is BILLY ELLIOT the Musical, and there are some absolutely electric moments to be found here. Adapted from the excellent film of the same name, the story follows a young boy who would rather ...
BWW Reviews: OTSL's '27' Opens to Ovations
Opera Theatre of St. Louis has just opened a new commissioned work entitled simply '27'. With music by Ricky Ian Gordon and libretto by Royce Vavrek, it brings us into the world of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas....
BWW Reviews: Circus Flora's Delightful Production: THE PAWN
Here in St. Louis we should never take for granted the fact that we have our very own circus. Of course, I'm talking about Circus Flora, the one ring big top that you'll find around this time every year situated just behind Powell Symphony Hall. And, this is a circus with a great deal of thought beh...
BWW Reviews: THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG Shines at Stages St. Louis
I've always been curious about THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, but I'd never had the chance to see it before. You have to be intrigued by the fact that prolific playwright Neil Simon wrote the book, and also because Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, who are responsible, together and separately, for ...
BWW Reviews: New Line Theatre's Wonderful Production of HANDS ON A HARDBODY
Looking over a list of New Line Theatre's shows for the past 23 years is a very telling experience. This is a group dedicated to restoring the old and embracing the new. That's why their current production of HANDS ON A HARDBODY shouldn't shock you that it's so damn good (it really is), because this...
BWW Reviews: OTSL's ELIXIR OF LOVE is intoxicating!
Well, it worked on me! 'The Elixir of Love' opened last night at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and after only a sip or two I fell head over heels for it. At the end of the evening I was, like Nemorino, giddy (oh, let's admit it, the better word is 'drunk') with happiness and delight. It was si...
BWW Reviews: St. Louis Actors' Studio's Powerful Production of THE HOMECOMING
Harold Pinter's THE HOMECOMING has been referred to as one of his early 'menacing' comedies. I suppose that that's an accurate enough description, but I would say that the actual humor is pitch black in nature. It's a twisted tale that Pinter writes, and it's funny in the most unsettling ways. Chara...
BWW Reviews: Shakespeare Festival St. Louis's Triumphant Productions of HENRY IV and HENRY V
Since the stories and cast of HENRY IV (pts. 1 & 2) and HENRY V intertwine, it's only fitting that I review Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' marvelous productions together. The shows will alternate (every evening except Tuesdays), and there will be special performances the next two weekends where bot...
BWW Reviews: OTSL's MAGIC FLUTE Delights St. Louis
Opera Theatre of St. Louis has opened its thirty-ninth season with a bang. Their production of The Magic Flute is unlike any other you've seen (or ever will see)....
BWW Reviews: WIZARD OF OZ Is A Decidedly Mixed Bag at the Fox Theatre
I hesitated to review the current touring production of THE WIZARD OF OZ (Fox Theatre, through May 18, 2014), which has been adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams, because even though I thought it told essentially the same tale as the original, I didn't particularly care for it. There's cer...
BWW Reviews: The New Jewish Theatre's Hilarious Production of OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES
It's impossible to analyze humor, and even if you try to it just takes all the fun out of it anyway. Some say jokes are mostly 'tragedy plus time', and that 'laughter is the best medicine'. Both are true to a certain extent. So, when it comes to reviewing OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES (created by Peter Get...
Videos
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God of Carnage New Jewish Theatre (NJT) (6/11-6/28) |
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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Stages St. Louis at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (5/29-6/28) |
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The Light in the Piazza Loretto-Hilton Center (5/30-6/28) |
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The Wasp by Morgan Lloyd Malcom Albion Theatre (6/12-6/28) |
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Kauffman Stadium Kauffman Stadium (7/15-7/15) |
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16th Annual Missouri Chamber Music Festival June 10-21 at The Sheldon Sheldon Concert Hall (6/15-6/15) |
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Guns N’ Roses at Busch Stadium Busch Stadium (8/16-8/16) |
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2026 WSIE Music Series w/Yacht Rockers – June 27, 7-9pm Harold Square Outdoor Amphitheater (6/27-6/27) |
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Miles at 100: A Centennial Celebration Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center (6/27-6/27) |
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Ludo The Pageant (10/24-10/24) |
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