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

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
Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Metro Theater's 'Last Stop on Market Street' takes a ride through hip-hop, Motown by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Jacqueline Thompson directs musical starring jazz singer Denise Thimes.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 01:06AM
Thursday, January 20, 2022

Musical's messages of acceptance, empowerment resonate with star of 'The Prom' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Kaden Kearney, one of show's stars, is grateful for musical's underdog story and representation of "queer women."

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 03:24PM
Saturday, January 15, 2022

New Jewish Theatre will kick off 24th season with Neil Simon comedy by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Company returns to live performance with Neil Simon's "Laughter on the 23rd Floor."

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 02:54AM
Friday, December 17, 2021

Back to the Jellicle Ball: 'Cats' leaps onto Fox Theatre stage by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Tayler Harris assumes iconic role in Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on T.S. Eliot poems.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 10:36AM
Thursday, December 9, 2021

Rep's production of 'A Christmas Carol' promises to be 'full of joyful noise and theater magic' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Repertory Theatre of St. Louis stages an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 10:36AM
Thursday, December 2, 2021

Playwright Neil LaBute, St. Louis Actors' Studio collaborator, takes 'Comfort' in the theater by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

His latest collaboration with St. Louis Actors' Studio "forges new ground," exploring family dynamics of mother and son.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 03:24AM
Thursday, November 18, 2021

Festive fare and new play by Neil LaBute highlight season’s stage offerings by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Holiday-themed options include "A Christmas Carol," "The Elf on the Shelf," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," The Nutcracker" and more.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 02:48PM
Thursday, November 11, 2021

'Pretty Woman' tour brings Broadway back to the Fox Theatre by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Venue's last theatrical production was "The Band's Visit" in March 2020, before "heartbreaking" cancellation of programming.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 07:54PM
Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Lifelong performer Gayle Seay will lead Stages St. Louis as new artistic director by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Gayle Seay, a New York-based casting director whose extensive background includes work as an actor and choreographer, succeeds Michael Hamilton.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 09:36PM
Friday, September 10, 2021

Theater, dance promise thrilling fall season as live performance returns by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Among the highlights are a Neil Simon play, a ballet showcase, a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama and a musical tribute to Miriam Makeba.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 01:24PM

'Dreaming Zenzile' at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is latest project for top director by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

New York director Lileana Blain-Cruz helms musical tribute to life and career of South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 01:24PM
Friday, September 3, 2021

The Black Rep works up a 'Sweat' to launch its 45th season by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

"Sweat,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about factory workers coping with an uncertain economy, will kick off the Black Rep's 45th season.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 06:36PM
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Thursday, August 12, 2021

10th annual St. Lou Fringe Festival includes virtual, in-person programming by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

The showcase for theater on a shoestring budget is taking a hybrid approach, with a combination of virtual performances and productions staged outdoors and in person.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 02:54AM
Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Cheryl Strayed's 'Tiny Beautiful Things' moves from page to stage by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Cheryl Strayed's empathetic, insightful advice columns are the basis for a play by Nia Vardalos, presented by Max & Louie.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 06:18AM
Saturday, July 10, 2021

Esteemed New York ballet company returns to its roots for eight-city tour by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

New York's American Ballet Theatre brings free performances to Forest Park for its "ABT Across America" tour.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 03:18AM
Friday, June 11, 2021

One-man show 'Here Lies Henry' opens Midnight Company season by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Joe Hanrahan, who stars in Daniel MacIvor’s "Here Lies Henry," loves the challenge of a one-person show

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 09:06PM
Thursday, June 3, 2021

Pulitzer exhibition reflects scope of work by feminist artist Hannah Wilke by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Exhibition includes nearly 120 works by feminist artist Hannah Wilke, who didn't limit her imagination to just one medium.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 08:18AM
Friday, May 28, 2021

The Rep welcomes audiences back with 'a ghost story,' 'Mlima's Tale' by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

“Mlima’s Tale" marks a return to live, in-person performance for the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 08:48PM
Thursday, May 27, 2021

Tony winner André De Shields stars in 'King Lear' that engages with the times at Shakespeare Festival by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

André De Shields, a living legend of American theater, stars in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival production in Forest Park

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 07:33PM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021

SATE presents live, virtual performances for fifth annual Aphra Behn Festival by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

The festival, which kicks off the “Season of the Do-Over,” is named for a 17th-century English playwright who became a role model for later generations of female authors.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 07:24PM
Friday, April 23, 2021

Leverage Dance Theater presses play on ‘Pause’ production by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Recorded and live dance performance combine with visual art in socially distanced Cherokee Street event.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 03:54PM
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Big Muddy eases back into live performance with show presented virtually and under Big Top by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

"Blue Roses Falling," a new dance piece, will be presented both virtually and in person under Big Top in Grand Center.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 06:03PM
Saturday, March 13, 2021

When live theater returns, will audiences be comfortable gathering? by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

With the rollout of vaccinations, theater and dance artists are optimistic that in-person performances can resume before the end of the year.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 02:54AM
Thursday, February 11, 2021

New Jewish Theatre leaders hope productions can resume safely in fall by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Theatergoers have been concerned about future of company, which suspended operations in October and canceled its 2020-21 season in the interest of health and safety.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 03:03PM
Wednesday, February 10, 2021

St. Louis Ballet addresses pandemic romance with Valentine's Day weekend shows by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

"LOVE (and ballet) in the time of Corona" features new choreography as well as excerpts from classical repertoire, including “Sleeping Beauty” and “Swan Lake.”

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 11:33AM
Friday, January 22, 2021

Crowdsourced choreography anchors Big Muddy Dance Company's latest virtual show by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Latest virtual program includes works by Jenny Battenberg, Prince Lyons, Joshua L. Peugh and Brian Enos.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 07:54AM
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Live theater is waiting in the wings, and St. Louis companies are hopeful for 2021 by Calvin Wilson | Post-Dispatch Theater Critic

Rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has artists "cautiously optimistic" about return of live stage productions in 2021.

SOURCE: St. Louis Today at 07:06PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards