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BWW Review: Delightful and Charming YENTL at The New Jewish Theatre
by Chris Gibson - May 24, 2016
Apparently, due to legal issues with rights that had to be worked out, this version of YENTL, based on the short story "Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy" written by Isaac Bashevis Singer (book by Leah Napolin and Singer), cannot be referred to in its title as a musical. It all has to do with Barbra Streisand's dreary and dreadful (although some people adore it) 1983 musical film version. But, there's no confusing the two once you see this utterly charming adaptation. It adheres closely to Singer's work, while the film veers off into a direction which not only makes little sense, but also butchers the author's intent. That's a shame, but when you're writing, directing, starring, etc, you can tend to lose sight of the actual story, turning it instead into a nothing more than a self-serving star vehicle. Jill Sobule's music (she composed "I Kissed a Girl", oddly enough) provides a genre-hopping mix of styles that may, at times, seem anachronistic, but which serve the tale very well. The New Jewish Theatre's current production is a delight, and I heartily recommend it.
STAGES St. Louis to Present Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND, 6/15-7/3
by BWW News Desk - May 19, 2016
Tumble down the rabbit hole with STAGES St. Louis this summer for its Theatre for Young Audiences production, Disney's Alice in Wonderland, June 15th - July 3rd, at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights. This whimsical journey to a land beyond imagination is a fantastic adventure the whole family can enjoy!
STAGES St. Louis to Open 30th Season with Midwestern Premiere of IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU
by BWW News Desk - May 17, 2016
Direct from Broadway and in its Mid-Western premiere, the refreshingly modern romantic comedy, It Shoulda Been You launches STAGES St. Louis' celebratory 30th Anniversary Season. This hilarious and heartwarming new musical about a madcap wedding celebration will run June 3rd - July 3rd at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.
The Rep Receives $25,000 PNC Arts Alive Grant
by BWW News Desk - May 17, 2016
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has received a $25,000 grant from the PNC Foundation through its PNC Arts Alive program.
Ben Jeffrey of Broadway's ALADDIN to Perform Benefit Concert for Gateway Center, 6/10
by BWW News Desk - May 16, 2016
Ben Jeffrey, Broadway star of The Lion King and Aladdin, will perform a one-night-only concert to benefit Gateway Center for Performing Arts on Friday, June 10th at 6:30 pm.  Jeffrey, who is a Guest Artist in GCPA's Summer Master Class Series, will perform family friendly repertoire and be joined onstage by special guests, including performers from the casts of Aladdin KIDS!, GCPA's summer production for Grades K-4th.  The performance will be at the Emerson Theatre at Harris Stowe. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children (children age 2 and under who can sit on the lap of an adult may attend the concert for free). Ticket price includes a meet-and-greet after the performance and are available at: http://www.gcpastl.org/tickets
Curtain Call Lounge at the Fabulous Fox Theatre to Welcome Stars of The Muny This Summer
by BWW News Desk - May 13, 2016
Curtain Call Lounge at the Fabulous Fox Theatre has announced it will present the summer series "Curtain Call Presents Stars of The Muny."
GCPA to Host Youth Auditions for New Musical Reading GREENWOOD
by BWW News Desk - May 10, 2016
Gateway Center for Performing Arts has announced youth auditions for its upcoming Staged Reading Workshop of the new musical GREENWOOD.
The Scene Shop to Host 'Diversity: A Series Of Panel Discussions'
by BWW News Desk - May 10, 2016
The Scene Shop will begin presenting a series of panel discussions on diversity in St. Louis theatre. The first panel, 'Race in the Theatre: How to Reflect Our Community On and Off the Stage,' will take place on June 15 at 7:00 PM at The Marcelle, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr, St. Louis, 63103.
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Opens 6/3
by BWW News Desk - May 09, 2016
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of A Midsummer Night's Dream opens at 8 p.m. on Fri., June 3, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. Highlights to this year's production include the creative twist of twins in the role of Puck, original music composed by New York actor-musician Peter Mark Kendall and St. Louis-based The Rats & People Motion Picture Orchestra, the unveiling of Schlafly 1616, a beer brewed specifically for the Festival, and a uniquely enthralling set design that features three stories of doors.
BWW Review: Lively and Hilarious BULLETS OVER BROADWAY at The Peabody Opera House
by Chris Gibson - May 06, 2016
If you think about it, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY is the perfect Woody Allen film to turn into a Broadway musical, especially since it pokes fun at the process of producing one. Add some particularly well drawn characters (book by Allen, based on the original screenplay written with Douglas McGrath) and a copious amount of humor, and combine that with a score that cherry-picks a wealth of classic period music, and you've got a winning combination. The current touring production, which is stopping briefly at The Peabody Opera House (one night only - May 5, 2016), is a hilariously engaging show, full of flashy song and dance numbers from a bygone era, that shouldn't be missed.
BWW Review: Upstream Theater's Truly Special THE GLASS MENAGERIE
by Chris Gibson - May 06, 2016
I've always appreciated live stagings of THE GLASS MENAGERIE far more than the attempts by Hollywood to turn it into a film. They always spoil it by messing with the ending. It's a melancholy slice of playwright Tennessee Williams' life, albeit, one that bears more than a slight resemblance, but which has been fictionalized to a degree. And, you won't find any tacked on 'happy ending' here, which is the way I like it. Williams disowned the first film version, and rightly so. It's not meant to be neatly resolved, and that's why it makes an emotional impact. Upstream Theater's current production is brilliantly staged, cast, and directed. I don't think I've seen a finer presentation, or one that was as engaging as this one. I think it's a must-see, even if you've seen the play many, many times before. This is a fresh and lively take that's well worthy of your time and attention, so go already!
Family Musical Theater Continues its Strong Tradition of Community and Charity with KISS ME, KATE
by BWW News Desk - May 06, 2016
It will indeed be a historic introduction to our 2016 season when Family Musical Theater takes to the stage for their first show of the season, "Kiss Me, Kate". 
Uppity Theatre Company and Drama Club Stl to Present BROKEN BONE BATHTUB
by BWW News Desk - May 02, 2016
That Uppity Theatre Company and The Drama Club Stl present the St. Louis premiere of BROKEN BONE BATHTUB.
A Capella Group Straight No Chaser Coming to The Fabulous Fox, 11/6
by BWW News Desk - May 02, 2016
Atlantic Records recording group Straight No Chaser has announced early details of the "I'll Have Another…World Tour." The North American leg - which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the a cappella group's formation in 1996 and first show at Indiana University - includes a stop at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Sunday, November 6 at 2:30 p.m.
Proposals Now Being Accepted for .ZACK Performing Arts Incubator Program
by BWW News Desk - April 29, 2016
The Kranzberg Arts Foundation's newest project focused on its commitment to make St. Louis a world-class center for the arts - the .ZACK Performing Arts Incubator - is pleased to announce its Selection Committee will begin reaching out to and accepting proposals from area performing arts organizations to become its first residents. The committee will select up to six companies to make .ZACK their home, where they will share the following amenities:
BWW Review: Undeniably Tuneful THE SOUND OF MUSIC at The Fox Theatre
by Chris Gibson - April 29, 2016
Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC is still popular today, and there's really no need to wonder why. The songs are undeniably familiar, and the story and characters go through a number of compelling moments. However, it does require a good, solid cast and sharp direction to live up to the expectations of all those folks who have seen the 1965 film over and over and over again. Thankfully, this touring company currently playing The Fox Theatre (through May 8, 2016) is more than up to the task. This classic still has its many charms. and holds up remarkably well despite its age and overexposure in various forms over the years.
BWW Review: St. Louis Actors' Studio's Amusing IVANOV
by Chris Gibson - April 29, 2016
IVANOV is a formative work in the canon of Anton Chekhov. He was presenting us with the situations and character types we'd come to know and understand, but with the lack of irony that often permeates his material. The St. Louis Actors' Studio has put together a splendid evening of entertainment with their superbly performed and directed production. However, it should be noted that this is a translation by Tom Stoppard, and thus, should be viewed with that in mind. Adaptations are tricky enough on their own, but when you're dealing with a play written in another language, you're often relying on a literal translation in order to produce your take. And, that's precisely what this is. It's Tom Stoppard's IVANOV, full of unexpected humor and nicely etched characterizations, but far afield from Chekhov's early foray, which he himself revised after its initial premier. Either way, this is worth checking out, and surprisingly amusing.
BWW Review: Harrowing TWISTED MELODIES at The Black Rep
by Chris Gibson - April 29, 2016
Donny Hathaway is the very definition of 'tortured genius', a singer/songwriter with velvety pipes, and melodies that were both memorable and timeless. Just listen to the gritty truths he expresses on his breakthrough tune, 'The Ghetto (pt. 1)', or his collaborations with Roberta Flack, particularly 'The Closer I Get to You' or 'Where is the Love?', and try and not fall right into the mood that each song creates. The tragedy of the whole thing is that Hathaway suffered from schizophrenia, often hearing voices in his head that ultimately led to his terribly untimely demise.This is by no means your typical revue or jukebox musical, but an internal exploration of the demons that haunted Hathaway, and from which he ultimately could not escape.
BWW Review: Mustard Seed Theatre's Splendid BOSNIAN/AMERICAN: THE DANCE FOR LIFE
by Chris Gibson - April 29, 2016
BOSNIAN/AMERICAN: THE DANCE FOR LIFE is a winning little piece, dedicated to educating and informing the public about the immigration of Bosnian refugees who fled to St. Louis, MO, when frequent massacres and religious and cultural persecution became more and more prevalent in their homeland. It's a wonderful thing to have a Bosnian community in our hometown, and hopefully we're representing the true spirit of the melting pot that is America with our welcoming attitude. Surely, this migration has been taking place for a long time, so there are roots now established here. But, there's always that need to be fully recognized as a true part of the community that sometimes goes unfulfilled. Luckily, playwright Deanna Jent has lent her considerable skills to the task with a work that speaks to people of all ages.
Oratorio Society of New York Announces Winners of 2016 Competition
by BWW News Desk - April 28, 2016
The Polish countertenor Jakub Jozef Orli?ski is the First Place winner of the Oratorio Society of New York (OSNY)'s 2016 Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition. The award was presented following a performance by eight finalists in Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall on Saturday, April 9. Mr. Orlinski is the first countertenor to win the Oratorio-Solo Competition, the only competition to focus exclusively on oratorio singing and now in its 39th year. The full list of finalists and prizes is:
Fabulous Fox Theatre Will Host Open House & Season Preview, 5/15
by BWW News Desk - April 27, 2016
?The public is invited to an Open House and Preview Event showcasing the Fabulous Fox Theatre's 2016-2017 U.S. Bank Broadway Series on Sunday, May 15 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd. Visitors will be treated to live previews of FUN HOME and A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER along with video previews from the other season shows. 
Stray Dog Theatre to Present FIVE WOMEN WEARING THE SAME DRESS
by BWW News Desk - April 26, 2016
During a grandiose wedding reception at a Southern estate, five identically clad bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom. Each woman has a different reason for avoiding the festivities below. As the afternoon wears on, they find a common bond in a joyously irreverent and touching celebration of the female spirit.
Tony Winner Bernadette Peters to Perform at The Rep's 50th Anniversary Gala
by BWW News Desk - April 26, 2016
Multiple Tony Award-winning Broadway icon Bernadette Peters will perform at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, September 24, at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel.
Anthony Bourdain to Bring New Tour 'The Hunger' to Fox Theatre, 11/12
by BWW News Desk - April 25, 2016
Internationally renowned best-selling author, television host and multiple Emmy-award-winner Anthony Bourdain today announced The Hunger, an 11-city North American tour launching October 25 in New York. Bourdain's first cookbook in 10 years, APPETITES (published by Ecco), also hits shelves October 25. The Hunger visits St. Louis at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for one show only on Saturday, November 12 at 8 p.m.
George London Foundation to Welcome Jennifer Johnson Cano & Dimitri Pittas, 5/15
by BWW News Desk - April 19, 2016
To conclude the 20th season of its recital series, the George London Foundation for Singers presents a performance by two acclaimed young artists: mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, who won a George London Award in 2014, and tenor Dimitri Pittas, a 2004 George London Award winner, on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at 4:00 pm, at The Morgan Library & Museum. Accompanying them at the piano will be each singer's respective spouse: Christopher Cano and Leah Edwards.

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