Chuck's choices for the weekend of April 26, 2013

As always, the choices are purely my personal opinion. Take with a grain (or a shaker) of salt.

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New this week:

Washington University Performing Arts Department presents In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) by Sarah Ruhl, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. "For an enjoyable period drama that tackles a not-so-period topic with humor and a deft touch," writes Tina Farmer in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) hits all the right spots." Performances take place in the Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call (314) 935-5858.

Photo: Jeremy Daniel

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Million Dollar Quartet April 23-May 5. “Million Dollar Quartet is the Tony® Award winning Broadway musical, inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.” Well, how could this not be fun, I ask you? The Fox Theatre is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Photo: J. David Levy

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Winning Juliet by Christopher Limber and Elizabeth Birkenmeier Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, April 26-May 4. “When the School Drama Department announces a production of Romeo And Juliet at Stratford High, no one expects competition for the role will end in tragedy. A new student arrives at school, and a cyber-mystery of torment and mistaken identity ensues. Julie, the new girl, is targeted at Stratford High for being strange...self-assured and bookish, fiercely honest and unstylish. Gwyneth is her immediate bully; she is set on being cast as Juliet and used to having her way at school. Julie is a sudden threat, noticeably standing a chance at winning the coveted role. There is much more to their competition than their teachers and parents can see. Beyond the school hallways, the girls play dangerous game, with consequences that seem unimaginable to their instigators. A single-sentence “status” is enough to ruin a day, and maybe a life.” Since I'm performing in this one, I couldn't pass up the oppportunity to include it here. Besides, as I noted in a backstage blog post, the mostly teen-age performers are really quite good and the script addresses a serious issue. Performances take place at the Little Theater at Clayton High School, 1 Mark Twain Circle in Clayton. For more information: http://sfstl.com.

Held over:

Photo: John Lamb

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Jane Eyre, based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë and adapted by Julie Beckman, through April 28 at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Tina Farmer says this is a "very entertaining evening of theater that overwhelmingly succeeds for a broader audience, as well as fans of period pieces, complete with a Hollywood-like happy ending" For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.