The Muny has announced that Sara Sheperd, Jackie Burns, Jarrod Spector, Steven Good, Noah Weisberg and Sharon Hunter will star in the kickoff to The Muny’s 2023 season, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, June 12-18, 2023. The inspiring true story is led by director Marcia Milgrom Dodge, choreographer Patricia Wilcox, associate choreographer Kelly Liz Bolick, with music direction by Charlie Alterman. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is proudly sponsored by Emerson.
“Carole King’s music and story have been an inspiration to millions,” said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson, “this is a thrilling group of artists to bring her journey to powerful life on our stage. Sweet inspiration indeed.”
SARA SHEPERD (Carole King) Muny: Legally Blonde (Vivienne Kensington), Les Misérables, The Pajama Game, Hello, Dolly!; Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The Wizard of Oz. Broadway: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (OBC), Paradise Square, Cry-Baby. National tour: Beautiful (Carole King), Legally Blonde (Kate/Chutney). Regional: Oliver! (Nancy, Human Race Theatre Company), Funny Girl (Fanny Brice, Drury Lane), Little Women (Jo March, Engeman Theater). Sara is so excited to be back at The Muny, where her professional career began, getting to play this iconic role.
JACKIE BURNS (Cynthia Weil) is Broadway’s longest running Elphaba in Wicked. She replaced Idina Menzel on the national tour of If/Then and was also a part of the original Broadway company. Other credits include the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair (OBC) and Rock of Ages (original off-Broadway company).
Selected regional theatre credits include Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Paper Mill Playhouse, Alley Theatre, Broadway Sacramento, Casa Mañana and George Street Playhouse. Film/TV: Set It Up, The Magnificent Meyersons, Power Book II: Ghost; The Great Wall of Warren. Jackie has sung all over the world with Grammy and Tony Award-winning composer Frank Wildhorn. She most recently completed a successful run as the title character in the new musical Cowboy Bob and the leading role in the new musical A Walk on the Moon.
JARROD SPECTOR (Barry Mann) Broadway: Les Misérables (Gavroche), Jersey Boys (Frankie Valli), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Barry Mann, Tony nomination), The Cher Show (Sonny Bono). New York: Hamlet (Hamlet). National tours: Les Misérables, Jersey Boys. Regional: Piece of My Heart (Bert Berns, New York Stage and Film), Presto Change-O (Michael, Barrington Stage), Roman Holiday (Irving Radovich, Golden Gate Theatre), The Cher Show (Sonny Bono, Nederlander Theatre), Bruce (Steven Spielberg, Seattle Rep). TV/Streaming: Halston, Wormwood, A Killer Party, The Kate (in concert, playing himself, Regional Emmy nomination). Jarrod tours the country with his critically acclaimed solo concerts and duet performances with his wife, Kelli Barrett, and has released two solo albums.
STEVEN GOOD (Gerry Goffin) Broadway: Waitress (Dr. Pomatter), Escape to Margaritaville (Mr. Utley, u/s Tully). National tour: Waitress (Dr. Pomatter). Regional: Lend Me a Soprano (Leo, Alley Theatre, world premiere), Austen’s Pride (Mr. Darcy, 5th Avenue Theatre), Grey Gardens (Ahmanson), Prometheus Bound and Once (American Repertory Theater), Woyzeck (Santa Barbara Ensemble Theatre). Film/TV: Younger (Rob Davis), The Blacklist (NBC), A Neighbor’s Vendetta (Tubi), Nightmare Nurse (Lifetime), Notorious (ABC), Hart of Dixie (WB). Education: MFA (Acting) Harvard, Moscow Art Theatre, A.R.T.; BFA (Music Composition/Classical Voice) UC Santa Cruz.
NOAH WEISBERG (Don Kirshner) Muny: Bye Bye Birdie, Grease, Damn Yankees, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Meet Me In St. Louis. Broadway: Legally Blonde, South Pacific, Enron, Elf. National tour: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka). New York: Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare in the Park). Regional: Calvin Berger (Calvin, George Street Playhouse, Original Cast Recording), Diner (Delaware Theatre), Enter Laughing (Wallis Annenberg Center). TV: NBC’S Emmy-winning Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (Danny Michael Davis), Showtime’s Super Pumped (Quentin), Modern Family (Brett), Major Crimes, Law & Order, K.C. Undercover, Wisdom of the Crowd, The Good Wife, iCarly, Franklin & Bash, Team Umizoomi, Bad Teacher, Bones, TheNew Normal, JoJo’s Circus, Cashmere Mafia, Law & Order: CI;Kenny the Shark, Love Monkey, Indoor Boys, Snowy Day, Charlie’s Big Flight, Doonce. Film: Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas. Weisberg wrote and directed the award-winning films Thank You Kindly and What’s Life Got to Do with It? Education: NYU.
SHARON HUNTER (Genie Klein) is thrilled to be making her Muny debut! Off-Broadway:The House of Bernarda Alba (Gene Frankel Theatre), Bad Seed (Nicu’s Spoon Theater), The House of Blue Leaves (Gallery Players), The Picture of Dorian Gray (Robert Moss Theatre). Regional: Imaginary Theatre Company, Jake’s Women (Karen, Moonstone Theatre Company), Working (Waitress, Hot House Theatre), Falsettos (Trina) and Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah! (Sarah, New Jewish Theatre). Sharon has maintained an active cabaret career in both New York (Metropolitan Room, Don’t Tell Mama) and St. Louis (The Monocle). Sharon is the Producing Artistic Director and Founder of Moonstone Theatre Company in St. Louis, where she directed critically acclaimed productions of Proof, Barefoot in the Park and Grand Horizons. She just directed Gloria: A Life at New Jewish, and last season’s highly successful Dear Jack, Dear Louise. Later this summer she will star in Moonstone’s production of TheSound Inside.
About the show:
An inspiring true story of a music legend, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you on an unforgettable journey of a remarkable career. A tapestry of creativity and innovation, Carole King paved the way for female artists for generations to come. The musical’s Grammy Award-winning album features over two dozen pop classics including “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “I Feel the Earth Move.”
The Telsey Office is the official casting partner for The Muny. Full casting will be announced at a later date.
The Muny’s 2023 Season includes Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (June 12-18), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (June 22-30), Chess (July 5-11), West Side Story (July 15-21), Little Shop of Horrors (July 25-31), Rent (August 4-10) and Sister Act (August 14-20).
Season tickets are currently on sale. Single tickets will be available beginning May 22. Muny gift cards for the 105th season are now available online and at The Muny Box Office. For more information, visit muny.org or call (314) 361-1900.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
The Muny has announced that Bryonha Marie, Mamie Parris, James T. Lane, Alan H. Green, Thom Sesma, Meredith Aleigha Wells, Madeleine Doherty, Katy Geraghty, Brandon Espinoza, F. Michael Haynie and Darron Hayes will star in the divine musical comedy Sister Act, August 14 – 20, 2023. The grand finale to The Muny’s 2023 Season will be directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, with associate choreographer Barry Busby and music direction by Sheilah V. Walker. Walker will also conduct.
“To head directly to the obvious, this cast is heaven,” said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer. “We are so inspired that so many great talents will be creating our “Sister Act.” Our prayers have indeed been answered.”
BRYONHA MARIE (Deloris Van Cartier) Muny: The Sound of Music (Mother Abbess) and A Little Sondheim Music (Powell Hall). Broadway: Prince of Broadway, The Book of Mormon, After Midnight, The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, Ragtime. Off-Broadway/NY: Promenade (NY City Center Encores!), Candide (Carnegie Hall), NY Philharmonic’s Show Boat and Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), Ragtime (Lincoln Center). Tour: Falsettos. World premiere: Dave (Arena Stage, 2019 Helen Hayes nominee), Prince of Broadway (Tokyo Orb). A 2022 Jeff nominee for her performance in Life After, Bryonha has appeared regionally, most recently as Mrs. Lovett in the Signature Theatre production of Sweeney Todd, directed by Sarna Lapine, The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (ART), Ragtime (Kennedy Center), TheCivil War (NETworks), Hair (Broadway Sacramento), Dreamgirls (Effie White, North Shore), Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Group) and many more. TV: The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!; Madam Secretary, Show Boat and Sweeney Todd (Live from Lincoln Center).
MAMIE PARRIS (Mother Superior) Muny: Paint Your Wagon (Cayla Woodling), Hello, Dolly! (Irene Molloy) and Joseph… Dreamcoat (Narrator). On Broadway, Mamie is perhaps best known for her iconic rendition of Memory from the recent revival of Cats. Other Broadway: School of Rock, Ragtime, The Drowsy Chaperone, On The 20th Century and 110 in the Shade. Off-Broadway: Anything Can Happen in The Theater (plus cast album), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Prudie). Tours: Wicked (Elphaba), 9 to 5 (Judy), Legally Blonde. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Arena Stage, The Old Globe, Goodspeed, Pittsburgh CLO and more. Film/TV: A Standup Guy, State of Affairs, The Blacklist and The PBS Great Performances 50th Anniversary special. Audiobook narrator and lauded symphony soloist.
JAMES T. LANE (Eddie Souther) is from Philadelphia. Muny: Chicago (Billy Flynn), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Sebastian). West End: The Scottsboro Boys, A Chorus Line. Broadway: Chicago (Billy Flynn), Kiss Me, Kate (Paul), King Kong, The Scottsboro Boys (Ozie Powell/Ruby Bates), A Chorus Line (Richie Walters). National tours: Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations (Paul Williams), Jersey Boys. Regional: Guys and Dolls (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Mary Poppins (Bert), The Wiz (Tin Man) and more. Lane also created and performed in Triple Threat,a “play that moves and sings.”
ALAN H. GREEN (Curtis Jackson) Broadway: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, School of Rock, Sister Act and Play On! Original Cast Albums include his Broadway shows as well as Broadway Bounty Hunter, Freaky Friday and Carols for a Cure. First national tours: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Swing!; Smokey Joe’s Cafe. International: Miss Saigon (sung in German). Recent Regional: The Griswold’s Broadway Vacation (5th Avenue Theatre), The Karate Kid (Stages St. Louis), A.D. 16 (Olney Theatre). TV: Almost Family, Unforgettable, Murphy Brown, 30 Rock, Peter Pan Live!; Law & Order: SVU; Guiding Light and lots of national commercials. Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical (Berkie), Best Performer in a Streamed Musical (BroadwayWorld). BA in Vocal Performance from Rice University. Board Member and Associate Artist at Barrington Stage Company.
THOM SESMA (Monsignor O’Hara) made his Muny debut in 2013 as Jafar in Disney’s Aladdin. He has numerous credits at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, where he appeared in Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Dinner with Friends and where he directed Life (x) 3. Elsewhere, he was most recently seen in Oliver! (New York City Center Encores!), followed by the world premiere production of Madeline Myers’ Double Helix (Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor, NY). Other recent New York credits include A Man of No Importance (Classic Stage Company), Letters of Suresh (Second Stage, Lortel Award nomination), Unknown Soldier (Playwrights Horizons) and Ghosts (Williamstown/Seattle Rep). Broadway/National tour credits include: The Times They Are A-Changin’; Disney’s The Lion King, Titanic, Miss Saigon, Man of La Mancha, Search and Destroy, Nick & Nora. Select TV credits: Instinct, The Good Wife, Madam Secretary, Gotham, Jessica Jones.
MEREDITH ALEIGHA WELLS (Sister Mary Robert) made their national tour debut in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,marking the first performance in a Broadway national tour by a wheelchair user. They have also toured their original one-person musical Dysfunctioning Just Fine (Purple Skies Playwright Award) across the northeast. Off-Broadway: Various readings with New York Theatre Workshop. Regional: Teenage Dick (Buck, Seattle Rep), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Atina, Music Theater Works), Blue Roses (Laura Wingfield, Rec Room Arts), Shrek (Ugly Duckling, Beck Center) and Cleveland Public Theatre.Other appearances include Dance St. Louis, CounterBalance, OhioDance Festival, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Playhouse Square, Ailey Citigroup Theater, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Luminous Festival in Beijing, China. In 2020, Meredith started their newsletter, Message in a Bottle, where they continue to spread chronic illness awareness and help others through sharing their experience as a queer disabled performer.
MADELEINE DOHERTY (Sister Mary Lazarus) Broadway: Les Misérables (Ensemble, u/s Madame Thenardier, dance captain), AChristmas Carol (Char Woman, original cast), The Producers (Hold Me Touch Me, original cast), Sister Act (Sister Mary Teresa, original cast), Gigi (u/s Mamita/Alicia, original cast/revival), Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Grandma Georgina, original cast). Off-Broadway: Romance, Romance (original cast), A Time for Singing (York Theatre). Six national tours, over 50 regional theatres, one son, one grandson, four step-kids, five step-grandkids, one dog and three unions.
KATY GERAGHTY (Sister Mary Patrick) was most recently seen as Little Red in Into the Woods on Broadway as well as the national tour. Other Broadway credits include the original cast of Groundhog Day, as well as the pre-Broadway run of & Juliet in Toronto. Select Regional: Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), Bliss (Princess Carmella, world premiere, 5th Avenue), Shrek (Gingy). TV: Modern Love and Sing It On.
BRANDON ESPINOZA (Pablo) Muny: Grease (Danny Zuko, Director/Choreographer: Denis Jones). Broadway: SpongeBob SquarePants, Tuck Everlasting, Gypsy, Big, Les Misérables, The Will Rogers Follies. Off-Broadway: The Visitor (Public Theater), Substitution (Playwrights Realm), Scarcity (Atlantic Theater Company), Tea andSympathy (Keen Company), CaptainsCourageous (Manhattan Theater Club; Drama League honoree/nominee). Regional: The Rembrandt (TheaterWorks Hartford), Anna in the Tropics (Director/Playwright: Nilo Cruz, Miami New Drama, 20th anniversary production), On Your Feet! (Paper Mill Playhouse), The Way of the World (Director/Playwright: Theresa Rebeck; Folger Theatre), A View from the Bridge (Director: Ivo van Hove; Goodman Theatre). Current TV: Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Detective Garcia, Starz). Other TV: The Blacklist (NBC), Law & Order: Organized Crime (NBC), The Equalizer (CBS), FBI (CBS), The Leftovers (HBO), The Following (Fox), The Mysteries of Laura (NBC), The Carrie Diaries (CW).
F. MICHAEL HAYNIE (Joey) most recently starred as Olaf in the North American Tour of Frozen. Broadway: Wicked, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Holler If Ya Hear Me. Off-Broadway: Carrie (MCC), Dogfight (Second Stage) and others. Regional: Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ogunquit), Found (PTC) and more. TV/Film: Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC), Peter Pan LIVE! (NBC), Not Fade Away (Paramount).
DARRON HAYES (TJ) Muny: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He recently returned home to the states after playing Pharus in the Australian Premiere of Choir Boy. Australian Theatre: The National Theatre of Parramatta. Off-Broadway/New York: The Gospel According to Heather, Notes from Now, Love Around the Block. Regional: Asolo Repertory Theatre, Music Theatre Wichita, Two River Theater, New London Barn Playhouse, and JAG Productions where he premiered in the first ever all-Black Production of Next to Normal. University of North Carolina School of the Arts 2017. Penn State Musical Theatre 2021.
About the show:
Based on the smash hit film, Sister Act is a heavenly musical comedy that proves nothing can stand in the way of sisterhood! Disco diva Deloris dreams of fame and fortune, but is she prepared for the way she receives it? Songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, including “Take Me to Heaven,” “Fabulous, Baby!” and “Raise Your Voice,” this score is sure to raise your spirits. The grand finale to the Muny season promises to be divine!
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Glenn Slater, Book by Cheri Steinkellner & Bill Steinkellner, Additional Book Material by Douglas Carter Beane. Based on the Touchstone Pictures Motion Picture, Sister Act, written by Joseph Howard.
The Telsey Office is the official casting partner for The Muny. Full casting and design team will be announced at a later date.
The Muny’s 2023 Season includes Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (June 12-18), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (June 22-30), Chess (July 5-11), West Side Story (July 15-21), Little Shop of Horrors (July 25-31), Rent (August 4-10) and Sister Act (August 14-20).
Season tickets are currently on sale. Single tickets will be available beginning May 22. Muny gift cards for the 105th season are now available online and at The Muny Box Office. For more information, visit muny.org or call (314) 361-1900.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
The Muny announced April 27 that Ashley Blanchet, Ben Crawford, Claybourne Elder, Ann Harada, Kelvin Moon Loh, Eric Jordan Young, Holly Ann Butler, Tommy Bracco, Harrison White, Debby Lennon and Michael Hobin will star in the magical production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, June 22 – 30, 2023.
A Muny family favorite, guests will be dazzled with spectacular sets and costumes from the creative team, led by director John Tartaglia, with choreography by Patrick O’Neill and music direction by Ben Whiteley. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is proudly sponsored by Ameren.
“What a thrilling, joyous cast, one sure to create true enchantment,” said Muny Artistic Director and Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. “We all can’t wait to delight thousands of Muny lovers each night with the beloved Disney classic. Be Our Guest, indeed!”
ASHLEY BLANCHET (Belle) Broadway: Waitress (Dawn), Frozen (u/s Elsa), Beautiful (Little Eva), Annie (Star To Be), Memphis. Recent select regional productions include The Sound of Music (Maria, Paper Mill Playhouse) and Oklahoma! (Ado Annie, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera).
This spring, she was Miss New Hampshire in the world premiere of the new musical The Bedwetter, written by Josh Harmon, Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman. Film/TV: The Equalizer, The Good Fight, Better Nate Than Ever (Disney+) and the voice of Raquelle in the award-winning animated short film Are You Okay? Proud alumna of University of Michigan and The Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA.
BEN CRAWFORD (Beast) Muny: Footloose (Chuck), Titanic (Frederick Barrett), Oliver! (Bill Sikes). Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera (Phantom, 35th Anniversary), Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Mr. Salt), On the Twelfth Century, Big Fish (Don Price, u/s Edward), Shrek (Shrek) and Les Misérables (u/s Jean Valjean, Javert). Off-Broadway: Irma la Douce (Persil-Le-Noir/Mec) and Merrily We Roll Along (Terry) for Encores!; Jasper in Deadland (Prospect Theatre).
National tour: Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson). Regional: Evita (Che, Studio Tennessee), 110 in the Shade (Starbuck, Ford’s Theatre), Big Fish (Don Price, u/s Edward, Oriental Theatre), South Pacific (Luther Billis, Ogunquit Playhouse), Next to Normal (Madden, Pioneer Theatre), Assassins (John Wilkes Booth, Arizona Theatre Company), Shrek the Musical (Shrek Standby, Seattle 5th Avenue Theatre), Oklahoma! (Jud Fry, Atlanta Theater of the Stars) and A New Brain (Gordan Schwinn, Arizona Onstage Productions). Concerts: Carousel (Billy Bigelow) with Rochester Philharmonic, and Hello, Dolly! (Cornelius) and Yuletide for Indianapolis Symphony.
CLAYBOURNE ELDER (Gaston) was most recently seen on Broadway as Andy in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company with Patti LuPone. He is a Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominee, known for his Broadway performances in Bonnie and Clyde, Sunday in the Park with George and Torch Song. He also appeared in Sondheim on Sondheim at the Hollywood Bowl, Road Show at the Public Theater, Do I Hear A Waltz? at NY City Center Encores!; Allegro at Classic Stage and Venice at the Public Theater. Other roles include George in Sunday in the Park with George, Giorgio in Passion, Tony in West Side Story, Joe in Angels in America, Curly in Oklahoma!; and Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods. TV/Film credits include John Adams on The Gilded Age, The Carrie Diaries, FBI, Bad Cupid and the video game Grand Theft Auto V.
ANN HARADA (Mrs. Potts) has appeared at The Muny in High School Musical, 42nd Street, Mamma Mia!; Gypsy and Matilda. She is best known for playing Christmas Eve in Avenue Q on Broadway and London’s West End. Other Broadway: Into the Woods, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Les Misérables, 9 to 5, Seussical, M. Butterfly. Recent off-Broadway: Dear World, Fairycakes, Emojiland, I Married an Angel, Pacific Overtures, Brooklynite. TV: Schmigadoon!; Smash, Blue Bloods, TheJim Large.
KELVIN MOON LOH (Lumiere) Muny Debut! Broadway: Beetlejuice The Musical (Otho), SpongeBob SquarePants, The King and I (Lincoln Center 2014), Side Show (2013 Revival). Select Theatre: Here Lies Love (Public Theater), Pacific Overtures (Classic Stage Co.), American Idiot (first national tour). Regional: Utah Shakespeare Festival, Pioneer Theatre Company, Houston TUTS, Arvada Center for the Performing Arts, La Jolla Playhouse, The Kennedy Center, Gateway Playhouse, North Shore Music Theatre, Kansas City Starlight, National Asian Artists Project. TV: Only Murders in the Building. Kelvin can be heard as a vocalist in the movies Spirited; Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile; and The Greatest Showman. He appears as Perch Perkins in the movie version of SpongeBob SquarePants The Musical. NYU Steinhardt.
ERIC JORDAN YOUNG (Cogsworth) Muny: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2022). Broadway: Ragtime (1998), Ragtime (2009), The Look of Love, Chicago and Seussical. Select off-Broadway and regional credits include Neighbors, Dessa Rose, Little Fish, Side Show (Helen Hayes Award), Ragtime, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sammy & Me. National tours: Chicago, Ragtime, Dreamgirls. Las Vegas: Cocktail Cabaret, Rock of Ages, Vegas! The Show; Shakin’;Chicago, Starlight Express.
HOLLY ANN BUTLER (Babette) Muny: Holiday Inn (Lila Dixon), Annie (Lily St. Regis), A Chorus Line (Sheila). Broadway/off-Broadway: Diana (Sarah Spencer), Come From Away, On the Town, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Grease, Happiness, Anyone Can Whistle. Tours: Evita, Shrek, Jersey Boys. Regional: The Royal Family of Broadway (Barrington, world premiere), The Honeymooners (Paper Mill Playhouse), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Drury Lane, Jeff Award nomination). Film/TV: Diana the Musical, A Holiday Spectacular, Spirited, SeaQuest 2032, Figure It Out.
TOMMY BRACCO (Lefou) Broadway: Disney’s Newsies (Spot Conlon, OBC), Pretty Woman: The Musical (Giulio, OBC) and A Chorus Line (Mike Costa, NY City Center Encores!). In addition to theatre, Tommy has a love for reality TV and competed on CBS’ Big Brother and MTV’s The Challenge.
HARRISON WHITE (Maurice) makes his Muny debut in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Broadway: The Lion King and Sarafina! West End: Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Off-Broadway: A Good Swift Kick and Romance in Hard Times at the Public Theater. Other credits include Dreamgirls, Seussical, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Full Monty, Gulls, Miss Saigon, It’s A Wonderful Life;Purlie, Ain’t Misbehavin’;Five Guys Named Moe, Once on This Island, as well as world premieres of Ray Charles Live and Sister Act. TV: The Villains of Valley View, The Underground Railroad, Kenan, Danger Force, The Kominsky Method, Fresh Off the Boat, How To Get Away With Murder, This Is Us, 9-1-1, Modern Family and many more. Film: Mermaid, I Got the Hookup 1 and 2, The Way You Look Tonight, Waiting in the Wings 1 and 2, Opening Night, The Muppets, Se7en. Proud member of AEA since 1988.
DEBBY LENNON (Madame de la Grande Bouche) is thrilled to be a part of The Muny’s 105th Season. Muny credits: Chicago (Standby Matron Mama Morton/Mary Sunshine), Mary Poppins (Miss Andrew), Sweeney Todd, The Sound of Music, Singin’ in the Rain (Dora Bailey), Oliver!; Cinderella on Ice, South Pacific, Annie, Fiddler on The Roof and Show Boat. St. Louis Theater Circle Awards for Grey Gardens (Edith/Little Edie, Best Actress in a Musical) and Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins (Best Actress in a Comedy). She looks forward to playing the role of Mother in Union Avenue Opera’s upcoming production of Ragtime. Debby celebrates 23 years as director of The Webster University Jazz Singers and is an adjunct professor of voice at Webster University in St. Louis, MO.
MICHAEL HOBIN (Chip) is honored to make his debut this summer at The Muny as a member of the principal cast in Beauty and the Beast. His favorite and recent roles include Ralphie (A Christmas Story), Bruce (Matilda), Young Luke (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical), Jeter (Footloose) and Olaf (Frozen Jr.). He has performed with Gateway Center for Performing Arts, Shooting Star Productions, Stages Performing Arts Academy and Kirkwood Youth Theatre. Michael is a member of the Muny Kids Touring Troupe. He studies voice with Dr. Philip Woodmore and dance training at Gateway Center for Performing Arts.
About the show:
Be our guest and bring the entire family for an enchanting night under the stars! Disney’s Beauty and the Beast reminds us to look for the beauty within. With a dose of Muny Magic, this production will bring all your favorite fanciful characters to life, with spectacular sets and costumes. Join Belle, the Beast, Mrs. Potts, Cogsworth, Lumiere and all the spellbound characters of the fabled castle in a summer celebration for any age!
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice and Book by Linda Woolverton.
The Telsey Office is the official casting partner for The Muny. Full casting and design team will be announced at a later date.
The Muny’s 2023 Season includes Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (June 12-18), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (June 22-30), Chess (July 5-11), West Side Story (July 15-21), Little Shop of Horrors (July 25-31), Rent (August 4-10) and Sister Act (August 14-20).
Season tickets are currently on sale. Single tickets will be available beginning May 22. Muny gift cards for the 105th season are now available online and at The Muny Box Office. For more information, visit muny.org or call (314) 361-1900.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
By Lynn Venhaus Stages St. Louis’ “In the Heights,” a jubilant celebration of culture, community, and connection, won six awards, including Outstanding Musical Production, Music Director, Choreography, Set Design, Costume Design (tie) and Ensemble in a Musical, at the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards Monday.
Their world premiere of “The Karate Kid – The Musical” won Outstanding Lighting Design for a total of seven, and Jack Lane, retired executive producer, announced the musical is Broadway-bound in 2024.
Seven is what The Black Repertory Theatre of St. Louis amassed for four productions: August Wilson’s “Jitney” (2 – Outstanding Production and Ensemble), “Behind the Sheet,” (2 – tie for Outstanding Production – Drama and Best Director), “The African Company Presents Richard III” (1 – Supporting Performer, Male or Non-Binary, Cameron Jamarr Davis) and “Dontrell, Who Was Kissed by the Sea” (2 – Lighting Design and Sound Design).
Brian McKnight accepted on behalf of The Black Rep and described founder Ron Himes as a man “who has vision.”
The Muny, SATE (Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble), and West End Players Guild each won four at the 10th Annual Theater Circle Awards, which recognized achievements in comedies, dramas, musicals and operas.
SATE’s original play “Bronte Sister House Party” won 4 (Best New Play, Outstanding Comedy Production, Comedy Ensemble and Supporting Performer Male or Non-Binary Role). “The Color Purple” at The Muny won 3 – Leading Performer, Female or Non-Binary in a Musical, Supporting Performer, Female or Non-Binary, and Costume Designer while Martin McDonagh’s “The Lonesome West” won 3 – Leading Performer, Male or Non-Binary, Supporting Performer, Female or Non-Binary, and Director Robert Ashton for the West End Players Guild.
For more than 10 years, the St. Louis Theater Circle has been presenting annual awards for regional professional theater, and resumed a live ceremony after virtual productions streamed by HEC Media online in 2020 and 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic, cancelling 2021 (but including a few of those productions last year).
It was the first live ceremony since 2019, and held at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’s Loretto-Hilton Center on Webster University’s campus.
Approximately 90 productions were considered for this year’s event. Three productions – “Chicago” at the Muny, “A Christmas Carol” at The Rep, and “Head Over Heels” at New Line Theatre — were ineligible because the same production was presented within the last three years at the respective venues.
The Circle presented more than 30 categories for outstanding achievements from 2022, with 20 theater companies receiving nominations.
Nationally recognized playwright, theater producer, and long-time advocate for the arts Joan Lipkin was honored with a special award for lifetime achievement.
Records that evening included Joel Moses winning two acting awards in one night and Jennifer Theby-Quinn won her third acting award, joining Will Bonfiglio and Laurie McConnell as three-time winners.
Luis Salgado, who made “In the Heights” ‘pop’ with his spirited direction and vibrant choreography, accepted awards while praising the theater community in St. Louis. He and actor Ryan Alvarado, a nominee for playing Usnavi, flew in from New York City to attend .
Here are the awards given out April 3:
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role: Hannah Geisz, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role: Joel Moses, “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE
Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role: Molly Burris, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role: Jason Meyers, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play: Jasmine Williams, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep
Outstanding Sound Design: Jackie Sharp, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep
Outstanding Costume Design in a Play: Oona Natesan, “House of Joy,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Outstanding Set Design in a Play (tie): Bess Moynihan, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company and Josh Smith, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role: Rachel Tibbetts, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role: Cameron Jamarr Davis, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep
Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role: Jennifer Theby-Quinn, “Iphigenia in Splott,” Upstream Theater
Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role: Joel Moses, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild
Outstanding New Play: “Brontë Sister House Party,” by Courtney Bailey, SATE
Outstanding Achievement in Opera: (tie) Thomas Glass, “Harvey Milk,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Robert Mellon, “Falstaff,” Union Avenue Opera
Outstanding Production of an Opera: “A Little Night Music,” Union Avenue Opera
Outstanding Musical Director: Walter “Bobby” McCoy, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Choreographer: Luis Salgado, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role: Nicole Michelle Haskins, “The Color Purple,” The Muny
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role: Jeffrey Izquierdo-Malon, “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical: Bradley King, “The Karate Kid – The Musical,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical: Anna Louizos, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical: (tie) Samantha C. Jones, “The Color Purple,” The Muny and Brad Musgrove, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role: Anastacia McCleskey, “The Color Purple,” The Muny
Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role: Ben Davis, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy: “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE
Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama: “Jitney,” The Black Rep
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical: “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Director of a Comedy: Robert Ashton, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild
Outstanding Director of a Drama: Ron Himes, “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep
Outstanding Director of a Musical: Bradley Rohlf, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals
Outstanding Production of a Comedy: “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE
Outstanding Production of a Drama: (tie) “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep and “Jitney,” The Black Rep
Outstanding Production of a Musical: “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Special Award: Joan Lipkin, for lifetime achievement
The St. Louis Theater Circle was formed the summer of 2012 and began awarding excellence in regional professional theater in 2013. No touring, community theater or school productions are considered.
Current embers of the St. Louis Theater Circle include Steve Allen, stagedoorstl.com; Mark Bretz, Ladue News; Bob Cohn, St. Louis Jewish Light; Tina Farmer, KDHX; Rob Levy, Broadwayworld.com; Michelle Kenyon, snoopstheatrethoughts.com and KDHX; Gerry Kowarsky, Two on the Aisle (HEC-TV); Chuck Lavazzi, KDHX; Judith Newmark, judyacttwo.com; Lynn Venhaus, PopLifeSTL.com and KTRS Radio; Bob Wilcox, Two on the Aisle (HEC-TV); and Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Eleanor Mullin, local actress and arts supporter, is group administrator.
The mood was extraordinary, and, in Joan Lipkin’s words, we could feel the “palpable joy” for each other. The speeches were heartfelt, and I wish we had them on record. It was truly “celebratory revelry.”
The Black Rep was a winner for four separate shows in the same year, an a back to back winner for August Wilson, as last year’s drama production was “Two Trains Running”)
We discovered we had two different Josh Smiths nominated — the one for Shakepeare’s Italian villa who won for “Much Ado About Nothing” was not the same for the carnival in “Ride the Cyclone.”
Happy the ‘tribe’ had so much fun — and the fellowship was really special. Hope the feedback continues to be positive.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
ST. LOUIS THEATER CIRCLE AWARDS RETURN FOR IN-PERSON GALA APRIL 3, 2023
TO HONOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN LOCAL PROFESSIONAL THEATER IN 2022
The Muny leads with 21 nominations, Stages St Louis has 19, The Black Rep 17 and Stray Dog Theatre 15
First In-Person Gala Since 2019 Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
ST. LOUIS, February 6, 2023 – After a four-year hiatus of not holding an in-person ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 through 2022, the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards will return April 3, 2023 in a ‘live’ ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the campus of Webster University. The previous two events were streamed online by HEC Media.
Tickets at $23 apiece will soon be available at the box office of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis at www.repstl.org or 314-968-4925, and also at the box office one hour before the ceremony.
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 calendar years 2022. Approximately 90 productions have been considered for nominations for this year’s event. This compares to roughly 120 productions normally considered in one year alone prior to the pandemic.
Three productions – “Chicago” at The Muny, “A Christmas Carol” at The Rep, and “Head Over Heels” at New Line Theatre – were ineligible because the same production was presented within the last three years at the respective venues.
Nationally recognized playwright, theater producer, and long-time advocate for the arts Joan Lipkin will be honored with a special award for lifetime achievement.
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.
The nominees for the 10th annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards are:
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role
Cassidy Flynn, “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE Hannah Geisz, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Jilanne Klaus, “Barefoot in the Park,” Moonstone Theatre Company Bess Moynihan, “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE Valentina Silva, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role
Ted Drury, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Joel Moses, “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE Bradley Tejeda, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Chauncy Thomas, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival Eric Dean White, “Hand to God,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role
Colleen Backer, “Hand to God,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio Molly Burris, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre Rayme Cornell, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Claire Karpen, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival Rachel Tibbetts, “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE
Outstanding Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role
Mitchell Henry-Eagles, “Hand to God,” St. Louis Actors’ Studio Jeff Kargus, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Ryan Lawson-Maeske, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre Jason Meyers, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Stanton Nash, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play
Amina Alexander, “Stick Fly,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Jesse Alford, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Joe Clapper, “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep Jasmine Williams, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep John Wylie, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Outstanding Sound Design
Lamar Harris, “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep Pornchanok (Nok) Kanchanabanca, “House of Joy,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Jackie Sharp, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep Rusty Wandall, Kareem Deanes, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival Amanda Werre, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design in a Play
Dorothy Marshall Englis, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival Liz Henning, “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE Liz Henning, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Oona Natesan, “House of Joy,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Michele Friedman Siler, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre
Outstanding Set Design in a Play
Dahlia Al-Habieli, “House of Joy,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Dunsi Dai, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre Bess Moynihan, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Kyu Shin, “Stick Fly,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Josh Smith, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role
Riley Carter Adams, “The Bee Play,” New Jewish Theatre Sarajane Alverson, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre Rachel Hanks, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild Rachel Tibbetts, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Sumi Yu, “House of Joy,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role
Cameron Jamarr Davis, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep Joseph Garner, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild Michael James Reed, “Proof,” Moonstone Theatre Company Joey Saunders, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre Jeffrey Wright, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre
Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role
Summer Baer, “Proof,” Moonstone Theatre Company Lavonne Byers, “Good People,” Stray Dog Theatre Kelly Howe, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Chinna Palmer, “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep Jennifer Theby-Quinn, “Iphigenia in Splott,” Upstream Theater
Outstanding Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role
Kevin Brown, “Jitney,” The Black Rep Jeff Cummings, “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep Olajuwon Davis, “Jitney,” The Black Rep Joel Moses, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild Stephen Peirick, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre
Outstanding New Play
“Bandera, Texas,” by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend, Prism Theatre Company “Brontë Sister House Party,” by Courtney Bailey, SATE “The Good Ship St. Louis,” by Philip Boehm, Upstream Theater “Roll With It!” by Katie Rodriguez Banister and Michelle Zielinski, The Black Mirror Theatre Company “Winds of Change,” by Deanna Jent, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Outstanding Achievement in Opera
Daniela Candillari, “Carmen,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Thomas Glass, “Harvey Milk,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Karen Kanakis, “La Rondine,” Winter Opera Saint Louis Robert Mellon, “Falstaff,” Union Avenue Opera Sarah Mesko, “Carmen,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Outstanding Production of an Opera
“Awakenings,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis “Falstaff,” Union Avenue Opera “The Gondoliers,” Winter Opera Saint Louis “Harvey Milk,” Opera Theatre of Saint Louis “A Little Night Music,” Union Avenue Opera
Outstanding Musical Director
Cullen Curth, “Jerry’s Girls,” New Jewish Theatre Jermaine Hill, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Walter “Bobby” McCoy, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis James Moore, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Andrew Resnick, “The Karate Kid – The Musical,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Choreographer
Dena DiGiacinto, “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis Keone and Mari Madrid, “The Karate Kid – The Musical,” Stages St. Louis Patrick O’Neill, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Josh Rhodes, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Muny Luis Salgado, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role
Tami Dahbura, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Melissa Felps, “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre Nicole Michelle Haskins, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Grace Langford, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Stray Dog Theatre Dawn Schmid, “Ride the Cyclone,” Stray Dog Theatre
Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role
Luis-Pablo Garcia, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Clayton Humburg, “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre Jeffrey Izquierdo-Malon, “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre Marshall Jennings, “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre Jordan Wolk, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals
Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical
Tyler Duenow, “Ride the Cyclone,” Stray Dog Theatre Bradley King, “The Karate Kid – The Musical,” Stages St. Louis John Lasiter, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Sean M. Savoie, “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis Sean M. Savoie, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical
Edward E. Hayes, Jr. and Greg Emetaz, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Muny Anna Louizos, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Derek McLane, “The Karate Kid – The Musical,” Stages St. Louis Michael Schweikardt, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Josh Smith, “Ride the Cyclone,” Stray Dog Theatre
Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical
Eileen Engel, “A Little Night Music,” Stray Dog Theatre Eileen Engel, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals Samantha C. Jones, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Brad Musgrove, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Alejo Vietti, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny
Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role
Carmen Cusack, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Jeanna De Waal, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Eileen Engel, “Ride the Cyclone,” Stray Dog Theatre Melissa Felps, “Urinetown,” New Line Theatre Anastacia McCleskey, “The Color Purple,” The Muny
Outstanding Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role
Ryan Alvarado, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Corbin Bleu, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Ben Davis, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Stephen Henley, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals Jovanni Sy, “The Karate Kid – The Musical,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy
“Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE “Heroes,” Albion Theatre “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama
“The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep “The Christians,” West End Players Guild “Jitney,” The Black Rep “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Stray Dog Theatre “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis “The Color Purple,” The Muny “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny
Outstanding Director of a Comedy
Robert Ashton, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Eddie Coffield, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre David Kaplan, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Keating, “Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE Bruce Longworth, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Outstanding Director of a Drama
Gary F. Bell, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre Joe Hanrahan, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Ron Himes, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep Ron Himes, “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep Ellie Schwetye, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild
Outstanding Director of a Musical
Lili-Anne Brown, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Scott Miller, “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre Bradley Rohlf, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals Rob Ruggiero, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Luis Salgado, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis
Outstanding Production of a Comedy
“Brontë Sister House Party,” SATE “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
Outstanding Production of a Drama
“The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep “Behind the Sheet,” The Black Rep “Good People,” Stray Dog Theatre “Jitney,” The Black Rep “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre
Outstanding Production of a Musical
“Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals “The Color Purple,” The Muny “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis “Ride the Cyclone,” Stray Dog Theatre “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny
Special Award
Joan Lipkin, for lifetime achievement
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 (LadueNews); Bob Cohn (St. Louis Jewish Light); 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); Judith Newmark (judyacttwo.com); Lynn Venhaus (PopLifeSTL.com); Bob Wilcox (Two on theAisle, HEC Media); and Calvin Wilson (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Eleanor Mullin, local performer and arts supporter, is group administrator.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
Challenges. As we march through the third winter of the pandemic, we’re still adjusting to a ‘new normal,’ whatever that is. The regional professional theater companies have had more than their share of challenges, as COVID-19 outbreaks continue to affect rehearsals and performances.
Bravo to everyone trying to create art in trying times. We learn as we go, as we try to adapt, follow the rules for safe practices and try to fit in multiple shows that seem to be scheduled in clusters. Shining a spotlight on those who are doing their very best is important.
This year, I was fortunate to see 63 shows, not counting touring, college or community theater, and I appreciate the local theater companies working with me when my dear sweet uncle/father figure was in hospice and eventually passed on in mid-summer, and how they fit me in, sometimes at the end of a run, and then when some health issues arose for me in December, helping me to juggle a crazy schedule. (Unfortunately, after spending 10 days in the hospital in January, I can speak about nightmare ER experiences all too well. Life happens, and I appreciate the consideration.) Through my podcast, PopLifeSTL, we were able to interview local professionals to help promote their productions, and while we recently took a three-week break, we’re back at it, and happy to support the arts.
So, I finally finished my annual Lynn’s Love of Theatre Awards, aka “The LOTTIES,” for 2022, a few weeks later than intended. I don’t follow a rigid format of capping off recognition. Some categories may have 5, others 8 or more. If it looks like everyone gets a trophy, so be it. The folks mentioned are deserving of honors.
This is my own list. It is separate than my voting in the annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards and nominations, which will be announced soon (Monday, Feb, 6 on KWMU noon to 1 p.m.). I am one of the founding members. Our awards ceremony will be on Monday, April 3, at The Loretto-Hilton Center at Webster University. Yes, theater prom will return! Exciting.
I’ve been selecting the LOTTIES since 2014. I am attempting to go back and put Lotties of years’ past into my website archives, so they are all in one place here. Stay tuned…But in the meantime, I wanted to recognize what I thought was excellence in 2022. Granted, I missed a handful of productions, but overall, was impressed with outstanding work from our best and brightest. It is thrilling when you see live theater achieve its grand goals. (And I will never take it for granted ever).
I am privileged to witness such creative spirits at work here. This weekend, I return to seeing theater after a rather crazy and unplanned January that included an outpatient procedure that went awry and resulted in internal bleeding to deal with, which meant two hospital stays. But I’m getting stronger every day, and eager to return to sitting in auditoriums, watching live theater. I regret I had to miss several shows, but again, life…ob-la-di, ob-la-da.
I look forward to an exciting year ahead, and I am very appreciative of all the well-wishes. Onward and upward.
EVENT OF THE YEAR: “The Karate Kid – The Musical” at Stages St. Louis.
St. Louis was ready for its close-up. A pre-Broadway world premiere at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center had east and west coast creatives, stars and glitterati convening for a musical in the works for a Broadway debut. The effort was impressive, and it was fun to be a part of its creative birth.
PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR: “Bronte Sister House Party” at SATE.
A very original play by Courtney Bailey, directed by Keating, designed by Bess Moynihan and Liz Henning, was one of the most fun theatrical experiences of the year. This world premiere was the tonic I needed after a death in the family, and I am so grateful that I was able to see it at the end of its run (THANK YOU).
Every element came together for an interactive event that percolated with good humor and delightful creative touches. The Brontë sisters of Victorian literary fame (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne) are trapped in a purgatorial time loop where they must throw a fabulous house party every night for eternity. Only when they reach The Point of Celebratory Reverence, the highest point of celebration that a party can achieve, will they be released. An absurd, feminist revisionist tribute to all the women artists who’ve created under pressure and still had it in them to throw a good party. What a terrific ensemble – Maggie Conroy, Rachel Tibbetts, Cassidy Flynn, Bess Moynihan, Joel Moses, Vicky Chen and LaWanda Jackson — and a kicky dance party.
COMPANY OF THE YEAR: The St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre “The Black Rep.” They raised the bar with a line-up that included the profound and insightful “Between the Sheet,” August Wilson’s “Jitney” and “The African Company Presents Richard III,” not to mention the shimmering “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea.”
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Ron Himes. Forty-six years after founding The Black Rep,he remains at the top of his game – he directed “Between the Sheet,” “Jitney,” and “The African Company Presents Richard III” and starred in “Jitney,” and at The Rep, in “Stick Fly.”
THE SHOW MUST GO ON CITATION: The Muny, after storm devastation, Put on “Legally Blonde” a night later! What a herculean effort.
MVPs of 2022 Summer Baer Molly Burris Olajawon Davis Eileen Engel Melissa Felps Liz Henning Joel Moses Bess Moynihan Ben Ritchie John Wolbers Metro Theatre Company’s outreach and traveling efforts to provide youngsters with theatrical opportunities that matter.
Best Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role
Cassidy Flynn, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE Valentina Silva, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis Tielere Cheatem, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Bess Moynihan, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE Jilanne Klaus, “Barefoot in the Park,” Moonstone Theatre Company Hannah Geisz, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild
Best Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role
Bradley J. Tejeda, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St Louis Joel Moses, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE Eric Dean White, “Hand to God,” St Louis Actors Studio Chauncy Thomas, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Ted Drury, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild John Wolbers, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre Ryan Burns, “Bandera, Texas,” Prism Theatre Company
Best Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role
Colleen Backer, “Hand to God,” St Louis Actors’ Studio Molly Burris, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre Rachel Tibbetts, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE Maggie Conroy, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE Claire Karpen, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Rayme Cornell, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival
Best Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role
Mitchell Henry- Eagles, “Hand to God,” St Louis Actors’ Studio Isaiah di Lorenzo, “Every Brilliant Thing,: St Louis Shakespeare Jeff Kargus, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Jason Meyers, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Ben Ritchie, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre Ryan Lawson-Maeske, “Dear Jack Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre Stanton Nash, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival
Best Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role
Rachel Tibbetts, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Coda Boyce, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep Alex Jay, “Jitney,” The Black Rep Donna Parrone, “Romeo and Juliet,” St Louis Shakespeare Alex Jay, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep Riley Carter Adams, “The Bee Play,” New Jewish Theatre Sarajane Alverson, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre Rachel Hanks, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild Summer Baer, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company
Best Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role
Cameron Jamarr Davis, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep Joey Saunders, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre Michael James Reed, “Proof,” Moonstone Theatre Company Joseph Garner, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild Jeffrey Wright, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre Wali Jamal Abdull, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep
Best Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role
Jennifer Theby Quinn, “Iphigenia in Splott,” Upstream Theatre Chinna Palmer, “Between the Sheet,” The Black Rep LaVonne Byers, “Good People,” Stray Dog Theatre Summer Baer, “Proof,” Moonstone Theatre Company Kelly Howe, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company
Best Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role
Joel Moses, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild Jeff Cummings, “Between the Sheet,” The Black Rep Kevin Brown, “Jitney,” The Black Rep Erik Petersen, “Romeo and Juliet,” St Louis Shakespeare Olajuwon Davis, “Jitney,” The Black Rep Stephen Peirick, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre John Wolbers, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company
Best New Play
“Bronte Sister House Party” by Courtney Bailey, SATE “Winds of Change,” by Deanna Jent, St Louis Shakespeare Festival “St Louis Woman,” by Joe Hanrahan, The Midnight Company “Roll With It!,” by Katie Rodriguez Banister and Michelle Zielinski, The Black Mirror Theatre “Bandera, Texas,” Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend, Prism Theatre Company
Best Musical Director
James Moore, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Walter “Bobby” McCoy, “In the Heights,” Stages St Louis Andrew Resnick, “The Karate Kid: The Musical,” Stages St Louis Jermaine Hill, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Colin Healy, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals Cullen Curth, “Jerry’s Girls,” New Jewish Theatre Tre’ von Griffin, “Midsummer Night’s Dream, St Louis Shakespeare Festival Zach Neumann, “Ordinary Days,” Tesseract Theatre Company Tim Clark, “Urinetown,” New Line Theatre
Best Choreographer
Keone and Mari Madrid, “The Karate Kid: The Musical,” Stages St. Louis Luis Salgado, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Dena DiaGiacinto, “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis Patrick O’Neil, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Heather Beal, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep Josh Rhodes, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Muny
Best Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role
Kate Baldwin, “The Karate Kid: The Musical,” Stages St. Louis Amanda Robles, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Melissa Felps, “Something Rotten!,” New Line Theatre Janelle Gilreath, “Urinetown!,” New Line Theatre Sarah Gene Dowling, “A Little Night Music,” Stray Dog Theatre Tami Dahbura, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Nasia Thomas, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Grace Langford, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Stray Dog Theatre Dawn Schmid, “Ride the Cyclone,” Stray Dog Theatre Rachel Bailey, “Triassic Parq: The Musical,” Stray Dog Theatre
Best Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role
Jordan Wolk, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals Clayton Humburg, “Something Rotten!,” New Line Theatre Marshall Jennings, “Something Rotten!,” New Line Theatre Kevin O’Brien, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Stray Dog Theatre Luis-Pablo Garcia, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Jeffrey Izquierdo-Malon, “Something Rotten!,” New Line Theatre Mykal Kilgore, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Muny Evan Tyrone Martin, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Bryce Miller, “A Little Night Music,” Stray Dog Theatre Shea Coffman, “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” The Muny
Best Lighting Design in a Musical
Bradley King, “The Karate Kid: The Musical,” Stages St. Louis John Lasiter, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Sean M Savoie, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Sean M. Savoie, “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis Jason Lyons, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Muny Tyler Duenow, “Ride the Cyclone,” Stray Dog Theatre
Best Set Design in a Musical
Anna Louisoz, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Derek McLane, “The Karate Kid: The Musical,” Stages St. Louis Michael Schweikardt, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Ann Beyersdorfer, “Camelot,” The Muny Rob Lippert, “Something Rotten!,” New Line Theatre Edward E. Hayes, Jr. and Greg Emetaz, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Muny
Best Costume Design in a Musical
Samantha C. Jones, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Brad Musgrove, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Leon Dobkowski, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” The Muny Eileen Engel, “A Little Night Music,” Stray Dog Theatre Eileen Engel, “Triassic Parq The Musical,” Stray Dog Theatre Robin L. McGee, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Sarah Porter, “Urinetown,” New Line Theatre Alejo Vietti, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny
Best Lighting Design in a Play
Patrick Huber, “Forget Me Not,” St Louis Actors’ Studio Jasmine’ Williams, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep Bess Moynihan, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE John Wylie, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Joseph Clapper, “Between the Sheet,” The Black Rep Jesse Alford, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St Louis
Best Sound Design in a Play
Lamar Harris, “Between the Sheet,” The Black Rep Kareem Deanes and Rusty Wandall, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Zeck Schultz, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE Jackie Sharp, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep Lamar Harris, “Jitney,” The Black Rep
Best Costume Design in a Play
Daryl Harris, “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea,” The Black Rep Liz Henning, “St Louis Woman,” The Midnight Company Liz Henning, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Michele Fredman Siler, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre Andre Harrington, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep Oona Natesan, “House of Joy,” Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Best Set Design in a Play
Bess Moynihan, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Josh Smith, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Margery and Peter Spack, “Dontrell, Who Was Kissed by the Sea.” The Black Rep Jamie Bullens, “Jitney,” The Black Rep Rob Lippert, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre Dunsi Dai, “Dear Jack Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre Margery and Peter Spack, “The Last Stop on Market Street,” Metro Theatre Company
Dynamic Duos
Liam Craig and Whit Reichert, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Molly Burris and Ryan Lawson-Maeske in “Dear Jack Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre Jeff Kargus and Jason Meyers, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild Nicole Michelle Haskins as Sofia and Gilbert Domally as Harpo in ‘The Color Purple” at The Muny Matt Pace and Brien Seyle, original music for “Much Ado About Nothing,” St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Best Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role
Anastacia McCleskey, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Carmen Cusack, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Isabel Leoni, “In the Heights,” The Muny Eileen Engel, “Ride the Cyclone!,” Stray Dog Theatre Jeanna de Waal, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Lauralyn McClelland, “A Chorus Line,” Stages St Louis
Best Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role
Ben Davis, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Jovanni Sy, “The Karate Kid: The Musical,” Stages St. Louis Stephen Henley, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals Ryan Alvarado, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Corbin Bleu, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Danny McHugh, “A Chorus Line,” Stages St Louis
Best Ensemble in a Comedy
“Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre “Hand to God,” St Louis Actors’ Studio “The Residents of Craigslist,” ERA Theatre “Heroes,” Albion Theatre “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St Louis
Best Ensemble in a Drama
“The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre “Jitney,” The Black Rep “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company “The Christians,” West End Players Guild “Between the Sheet,” The Black Rep
Best Ensemble in a Musical
“Sweeney Todd,” The Muny “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis “The Color Purple,” The Muny “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis “Jerry’s Girls,” New Jewish Theatre “Ride the Cyclone!” Stray Dog Theatre “Triassic Parq The Musical,” Stray Dog Theatre “Urinetown!,” New Line Theatre “Ordinary Days,” Tesseract Theatre Company “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Stray Dog Theatre “The Karate Kid: The Musical,” Stages St. Louis “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre
Best Director of a Comedy
Bruce Longworth, “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival Keating, “Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE Andrea Urice, “Hand to God,” St Louis Actors’ Studio Eddie Coffield, “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre Robert Ashton, “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild David Kaplan, “The Rose Tattoo,” Tennessee Williams Festival St Louis
Best Director of a Drama
Ron Himes, “Jitney,” The Black Rep Gary F. Bell, “The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre Ron Himes, “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep Joe Hanrahan, “Rodney’s Wife,” The Midnight Company Ellie Schwetye, “The Christians,” West End Players Guild Ron Himes, “Between the Sheet,” The Black Rep
Best Director of a Musical
Rob Ruggiero, “Sweeney Todd,” The Muny Luis Salgado, “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis Lili-Anne Brown, “The Color Purple,” The Muny Bradley Rolf, “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals Gayle Seay, “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis Ellen Isom, “Jerry’s Girls,” New Jewish Theatre Justin Been, “A Little Night Music,” Stray Dog Theatre John Tartaglia, “Mary Poppins,” The Muny Scott Miller, “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre Elisabeth Wurm, “Ordinary Days,” Tesseract Theatre Company
Best Production of a Comedy
“Bronte Sister House Party,” SATE “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” New Jewish Theatre “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” New Jewish Theatre “Much Ado About Nothing,” St Louis Shakespeare Festival “The Lonesome West,” West End Players Guild “Hand to God,” St Louis Actors’ Studio The Rose Tattoo, Tennessee Williams Festival St Louis
Best Production of a Drama
“The Normal Heart,” Stray Dog Theatre “Jitney,” The Black Rep “The African Company Presents Richard III,” The Black Rep “Good People,” Stray Dog Theatre “Proof,” Moonstone Theatre Company “Between the Sheet,” The Black Rep “The Christians,” West End Players Guild
Best Production of a Musical
“Sweeney Todd,” The Muny “In the Heights,” Stages St. Louis “The Color Purple,” The Muny “A Chorus Line,” Stages St. Louis “Assassins,” Fly North Theatricals “Urinetown!”, New Line Theatre “Ordinary Days,” Tesseract Theatre Company “Something Rotten!” New Line Theatre “A Little Night Music,” Stray Dog Theatre
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
Yes, Papa Vito’s restaurant in downtown Belleville is in a haunted historic building. It has a colorful history, but more importantly, the ghosts remain active. I was just there Saturday evening at a birthday party, and we heard from employees who have had encounters.
Here’s the backstory published in the Belleville News-Democrat today:
What a delightful young woman! I was thrilled to be able to write about Berklea Going for last week’s Webster-Kirkwood Times. The Nerinx Hall graduate and Muny veteran of 19 summers is in the national tour of “Frozen” and will be at the Fox as soon as her run in “42nd Street” at the Goodspeed Opera House is over this weekend. Here is my feature on this talented St. Louis native
Here is my feature in Friday’s print edition of the Webster-Kirkwood Times:
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
Every so often, The Muny and the St. Louis Symphony come together like Peaches & Herb: “Reunited, and it feels so good…”
These two cultural cousins know how to celebrate. That was definitely the vibe at Power Hall on October 2 when these two local cultural titans combined talents for “A Little Sondheim Music,” a concert to celebrate composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, a titan of different sort. The last time the Symphony and Muny combined forces was to celebrate the The Muny’s 100th birthday.
With Mike Isaacson, the Muny’s Artistic Director and Executive Producer, at the helm as host and master of ceremony, the lively event perked along through a well-curated roster of songs from Sondheim’s career. This was no jukebox jaunt through Sondheim’s songbook. It was a journey into Sondheim’s impressive range of songs and characters, some of which aren’t among his greatest hits.
So, along with the familiar titles from “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “Company” and “Sweeney Todd,” the audience was also to treated to selections from the lesser-known “Saturday Night,” “Evening Primrose” and “Anyone Can Whistle.” Another entire concert or two could be created from Sondheim’s deep cuts from other shows. To borrow a line from “Send In the Clowns, “…well, maybe next year.” (hint, hint).
In his opening, Isaacson quoted the three guiding principles that Sondheim hewed to during his career: content dictates form, less is more and God is in the details. To which Sondheim also added, “All in service of Clarity, without which nothing else matters.”
Clarity ruled the afternoon performance and elevated the achievements of Sondheim rather than mourn his passing last November at age 91. Lending their vocal talents to the celebration were some of Broadway’s brightest babies: Ben Davis, Bryonha Marie, Matthew Scott, Emily Skinner and Elizabeth Stanley. Their talents were on full display, whether performing individually, in duets or as an ensemble. And it would be unfair if not impossible to cite any one performance as a standout because they were all standouts.
Ask 10 audience members what their favorite was, and you’d probably get 10 different answers. My own personal favorite was Skinner’s interpretation of “Send In the Clowns.” Her use of pauses and emphasis provided new insight into the lyrics’ meanings and to the rueful ruminations of the character Desirée in “A Little Night Music.” I’m just a sucker for that song.
Clarity was certainly one of the concert’s throughlines. Songs such as ”If You Can Find Me, I’m Here,” sung by Scott, and “Broadway Baby,” sung by Marie, exemplify Sondheim’s ability to pack an entire show’s worth of characterization into a single lyric. And Scott interpreted his song by channeling an inner Dustin Hoffman, ala “The Graduate,” and Marie delivered sass, sashay and plenty of boop-oop-a-doop to hers.
Each Sondheim song is its own mini-musical. All of the performers tapped into this with brio and moxie, moving across the narrow strip of stag and conjuring the spirit of the actual musicals. Even if you didn’t know the show, you understood it from the song itself. That’s part Sondheim genius, part musical magic and part high-caliber performance from the artists.
Cases in point: Davis, fresh off this last summer’s successful Muny production of “Sweeney Todd,” reprised his take on the chilling “My Friends” by pivoting from fetishistic heavy petting of cutlery to the abrupt declaration, “At last, my arm is complete again!” Dexter should be so lucky.
And Stanley provided a disarmingly plaintive interpretation of “In Buddy’s Eyes” from “Follies” that reworked the breathless suffering usually associated with this song – written for an older character – into an ironic conscience examination of someone younger.
Also providing clarity to the concert was the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Ben Whiteley, who has long been a member of the Muny artistic family. Host Isaacson thanked Whiteley “…who really created this program, bringing his incredible knowledge and passion to the creation of this program.”
The orchestra launched the performance with the opening overture to “Merrily We Roll Along” and was featured post-intermission with the overture to “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” as well as a smooth and graceful “Night Waltz” from “A Little Night Music” in the second half. These were a potent reminder of the beauty of Sondheim’s compositions and how much a fine performance of them deepens their impact.
Also in the second half was a special appearance by St. Louis native Ken Page who sang “Anyone Can Whistle” with a sage-like preciousness that did the Old Deuteronomy cat proud.
As the concert drew to a close, Isaacson quoted Sondheim who answered an interviewer’s question about what he hoped his legacy would be. “Oh, I just would like the shows to keep getting done. Whether on Broadway, or in regional theaters, or schools or communities, I would just like the stuff to be done. Just done and done and done and done and done.”
With a concert like “A Little Sondheim Music,” The Muny and the Symphony have ensured that at least one of those done’s was accomplished – and done to perfection. It doesn’t get much clearer than that.
Featured Photo: Ben Whiteley, Michael Baxter, Nicolas Valdez, Bryonha Marie, Ben Davis, Matthew Scott, Emily Skinner.. Photo by Julie Merkel.
CB Adams is an award-winning fiction writer and photographer based in the Greater St. Louis area. A former music/arts editor and feature writer for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, his non-fiction has been published in local, regional and national publications. His literary short stories have been published in more than a dozen literary journals and his fine art photography has been exhibited in more than 40 galley shows nationwide. Adams is the recipient of the Missouri Arts Council’s highest writing awards: the Writers’ Biennial and Missouri Writing!. The Riverfront Times named him, “St. Louis’ Most Under-Appreciated Writer” in 1996.
Collaborative Concert “A Little Sondheim Music” Oct 2. at Powell Hall
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and The Muny announced details about their latest collaboration: the upcoming concert honoring the late Stephen Sondheim, A Little Sondheim Music on Sunday, October 2, at 3:00pm. Sondheim, who passed away in November 2021 at age 91, is credited with reinventing the American musical, both as a lyricist and composer, throughout his prolific career.
Hosted by Mike Isaacson, Artistic Director and Executive Producer of The Muny, with musical staging by Michael Baxter, and conducted by Muny veteran Ben Whiteley, the concert includes selections from many of Sondheim’s most beloved musicals, including Merrily We Roll Along, Sondheim On Sondheim, Into the Woods, Follies, A Little Night Music, Company, and Sweeney Todd. All lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, with various arrangers and orchestrators.
Performing with the SLSO are several veteran theater performers, whose credits include Broadway musicals, West End productions, Muny productions, television, and more: Ben Davis, Bryonha Marie, Matthew Scott, Emily Skinner, and Elizabeth Stanley. Broadway veteran and St. Louis native Ken Page also makes a special appearance.
Collaborations between the two organizations date back to at least 1919, when the SLSO provided entertainment for patrons of The Muny during summer performances including Robin Hood and The Mikado. The tradition of collaboration returned in 1994 when the SLSO performed on The Muny stage in a celebration concert titled “Gateway to the Gold,” a salute to the U.S. Olympic Festival. The SLSO and The Muny last performed together in 2018 as part of The Muny’s centennial celebration.
Tickets are on sale now for this unique concert partnership between two of St. Louis’ most storied and celebrated arts institutions. Tickets can be purchased by visiting slso.org or by calling the SLSO Box Office at 314-534-1700.
A Little Sondheim Music: The Muny and SLSO Celebrate Stephen Sondheim
Sunday, October 2, 2022, 3:00pm
Ben Whiteley, conductor
Ben Davis, vocals Bryonha Marie, vocals Matthew Scott, vocals Emily Skinner, vocals Elizabeth Stanley, vocals With special appearance by Ken Page
Mike Isaacson, host
Artist Bios:
Ben Davis recently received critical acclaim as Sweeney Todd in the Muny’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Davis received a Tony Honor for his work as Marcello in Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of La Boheme. His extensive credits, spanning from Broadway to London, include Encores! Call Me Madam opposite Carmen Cusack, Dear Evan Hansen, Violet, A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, Kiss Me Kate for the BBC at London’s Royal Albert Hall and NBC’s, Annie Live. Concert credits include Philly Pops, RTÉ Orchestra, Tanglewood, Caramoor, and many others.
Bryonha Marie has rapidly established herself as one of the brightest young stars currently on Broadway and in the classical crossover arena. Best known for her tour de force Broadway performance in Prince of Broadway, a career retrospective of the work of Harold Prince, Marie has also thrilled Broadway audiences as Serena in Porgy & Bess. Other Broadway credits include After Midnight (featured and principal cover for Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, k.d. lang, and Fantasia), the revival of Ragtime (Sarah’s Friend), and The Book of Mormon.
Matthew Scott has performed as Adam Hochberg in An American In Paris on Broadway and the National Tour; Sondheim On Sondheim with Barbara Cook and Vanessa Williams; and A Catered Affair, Jersey Boys, and Grand Horizons. On the West End he has performed as Lee in I Loved Lucy at the Arts Theatre. Regional credits include The Light In The Piazza (Barrymore Award); Saturday Night, Beaches, Company, Side by Side by Sondheim, Chaplin (San Diego Critics Nomination), A Wonderful Life,Ragtime, My Fair Lady, Carousel, West Side Story (Kevin Kline Award Nomination), Legally Blonde, Swing!, Les Miserables, Sunset Boulevard, and Mamma Mia.
Emily Skinner has established herself as one of Broadway’s most engaging and versatile performers. She was most recently seen in Barrington Stage’s production of A Little Night Music where she received rave reviews for her fresh take on Desiree Armfeldt. Previously she appeared in the Broadway-bound musical Once Upon a One More Time at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC, and on Broadway as Georgia Holt, Cher’s Mother, in The Cher Show.
Heralded as one of the “Breakout Stars of 2020” by The New York Times, Elizabeth Stanley received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, and a Grammy Award for her recent performance as Mary Jane Healy in the musical Jagged Little Pill, inspired by the music of Alanis Morissette, book by Diablo Cody, and directed by Diane Paulus. Stanley has dazzled Broadway audiences as Claire De Loone in the revival of On the Town (Drama Desk Nomination), Dyanne in Million Dollar Quartet, Allison in Cry Baby, and April in the Tony Award-winning revival of Company.
Ken Page is a St. Louis native with a career spanning over 45 years. He is most widely known as the voice of “Oogie Boogie” in the Tim Burton/Disney film The Nightmare Before Christmas and has recreated his role in sold out concerts live to film at The Hollywood Bowl on four occasions as well as at Brooklyn’s Barclay Center, Tokyo, Glasgow, London (with the London Philharmonic Orchestra), and Dublin. Broadway/UK credits include Guys & Dolls, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy-winning NBC special, Drama Desk Award-Best Actor, Grammy Award), Cats as Old Deuteronomy (Original Broadway Cast, London Video Cast, Grammy Award), The Wiz, Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues, Wizard of Oz, Children of Eden (London West End Original Cast), My One and Only (London Palladium), Mr. Wonderful (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), and The Little Mermaid (Hollywood Bowl).
About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Celebrated as a leading American orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 143rd year with the 2022/2023 season and its fourth with Music Director Stéphane Denève. The SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations, honoring its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
The SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org.
About The Muny
The Muny’s mission is to enrich lives by producing exceptional musical theatre, accessible to all, while continuing its remarkable tradition in Forest Park. The country’s largest outdoor musical theatre produces seven world-class musicals each year and welcomes over 400,000 theatregoers over our seven-show season. Now celebrating 104 seasons in St. Louis, The Muny remains one of the premier institutions in musical theatre.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
By Lynn Venhaus As frothy as a cappuccino and sweet as cotton candy, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” took hold of The Muny stage as a swirling kaleidoscope of color, a glittery burst of cheer from a youthful ensemble that brings it home.
In the first full season after the challenging post-pandemic years 2020-2021, The Muny wraps up a groundbreaking summer with this beloved big, splashy musical that has been here six times. Last produced in 2012, the show first arrived in 1986 and returned in 1997, 2002 and 2007.
With its technical razzle-dazzle matched by the effervescent Muny Kids and Teens in the youth ensemble and children’s choir, the entire company looked like they were at the happiest place on earth.
That engaged the crowd, and the charismatic principals Jason Gotay as golden child Joseph, Jessica Vosk as the regal Narrator, and Mykal Kilgore as the swaggering Pharoah elevated the wispy material, delivering knock-out performances.
However, the show is not without heartache and adversity – with a turnaround because of strength, perseverance, and blessings, for it is based on the Old Testament Book of Genesis tale of Jacob, his favorite son Joseph, his 11 other sons, and that famous coat of many colors.
After Joseph’s jealous brothers sell him into slavery, he impresses the Egyptian noble Potiphar, but then rejects his wife’s amorous advances, and is thrown in jail. While locked up, Joseph’s talent for interpreting dreams is put to good use. He ingratiates himself with the Pharoah because he offers a solution to the country’s famine, and that stroke of fortune results in Joseph becoming the Pharoah’s right-hand man. He is eventually reunited with his family.
In the stylized re-imagining by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, the story is told through song and dance.
Considered innovative in the 1970s, the musical comedy has expanded over time, and is now regarded as a family-friendly favorite staged by thousands of schools and groups in the U.S. and across the pond.
The EGOT duo began this journey collaborating for the second time in 1968. Commissioned by a music teacher who was a family friend of Webber’s, their 15-minute pop cantata was performed at the Colet Court School in London. After more tinkering, it was recorded by Decca Records in 1969.
When their next piece, the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar,” skyrocketed them to fame in 1971, the earlier musical was stretched to 35 minutes for the Edinburgh International Festival the next year. More modifications followed, and the modern format was staged in 1974. It was mounted on Broadway in 1982 and nominated for seven Tony Awards. Revivals, tours and a 1999 direct-to-video film starred Donny Osmond followed.
Like the other pop Biblical musical of that era, Stephen Schwartz’s “Godspell,” it is re-interpreted for every presentation. Consider this the theme park ride version, with the youngsters displaying as much energy as those attending summer cheerleading camps.
It’s a swell dance party, briskly performed in several celebratory scenes and elaborate pastiches – including countrified “One More Angel in Heaven/Hoedown,” the French-inspired lament “Those Canaan Days,” island-flavored “Benjamin Calypso” and the grandmaster flashy finale “Megamix.”
The pleasant pop-py tunes “Any Dream Will Do” and “Go, Go, Go Joseph.” are certain to be hummable on your way home.
Music director Charlie Alterman, who won last year’s St Louis Theater Circle Award for “Chicago,” is adept at lively shows with many moving parts and his orchestras are a treat to listen to — and he’s aware of the Muny’s pit challenges this season.
Of course, a show directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes would seize the day. Rhodes, who is known for his athletic and acrobatic dances, returns after successes helming “Jersey Boys,” “Paint Your Wagon” and that stunning tap number to “Putting on the Ritz” in 2016’s “Young Frankenstein.”
This is a show that requires a special set of skills, and Rhodes’ crisp and snappy choreography is flat-out fun. He was aided by associate choreographer Lee Wilkins and dance captain Emilie Renier.
In its last national tour in 2014, the ingenious three-time Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler directed and choreographed a fresh interpretation that ran at the Fox Theatre that spring. That show featured American Idol finalist Ace Young as Joseph and his wife, fellow finalist Diana DeGarmo, as the Narrator.
The role of Joseph is often filled by a pop star – and teen heartthrobs David Cassidy, Andy Gibb and Donny Osmond have played the lead before. (And first American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini, who has played various roles at the Muny, was Joseph in 2012.)
At the Muny, Jason Gotay has won over hearts as a charming leading man, appearing as Prince Eric in “The Little Mermaid,” Prince Topher in “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” and as Jack in “Into the Woods.”
His strong velvety vocals emphasize he is no lightweight, heart-tugging in “Close Every Door.” He commands the stage confidently, capably leading the large cast in the group numbers.
However, the showstopper in this production is Mykal Kilgore.
One of my favorites since I saw him at the Muny Magic concert at the Sheldon in 2017, the affable Kilgore slays as the megawatt Pharoah. It’s as if James Brown and Little Richard had a baby.
In a departure from the previous Elvis-like personas, Kilgore reaches back to his R&B roots for “Song of the King,” bringing the house down. The Pharoah’s stage time is brief, but his impact is mighty.
Jessica Vosk makes her Muny debut, playing a hands-on narrator who just doesn’t just observe the action from the sidelines, but propels it along. Here, she is a surrogate mother hen to the youngsters as she tells the tale.
Vosk has the powerful pipes to fill an arena and is well-suited for this grand production. She has played the role before, in the 50th anniversary show at the Lincoln Center, and is remarkably assured while the action bubbles up around her.
Other noteworthy debuts are multi-hyphenate Eric Jordan Young in the dual role of well-meaning Jacob and flamboyant Potiphar, and Darron Hayes as playful Judah, who takes the lead in “Benjamin Calypso.”
The adult choir is chock-full of Muny regulars, and some familiar castmates are playing brothers. Dynamic Harris Milgrim, a standout as Benjamin in last year’s “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” is again as Reuben in “One More Angel.”
Sean Ewing, in his third season at the Muny, is second son Simeon, amusing in “Old Canaan Days.”
Not all the hijinks work, for the mashups often are silly, and the gaudy pageantry can easily slide into trivial frivolity, but that’s the problem with the show itself. As the years ago on, they keep gilding the lily, adding more to an already over-the-top show. But it remains a huge crowd-pleaser.
And the joyous look on those kids’ faces on stage said it all. (I counted 40 in the youth ensemble and 14 in the children’s choir, in addition to the 19 in ensemble, not to mention principals.)
Edward E. Haynes Jr., the award-winning scenic designer for “Smokey Joe’s Café” last year, combines glitz, a Skittles rainbow of bold colors, and Egyptian symbols for the second act, in a whimsical set reminiscent of Tim Burton and the Marvel superheroes’ cinematic universe.
In a stunning backdrop, he references King Tutankhamen’s gold headdress in a giant piece anchoring a fancy staircase with neon piping..
Video designer Greg Emetaz is in sync with Haynes’ vision, and an extension of the gold-plated theme uniting the looks is on the LED screens.
Costume designer Leon Dobkowski references Vegas showgirls, exotic images and B.C. looks to create sparkly outfits and a sunny vibe. His elaborate headdresses are something special to see. The different gold fabrics stand out in garments, and kudos to wig designer Kelly Jordan for the Pharoah’s massive ‘do.
Jason Lyons’ lighting design capitalizes on the wonder and magical parts, and smartly ascertains between the dreamy sequences and the dark times.
It’s fitting that The Muny focused on home, family, relying on each other and connection for the last show of the 104th season, particularly after what they endured from mid-June to now with the double-whammy of back-to-back floods, extreme heat – even by St. Louis standards (oh you layered Edwardian Londoners in “Mary Poppins”!), and a new strain of COVID-19 on the rise in the region (but thanks to understudies and swings, the shows went on).
In his annual farewell address, Mike Isaacson, executive producer and artistic director since 2011, joked that the season was ‘biblical,’ and who could argue?
Known for its fizzy fun, “Joseph” delivered a spectacle to end the season on a high-spirited note.
If you think of the Muny in terms of a summer vacation, “Chicago” was nightlife fun, “Camelot” was a Renaissance Faire, “Mary Poppins” was a trip to the Magic House, “Legally Blonde” was a class reunion, “Sweeney Todd” was visiting the Louvre, “The Color Purple” was the Smithsonian and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” was a trip to Disneyland.
Until we meet again under the stars in Forest Park, here’s raising a glass to a summer tradition that I am grateful for, and will never ever take for granted.
The Muny presents the musical “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” Aug.13-18 at 8:15 pm. Performances take place on the outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information, visit www. muny.org.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.