(May. 9 10:04 PM) - The touring production of MARY POPPINS that's currently gracing the stage of the Peabody Opera House is “practically perfect”, featuring eye-popping special effects, a glorious set, and terrific performances that manage to capture the spirit of the 1964 Disney film, as well as the P.L. Travers books that inspired it. While some of the more beloved elements from the movie are noticeably absent, they've been replaced with sequences that are every bit as magical and engaging. Though the staging is a bit cramped, this is a spectacular show that appeals to both children and adults. And, I should know because I brought along my six-year old son, and he loved it.

(May. 8 6:45 AM) - From truck beds to basements to coffee shops and rooftops, William Shakespeare’s words will electrify the city with the 3rd annual Shake 38 beginning on Friday, May 18, and culminating with the Bard’s preview performance of “Othello” on Wednesday, May 23 at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park. “Othello” is the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis’ 12th annual production of free theater in an outdoor setting at the park.

(May. 3 4:05 PM) - The TONY Awards Nominators had their say earlier this week and now it's your turn! We're pleased to announce that voting has now opened for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards!

(May. 3 9:59 AM) - Shakespeare Festival St. Louis will present a free production of OTHELLO from 5/25 to 6/17, 2012 at Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park nightly at 8pm with previews 5/23-24.

(May. 2 10:34 PM) - To open their 18th season, the Union Avenue Opera has chosen an English text version (John Gay) of Handel's take on the mythological, with ACIS AND GALATEA (seen April 29, 2012). This is definitely a tale of two acts, with the first being devoted to their love for one another, this semi-divine sea nymph, and her faithful shepherd. But, things take a nasty turn in the second act, even though Galatea is able to resurrect the slain Acis as a river. If that seems a bit fanciful, it is, but that's the charm of Handel's work. It bears the catchy repetition he's famous for, and it's well played by a small cast filled with superior voices. This is deceptively demanding in the amount of coloratura that shapes so many of his phrases.

(May. 2 6:09 PM) - While it may look through its world through “rose colored glasses”, MEMPHIS celebrates a time when race music was beginning to catch on with a white, mostly teenaged audience. It's a crackling, amusing, and fast-paced show (book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro, music and lyrics by David Bryan) that takes you on a musical journey through the eyes of young Huey, a wannabe DJ, who gets his wish, and may get his girl, if they can survive the glare of the fifties, when mixing of the races was against the law. Does this all sound heavy? Well it's not, not by a long shot. Instead, it's a bouncy and bluesy production that's easy to take and listen to. It's currently playing the Fox Theatre (through May 13, 2012), and there's a reason this show is so successful, it's just edgy enough to appeal to the jaded, and it lightens the tone of this historical racist behavior just enough to succeed with the masses.

(May. 2 2:37 PM) - Ibn Shabazz’s Insidious , an original play that first premiered in 2010 for Western New York (WNY) theatre company Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP), returns to the stage this month at the nation’s largest African American theatre company, The Black Rep of St. Louis. The Black Rep’s production of Insidious opens Wednesday, May 23rd , 2012.

(May. 1 12:30 AM) - MEMPHIS, the 2010 Tony® Award Winner for Best Musical, opens at the Fabulous Fox Theatre tonight, May 1, for a limited engagement.

(Apr. 29 12:30 AM) - YANNI, music’s true world citizen and most popular contemporary composer, is coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre for one night only tonight, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through MetroTix and are $84.50, $74.50, $64.50 & $49.50. All prices subject to change.

(Apr. 28 11:33 AM) - On Friday, April 27th, eleven metro area high school acts performed at The Fabulous Fox Theatre for the St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase Competition Finals. Eighteen students competed for thousands of dollars in personal scholarships and special prizes. A distinguished panel of performing arts professionals - with careers spanning film, TV and Broadway - had the difficult job of judging the acts. But the winners have been announced.

(Apr. 27 9:44 AM) - Dedicated to bringing the world to St. Louis, Upstream Theater takes a to Poland this time for an engrossing and compelling tale based on the memoirs of Kazimierz Moczarski (adapted by artistic director Philip Boehm). It's a fascinating story based on his own experience in Warsaw, originally involved in counter-intelligence during the second World War before being imprisoned by the Stalinist Polish secret police and charged with cooperating with the enemy. With CONVERSATIONS WITH AN EXECUTIONER, Boehm and company have produced a brilliant piece of work that it well worth your time and attention.

(Apr. 27 9:31 AM) - First Run Theatre has announced the line up of its tenth season, which includes BROOKLYN BAGATELLE by Neville Mur, the SPECTRUM short play festival, OPEN SUNDAYS, ALL MAKES REPAIRED by Gerry Mandel and PREDICAMENT by Patrick Conroy. First Run theatre is the only professional theatre company in St. Louis dedicated to producing new plays by St. Louis regional playwrights.

(Apr. 27 12:30 AM) - On Saturday, March 31st, 32 metro area high schools acts continued their journey toward college scholarships, special awards, prizes and performance opportunities throughout the city by competing in the St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase Competition Semi-finals. Performing arts professionals judged the groups and narrowed the acts to 11 who will move on to the finals tonight, April 27th at 8pm at The Fabulous Fox Theatre (list of acts attached and can be found on our website). The final competition is a Broadway style show and is FREE and open to the public. Tickets are required and available now at no charge at The Fox box office and through Metrotix.

(Apr. 25 12:08 PM) - Revisiting a popular play in the ten work “Pittsburgh Cycle” from August Wilson, the Black Rep has put forth a superior effort. MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM is especially interesting to me as a musician since the focus is really on the interplay that goes on between Ma Rainey's band as they banter about various aspects of life and the music business, all while waiting for Ma to show up, or trying not to incur her wrath when she does. A terrific cast makes for an enjoyable, if tragic, ride that's well worth your time and attention.

(Apr. 25 12:30 AM) - Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents “Lady Windermere's Fan,” by Oscar Wilde. The production will run from April 25-29 in the Browning Mainstage Theatre of Webster University's Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road.

(Apr. 24 6:38 PM) - STAGES ST. LOUIS today announced new additions to the administrative staff. Kristen Goodman assumed the position of Marketing Director in April, James Compton recently began as Manager of Individual Giving and Events, and Susan Mintz has been promoted to the role of Development Director.

(Apr. 24 6:00 PM) - KILLER JOE is a killer show! I only regret not being able to see this show until I'd returned from my vacation, effectively eliminating my chance to laud the show properly in order to drive an audience to it. My sincerest apologies, because I'm a fan of playwright Tracy Letts, and, not having seen this show before, I was unprepared for its sheer rawness. It's a hilarious pulpy send-up on the classic idea of hiring a hitman to off someone in order to benefit monetarily from the situation, and the St. Louis Actors' Studio have outdone themselves with an excellent rendering of this early work. The direction and acting of the entire ensemble is fearless and superb.

(Apr. 18 8:53 PM) - COCA announces its line-up for this weekend, including TRIumphant, its Spring Repertory Concert to be held this Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. and April 21, 22 at 2 p.m.