New Jewish Theatre’s ‘Cabaret” tops shows with 13 nominations
Event March 23 Will Honor Outstanding Work in Local Professional Theater in 2025

ST. LOUIS, February 3, 2026 – The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep), with 38 nominations covering six different productions in the 2025 calendar year, leads the field at the 13th annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards. “Cabaret,” which was performed by New Jewish Theatre, garnered the most nominations for an individual production with a total of 13. In all, 38 local, professional productions representing 20 theater companies received at least one nomination.

The annual gala will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road on the campus of Webster University, home of The Rep.

Tickets at $23 apiece ($20 plus a $3 processing fee) are available at The Rep’s web site www.repstl.org ticket link. The Rep’s box office number is 314-968-4925. Tickets will also be available at The Rep’s box office one hour before the ceremony, which will start at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for a one-hour ‘Happy Hour,’ with beverages and snacks available for purchase.

Nominees in 34 categories will vie for honors covering comedies, dramas, musicals and operas produced by local professional theater and opera companies in the calendar year 2025. Approximately 87 productions were considered for nominations for this year’s event.

Additionally, there will be three special awards. Opera Theatre of Saint Louis will be honored for 50 years of operatic excellence that have brought the company local, national and international recognition. Wayne Salomon, a founding member of Theatre Project Company, will be recognized with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the St. Louis theater community. Bob Trump, head draper of The Rep, who retired in 2025, will be lauded for 40 years of work in The Rep’s costume shop.

The Muny last autumn asked that it not be considered for any nominations for the 2025 calendar year. Reluctantly, the St. Louis Theater Circle has honored The Muny’s request.

The nominees for the 13th annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards are:

Baskerville. New Jewish. Photo by Jon Gitchoff.

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role 

Nancy Bell, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Lindsey Grojean, “The Curious Savage,” Stray Dog Theatre
Lize Lewy, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Alicia Revé Like, “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” New Jewish Theatre
Essence Anisa Tyler, “Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role 

Louis Reyes McWilliams, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Michael James Reed, “Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Jacob Schmidt, “Romeo & Zooliet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Sean C. Seifert, “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” New Jewish Theatre
John Wilson, “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role 

Michelle Hand, “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Heather Matthews, “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” Albion Theatre Company
Andrea San Miguel, “The Cottage,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Adelin Phelps, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, “Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role 

Jordan Coughtry, “The Cottage,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Nick Freed, “The Minutes,” Stray Dog Theatre
Gary Glasgow, “Two Jews Walk into a War: A Comedy,” New Jewish Theatre
Ron Himes, “Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Bryce A. Miller, “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” New Jewish Theatre

Clyde’s. The Rep. Photo by Jon Gitchoff.

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play 

Denisse Chavez, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Jayson M. Lawshee, “Athena,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Jason Lynch, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Matthew McCarthy, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
Christina Watanabe, “Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Sound Design 

Jimmy Bernatowicz, “Athena,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Kareem Deanes, “Two Jews Walk into a War: A Comedy,” New Jewish Theatre
Tre’von Griffith, “The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
John Gromada, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Ellie Schwetye, “Professor House,” Contraband Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play 

Oana Botez, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Dorothy Marshall Englis, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Renee Garcia, “The Cottage,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Tracey Newcomb, “I Have Been Here Before,” Albion Theatre Company
Michele Friedman Siler, “The Heidi Chronicles,” New Jewish Theatre

The Heidi Chronicles. New Jewish Theatre. Photo by Jon Gitchoff.

Outstanding Set Design in a Play 

Jean Kim, “Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Robert Mark Morgan, “The Cottage,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Scott C. Neale, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Scott C. Neale, “Romeo & Zooliet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Margery Spack & Peter Spack, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role 

Jade Cash, “The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre
Sarah Chalfie, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Jennifer Ikeda, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Isa Venere, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
Maggie Wininger, “The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role 

Grayson DeJesus, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Ron Himes, “Radio Golf,” The Black Rep
Donald Jones Jr., “The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Bryce A. Miller, “The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre
Reginald Pierre, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role 

Mara Bollini, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” Stray Dog Theatre
Wendy Renée Greenwood, “The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre
Michelle Hand, “Meet Me at Dawn,” Upstream Theater
Lizi Watt, “Meet Me at Dawn,” Upstream Theater
Donna Weinsting, “With,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Meet Me at Dawn. Upstream Theater. Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role 

Nic Few, “The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Michael Khalid Karadsheh, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Christian Kitchens, “The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Joel Moses, “The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre
Whit Reichert, “With,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Outstanding New Play 

“John Hughes Your Own Adventure,” by Joseph Garner, Chris “Mr.” Jones, Rob McLemore, Suki Peters, and Ben Ritchie, Cherokee Street Theatre Company
“The Pavement Kingdom: A Clinic Escort Play,” by Courtney Bailey, Chorus of Fools
“Romeo & Zooliet,” by Jennifer Joan Thompson, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Professor House,” by Jacob Juntunen, Contraband Theatre
“Scream, Echo. Scream.,” written and produced by Summer Baer

Outstanding Achievement in Opera 

Christopher Alden, “Don Pasquale,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Susanne Burgess, “Don Pasquale,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
John Gerdes, “The Second Hurricane,” Stray Dog Theatre
Daniel Scofield, “Salome,” Union Avenue Opera
Leonard Slatkin, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Outstanding Production of an Opera 

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
“Don Pasquale,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
“My Fair Lady,” Union Avenue Opera
“The Second Hurricane,” Stray Dog Theatre
“This House,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Superhero. Stray Dog Theatre.

Outstanding Musical Director 

Jeremiah Ginn, “Murder for Two,” Stages St. Louis
Mallory Golden, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre
Carter Haney, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Jermaine Manor, “Raisin (The Musical),” The Black Rep
David Nehls, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Choreographer 

Kirven Douthit-Boyd, “Raisin (The Musical),” The Black Rep
Kirven Douthit-Boyd, “The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Ellen Isom, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Lisa Shriver, “Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
Jennifer Werner, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Projections or Special Effects

Justin Been, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre
Kareem Deanes, “The Heidi Chronicles,” New Jewish Theatre
Kareem Deanes, “The Wash,” The Black Rep
Michael Curry Design, “Romeo & Zooliet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Joe Taylor, “Dollhouse by Three Manufacturers,” Equally Represented Arts (ERA)

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role 

Kailey Boyle, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis
Marsiya Miller, “Legally Blonde, The Musical,” Tesseract Theatre Company
Jane Paradise, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Dianica Phelan, “Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
Sarah Polizzi, “Rock of Ages,” Stray Dog Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role 

Dave Cooperstein, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Aaron Fischer, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre
Aaron Fischer, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Dustin Petrillo, “Madam,” Fly North Theatricals
David Socolar, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis

Murder for Two. Stages St Louis. Photo by Phillip Hamer.

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical 

Tony Anselmo, “Raisin (The Musical),” The Black Rep
Denisse Chavez, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Tyler Duenow, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre
Jason Lyons, “Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
Sean M. Savoie, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical 

Peter Barbieri, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis
Ann Beyersdorfer, “Murder for Two,” Stages St. Louis
David Blake, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Bradley Rohlf and Colin Healey, “Madam,” Fly North Theatricals
Rob Lippert, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical 

Sam Hayes, “Madam,” Fly North Theatricals
Colleen Michelson, “Rock of Ages,” Stray Dog Theatre
Johanna Pan, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis
Emily Rebholz, “Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
Michele Friedman Siler, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role 

Brianna Kothari Barnes, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis
Sarah Gene Dowling, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre
Olivia Hernandez, “Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
Anita Michelle Jackson, “Raisin (The Musical),” The Black Rep
Hailey Medrano, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre

Anita Jackson. Raisin. The Black Rep. Phillip Hamer photo.

Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role 

Jabari Boykin, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre
Rafael DaCosta, “Bat Boy,” New Line Theatre
Jeremiah Ginn, “Murder for Two,” Stages St. Louis
Dan Hoy, “Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
Spencer Davis Milford, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy 

“Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Loui
“Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” New Jewish Theatre
“The Cottage,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“Romeo & Zooliet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama 

“Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
“I Have Been Here Before,” Albion Theatre Company
“The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre
“The Wash,” The Black Rep

Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical 

“Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis
“Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
“Raisin (The Musical),” The Black Rep
“Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre

Romeo and Zooliet. St Louis Shakespeare Festival. Photo by Phillip Hamer.

Outstanding Director of a Comedy 

Risa Brainin, “The Cottage,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Tracy Brigden, “Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Josiah Davis, “Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Tom Ridgely, “Romeo & Zooliet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Nisi Sturgis, “Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery,” New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Director of a Drama 

Nancy Bell, “Athena,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Annamaria Pileggi, “With,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Robert Quinlan, “The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre
Michael Sexton, “Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Jacqueline Thompson, “The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Director of a Musical 

Justin Been, “Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre
Igor Goldin, “Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
Michael Kostroff, “Murder for Two,” Stages St. Louis
Rebekah Scallet, “Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
Jennifer Werner, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis

The Brothers Size. The Rep. Photo by Jon Gitchoff.

Outstanding Production of a Comedy 

“Clyde’s,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“Emma,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“Romeo & Zooliet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
“The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” Albion Theatre Company
“The Cottage,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Production of a Drama 

“Hamlet,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
“Meet Me at Dawn,” Upstream Theater
“The Brothers Size,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Wanderers,” New Jewish Theatre
“With,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Outstanding Production of a Musical 

“Austen’s Pride,” Stages St. Louis
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Stages St. Louis
“Cabaret,” New Jewish Theatre
“Raisin (The Musical),” The Black Rep
“Superhero,” Stray Dog Theatre

The Wanderers. New Jewish Theatre. Photo by Jon Gitchoff.

Special Award for Lifetime Achievement

Wayne Salomon, early member and associate artistic director of Theatre Project Company, St. Louis theater community educator, director, actor

Milestone Anniversary

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, for its 50th anniversary as an opera of local, national and international acclaim

Special Award for Lifetime Achievement

Bob Trump, Head Draper at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, retired in 2025 after 40 years of work in The Rep’s costume shop

A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Photo by Eric Woolsey.

The mission of the St. Louis Theater Circle is simple: To honor outstanding achievement in St. Louis professional theater. Other cities around the country, such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., pay tribute to their own local theatrical productions with similar awards programs.

Active members of the St. Louis Theater Circle include Chas Adams (PopLifeSTL.com, St. Louis Arts Scene on Substack, STL Stage Snaps); Mark Bretz (Ladue News); Rosalind Early (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Tina Farmer (Mound City Messenger); Michelle Kenyon (snoopstheatrethoughts.com, St. Louis Arts Scene on Substack); Gerry Kowarsky (Two on the Aisle, HEC Media); Chuck Lavazzi (St. Louis Arts Scene on Substack, Stage Left blog, Chuck’s Culture Channel on YouTube); Rob Levy (Broadwayworld.com, Review STL, The Arts STL); James Lindhorst (Broadwayworld.com, St. Louis Arts Scene on Substack; Lynn Venhaus (PopLifeSTL.com, KTRS); and Bob Wilcox (Two on the Aisle, HEC Media). Eric Kenyon, director of The Chapel venue, is group administrator.

For more information, visit www.stltheatercircle.org, contact [email protected], or ‘like’ the St. Louis Theater Circle on Facebook.

                                                                               

By Lynn Venhaus

Laying the foundation for the palace intrigue in Shakespeare’s tragic “Hamlet,” the original play “Elsinore” is an interesting interpretation of those familiar characters in an affecting prequel.

Known for its bold choices, local theater company Chorus of Fools has mounted artistic director Eric Satterfield’s 2021 play updated by co-playwrights David Nonemaker and Satterfield, who also directed.

How did Denmark become so rotten? Satterfield wants answers and his strong cast will tell a more nuanced story.

Through compelling performances, this ensemble delves into the unraveling of the royal family and how the political scheming escalates, which eventually leads to the kingdom’s instability and headed to war with Norway.

Most remarkable is how much the language sounds like the Bard in tone and tempo. Smartly written with style, wit and theatricality, “Elsinore” plausibly imagines the backstories.

John Wolbers is the domineering King Hamlet. Photo by David Nonemaker.

The playwrights obviously have read and studied Shakespeare, presenting a new angle on one of literature’s most influential works. After all, “Hamlet” has been adapted in many ways (“The Lion King,” anyone?)

A rewarding aspect is its exploration of many of the same universal themes, such as making one’s mark, duty, honor, loyalty, destiny and revenge. However, in these earlier incarnations, character transformations and motivations give the actors a juicy challenge.

We may think we know these characters, but by the time Shakespeare crafted them, they had been developed by circumstances, revealing their true nature.  In the prequel, they are forging their paths.

While the prince of Denmark has always been fascinating, in the before times he is secondary to Claudius, who has the most complex character arc. Joseph Garner, one of the region’s most versatile performers, has been a formidable stage presence in supporting roles. As the king’s brother and emissary, he delivers a dynamic characterization rich in detail.

Initially, a dedicated selfless royal, Claudius undergoes personal tragedies and moral dilemmas that lead to his stunning power-grab as he ascends to the throne while breaking up his brother’s family.

Joseph Garner and Jocelyn Padilla as Claudius and Gertrude. Photo by David Nonemaker.

King Hamlet is not a benevolent ruler. John Wolbers portrays him as imperious and devious, and with his son Hamlet, he is demanding and impatient. The young heir is finding his way, clashing with his father and being more comfortable around his uncle.

He starts brooding, and Andre Eslamian gives the intense, rebellious lad an emotional depth while conveying quicksilver moods. He’s confused and angry in interactions with his father, merry with his goofy friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, playful with his cousin Claudius, and tender with Ophelia.

His father is not fond of his childhood pals, and Xander Huber, as Rosencrantz, and Zach Pierson, as Guildenstern, display why. As the bumbling buddies, they demonstrate sharp comic timing and play off each other well, adept at slapstick.

Chuck Brinkley, equally good at comedy and drama, adds moments of daffiness to the garrulous Polonius, who is Claudius’ trusted advisor. But he’s capable of conniving. (And what a trouper — he really did break his ankle, hence the assistance.)

Madness has not yet affected major players. Ophelia becomes a handmaiden for Queen Gertrude. She is an intelligent, curious girl, devoted to her father Polonius and gives her heart to Hamlet. Hannah Geisz plays her as a spirited, virtuous member of the court – but one who won’t be an afterthought.

Hannah Geisz and Chuck Brinkley as Ophelia and Polonius. Photo by David Nonemaker.

As Gertrude, Jocelyn Padilla is an obedient wife and dutiful mother. She is hurt by the king’s gruff treatment of her, and after his untimely death, brightens under the gaze of Claudius.

Huber and Pierson each fill another role – Huber is Lord Waldemar and Pierson as young Claudius. Joe Kercher handles three brief roles – Lord Olaf, Laertes and a hooded figure. Rose Reiker is Osric, a courtier and messenger.

Claudius, who becomes a widower after his loving wife Colette (Lexie Johnson) and their beloved son Claudius (Zach Pierson), died in a shipwreck, has somewhat of a reset.

He has lost faith after those devastating losses, becoming bitter and angry. He disagrees with his brother’s decisions and ruthlessly sets a course to takeover.

“Hamlet” was Shakespeare’s longest play, and this version is in three acts, with two intermissions. The second act resumes 14 years later, and the third is one year after that.

Joseph Garner, Andre Eslamian as Claudius and Hamlet. Photo by David Nonemaker.

The small company, with a modest budget, cleverly depicts the castle’s throne room, Claudius’ family sitting room, and the orchard where King Hamlet often napped. Vickie Delmas worked on the set design with Satterfield, and took care of props..

With its “Downtown Abbey” inspired Edwardian setting and period costumes, “Elsinore” creates an insular world where loyalty is demanded while secrets and lies are part of the growing corruption.

Costume designer Celeste Gardner paired different textures together to appropriately outfit the characters, with her work particularly noteworthy for Ophelia and Gertrude.

Bradley Rohlf’s atmospheric lighting design highlighted an impending doom, while giving the ghosts an other-worldly illumination. Satterfield’s outstanding sound design included imaginative needle drops and a regal music score to reflect the spreading darkness.

Other contributors were Ryan Lawson-Maeske, fight choreographer; Jen Kerner, accessibility consultant; Tress Kurzym, intimacy director; and Nikki Pilato, dramaturg (and also assistant director). Moira Healy was the stage manager.

With a castle community sensibility, the savvy cast transported us to a troubled time that has been examined through the ages, and managed to engage us with different, interesting angles. They skillfully conveyed Satterfield’s and Nonemaker’s intentions in a smart, entertaining presentation.

Andre Eslamian, Zach Pierson as the young Hamlet and young Claudius. Photo by David Nonemaker.

Chorus of Fools presents “Elsinore” Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. from Oct. 9 through Oct. 19 at The Greenfinch Theatre and Dive Bar, 2525 S. Jefferson. For more information: greenfinchstl.com/events