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
Charming Old-fashioned Rom-Com ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ Soars

Charming Old-fashioned Rom-Com ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ Soars

By Lynn Venhaus A stylish nostalgic romantic comedy-drama that vividly recalls the high-stakes of America’s Space Race with the Russians, “Fly Me to the Moon”... Details
Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Carmen’ Delivers Compelling Moments Tempered by Contemporary Issues

Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Carmen’ Delivers Compelling Moments Tempered by Contemporary Issues

By CB Adams Poor Carmen. As the protagonist in George Bizet’s 1875 opera, she’s sometimes reduced to being the poster person for critical analysis of... Details
Lively Ensemble Ignites ERA’s Kooky ‘Romanov Family Yard Sale’

Lively Ensemble Ignites ERA’s Kooky ‘Romanov Family Yard Sale’

By Lynn Venhaus It really is a yard sale and a play rolled into one kooky experience. A Masha! Masha! Masha! mash-up of absurd comedy... Details
‘Ghostlight’ Laser Focused About Healing Power of the Arts

‘Ghostlight’ Laser Focused About Healing Power of the Arts

By Lynn VenhausDemonstrating the healing power of the arts, the disarming “Ghostlight” is a deeply moving and affectionate examination of how community can get us... Details
Despite ’80s Kitsch and Cool, ‘MaXXXine’ Is Weakest of West’s Horror Trilogy

Despite ’80s Kitsch and Cool, ‘MaXXXine’ Is Weakest of West’s Horror Trilogy

By Lynn Venhaus Slashy and trashy, “MaXXXine” falls short of the thrills that made Ti West’s “X” and “Pearl” superior horror films in 2022. The... Details
‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Keeps Alien Story Humming with Unnerving Prequel

‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ Keeps Alien Story Humming with Unnerving Prequel

By Lynn Venhaus Still terrifying and unnerving, the third chapter of this durable horror science fiction franchise presents a smart origin story, “A Quiet Place:... Details
Bursting with Vitality, the Muny’s Exultant ‘Dreamgirls’ Electrifies

Bursting with Vitality, the Muny’s Exultant ‘Dreamgirls’ Electrifies

By Lynn VenhausLet’s cut to the chase. Tiffany Mann’s electrifying rendition of the signature song, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” is everything... Details