Skip to main content
Critical Blast

Applewood Road Hearkens to Simpler Time; Folk with Rustic Americana Aroma

Dennis Russo · March 13, 2016

Applewood Road is not only the name of the Album in review, it is also the name of the band--not so much a “band” but more of a trio of young musicians with a penchant for creating music that harkens back to a simpler, less “electric” time. The trio consists of Emily Barker, Amber Rubarth, and Amy Speace.

NOISES OFF Turns The Laughter On In O'Fallon

Jeff Ritter · March 9, 2016

I’m a bit of a comedy snob. I can’t stand stupid comedy: low brow, “Whoa, Dude, I’m like, whatever!” fare is completely lost on me. I appreciate a more subtle hand in humor, a sly wit, a surprising turn of phrase.

Maguire's AFTER ALICE Heavy on Weird, Light on Wonder

RJ Carter · March 7, 2016

I have a confession to make. I've never read a Gregory Maguire book before. I know the name, I know the fame, and I've even seen the musical, WICKED, based on his novel of the same name. But I just hadn't sought out any of his works to try them in their written form.

The Good Dinosaur: Little House on the Pleistocene

RJ Carter · March 6, 2016

THE GOOD DINOSAUR asks the question: What if the asteroid that destroyed the dinosaurs missed? Well, apparently the answer is that the dinosaurs would have learned how to talk, build houses, plow fields, and raise giant chickens, all without the benefit of any evolutionary advances like opposable thumbs.

New Line Theatre's AMERICAN IDIOT Is A Sly But Powerful Wake Up Call

Jeff Ritter · March 6, 2016

The New Line Theatre kicked off their second production in their swanky new digs in the Marcelle Theatre with AMERICAN IDIOT, a mostly sung through musical written by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer, featuring the entire American Idiot album with a few numbers from 21st