Fascinating Rhythms, Expressive Vocals Give The Black Rep’s Splendid ‘Blues in the Night’ a Lush Life

Fascinating Rhythms, Expressive Vocals Give The Black Rep’s Splendid ‘Blues in the Night’ a Lush Life

By Lynn Venhaus A saucy, sultry and soulful trio of supremely talented women take us on their rocky road of hard-fought life lessons in a... Details
Heads Bang, Musicians Rock and Electric Performers Howl in New Line’s ‘American Idiot’

Heads Bang, Musicians Rock and Electric Performers Howl in New Line’s ‘American Idiot’

By Lynn Venhaus An electric cast brings to life Green Day’s turbo-charged punk rock opera “American Idiot,” accompanied by an exceptional group of eight musicians... Details
‘Speak No Evil’ Is a Shallow Remake That Waters Down Greatness

‘Speak No Evil’ Is a Shallow Remake That Waters Down Greatness

By Alex McPherson Crowd-pleasing but toothless, director James Watkins’ “Speak No Evil” mixes potent themes into a sanitized experience that, when it’s not doing a... Details
James McAvoy Is Gleefully Over the Top in Crowd-Pleasing Thriller ‘Speak No Evil’ From Blumhouse

James McAvoy Is Gleefully Over the Top in Crowd-Pleasing Thriller ‘Speak No Evil’ From Blumhouse

By Lynn VenhausAh, polite society vs. listening to your natural instincts is at the heart of this intriguing psychological thriller-horror film “Speak No Evil,” which... Details
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Is a Wild Nostalgic Trip Back to the Afterlife

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Is a Wild Nostalgic Trip Back to the Afterlife

By Alex McPherson Messy and overstuffed, but bursting with personality, director Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a worthy follow-up to the 1988 original that provides... Details
Madcap Michael Keaton Provides the Zest in a Goofier and Gorier Sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

Madcap Michael Keaton Provides the Zest in a Goofier and Gorier Sequel ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’

By Lynn VenhausIt’s silly fun but hampered by uneven storytelling, nevertheless “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” dips heavily into nostalgia and director Tim Burton’s irrepressible comic-horror sensibilities. Thirty-six... Details
Aaron Pierre Excels in Socially Conscious Action Thriller “Rebel Ridge”

Aaron Pierre Excels in Socially Conscious Action Thriller “Rebel Ridge”

Featuring a captivating performance from Aaron Pierre, director Jeremy Saulnier’s suspenseful-but-restrained “Rebel Ridge” mixes throwback thrills with earnest social commentary in its story of injustice,... Details
Personality Adds Pizzazz to a Peppery, Plucky ‘[title of show]’ from Prism

Personality Adds Pizzazz to a Peppery, Plucky ‘[title of show]’ from Prism

By Lynn Venhaus A personality-driven low-key charmer, the musical ‘[title of show]’ offers a fresh perspective with its vivacious gender-bending cast. And what’s not to... Details
‘Hamilton’ Continues to Resonate With Its Signature Style In a Fresh, Vibrant National Tour at The Fox

‘Hamilton’ Continues to Resonate With Its Signature Style In a Fresh, Vibrant National Tour at The Fox

By Lynn Venhaus A civics lesson brimming with dreamers and doers, the world now knows the name of a game-changing genius with an extraordinary verbal... Details
Take Ten with Joe Sonderman

Take Ten with Joe Sonderman

By Lynn Venhaus First time Art Hill was used for sledding?January 5, 1905. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported that Louisiana Purchase Exposition employees had discovered... Details