ST. LOUIS THEATER REVIEWS

Garner, Peters, and Richie’s performances all elevate a passable script that doesn’t quite reach the level of a disquieting and chilling story. Pierce’s directorial choice makes the production worth recommending, however go with the expectations that the aliens never materialize to create a c...

The entertaining 8th Annual Aphra Bren Festival successfully gave fresh female, transgender, and non-binary voices the medium to have their works professionally produced and be heard. Four playwrights presented new works as part of the Festival. Anne Valentino’s play THE THE stood out amount the p...

This is an excellent production of a story that is difficult to watch. The direction is sharp, the acting is flawless, and the technical theatre quality is first rate. The artists at St. Louis Actors’ studio have milked every bit of emotion they can wring from a strong script with, what was for me...

Mason’s entrancing show is a love letter to the legendary songwriting team. Her warm memories of Kander and Ebb left the audience feeling as if they were also acquainted with the celebrated composer and lyricist.  ...

The Rep’s August Osage County is a rough and tumble roller-coaster ride of anxiety, anger, and alienation that reflects on familial dysfunction with hostility and viciousness....

Fresh off her win for Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical at Monday evening’s St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards, Eileen Engel took the stage in JACEY’S JAZZ JOINT. For the next 70-miutes, Engel treated her audience to jazzy renditions of some of the most loved American standards. Her set inclu...

The New Jewish Theatre picked up where they left off last season with a superior effort resulting in stellar storytelling. This well-acted production of ALL MY SONS is intense and riveting drama. Jayson Heil, Greg Johnston, and Amy Loui are outstanding as the members of the Keller family. Their si...

MOVIE MUSIC is an entertaining and sometimes emotional walk down memory lane by three skilled theatrical professionals who know a bit about storytelling. Midnight Company’s Joe Hanrahan has created a formula with his theatrical cabaret productions that continues to fill seats at The Blue Strawber...

Jones collaborates with his cast and crew to mount an artful production of Alice Childress’ important story. He captures the grievous nature of oppressive racism and the fears of mixed-race couples in doomed relationships. This outstanding production of Wedding Band is being presented by The Black...

Albion delivers another first-rate production with MOLLY SWEENEY. Ashton, the artistic director, and his staff carefully select quality theatrical assets to increase the probability of sensational storytelling. Albion’s production of MOLLY SWEENEY is just that, outstanding storytelling through ...

Of the Playwrights included in the Festival, Marilyn Zerlak’s two scripts were the best of the lot. FARE TO MIDDLIN’ is a tongue-in-cheek look at what judgment day may look like for folks who think that they may have been just good enough to receive their heavenly reward. Neither of the deceas...

Company is a fun romp about looking for love in all the wrong places. Filled with great performances and delightful musical numbers, it is a relentless roller coaster ride of emotions whose themes of romance, sex, marriage, and divorce remain just a s relevant today as whenit debuted in 1970. our cr...

Marilyn Maye kept the capacity room leaning into her every note as she allowed her audience to reminisce with medleys of standards from the great American songbook. For two hours she sang, mugged, and tossed funny zingers that kept the audience laughing. Maye is a hard-working chanteuse, and her au...

All 7 of the plays were tightly directed to create engaging and interesting storytelling using limited set pieces on a nearly empty stage. The transition between each show occurred quickly and seamlessly, and at no point was the audience left waiting for an extended set change. There is no doubt t...

Edwards script if filled with humor but it does not shy away from taking on the current realities of unfairness, inequality, and discrimination in the United States today. His script is layered and complex. The text is foreboding with an admonitory tone, and Edwards realism reaches his audience bec...

Amadeo Fusco is a skilled actor and comedian who has kept decades old material funny and fresh with newer topics that are relevant to today’s relationships, Whether you are single, dating, married, or have been married, Fusco’s humor, wit, and magnetic charm will provide a lot of laughs. If you�...

Moonstone’s THE SOUND INSIDE is a well-constructed piece of theatre but has a story that simply did not resonate. Rapp’s story left me flat. Walking away from the theatre, and reflecting on the overall production, I wanted to like THE SOUND INSIDE more than I did.   Despite the criticism of t...

The Rep’s Moby Dick isn’t just a cleverly staged reinvention of a stodgy classic, it’s an emotionally driven theatrical voyage that challenges, engrosses and captivates audiences. This is breathtaking and jaw dropping theater....

The script is rich with scientific banter, repetitive and very talky. The running time with intermission exceeds 2-½ hours but the show flies by thanks to Salomon’s brisk direction and the tremendous performances of the three actors. Do not dissuade yourself from seeing this production based on t...

What did our critic think of HAIRSPRAY at Stifel Theatre?The current national tour of HAIRSRAY is visiting The Stifel Theatre in St. Louis with two performances on February 8th and 9th. This production is led by St. Louisan Caroline Eiseman with an effervescent performance as the optimistic Tracy ...

Well-acted, suspenseful, and filled with vibrant costumes, The Mousetrap once again proves that it’s hard to beat a classic.id our critic think of THE MOUSETRAP at Tower Groves Abbey?...

Jennings took the stage and playfully launched into an extended version of the Toys ‘R Us jingle to establish the decade of his childhood. He told stories of his friendships, his favorite childhood TV shows, his first crushes as a boy, a magical first kiss (at least for him,) and the maturation t...

Sara Sheperd is a magnificent singer, actor, and storyteller. She charmed her audience with her warmth, entertained them with her sumptuous voice and delicious vibrato, and left them feeling a personal connection to a humble and kind artist.  ...

Soul Siren’s production of Dutchman is intentionally ostentatious in its presentation and is a dramatic success because of the dynamic and fantastic performances of Cameron Jamarr (Clay) and Eileen Engel (Lula.) Amiri Baraka’s One-Act play DUTCHMAN, directly challenges mid-century racism with a...

The laughs keep coming with Funny Girl at the Fabulous Fox! Originally staged with Barbra Streisand in 1964 and revived to great acclaim on Broadway in 2022, this playful romp about the life of comedian, actress, model, singer, and radio star Fanny Brice, is highlighted by great performances and spr...