James Lindhorst - Page 6

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 exquisite performances that are skillfully directed.  

Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge welcomes a pair of Tony winning actors and a Tony nominee in the coming months. Melissa Errico, Alice Ripley, and John Lloyd Young will bring their cabaret shows to the club in mid-town St. Louis. Errico, a 2008 Tony nominee, will perform her show of Sondheim classics on April 26th and 27th. Young, the Tony winner for Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as Franki Valli in JERSEY BOYS, performs on May 8th and 9th. The Tony winner for NEXT TO NORMAL, Alice Ripley, will be joined by Grammy and Emmy Winner John McDaniel on May 24th and 25th to share their music and stories from a lifetime on Broadway.  

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 deceased can see the curveball coming on how their transgressions and sins would be scored to determine their eternal fate. FARE TO MIDDLIN’ had well developed characters and was the most well-written of the seven short plays presented during the program.  

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis closes its current season with a production of Tray Letts’ tragicomedy AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY. Performances begin on March 19th and the show runs through April 7th on the main stage in the Loretto-Hilton Center. AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is a winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Play, and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The dark comedy examines the dysfunctional dynamics of the Weston Family when they return home for a funeral. Broadway World had the opportunity to sit down with Director Amelia Acosta Powell and Broadway’s Astrid Van Wieren who plays Mattie Faye Aiken to talk about The Rep’s upcoming production. 

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 audience showed their appreciation for her efforts by greeting her with a warm standing ovation. Once she got the adoring audience back into their seats, she launched into an eleven-song medley of Cole Porter’s music. At some point through the evening, it seemed as if she looked at, and gestured toward every single person in the crowded ballroom.

John O’Brien, The Fabulous Fox Theatre’s Vice President of Programming and Marketing, and Cindy Vargo, Vice President of Sales and Membership announced the shows for the upcoming 2024-2025 Broadway Season on Tuesday morning. Joining them for the announcement was their special guest and native St. Louisan Mike Bosner of Bosner Productions. Bosner is the lead producer of the hit musical SHUCKED.  In addition to SHUCKED, the eight show season will include: BACK TO THE FUTURE: The Musical, The Neil Diamond Musical: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, PETER PAN, SIX, SOME LIKE IT HOT, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, and & JULIET.

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 that the playwrights who penned these short plays would have been thrilled with the efforts of the entire company at West End Players Guild.  

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 because he entertains.  

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’re looking for a fun outing with your partner or friends Amadeo Fusco’s show is worth checking out.

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 the overall story, I still suggest seeing this production for a few reasons. First, Ryan Lawson-Maeske's performance. His enigmatic Christoper is gripping. Second, Mary Louise Parker won the Tony Award for her portrayal as Bella, so there is a strong likelihood that audiences may disagree with this assessment of the script. Finally, it is a polished production with strong collaboration between the director, his actors, and the technical crew.  

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 the script’s complexities. This is a wonderful production with interesting characters that provides a different perspective to the nuclear arms race during World War II.  

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 Turnblad. HAIRSPRAY continues to fill houses across the country 22 years after it premiered on Broadway.  

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 that resulted in his growing appreciation for his mother.

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.  

The St. Louis Theatre Circle announced their 2024 Nominations on Friday. STAGES St. Louis’ production of CLUE and New Jewish Theatre’s production of INTO THE WOODS lead all productions with 11 nominations each. Twenty-four different companies and 55 unique productions were represented among 165 nominations in 33 categories. Awards will be handed out on Monday, March 25th, 2024, at The Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts on the Webster University campus.  

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 bold characterization of black and white Americans embodied by two characters.

Amadeo Fusca brings his hilarious one man show MEN ARE FROM MARS WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE to the Westport Playhouse on February 14th through 18th for six shows. Part scripted, part improvisation, and part stand-up comedy, Fusca keeps things current and keeps his audience laughing each time he takes the stage. He has a lot of experience explaining the differences between men and women. He has traveled across the country performing this show more than 350 times.  

Broadway's Sara Sheperd returns to St. Louis to perform her solo show as part of the Cabaret Project of St. Louis. Sheperd starred at The Muny this past summer in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, reprising a role she played on Broadway and as part of the National Tour. Broadway World called her performance at The Muny ‘entrancing,” and named BEAUTIFUL to its Top 10 Productions in St. Louis Theatre for 2023. Sheperd sat down with Broadway world to talk about her upcoming shows and what an influential place St. Louis is in her career.

David Catlin brings his critically acclaimed stage adaptation of MOBY DICK to The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis next month. MOBY DICK will play the Loretto-Hilton Mainstage from February 6 – 25. Catlin will also serve as director. Chicago Critic has called MOBY DICK “one of the best productions of all time in Chicago.”  

Despite the criticism around its originality, JAGGED LITTLE PILL it is an elegantly constructed show, with an interesting story, an energetic and talented cast, visually engaging choreography, and Grammy winning music. It is a must see for fans of Morissette’s music, and a should see for fans of musical theatre. While it is not among the best of the jukebox musicals, it is a better than average effort.