Theater

Plays on stage in the St. Louis area

AN ORCHARD FOR CHEKHOV at Upstream Theater Review

– By Cate Marquis – Upstream Theater’s “An Orchard for Chekhov” is an affectionate tribute to playwright Anton Chekhov and specifically “The Cherry Orchard. While this comedy/drama is Chekhovian is form, and packed with references, snippets of Chekhov, Chekhovian-style dialog and even cherries (but not cherry trees), the real subject is a fading actress in…

Read more

THE WOMAN IN BLACK at Rep Theater Review

“The Woman In Black,” on stage at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis until Oct. 26, is easily the best theatrical offering for the Halloween season this year, and maybe any year. A classic Victorian ghost story told in a creatively unique way, the London production of Susan Hill’s novel features only two actors but…

Read more

LIFE OF PI at Fox Theater Review

Taha Mandviwala as ‘Pi’ and puppeteers Anna Leigh Gortner, Shiloh Goodin and Toussaint Jeanlouis as tiger ‘Richard Parker’ and the cast of the National Tour of LIFE OF PI. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 2024 – By Cate Marquis – The Tony Award-winning “Life Of Pi” may be the crown jewel of the 2025-2026…

Read more

ST. NICHOLAS at Midnight Theater Review

– By Cate Marquis – Joe Hanrahan delivers a riveting performance in “St. Nicholas,” playwright Conor McPherson’s dark comedy about a jaded Irish theater critic who follows a beautiful young actress to London and falls in with a group of vampires. The one-man play is having a limited run at the Greenfinch Theater and Dive…

Read more

THE COTTAGE at Rep Theater Review

– By Cate Marquis – “The Cottage” is a Noel Coward-esque comedy that is by far the funniest show the Repertory Theater of St. Louis has staged in years, and a delightful way to open the Rep’s 2025-2026 season. Set in the Roaring 1920s and written by Sandy Rustin and directed by Risa Brainin, “The…

Read more

TWO JEWS WALK INTO A WAR… at New Jewish Theatre Review

(L-R) Gary Glasgow as Ishaq and Chuck Winning as Zeblyan, in NJT’s “Two Jews Walk Into A War…” Courtesy of New Jewish Theatre “Two Jews Walk Into A War…” sounds like the start of a old joke and indeed there is plenty of humor in this bitingly funny play at the New Jewish Theater, but…

Read more

HEIDI CHRONICLES at New Jewish Theater Review

Emily Baker as Heidi in the New Jewish Theater’s production of THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, on stage at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s Performing Arts Building through June 15, 2025. Photo Credit: Jon Gitchoff. Courtesy of the New Jewish Theater – By Cate Marquis – The New Jewish Theater’s current production is a splendid version…

Read more

& JULIET Musical at Fox Theater Review

The Broadway hit musical comedy “& Juliet,” now on stage at the Fabulous Fox Theater, takes a different look at the Shakespearean love story universally synonymous with romance. Throughout the ages, romantics everywhere have swooned over the Bard’s “Romeo and Juliet” and quoted its lines. Of course, there is a problem for all those romantics:…

Read more

RADIO GOLF at Black Rep Theater Review

“Radio Golf,” the Black Rep’s final production of the 2024-2025 Season, is a splendid one, the kind of production many of us long to see on St. Louis stages, a meaningful drama, full of wonderful dialog and gripping performances. “Radio Golf” is the last in playwright August Wilson’s 10-play Century Cycle, with each play set…

Read more

AIN’T TOO PROUD Musical at Fox Theater Review

“Ain’t Too Proud – The Life And Times Of The Temptations” brings great music, synchronized dancing and smooth vocals, along with a dramatic story, to the Fabulous Fox stage, for an all-too-brief run, Friday, May 9 – Sunday, May 11. It is a Mother’s Day treat. This touring production of the hit Broadway show tells…

Read more