The best theater is like a snapshot of real life, just wittier. “August: Osage County” at the Fox Theater was a look into a reality few would wish on themselves.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is not a new play by any means. Oscar Wilde’s famous “trivial comedy for serious people” has been around for over a century and has been performed around the world by a plethora of acting troupes.

For anyone who likes off-the-wall and downright silly humor, “H.M.S. Pinafore” is the play to see. The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players performed a spectacular rendition of the Victorian Era British Opera at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis on February 20 and 21.

Actor/director Jason Cannon is a nominee for two Kevin Kline awards this year, but he is also a visiting assistant professor here who will be directing the upcoming campus play “The Importance of Being Earnest” playing March 4.

“Mamma Mia,” playing at the Fox Theater Feb. 16-20, could rival any Broadway play in energy, heart and toe-tapping catchiness. Perhaps most surprising about the show’s recent appearance on the St. Louis stage was how eye-wateringly funny it was. Beginning and ending with laughs, the entire cast was not afraid to be silly on stage, using physical comedy to their advantage and seeming to enjoy every minute of it. Seeing the cast have so much fun on stage was infectious and the entire house smiled.