Winners Announced For 2019 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards
Following a record number of nominations and votes, winners have been announced for the 2019 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Awards, brought to you by TodayTix!! The nominees were set, audiences voted, and now we get to recognize local theatres and performers for their outstanding achievement!
BWW Review: Mustard Seed Theatre's Splendidly Rendered ALL IS CALM - THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914
Mustard Seed Theatre has brought back their popular staging of ALL IS CALM - THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 (for what they say is the last time, at least, for a while), which premiered in 2013, and it remains a piece of theatre that's worthy of your time and attention. Originally broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio, but later turned into a moving and compelling theatrical experience. The creators of this amazing work are Peter Rothstein, Erick Lichte, and Timothy C. Takach. If you haven't see it then you need to make sure you do so during its current run, and even if you have see it before, I don't have to tell you that it's well worth seeing again.
BWW Review: Stray Dog Theatre's Rousing and Arousing THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
I can recall viewing The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the old Varsity Theatre in the Delmar Loop before it closed its doors many years ago. There was a mood generated by the grungy atmosphere of that old movie house, with fans packed in like sardines, and dressed in various character costumes for the occasion, that's impossible to recreate when you can just pop in the DVD or Blu-Ray and watch it at home by yourself. Besides, it's always more fun to see it with an enthusiastic crowd. Happily, Stray Dog Theatre is presenting an enjoyable and thoroughly engaging production of the original musical the film was based upon, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and they encourage audience participation (within reason). Go and have an absolute blast!
Stray Dog Theatre to Present Richard O'Brien's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
The cult classic musical is back! After a flat tire has them stuck in a storm, sweethearts Brad and Janet come upon the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank?N?Furter. Once inside, a houseful of colorful characters take the couple on a bizarre journey they will never forget. Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show is an over?the?top tribute to mid?20th century science fiction and horror B?movies.
New Line Sets Full 26th Season; Casting Announced
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' announces its 26th season of adult, alternative musical theatre, including the world premiere of a new revised version of the wild, 1969 adult jazz-rock musical CELEBRATION, by the creators of The Fantasticks, running Sept. 29-Oct. 22, 2016; followed by Kander & Ebb's rarely produced gem ZORBA, running March 2-25, 2017; then the regional premiere of the pitch-black 2002 jazz-rock musical THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, based on the famous novel and film, running June 1-24, 2017; and the world premiere of the third installment of New Line's own creation, the new revue OUT ON BROADWAY: THE THIRD COMING, running August 3-19, 2017. All New Line's mainstage shows will be in the company's new home, the Marcelle Theater, the new blackbox theatre in Grand Center, St. Louis' arts district.
BWW Review: Delightful and Charming YENTL at The New Jewish Theatre
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.
BWW Review: Moving and Memorable ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 by Mustard Seed Theatre
So I'm watching a Paul McCartney DVD, which is a collection of videos he released over the years, and I start to queue up the one for the song "Pipes of Peace", and I notice immediately that the short film is based on the Christmas Truce of 1914. I don't recall any history classes I had in school ever mentioning this moment in time, and that's why I think it's so important that people see Mustard Seed Theatre's production of ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914. They need to know that even in the midst of the gruesome and grueling trench fighting that was emblematic of the first World War, there was this one day where the soldiers from both sides laid down their arms and celebrated the holiday. In fact, after seeing it twice before, I wanted to make sure that my wife and son were exposed to this beautiful and touching show. It's a moving piece that you simply must see!
Ken Page Talks SUBLIME INTIMACY at Kranzberg Arts Center
Max & Louie Productions in association with Ken Page, announces the casting of the World Premiere production of Ken Page's Sublime Intimacy. Page recently sat down to discuss the show on St. Louis Public Radio- listen to the full interview below!
BWW Review: Stray Dog Theatre's Touching and Affecting DOGFIGHT
I remember when the film version of DOGFIGHT was release, and how I was initially repelled by the very concept, but then I saw the film, and I understood. You'll understand even more when you take in Stray Dog Theatre's local premiere presentation of the musical version of DOGFIGHT, and it's and absolute must see! This is truly a revelatory experience, with a smart book by Peter Duchan, and wonderfully arranged music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It's a cool score that lifts the action in an even more affecting manner than the movie does. It's the intimacy we experience when we see something live unfold before our eyes. This is a truly wondrous production that will move you, and that's what theatre is all about.
BWW Reviews: New Line Theatre's Sinister and Sizzling THE THREEPENNY OPERA
Originally adapted from John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera" with a writing collective Bertolt Brecht had formed, THE THREEPENNY OPERA, with Brecht's lyrics brought to life by Kurt Weill's inspired musical compositions, is a dark look at the underworld, oozing with depravity, and filled with a sense of desperation, neatly leavened by a sharpened satirical edge. New Line Theatre gives us this stage noir classic with all its wickedness intact. It's a pitch-black masterpiece that sucks you in with its nightmarish charms. This is the Marc Bliztstein translation, and I only mention that because there have been numerous attempts at re-imagining the work over the years. New Line Theatre gives us the Brecht/Weill collaboration I've imagined in my mind after only hearing select musical pieces, and watching a fuzzy copy of G.W. Pabst's 1931 film. This is true art, and a show that you absolutely need to see!
Photo Flash: First Look at New Line Theatre's THE THREEPENNY OPERA
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' closes its 24th season of adult, alternative musical theatre in June with one of the masterpieces of the art form, the darkly satiric THREEPENNY OPERA (which isn't really an opera), running now through June 20, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!
New Line Theatre's THREEPENNY OPERA Opens Tonight
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' closes its 24th season of adult, alternative musical theatre in June with one of the masterpieces of the art form, the darkly satiric THREEPENNY OPERA (which isn't really an opera), running tonight, May 28-June 20, 2015.
Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of New Line Theatre's THE THREEPENNY OPERA
New Line Theatre, 'the bad boy of musical theatre,' closes its 24th season of adult, alternative musical theatre in June with one of the masterpieces of the art form, the darkly satiric THREEPENNY OPERA (which isn't really an opera), running May 28-June 20, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!