The Independent News

10/15/2025

Upcoming events through our ThunderTix ticketing platform

10/15/2025

St, Louis County Pet Adoption Center
Issues Urgent Adoption and Foster Plea

The Saint Louis County Pet Adoption Center is urgently asking the community to adopt or foster a dog as it continues to deal with overcrowding in the shelter.
“Our goal is to provide compassionate and humane care for every animal in our facility,” said Animal Care and Control Division Director, Malik Johnson. “With nearly 200 dogs on-site, that goal becomes increasingly more difficult. We urgently need the public to help get our population of dogs to a more manageable number.”
The Pet Adoption Center is asking the community to help during this crisis by adopting or fostering a dog from the shelter. Fostering an animal is completely free, with all necessary supplies provided by the shelter. Learn more about the foster program here. Adoption fees are
currently just $40. Adoptable dogs leave the shelter spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, and microchipped. You can browse adoptable animals here.
“ We are so blessed to live in a community that routinely rises to the occasion. We are calling on the community once more. Please, if you’ve ever thought about adding a dog to your family, the time is now!” said Johnson. “Fostering a dog saves lives, adopting changes them forever. You can meet shelter dogs ready for adoption at the inaugural BARK-Tober Fest event this
Saturday, Oct. 16 18. The event, at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood, runs from 5 . to 9 p.m. and will include pet-friendly vendors, a costume contest for pets and people, and a donation drive benefiting Saint Louis County Pet Adoption Center.

10/15/2025

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE NOTEBOOK
COMING TO ST. LOUIS NOVEMBER 4-16

FEATURING AN AWARD-WINNING CREATIVE TEAM
Music & Lyrics by INGRID MICHAELSON
Book by BEKAH BRUNSTETTER
Choreography by KATIE SPELMAN
Directed by MICHAEL GREIF and SCHELE WILLIAM

Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with The Fabulous Fox, announced casting for the North American tour of THE NOTEBOOK, a new musical based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film. As part of the 2025-2026 Broadway Season, THE NOTEBOOK will play at The Fabulous Fox Nov. 4-16 and audiences in St. Louis are about to fall in love all over again with this beloved story.

Portraying Allie and Noah across their lifetimes are Sharon Catherine Brown as Older Allie and Beau Gravitte as Older Noah, Alysha Deslorieux as Middle Allie and Ken Wulf Clark as Middle Noah, and Chloë Cheers as Younger Allie and Kyle Mangold as Younger Noah. They are joined by Anne Tolpegin as Mother/Nurse Lori and Connor Richardson as Johnny. Playing various roles are Nick Brogan, Jesse Corbin, Jerome Harmann-Hardeman, Rayna Hickman, Makena Jackson, Caleb Mathura, Aaron Ramey, Shari Washington Rhone, Samantha Rios, Grace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg, Emily Somé, and Joe V***a.

Show times for THE NOTEBOOK at The Fabulous Fox are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. There will also be an evening performance on Sunday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. and a 1:00 p.m. matinee performance on Thursday, November 13. Ticket prices start at $41. Prices are subject to change; please refer to FabulousFox.com/Notebook for current pricing.

“THE NOTEBOOK is ultimately a celebration of life, love, and the power of memory,” said producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch. “Audiences first fell in love with this timeless story as a novel, then as an iconic film, and now they can experience it anew as a moving musical event. With multi-platinum artist Ingrid Michaelson’s unforgettable score and Tony Award nominated Bekah Brunstetter’s beautifully crafted book, THE NOTEBOOK comes to life on stage in a way that will resonate deeply with audiences across North America.”

Allie and Noah, two people from different worlds, share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.

Based on the book that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that is one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all-time, the musical adaptation of THE NOTEBOOK played Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre from March 2024 to December 2024
THE NOTEBOOK features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter (writer and producer on NBC's “This Is Us,” The Cake). The production is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (Aida, The Wiz), with choreography by Katie Spelman (Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical).
“Romantic, life-affirming and ingeniously adapted.” – USA Today

The creative team for the tour includes scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Mia Neal, and projection design by Lucy Mackinnon.

The production was recently recognized with three 2024 Tony Award nominations (Best Book of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical), Drama League Award nominations for Outstanding Production of a Musical, two Distinguished Performance Awards and the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing.
Atlantic Records officially released the Grammy-nominated THE NOTEBOOK (Original Broadway Cast Recording), with a score that Vanity Fair calls “strikingly beautiful” by multiplatinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, available HERE.

Following its release, THE NOTEBOOK (Original Broadway Cast Recording) debuted at #1 on the Top Broadway chart in Music Connect, with breakout single “My Days” now surpassing 9 million streams on Spotify alone.
www.NotebookMusical.com
Follow THE NOTEBOOK on X, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

10/14/2025

10/14/2025

10/14/2025

Last Friday, SLM reported that Ferguson Brewing Company (418 S. Florissant, Ferguson) plans to close on December 20, after more than 15 years in business.

10/13/2025

The Woman in Black' Is Scary,
But Not Terrorizing at The Rep
by Pat Lindsey

When I was invited to see 'The Woman in Black' at The Rep in October, my first thought was that it was probably an appropriate show for the month of Halloween. I had never seen it, nor did I know anything about the book or the movie. Most of the time I steer clear of anything spooky, but I decided to be brave and risk having nightmares for this one. I'm glad I did.
This production of Susan Hill's 'The Woman in Black' is the original London production of a play by Stephen Mallatratt based on the gothic novel. Robin Herford, the original director of the London production, is sharing his ghostly directorial genius at The Rep.
'The Woman in Black' tells the story of a young man, played by James Byng, who travels to an old country manor to help settle the estate of a reclusive widow, Mrs Drablow. What he doesn’t realize is that the home is haunted by a woman with a skeletal face dressed in black, and she does not intend to make his stay in the house a pleasant one.
The two male roles in the play are performed by three actors.
(two are featured in attached photos from the Rep) David Acton plays Arthur Kipps, James Byng plays the Actor, and, for the first time ever, Ben Porter plays both roles. Of course, there is the Woman in Black, but she remains an unidentified mystery. (Her name isn't even listed among the cast credits in the program.)
The first act begins slowly with Arthur Kipps reading his personal manuscript to the Actor in a monotone. The two men create more comedy than scariness and the suspense, at this point, is in wondering how in the world this dialogue is going to develop into anything thrilling. It took me a while to figure out that this is a play within a play.
Arthur Kipps has hired an actor to act out his real-life nightmare that he has described in his manuscript. Mr. Kipps is desperate to stop this recurring nightmare and, by bringing the horror to life, he hopes to remove it from his life forever. Gradually, the atmosphere in the theatre begins to change. Screams and loud noises jolt the audience. Hold onto your seat, because Act II will take you and your imagination to places where no one should enter alone.
The eerily effective sparse sets are shades of gray and black. The bone-chilling sound effects by Sebastian Frost transport the audience to various locations, while startling them when they least expect it. The actors have command of the stage and slowly immerse the audience into their haunting ghost story. It's good theatre whether you enjoy being scared or not. Judging from the enthusiastic standing ovation the actors received from the audience, and the fact that I did not have nightmares after seeing it, I think 'The Woman in Black' is one terrific tale of terror.
'The Woman in Black' will be haunting St. Louis audiences at The Rep in Webster Groves now through Oct. 26. For tickets, visit www.repstl.org or call the Box Office at 314-968-4925.

10/13/2025

Fall Festival along rue St Francois in Old Town

10/11/2025

10/10/2025

🎉Congratulations to our 2026 Legacy Award winner, Rick Dorsey of Ahlheim & Dorsey, LLC - Attorneys at Law!

Rick has been a dedicated leader, advocate, and friend to the North County community for many years. Through his unwavering commitment, generosity, and genuine care for others, he has helped strengthen countless local businesses and organizations. 💪

The Legacy Award honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on North County—those whose leadership, vision, and community spirit continue to inspire others to give back and get involved. Rick truly embodies that spirit! 🙌

Please join us in celebrating Rick and all that he has done (and continues to do) to make North County stronger! 👏

10/09/2025

'Life of Pi' is a Sensational
Tale of the Human Spirit
by Pat Lindsey

'Life of Pi' is a stellar achievement in storytelling and compelling theatre. It grips the audience and keeps them mesmerized with mind-blowing puppetry and visual effects. It's an intense visual and emotional experience unlike anything I've ever witnessed.

'Life of Pi' is a story of survival, belief, and the strength of the human spirit. Pi Patel is a 17 year-old Indian boy who has been trying to lead a spiritual life in India while juggling three different religions--Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism. He and his family run a zoo. Due to political unrest in their village of Pondicherry in 1976, Pi's family decides to flee to Canada to begin a safer, more peaceful life. They pack up their zoo animals and board a cargo ship for their long voyage across the Pacific Ocean. During the trip, a storm sinks the ship. Everyone in Pi's family perishes.

When the show begins, we meet Pi in a hospital bed in Mexico. An insurance investigator, played by Alan Ar**no, has come to record Pi's story of how he became the sole survivor of the shipwreck and managed to live at sea for 227 days. His disbelief in Pi's story compels Pi to tell three different versions. As Pi relives his heart-wrenching journey, the audience tries to decide which version to believe.

Taha Mandviwala is outstanding in the role of Pi. He is the heart of this show and he tugs at our heartstrings the entire time he's lost at sea. His physicality is nearly super-human as he leaps from the lifeboat to a small raft to protect himself from being eaten by Richard Parker, the Bengal tiger. He performs similar physical feats in his hospital room, giving the audience the feeling that he's losing his mind. His energy and storytelling are remarkable.

The puppeteers are in a class of their own. The precision with which they operate the exotic animals is magnificently choreographed. It takes three people moving in perfect synchronization beneath the life-size body of the tiger to make it come to life. Some of the animals are so terrifying and life-like that it's easy to forget they are puppets.

Enough cannot be said about the scenic and costume design, video and animation, lighting and sound. Transforming the stage floor into an ocean is sheer genius, as are the thunderstorms, lightning and rain. An original score by composer Andrew T. Mackay is the undercurrent for Pi's life at sea, but it does not make this a musical. 'Life of Pi' is a dramatic work of theatrical art.

For optimal appreciation of the special effects, elevated theatre seats would be preferable. I always sit in the orchestra section, but a balcony seat for this show was perfect. I had a birds-eye view of the ocean and the muscular movements of the animals and actors without seeing the underpinnings.

'Life of Pi' is based on the book by Yann Martel and was adapted to the stage by Lo**ta Chakrabarti. It was published in 2001. The film, directed by Ang Lee, won four Academy Awards in 2013. This stage production is directed by Max Weber.

'Life of Pi' will be spellbinding audiences at The Fabulous Fox now through Oct. 19. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accompany Pi on this spectacular journey. Tickets are available through Metrotix at 314-534-1111 or visit The Fox box office. For more information, visit fabulousfox.com.

Photo: Pi Patel with a Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker, and the Indian boy’s nemesis as they travel on this ocean together
Pi Patel with the cast of family members with Richard Parker
the tiger

10/09/2025

City Of Florissant legal notice

“The City of Florissant invites bids for 25-0223PW “Demolition/land clearance and Asbestos Abatement” to be submitted onto the City’s OpenGov Procurement portal. Documents for this can be found on the Current Bid Opportunities page of the City of Florissant’s website. These bids are taken in compliance with Equal Opportunity Laws. Email [email protected].”