The Buzz
The Sound of Music
“Through August 9, audiences will experience the pure joy of one of the greatest musicals of all time...Director Matt Kunkel has ensured that everything we love about The Sound of Music stays true, never compromising the show’s vision – while keeping things feeling fresh at the same time. The show is truly timeless, and some parts feel more relevant than ever. Even knowing how the story goes, the tension is palpable in the scenes with the German officers." - Review STL
Kunkel's The Sound of Music gives more than just a nostalgic look at a beloved classic. This production is rich with emotion and tension and exceeds all expectations. This is a production that gets absolutely everything right. Like brown paper packages tied up with string this Muny production of The Sound of Music is one of my favorite things.” - Broadway World
“Director Matt Kunkel keeps his large cast fully committed and the audience completely engaged in the wondrous work performed on stage.” - Ladue News
“Freshened up with rising talent and new outlooks, Director Matt Kunkel has capably emphasized the show’s major arcs of love, faith and courage.” - Pop Life STL
“"The Sound of Music," directed by Matt Kunkel, is still capable of charming the most diehard cynic. Kunkel imbues the production with a sunny romanticism while hinting at the menace emerging from the shadows.” - STL Today
“As to be expected, director Matt Kunkel and the company hit every note just right. Attention to detail and a reverence to the original production ensure the family friendly musical remains a favorite of the American canon for generations to come.” - KDHX
An Evening with the Stars
"The Muny celebrates its centennial with a dazzling musical revue! This event involved a sensational production…every act could have been the “11 o’clock number” in any normal show."
— The St. Louis Post Dispatch
Elf the Musical
“The infectious performances win out under the direction of Matt Kunkel.”
- Newsday
“With swift direction by Matt Kunkel and fizzy choreography by Mara Newbery Greer, the Engeman’s “Elf” is spreading holiday joy and warming every heart.”
- Broadwayworld
“It’s certainly true that “the best way to spread holiday cheer, is to sing it loud for all to hear”, which is exactly what the cast of Elf: The Musical did.”
- The Long Islander
“All told, director Matt Kunkel has led the Engeman’s cast of “Elf” in a production that’s loads of fun for the whole family — a perfect fit for the holiday season.”
- The Times of Huntington-Northport
“The Engeman just opened its holiday show, Elf the Musical, and it is terrific! It is a wonderful holiday production not to be missed.”
- The Observer
Sunset Boulevard
“The Northport version, under the direction of Matt Kunkel, is filled with a talented cast that brings the Great White Way to the North Shore. The Northport cast of “Sunset Blvd,” delivers the iconic classic with grace and talent.”
- The Times of Huntington-Northport
“Directed and Staged by Matt Kunkel and based on the Billy Wilder film of the same name, this show will captivate you! Sunset Boulevard will captivate you with its bittersweet story of glamour, romance and tragedy"
- The Theatre Guide
“Sunset Boulevard is an emotional show, but one of the greats to see. Again, we may see it performed a lot, but when you have a cast as good as the Engeman's, it's worth another look. This production is stunning.”
- Broadwayworld
Yip Harburg: Follow the Fellow Who Follows A Dream
“The concise biographical details by Jon Marans, delivered by the singers, provided the backbone of the program which was directed impeccably by Matt Kunkel.”
- The Theatre Scene
“Well written by Jon Marans with exceptional direction by Matt Kunkel, much praise goes to the performers and production team that put this impressive show highlighting that Yip Harburg’s genius will never go out of style and is timeless.”
- Theatre Pizzazz
A Celebration of MUNY 100
“When I saw that the title of the special St. Louis Symphony Orchestra concert on Sunday, October 7, was "A Celebration of the Muny at 100," I assumed it would be a survey of nearly a century of Broadway with maybe a few nods to operetta and an emphasis on newer shows. Then I saw the program (which wasn't available until the day of the concert) and found I could hardly have been more wrong. And I could hardly have been happier.”
- KDHX