Theater/Film Reviews
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Ann Lemons Pollack: A Well-Seasoned Life
Never a shrinking violet, Ann moved between many different worlds during her 76 years.
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Appreciation: A Buffet of Ann Lemons Pollack’s Writing
With the passing of Ann Lemons Pollack in April and preparations underway for the July 24 celebration of her life, we’ve been enjoying re-discovering some of her early writings. Tucked onto dusty bookshelves and archived in old wine boxes, we’ve found dozens of dog-eared hard copies and tear sheets of her old writings, largely lost
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Hand to God
The very disquieting St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s Hand to God will probably be the subject of debate next year when the Critics Circle discusses whether it’s a drama or a comedy. Ibdb.com calls it a comedy, but I’m glad I didn’t have to make that decision for them. There are laughs, sometimes uncomfortable ones, but
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Hairspray
Did anyone in St. Louis do the Madison when they were growing up? I was thrust back into my somewhat misspent youth when in Scene 5 of Hairspray, which just opened at the Fox, television disc jockey and would-be Dick Clark, Corny Collins is emceeing a high school dance and announces the dance, saying it
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The Winnahs Are…
Here are the Circle Award Winners for the 20-21 Seasons Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role:Nicole Angeli, “It Is Magic,” The Midnight CompanyOutstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role (TIE):Joe Hanrahan, “It Is Magic,” The Midnight CompanyCarl Overly, Jr., “It Is Magic,” The Midnight CompanyOutstanding Leading Performer in
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The 39 Steps
Cognitive dissonance: A state achieved by mixing comedy and the work of Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps (based on a film by Hitchcock based on a book by a former governor general of Canada) cavorts across the boards at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis as its final show of the season. Richard Hannay (Ryan
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Laughter on the 23rd Floor
The New Jewish Theatre returns to action with a first-rate piece of ensemble work. Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor has aged well, and it turns out to be unexpectedly and unfortunately relevant in this year of turmoil. The dark clouds at the edge, however, don’t interfere with our enjoyment of the laugh-a-minute show.
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My Fair Lady
How long did it take you to recognize the wordplay in the title of My Fair Lady? For decades I just accepted it was the line from the nursery rhyme about London Bridge falling down. It was only in the last 20 years or so that I realized the title of the play could also
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Behind the Sheet
The Black Rep’s Behind the Sheet will leave you shaken. It should. It’s playwright Charly Evon Simpson’s story of a pre-Civil War physician and surgeon who is attempting to repair an injury that sometimes happens during childbirth. These days, having delivery create a fistula, or opening, between the birth canal and rectum and/or urethra is
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Head over Heels
There’s a (near-riotous) party going on at New Line Theatre. Scott Miller and his merry band have unleashed Head over Heels. Unleashed again, that is. Their first production was stopped in its tracks two years ago this month by the pandemic. Celebrate by heading to the Marcelle Theater and settling in for an evening of