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
The Muny’s Glitzy ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ is Musical Comedy a la Mode

The Muny’s Glitzy ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ is Musical Comedy a la Mode

By Lynn Venhaus Release the serotonin! The Muny goes big with the glitzy, grand feel-good musical “La Cage Aux Folles” that will make you laugh,... Details
Polished Performances Lift Stages’ ‘Austen’s Pride’ But Songs Lack Depth

Polished Performances Lift Stages’ ‘Austen’s Pride’ But Songs Lack Depth

By Lynn Venhaus With words of wit and strong female leads, “Austen’s Pride” has promise to fulfill its potential, coinciding with the literary world’s preparations... Details
Tesseract Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” Blesses Hearts and Hugs Necks

Tesseract Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” Blesses Hearts and Hugs Necks

By CB Adams Tesseract Theatre Company's "Steel Magnolias," written by Robert Harling, injects fresh energy into the beloved Southern story of humor, friendship, and resilience.... Details
Fly North’s Updated ‘Madam’ Charms with its Female-Forward Focus

Fly North’s Updated ‘Madam’ Charms with its Female-Forward Focus

By Lynn VenhausSpotlighting attitude and intrigue, a still-vivacious “Madam” has been nipped, tucked, and excised into a promising female-forward musical focused on womanhood’s advancement in... Details