Chuck's choices for the weekend of June 1st, 2012

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

Revised June 1, 2012

Share on Google+:

New this week:

Debbie Gravitte

The St. Louis Symphony continues the post-season season with Bond and Beyond: 50 Years of 007 Saturday at 8 PM. "The STL Symphony takes you on a thrilling adventure through the music of James Bond and other secret agents whose mission is to save the day. Hear selections from classic films including From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Casino Royale and The Pink Panther." Yes, it's quite a leap from the penultimate to the ultimate film in that list, so it will be interesting to see how they tie this all together. The symphony will be conducted by Michael Krajewski (Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston, Atlanta, and Jacksonville orchestras) with vocals by Debbie Gravitte, a legit Broadway belter who will, I hope, be singing the themes from Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever. As a fan of both the Ian Fleming novels and most of the Bond movies (I'm easily amused), I'm looking forward to this one. The performance takes place at Powell Hall, 718 North Grand. For more information, visit stlsymphony.org or call 314-534-1700.

New Line Theatre presents the rock musical High Fidelity Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, May 31 through June 21. Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. I'm determined to finally catch this reprise of New Line's highly successful production of this show. I've been an admirer of the cast recording for years and Jeff Wright strikes as me as ideal for the lead role of the owner of the "last real record store on earth." For more information, call 314-534-1111.

The Presenters Dolan present Ken Haller's new cabaret act The TV Show, featuring songs and themes from classic TV programs. Al Fishcher is pianist and music director for the show. Performances take place Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2, at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. I haven't seen the show yet, of course, but how can you not like this idea? I've worked with Ken on stage before and have had many occasions to admire his work as both a singer and actor. For more information, visit licketytix.com

ACT Inc. presents Travels With My Aunt, based on the novel by Graham Greene, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, June 1 through 3 and 14 through 17. Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre and the campus at 6800 Wydown. Greene's classic story of a timid Englishman thrust into international intrigue by his Bohemian aunt was freely adapted into a charming film in 1972. This 1989 stage version uses a cast of four men to tell the tale, along the lines of the much-praised adaptation of The 39 Steps from a few years back. For more information, call 314-725-9108 or visit actinc.biz.

Circus Flora presents its brand new show, The Wizard: Merlin and the Legends of King Arthur, May 31 through June 24 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center next to Powell Hall. Sadly, I'm going to miss Circus Flora this year but it past seasons are any indication, there will be fun for all. For more information, visit circusflora.org.

Held over:

Sweeney prepares Judge Turpin
for a close shave

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Sondheim's Sweeney Todd in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 24. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. I've been waiting for many years for Opera Theatre to take a crack at this most operatic of all Sondheim's musical theatre works. Director Ron Daniels and set designer Riccardo Hernandez have made of couple of missteps (see my review for 88.1 KDHX for details) but on the whole this is the Sweeney Todd many of us have been waiting for. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Kendall Gladen

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Bizet's Carmen in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 23. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. The production is set in the 1940s, with the look of classic film noir, all the way down to the black and white costume and set designs and an opening cinematic credit sequence. The concept doesn't always work, but it succeeds often enough to be worth seeing.  Besides, you won't want to miss St. Louis's own Kendall Gladen's smoky performance in the title role and the great work by conductor Carlos Izcaray and the St. Louis Symphony musicians. For more details, check out my review for 88.1 KDHX. All performances are sung in English with projected English text, although the chorus enunciates so clearly it's rarely necessary. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.