Joneal Joplin News

It seems like more and more films are being adapted for the stage these days. Some for the better and some for the worse. Which brings us to the classic film, GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER, which starred Spencer Tracy (in his final screen appearance), Katherine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier, in a wonderfully inspiring and humorous production being presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. One might think that this particular piece of cinema is outdated, but the fact is that this story is one that will still resonate with audiences today, and maybe that's a just a sad dose of reality that we all have to face. Todd Kreidler's script follows the movie fairly closely (based on the original screenplay by William Rose), but includes large doses of laughs that neatly leaven the dramatic aspects of the piece, making it an engaging and thoroughly entertaining theatrical experience that I cannot recommend highly enough.

It's your last week to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 26th. Voting closes at the end of the year, in under one week!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Guess Who's Coming to Dinner by Todd Kreidler and directed by Seth Gordon. Based on the screenplay by William Rose, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, January 7-February 1, 2015.

Time is ticking on your last chance to vote for the 2014 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 19th. Voting closes at the end of the year!

Voting has now opened for the 2014 BroadwayWorld St. Louis Regional Awards! Check out the latest live stats as of December 4th.

Three holiday spirits - Christmas Past, Present and Future - conspire to redeem a miserly humbug at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as U.S. Bank presents Charles Dickens' iconic holiday story, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The beloved tale, enjoyed each season by multiple generations of Cincinnatians, will be performed for its 24th year in the Playhouse's Robert S. Marx Theatre from tonight Nov. 26 through Dec. 28.

Three holiday spirits - Christmas Past, Present and Future - conspire to redeem a miserly humbug at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as U.S. Bank presents Charles Dickens' iconic holiday story, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The beloved tale, enjoyed each season by multiple generations of Cincinnatians, will be performed for its 24th year in the Playhouse's Robert S. Marx Theatre from Nov. 26 through Dec. 28.

All single tickets to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati's exciting 2014-2015 Season go on sale Monday, August 4 at 10:00 am. Subscriptions are still available and come in a variety of packages, including the newly added Tuesday preview subscription option.

Jim Butz will play the expansive role of Prince Hal/King Henry V in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' productions of Henry IV and Henry V, today, May 17 through June 15, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, it was announced today by Rick Dildine, artistic and executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) announces the 2014-2015 Season, which features an exciting selection of two outstanding regional premieres of critically acclaimed recent New York hits, a brand new romantic comedy, and a unique rock musical, along with the return of one of ETC's beloved holiday musicals.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis closes another wonderful season with playwright Michael Frayn's hilarious farce within a farce, NOISES OFF. Frayn's work is just downright funny, but it's especially amusing to anyone who's ever taken part in a stage production sometime in their life. The Rep's presentation is excellent, with a talented cast that seems to be having a blast playing this material. It's a marvelous way to bring the season to an end, and it's a must-see production.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the hilarious play Noises Off by Michael Frayn and directed by Edward Stern. This highly entertaining comedy will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, today, March 19-April 13, 2014.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the hilarious play Noises Off by Michael Frayn and directed by Edward Stern. This highly entertaining comedy will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, March 19-April 13, 2014.

Jim Butz will play the expansive role of Prince Hal/King Henry V in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' productions of Henry IV and Henry V, May 17 through June 15, at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park, it was announced today by Rick Dildine, artistic and executive director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck tells a great story of hope for something more while also knowing that one's lot in life is difficult to overcome. Reviewing Steinbeck's script and/or story is a ridiculous idea so I will not even touch it other than to say that obviously it was great. And this cast and crew did a great job interpreting the script and leaving all their emotions on the stage.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, continues their 20th Anniversary Season with the John Steinbeck's classic 'Of Mice and Men', playing tonight, October 18-November 10, 2013. This production is directed by Drew Fracher and features CSC Resident Ensemble members Jeremy Dubin and Jim Hopkins. The production design is sponsored by Raymond James. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

It's only fitting that while we're celebrating Independence Day there's a production of the musical 1776 being staged by a local theatre group. After all, it's not has-been bands at local fairs and fireworks displays that we're supposed to be honoring on this particular occasion, but rather the principles which this country was founded upon. And, 1776 is an entertaining and informative show (book by Peter Stone, and music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards) that attempts to set this historical event to music. Although it's often uneven in tone, it's an engaging ride nonetheless, and Insight Theatre Company's current production is a solid interpretation driven by some fine performances.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, presents William Shakespeare's poetic history 'Richard II', playing from tonight, January 11- February 3, 2013. This production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips and features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Giles Davies, Jim Hopkins and Brent Vimtrup. Get a first look at the show in the photos below!

When Iago talks about 'Jealousy…the green-eyed monster,' he might as well be referring to himself. It's his envy of Cassio's promotion under the leadership of Moorish general Othello that sets a devious plot in motion that will leave many dead and others wounded. And so it goes, in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival's sparkling production of OTHELLO, which is currently being performed in Forest Park. Be sure to arrive early to enjoy the festivities, and to stake your claim on a prime spot from where you can view this splendidly realized show.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company concludes its fantastic and popular eighteenth season with William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" opening tonight, May 11. This production features CSC Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips as Shylock, CSC Ensemble Member Kelly Mengelkoch as Portia and introducing to Cincinnati audiences, Jared Joplin as Antonio, the Merchant of Venice. "The Merchant of Venice" opens tonight and runs through June 3 2012. The production design is generously sponsored by Taft, Stettinius and Hollister.