Muny’s Indelible ‘Come From Away’ Magnifies Kindness, Compassion

Muny’s Indelible ‘Come From Away’ Magnifies Kindness, Compassion

By Lynn Venhaus “Come From Away” wraps you in a warm hug and doesn’t let go. Brimming with heart, humor and humanity, the 2017 musical... Details
‘F1: The Movie’ Brad Pitt Blockbuster Spins Its Wheels 

‘F1: The Movie’ Brad Pitt Blockbuster Spins Its Wheels 

By Alex McPherson Loud, exciting, and about an hour too long, director Joseph Kosinski’s “F1: The Movie” coasts on Brad Pitt’s starpower and bursts of... Details
‘F1: The Movie’ Spotlights the ‘Need for Speed’ Breed in Action Spectacle

‘F1: The Movie’ Spotlights the ‘Need for Speed’ Breed in Action Spectacle

By Lynn Venhaus The star power of Brad Pitt combines with the adrenaline rush of Formula 1 racing for an entertaining but strictly-by-the-numbers summer blockbuster.... Details
Opera Theatre of St Louis’ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream Is an Enchanted Forest of Voice, Vision and Theatrical Alchemy

Opera Theatre of St Louis’ ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream Is an Enchanted Forest of Voice, Vision and Theatrical Alchemy

By CB Adams In Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ shimmering new production of Benjamin Britten’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," the familiar Shakespearean tale is reborn... Details
Albion Theatre’s ‘Colder Than Here’ Sensitively Grapples with Our Humanity

Albion Theatre’s ‘Colder Than Here’ Sensitively Grapples with Our Humanity

By Lynn Venhaus As we all accept that we will die, confronting our own mortality seems to be a lifelong journey – and often tip-toed... Details
The Muny’s Spirited ‘Bring It On’ Pops with Personality and Pizzazz

The Muny’s Spirited ‘Bring It On’ Pops with Personality and Pizzazz

By Lynn Venhaus A spirited Muny debut that is tailor-made for that grand stage, “Bring It On: The Musical” is a marvel of motion that... Details
Splendid Pairing Boosts Stages’ Silly Comic Mystery ‘Murder for Two’

Splendid Pairing Boosts Stages’ Silly Comic Mystery ‘Murder for Two’

By Lynn Venhaus With the physicality of silent film actors and the verbal dexterity of Abbott & Costello, a delightful duo cavorts with glee for... Details
New Line’s ‘Rent’ Strikes a Discordant Note with Some Tune, Tone Troubles

New Line’s ‘Rent’ Strikes a Discordant Note with Some Tune, Tone Troubles

By Lynn VenhausOne of the big-bang bursts in musical theater history, “Rent” is why transformative composer Jonathan Larson endures 30 years after his masterwork spoke... Details
Boyle and Garland Deliver Outstanding Sequel ’28 Years Later’ That’s Thrillingly Alive

Boyle and Garland Deliver Outstanding Sequel ’28 Years Later’ That’s Thrillingly Alive

By Alex McPherson Kinetic, daring, and pulsing with soulful energy, director Danny Boyle’s magnificent “28 Years Later” is a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age story staggering in its... Details
‘The Life of Chuck’ Is a Glossy and Frustrating Exercise in Style Over Substance

‘The Life of Chuck’ Is a Glossy and Frustrating Exercise in Style Over Substance

By Alex McPherson Overflowing with self-importance that threatens to drown out its several competent elements, director Mike Flanagan’s “The Life of Chuck” is neither as... Details