Relatable Original ‘Johnnie Taylor Is Gone’ is Comfortable, Engaging

Relatable Original ‘Johnnie Taylor Is Gone’ is Comfortable, Engaging

By Lynn Venhaus A comfortable slice of life, “Johnnie Taylor is Gone” is part nostalgia trip and part character study with a pleasant panoply of... Details
Upstream’s ‘Meet Me at Dawn’ Is Bravely Acted and Profoundly Moving

Upstream’s ‘Meet Me at Dawn’ Is Bravely Acted and Profoundly Moving

By Lynn Venhaus “Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” – “Beautiful Boy,” John Lennon, 1980 Grounded but teeming with... Details
Going Around in Circles, Disjointed ‘On Swift Horses’ Is Frustrating Misdirect

Going Around in Circles, Disjointed ‘On Swift Horses’ Is Frustrating Misdirect

By Lynn Venhaus Pretty people and sun-dappled scenery wind up being ineffective in a shallow head-scratcher, “On Swift Horses,” a stagnant 1950s melodrama heavy on... Details
‘Misericordia’ Is An Entertaining, If Bizarre, Drama of Desire

‘Misericordia’ Is An Entertaining, If Bizarre, Drama of Desire

By Alex McPherson Infused with wry humor and gradually mounting dread, director Alain Guiraudie’s “Misericordia” is a fascinating drama in which repressed urges and human... Details
Intense ‘Warfare’ Powerful Reminder of Brotherhood and Human Cost

Intense ‘Warfare’ Powerful Reminder of Brotherhood and Human Cost

By Lynn Venhaus Accurately described as the most realistic war film ever made, “Warfare” is a harrowing and intense depiction of the Iraq War based... Details
Bittersweet and Meaningful, STLAS’ ‘With’ Is a Master Class of Acting

Bittersweet and Meaningful, STLAS’ ‘With’ Is a Master Class of Acting

By Lynn Venhaus After a lifetime together, Minnie and Clifford Habberdeen prefer to go gentle into that good night. They’re tired of raging against the... Details
Stray Dog Theatre’s Rollicking ‘Rock of Ages’ Is Nothin’ But a Good Time

Stray Dog Theatre’s Rollicking ‘Rock of Ages’ Is Nothin’ But a Good Time

By Lynn Venhaus Get ready to rock! Fans of 1980s rock ‘n roll can rejoice – they’ll be able to hear the catchy melodies of... Details
Re-Imagined ‘Sherwood’ Features Intrepid Ensemble, Dandy Action

Re-Imagined ‘Sherwood’ Features Intrepid Ensemble, Dandy Action

By Lynn Venhaus Mix the Marx Brothers, Monty Python and Mel Brooks in a blender, and you have the fizzy potion that is fueling a... Details
Take Ten with Spencer Davis Milford

Take Ten with Spencer Davis Milford

By Lynn Venhaus Whether he stands out in a challenging role or disappears into a classic character, Spencer Davis Milford is a familiar presence, having... Details
New Jewish Theatre’s Hard-Hitting, Heart-Wrenching ‘Cabaret’ More Relevant Than Ever

New Jewish Theatre’s Hard-Hitting, Heart-Wrenching ‘Cabaret’ More Relevant Than Ever

By Lynn Venhaus "There was a cabaret, and there was a master of ceremonies, and there was a city called Berlin, in a country called... Details