The Muny, New Jewish Theatre, The Rep and Stages St. Louis Lead in 11th Annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards

The Muny, New Jewish Theatre, The Rep and Stages St. Louis Lead in 11th Annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards

Event at Loretto-Hilton Center Will Honor Outstanding Work in Local Professional Theater in 2023

ST. LOUIS, February 2, 2024 – The Muny, The New Jewish Theatre, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) and Stages St. Louis each garnered at least 19 nominations for the 11th annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, with The Muny’s 26 nominations leading all companies. The annual gala will take place on Monday, March 25, 2024 at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road on the campus of Webster University, home of The Rep.

“Clue,” at Stages St. Louis, and The New Jewish Theatre’s production of “Into the Woods” each garnered 11 nominations to lead all shows in nominations.

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 33 categories will vie for honors covering comedies, dramas, musicals and operas produced by local professional theater and opera companies in the calendar year 2023. Approximately 100 productions have been considered for nominations for this year’s event.

The eighth annual award ceremony, which was to have been held at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University, was cancelled in February 2020 due to the escalating number of cases of COVID-19. Instead, that event, honoring outstanding local theater productions for the year 2019, was held virtually in a highly polished presentation produced by HEC Media and streamed on HEC’s YouTube channel and web site.

A ninth annual ceremony similarly was streamed on HEC Media for the combined years of 2020 and 2021, before the gala returned to the Loretto-Hilton in 2023 for the 10th annual awards.

The nominees for the 11th annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards are:

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role 
Rae Davis, “Merry Wives,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Diana DeGarmo, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis
Ricki Franklin, “Twelfth Night,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Christina Rios, “Broadway Bound,” The New Jewish Theatre
Zoe Vonder Haar, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role 
Chuck Brinkley, “Broadway Bound,” The New Jewish Theatre
Charlie Franklin, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis
Nick Freed, “The Birthday Party,” Albion Theatre
Bryce A. Miller, “The Nerd,” Moonstone Theatre Company
Chuck Winning, “The Birthday Party,” Albion Theatre

Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role 
Colleen Backer, “Outside Mullingar,” West End Players Guild
Mara Bollini, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Stray Dog Theatre
Sarah Burke, “Grand Horizons,” Moonstone Theatre Company
Teresa Doggett, “The Birthday Party,” Albion Theatre
Leslie Wobbe, “Walter Cronkite Is Dead,” West End Players Guild

Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role 
Jacob Flekier, “Broadway Bound,” The New Jewish Theatre
Joneal Joplin, “Grand Horizons,” Moonstone Theatre Company
Ryan Lawson-Maeske, “The Nerd,” Moonstone Theatre Company
Jason Meyers, “Outside Mullingar,” West End Players Guild
Mark Price, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play 
Anshuman Bhatia, “Gruesome Playground Injuries,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Jayson M. Lawshee, “Skeleton Crew,” The Black Rep
Jason Lynch, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Sean M. Savoie, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis
Christina Watanabe, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Sound Design 
G. Clausen, “Twisted Melodies,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Charles Coes and Nathan A. Roberts, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Michael Costagliola, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Beef Gratz, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis
Amanda Werre, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play |
Daryl Harris, “Death of a Salesman,” The Black Rep
Liz Henning, “The Lion in Winter,” The Midnight Company
Brad Musgrove, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis
Michele Friedman Siler, “The Immigrant,” The New Jewish Theatre
Fabio Toblini, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Set Design in a Play 
Nina Ball, “Confederates,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
An-Lin Dauber, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Regina Garcia, “Twelfth Night,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Tim Mackabee, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Lee Savage, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role 
Nicole Angeli, “Mindgame,” Albion Theatre
Velma Austin, “Death of a Salesman,” The Black Rep
Rhiannon Creighton, “Doubt: A Parable,” Prism Theatre Company
Kelly Howe, “See You in a Minute,” Contraband Theatre
Mindy Shaw, “The Immigrant,” The New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role 
Isaiah Di Lorenzo, “Bitter Fruit,” Upstream Theater
Michael James Reed, “Uncle Vanya,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Chauncy Thomas, “Death of a Salesman,” The Black Rep
David Wassilak, “The Immigrant,” The New Jewish Theatre
John Wolbers, “The Lion in Winter,” The Midnight Company

Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role 
Lavonne Byers, “The Lion in Winter,” The Midnight Company
Kate Durbin, “Doubt: A Parable,” Prism Theatre Company
Ricki Franklin, “See You in a Minute,” Contraband Theatre
Michelle Hand, “What the Constitution Means to Me,” Max & Louie Productions
Naima Randolph, “Suddenly Last Summer,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role 
John Contini, “Barrymore,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Ron Himes, “Death of a Salesman,” The Black Rep
Dustin Lane Petrillo, “The Immigrant,” The New Jewish Theatre
Reginald Pierre, “One Night in the Many Deaths of Sonny Liston,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
John Pierson, “Uncle Vanya,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Outstanding New Play 
“Action,” by Colin McLaughlin, Action Art Collaborative
“In Bloom,” by Gwyneth Strope, The Tesseract Theatre Company
“One Night in the Many Deaths of Sonny Liston,” by J B Heaps, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
“The Privilege of Being Second,” by David Nonemaker and Eric Satterfield, Prison Performing Arts
“See You in a Minute,” by Jacob Juntunen, Contraband Theatre 

Outstanding Achievement in Opera 
Janai Brugger, “Susannah,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Teresa Doggett, “Don Pasquale,” Union Avenue Opera
Gemma New, “Susannah,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Murrella Parton, “Cosi fan tutte,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Patricia Racette, “Susannah,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Brandie Inez Sutton as Treemonisha and the chorus of “Treemonisha” by Scott Joplin, reimagined by composer Damien Sneed and librettist Karen Chilton. Photo © Eric Woolsey

Outstanding Production of an Opera 
“Don Pasquale,” Union Avenue Opera
“Ragtime,” Union Avenue Opera
“Susannah,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
“Treemonisha,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
“The Turn of the Screw,” Union Avenue Opera

Outstanding Musical Director 
Charlie Alterman, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” The Muny
Colin Healy, “Caroline, or Change,” Fly North Theatricals
James Moore, “West Side Story,” The Muny
Larry D. Pry, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
David Sonneborn, “Million Dollar Quartet,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Choreographer 
Denis Jones, “Sister Act,” The Muny
Maggie Nold, “Kinky Boots,” The Tesseract Theatre Company
Patrick O’Neill, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Josh Rhodes, “Chess,” The Muny
Heather Beal, Robert Crenshaw, Vivian Watt, “Eubie!,” The Black Rep

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role 
Jackie Burns, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” The Muny
Jerusha Cavazos, “West Side Story,” The Muny
Diana DeGarmo, “Aida,” Stages St. Louis
Kristen Joy Lintvedt, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
Taylor Louderman, “Chess,” The Muny

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role 
Jonathan Hey, “Into the Woods,” Stray Dog Theatre
Phil Leveling, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
Ken Page, “West Side Story,” The Muny
Jeremy Sevelovitz, “Million Dollar Quartet,” Stages St. Louis
Jarrod Spector, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” The Muny

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical 
Herrick Goldman, “Aida,” Stages St. Louis
Jesse Klug, “Q Brothers Christmas Carol,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Jayson M. Lawshee, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
Jason Lyons, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Sean M. Savoie, “Million Dollar Quartet,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical 
Ann Beyersdorfer, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Edward E. Haynes, Jr., “Chess,” The Muny
Rob Lippert, “Godspell,” Stray Dog Theatre
Kristen Robinson, “Little Shop of Horrors,” The Muny
C. Otis Sweeney, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical 
Leon Dobkowski, “Little Shop of Horrors,” The Muny
Eileen Engel and Sarah Gene Dowling, “Into the Woods,” Stray Dog Theatre
Robin McGee, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Brad Musgrove, “Aida,” Stages St. Louis
Marc. W. Vital III, “Eubie!,” The Black Rep

Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role 
De-Rance Blaylock, “Caroline, or Change,” Fly North Theatricals
Melissa Felps, “The Mad Ones,” The Tesseract Theatre Company
Bryonha Marie, “Sister Act,” The Muny
Sara Sheperd, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” The Muny
Molly Wennstrom, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role 
Tie`lere Cheatem, “Kinky Boots,” The Tesseract Theatre Company
Ben Crawford, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
Robin de Jesus, “Little Shop of Horrors,” The Muny
Kevin O’Brien, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
John Riddle, “Chess,” The Muny

Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy 
“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Birthday Party,” Albion Theatre
“The Brechtfast Club,” ERA
“Broadway Bound,” The New Jewish Theatre
“Clue,” Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama 
“Death of a Salesman,” The Black Rep
“The Immigrant,” The New Jewish Theatre
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Lehman Trilogy,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Lion in Winter,” The Midnight Company

Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical 
“Caroline, or Change,” Fly North Theatricals
“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny
“Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
“Million Dollar Quartet,” Stages St. Louis
“Q Brothers Christmas Carol,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

Outstanding Director of a Comedy 
Gary Wayne Barker, “The Nerd,” Moonstone Theatre Company
Steve Bebout, “Clue,” Stages St. Louis
Alan Knoll, “Broadway Bound,” The New Jewish Theatre
Suki Peters, “The Birthday Party,” Albion Theatre
Hana S. Sharif, “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Director of a Drama 
Kate Bergstrom, “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Carey Perloff, “The Lehman Trilogy,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Annamaria Pileggi, “Uncle Vanya,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Rebekah Scallet, “The Immigrant,” The New Jewish Theatre
Jacqueline Thompson, “Death of a Salesman,” The Black Rep

Outstanding Director of a Musical 
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” The Muny
Brian McKinley, “Caroline, or Change,” Fly North Theatricals
Robert Quinlan, “Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
Josh Rhodes, “Chess,” The Muny
John Tartaglia, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” The Muny

Outstanding Production of a Comedy 

“Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Birthday Party,” Albion Theatre
“Broadway Bound,” The New Jewish Theatre
“Clue,” Stages St. Louis
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” Stray Dog Theatre

Outstanding Production of a Drama 
“Death of a Salesman” The Black Rep
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“The Immigrant,” The New Jewish Theatre
“The Lehman Trilogy,” The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
“Uncle Vanya,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Outstanding Production of a Musical 
“Aida,” Stages St. Louis
“Caroline, or Change,” Fly North Theatricals
“Into the Woods,” The New Jewish Theatre
“Million Dollar Quartet,” Stages St. Louis
“West Side Story,” The Muny

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.

Members of the St. Louis Theater Circle include Chas Adams (PopLifeSTL.com and KDHX ); Steve Allen (stagedoorstl.com); Mark Bretz (Ladue News); Tina Farmer (The Riverfront Times); Michelle Kenyon (snoopstheatrethoughts.com and KDHX); Gerry Kowarsky (Two on the Aisle, HEC Media); Chuck Lavazzi (KDHX); Rob Levy (Broadwayworld.com); James Lindhorst (Broadwayworld.com);  Lynn Venhaus (PopLifeSTL.com); and Bob Wilcox (Two on the Aisle, HEC Media). Eric Kenyon, director of The Chapel venue, is group administrator.

For more information, contact stltheatercircle@sbcglobal.net or ‘like’ the St. Louis Theater Circle on Facebook.

‘The Karate Kid – The Musical’ Wins Over Audience With Heart of Gold

‘The Karate Kid – The Musical’ Wins Over Audience With Heart of Gold

By Lynn Venhaus

A stand-up-and-cheer musical that makes the most of its moves and moments, “The Karate Kid The Musical” is a triumph for Stages St. Louis.

With its inspirational underdog storyline and a multi-generational, universal appeal that transcends a formula 1984 movie script, the musical version takes those familiar beats and capitalizes on the warm glow of nostalgia.

Perhaps against all odds, this slick production genuinely connects to an audience, wearing its heart of gold on its gi.

With its impeccable technical elements and a captivating East meets West aura, director Amon Miyamoto has polished this big-deal show to dazzle with crisp movements, stunning scenic and lighting designs, and a seamless flow – despite a long first act.

For those who haven’t seen “The Karate Kid” film from 1984, which garnered an Oscar nomination for Noriyuki “Pat” Morita as Mr. Miyagi and made such catch phrases as “Wax on, wax off” and “You trust the quality of what you know, not quantity” popular, viewing it isn’t a prerequisite.

The message of using your head and heart, not fists, to win in life, is evergreen.

This world premiere, with its winsome Miyagi-verse a major factor, runs through June 26 at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. 

Where it lands after that depends on what’s referred to as “a pre-Broadway tryout,” which means it is a work in progress. For now, it is in a first-reaction phase, and what we see here might not be the completed licensed material.

The simple premise is thus: Widowed mom and her teenage son move from New Jersey to Southern California, and while she has a good job, the Italian kid with the Jersey accent doesn’t fit in with the surfer crowd. 

Daniel LoRusso becomes a target of elitist punks who train at the same high-intensive karate school – the Cobra Kai dojo. Mr. Miyagi, the Okinawa-born maintenance man-gardener, happens to be a martial arts master and trains him to fight in an all-valley tournament a few months away.

While the movie has a distinctively ‘80s signature, not unlike “Footloose,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” “Fame” and “Risky Business” back in the day, it has become a pop culture classic, as much known for Mr. Miyagi’s words of wisdom as the iconic “crane’ move. (And that big moment prompts more cheers).

The movie is credited with launching renewed interest in martial arts from American youth, sparking a franchise with two more sequels (1986 and 1989, a 1994 reboot “The New Karate Kid” and the television series, “Cobra Kai,” now on Netflix and about to start its fifth season on Sept. 9.

The musical’s book is adapted by screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, who based the original film in part on his own experiences. 

In broad strokes, Kamen capitalizes on the key pieces – mother and son starting a new life, teenage boy not fitting into the California coastal milieu, the maintenance man who becomes a father figure, and the David vs. Goliath battle royale.

What is new is that the musical is framed as Mr. Miyagi’s memory, thus we return to the 1980s, and the journey of how he and Daniel developed a deep bond. 

Musical composer and lyricist Drew Gasparini obliges with numbers that fit into the framework, stripping the action down to basics: “California Dream,” “Square One,” “I Want to Know What You Know,” and the finale sentiment, “Stronger Than Before.”

The unorthodox training is captured in “Method to His Madness” and the epiphany breakthrough “Balance.”

A striking sense of rhythm is noteworthy throughout every ensemble number, with vibrant, precise choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid that uniquely stands out. A mix of modern hip-hop and traditional, cultural Far East dance, it is extraordinary in execution. 

It’s rare that a big, splashy musical number receives a standing ovation midway through the first act, but the bravado of “Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy” was a showstopper that prompted many in the opening night crowd to leap from their seats in enthusiastic applause.

Alan H. Green, who plays the brutal taskmaster John Kreese, had the crowd at his first snarl and it’s a fierce performance as the unsavory ‘win at all costs’ sensei.

By the time his ruthlessness is revealed, “The Whole World Will Be Watching,” to end act one, hints at danger ahead in Act 2, fueling anticipation for the big showdown.

Credit goes to the engaging ensemble – a mix of seasoned pros and energetic young performers, for their contributions to Stages meeting this moment.

Cardoza is the lynchpin here – charming and earnest, and all the relationships hinge on his likability as Daniel. He develops a palpable bond with Mr. Miyagi – Jovanni Sy in an unforgettable heart-tugging performance.

And that connection burrows into our hearts. 

Daniel and his mother, Lucille, played by the wondrous Kate Baldwin, a two-time Tony nominee, are at different crossroads, which they express clearly in songs. 

Baldwin showcases a sweet, well-trained soprano in “Doing Something Right” and a soulful “If I Could Take Away His Pain.”

No stranger to St. Louis, she won a St Louis Kevin Kline Award for her performance as Maria in The Muny’s 2005 staging of “The Sound of Music.”

The standard love triangle between Ali, her ex Johnny Lawrence and Daniel sets up the bigger issues with the bully (Jake Bentley Young fine in the thankless one-note role). 

As a girl with gumption, Jetta Juriansz puts some oomph into the stock love interest part, and her songs “Who I’m Supposed to Be” and “What Comes Next.”

As Daniel’s new pal Freddy, Luis-Pablo Garcia is a real charmer, and capably leads “Dreams Come True.”

Music Director Andrew Resnick’s strong arrangements are another noteworthy element, as is John Clancy’s orchestrations. 

It is evident that all the technical parts came together in such a high level, indelible way as to mesmerize. The black and red imagery is bold and impressive.

With its angles and moving doors, windows and walls, the stunning set design by Tony winner Derek McLane is one of the finest ever executed here – and another reason to wax rhapsodic. So is Tony winner Bradley King’s exceptional lighting design. 

With its snappy pace and mostly upbeat score, “The Karate Kid – the Musical” turns into a fun time meant to be shared with a pumped-up crowd, not unlike other classic feel-good sports stories “Rocky,” “Rudy” and “American Underdog.”

Obviously, this is a production with an unabashed gooey center, and say what you will, delivered as promised, bringing much comfort and joy to a wildly enthusiastic audience. 

After all, “Man who catch fly with chopstick, accomplish anything.”

Stages St Louis presents “The Karate Kid – The Musical” from May 25 to June 26 at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit www. StagesSTL.org. 

Portions of this review appeared in the June 17 issue of the Webster-Kirkwood Times.

Stages St. Louis Highlights Recent Tony Award Nominees Who Are Part of ‘The Karate Kid’ Musical

Stages St. Louis Highlights Recent Tony Award Nominees Who Are Part of ‘The Karate Kid’ Musical

STAGES St. Louis is thrilled to announce that five team members of the Pre-Broadway production of THE KARATE KID – The Musical have been nominated for 2022 Tony Awards. Lighting Designer Bradley King, Scenic Designer Derek McLane, and Projection
Designer Peter Nigrini each received nods, as did producer Kumiko Yoshii and STAGES St. Louis Executive Producer Jack Lane, when the full slate of this year’s nominees were announced May 9.

“I am thrilled for all of this year’s nominees, and most especially for my treasured collaborators on THE KARATE KID,” stated Kumiko Yoshii. “Today is a day of celebration for an industrthat has made a remarkable return to form.” King was nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for FLYING OVER SUNSET, McLane and Nigrini were both nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for MJ: THE MUSICAL.

Yoshii also serves as Co-Producer of MJ: THE MUSICAL, which earned 10 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, and Lane serves as a Co-Producer for COMPANY, which earned 9, including Best Revival of a Musical “These nominations are a testament to the caliber of talent that is surrounding THE KARATE KID – The Musical, and certainly add to the excitement of STAGES’ first Pre-Broadway World Premiere,” Jack Lane said. “What a great day for the city of St. Louis!”

THE KARATE KID – The Musical will “kick-off” the 36th Season at STAGES St. Louis at The Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, running May 25 – June 26. Following the Pre-Broadway World Premiere will be the STAGES Premiere of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s To Award-Winning IN THE HEIGHTS (July 22 – August 21) and the return of the Pulitzer and Tony
Award-Winning classic A CHORUS LINE (September 9 – October 9).

Tickets are on sale now online at StagesStLouis.org or by phone at 314.821.2407. For more information, please follow STAGES on Facebook and Instagram or visit StagesStLouis.org

Flying Over Sunset

STL Theater Circle to Present Special Awards to Michael Hamilton, Jack Lane and the Kranzbergs

STL Theater Circle to Present Special Awards to Michael Hamilton, Jack Lane and the Kranzbergs

Awards to Be Given at March 28, 2022 Virtual Event Streaming on HEC Media

ST. LOUIS, February 23, 2022 – Special lifetime achievement awards to Michael Hamilton and Jack Lane, co-founders of Stages St. Louis, will be given by the St. Louis Theater Circle at its March 28 virtual event, which will be streamed by HEC Media. Ken and Nancy Kranzberg, who received a special award from the Theater Circle at the 2020 virtual streaming ceremony, will make an acceptance speech for that award, as will Lane for this year’s special award, for the 2022 ceremony.

After a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards are returning in 2022 in a ‘virtual’ ceremony. That event will be streamed at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022 on HEC Media’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, and web site (www.hecmedia.org).

Nominees in more than 30 categories will vie for honors covering comedies, dramas, musicals and operas produced by local professional theater and opera companies in the combined calendar years of 2020 and 2021.

Hamilton, who served as artistic director for Stages since its founding in 1987, retired at the end of the company’s 2021 season. He directed both of Stages’ productions in 2021, “Always…Patsy Cline” and “Jersey Boys.” Hamilton has been nominated for both productions for Outstanding Director of a Musical.  Stages St. Louis has been nominated for a total of 16 awards, 11 for “Jersey Boys” and five for “Always…Patsy Cline.”

Lane, who serves as executive producer of Stages and co-founded the company with Hamilton in 1987, was instrumental in the development and eventual opening of the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, which held its first productions by local companies in 2021.

Because the pandemic brought about the cancellation of so many productions by virtually all local professional theater companies, approximately 75 productions have been considered for nominations for the combined years of 2020 and 2021. This compares to roughly 110 to 120 productions normally considered in one year alone.

The eighth annual award ceremony, which was to have been held ‘live’ at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University, was cancelled in February 2020 due to the escalating number of cases of COVID-19. Instead, that event was held virtually in a highly polished presentation produced by HEC Media and streamed on HEC’s Faceook page, YouTube channel and web site.  There was no ceremony of any type by the Theater Circle in 2021.

HEC’s 2020 production of the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards was one of the first major productions of any awards ceremony in the United States after the coronavirus pandemic shut down nearly all theatrical activities in mid-March 2020. The ceremony had one of the largest viewership figures for any virtual streaming event of HEC at that time.

For this ninth annual ceremony, members of the St. Louis Theater Circle considered nominees from shows produced in the first three months of 2020 and the last eight months of 2021 combined. In addition, a few shows produced between April 2020 and May 2021 were included. The total number of shows considered from the years 2020 and 2021 combined amounted to about 75 shows.

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.

Members of the St. Louis Theater Circle include Steve Allen (stagedoorstl.com); Mark Bretz (Ladue News); Bob Cohn (St. Louis Jewish Light); Tina Farmer (KDHX); Michelle Kenyon (snoopstheatrethoughts.com); Gerry Kowarsky (Two on the Aisle, HEC-TV); Chuck Lavazzi (KDHX); Rob Levy (Broadwayworld.com); Judith Newmark (judyacttwo.com); Ann Lemons Pollack (stlouiseats.typepad.com); Lynn Venhaus (PopLifeSTL.com); Bob Wilcox (Two on the Aisle, HEC-TV); and Calvin Wilson (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Eleanor Mullin, local performer and arts supporter, is group administrator.

For more information, contact stltheatercircle@sbcglobal.net or like the St. Louis Theater Circle on Facebook.

‘Jersey Boys’ A Rolling Bolt of Thunder at Stages St. Louis

‘Jersey Boys’ A Rolling Bolt of Thunder at Stages St. Louis

By Lynn Venhaus

Oh, what a night! Any time you can be joyfully swept up by the catchy hooks and upbeat sounds of the Four Seasons catalog is a good day.

Although the music is the big draw, the personal stories of bandmates Frankie Valli, Nick Massi, Bob Gaudio and Tommy DeVito combine for the irresistible musical “Jersey Boys.” The four lads from New Jersey’s rough-and-tumble journey through the music business is a fascinating rags-to-riches story, the quintessential American Dream tale.

In its Stages St. Louis premiere, the Tony Award winner comes alive in the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center’s intimate staging in the Ross Family Theater. The show runs through Oct. 24.

This can’t-miss combination overflows with energy and charm – and 30 songs, including their chart-topping hits “Sherry” in 1962, “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Who Loves You” and their last number one from 1976, “December 1963: Oh! What a Night!” The group sold 175 million records.

Directed with verve by Stages’ mainstay Michael Hamilton, with input from associate director Gayle Seay and assistant director Christopher Kale Jones, each number is vibrantly staged. Dana Lewis’ choreography is snappy and stylized.

The addition of live music at Stages, with the band perched atop of James Wolk’s grid set design, is a major plus. Music director Jeremy Jacobs kept up a peppy infectious beat with a tight band.

Wolk has efficiently used the space to set up different nooks conveying time and place, from recording studios to Las Vegas, with Sean M. Savoie’s savvy lighting choices expertly enhancing the designs, starting with streetlamps, and moving on to glitzy showbiz venues.

After it opened on Broadway in 2005, the musical became a juggernaut, winning four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Actor, Featured Actor and Lighting Design in 2006, and ran until 2017, with multiple resident companies in the U.S. and abroad, in addition to several national tours pleasing crowds for years.

“Jersey Boys” is currently the 12th longest-running Broadway show (4,642 performances in 11 years).

Stages has assembled a very capable quartet of smooth operators who mesh as a group –singing actors Christopher Kale Jones, Brent Michael DiRoma, Jason Michael Evans and Ryan Jesse are funny, appealing, good singers whose harmonizing brings a strong dynamic to the show.

Jones, as indefatigable lead singer Frankie Valli, pours his heart and soul into the role, with a comfortable falsetto and a passionate delivery. His rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” one of the show’s biggest moments, will give you goosebumps. He played Frankie on the first national tour.

Jason Michael Evans is an amusing Nick Massi, the quirky bass player, and he pulls off the deadpan delivery and crisp comic timing required of the role. Brent Michael DiRoma, who was so strong as Jerry in Stages’ “The Full Monty,” brings out the complexities of the swaggering troublemaker guitarist Tommy DeVito. He also had national tour experience, but in other roles.

The songwriting talents and keyboard prowess of young musical genius Bob Gaudio is charismatically portrayed by Ryan Jesse, who performed the role on Broadway and on tour.

Stages’ ensemble adroitly fills in the supporting roles: Edward Juvier is Bob Crewe and others, while Dereis Lambert, Jenna Coker-Jones, Nic Thompson, Brady Miller, Sarah Ellis, Donna Louden, Steve Isom, John Flack, Dena Digiacinto, Trevor James Berger, and Erik Keiser fluidly move the story along. The entire production has a close-knit feel.

They journey through backstage drama, in-fighting, inside show-business wheeling and dealing, and unsavory parts of personal and professional relationships.

Clever book writers Rick Elice and Oscar-winning screenwriter Marshall Brickman presented different points of view and broke the Fourth Wall, where characters talk directly to the audience. It’s a masterful touch.

The vintage outfits from several decades are crafted with flair by resident costume designer Brad Musgrove, who knows how to go way back into the time machine of early rock ‘n roll and sharply dress performers.

Because it resonates so well, “Jersey Boys” remains a blissful experience, a delightful jukebox musical with a smartly constructed book that features humor and heartache – not to mention it’s based on a remarkable true story. And those songs!

It was thrilling to be back together in a theater where you could feel the electric jolt on stage – and in the audience. I’ve seen this show, I think, seven times, and it is always a home run. Performers may be better than others, but such pizzazz. It never gets old.

Show features adult content, so viewer discretion.

“Jersey Boys” runs from Sept. 24 to Oct. 24. For information and tickets, visit www.stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

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Emerson Teams with Stages St Louis to Offer Discount Student Tickets

Emerson Teams with Stages St Louis to Offer Discount Student Tickets

STAGES St. Louis is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Emerson, STAGES 2021 Season Education Sponsor, titled Emerson Educates. The new program, exclusively for students, will offer special priced tickets to all 2021 Season STAGES’ productions in an effort to promote arts education and access throughout the region.

“With Emerson’s generous support, we will offer the most affordable student rush ticket price in STAGES history at just $10 per ticket” Mosbacher Family Executive Producer Jack Lane said. “Thanks to Emerson, this offer has the potential to benefit and provide arts access to more than 700 students each year.”

The special $10 tickets will be available throughout the 2021 Season to all students with valid student ID. Up to two tickets can be sold per transaction with ten tickets available at every performance. In addition to special priced tickets, Emerson Educates will offer a one-of-a-kind educational experience in conjunction with the upcoming STAGES Premiere of JERSEY BOYS. Underserved schools will be offered specially designed programming and lessons plans tied directly to the themes featured in the production as well as complimentary tickets and talk backs with members of the JERSEY BOYS creative team and cast.

“Arts education and access are vitally important to students of all ages,” said Crissy Nordin, Director of Education & Outreach at STAGES. “Emerson Educates will not only help in providing teachers with the proper tools to bring this to the classroom, but it will also directly connect that to the stage with unique in person opportunities for learning.”

Emerson Educates tickets are available throughout the 2021 Season for productions of ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE (August 6-September 5) and JERSEY BOYS (September 24-October 24). Tickets can be purchased on the day of performance by calling the STAGES Box Office at 314.821.2407 or visiting their locations in both Chesterfield and Kirkwood.

For more information, please follow STAGES on Facebook and Instagram or visit the organization’s website. STAGES St. Louis is the region’s foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education.

In 2021, STAGES celebrates its 35th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, as well as the grand opening of their new home, the $25 Million Ross Family Theatre at The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.


Stages St. Louis Announces ‘In the Heights’ To Be Part of 2022 Season

Stages St. Louis Announces ‘In the Heights’ To Be Part of 2022 Season

In celebration of the reopening of live theatre in St. Louis and their 35th Anniversary Season,
STAGES St. Louis has announced their 2022 Season will feature the regional premiere of the Tony-Award
Winning IN THE HEIGHTS, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and book by Quiara Alegría Hudes.

IN THE HEIGHTS is a vital and thrilling musical about the American Dream set in the vibrant NYC
neighborhood of Washington Heights. Exploring the hopes and dreams of family, community, and more,
the production is a perfect fit for the STAGES mission and audience.

Before there was HAMILTON, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s IN THE HEIGHTS took Broadway by storm, winning the
Tony Award for Best Musical, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. An acclaimed film
adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Anthony Ramos, was released this past weekend.

“We are beyond excited about presenting IN THE HEIGHTS at STAGES in 2022. I can’t think of a better
show to be a part of our first full season at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. Everything about this
beautiful and melodic musical speaks to the stories that STAGES so loves to tell,” said Mosbacher Family
Executive Producer Jack Lane.

On its Broadway opening in 2008, The New York Times raved, “When this musical erupts in one of its
expressions of collective joy, the energy it gives off could light up the George Washington Bridge for a year
or two.” That energy will no doubt be alive and thriving on The Ross Family Theatre stage at the Kirkwood
Performing Arts Center in 2022.

STAGES St. Louis will announce the remainder of their 2022 Season later this summer. In the meantime,
tickets for STAGES 35th Anniversary Season, featuring the fan-favorite production of ALWAYS… PATSY
CLINE (August 6 – September 5) and the STAGES premiere of JERSEY BOYS (September 24 – October 24)
are on sale now. You can purchase two-show subscriptions or single tickets by visiting their website at
StagesStLouis.org or by calling the Box Office at 314.821.2407.

For more information, please follow STAGES on Facebook and Instagram or visit the organization’s website.
STAGES St. Louis is the region’s foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing
the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education. In 2021, STAGES
celebrates its 35th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, as well as the grand opening of our new
home, the $25 Million Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.

STAGES Performing Arts Academy is regionally renowned for its innovative and multi-disciplinary programs
that transform lives through immersion in the Musical Theatre arts. Celebrating its 16th year, it is also the
only such program in the St. Louis region to be connected to a professional theatre company.


For more information on the Academy or to register today please call 636.449.5775 or visit us online at
www.StagesStLouis.org.Two-show subscription and single tickets for the 2021 Season are on sale now. For more information,
please call 314.821.2407 or visit www.StagesStLouis.or

Michael Hamilton to Retire As Stages St. Louis’ Artistic Director

Michael Hamilton to Retire As Stages St. Louis’ Artistic Director

STAGES St. Louis Artistic Director and co-founder, Michael Hamilton, has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2021 Season.

“From our opening season in 1987 to our launch into the stunning new Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, every moment at STAGES has been an extraordinary one for me. As I explore and embrace the next chapter in my life, my heart will always remain at STAGES,” said Artistic Director Michael Hamilton. “It is truly a life legacy that I am incredibly proud of. But I am particularly proud and grateful of all the
extraordinary people that I met and worked with in my 35 years at STAGES. That is something I will be able
to keep in my heart for the rest of my life.”

A co-founder of STAGES St. Louis, Michael has directed over 100 productions in his 35-year STAGES history and has been the creative force behind the company’s most iconic productions that patrons have come to know and love. For his work at STAGES, Michael has been honored with multiple awards including the Art & Education Council’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award (with Jack Lane) and both Kevin Kline and St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards for Outstanding Director of a Musical. Michael’s list of award-winning productions
include FOOTLOOSE (2005); THE FULLY MONTY (2007); PROMISES, PROMISES (2010); ANYTHING GOES
(2015); and MAN OF LA MANCHA (2019).

Additionally, Michael’s acclaimed production of ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE (2013) was not only transferred to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, but also played a record-breaking eight-month run at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza.

“When Michael and Jack asked me in my role as Kirkwood’s Director of Parks and Recreation to rent the Robert G. Reim Theatre for the first STAGES Season in 1987, I don’t think any of us imagined what would come of that meeting,” said STAGES Board President Dave White. “But Michael had a vision and knew what he could do with that stage at the Reim. Seeing the growth of the organization from that point is one of the proudest parts of my career. Under Michael’s direction, STAGES has absolutely raised the bar for
what theatre looks like in St. Louis.”

“As the saying goes, there will be very big shoes to fill with the departure of Michael Hamilton,” said Mosbacher Family Executive Producer Jack Lane. “But, I have no doubt that there is a future artistic leader of STAGES out there waiting for us. As we enter our new phase in the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, STAGES is setting sail onto a national platform that no doubt will unfold in dynamic new ways and be embraced by both our loyal patrons and newcomers alike.”

Jack added, “We are also pleased to announce that we are establishing The Michael Hamilton Artistic Fund, where contributions will support the advancement of artistic needs at STAGES.”

The entire STAGES family wishes Michael the best in his well-deserved retirement and thanks him for his steadfast leadership and dedication to the mission of STAGES for 35 years. A national search has begun for the new Artistic Director role.

The organization looks forward to the curtain rising again with the return of Michael’s critically-acclaimed and audience-loved production of ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE (August 6-September 5) this upcoming season, followed by the STAGES premiere of JERSEY BOYS (September 24-October 24).

For more information, please follow STAGES on Facebook and Instagram or visit the organization’s website. STAGES St. Louis is the region’s foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education.

Michael Hamilton

In 2021, STAGES celebrates its 35th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, as well as the grand opening of our new
home, the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. STAGES Performing Arts Academy is regionally renowned for its innovative and multi-disciplinary programs that transform lives through immersion in the Musical Theatre arts. Celebrating its 16th year, it is also the
only such program in the St. Louis region to be connected to a professional theatre company. Whatever the age or experience level, whether a new or continuing student, aspiring performing artists throughout the St. Louis region have the opportunity to explore and cultivate their talent at STAGES, and set the stage for life changing experiences.

For more information or to register today please call 636.449.5775 or visit us online at www.StagesStLouis.org.
Two-show subscription purchases for the 2021 Season will go on sale on May 17. Single ticket sales begin June 1. For more information, please call 314.821.2407 or visit www.StagesStLouis.org.

Stages St Louis Adjusts 2021 Mainstage Season

Stages St Louis Adjusts 2021 Mainstage Season

In response to continuing COVID-19 restrictions and after extensive discussions with staff leadership and the Board of Trustees, STAGES St. Louis will officially amend the 2021 Mainstage Season.

The mainstage production of A CHORUS LINE as well as the Family Theatre Series production of A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD are cancelled. STAGES will still celebrate its 35th Anniversary Season and move into the new Kirkwood Performing Arts Center with revised schedules for ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE and JERSEY BOYS,

Subscribers will receive a mailing the week of March 29 containing additional information and confirming these changes. The letter will also lay out all possible ticketing options for A CHORUS LINE.

“When planning for our return to live performances last fall, no one imagined that we would be in this challenging position once again,” said Associate Producer Andrew Kuhlman. “But, like so many others, here we are. And while these decisions have been incredibly difficult, we believe that they have been made with the best interest of our community in mind and we remain steadfastly hopeful.”

ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE and JERSEY BOYS will be performed in the brand new Ross Family Theatre at The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Downtown Kirkwood. The adjusted season schedule will be as follows:

  • ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE (August 6 – September 5, 2021)
  • JERSEY BOYS (September 24 – October 24, 2021)

“Our top priority since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the health and safety of our patrons, performers, staff, students, and community,” said Executive Producer Jack Lane. “Despite the challenges of the past year, I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate a return to live theatre than with our 35th Anniversary Season premiering at our new home in The Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.”

Two-show subscriptions will go on sale beginning May 17, as will subscriber exchanges and subscriber single ticket sales. General public single ticket sales will begin June 1. Any further changes to the 2021 Season will be posted on the STAGES website and shared via email and social media.

For more information, please follow STAGES on Facebook and Instagram or visit the organization’s website.

STAGES St. Louis is the region’s foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education. In 2021, STAGES celebrates its 35th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, as well as the grand opening of the new Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.

STAGES Performing Arts Academy is regionally renowned for its innovative and multi-
disciplinary programs that transform lives through immersion in the Musical Theatre arts. Celebrating its 16th year, it is also the only such program in the St. Louis region to be connected to a professional theatre company. Whatever the age or experience level, whether a new or continuing student, aspiring performing artists throughout the St. Louis region have the opportunity to explore and cultivate their talent at STAGES, and set the stage for life changing experiences. For more information or to register today please call 636.449.5775 or visit us online at www.StagesStLouis.org.

Two-show subscription purchases for the 2021 Season will go on sale on May 17. Single ticket sales begin June 1. For more information, please call 314.821.2407 or visit www.StagesStLouis.org.

SHAKE20: 20 Nights of Virtual Shakespeare

SHAKE20: 20 Nights of Virtual Shakespeare

Beginning May 29 at 8 p.m., the St Louis Shakespeare Festival kicks off the virtual companion to the beloved SHAKE38 program created in 2012. For five years, SHAKE38 brought professional and amateur artists together to reshape Shakespeare’s stories using their own voice and perspective.

Recent national events are stark reminders there is still an exceptional need for stories about the full range of human experience–often joyous and kind but sometimes painful and unjust. The Festival is honored to bring this program back in a new form and hand the reigns of our online platforms off to the talented and diverse group of performers for each of these 20 nights. 

With the recent announcement that we are postponing this summer’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, we will be approaching the first June in twenty years without Shakespeare in Forest Park. Instead of going dark – we are resurrecting Shake38 as SHAKE20. 

20 nights of virtual Shakespeare plays for each night we would have been in Shakespeare Glen. You are invited to join!

Performances will take place every night but Monday, May 29 – June 20, 2020.

Go the Festival’s Facebook page (every night but Monday) at 8 p.m. and watch live. If you miss a night, each performance will be archived here and available for viewing at any time. 

Parameter: Create a 20-30 minute adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s 38 plays crafted for a live streaming experience.