Paul Mason News

Nearly 400 people hooped, hollered and packed the auditorium at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) on Monday, March 23, 2015 for the third annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards ceremony. The event honors outstanding achievement in local professional theater by performers and behind-the-scenes artists. Awards were given in 31 different categories covering comedy, drama and musicals, along with two special awards bestowed on Donna Northcott, founder and artistic director of St. Louis Shakespeare, and Agnes Wilcox, founder and artistic director of Prison Performing Arts. Both women have retired this year and turned their companies over to new artistic directors, Suki Peters for St. Louis Shakespeare and Christopher Limber at Prison Performing Arts.

DINOSAUR ISLAND was conceived three years ago by Emmy award winning creature effects expert MATT DRUMMOND and is a family film aimed primarily at children aged from 6 to 12 years.

New Line Theatre's production of BONNIE & CLYDE tied with Stages St. Louis' rendition of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING with nine nominations apiece for the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards to lead nominations for all shows produced by local professional theater companies in 2014.

DINOSAUR ISLAND was conceived three years ago by Emmy award winning creature effects expert MATT DRUMMOND and is a family film aimed primarily at children aged from 6 to 12 years.

If I were asked to provide the perfect introduction to the work of playwright William Shakespeare I would advise that person to check out The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' current production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Unlike the bard's histories or tragedies, this play is truly lyrical, funny, and filled with magical elements that make it especially appealing. It's also one of his few tales that isn't based on another source, springing with startling originality from his own fervid imagination, which makes it particularly special among his bountiful canon. It seems like I'm always saying this about the Rep, but they provide must-see entertainment on a regular basis, with this enchanting presentation acting as another fine example of their exemplary work.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This enchanting play 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, October 15-November 9, 2014.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This enchanting play 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, October 15-November 9, 2014.

I can't say that I've ever read much of Agatha Christie's work, I'm more inclined toward the convoluted and pulpy prose of Raymond Chandler myself. But, there's no denying the staying power of her play, THE MOUSETRAP, which is still running in Britain since its opening in 1952. It's become an institution, and has influenced countless writers with its mix of quirky characters and deliberately misleading red herrings. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting this classic mystery in a splendidly performed production, and it's a perfect holiday treat that engages and entertains.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the famous and fun whodunit play The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This classic mystery 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, December 4-29, 2013.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the famous and fun whodunit play The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This classic mystery 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, December 4-29, 2013.

BEACH is the indie-electro rock project fronted by the artist also known as Bitch. She recently released her new album In Us We Trust via her own Short Story Records to critical acclaim from the likes of Ladygunn, MAGNET & VIBE. From its opening track, In Us We Trust beams the bold attitude listeners can expect from the woman who, among other things, learned how to fiddle from Andrew Bird and has worked with Kill Rock Stars. 'My lady parts all kicking in the dark,' she sings, to introduce her new project BEACH.

BEACH's new full-length album, In Us We Trust is an indie-electro rock project fronted by Karen Mould--the artist also known as Bitch, and her electric violin.

BEACH's new full-length album, IN US WE TRUST is an indie-electro rock project fronted by Karen Mould – the artist also known as Bitch – and her electric violin. The group recently released album cut, “Ibuprofen,” which is an immediately anthemic break-up song featuring a biting rap chorus and distorted vocal layers. Today, they reveal the “Love Was a River” MP3 – a soulful track topped with Karen's signature electric violin & sultry vocals.

BEACH's new full-length album, In Us We Trust is an indie-electro rock project fronted by Karen Mould--the artist also known as Bitch, and her electric violin.

Bitch just released her title track 'In Us We Trust' from her new album today. In Us We Trust LP drops on July 16 via Short Story Records. Get a first listen below!

The St. Louis Theater Circle has just announced the nominees for the 2013 Louie Awards, honoring excellence in professional theater. The ceremony is set to take place on March 11 at the Gaslight Theater (358 North Boyle Avenue). To reserve tickets, email stltheatercircle@sbcglobal.net.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. The show 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, through April 8, 2012.

Anyone who reads my reviews regularly knows that I'm a fan of Shakespearean re-imaginings. Sure, I like my Shakespeare played straight as well, but sometimes when one of his plays is tinkered with in just the right fashion it comes to life in new and unexpectedly exciting ways. Such is the case with the Rep's slapstick take on THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, which is given the background of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, and given a heavy dose of 1930's period music to liven things up considerably. It's a brilliant take and leaves the Rep with a perfect batting average for the season. It's the reason why we go to Rep in the first place; they consistently provide entertaining shows that are expertly acted and directed, in a theatre that puts you right on top of the action. What more could you ask for?

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. The show 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 14 - April 8, 2012.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. The show 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 14 - April 8, 2012.