Laurie McConnell News

As we head towards the one-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, the largest episode of civilian gun violence in the history of the US, we turn to art to help us commemorate the occasion through After Orlando.

The feature length animated film, THE ARISTOCATS (1970), was the last project Walt Disney approved before his death in 1966. My son and I watched it several years ago on DVD, when he was just a little tyke. And then, in 2010 we attended Stages St. Louis' wonderful production of the show. Five years later I was little hesitant to bring him to their latest presentation, just because he's that much older, but I think he actually enjoyed it more the second time around. He's now at an age where he can really appreciate the work that goes into bringing these shows to the stage. He loved the performances and music, and so did I. Stages has put together an excellent show that, obviously, has appeal for kids of all ages (and adults as well), and it's currently gracing the stage of The Westport Playhouse. I think the intimacy of the venue acts to enhance the experience, bringing the audience that much closer to the action.

STAGES St. Louis takes you on a feline adventure in Disney's The Aristocats today, June 3, through June 28 at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights.

STAGES St. Louis takes you on a feline adventure in Disney's The Aristocats this June 3-28 at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights. With an unforgettable mix of colorful characters, amusing antics, and swingin' music, this modern version of the familiar Disney classic is just purrrrrr-fect for the entire family.

STAGES St. Louis has announced casting for its exhilarating 29th season: Smokey Joe's Cafe, Anything Goes, and The Full Monty. This season's exceptional talent voyages through songs and stories of diverse relationships, the bonds of friendship, and strength found in community. STAGES also announces the cast for its Theatre for Young Audiences production, the purrrrr-fect family classic, Disney's The Aristocats. All season and single tickets are on sale now.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Imaginary Theatre Company has produced a wonderful musical spoof of Charles Dickens' holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, titled BAH! HUMBUG!. There have been so many different takes on the original story that one would think it's already been played out, but this standard will probably never go out of style. Jack Herrick (book, music and lyrics) does a marvelous job of making it all seem fresh again with a number of catchy little tunes, and a plethora of gags that make use of cultural references that will amuse both children and adults. If you've got a wee one you'd like to introduce to this vintage tale, I definitely recommend that you take the time to see this show.

?The Imaginary Theatre Company, the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present a hysterical and modern version of Bah! Humbug! this holiday season. Adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens with book, music and lyrics by Jack Herrick, this 45-minute performance, suitable for all ages, is a musical adventure that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving.

?The Imaginary Theatre Company, the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present a hysterical and modern version of Bah! Humbug! this holiday season. Adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens with book, music and lyrics by Jack Herrick, this 45-minute performance, suitable for all ages, is a musical adventure that reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving.

Along with their regular productions each season, Stages St. Louis always presents a show that's part of their Theatre for Young Audiences series. Since I've been reviewing theatre in St. Louis I've made an effort to attend one of these performances (with my son along for the experience) because they're always very well done, and it's important to me that children are exposed to the arts. This year's effort is Disney's SLEEPING BEAUTY, and it continues an excellent tradition of providing families with a lively and fun show that's a genuine treat.

STAGES St. Louis brings to life another beloved Princess in Disney's Sleeping Beauty (today, June 18 - June 29), performed at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School.Disney's classic fairy tale is retold on stage in a magical production full of breathtaking dance and the glorious music of Tchaikovsky, including the beautiful 'Once Upon a Dream.' With charming characters including regal royalty, slimy goons, as well as magical fairies and animal friends, Disney's Sleeping Beauty is a treasured treat guaranteed to enchant audiences!

STAGES St. Louis brings to life another beloved Princess in Disney's Sleeping Beauty (June 18 - June 29), performed at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School.Disney's classic fairy tale is retold on stage in a magical production full of breathtaking dance and the glorious music of Tchaikovsky, including the beautiful 'Once Upon a Dream.' With charming characters including regal royalty, slimy goons, as well as magical fairies and animal friends, Disney's Sleeping Beauty is a treasured treat guaranteed to enchant audiences!

STAGES St. Louis has announced casting for the 2014 'American Dream' season. The multifaceted lineup includes; They're Playing Our Song, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, and Fiddler On The Roof. This season's exceptional talent celebrates the realization of the American Dream as explored through unique challenges of seeking fame, amassing monetary success, and cherishing family traditions. STAGES also announces the cast for the Theatre for Young Audiences production of, the classic fairy tale, Disney's Sleeping Beauty. All season and single tickets are on sale now.

The Imaginary Theatre Company, the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present The Velveteen Rabbit this holiday season. Based on Margery Williams' famed literary classic, adapted by playwright Kim Esop Wylie and with music and lyrics by Joe Dreyer, this 45-minute performance, suitable for all ages, is a musical that that celebrates the rewards of loyalty and the wonderful, surprising power of love.

The Fine Print Theatre Company's Citizens Play Festival returns to Stage 773 in its second year, with a new crop of plays in development. A new play workshop, Citizens culminates in a friendly competition that enlists the audience in the development process.

The Fine Print Theatre Company's Citizens Play Festival returns to Stage 773 in its second year, with a new crop of plays in development. A new play workshop, Citizens culminates in a friendly competition that enlists the audience in the development process.

Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC), the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present Annie Oakley by Kathryn Schultz Miller and directed by Jason Cannon. This delightful play will be performed in the E. Desmond Lee Auditorium at the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard in Forest Park, tonight, March 21-30, 2013.

Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC), the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present Annie Oakley by Kathryn Schultz Miller and directed by Jason Cannon. This delightful play will be performed in the E. Desmond Lee Auditorium at the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard in Forest Park, March 21-30, 2013.

I'm a big fan of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Imaginary Theatre Company because their productions are consistently entertaining and they never fail to send a positive message to their audience. This is important to me as a parent, because there are plenty of Christmas plays for children, but they rarely convey the kind of moral I'd like my child to be getting, or else they're ham-handed in the way that they present it. Playwright Sarah Brandt, along with composer Stephen James Neale, has concocted a nice little gem for the holiday season called A GNOME FOR CHRISTMAS, and it's engaging and informative, teaching a valuable lesson about accepting others for who they are and what they can accomplish, rather than how they appear.

The Imaginary Theatre Company, the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present the premiere of a new children's musical, A Gnome for Christmas, this holiday season. Adapted by playwright Sarah Brandt and composer Stephen James Neale, this 45-minute performance, suitable for all ages, is a musical that reminds us of the importance of helping others and the happiness found in friends.

The Imaginary Theatre Company, the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present the premiere of a new children's musical, A Gnome for Christmas, this holiday season. Adapted by playwright Sarah Brandt and composer Stephen James Neale, this 45-minute performance, suitable for all ages, is a musical that reminds us of the importance of helping others and the happiness found in friends.