‘Twisters’ Is a Decent But Underwhelming Summer Blockbuster

‘Twisters’ Is a Decent But Underwhelming Summer Blockbuster

By Alex McPherson With chaotically fun set pieces and an enjoyable performance from Glen Powell, director Lee Isaac Chung’s “Twisters” seemingly checks off all the... Details
The Muny’s Resplendent ‘Fiddler’ Laden with Happiness and Tears

The Muny’s Resplendent ‘Fiddler’ Laden with Happiness and Tears

By Lynn Venhaus The Muny’s warm, wondrous and deeply affecting production of “Fiddler on the Roof” grabs your heart from the moment you hear a... Details
Tesseract’s Impassioned ‘Cascade’s Fire’ Is Admirable for Its Youthful Energy But Needs Further Work

Tesseract’s Impassioned ‘Cascade’s Fire’ Is Admirable for Its Youthful Energy But Needs Further Work

By Lynn Venhaus With an urgency as a downward spiral sets in, the musical “Cascade’s Fire” focuses on a group of alienated, angry youth whose... Details
Period Romance ‘Widow Clicquot’ A Touching True Underdog Tale

Period Romance ‘Widow Clicquot’ A Touching True Underdog Tale

By Lynn Venhaus An engrossing true tale of a visionary businesswoman’s triumph in revolutionizing the champagne industry in France, “Widow Clicquot” rises above its standard... Details
Kinetic Go-Big Spectacle ‘Twisters’ Is Familiar, But Less Fresh Than Original

Kinetic Go-Big Spectacle ‘Twisters’ Is Familiar, But Less Fresh Than Original

By Lynn Venhaus The manufactured mayhem of “Twisters” may check off all the boxes for an entertaining summer blockbuster, but its unremarkable storyline neutralizes the... Details
Tesseract’s High-Spirited ‘My Heart Says Go’ Has Terrific Vocals, And A Few Challenges

Tesseract’s High-Spirited ‘My Heart Says Go’ Has Terrific Vocals, And A Few Challenges

By Lynn VenhausSupple vocal work stands out in Tesseract’s latest premiere, “My Heart Says Go,” a hip-hop-meets-pop musical well-suited for the company’s enthusiasm in mounting... Details

Murky ‘Old Times’ Lacks Heat in Midnight Company’s Take on Pinter

By Lynn Venhaus The playwright Harold Pinter made a long and distinguished career out of confounding people with odd plays featuring weird situations, convoluted dialogue,... Details
LaBute New Theater Festival Offers Clever One-Acts That Resonate

LaBute New Theater Festival Offers Clever One-Acts That Resonate

By Lynn VenhausA walrus and a manatee walk into a polar bear’s bar that’s a comical rant. There is trouble in paradise between Adam, Eve,... Details
Muny’s Luminous, Splashy ‘The Little Mermaid’ Is Inspired Panorama

Muny’s Luminous, Splashy ‘The Little Mermaid’ Is Inspired Panorama

By Lynn Venhaus When the Muny teams up with visionary director John Tartaglia, they create a magical world, and it always takes us to a... Details
Bloody Horror Thriller ‘MaXXXine’ Can’t Reach Heights of Predecessors

Bloody Horror Thriller ‘MaXXXine’ Can’t Reach Heights of Predecessors

By Lynn Venhaus Bursting with style and verve, director Ti West’s “MaXXXine” features yet another outstanding Mia Goth performance, but sacrifices heart in its unwieldy... Details