‘Hope Gap’ Has Strong Cast, Weak Story

‘Hope Gap’ Has Strong Cast, Weak Story

By Lynn Venhaus She quotes poetry and he combs through books for his classes in their well lived-in cottage by the sea. Their grown son,... Details
‘The Way Back’ Is Not Just Another Sports Redemption Story

‘The Way Back’ Is Not Just Another Sports Redemption Story

By Lynn Venhaus“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom... Details
Insufferable Satire ‘Greed’ Lacks Laughs

Insufferable Satire ‘Greed’ Lacks Laughs

By Lynn VenhausA satire of the super-rich, “Greed” focuses on Sir Richard “Greedy” McCreadie (Steve Coogan), a snotty prep school dropout (Jamie Blackley in flashback)... Details
‘Ordinary Love’ Shows Us ‘All the Feels’ of a Longtime Married Couple in Crisis

‘Ordinary Love’ Shows Us ‘All the Feels’ of a Longtime Married Couple in Crisis

By Lynn VenhausElevated by beautifully nuanced performances from award-worthy Lesley Manville and sturdy Liam Neeson, “Ordinary Love” shows us “all the feels” between a longtime... Details
Unforgettable Music, Big Heart Distinguish Tony Winner ‘The Band’s Visit’ at The Fox

Unforgettable Music, Big Heart Distinguish Tony Winner ‘The Band’s Visit’ at The Fox

By Lynn Venhaus Simple yet profound, “The Band’s Visit” is a disarming, charming experience. It may take a little bit to win you over, but... Details
La Vie ‘Rent’ – It’s 24 and Facing the Dreaded ‘R’ Word

La Vie ‘Rent’ – It’s 24 and Facing the Dreaded ‘R’ Word

By CB AdamsContributing Writer What happens when you take Puccini’s La Boheme (The Breakfast Club of its day) out for a sexed-up, drugged-up, angst-amped joy... Details
‘Olympic Dreams’ Scores With Inside Look

‘Olympic Dreams’ Scores With Inside Look

By Lynn Venhaus Alternately charming and frustrating, “Olympic Dreams” squanders its spectacular setting with a scattershot romance that ultimately is a letdown. Two strangers in... Details
Chilling ‘Incitement’ Gets Inside Mind of Itzhak Rabin’s Assassin

Chilling ‘Incitement’ Gets Inside Mind of Itzhak Rabin’s Assassin

By Lynn Venhaus Based on true events, writer-director Yaron Zilberman chronicles the disturbing descent of a promising law student into a delusional ultranationalist obsessed with... Details
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: A Special ‘Annapurna’ at St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: A Special ‘Annapurna’ at St. Louis Actors’ Studio

By Lynn Venhaus When a long-dormant couple is forced to look through the rear-view mirror in “Annapurna,” this new chapter is a magnetic combination of... Details
Campy Farce ‘Irma Vep’ Can’t Hold Audience

Campy Farce ‘Irma Vep’ Can’t Hold Audience

By Lynn Venhaus “The Mystery of Irma Vep” is the play that went wrong -- and not in a funny way. Its once-red hot reputation... Details