Upstream’s ‘Bitter Fruit’ Is Quietly Devastating With Its Secrets and Lies

Upstream’s ‘Bitter Fruit’ Is Quietly Devastating With Its Secrets and Lies

By Lynn Venhaus Throughout history, class wars have ended badly for many people, overt often for people in the lower class, and less so for... Details
Heart-Tugging Portrayals in NJT’s Awe-Inspiring ‘The Immigrant’

Heart-Tugging Portrayals in NJT’s Awe-Inspiring ‘The Immigrant’

By Lynn VenhausWhen Haskell Harelik, born Chatzkell Garehlik in Belarus, first steps off the boat in the port of Galveston, Texas, in 1909, actor Dustin... Details
Take Ten with Filmmaker Paul Hibbard

Take Ten with Filmmaker Paul Hibbard

By Lynn VenhausFor the second year, Paul Hibbard is channeling his passion for horror movies into the Hysteria Fest, currently playing Oct. 18-22 at the... Details
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ – An Important Story and Troubled Retelling

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ – An Important Story and Troubled Retelling

By Alex McPherson A disturbing story of greed, prejudice, and the American Dream soaked in venom, director Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” raises... Details
Though Flawed, Epic Injustice Story Needs to Be Told in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

Though Flawed, Epic Injustice Story Needs to Be Told in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

By Lynn VenhausA sprawling saga exploring the horrific exploitation of Native Americans and how the entitled white interlopers of Fairfax, Okla., manipulated, stole, extorted, and... Details
Cranky Bill Burr’s Rants in ‘Old Dads’ Work Better as Stand-Up Routine

Cranky Bill Burr’s Rants in ‘Old Dads’ Work Better as Stand-Up Routine

By Lynn Venhaus This movie would work better as a stand-up routine, for taking Bill Burr’s familiar cranky white guy rant into a broader community... Details
Everybody Wants to Rule the World in a Striking ‘The Lion in Winter’

Everybody Wants to Rule the World in a Striking ‘The Lion in Winter’

By Lynn Venhaus The rapacious 12th Century Plantagenet Family behaves as badly as the modern-day Roys of Manhattan and The Duttons of Montana, a rogues’... Details
The Rep Seeks Support, Announces Altered Season Amid Budget Woes

The Rep Seeks Support, Announces Altered Season Amid Budget Woes

Theatre creates new production of a holiday classic, cancels two productions, amid $2.5M budget shortfall  The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis today announced that it... Details
Take Ten with Playwright Liza Birkenmeier

Take Ten with Playwright Liza Birkenmeier

By Lynn Venhaus In what she describes as a dream, Liza Birkenmeier came home to St. Louis to oversee the mounting of her play “Dr.... Details
STLAS’ ‘Dr. Ride’s American Beach House’ Reflects A Different Frontier

STLAS’ ‘Dr. Ride’s American Beach House’ Reflects A Different Frontier

By Lynn Venhaus Women leading lives of quiet desperation are hanging out on a rooftop one sweltering summer evening in red brick south city St.... Details