James Lindhorst

Jack Lane and the Hamilton family have announced the death of Michael Hamilton, who passed away peacefully in St. Louis, Missouri, on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

This past season was the year of the drama in St. Louis Theater. Patrons returned to the theatre in droves and many of the regional companies experienced strong box office with sold-out or extended runs. Tesseract Theater Company had a breakout year, placing two productions on this top 10 list. The Black Rep, ERA, They Muny, New Jewish Theater, The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, and STAGES St. Louis all benefited from positive word of mouth and strong single ticket box office sales thanks to their marvelous seasons and well-reviewed productions.  

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE REMIX is a fantastically creative retelling of the Dickensian tale. It is an outrageous theatrical event that adds up to high energy imaginative story telling. A couple moments in the show that feel a bit one-note and repetitive when the narrative goes on a little too long, but overall, The Q Brothers A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE REMIX will delight you and will make your heart swell with Christmas spirit. 

The New Jewish Theatre (NJT) is pleased to announce its 27th season of producing professional plays and musicals at the J, beginning in March of 2025. The new season brings beloved shows by celebrated Jewish authors, as well as new work that presents unique perspectives on the Jewish experience.The Season opens with CABARET, and includes THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, TWO JEWS WALK INTO A WAR..., THE WANDERERS, and BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY.

New Jewish Theatre's current production of FIRST DATE features a terrific cast in sublime comedic performances. Director Lee Ann Mathews and her company of seven clever actors fearlessly dive into physical comedy to create an entertaining show that is light, zany, and funny. It certainly isn’t a masterpiece of modern musical theater, but “FIRST DATE is a delectably fun and entertaining little diversion with a lot of laughs. 

“The Butcher of Baraboo” is a grim dark comedy that spirals into complete brutality. The characters are willing to go to extreme measures to protect themselves and their secrets. The is no familial loyalty among this group of vicious characters. The West End Players Guild has staged a cutting production of a play that is gratuitous in savage barbarity. 

“Don’t Be a Hero, Thank You” is a one-act play that takes a humorous look at the challenges faced by the fictional Kate following her release from prison for a felony conviction after robbing a bank. The narrative is comprised mostly as a single-person monologue that is interrupted by phone calls from friends. Leemon’s smartly written script builds empathy through laughter.Hazel McIntire’s “Go Before I Do” also deals with complex emotions but by using dramatic storytelling instead of satire. Like Leemon’s script, McIntire uses monologue, combined with dialogue between characters, to manage generational grief stemming from the loss of a spouse and parents.

Credit director Brittanie Gunn for Tesseract Theatre’s extraordinary production of ANASTASIA. Gunn’s vision and her collaboration with her actors and technical teams has created an extravagant production with outstanding performances, sensational singing, exhilarating dancing, and absorbing storytelling. 

ELEPHANTS' GRAVEYARD is a lovely piece of writing. It doesn’t wallow in sadness or pathos. It looks death in the eye and laughs. Corbett, Meyer, and Rausch have given the world premiere of ELEPHANTS' GRAVEYARD a beautiful staging. Williamson’s salubrious script proves that when facing even the gravest situations laughter is a pretty damn effective medicine.  

“Wolf Kings” is more performance art than a play. The snappy banter is often witty and funny. The vivacious movement is dance-like. There are elements that are peculiar, comedic, and dramatic. It condemns predatory behavior though spectacle by granting victims strength. Its thought-provoking message is cloaked and shrouded in unusual absurdity with a final scene that is oddly disconnected. “Wolf Kings” will prompt both post-performance discussion and a bit of head scratching because its narrative gets messy and a little lost along the way. 

STAGES St. Louis has announced their 2025 line-up, and it is a season of comedy, romance, and nostalgia. The season opens with the hilarious madcap musical MURDER FOR TWO. That will be followed by the pre-Broadway tryout of the Jane Austen bio-musical AUSTEN’S PRIDE and the Tony Award Winning Broadway hit BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Broadway World had the opportunity to sit down last week with STAGES artistic director Gayle Seay, executive producer Andrew Kuhlman, and marketing director Michael Adkins to talk about their upcoming season.  

St. Louis Shakespeare’s production of Julius Caesar is an excellent opportunity for high-school and college students studying this piece to see a decent staged production. Locker prepared her actors well and coached them to project with authority. The four leading actors deliver excellent performances that drive the story and create a mostly satisfying experience.  

Upstream Theater’s production of LIFE IS A DREAM is an illustrious production of Calderón's complex work. It has a clear directorial vision, exceptional acting, and stunning technical design elements. It is a superior in its artistry, staging, and storytelling.

Albion continues to stage exceptional productions of plays from the United Kingdom and LUNGS is no exception. Director Ellie Schwetye’s production is an emotional look at relationships and the forces that help maintain or derail a couple. Nicole Angeli and Joel Moses are convincing as the woman and man considering parenthood who find understanding and wrestle with conflicts along the way.  

“An Unlikely Hero” is a hero’s journey that would appeal to any young theater goer. It's a story that embraces friendship, teaches the values of honesty, collaboration, and helping your peers succeed. Metro Theater Company has created a show that grabbed a young audience's attention and engaged them with dynamic storytelling. 

Michael Madden’s “Red Jasper” is a romantic and hopeful story that doesn’t wallow in sentimental melodrama. The characters find connection quickly and develop a tight bond at warp-speed. Director Suki Peters identified the emotional core of the story and collaborated with her actors to hastily pace the heartwarming and bittersweet tale. 

FINAL DRESS is another of Midnight Company’s scripted cabaret shows that features some memorable songs for people of all ages. It’s comes recommended solely for the chemistry between Howe and Cereghino. Howe takes on a dozen of chart-topping hits from the past seven decades including the Frankie Lymon hit “Goody Goody,” a plot advancing version of Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited,” and Carole King’s “It’s Too Late.” Howe continues to show in her cabaret performances that she has the vocal chops to take on many different genres of music, including pop, rock, opera, musical theater, and Latin/mariachi.  Cereghino is strong on the keys, but he really captivated the room singing with Howe on the Barbra Streisand/Barry Gibb hit “Guilty,” and the delightful “Suddenly Seymour” from Little Shop of Horrors.

AM I DANGEROUS? asks many relevant questions facing women today. e.k.doolin’s prose is elegant and bold. Her unique story telling convention poses questions without providing answers. The narrative pushes the audience to the edge of discomfort and provokes meaningful dialogue through entertaining story telling.  

West End Players’ eerie production of The Turn of the Screw continues through October 13, 2024. Morgan Maul-Smith, Payton Gillam, and Rob McLemore collaborate to stage Jeffery Hatcher’s unnerving adaptation in entertaining style. It is a bit unsettling, a little chilling, and a lot of fun for those who like a spooky tale.

Contraband Theatre’s new production will be the World Premiere of AM I DANGEROUS? written by local playwright by E.K. Doolin. BroadwayWorld spoke with the playwright and producer. Read the interview here!