Elizabeth Townsend

Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Announces THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA as the 2019 Main Stage Production

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis will present Tennessee Williams' steamy and startling 'The Night of the Iguana' as its main stage production at the Grandel Theatre on May 9-19.

Tennessee Williams Fest STL Announces 2019 Main Stage Production

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis - named the "Arts Startup of the Year" for 2019 by the Arts & Education Council - will present Tennessee Williams' steamy and startling "The Night of the Iguana" as its main stage production at the Grandel Theatre on May 9-19.  Jim Butz, Lavonne Byers, Nisi Sturgis, Elizabeth Townsend, and Harry Weber headline as Americans who are hiding-or seeking-or both-at a seedy Mexican hotel during the run-up to World War II. Tim Ocel will once again direct, having guided last year's "A Streetcar Named Desire" to a record 11 award nominations by the St. Louis Theater Circle. 

Gwen Wotawa to Lead Insight's SILENT SKY

In the late 19th century, Henrietta Leavitt served as one of the women computers at the Harvard Observatory. She became focused on recording information about the stars and the new understanding of their significance. SILENT SKY showcases her remarkable talent, determination and ingenuity. Her discovery impacted the scientific progress that led to the Hubble Telescope and significantly contributed to current understanding of the universe. As a woman, she was not offered the Nobel Prize, but scientists today recognize her incredible contribution.

BWW Interview: Playwright Michele Riml and Actress Elizabeth Townsend Talk Beauty and Strength in MISS TEEN

Stages Repertory Theatre works again with acclaimed Canadian playwright Michele Riml to produce the world premiere of MISS TEEN, a comedic drama about a shy, unlikely beauty pageant winner and her mother's ambitious efforts to meet the demands of her daughter's newfound fame.

BWW Reviews: Upstream Theater's Provocative Production of THE MAIDS

Playwright and raconteur (what else would you call a man orphaned by his prostitute mother, who grew into a thief, before finding his niche as a controversial and often banned writer?) Jean Genet's THE MAIDS (translated by Martin Crimp) is a peculiar and provocative one act whose images stay with you long after its 90 minutes are finished. It's an interesting take on the separation of the classes, focusing on the maids of a wealthy mistress and the humiliation she submits them to, although we only briefly glimpse this. The play shows two different reactions to this abusive behavior, and tells its story mostly through the playacting of the maids themselves. It's a fascinating and rarely seen work that's well worth your time, and Upstream Theater's current production is helped by three stellar performances and sharp, incisive direction.

New Jewish Theatre Presents AWAKE AND SING! Closes 5/8

In what can be labeled a 'First,' the New Jewish Theatre is proud to boast that the director for the upcoming production of Clifford Odet's 1935 classic AWAKE AND SING! is Steve Woolf, Artistic Director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. While Woolf does direct outside of the Rep, he does not direct for other theatres in the St. Louis area. So this is a genuine First for both Woolf and the New Jewish Theatre. Most recently outside of the Rep, Mr. Woolf directed THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre (and then went on to direct the Rep's production of the same show). But the upcoming production at NJT was a show that he could not resist. Its realism and grittiness and the strength of the characters appealed to him.

New Jewish Theatre Presents AWAKE AND SING! 4/20-5/8

In what can be labeled a 'First,' the New Jewish Theatre is proud to boast that the director for the upcoming production of Clifford Odet's 1935 classic AWAKE AND SING! is Steve Woolf, Artistic Director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. While Woolf does direct outside of the Rep, he does not direct for other theatres in the St. Louis area. So this is a genuine First for both Woolf and the New Jewish Theatre. Most recently outside of the Rep, Mr. Woolf directed THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre (and then went on to direct the Rep's production of the same show). But the upcoming production at NJT was a show that he could not resist. Its realism and grittiness and the strength of the characters appealed to him.