All stories by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic on BroadwayStars

Thursday, June 8, 2023

105th season of outdoor theater at the Muny gets off to a 'Beautiful' start by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Among its seven shows this summer, outdoor theater in Forest Park will present four Muny premieres: "Beautiful," "Sister Act," "Rent" and "Chess."

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 03:00PM
Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Memphis ballet company reflects diversity of Spring to Dance Festival by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Collage Dance Collective, a ballet company based in Memphis, closes the annual two-day showcase of companies from across the country.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 11:15AM
Wednesday, April 12, 2023

The Rep relaunches its studio series with 'Gruesome Playground Injuries' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

The production relaunches the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Steve Woolf Studio Series, which is devoted to works that push the theatrical envelope.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 12:00PM
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Tuesday, March 21, 2023

In St. Louis debut, Dorrance Dance steps into 'the sonic history of tap' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

For the company's artistic director, Michelle Dorrance, it's something of a homecoming.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 12:00PM
Tuesday, February 14, 2023

St. Louis Actors' Studio stages 'Uncle Vanya' adaptation by frequent collaborator LaBute by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Filmmaker and playwright says Anton Chekov peeked into the future with his "timeless" play.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 11:30AM
Wednesday, February 1, 2023

On a role: For actor Jacob Flekier, all roads lead to playwright Neil Simon by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

At New Jewish Theatre, Jacob Flekier returns once again to a character based on the playwright.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 11:30AM
Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Ron Himes of Black Rep takes on a traditionally white role in 'Death of a Salesman' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Arthur Miller's classic drama plays differently when the Loman family is Black.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 11:00AM
Friday, December 16, 2022

‘Elf’ brings bigger, louder, flashier version of Will Ferrell comedy to the stage by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Cody Garcia, who played Willy Wonka in a touring production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” takes on the role of Buddy.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 05:30AM
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022

Actor, a McCluer North grad, is cool with 'Frozen' roles by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Daniel Switzer is the understudy for Olaf and Weselton.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 09:49PM
Friday, October 21, 2022
Wednesday, September 14, 2022

'Ain't Too Proud' celebrates artistry, appeal of the Temptations by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Broadway sensation coming to the Fox Theatre spotlights the music and goes behind the scenes of the classic Motown act.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 04:19PM
Thursday, September 8, 2022

Acclaimed Broadway shows, a world premiere and more on St. Louis stages in fall by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Among the season's highlights are a Stephen Sondheim musical, a tour of a recent Broadway smash, an early Neil Simon play and a world premiere.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 08:07PM
Friday, July 29, 2022

‘The Color Purple,' in Muny premiere, addresses darker side of human nature by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Musical adaptation of "The Color Purple," a popular movie and an acclaimed novel, makes its Muny premiere, featuring a "complex" Black, female character.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 01:03PM
Thursday, July 21, 2022

'Legally Blonde,' returning to Muny, 'elevates and heightens' movie characters by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

"Legally Blonde" musical challenges assumptions about "who we think is smart," says Maggie Burrows, who directs the Muny production.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 10:07AM
Thursday, July 14, 2022

'Sweeney Todd,' Sondheim's hit musical about murderous barber, makes Muny debut by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Ben Davis says Sondheim musical's murderous barber is "a bucket-list role."

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 11:42PM
Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Neil LaBute pens 'St. Louis' for theater festival that bears his name by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

For annual LaBute New Theater Festival at St. Louis Actors' Studio, writer-director Neil LaBute contributes a one-act piece titled "St. Louis."

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 07:48PM
Saturday, July 2, 2022

13-year-old Florissant actor makes her Muny debut in 'Mary Poppins' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Laila Fantroy is just 13 years old, but with her Muny debut in “Mary Poppins” she's already on the path to becoming a star.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 06:07AM

Flying supernanny Mary Poppins drops in again on the Muny stage by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

John Tartaglia directs the Muny's production of "Mary Poppins," starring Jeanna de Waal and Corbin Bleu.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 06:07AM
Saturday, June 18, 2022

With Muny's ‘Camelot,’ director Matt Kunkel brings ‘new life’ to classic musical by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Matt Kunkel directs an adaptation of "Camelot" that places emphasis on story's heart and focuses on Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 02:18AM
Friday, June 10, 2022

Cast of 'Chicago' at the Muny reunites for 'a journey that we have to finish' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Tale of high-kicking and lowdown showgirls Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly returns, this time as the first show in Muny's 104th season.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 03:18AM
Thursday, June 2, 2022

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival focuses on rom-com side of 'Much Ado About Nothing' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Instead of focusing on darker aspects of "Much Ado About Nothing," emphasis has shifted to “the lightness, and the humor, and the romance.”

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 02:37PM
Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Female writers, directors take the spotlight at SATE's 6th Aphra Behn Festival by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

SATE's annual showcase for female writers and directors is named for trailblazing 17th-century English playwright.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 10:33AM
Wednesday, April 20, 2022

National Dance Week returns, bringing 50 companies to streets of Grand Center by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

After two years of cancellations, National Dance Week features 50 companies and "a big diversity of dance styles."

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 09:42PM
Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Stray Dog Theatre's ‘Jurassic Park’ musical spoof has a message about gender by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Stray Dog Theatre presents a musical spoof of the "Jurassic Park" franchise.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 09:42PM
Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Foulmouthed puppet has a mind of its own in ‘Hand to God’ at St. Louis Actors' Studio by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Tony-nominated play about a foulmouthed puppet whose words become increasingly threatening.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 09:03PM
Wednesday, March 23, 2022

‘39 Steps’ at the Rep puts a satirical spin on classic Hitchcock spy film by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Hitchcock's 1935 film and the novel on which it was based is the inspiration for a satirical version of "The 39 Steps," onstage at the Rep.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 09:18PM
Thursday, March 17, 2022

Black Rep presents provocative play inspired by unethical actions of 'father of modern gynecology' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Black Rep presents "Behind the Sheet," inspired by the true story of the "father of modern gynecology," set against the backdrop of slavery.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 05:18AM
Friday, February 11, 2022

St. Louis native goes from Muny stage to 'Mean Girls' national tour by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

St. Louis native Kaitlyn Louise Smith is on her first national tour, in the ensemble with "Mean Girls."

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 05:03PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
TBA: Titanic