Chuck's St. Louis theatre choices for the weekend of February 24, 2017

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:

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Max and Louie Productions presents the one-woman show Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill throughMarch 4. "It's March 1959 and at a small Philadelphia club, jazz and blues "phenom" Billie Holiday takes the stage for one of the last shows of her life. Playwright Lanie Robertson's Musical Drama allows us a penetrating look into the life and times of Billie "Lady Day" Holiday, as we listen to the profound legacy of her artistry-the music itself." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Cener, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit maxandlouie.com.

My take: Whenever I read about some of the legendary performers of the past, I often wish I had a TARDIS so I could zip back in time an see (say) Houdini or Nora Bayes in their prime. Sure, some of the great musical performers of the past are represented on recordings, but can any recording really capture what made the greats—well—great? In her review of Lady Day, Ann Lemmons Pollack agrees, noting that "[t]here are some musicians whose recordings, no matter how good, how beloved, don’t do them justice. Chief among them, I would argue, is Billie Holiday. If I ever had any doubt of that, they were erased Friday night as Alexis J. Roston sang part of Holiday’s repertoire in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill...It is, essentially, a glorious cabaret act – and those who enjoy cabaret should have a swell time seeing this at the Kranzberg Arts Center." Other reviews have been equally positive, making this sound like a real winner. Get your tickets now, though; the Kranzberg is not a big space and this could sell out.

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Held Over:

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To Kill a Mockingbird
Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Christopher Sergel's stage adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird through March 5. "Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a beloved tale that still resonates today. Scout Finch is growing up in Depression-era Alabama, where poverty and prejudice dominate daily life. With the guidance of her wise father, Atticus, the rebellious Scout discovers her own path, learning the power of empathy and the struggle for justice." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

My take: With racism and bigotry on the rise again in America, this classic story of one lawyer's courageous stand for justice is, I'm sorry to say, every bit as relevant as it was when Harper Lee first set it down in novel form. And the Rep's innovative production has many admirers, including yours truly. "I find myself again and again wanting to use the word 'strong when I think about what the Rep is doing with Mockingbird," writes Ann Lemmons Pollack. "It’s moving, extremely well executed, and a perfect fit for almost any audience." "There is a rhythm that’s unique to this production," notes Lynn Venhaus at the Belleville News-Democrat. "The small tight-knit black community moves through scenes by singing spirituals and gospel songs, their voices strong in unison. Using music to depict their culture and struggles was a brilliant stroke, punctuating the racism and discrimination."