Edward Coffield and Leon Braxton discuss how the show inspired them and helped them through tough times, including the AIDS crisis. Patrick Scott Magnuson and Rich Patrick discuss how seeing people of color in major roles resonates with them.
As the Muny draws to a close, we look at a tradition that was built into the development of this outdoor theater: its free seats. The last nine rows are avaiable on a first-come first-served basis. We talk to those who were at the front of the line for "Dreamgirls."
For those of us who often find ourselves as the "other" in the room, there is something to be said for having enough variety in the mix to not feel "other." And at a scale of thousands - I'm not even sure I can name another experience outside of St. Louis I've been able to describe this way.
On Saturday, 10 students from McCluer High School who had starred in their own production of "Dreamgirls" were invited to The Muny's show. Not only did they see the performance, they got to meet the professional entertainers, including Jennifer Holliday. (Slideshow inside)
Do you edit part of yourself to fit in or not offend? Do you judge others based on your ideas of what they should do or like or say? Where's the line between being polite and growing and change that is damaging?
Most of us take for granted the reinforcement or assumption of possibility that comes from seeing people who look like us in various roles. A comfort comes in seeing ourselves reflected in our goals and dreams.
The audience held its breath as Jennifer Holliday started the last song of the first half of "Dreamgirls" Monday night at the Muny. This is what many came for, “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going,” and she delivered. As part of the "7 Nights in July" project, we talk with audience members.
When I have conversations about diversity, I often find myself asserting the concept of diversity meaning more than "taking turns." It's not enough that everyone has access or something that appeals to them - what's going to get everyone together.
Nicole starts her "Dreamgirls" marathon with her tweets and photos from opening night, which she says was the Muny's largest Monday night crowd of the summer and perhaps its most diverse audience. To her, it was a whirlwind, and here are some of the moments that popped.
Mashups. Remixes. Unintentionally diverse spaces. The analysis of all of the previous. This, I am addicted to. That's why I'm intent on seeing every occurrence of the end of Act 1 of “Dreamgirls” starring Jennifer Holliday at the Muny this week.
Jennifer Holliday · Adrienne Thompson · Jade Hillery · Eric Williams · Dereis Lambert · DeAndre'a Fair · Brianna Reed · Doug Erwin · Allexus Harris · Brandon Stewart
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Meeting in St. Louis next week, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious will have its first opportunity as an assembled group to consider what to do after the Vatican issued a mandate for change this spring. It calls on the conference to reorganize and more strictly observe church teachings.
When a family of four goes to the St. Louis Zoo, they can be forgiven for not knowing it will cost them $60, $72 if they park. If they can't pay, the alternative is to tell the kids they can't do what kids do at the zoo.
Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley gave reporters less than a half-hour’s notice today when he announced that conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh’s sculptured bust will be formally installed in the Capitol at 1 p.m.
Developers on the south side come in all shapes and sizes, with ambitions that vary from single buildings to entire city blocks. In the first of a two-part story, Jason Deem talks about building community.
Author M.M. Costantin, who has lived near the Loop for more than 40 years, compiled a photo book that shows Delmar when it was bustling, when it was dangerous and when it came back to life.
They arrived four years ago as fifth-graders, behind in their work and not used to rigorous classes, but they've advanced rapidly and have a strong academic grounding for high school.
The Beacon's Mary Delach Leonard and Rob Koenig extensively covered flooding in 2011 in Missouri. Now this coverage is compiled in an iBook. Read the stories.
Organizers aren't trying to replace the rib fest, but music lovers will be able to find tangy sustenance as they listen to such greats as Mavis Staples (pictured), Big George Brock, Trombone Shorty, Kim Massie and Marquise Knox take the stage.
Isley, a world-class guitarist as well as a gifted songwriter, communicates and connects swith an audience on an intimate level at "An Evening of Music and Discussion." He is hosting the event on Thursday in O'Fallon, Mo.
Like many artists, dancer Antonio Douthit hears a different drummer. But the drumbeat that changed his life at 16 wasn’t in his head. It wafted from a window on Washington Avenue. Douthit comes home for a May 25 performance in "Spring to Dance."
Donna Korando is the Beacon's arts and features editor. You can contact her at dkorando@stlbeacon.org.
Developers on the south side come in all shapes and sizes, with ambitions that vary from single buildings to entire city blocks. In the first of a two-part story, Jason Deem talks about building community.
Speaking to reporters at Monsanto, Howard Buffett warned that future generations would foot the bill for irresponsible soil use. He urged leaders to address thorny issues such as malnutrition and environmental destruction.
Twenty winners will split a million dollars and a wide array of professional services after this year's Arch Grants competition. Victors will also see one-on-one business mentoring in their prize package. The diverse group includes everything from biotech concerns to fashion enterprises.
Innovation and entrepreneurial activity are on the rise in St. Louis, especially in bioscience, technology and alternative energy. The Beacon's InnovationSTL section focuses on the people who are part of this wave, what they're doing and how this is shaping our future. To many St. Louisans, this wave is not yet visible. InnovationSTL aims to change that. We welcome you to share your knowledge, learn more about this vibrant trend and discuss its impact.
The Academy of Science-St. Louis hosts tours of EarthDance, an organic farm, and the Monsanto Agronomics and Breeding Facility May 21-22. The workshop is meant to prompt discussion and answer questions about these two competing philosophies of food production.
Speaking to reporters at Monsanto, Howard Buffett warned that future generations would foot the bill for irresponsible soil use. He urged leaders to address thorny issues such as malnutrition and environmental destruction.
Vernon Bowman's challenge to Monsanto Co.'s patent on its Roundup Ready soybean seeds was billed as a David vs. Goliath contest. Goliath won and won big. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that an Indiana soybean farmer had violated Monsanto's patent on its genetically engineered soybean seeds.
Sally Altman is the Beacon's Health and Science editor. You can contact her at saltman@stlbeacon.org.
You have to know your audience: McDonald's regulars don't need free-range chicken or a certain breed of beef; a second-chance high school needs personally motivated students as opposed to people ordered to attend and low-income Democrats by and large don't want a cigarette tax.
Last week, Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura sacrificed his crown as the King of America. He faced an individual decision to play against the best in the nation or the best on the planet. Find out what happened at that world-level tournament.
Our world sees rapid change in many ways -- how we view women, races, sexual minorities and other populations, for instance. While a daily delivery of new and different can be exhausting, it can force us to reflect and consider how to move forward, often incrementally, toward what is good and what bring value to our lives.
Donna Korando is the Beacon's Voices editor. You can contact her and submit opinion pieces for possible publication at dkorando@stlbeacon.org.