“Luke Steingruby is absolutely mesmerizing as Hedwig, with an incredible voice and impressive emotional range that’s never out of control, but still intense and clearly connected to the character and story. Steingruby is perfectly complemented by Sarah Gene Dowling as Yitzhak, with a longing for Hedwig that is genuinely and visibly heartbreaking. Where Steingruby is open, baring Hedwig’s soul and songs with effectively raw honesty, Dowling’s Yitzhak keeps their feelings bottled up and harmonies tightly controlled. Skeptical but supportive, Yitzhak is clearly accustomed to Hedwig’s frequent abuse. The two create a bond that feels long-term and genuine, Dowling often looking at Steingruby with the sort of longing that comes from wanting warmth, acknowledgment and acceptance, which Steingruby’s Hedwig finally delivers in the heartfelt and touching conclusion.

The songs are catchy and hard rocking, even the ballads have a bit of an edge to them, but also surprisingly tender and always well-motivated. “The Origin of Love,” “Sugar Daddy,” and “Wicked Little Town” are forces to be reckoned with while “Wig in a Box” and “Midnight Radio” linger and caress, and I would listen to a Steingruby and Dowling cast recording again and again.” – Tina Farmer, KDHX

“Mr. Steingruby’s performance is blithely self-aware, but also witty in a self-abnegating way, and even that seems to resonate in our minds with the former Frances Gumm. In this Hedwig, a previously unnoticed element in the writing emerges at last: an odd combination of emotional passivity, or dependency, unexpectedly coupled with great dramatic showmanship, that’s hard to turn away from. She just wants to be a great woman behind some great man. But, as both divas could attest, it’s usually the man that got away.

This is actually the second time I’ve compared Luke Steingruby to Judy Garland, but that’s probably just an odd coincidence. He was more like the “young Dorothy Gale from a mirror universe” in The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told last year. But he’s always able to project such likability, and good stories (by their very nature) do terrible things to likable people. Of course he’s got the relentless drive of a 1970s glam-rock singer in songs like “Angry Inch,” and a noble truthfulness in ballads like “Wig in a Box” and “Wicked Little Town.” His version of “The Story of Love” strides forth like all the animals coming down the aisles in The Lion King, bearing a mythology all its own, along with the whole reason for love. Hedwig also pays heartwrenching tribute to her former protégé Tommy Gnosis in “The Longest Grift,” among all the other remarkable songs of this 90-minute show.” – Richard Green, Talkin’ Broadway

“The setting at the Monacle brings a lot of realism to the performance. Although Hedwig is an over-the-top personality in many ways, this production brings her closer to the audience and makes her story even more personal and direct. The performances are especially strong, as well, with Steingruby delightfully theatrical as the enigmatic Hedwig. Dowling is also impressive as the longsuffering Yitzhak, who puts up with Hedwig’s moodiness and delivers powerful vocals as well. Steingruby shows off a smooth voice on songs like the memorable “Wig in a Box” and Wicked Little Town”, and Dowling shines as well both in backing vocals and singing lead on “The Long Grift”. The chemistry between the two is excellent, as well, as they portray a credible relationship arc on stage leading up to a dazzling finale.” – Michelle Kenyon, Snoop’s Theatre Thoughts

“Standout songs were ‘origin of love’ and ‘sugar daddy.’ Both stunning crowd pleasers performed passionately by Steingruby. The journey from witty one-liners to emotional ballads and back again keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and grabbing for another drink. Dowling is funny, charming, and steals the spotlight, which is always pointed out and leads to more laughter. There is chemistry pouring off the stage between the Dowling and Steingruby.” – Erin Karll, Onstage Blog

“Steingruby turns in his best performance to date as Adam and it’s completely captivating. He is emotionally connected to each moment, creating a multifaceted man who embraces his masculine and feminine qualities with humor, persistence and grace. Steingruby has great chemistry with William Humphrey’s Steve and Angela Bubash’s Mabel as well as a comic rivalry with Maria Bartolotta’s Jane.” – KDHX

”There’s a great cast here, led by Steingruby’s winning performance as the inquisitive, ever-optimistic Adam and Humphrey as the more practical, melancholy Steve. They make a convincing pair, as do Bartolotta as the tough-talking Jane and Bubash as the hopeful Mabel.” – Snoop’s Theatre Thoughts

“Steingruby and Humphrey generate palpable chemistry, whether playing off each other comically or exploring more serious emotional terrain.” – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Luke Steingruby displays a cheerful naivete as Adam, who questions everything and wants to understand his purpose.” – Riverfront Times

“Luke Steingruby’s Adam is appealing in his optimistic naivete, remaining upbeat in all but the most forlorn moments.” – Ladue News

”Luke Steingruby and William Humphrey are Adam and Steve, warm together, Humphrey having a good time with the occasional side-eye at the exuberant Steingruby.” – St. Louis Eats and Drinks

“Luke Steingruby is a handsome, heartfelt pixie as Adam, in the first half—the Adam, in the Garden of Eden. And then he’s Adam, a progressive schoolteacher in the second half, hosting a Christmas party at his exuberantly decorated flat, with his partner Steve.” – Talkin Broadway

Every seat was taken, and there was a reason for it. The duo on stage ushered us through the beautiful, emotional, hilarious, and painfully relatable story of their last few years. Featuring over an hour of music, including a self-wrote heart-stopping piece by Steingruby, this show made the Monocle the bright spot of a city currently filled with rioting and protests.

Steingruby and Wiegert displayed phenomenal singing talents with solo numbers, and harmonized with each other perfectly. In one song, the two invited the crowd to sing along, in which to my surprise, the WHOLE CROWD joined in and produced a powerful harmony that even Wiegert had to compliment after the song ended. Within 90 minutes, the two offered both heart-warming and gut-wrenching stories of their past significant others. – Limelight Magazine

Steingruby is hilarious as the psycho boyfriend, especially on his number “Road Kill,” during which he huffs the opened magic markers strapped to his wrist and goes off into hysterical fits of diabolical laughter. He also executes one of the most hilarious stage crosses of all time. – Alive Magazine

Steingruby impresses, contrasting Gabrielle’s earthy voice with a number of small, piercingly pure solos. – KDHX

…transsexual Tremont (a fierce Luke Steingruby, going big and showing remarkable range) – Lynn Venhaus, Belleville News Democrat

Tremont (Luke Steingruby, a fellow who walks in heels better than many women I know). – Jeff Ritter, Critical Blast

…transgender Tremont who is given an exuberant performance by the wonderful Luke Steingruby. – Stage Door St. Louis

Angel, the drag queen and glue that holds this troupe together, is played with considerable charm and style by Luke Steingruby. Steingruby is a marvel, he displays very good vocal range, and he kicks it hard with the sprightly delivered “Today 4 U”. – Broadway World

And then there’s Luke Steingruby’s arresting drag performance as Angel, who for all her bizarre ensembles and imposing height is the sweetest girl on the block. Steingruby and Marshall Jennings sing the show’s best love song, “I’ll Cover You,” with an uncommon combination of verve and tenderness. – Judith Newmark, STL Post-Dispatch

Some wonderful voices are demonstrated in the course of the two-and-a-half-hour show, most notably Luke Steingruby as Angel and Anna Skidis as Mimi. Both persuasively act their lyrics as well as sing them. – Mark Bretz, Ladue News

Collins (Marshall Jennings) and Angel (Luke Steingruby) establish an immediate rapport during “You Okay Honey?” Collins is an anarchist/college professor who’s just been mugged, and Angel is a transvestite who aids him. Their mutual attraction is immediate and real; their genuine, unconditional love is the heartbeat of the show. While everybody else thrashes about blindly, these two sail smoothly right up to their inevitable end. – Riverfront Times

Marshall Jennings is impressive as Collins, a gay college professor who gets mugged on his way up to Mark and Roger’s apartment. Immediate sparks fly when he meets Angel, a cross-dressing street musician who comes to his rescue, in a beautifully honest portrayal by Luke Steingruby. Jennings’s smooth, deep vocals are well matched with Steingruby (who makes a gorgeous woman, by the way) in their duet, “I’ll Cover You”. – St. Louis Theatre Snob

In another off-kilter romance that seems perfectly natural is Luke Steingruby as the cross-dressing performer Angel and the heart-of-gold Tom Collins, another wonderful performance by Marshall Jennings. From a WWI soldier in “All Is Calm” last year to the sweet Marilyn Monroe look-alike in “Rent,” Mr. Steingruby proves his versatility. – Stage Door St. Louis

The relationship between Collins and Luke Steingruby’s more Zen-like, more ladylike Angel was so cool, so believable, so sweet, that Collins’ eulogy was almost unbearably emotional. And this reading of Angel really supported our choice to make her a literal angel for the second half of Act II. – Scott Miller

Luke Steingruby plays Chris Alvaro. We don’t learn much about his character until close to the second act, but when we do the portrayal is explosive. His character is a far departure from Steingruby’s last role as Angel in Rent, yet the actor handles the 180 with finesse…and the result is some powerful art. – Kevin Brackett, Review STL

Another stand-out: Luke Steingruby as Bob the Saw, one of Macheath’s imbecilic gang members. Steingruby’s facial expressions and mumblings (particularly with mouthfuls of food) garnered big laughs from the audience; his comedic timing is impressive. – The Telegraph

Eddie and his swaggering pals Boland (Luke Steingruby) and Bernstein (Kevin O’Brien) plan a night of debauchery in San Francisco before they are deployed to Vietnam. Their energy is evident in robust numbers, “Some Kinda Time,” “We Three Bees,” and “Hey, Good Lookin’” which sets the stage for the show’s abundant macho carousing. Steingruby displays his glorious, clear voice. – Belleville News Democrat

Luke Steingruby seemed to relish the opportunity to play an asshole. – Jeff Ritter, Critical Blast

Luke Steingruby and Kevin O’Brien are the other two Marines, bringing in an occasional touch of a Stooge (as in The Three) to go with their bravado and bluster. – St. Louis Eats and Drinks

Luke Steingruby (as Boland) and Kevin O’Brien (as Bernstein) are Eddie’s pals, and the way they handle their last big night out is consistently exciting – Talkin Broadway

The strong supporting cast includes well-wrought turns by Luke Steingruby and Kevin O’Brien as Boland and Bernstein, respectively. – Ladue News

Ochs is joined by the other “B’s”; a strong perfomance by Luke Steingruby as Boland, and fine work by Kevin O’Brien as the ever-horny, and perpetually unsure, Bernstein. Both give off that “buddy vibe” that makes their friendship seem all the more genuine. – Broadway World

The show also does a good job of portraying well-rounded characters, managing to make the Marines interesting and sympathetic characters despite some of their more unsavory attitudes. The actors deserve a lot of credit for this sympathy, as well, with Steingruby’s shady Boland and O’Brien’s eager Bernstein being brought to life convincingly. – Snoops Theatre Thoughts

They are bolstered by a strong supporting cast, including a very versatile Steingruby and O’Brien as Eddie’s Marine pals. – St. Louis Theatre Snob