Michael Kostroff

STAGES St. Louis 2025 Season to Include BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

STAGES St. Louis has announced their 2025 line-up, and it is a season of comedy, romance, and nostalgia. The season opens with the hilarious madcap musical MURDER FOR TWO. That will be followed by the pre-Broadway tryout of the Jane Austen bio-musical AUSTEN’S PRIDE and the Tony Award Winning Broadway hit BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Broadway World had the opportunity to sit down last week with STAGES artistic director Gayle Seay, executive producer Andrew Kuhlman, and marketing director Michael Adkins to talk about their upcoming season.  

Review: JUDGMENT DAY AT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

JUDGMENT DAY may be a world premiere comedy, but it trades in old-school jokes. Rob Ulin’s play is relatively simple and wears its moral heart on its sleeve (Main takeaway: Don’t be a jerk), even if lead role Sammy Campo doesn’t have a heart at all. While JUDGMENT DAY pokes some fun at the Catholic church, the play’s satire is not that deep. That said, this play is swiftly moving and delightfully entertaining, and it fully delivers on the promise of offering audiences a good time. 

Video: First Look at Jason Alexander in JUDGMENT DAY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Get a first look at Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Judgment Day, a hilariously irreverent world premiere comedy starring Tony and Emmy Award winner Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) in his Chicago stage debut.

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Get a first look at Jason Alexander in Judgement Day at Chicago Shakespeare Theater! Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for JUDGMENT DAY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater with Jason Alexander & More

Go inside rehearsals for Chicago Shakespeare Theater's production of Judgment Day, a hilariously irreverent world premiere comedy starring Tony and Emmy Award winner Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) in his Chicago stage debut.

Photos: Jason Alexander in Rehearsal For JUDGMENT DAY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater will present Judgment Day, a hilariously irreverent world premiere comedy starring Tony and Emmy Award winner Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) in his Chicago stage debut. Check out rehearsal photos here!

Video: Jason Alexander Talks JUDGMENT DAY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Jason Alexander discusses why he is excited to dive into rehearsals for the world premiere comedy JUDGMENT DAY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, running April 23–May 26, 2024 in the video here!

Jason Alexander to Star in JUDGMENT DAY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has revealed the full company of Judgment Day, a world premiere comedy starring Tony and Emmy Award winner Jason Alexander in his Chicago stage debut.

Review: NATIVE GARDENS is Blossoming at Pioneer Theatre Company

Pioneer Theatre Company’s blossoming production of NATIVE GARDENS is both thought provoking and flat out entertaining thanks to the timely script, solid performances, and extraordinary set. If you’re wondering whether this is one worth seeing, stop wondering and just go. 

VIDEO: Meet The Cast Pioneer Theatre's NATIVE GARDENS

Meet the cast of Pioneer Theatre's Native Gardens as they tell us what plant their character would be in a fun new video. From award-winning playwright Karen Zacarías, NATIVE GARDENS is a contemporary comedy that reminds us: we can’t always choose our neighbors. 

Michael Kostroff, Kelly Coffield Park & More to Star in NATIVE GARDENS Utah Premiere at Pioneer Theatre Company

Pioneer Theatre Company will kick off 2024 with the Utah premiere of Native Gardens. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Interview: John Douglas Thompson On Providing a More Thorough Perspective of William Jennings Bryan in INHERIT THE WIND

A re-imagined production of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s Inherit the Wind is currently playing on the Pasadena Playhouse stage, just extended through December 3, 2023. Michael Michetti directs the cast, led by Alfred Molina & John Douglas Thompson as the battling lawyers in a trial inspired by the Scopes Monkey trials in 1925. Rounding out the talented company: Chris Perfetti, Abubakr Al, David Aaron Baker, Rachel Hilson, Jared, Brian Calì, Marlene Forte, Matt Gomez Hidaka, Thomas Hobson, Michael Kostroff, John W. Lawson, Philip J. Lewis, Gabriella Pizzigoni, Rene Rivera and Pam Trotter. After the whirlwind of opening night and unexpected COVID cancellations, John Douglas graciously found some time to chat with me on the phone.

Photos: See Alfred Molina, John Douglas Thompson & Chris Perfetti in INHERIT THE WIND at Pasadena Playhouse

Get a first look at photos of Inherit the Wind at Pasadena Playhouse!

Alfred Molina & John Douglas Thompson To Lead Pasadena Playhouse's INHERIT THE WIND

Pasadena Playhouse announces the cast for the upcoming production of INHERIT THE WIND. Get all the details on this fresh take on a classic play.

Review: THE WHISTLEBLOWER at Theater Wit

It’s ironic that THE WHISTLEBLOWER begins with a meta pitch of the play’s concept. While the idea is witty, Moses’s concept loses steam in this full-length play. Though it’s billed as a comedy, THE WHISTLEBLOWER is mildly amusing rather than uproariously funny.

Michael Kostroff to Star in Itamar Moses Comedy THE WHISTLEBLOWER at Theater Wit

Theater Wit will present The Whistleblower, the newest play by Tony Award-winner Itamar Moses, author of The Band’s Visit, winner of ten 2018 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

PHOTOS: HEIL MEL!! We Salute You … As Mel Brooks Veterans & Freshmen/Women/Thems Join 54 CELEBRATES MEL BROOKS at 54 Below

This night went over like Buster Gang and had that at-capacity house climbing the walls when they weren’t on the floor from laughing. To put you in the picture, here are some pictures for you to enjoy

54 CELEBRATES MEL BROOKS, Brian Letendre, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. A recipient of the 2022 Tony Awards Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 

Busy Phillips, James Monroe Iglehart & More to Celebrate Mel Brooks at 54 Below

54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club, will present the return of 54 Celebrates Mel Brooks on January 23rd, 2023, at 7:00 and 9:30pm. See who will star in the concert, how to purchase tickets and more!

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld South Carolina Awards; Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld South Carolina Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.