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BWW News: Stages St. Louis and The Centene Inclusion Project's ROCKIN' THROUGH THE YEARS at Holt High School
by Chris Gibson - December 12, 2014
Yesterday morning was kind of a homecoming for me as I returned to Holt High School (Wentzville School District) to check out the Centene Inclusion Project that Stages St. Louis, through their outreach program, Access the Arts, put together. The production, called ROCKIN' THROUGH THE YEARS, allowed students with special needs, including those with physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges to actively participate in a musical presentation along with the drama students at the school. I found the show to be a moving and thoroughly enjoyable experience that allowed these two groups to come together in a truly unique and wonderful way, breaking down barriers that might otherwise keep them from working with one another.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL Plays the Fabulous Fox This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - December 12, 2014
The production of A Christmas Carol being presented at the Fabulous Fox Theatre this weekend, December 12 - 14 is a family tradition across the country. Since 1979, the Omaha Community Playhouse's professional touring wing, the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, has delighted audiences nationwide with this holiday tour.
BWW Reviews: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Incendiary Production of RING OF FIRE
by Chris Gibson - December 10, 2014
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has produced something truly special with their current presentation of RING OF FIRE - THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH. This is a biographical musical with broad appeal to people of all ages. Created by Richard Maltby, Jr. and conceived by William Meade, the show chronicles the life and times of Johnny Cash from his humble upbringing to his final breath, and it captures it all with over 30 memorable tunes that showcase his wonderful catalog of material, while touching on key events that shaped the "Man in Black", and his beliefs. Ring of Fire is an incendiary delight that will have audiences singing and clapping along to the beat of a man who overcame his personal demons to become a very fondly remembered icon in the world of music. I cannot recommend this show highly enough. You'll simply have to see it for yourself! I personally guarantee that you will be absolutely floored by what you witness. So get your tickets now, because they're going to go fast.
BWW Reviews: Stray Dog Theatre's Side-Splitting THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
by Chris Gibson - December 10, 2014
Have you ever seen a sequel to a show and thought, wow, that was even better than the original? Well, that's what you're going to think if you take the time to check out Stray Dog Theatre's current production of THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL (book by Betsy Kelso, with music and lyrics by David Nehls), and you really should see it. It's a return to Starke, Florida, the home of Armadillo Acres, where The Great American Trailer Park Musical took place. It's your chance to catch up on what's been happening in the lives of the amusing and bawdy trio of Betty, Pickles and Linoleum, since we last left them. If you're looking for a quirky Christmas show that's extremely funny and a little bit raunchy, then you owe it to yourself to see this show.
CINDERELLA National Tour Coming to Fabulous Fox Next Month
by BWW News Desk - December 08, 2014
RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA, the 2013 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of South Pacific and The Sound of Music, will play the Fabulous Fox Theatre for a limited engagement from January 20 - February 1.
Off Line Cabaret Presents SHOOTIN' THE SH!T, 1/31
by BWW News Desk - December 07, 2014
New Line Theatre Off Line presents an off-beat, decidedly adult evening of cabaret, SHOOTIN' THE SH!T, for one night only, Saturday, January 31 at the Kranzberg Arts Center Cabaret in Grand Center, featuring everybody's favorite New Liners, Zachary Allen Farmer (Bonnie & Clyde, Next to Normal, Bukowsical, Hair, Night of the Living Dead, High Fidelity, Love Kills, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Todd Schaefer (Hands on a Hardbody, Bat Boy, Evita, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Rocky Horror Show, Sunday in the Park with George), and Jeffrey M. Wright (High Fidelity, Hands on a Hardbody, Next to Normal, Assassins, Grease, I Love My Wife), directed by New Line Theatre associate artistic director Mike Dowdy.
Voting Opens for the 2014 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards
by BWW Special Coverage - December 05, 2014
Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Regional Awards!
Open Book Theatre Company Presents RED, Opening Tonight
by BWW News Desk - December 05, 2014
Open Book Theatre Company is excited to announce the second play in its Inaugural Season. Red, the Tony award winning play by John Logan, will open tonight, December 5th and run for 6 performances.
BWW Reviews: ANNIE Sparkles at the Fabulous Fox
by Chris Gibson - December 03, 2014
Harold Gray, the original creator of the cliff-hanging comic strip that features the pupil-less girl known as 'Little Orphan Annie', may be just a footnote in history, but most people are aware of the musical adaptation, ANNIE, of his creation that premiered in 1977. Even though it was reworked a couple of years ago, that version is not the one that's currently on tour. I didn't see it, so I have no clue what was changed, but I do know that this charming and delightful work by Thomas Meehan, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, still maintains its humor and heart with its heroine's search for love and acceptance during the darkest days of the depression.
BWW Reviews: THE GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY at the Peabody Opera House
by Chris Gibson - December 03, 2014
I guess when you're are a writer of Stephen King's stature you can't help be subject to expectations that are often simply too hard to live up to. Most of the criticism directed at THE GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY centers around the book he's cooked up for the show. He and composer (and rock icon) John Mellencamp had been kicking around this idea for about a dozen years, and when it was finally staged it was savaged in a number of ways, with most of the vitriol centered on King's narrative. I wonder if those critics felt the same way a few days after they'd posted their reviews. For me, I've found that the haunting mix of music and imagery has lingered in my memory long after I'd thought it would abate. Charged acting, a terrific roots rock and blues-inflected score, and a story that plays upon simmering tensions that threaten to boil over for the McCandless family, combine to produce something truly special and worthy of appreciation.
BWW Reviews: Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre's Outrageous CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL
by Chris Gibson - December 03, 2014
Back in 1993, CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL was a peculiar foray into low budget film by director Trey Parker that didn't really find its audience. But, after the phenomenal success of South Park people starting renting it on DVD, soon discovering the kind of quirky humor and tuneful songwriting that had become such an integral part of the animated show's success. With everyone in need of a good laugh during the holiday season, Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre has put together a revival of their 2011 production, and it's every bit as funny and welcome as their original staging, in fact, it's on an even grander scale. This is a show I highly recommend, at least if you have the kind of offbeat sense of humor that I do.
BWW Reviews: The Black Rep's Timely Production of A RAISIN IN THE SUN
by Chris Gibson - December 03, 2014
Sometimes I'm amazed at the synchronicity that can occur when you see as many plays as I do. For instance, I've had weekends of shows in the past that appeared to be theme related, even though theatre companies are often mapping out their production schedules up to at least a year in advance, and tend to go in their own directions regardless of what other groups are doing. Which brings us to the Black Rep's powerful production of playwright/activist Lorraine Hansberry's work, A RAISIN IN THE SUN. At a time when our community finds itself fractured and unable to come up with solutions that can bring us together and make us whole again, we have the opportunity to see a play that shines a light on just how far we've come, and how far we still have to go.
RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH Continues The Rep's 48th Season, Now thru 12/28
by BWW News Desk - December 03, 2014
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash created by Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, adapted from the Broadway Production by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Jason Edwards and directed by Jason Edwards. This energetic musical will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, tonight, December 3-December 28, 2014.
ANNIE National Tour Comes to the Fabulous Fox Tonight
by BWW News Desk - December 02, 2014
The Fabulous Fox Theatre has announced that the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play today, December 2 - 7 at The Fabulous Fox in St. Louis. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original.
Stages St. Louis' Annual Applause Gala Raises Over $375,000
by BWW News Desk - November 25, 2014
On Friday, November 14, 2014 STAGES St. Louis hosted the thirteenth annual APPLAUSE! Gala at the Ritz-Carlton, a benefit to support the organization's Education and Artistic Programs. APPLAUSE! 2014 raised a record amount of over $375,000. This year's numbers come on the heels of another record-breaking season, which generated nearly $3 million in ticket sales, over a $1 million increase over the previous year and out-grossing any season in STAGES' 28-year history. The event was hosted by STAGES stars Kari Ely and Steve Isom. Lynne Turley served as event Chair.
First Run Theatre Presents Mario Farwell's STEREO HEART by Mario Farwell, 1/9-18
by BWW News Desk - November 23, 2014
First Run Theatre presents Stereo Heart by Mario Farwell, Jan. 9-18. Directed by Judy Yordon with original music by Tim Garcia, performances are: January 9, 10, 16, 17 2015 at 8:00 PM, January 11 & 18 2015 at 2:00 PM.
BWW Reviews: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL at the Fabulous Fox Theatre
by Chris Gibson - November 21, 2014
I have no doubt that MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will be popular with audiences. It does, after all, contain the music that generations have grown up on, and it's still being played today. And, it's interesting that I was flipping channels on TV and saw an infomercial dedicated to the Motown 25th Anniversary special made in 1983 recently. That's the scene that opens the show, and where we first encounter the man who made it all happen, Berry Gordy. He's angry and doesn't want to attend because all his stars have left him for the greener pastures of other labels. This despite it being his own competitive spirit, and the fact that he instilled that in his roster of talent (songwriters, singers, and musicians), that created their desire to further pursue their careers in the first place. That makes for an interesting dichotomy that would seem ripe for the stage. So, why am I so disappointed? Because I wanted a real narrative (Gordy wrote the book himself) that doesn't gloss over important historical events while, at the same time, giving 60 fabulous tunes short shrift.
BWW Reviews: MADCO's Extraordinary WALLSTORIES
by Chris Gibson - November 20, 2014
The Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 to supposedly 'protect' the population of East Germany from succumbing to socialism. But, all it actually accomplished was the emotionally painful separation of families and friends; preventing the so-called defection of individuals looking to avoid living in a communist state. And, until it's destruction in 1989, it served as a grim reminder to the rest of the world that oppression was still very much alive and well (and still is around the globe). Choreographer Nejla Yatkin has taken this dark history lesson and transformed it into a unique work called WALLSTORIES that combines modern dance with interviews she collected and edited, as well as the music of Pink Floyd, Bach, and Larsen and Sherman. MADCO presented this powerful and compelling production at the Touhill November 14-16, for a total of six performances, three of which played to students who were brought in to see the show. It was a truly moving experience that I felt privileged to see.
BWW Reviews: Mustard Seed Theatre's Moving Revival of ALL IS CALM
by Chris Gibson - November 20, 2014
Mustard Seed Theatre has brought back their popular staging of ALL IS CALM - THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914, which premiered around this time last year, and it's definitely a piece of theatre that demands your time and attention. Somehow I must have missed mentioning this the first time around, but this was originally a broadcast that occurred on Minnesota Public Radio. Artistic director/director Deanna Jent took that raw material and molded it into a moving and compelling stage production that won deserved accolades and awards for its excellence. If you didn't catch it last year, then you need to make sure you do so during its current run, and even if you did see it, I can promise you that it's certainly worth seeing again.
MOTOWN National Tour Plays the Fabulous Fox, Now thru 11/30
by BWW News Desk - November 18, 2014
The Fabulous Fox Theatre is excited to announce that the national tour of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will play at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis tonight, November 18 - 30, 2014.
RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH to Continue The Rep's 48th Season, 12/3-28
by BWW News Desk - November 17, 2014
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash created by Richard Maltby, Jr., conceived by William Meade, adapted from the Broadway Production by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Jason Edwards and directed by Jason Edwards. This energetic musical will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, December 3-December 28, 2014.
Imaginary Theatre's BAH! HUMBUG! Comes to The Rep, 12/13-23
by BWW News Desk - November 14, 2014
?The Imaginary Theatre Company, the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present a hysterical and modern version of Bah! Humbug! this holiday season. Adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens with book, music and lyrics by Jack Herrick, this 45-minute performance, suitable for all ages, is a musical adventure that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving.
YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE! Comes to the Fox Theatre Tonight
by BWW News Desk - November 12, 2014
DHX Media, a key player internationally in the creation of content for families and children, announced today that Yo Gabba Gabba! will take the stage this Fall with Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE! Music is Awesome!. The Music is Awesome! Tour will stop at the Fabulous Fox Theatre tonight, November 12 at 6 p.m.
BWW Reviews: Max & Louie Productions' Hilarious CHANCERS
by Chris Gibson - November 11, 2014
We are truly lucky in St. Louis to have so many theatre companies that provide us with premier productions of engaging plays from around the globe. Since their inception in 2010, Max & Louie Productions has been one of those troupes that are always on the lookout for something new and different, and with their current presentation of Irish playwright Robert Massey's CHANCERS, they've found a work that fits both criteria. The characters and locations might be foreign, but the situation that drives the play is something we can distinctly identify with as Americans; a desperate need for cash in order to get back on our feet again. Genuinely funny, but with a touch of drama to give it depth, CHANCERS will hit home with anyone who has seen their savings dwindle and their spending tighten due to the current economic conditions.
Open Book Theatre Company Presents RED, Opening 12/5
by BWW News Desk - November 10, 2014
Open Book Theatre Company is excited to announce the second play in its Inaugural Season. Red, the Tony award winning play by John Logan, will open December 5th and run for 6 performances.

Videos


ASQ Series 3 - Kammeraku Song with Kyo-Shin-An Arts in St. Louis ASQ Series 3 - Kammeraku Song with Kyo-Shin-An Arts
Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center (2/20 - 2/20)
New Year's Eve at The Boom Boom Room in St. Louis New Year's Eve at The Boom Boom Room
The Boom Boom Room (12/31 - 1/1)
First Impressions in St. Louis First Impressions
The Chapel (2/12 - 2/15)
Ring of Fire in St. Louis Ring of Fire
The Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis (3/18 - 4/12)
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble January 24, 8pm in St. Louis Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble January 24, 8pm
The Wildey (1/24 - 1/24)
Mrs. Krishnan's Party in St. Louis Mrs. Krishnan's Party
The Repertory Theatre of Saint Louis (1/14 - 2/8)
Duke Tumatoe in St. Louis Duke Tumatoe
The Wildey (1/15 - 1/15)
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