Review: SATE Presents THE 8TH ANNUAL APHRA BEHN FESTIVAL at The Chapel
The entertaining 8th Annual Aphra Bren Festival successfully gave fresh female, transgender, and non-binary voices the medium to have their works professionally produced and be heard. Four playwrights presented new works as part of the Festival. Anne Valentino’s play THE THE stood out amount the produced works. It was creatively staged, paced, and magnificently blocked by director Michelle Hand. Valentino’s play illustrated a maturity in storytelling with strong voice that provided a message that resonates. Hand, Baker, Keating, and David Cooperstein collaborated to create a memorable production.
CLUE and INTO THE WOODS Lead the St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards with 11 Nominations Each
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.
The Top 10 Productions in St. Louis Theatre for 2023
This past year was a spectacular season for theatre in St. Louis. Forbes magazine recognized St. Louis as having “America’s most exciting emerging arts district.” The article credits the The Kranzberg Foundation for buying and operating spaces where artists can create. Many of the smaller theatre companies in St. Louis rely on The Kranzberg Foundation venues for performance and rehearsal space. In addition to the smaller professional companies, the mid-size and larger companies including The Muny, STAGES St. Louis, and The Black Rep all presented stellar musicals and plays that were produced locally. Blue Strawberry and The St Louis Cabaret project advanced cabaret performing in St. Louis booking amazing shows with Tony nominated Broadway performers Adam Pascal, Beth Leavel, and Robin de Jesús.
Review: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at The Marcelle Theatre
Michelle Hand is mesmerizing as Heidi, driving nearly all of the play’s dialogue. Her indelible presence is captivating. She enters, introduces herself as Heidi and tells the audience about her mother’s vision to help her pay for college by winning VFW sponsored debates about what the constitution means to her. Throughout the play, Hand steps in and out of character as the adult Heidi, the 15-year-old Heidi, and as herself addressing the audience. As the play unfolds, she unpacks her thoughts on The Constitution, the Ninth and Fourteenth Amendments, and she tackles themes of women’s equality, reproductive rights, sexual assault, domestic abuse, immigration, and the decisions significant legal cases have had on women in the United States. Hand’s outstanding performance and her conviction for presenting Heidi’s dialogue is unforgettable. When she is playing Heidi, she completely disappears into the role and her electric oration of the subject matter is authentic and convincing.
Max & Louie Presents WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, April 6-23
Playwright Heidi Schreck's highly impactful and timely memoir, What the Constitution Means to Me, winner of Best American play, and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, opens Max & Louie Productions upcoming 2023 theatrical season, running at The Marcelle Theatre, April 6-23rd in Saint Louis, Missouri.
BWW Review: TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS at Grandel Theatre
Tiny Beautiful Things, arrival to St. Louis could not be more prescient. Excellently presented and emotionally compelling, its themes of healing, love, courage, and acceptance remain important local communities struggle to return to normalcy.
Max & Louie Productions Announce 2021 Season
Max & Louie Productions announces its “Comeback” with the St. Louis premiere of “Tiny Beautiful Things” based on the New York Times bestseller, “Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar” by Cheryl Strayed and adapted for the stage by Oscar nominee, Nia Vardalos, playing at The Grandel Theatre July 29-August 8,2021.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Presents THE GLOWY SNOWY DAY
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, in partnership with StoneLion Puppet Theatre, has announced a breathtaking, unique family event: “The Glowy Snowy Day.” Families are invited to drive through the experience on the Webster University campus, just a few hundred feet from The Rep’s main performing home.
Midnight Company Announces Fall Shows
The Midnight Company will present two plays this Fall - a revival of GIVE 'EM HELL HARRY! by Samuel Gallu in September, and the St. Louis premiere of IT IS MAGIC by Mickle Maher in October. These shows will be preceded by the rescheduled production of Midnight's NOW PLAYING THIRD BASE FOR THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALSa??BOND, JAMES BOND in August.