BWW Review: Mustard Seed Theatre's Extraordinary ELEEMOSYNARY
The title of Lee Blessing's play, ELEEMOSYNARY, refers to the word one of the characters successfully spells, winning a spelling bee in the process, but also to the very definition of it; charitable. It's an intriguing story of three generations of women, all of whom are extraordinarily gifted in one way or another. These individual gifts are both a blessing and a curse to each character, and ultimately greatly affect the way they interact with one another. This is a moving and fascinating story driven by the relationships between these three women, and Mustard Seed Theatre's production is challenging theatre that provides a must-see experience.
BWW News: The St. Louis Theater Circle Awards Are Announced!
Nearly 400 people hooped, hollered and packed the auditorium at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) on Monday, March 23, 2015 for the third annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards ceremony. The event honors outstanding achievement in local professional theater by performers and behind-the-scenes artists. Awards were given in 31 different categories covering comedy, drama and musicals, along with two special awards bestowed on Donna Northcott, founder and artistic director of St. Louis Shakespeare, and Agnes Wilcox, founder and artistic director of Prison Performing Arts. Both women have retired this year and turned their companies over to new artistic directors, Suki Peters for St. Louis Shakespeare and Christopher Limber at Prison Performing Arts.
BWW News: St. Louis Theatre Circle Announces Nominees for 2014
New Line Theatre's production of BONNIE & CLYDE tied with Stages St. Louis' rendition of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING with nine nominations apiece for the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards to lead nominations for all shows produced by local professional theater companies in 2014.
Photo Flash: WHAT THE BUTLER SAW Celebrates Opening Night at the Taper
Award-winning British playwright Joe Orton's riotous farce 'What the Butler Saw' opened yesterday, November 23, 2014, at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. 'What the Butler Saw' continues through December 21. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!
BWW Reviews: Upstream Theater's Masterful Production of ANTIGONE
I've been privileged to see several versions of Greek playwright Sophocles' 2500 year old work ANTIGONE over the years. All of them have been good, and each of them has been uniquely different. A version I caught at a college even went so far as to incorporate the traditional masks that were utilized for the original productions. But, David R. Slavitt's translation is, by far, the most intriguing and accessible version I've ever seen. With the inclusion of a dash of humor to the proceedings he's also managed to enhance the dramatic depth of the tale. Upstream Theater's current production is masterful and powerful in equal measure, providing a memorable experience that demands to be seen.
BWW Reviews: New Jewish Theatre Stages Dramatic LOST IN YONKERS
Though cut from some of the same cloth as his "Eugene" trilogy, LOST IN YONKERS is a different animal all together from playwright Neil Simon. There are laughs to be found for sure, but the overwhelming sense that pervades this particular work is that of the dramatic. There are similarities as well, what with this being a coming-of-age tale, too. But, Simon works these characters differently, even confessing in one of his memoirs that he isn't sure where they all came from. The current presentation by The New Jewish Theatre is a thoughtful and nicely performed rendering.
BWW Reviews: Mustard Seed Theatre's Exceptional Production of GOING TO SEE THE ELEPHANT
If you go in thinking you're going to see a pachyderm when you attend GOING TO SEE THE ELEPHANT, then you might be disappointed. However, the metaphor it represents is duly explained early on to avoid any unnecessary confusion. Instead, you'll be treated to a post Civil War tale of four women taking on the harshness of the Kansas prairie. It's a brilliant slice of pioneer life, buoyed by powerful performances and excellent direction. Mustard Seed Theatre's current production is a fascinating look at a bygone era.
BWW Review: HotCity Theatre's Tense Production of TRUE WEST
HotCity Theatre continues to provide St. Louis with a mix of new plays and modern classics, and actor/playwright Sam Shepard's TRUE WEST is their latest foray in these areas. Considered to be one of Shepard's more accessible works, TRUE WEST is a fascinating look at sibling rivalry, and it also takes some entertaining jabs at the Hollywood blockbuster mentality, which has only grown worse since this play premiered in 1980. HotCity's production is distinguished by an excellent cast and sparkling direction that consistently engages.
HotCity Theatre Presents TRUE WEST 2/4-19
HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the opening of TRUE WEST, by American playwright Sam Shepard. TRUE WEST premiered in 1980 at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco, CA where Shepard was a resident playwright. It has enjoyed incredible success throughout the country, creating many famous productions like that in which leading men Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly switched roles on and off during the run and jointly won a Tony for their performances, and that which ignited the careers of Gary Sinise and John Malkovich and was filmed and aired by PBS. HotCity proudly brings this modern classic to St. Louis as the first show in their 2011 Season. Doug Finlayson directs.
HotCity Theatre Presents TRUE WEST 2/4-19
HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the opening of TRUE WEST, by American playwright Sam Shepard. TRUE WEST premiered in 1980 at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco, CA where Shepard was a resident playwright. It has enjoyed incredible success throughout the country, creating many famous productions like that in which leading men Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly switched roles on and off during the run and jointly won a Tony for their performances, and that which ignited the careers of Gary Sinise and John Malkovich and was filmed and aired by PBS. HotCity proudly brings this modern classic to St. Louis as the first show in their 2011 Season. Doug Finlayson directs.
Orange Girls Continue 2009 Season With COLLECTED STORIES
In addition to showing us the relationship between an aspiring young writer and her teacher/mentor, COLLECTED STORIES also examines issues of ownership regarding ones' own life story. It's a compelling and engaging tale, and The Orange Girls have put together a wonderfully realized production that features a pair of exceptional performances.
Kevin Kline Award Winners Announced!
Seventeen different stage productions were honored at the third annual Kevin Kline Awards ceremony. Ten St. Louis area theater companies - double the number of last year's recipients - were recognized with awards. Four of those ten theaters were multiple award winners.