PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

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...

by Rob Levy - February 13, 2025

This moving piece of theater, which features an extremely talented ensemble, is an uplifting, and terse story about resilience, community, and the importance of finding joy in the most unexpected places....

by James Lindhorst - February 09, 2025

This is an elegant production of LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT with a touch of surrealism. The creative team have taken O’Neill’s story and leaned into quaint imagery to enhance the story telling. Doggett’s period costumes designs are elevated by her tailoring and sumptuous fabric choices. Patrick H...

by Steve Callahan - February 10, 2025

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis has a rich history in world premiers, often commissioning new works from  significant composers and librettists.  But it seeks to foster brand new talents too. Its New Works Collective is a three-year project wherein each year OTSL commits to developing and producing thr...

by James Lindhorst - February 01, 2025

Two of St. Louis’ most creative playwriting voices premiered new plays this weekend at Greenfinch Theater and Dive Bar. Courtney Bailey is arguably the most talented playwright in St. Louis creating new works. Her new one-act play, THE PAVEMENT KINGDOM: A CLINIC ESCORT PLAY, shared a double bill wit...

by Steve Callahan - January 26, 2025

This show continues Upstream's bold tradition of exciting world theater....