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New this week:
The Presenters Dolan present Ken Page: Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue on Friday, February 21, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Star of stage and screen, Ken Page is newly added to the Gateway Cabaret Festival lineup! A veteran of Broadway's original casts of Cats, Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, Ain't Nothin' But The Blues, and Guys & Dolls, Ken is one of Broadway's and the MUNY's favorite players. Film audiences know Ken from Dreamgirls, Torch Song Trilogy, and as the voice of Mr. Oogie Boogie in the Tim Burton cult classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas. In Old, New, Borrowed & Blue, look for Ken to include a range of songs from Old Broadway, New Broadway, his favorite artists, and the blues." The performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: licketytix.com.
My take: I saw this show Thursday night and all I can say is that if you want to see how a real master works a house, you'll definitely want to see the second and last show on Friday. He'll have you calling him "Big Daddy" before you know what hit you because (to paraphrase a lyric from "St. Louis Blues"), if his blues don't get you then his jazzin' must. It's a well-balanced collection of songs and reminiscences nicely turned out by an old pro.
Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr. |
My take: This production has gotten very good press so far. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, for example, Tina Farmer says it's "an intense and deeply personal examination of love and family loyalty that twists audience expectations and still manages to deliver a surprisingly satisfying resolution."
The Presenters Dolan present Tim Schall: 1961 on Saturday, February 22, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. " In 1961 the Beatles debuted at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, Bob Dylan entered the Greenwich Village folk scene, 19 year old Carole King wrote her first #1 hit, Moon River won the Oscar for Best Song and in February of that year Tim Schall was born! Join Tim as he celebrates his birthday in a show dedicated to the music of his natal year." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: licketytix.com.
My take: As this is being written the show is sold out, but you can always put yourself on the wait list for cancellations. Tim is one of my cabaret mentors and the head of The Cabaret Project St. Louis as well as a popular voice coach and actor locally. He's been doing cabaret in St. Louis longer than pretty much anyone and can always be relied upon for a great performance.
Held Over:
Mustard Seed Theatre presents Gee's Bend through February 23. The play “explores the affect of the Civil Rights Movement on a remote island in Alabama.” Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.
My take: "The story of the community of Gee's Bend, Alabama, its origins and struggles, is an interesting and important square in the American quilt," writes Tina Farmer in her review for 88.1 KDHX. "That this small community also contributed to the American folk art movement in significant ways with their own quilts adds an amazing layer of beauty and warmth." She calls the production "thoughtful and affecting" and notes that "the show is grounded with memorable performances and dramatic tension." Mustard Seed often takes on unusual and challenging scripts, always with the focus on "issues of faith and social justice," so this is right up their alley.
Photo: John Lamb |
My take: I've done a number of shows with Stray Dog over the years and have been consistently impressed with their professionalism and with the care they take to make sure their actors get the best support possible. That shows in the quality of what they put on stage. Reviews for this show have been good. In his review for talkingbroadway.com, for example, Richard Green says "it's very funny, and you should definitely go see it." "Bell keeps the action moving between the twin levels of the set in parry-and-thrust fashion," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "ensuring that pacing never lags. The Little Dog Laughed is written mostly for laughs, with a dollop of rueful rumination. Stray Dog’s rendition is faithful to that mixture, a tasty tonic on a cold winter’s night."
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