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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]

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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]
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[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off