St. Louis Theatre Newsroom

Adam Heller, Jill Abramovitz, Samantha Massell, Hannah Corneau, Emerson Glick, Jed Resnick, Clay Singer and Andrew Alstat are among the stars of the Muny production of Fiddler on the Roof.

The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation, The Muny, and the Fabulous Fox Theatre have announced the nominees for the seventh annual St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards (SLHSMTA) presented by Carol B. Loeb.

The New Jewish Theatre will perform We All Fall Down by Lila Rose Kaplan in St. Louis from May 30 to June 16.

The cast has been announced for the Muny production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which runs July 8-16 on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park.

It was probably one of the coolest, most surreal things I’ve ever seen in my life. I didn’t fully understand why people from all over the world came to my tiny lil town to see the eclipse, but after watching it I get it now.

So yes, I still fall victim to feeling like an imposter, but once I get out of my head, I feel so much joy and love for the career that I am in and for the show that I’m in.

STAGES St. Louis unveiled their stellar ensemble cast for its upcoming production of Steel Magnolias. The cast includes Amy Loui (M'Lynn), Taylor Quick (Shelby), Jilanne Marie Klaus (Truvy), Abigail Isom (Annelle), Zoe Vonder Haar (Ouiser), Kari Ely (Clairee) Lari White (Standby), Lexy Witcher (Standby), and Meme Wolff (Standby). This beloved story, known for its memorable characters and heartfelt message, will grace the stage from May 31 – June 30 in The Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. 

Some bright local voices were heard at Prism Theatre Company’s SPOTLIGHT ON ... BEING YOU over this past weekend in St. Louis. The best of the festival was the performance billed as a ‘Popera’ written and composed by Holly Barber and Lee Ehmke. THAT PERFECT KISS, a retelling of Cinderella and her Prince, is a short musical ditty about finding one’s genuine self. Accompanied by composer Holly Barber on guitar, Sarah Lueken, Rachel Bailey, Zach Thompson, and Matt Kauzlarich performed the light pop score with charm and pizzaz. In just a few minutes, Barber and Ehmke used familiar characters, re-told their stories, provided them arc, and created an indelible musical memory for the audience. The prince wasn't the only thing that was charming in this coming-of-age tale.  

A complete review of this work will not be published until after seeing Part 2, but after witnessing this company’s transcendent and transformative performance of Part 1 I was compelled to write a micro-review.  

On Friday, May 10th, season packages go on sale to new subscribers for The Fabulous Fox Theatres ‘24-’25 Broadway Series. The 8-show season includes all the biggest musical hits from last season on Broadway, including the Tony Award Winning Best Musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO, the box office sensation & JULIET, the phenomenal SOME LIKE IT HOT, the ridiculously funny SHUCKED, and the triumphant return of St. Louis favorite SIX. 

Tiffany Mann, Aisha Jackson, Courtnee Carter, Charl Brown, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Ron Himes, Aramie Payton, Robby Clater and Natalie Kaye Clater will star in the Muny production of Dreamgirls.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) has announced that Kate Bergstrom will assume the role as the Augustin Family Artistic Director effective May 13, 2024. The Rep conducted a six-month nationwide search before naming Bergstrom to the role. Bergstrom succeeds Hana S. Sharif’s following her departure last summer. With the appointment, Bergstrom brings a passionate energy for The Rep’s next chapter to build on the theater’s success as a vital, celebrated, cultural cornerstone of St. Louis. 

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has named Kate Bergstrom the new Augustin Family Artistic Director. Learn more about Bergstrom.

John Riddle, Jordan Donica, Teal Wicks, Red Concepción, Jade Jones, Ken Page, Emily Bautista, Gracie Annabelle Parker, Peter Neureuther and James D. Gish will star in the Muny production of Les Misérables, which opens the theatre's 106th season.

Bayoc, like the rest of us is just an everyday person finding his way in this world. He is talented, has enjoyed success in the art world, learned from his mistakes, and understands the importance of personal accountability. Bayoc shares many sensitive moments. None more exposing than the story of the painting of himself, his father, and his sister that was included in his “365 Days with Dad” series. Colin Healy, credited with direction and stageplay, crafted an engaging script that walks the audience through Bayoc’s life. Healy’s script includes Bayoc’s education at an HBCU, his work as a caricature artist at an amusement park, and his sale of three paintings to Prince. Yes, THAT Prince, and now one of Bayoc’s paintings adorns the wall above the white piano in Prince’s home at Paisley Park. It is the same painting that Prince selected as album cover artwork for his jazz album “The Rainbow Children.”

STAGES St. Louis has announced the creative team behind its 2024 season opener, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, at the Ross Family Theatre in the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. The show will run from May 31- June 30 and highlights a multitude of St. Louis local designers, actors, artists, technicians, stagehands, and more. 

Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian and Mark Twain award recipient Kevin Hart has announced his new 2024 Acting My Age stand-up comedy tour is coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Experience the St. Louis debut of MJ at the Fabulous Fox Theatre from May 28 to June 9.

Based on the 1980 film starring Olivia Newton-John and, before that, the Rita Hayworth film, Down To Earth, this lively adaptation never takes itself too seriously. From start to finish the ensemble prances, preens, and mugs it up, giving audiences a sugary sweet over the top show filled with kinetic dancing, wonderful singing and plenty of toe tapping melodies.

The remarkable Upstream Theater is approaching its twentieth season.  This unfailingly excellent little company was founded by Philip Boehm as a vehicle for bringing to America plays from around the world—plays that, for the most part, make their very first American appearance at Upstream.  We so need that!

This well-directed and remarkably acted version of HAMLET illustrates how entertaining and engaging Shakespeare’s works can be. Siler and his cast created a production that would meet the highest standards of a finicky bardolator while entertaining a casual theater goer who may wonder if Shakespeare is right for them. 

Boehm’s translation and direction tells a melancholic tale about life, choices, relationships, and death. His trio of actors create stylized characters to challenge beliefs and self-morality. DON’T WAIT FOR THE MORLBORO MAN uses different conventions to tell a somber story that penetrates your consciousness and sticks with you long after leaving the theater.  

THE CHER SHOW is an eye-popping traipse down memory lane but suffers from drive-by storytelling. While far from perfect as a full-fledged Broadway musical, there are plenty of wildly entertaining moments that make this show more enjoyable than it should be. It is the casting, strong vocal performances, Bob Mackie’s over-the-top costume design, Charlie Morrison’s concert-like lighting design, Jonthan Infante, and Kelly James Tighe’s visually interesting video design that give this production an entertaining musical revue feel. Fans of Cher will not be disappointed with this production. There is plenty of music, talent, glitz, glamour, and fun to satisfy.

The Midnight Company, in a collaboration with St. Louis University’s Lucy Cashion, is producing Mickle Maher’s SPIRITS TO ENFORCE. This is the fourth Maher play that Midnight Company has produced. Maher is the founder of Chicago’s Theatre Oobleck and has authored more than 10 plays. Cashion will direct.

Tennessee Williams St. Louis will return to year-round programming with its 9th Annual Festival, running August 8-18.