Chuck's Choices for the weekend of October 11, 2012

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:

St. Louis Actors Studio presents the drama Good through October 21 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “C.P. Taylor's Good examines Germany's descent into Nazism through the story of John Halder, a literature professor who is initially reluctant to accept the philosophy of the Nazi Party.” Not to put too fine a point on it, but given the way domestic politics seem to be going these days, a reminder of the seductiveness of fascism could not be more timely. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

The Showboat Community Theatre and The Wine Country Follies present Ron Youngman in Songs from Vaudeville, The Silver Screen and The Musical Stage Thursdays at 3 PM, October 11 - 25, and Friday, October 19, at 7:30 PM. "Ron has performed in various venues from St. Louis to Beijing, China and New York." I saw Ron's vaudeville show a couple years ago at the Kranzberg Center and was very much impressed with both his performance and his affection for a period of American musical history for which I also have considerable fondness. He also does one heck of an Eddie Cantor impersonation. Performances take place at The Showboat Theatre in Hermann, Mo. For more information: 1-573-486-2744 or 1-800-932-8687.

Held over:

New Line Theatre presents the rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through October 21. Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. Once again, New Line brings St. Louis the local permiere of a much-praised cutting edge musical.  In his review for 881. KDHX, Robert Mitchell describes it as "a bloodty good history lesson." For more information, newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

The Missouri History Museum and Topper Productions present Christy Simmons in Count Your Blessings: A Tribute to Rosemary Clooney, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM,. Simmons' band features Joe Dreyer (Thursday through Saturday) and Paul Westcott (Sunday), piano; Jim Guglielmo (Thursday through Saturday) and Clancy Newell (Sunday), drums; and Dave Troncoso, bass. Performances take place in the Des Lee Auditorium at the History Museum at Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park. As I note in my review for 881. KDHX, Ms. Simmons has managed to combine cabaret, theatre, and biography in an entertaining and educational evening—most appropriate for the History Museum's mission. For more information:mohistory.org or call 314-361-9017.

Upstream Theater presents Eugene O'Neill's The Hairy Ape. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays, October 5 - 21, at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand. This is, to say the least, a show that has not suffered from over-exposure locally, so any production is a cause for celebration. That's especially true when, as Andrea Braun notes in her review for 88.1 KDHX, the production is such a fine one. For more information, call (314) 863-4999 or visit www.upstreamtheater.org.