Polished Performances Lift Stages’ ‘Austen’s Pride’ But Songs Lack Depth

Polished Performances Lift Stages’ ‘Austen’s Pride’ But Songs Lack Depth

By Lynn Venhaus With words of wit and strong female leads, “Austen’s Pride” has promise to fulfill its potential, coinciding with the literary world’s preparations... Details
Tesseract Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” Blesses Hearts and Hugs Necks

Tesseract Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” Blesses Hearts and Hugs Necks

By CB Adams Tesseract Theatre Company's "Steel Magnolias," written by Robert Harling, injects fresh energy into the beloved Southern story of humor, friendship, and resilience.... Details
Fly North’s Updated ‘Madam’ Charms with its Female-Forward Focus

Fly North’s Updated ‘Madam’ Charms with its Female-Forward Focus

By Lynn VenhausSpotlighting attitude and intrigue, a still-vivacious “Madam” has been nipped, tucked, and excised into a promising female-forward musical focused on womanhood’s advancement in... Details
Hilarity Ensues in ‘Naked Gun’ Reboot

Hilarity Ensues in ‘Naked Gun’ Reboot

By Lynn VenhausBehold! Honoring the men who went before, who blazed a trail with silly spoofs and non-stop nonsensical gag reels not seen in 31... Details
Muny’s Heart-Melting ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Is Beacon of Light in Dark Times

Muny’s Heart-Melting ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Is Beacon of Light in Dark Times

By Lynn Venhaus Deeply personal and profoundly moving, “Dear Evan Hansen” grabs our hearts and doesn’t let go. Sensitively presented by director Rob Ruggiero and... Details
Two Fine Actors Rumble And Grumble in NJT’s Comical, Thoughtful ‘Two Jews Walk Into a War’

Two Fine Actors Rumble And Grumble in NJT’s Comical, Thoughtful ‘Two Jews Walk Into a War’

By Lynn Venhaus Live, laugh, learn – and love. All of it is there in “Two Jews Walk into a War,” in which two last-standing... Details
‘Afternoons of Solitude’ Is a Fascinating, Unnerving Look at the Abyss

‘Afternoons of Solitude’ Is a Fascinating, Unnerving Look at the Abyss

By Alex McPherson Utterly mesmerizing, acclaimed director Albert Serra’s “Afternoons of Solitude” showcases beauty and bravery walking hand-in-hand with barbarism — forging a complicated portrait... Details
Eva Victor’s ‘Sorry, Baby’ Is A Powerful Meditation on Pain and Healing

Eva Victor’s ‘Sorry, Baby’ Is A Powerful Meditation on Pain and Healing

By Alex McPherson Exploring sensitive subject matter with grace and humor, director Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby” vividly captures the aftermath of trauma while underlining human... Details
Vocals Soar, Tangos Tantalize in The Muny’s Sumptuous ‘Evita’

Vocals Soar, Tangos Tantalize in The Muny’s Sumptuous ‘Evita’

By Lynn Venhaus Virtuoso vocals and transfixing tangos propel the Muny’s grand-scale stylized and dramatic "Evita," the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic. Featuring... Details
Strong Female-Forward Works Intrigue In This Year’s LaBute New Theater Festival

Strong Female-Forward Works Intrigue In This Year’s LaBute New Theater Festival

By Lynn VenhausNoteworthy for different perspectives and original approaches, a mostly female-forward selection of one-act plays are the highlights of this year’s LaBute New Theater... Details