Mid-Tier Wes Anderson ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Is Enjoyably Chaotic

Mid-Tier Wes Anderson ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Is Enjoyably Chaotic

By Alex McPherson As ornately-stylized and star-studded as ever but emotionally out of reach, director Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” provides a rich visual tapestry... Details
New Jewish Theatre’s Bright and Funny ‘The Heidi Chronicles’ Engages with Vibrant Performances

New Jewish Theatre’s Bright and Funny ‘The Heidi Chronicles’ Engages with Vibrant Performances

By Lynn Venhaus OK, Boomers. Does “The Heidi Chronicles” retain its bittersweet ‘voice of a generation’ 37 years after its laudable premiere in 1988? Yes,... Details
Opera Theatre’s Premiere of “This House” Delivers Haunting Beauty but Falters Under Narrative Sprawl

Opera Theatre’s Premiere of “This House” Delivers Haunting Beauty but Falters Under Narrative Sprawl

By CB Adams Set in Harlem’s iconic Sugar Hill—once home to luminaries like W.E.B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall and Duke Ellington—"This House,” the new, commissioned... Details
Black Rep’s Superlative ‘Radio Golf’ Examines Progress vs. Legacy

Black Rep’s Superlative ‘Radio Golf’ Examines Progress vs. Legacy

By Lynn Venhaus With its superlative cast, August Wilson’s powerful storytelling, and impressive milestones, “Radio Golf” is a triumph in all aspects. Thoughtfully presented by... Details
‘April’ Is A Difficult Yet Profound Look At Injustice And Resistance

‘April’ Is A Difficult Yet Profound Look At Injustice And Resistance

By Alex McPherson Bleak, unflinching, and deeply sensory, director Dea Kulumbegashvili’s “April” captures nightmarish realities flecked with vividly-rendered beauty and perseverance of the human spirit.... Details
‘POTUS’ is Audacious Side-Splitting Satire from Tesseract Theatre

‘POTUS’ is Audacious Side-Splitting Satire from Tesseract Theatre

By Lynn Venhaus The late great Democratic politician Ann Richards, former Texas governor and vocal feminist advocate, once said: "In politics, if you want anything... Details
Scene-Stealers in Satin: OTSL’s “Die Fledermaus” Pops a Cork in 1960s Manhattan – And To Its 50th Season

Scene-Stealers in Satin: OTSL’s “Die Fledermaus” Pops a Cork in 1960s Manhattan – And To Its 50th Season

By CB Adams “Die Fledermaus” is a sparkling comedy of mistaken identities, romantic mischief and champagne-fueled revenge. In Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’s new production,... Details
Sightlines: Why May 23 Is a Very Special Date in Our Family History

Sightlines: Why May 23 Is a Very Special Date in Our Family History

By Lynn VenhausA little history from this day, May 23: On this date in 1959, the show "Wrestling at the Chase" made its debut on... Details
Cruise Goes All-Out in Nostalgic, High-Octane Blockbuster ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

Cruise Goes All-Out in Nostalgic, High-Octane Blockbuster ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’

By Alex McPherson Tense, nostalgia-heavy, and featuring mind-boggling set pieces with Tom Cruise yet again putting his life on the line for our entertainment, director... Details
Ensemble Shines in Ambitious, Full-Hearted Directorial Debut ‘We Were Dangerous’

Ensemble Shines in Ambitious, Full-Hearted Directorial Debut ‘We Were Dangerous’

By Alex McPherson A sincere and impressively well-acted reminder of the power of community to persevere through adversity, director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu’s debut feature, “We... Details