John Russell

Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL at Maine State Music Theater
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 8, 2026

A giant green man with a booming brogue, a talking donkey, a wooden boy with a long nose, a wolf in  granny skirts…. These are the loveable misfits who commandeer MSMT’s stage in the Jeannine Tesori- David Lindsay-Abaire classic SHREK  THE MUSICAL that runs for four delightful performances at the Pickard Theater on June 8. The musical,based on the DreamWorks original movie, features witty lyrics, catchy tunes, and a heartwarming story, about acceptance, individuality, and inclusion.

Photos: Primary Stages 2026 VARIETY SHOW Benefit Featuring Ari Afsar, Zachary Noah Piser, and More
by A.A. Cristi - May 7, 2026

Primary Stages recently celebrated The Primary Stages Variety Show, a one-night-only cabaret-style event of songs and scenes that celebrates Primary Stages’ rich creative history and the immensely talented artists who have helped to shape it. Check out photos of the event.

Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern to Retire at the End of 2026
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 14, 2026

Sarah Trahern, CEO of the  Country Music Association (CMA), will retire at the end of 2026, marking the conclusion of her 12-year-tenure in the role. Trahern will remain engaged in her role as CEO until the end of the year, working with the Board and senior leadership amid a search for her successor.

Review: Huge Turnout Celebrates MSMT's Annual Concert on the Mall
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 13, 2025

On August 13, a clear, warm summer evening, thousands filled the grassy downtown Brunswick Mall to enjoy a free evening of music performed by the stars of MSMT. The annual event, presented in collaboration with the Brunswick Downtown Association’s Music on the Mall series has grown in size since its inception eight years ago and continues to hold the record for the best attended outdoor event in the community. And the crowds come with good reason. It is an opportunity to hear the MSMT performers regale the audience with repertoire from musical theatre and popular covers, backed by an excellent five-piece band led by Music Director Jacob Stebly.

Review: Delightful Confection for the Entire Family: MSMT Presents WILLY WONKA,JR.
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Aug 11, 2025

MSMT closes its Family series on August 11 with a colorful, lively, special-effects-laden presentation of Roald Dahl’s WILLY WONKA, JR.  The production is the fruit of MSMT’s Summer Theatre Intensive, which auditions, casts, and trains local youth (ages 8-18) to perform a fully mounted main stage production. In the four years since the program’s inception, the productions have continued to grow in sophistication and artistic and technical excellence, with this year’s WILLY WONKA, JR. distinguishing itself for cast size and talent and production complexity.

Review: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Robin & Clark's SNOW WHITE with Some Twists
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jul 21, 2025

Magic mirrors, an evil stepmother, forest creatures who sing and chatter prettily- all familiar fairytale tropes – but then add an empowered maiden, a narcissistic prince, and seven “dwarfs,” who are actually icons of ancient wisdom and culture, and you have a new, delightful musical version of the Brothers’ Grimm tale of Snow White created by Marc Robin & Curt Dale Clark for audiences young and young at heart.  MSMT’s new production sparkles with wit, energy, and visual splendor, featuring a first-rate cast of young professional performers who bring this tale to life with new meaning.

Review: Young Audiences Enjoy a Magic Carpet Ride With ALADDIN at Maine State Music Theatre
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 10, 2025

Maine State Music Theatre chose to revive one of its most popular titles, Robin and Clark’s ALADDIN as the opener of its Family Series 2025. Read our review here!

South Street Seaport Museum Announces 2025 Pioneer and W.O. Decker Sailing Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 7, 2025

South Street Seaport Museum has announced the 2025 sailing season for the 1885 Schooner Pioneer and the 1930 Tugboat W.O. Decker beginning in May. Tickets range from $10-$70 to sail New York Harbor and are now on sale now!

TENNESSEE WILLIAMS FESTIVAL St. Louis Returns to Year-Round Programming with 9th Annual Festival In August
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 27, 2024

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis has announced the cast for their upcoming production of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, featuring a talented ensemble set to bring the classic play to life.

Tennessee Williams St. Louis Returns With 9th Annual Festival This August
by Stephi Wild - Apr 9, 2024

Tennessee Williams St. Louis will return to year-round programming with its 9th Annual Festival, running August 8-18.

13th STL Teen Talent Competition Awards Announced
by Stephi Wild - Apr 13, 2023

On April 8th the fourteen final acts of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition competed live on stage at the Fabulous Fox. Students vied for $50,000 in college scholarships, cash awards and special prizes.

At Best When There's Singing and Dancing on Screen
by Oliver Oliveros - Jan 12, 2023

Learning music mogul Clive Davis gave the imprimatur to 'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody,' the biopic of Davis’s former protegee and the late music icon Whitney Houston, promises topnotch musical sequences, which would not disappoint--even the most critical superfans.

12th STL Teen Talent Competition Finals Announce Winners
by Stephi Wild - Feb 15, 2022

On February 11th the fourteen finalists of the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition competed live on stage at the Fabulous Fox. Students vied for $50,000 in college scholarships, cash awards and special prizes.

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Presents Radio Show SOMETHING SPOKEN: TENNESSEE WILLIAMS ON THE AIR
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 22, 2020

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis (TWSTL) will increase its reach this summer with a new radio show. 'Something Spoken: Tennessee Williams On the Air' launched on July 11.

Luke Bryan Hosts CMA BEST OF FEST Tonight
by Kaitlin Milligan - Jul 13, 2020

Tonight is the night! Country Music superstar Luke Bryan hosts a?oeCMA Best of Fest,a?? a three-hour retrospective airing tonight at 8/7c on the ABC Television Network.

Theater to Go at Kelsey Theatre is Bringing CABARET to the Stage
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 29, 2020

Theater To Go will present the Kander and Ebb classic musical CABARET at the Kelsey Theatre from Jan 31- Feb 9 2020. Winner of three Outer Circle Critic's Awards, the 1998 revival features an edginess that reflects the hedonism and decay of the period between the world wars in Weimar Germany, when seeds were planted for Hitler's ascension to power in Germany.

Theater to Go Presents CABARET
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2019

Theater To Go will present the Kander and Ebb classic musical CABARET at the Kelsey Theatre opening January 31,2020. Winner of three Outer Circle Critic's Awards, the 1998 revival features an edginess that reflects the hedonism and decay of the period between the world wars in Weimar Germany, when seeds were planted for Hitler's ascension to power in Germany.

Photo Flash: Go Inside Opening Night of The COOP and Baruch Performing Arts Center's TERRA FIRMA
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 15, 2019

The COOP and Baruch Performing Arts Center present the world premiere of Barbara Hammond's TERRA FIRMA, which officially opened last week at Baruch Performing Arts Center (55 Lexington Avenue).

The COOP's TERRA FIRMA Opens Tomorrow Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2019

The COOP and Baruch Performing Arts Center are please to present the world premiere of Barbara Hammond's TERRA FIRMA, which officially opens on Thursday, October 10 at Baruch Performing Arts Center (55 Lexington Avenue).

The COOP's TERRA FIRMA Begins Performances Tonight Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Sep 27, 2019

The COOP and Baruch Performing Arts Center announce the world premiere of Barbara Hammond's TERRA FIRMA, which begins performances tonight at Baruch Performing Arts Center (55 Lexington Avenue).