Podcasts about stray dog theatre

Lynn & Carl talk theatre with some Saint Louis treasures. First, Gary F. Bell talks about Stray Dog Theatre's Rock of Ages opening April 3rd at the Tower Grove Abbey. They are then joined by playwright Carter Lewis about his new play WITH at St. Louis Actor's studio with the stars Donna Weinsting & Whit Reichert. Plus Lynn saw The Friend & Eric Larue.

This week Lynn & Carl begin by speaking with Shelby Ringdahl, playing Dyanne in The Rep & Stages' dual production of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at the the Loretto-Hilton Center at Webster University (12/4-22). Next F. Gary Bell joins to discuss Stray Dog Theatre's production of Bell, Book & Candle at the Tower Grove Abbey (12/5-21). Finally they preview the New Releases: That Christmas, The Order, Nightbitch & Max's Yatch Rock documentary.

Lynn & Carl talk with Amadeo Fusca, starring in "Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus" at The Westport Playhouse Feb. 14-18th. Next, Gary F. Bell tells about Stray Dog Theatre's "The Mousetrap" opening Thursday, Feb. 1st. Finally, they discuss new releases (& shows): Scrambled, True Detective: Night Country, Masters of the Air, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans and The Greatest Night in Pop.

This week Lynn & Carl welcome Gary F. Bell & Stephen Peirick from Stray Dog Theatre talking about their production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, running now through June 25th. Then the latest releases: Jurassic World: Dominion and Hustle on Netflix. Plus Circus Flora, Cardinals Theme Nights in June - Pride Night Friday, and Star Wars Night June 15, the AFL Best Performance Awards June 12 for STL community theater, Urinetown at New Line Theatre and The Muny opens Monday. (And Guido's on the Hill!)

Lynn, Carl & special guest Gary F. Bell from Stray Dog Theatre discus the opening of their new season and "Art." Then they are joined by PopLifeStL's Alex McPherson to review new releases: Stillwater, Jungle Cruise, The Green Knight, Jolt, The Loneliest Whale and Woodstock 99. Plus Lynn gushes about Ted Lasso.

Lynn, & Carl with special guests Gary F. Bell from Stray Dog Theatre and radio legend Paul Cook review Mank, Black Bear, Nomadland, 18 to Party, The Prom, Dear Santa, Sound of Metal and All My Life. Plus movie & theater news and it's Christmastime!

On this episode of the Ask the Marketing Expert Podcast, Justine Beauregard interviews Amelia Morse Kolkmeyer of The Morse Actors Studio.Amelia began acting at a young age, but always felt like an outsider too. It wasn't until she went to graduate school did she really find her voice and was break out of her shell. She taught acting for four years at the University of Southern Indiana and has performed with numerous groups, such as Stray Dog Theatre, Loveland Opera Theatre, and The Stage Company (in Carbondale, IL). Amelia has a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts both in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting from Lindenwood University. For her MFA thesis she performed in "Noises Off" as Dotty/Mrs. Clackett. Amelia loves to perform just as much as she loves to teach others and would love to talk to you about becoming a more confident, stronger actor today.You can learn more about her at www.themorseactorsstudio.com.Highlights: Amelia's struggle to convey confidence in her message & pitchHow to workshop a pitch to become a stronger salesperson instantlyThe importance of practice and preparation in acting & sellingAnd more!Apply to be a guest: https://forms.gle/1dZB9P8LhC12PwqH8Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowthMindsetMarketersFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmindsetmarketersJoin my free trainings group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreeMarketingTrainingsTo learn more about Justine and the Growth Mindset Marketers community, visit www.growthmindsetmarketers.com.

Guest Gary Bell, Artistic Director of Stray Dog Theatre, shares everything from the history of their unusual name to their work in creating a unique venue for local performers.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) DISGRACED, by Ayad Akhtar, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (2) ELEEMOSYNARY, by Lee Blessing, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (3) GIDION'S KNOT, by Johnna Adams, at St. Louis Actors’ Studio, (4) I'LL BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT, by Peter Colley, at Stray Dog Theatre, (5) EDUCATING RITA, by Willy Russell, at West End Players Guild, (6) AS YOU LIKE IT, by William Shakespeare, at Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, and (7) AND IN THIS CORNER…CASSIUS CLAY, by Idris Goodwin, Metro Theater Company.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, by Rick Elice, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; (2) BAD JEWS, by Joshua Harmon, at the New Jewish Theatre; (3) THE GIN GAME, by D. L. Coburn, at St. Louis Actors' Studio; (4) SUBLIME INTIMACY, by Ken Page, at Max & Louie Productions; (5) DEVIL BOYS FROM BEYOND, by Buddy Thomas, Kenneth Elliot, & Drew Fornarola, at Stray Dog Theatre; (6) SHOTGUN, by John Biguenet, at the Webster Univ. Conservatory; and (7) ALL IS CALM, by Peter Rothstein, Erick Lichte & Timothy C. Takach, at Mustard Seed Theatre.

Deborah Sharn talks to playwright, actor and director Stephen Peirick who is directing the West End Players Guild’s production of “Rapture, Blister, Burn” by Gina Gionfriddo.  Ms. Gionfriddo is an American playwright and television writer. Other plays include, “Becky Shaw” and “After Ashley.”   Stephen Peirick is a local playwright whose plays have been presented in St. Louis by Stray Dog Theatre and R-S Theatrics.    

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE SUNSHINE BOYS, by Neal Simon at the New Jewish Theatre; (2) THE KISS, by Ger Thijs, at Upstream Theater; (3) HEATHERS, by Kevin Murphy & Laurence O'Keefe, at New Line Theatre; (4) TALKIN' TRASH, by Nicholas Kryah, at Metro Theater Company; (5) DOGFIGHT, by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, & Peter Duchan, at Stray Dog Theatre and the Webster Univ. Conservatory; (6) COMPANY, by Stephen Sondheim & George Furth, at Washington Univ; (7) TWELFTH NIGHT, by William Shakespeare, at St. Louis Shakespeare; and (8) TRASH MACBETH, by William Shakespeare, at Saint Louis University.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky interview Ron Himes, Founder & Producing Director of The Black Rep, after reviewing: (1) SPELLBOUND! A MUSICAL FABLE, by Gary F. Bell & Robert L. White, at Stray Dog Theatre, and (2) OKLAHOMA!, by Rodgers and Hammerstein, at The Muny.

Deborah Sharn talks with Gary Bell and Robert L. White about their musical, “Spellbound – A Musical Fable” that is being  produced by Stray Dog Theatre this August in St. Louis.  Gary and Robert also discuss the creative process of writing a musical.    

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, at Stages St. Louis, (2) LA RONDINE, by Giacomo Puccini, at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, (3) ONE SUMMER ON SECOND STREET, Circus Flora, (4) RICHARD THE LIONHEART, by George Frederic Handel, at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, (5) THE THREEPENNY OPERA, by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill, at New Line Theatre, (6) THE PILLOWMAN, by Martin McDonagh, at Theatre Lab, (7) DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD, by Bert V. Royal, at Stray Dog Theatre., (8) DISNEY’S THE ARISTOCATS, by Michael Bernard, Bryan Louiselle, et al., at Stages St. Louis, (9) IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?, by Mollie J. Ambugey & Will Bonfiglio, at GoodPeople Theatre Co.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, adapted by Patrick Siler, at Upstream Theater, (2) OFF THE RECORD, by Alec Wild, at OnSite Theatre Company, (3) THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, by Rupert Holmes, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) STOMP, by Luke Cresswell & Steve McNicholas, at the Fox Theatre, (5) THE COCKFIGHTER, by Frank Manley & Vincent Murphy, at West End Players Guild, (6) THE LAST FIVE YEARS, by Jason Robert Brown, at Webster Univ. Conservatory, (7) LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, by Howard Ashman & Alan Menken, at Over Due Theatre Company, (8) GOOD PEOPLE, by David Lindsay-Abaire, at Univ. of Missouri-St. Louis.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, by Edward Albee, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (2) The Winslow Boy, by Terence Rattigan, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (3) White to Gray, by Rob Maesaka, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (4) Stick Fly, by Lydia R. Diamond, at The Black Rep, (5) Mr. Marmalade, by Noah Haidle, at West End Players Guil, (6) God of Carnage, by Yasmina Reza, at Stray Dog Theatre, and (7) Old Wounds, by Mollie Jeanette Amburgey, at GoodPeople Theatre.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review 1) REALITY, by Lia Romeo, at HotCity Theatre, (2) RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH, by Richard Maltby, Jr., at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (3) THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL, by David Nehls & Betsy Kelso, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) A RAISIN IN THE SUN, by Lorraine Hansberry, at The Black Rep, (5) EAT YOUR HEART OUT, by Courtney Baron, at R-S Theatrics, (6) BECOMING DR. RUTH, by Mark St. Germain, at the New Jewish Theatre, (7) CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL, by Trey Parker, at Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre, (8) BLITHE SPIRIT, by Noel Coward, at St. Louis Actors’ Studio, and (9) HAY FEVER, by Noel Coward, at Webster Univ. Conservatory.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, & Wendy Kesselman, at the New Jewish Theatre, (2) ANTIGONE, by Sophocles, at Upstream Theater, (3) AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, by Agatha Christie, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) BONNIE AND CLYDE, by Ivan Menchell, Frank Wildhorn, & Don Black, at New Line Theatre, (5) SIDE SHOW, by Bill Russell & Henry Krieger, at Over Due Theatre Co., (6) STOP KISS, by Diane Son, at the Webster Univ. Conservatory, (7) NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, by George & Ira Gershwin & Joe DiPietro, at the Peabody Opera House, (8) ANON(YMOUS), by Naomi Iisuka, at Washington Univ., and (9) BUS STOP, by William Inge, at Saint Louis Univ.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky interview Suki Peters, actor and director, after reviewing (1) HUMAN TERRAIN, by Jennifer Blackmer, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (2) THE SPITFIRE GRILL, by James Valcq & Fred Alley, at Insight Theatre Co., (3) SIEGFRIED, by Richard Wagner, at Union Avenue Opera, (4) MARY SHELLY MONSTER SHOW, by Nick Otten, at Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, and (5) FOUR SUGARS, by Stephen Peirick, at Stray Dog Theatre.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, by Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock & Willie Gilbert, at Stages St. Louis, (2) A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, by Andre Previn & Tennessee Williams, at Union Avenue Opera, (3) GREASE, by Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey, at The Muny, (4) LaBUTE FESTIVAL PART 2, by Neil LaBute et al., at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (5) FUNNY GIRL, by Isobel Lennart, Jule Styne & Bob Merrill, at Stray Dog Theatre, (6) TARZAN, by Phil Collins & David Henry Hwang, at Take Two Productions, (7) QUILLS, by Doug Wright, at Max & Louie Productions, (8) WILLY WONKA, by Roald Dahl et al., at Over Due Theatre Co., and (9) SEX, DRUGS, ROCK & ROLL, by Eric Bogosian, at The Midnight Co.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) 27, by Ricky Ian Gordon & Royce Vavrek, at Opera Theatre of St. Louis; (2) LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!, by Terrence McNally, at Stray Dog Theatre; (3) DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES, by Francis Poulenc, at Opera Theatre of St. Louis; (4) SOMEONE WHO'LL WATCH OVER ME, by Frank McGuinness, at R-S Theatrics; (5) BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, by Lee Hall & Elton John, at The Muny; and (6) DISNEY'S SLEEPING BEAUTY, by Marcy Heisler, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, et al., at Stages St. Louis.

Bob Wilcox and Mark Bretz review (1) THE TRIALS OF BROTHER JERO, by Wole Soyinka, at The Black Rep, (2) Rx, by Kate Fodor, at West End Players Guild, (3) CABARET, by J. Kander, F. Ebb & J. Masteroff, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, by Neil Simon, at Hawthorne Players, (5) ONCE, by Enda Walsh, Glen Hansard, & Marketa Irglova, at the Fox, (6) VICTOR/VICTORIA, by B. Edwards, H. Mancini, L. Bricusse, & F. Wildhorn, at Family Musical Theater, (7) FALLING, by Deanna Jent, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (8) YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, by George F. Kaufman & Moss Hart, at Over Due Theatre Co., (9) A PATH FAR FROM HERE, by Taylor Gruenloh, at Tesseract Theatre Co., and (10) UNSORTED, by Wesley Middleton, at Metro Theater Co.

(1) OTHER DESERT CITIES, by Jon Robin Baitz, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (2) GEE'S BEND, by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (3) LOVERS, by Brian Friel, at the West End Players Guild, (4) THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, by Douglas Carter Beane, at Stray Dog Theatre, (5) FALSTAFF, by Giuseppe Verdi & Arrigo Boito, at Winter Opera St. Louis, (6) TALES OF THE LOST FORMICANS, by Constance Congdon, at Meramec Community College, (7) MAN OF LA MANCHA, by Dale Wasserman, Joe Darion & MitchLeigh, at the Peabody Opera House, and (8) THE ANDREW BROTHERS MUSICAL, by Roger Bean, at Harvest Theatre.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review(1) THE MOUSETRAP, by Agatha Christie, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; (2) MEDAL OF HONOR RAG, by Tom Cole, at West End Players Guild; (3) HANNAH SENESH, by David Schechter, at the New Jewish Theatre; (4) THE BUTTERFINGERS ANGEL, MARY & JOSEPH, HEROD THE NUT AND THE SLAUGHTER OF 12 HIT CAROLS IN A PEAR TREE, by William Gibson, at Stray Dog Theatre; (5) BLACK NATIVITY, by Ron Himes et al., at The Black Rep; (6) OH HELL!: BOBBY GOULD IN HELL, by David Mamet, and THE DEVIL AND BILLY MARKHAM, by Shel Silverstein, at R-S Theatrics; (7) KOSHER LUTHERANS, by William Missouri Downs, at HotCity Theatre; and (8) SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, at Webster Univ. Conservatory.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review THE GOOD DOCTOR, by Neil Simon, at the New Jewish Theatre; DIARY OF A MADMAN, by Nicolai Gogol, adapted by David Holman, at Upstream Theater; EVITA, by Andrew Lloyd Weber & Tim Rice, at the Fox Theatre; EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL, by George Reinblatt, Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond & Melissa Morris, at Stray Dog Theatre; NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, by Stephen Gregory Smith & Matt Conner, at New Line Theatre; PLAYHOUSE CREATURES, by April De Angelis, at Saint Louis Univ.; and ALICE IN WONDERLAND, by Lewis Carroll, Chris Byron Pratt, Doug Finlayson and Ensemble, at Webster Univ. Conservatory.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky interview Rachel Tibbetts and Ellie Schwetye of Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble after reviewing (1) THE LYONS, by Nicky Silver, at Max & Louie Productions, (2) SKETCH, by Leverage Dance Theater, and NINE, by Jane Shepard, at Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, and (3) COMPLICATED LIVES: AN EVENING OF SHORT PLAYS, by Stephen Peirick, at Stray Dog Theatre.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) LaBUTE NEW THEATER FESTIVAL, by Neil LaBute et al., at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (2) TIMON OF ATHENS, by William Shakespeare, at St. Louis Shakespeare, (3) LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, by Alan Menken & Howard Ashman, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) LES MISERABLES, by Claude-Michel Schoenberg, Alain Boublil, et al., at The Muny, (5) OKLAHOMA!, by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, at Family Musical Theater, and (6) MADAMA BUTTERFLY, by Giacomo Puccini, at Union Avenue Opera.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE WIZ, by Charlie Smalls & William F. Brown, at The Black Rep, (2) ALWAYS . . . PATSY CLINE, by Ted Swindley et al., at Stages St. Louis, (3) SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, by John Guare, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) IL TABARRO & PAGLIACCI, by Puccini & Leoncavallo, at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, (5) CHAPTER TWO, by Neal Simon, at Insight Theatre Co., (6) KING LEAR, by William Shakespeare, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (7) A TRIP TO THE MOON, at Circus Flora, (8) BUKOWSICAL, by Spencer Green & Gary Stockdale, at New Line Theatre, and (9) THE CHERRY SISTERS REVISITED, by Dan O'Brien, at R-S Theatrics.

On this episode, Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) JANE EYRE, by Charlotte Bronte, adapted by Julie Beckman, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (2) GYPSY, by Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, & Arthur Laurents, at Stray Dog Theatre, (3) CONVICTION, by Oren Neeman, trans. by Ami Dayan, at the New Jewish Theatre, (4) INTO THE WOODS, by Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine,at Family Musical Theater, (5) OPUS, by Michael Hollinger, at West End Players Guild, (6) EURYDICE, by Sarah Ruhl, at the Webster Univ. Conservatory, and (7) LEADING LADIES, by Ken Ludwig, at Hawthorne Players.

On this episode, Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, adapted from Jane Austen by Jon Jory, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (2) THE MOUNTAINTOP, by Katori Hall, at The Black Rep, (3) SPEED-THE-PLOW, by David Mamet, at the New Jewish Theatre, (4) PSYCHO BEACH PARTY, by Charles Busch, at Stray Dog Theatre, (5) CONNECTED, by Lia Romeo, at HotCity Theatre, (6) THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE, by Douglas Moore, at Winter Opera St. Louis, (7) ENGAGING SHAW, by John Morogiello, at West End Players Guild, and (8) OEDIPUS AT COLONUS, by Sophocles, at Washington Univ.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE FOREIGNER, by Larry Shue, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (2) TALLEY'S FOLLY, by Lanford Wilson, at the New Jewish Theatre, (3) SEASON'S GREETINGS, by Alan Ayckbourn, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (4) THE DIVINE SISTER, by Charles Busch, at HotCity Theatre, (5) YOURS, ANNE, by Enid Futterman & Michael Cohen, at the Webster Univ. Conservatory, (6) FULLY COMMITTED, by Becky Mode, at Stray Dog Theatre, (7) THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, by Barbara Robinson, at KTK Productions, and (8) THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW (ABRIDGED), by Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor, at Edison Theatre Ovations.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) LES MISERABLES, by Claude-Michel Schonberg, Alain Boublil Jean-Marc Natel, et al., at the Fox Theatre, (2) DADDY LONG LEGS, by Paul Gordon & John Caird, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (3) SPRING AWAKENING, by Frank Wedekind, Duncan Sheik, & Steve Sater, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) LOST IN YONKERS, by Neil Simon, at the New Jewish Theatre, (5) THE HAIRY APE, by Eugene O'Neill, at Upstream Theater, (6) GOOD, by C.P. Taylor, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (7) WONDER OF THE WORLD, by David Lindsay-Abaire, at St. Louis University, and (8) INVENTING VAN GOGH, by Steve Dietz, at West End Players Guild.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE SOUND OF MUSIC, by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lindsay & Crouse, at Stages St. Louis, (2) THE KING AND I, by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, at The Muny, (3) THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL, by David Nehls & Betsy Kelso, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) AIDA, by Elton John & Tim Rice, Linda Woolverton & Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang, at Take Two Productions, (5) PIRATES! (OR, GILBERT & SULLIVAN PLUNDER'D), by W.S. Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, & Nell Benjamin, at The Muny, (6) THE SOUND OF MUSIC, by Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lindsay & Crouse, at The Over Due Theatre Co., and (7) COMPANY, by Stephen Sondheim & George Furth, at Hawthorne Players.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) MEMPHIS, by Joe DiPietro & David Bryan, at the Fox Theatre, (2) ANGELS IN AMERICA, by Tony Kushner, at Stray Dog Theatre, (3) VINEGAR TOM, by Caryl Churchill, at Saint Louis Univ., (4) I DO! I DO!, by Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt, at Dramatic License Productions, (5) LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN, by Oscar Wilde, at Webster Univ. Conservatory, (6) THE NEW WORLD, by Nancy Bell, at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, (7) AS YOU LIKE IT, by William Shakespeare, at Washington Univ., and (8) THE FOREIGNER, by Larry Shue, at Clayton Community Theatre.

Guest host Mark Bretz and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) KILLER JOE, by Tracy Letts, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (2) MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, by August Wilson, at The Black Rep, (3) THE WINTER'S TALE, by William Shakespeare, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (4) ANGELS IN AMERICA, PART ONE: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES, by Tony Kushner, at Stray Dog Theatre, (5) CONVERSATIONS WITH AN EXECUTIONER, by Philip Boehm, adapted from Kazimierz Moczarski, at Upstream Theater, (6) EXIT THE KING, by Eugene Ionesco, at West End Players Guild, (7 ) LITTLE WOMEN, adapted by Kristen Laurence from Louisa May Alcott, at Hawthorne Players, and (8) DINNER WITH FRIENDS, by Donald Margulies, at Webster Univ.Conservatory.

Bob Wilcox, Gerry Kowarsky, and special guest Anna Blair review (1) WAY TO HEAVEN, by Juan Mayoga, at the New Jewish Theatre, (2) PLAYLAND, by Athol Fugard, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (3) URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL, by Mark Hollman & Greg Kotis, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) ROCK OF AGES, book by Chris d'Arienzo, at the Fox Theatre, (5) ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, by Richard Strauss & Hugo von Hofmannsthal, at Winter Opera St. Louis, and (6) INTIMATE APPAREL, by Lynn Nottage, at Univ. of Missouri-St. Louis. Anna joins Bob in the review of ROCK OF AGES.

Bob Wilcox, Gerry Kowarsky, and special guest Anna Blair review (1) WAY TO HEAVEN, by Juan Mayoga, at the New Jewish Theatre, (2) PLAYLAND, by Athol Fugard, at Mustard Seed Theatre, (3) URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL, by Mark Hollman & Greg Kotis, at Stray Dog Theatre, (4) ROCK OF AGES, book by Chris d'Arienzo, at the Fox Theatre, (5) ARIADNE AUF NAXOS, by Richard Strauss & Hugo von Hofmannsthal, at Winter Opera St. Louis, and (6) INTIMATE APPAREL, by Lynn Nottage, at Univ. of Missouri-St. Louis. Anna joins Bob in the review of ROCK OF AGES.

This episode of State of the Arts features Art St. Louis, an organization that nurtures the careers of talented visual artists. Host Paul Schankman interviews Art St. Louis Executive Director Chandler Branch. A powerful play about one family's experience with an autistic child may be headed to off-Broadway. Stray Dog Theatre is a feisty small theatre group with a dedication to outreach. We place Stray Dog Theatre "in the Spotlight" in this episode of State of the Arts. St. Louis city school students are embracing a program that teaches classical music from elementary school through high school. This inspiring program shows that musical talent, when nurtured, can bloom in unlikely places. Bob Cassily, a creative visionary behind The City Museum and many works of public art, died in a tragic accident. A new exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum displays Monet's Water Lilies the way the artist intended, with all three panels hung together as one triptych. Classical musicians take their music into hospitals to soothe the pain of seriously ill patients. The diverse roots of the city of Kirkwood are explored in an exhibit that documents the lives of early African-American residents. A local artist finds satisfaction in making small worlds come alive. The celebrity judges from American Idol breeze through town to find the next pop superstars. A love of the music of Miles Davis is inspiring a new generation of musicians in East St. Louis. A short excerpt of a performance by Guitar Duo Noire, sponsored by the St. Louis Classical Guitar Society.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) THE WHO'S TOMMY, by PeteTownshend, Des McAnuff, John Entwistle & Keith Moon, at Stray Dog Theatre, (2) GOD OF CARNAGE, by Yasmina Reza, at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, (3) HAIRSPRAY: THE MUSICAL, by John Waters et al., at The Black Rep & Washington Univ., (4) BLOOD WEDDING, by Federico Garcia Lorca, at Upstream Theater, (5) JUST A SONG AT TWILIGHT, book by Chuck Lavazzi, at West End Players Guild, (6) NUTS, by Tom Topor, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, and (7) SPECTRUM 2011, by various playwrights, at First Run Theatre.

Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky review (1) A CHORUS LINE, by Marvin Hamlisch, Edward Kleban, James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante, at Stages St. Louis, (2) THE IMMIGRANT, by Mark Harelik, at the New Jewish Theatre, (3) PELLEAS AND MELISANDE, by Claude Debussy, at Opera Theatre of St. Louis, (4) JUST DESSERTS, by Neil LaBute, at St. Louis Actors' Studio, (5) VAGABOND ADVENTURES, at Circus Flora, (6) KIND SIR, by Norman Krasna, at ACT Inc., (7) THE VISIT, by Friedrich Duerrenmatt, at Stray Dog Theatre, (8) BARE, by Damon Intrabartolo & Jon Hartmere, at New Line Theatre, and (9) BECKY'S NEW CAR, by Steven Dietz, at Insight Theatre Co.