MAPLEWOOD BARN COMMUNITY THEATRE

by James Lindhorst - March 21, 2025

New Jewish Theatre’s production of CABARET is a grim reminder of the early days of the Nazi reign in Germany. It is appropriately risqué and bawdy and artfully staged on David Blake’s beautiful set. It is filled with impressive performances from the entire cast, especially the original characterizat...

by James Lindhorst - March 16, 2025

Kelundra Smith has penned an important piece of drama. THE WASH’s historically educational narrative hooks the audience with provocative storytelling. Chris Anthony’s strong direction, enhanced by Heather Beal’s earth-centered movements, grabs and holds the audience’s attention. The cast’s outstandi...

by James Lindhorst - March 15, 2025

As the Irish would say, THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE is simply grand. Ashton is a skillful storyteller. He and his assistant director C.J. Langdon have elicited stunning performances from Cochran, Doggett, Matthews, and Meyers. McDonagh’s script is dripping with mordant and grim humor. Put Albion’s f...

by Rob Levy - March 04, 2025

For Joe and Jerry, two entertainers looking for career stability, being on the run can be a real drag!  The lead characters of Some Like It Hot, now onstage at the Fox Theatre, begin the production as run-of-the-mill performers bouncing from gig to gig in Prohibition era Chicago. However, after they...

by Steve Callahan - February 28, 2025

Winter Opera rounds out its 18th season with a splendid production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). This is perhaps the most popular opera in the world, and it is an all-round challenge for any company—vocally and technically....

by James Lindhorst - February 22, 2025

First Run Theatre’s evening of short plays is always a wonderful opportunity to hear the emerging voices of newer playwrights and see their new works. Six playwrights from Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri are featured in First Run Theatre’s “2025 Spectrum: A Presentation of Short Plays.” The First Run...

by Rob Levy - February 19, 2025

Money meets mental illness in Stray Dog Theatre’s enjoyable The Curious Savage. The opening production of the company’s 23rd season was written by John Patrick who brought it to the New York stage in 1950....

by Rob Levy - February 17, 2025

Well-acted and utterly fun, Shucked lives up to the hype. The straightforward plot relies on shrewdly timed jokes, jangly music and polished wordplay, sprinkled with social commentary, to provide laughs and moments of endearment....

by James Lindhorst - February 15, 2025

West End Players Guild’s production of CONSTELLATIONS is a bittersweet dose of reality. It is a relationship story more than a love story. Payne examines how we react to two things in life, our partner’s behaviors and what the fates hand us. No one can predict when, or if, life will bring happiness,...

by James Lindhorst - February 13, 2025

COCONUT CAKE is a character driven play that examines how the choices we make in the short term impacts our long-term wellbeing. It is a superbly constructed play with surprising reveals that are neither illogical nor unexpected. Beaty’s play is packed with immense honesty. Jones and his talented we...