Austin Butler Drives Dark Comedy Action Thriller ‘Caught Stealing’

Austin Butler Drives Dark Comedy Action Thriller ‘Caught Stealing’

By Lynn Venhaus Two lethal Hasidic Jews, two Russian mobster goons, a Latino gangster and a tough-talking cop walk into a grungy East Village bar... Details
PopLifeSTL Picks Weekly: Aug. 25 – 31

PopLifeSTL Picks Weekly: Aug. 25 – 31

Dateline: Aug. 25By Lynn Venhaus, Alex McPherson, C.B. Adams and Carl “The Intern” Middleman Round 2 of our new newsletter endeavor -- our curated weekly... Details
Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Salome’ Delivers Power and Uneven Spectacle

Union Avenue Opera’s ‘Salome’ Delivers Power and Uneven Spectacle

By CB AdamsIt is a rare pleasure to encounter "Salome," Richard Strauss’s 1905 masterpiece (after Oscar Wilde’s scandalous play), on a St. Louis stage. Union... Details
Samara Weaving Only Bright Spot in Action Thrill Ride ‘Eenie Meanie’

Samara Weaving Only Bright Spot in Action Thrill Ride ‘Eenie Meanie’

By Lynn Venhaus “Eenie Meanie” is the latest Quentin Tarantino-Guy Ritchie wannabe that is derivative of “Baby Driver,” “Drive,” “Fast and Furious” franchise and other... Details
Dark and Dreary Survival Thriller ‘Eden’ Is Flip Side of Utopian Dream

Dark and Dreary Survival Thriller ‘Eden’ Is Flip Side of Utopian Dream

By Lynn Venhaus A dour, dismal retelling of a ​1​930s island utopia that goes horribly awry, “Eden” is supposed to be high-stakes drama where people... Details
‘Jersey Boys’ Uplifting Melodies, Story Hit the Right Notes at the Muny

‘Jersey Boys’ Uplifting Melodies, Story Hit the Right Notes at the Muny

 By Lynn Venhaus "But the first time the four of us made that sound, our sound, when everything dropped away and all there was, was... Details
PopLifeSTL Picks Weekly

PopLifeSTL Picks Weekly

Dateline: Aug. 18By Lynn Venhaus, Alex McPherson, C.B. Adams and Carl “The Intern” Middleman We are busy popping up around our region, and suspect you... Details
Stray Dog Theatre Triumphs With Poised, Polished Copland Opera ‘The Second Hurricane’

Stray Dog Theatre Triumphs With Poised, Polished Copland Opera ‘The Second Hurricane’

By Lynn Venhaus A refreshing breeze is blowing through the cozy confines of the Tower Grove Abbey in Stray Dog Theatre’s ambitious youth opera, “The... Details
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington Reunite in Bumpy, Vibrant Crime Thriller ‘Highest 2 Lowest’

Spike Lee and Denzel Washington Reunite in Bumpy, Vibrant Crime Thriller ‘Highest 2 Lowest’

By Alex McPherson Although initially coasting along at a remove and not possessing the urgency of his other recent work, director Spike Lee’s  “Highest 2... Details
Williams’ Timeless Poetic Realism Is Reconstructed in A Bold, Different ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

Williams’ Timeless Poetic Realism Is Reconstructed in A Bold, Different ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’

By Lynn Venhaus A bold, ambitious “A Streetcar Named Desire” is the centerpiece in this year’s 10th annual Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. A contemporary... Details