The Mill and the Gloss

Who: The Royal Winnipeg Ballet
What: Moulin Rouge® the Ballet
Where: Dance St. Louis at the Touhill Center
When: January 25 and 26, 2013



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Every performing arts organization has its share of potboilers—light entertainments designed to reach a popular audience and boost box office revenues. Most have a short shelf life but some, like Verdi’s Aida, exceed expectations and wind up as part of the standard repertoire.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Moulin Rouge® the Ballet is a potboiler, and a darned good one. I have no idea what its shelf life might be—it has only been around since 2009—but there’s no question that it’s a flashy crowd-pleaser with strong dancing throughout. This tale of young lovers thwarted by fate in Belle Époque Paris isn’t Great Art, but it was certainly engaging enough and the final tragic scene, set to the concluding pages of Ravel’s Mother Goose ballet, actually did choke me up a bit. But then, I get all misty at the opening bars of “La Vie En Rose”—which, as it happens, is the music that begins the show.

It’s Paris at the turn of the 20th century and the young artist Matthew has just arrived from the sticks. He’s quickly relieved of everything he owns by Gypsies but forgets all when he meets Nathalie, a launderette and aspiring dancer at the Moulin Rouge. The club’s owner Zidler (very loosely based on the real Charles Zidler, co-founder of the real Moulin Rouge in 1889) likes her style and hires her. Meanwhile Matthew gets into a painting duel with Toulouse-Lautrec, who befriends him and helps him pursue his budding romance with Nathalie.

Alas, Zidler soon becomes obsessed with Nathalie himself, with tragic results. His confrontation with Nathalie and Matthew in a tango bar—set to a pair of impassioned tangos by Astor Piazzolla—eventually leads to a violent confrontation at the Moulin Rouge that leaves Nathalie dead and both men bereft. It’s curtains for her and the curtain for the ballet.

Choreographer Jorden Morris uses a relatively small set of (mostly) classical ballet steps to tell the story, liberally spiced with some impressive tango moves in the second act. In fact, the dancing in Moulin Rouge would have been largely familiar to a ballet audience during the period in which the action takes place. It’s a nifty conceit, even if it does lend a degree of sameness to the first act.

It helps that the company has such strong dancers. When we saw Moulin Rouge at the Saturday matinee, Tristan Dobrowney and Amanda Green were a terrific Matthew and Nathalie—athletic, graceful, and invested in their characters. Amar Dhaliwal was a vigorous and menacing Zidler and Dmitri Dovgoselets a charming Toulouse-Lautrec.

Sarah Davey and Alanna McAdie had great star turns as La Goulue and Môme Fromage—both characters based on real Moulin Rouge dancers. With Serena Sandford, they made a sympathetic trio of “green fairies” who appear to Matthew after he over-imbibes in absinthe. The hallucinatory sequence is set to the melancholy “Adagio assai” from Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G and was a highlight of the second act.

The big ensemble scenes were the most popular, of course. The “Can-Can From Moulin Rouge” (set to the familiar Offenbach) drew a big round of applause and the extended tango scene that takes of much of the second act was very theatrically compelling.

The colorful costumes by Anne Armit and Shannon Lovelace contributed a lot to the polished look of the show, as did Pierre Lavoie’s lights and Andrew Beck’s Art Noveau sets. The program doesn’t say who was responsible for the music choices (although I’d have to assume Mr. Morris was heavily involved) but whoever it was gets a round of applause from me. I could have done without the saccharine arrangement of Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” that accompanied the lovers’ pas de deux at the end of the first act, but otherwise the variety and quality of the pieces were impressive. I was very much taken with the use of most of Ibert’s witty “Divertissment” for the Act I rehearsal scene and can-can battle between Nathalie and La Goulue.

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Moulin Rouge® the Ballet has moved on to other venues; for more information: rwb.org. The Dance St. Louis season continues with The Nashville Ballet’s production of Orff’s Carmina Burana, with UMSL's University Orchestra and University Singers, Bach Society of Saint Louis, and St. Louis Children's Choirs. Performances are February 21-24 at the Touhill Center. For more information: dancestlouis.org.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of February 1, 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:

The Duck Variations

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Christopher Durang's Mrs. Sorken and David Manet's The Duck Variations through February 10 at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. “These two one-act plays are comic explorations of the meaning of theatre, the challenges of aging, and the importance of friendship.” In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Tina Farmer says the "engaging cast, complemented by an appropriately nondescript set and technical design, are seasoned veterans who inhabit their characters with a light, cheery touch and deft sense of timing." For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert January 29 through February 10. "This OUTRAGEOUSLY fun show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed." This is pretty lightweight stuff but, as I note in my review for 88.1 KDHX, "it’s so openly and cheerfully tacky and so stuffed with lavish, precisely executed dance numbers that only a dedicated curmudgeon could fail to smile at it." The Fox Theatre is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Held over:

St. Louis Actors Studio presents Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? through February 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “The tale of a married, middle-aged architect whose life crumbles when he falls in love with a goat, the play focuses on the limits of an ostensibly liberal society. Through showing this family in crisis, Albee challenges audience members to question their own morality in the face of other social taboos including infidelity, homosexuality, pedophilia, incest and, of course, bestiality.The play also features many language games and grammatical arguments in the middle of catastrophes and existential disputes between the characters.” In his review for 88.1 KDHX, Steve Callahan describes this as "a stunningly beautiful piece of theatre." For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's The Piano Lesson through February 3. “Depression-era Pittsburgh. A family strives to hold on to its history. The masterful Pulitzer Prize winner from one of American's greatest playwrights.” In his review for 88.1 KDHX, Robert Ashton describes this production as "lively, funny and challenging." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 28, 2013

[Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.]

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's ArtsZipper site.

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©Photo by Lon Brauer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents 4000 Miles through February 3. “Leo biked for a month from Seattle to New York, but it's a small Greenwich Village apartment where his real journey begins. Reeling from a tragedy, the rudderless twenty-something arrives at the doorstep of his 91 year-old grandmother Vera, an old lefty navigating the rough waters of aging. Together, these two outsiders find their way in one of this year's most touching new plays.” Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Pub Theater Company presents Bye Bye Liver: The St. Louis Drinking Play, a comedic romp through the joys and pitfalls of The Gateway to the West's favorite pastime. Performances take place on Saturdays at 9 PM at Maggie O'Brien's, 2000 Market Street. For more information, you may call 314-827-4185, email stlouis at byebyeliver.com, or visit byebyeliver.com/stlouis.

St. Louis Actors Studio presents Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? through February 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “The tale of a married, middle-aged architect whose life crumbles when he falls in love with a goat, the play focuses on the limits of an ostensibly liberal society. Through showing this family in crisis, Albee challenges audience members to question their own morality in the face of other social taboos including infidelity, homosexuality, pedophilia, incest and, of course, bestiality.The play also features many language games and grammatical arguments in the middle of catastrophes and existential disputes between the characters.” For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The COCA Family Theatre Series presents Guess How Much I Love You and I Love My Little Storybook Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 2 and 5 PM, and Sunday at 1:30 PM, February 1-3. COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. “Ages 3+. An eager little bunny lies on the grass, opens his book and-within moments-this gentle story comes alive. Using striking visuals, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia adapts the award-winning classic from author Sam McBratney and illustrator Anita Jeram.” For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

The Florissant Fine Arts Council presents the State Theatre of Georgia production of the musical The Marvelous Wonderettes on Friday, February 1, at 8 PM at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker Road at Waterford Drive in Florissant, MO. “Four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! Hear them tell the stories of their lives and loves through popular songs of the 50_s and 60_s in this hit Off-Broadway musical.” For more information, call 314-921-5678.

The Duck Variations

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Christopher Durang's Mrs. Sorken and David Manet's The Duck Variations through February 10 at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. “These two one-act plays are comic explorations of the meaning of theatre, the challenges of aging, and the importance of friendship.” For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Murder in Mayberry through April 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through April 30th. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Hard Road Theatre presents Neil Simon's The Odd Couple Friday through Sunday, February 1-3 at the Highland Elementary Auditorium, 1800 Lindenthal Avenue in Highland, IL. For more information, visit hardroad.org or call 618-654-7748.

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's The Piano Lesson through February 3. “Depression-era Pittsburgh. A family strives to hold on to its history. The masterful Pulitzer Prize winner from one of American's greatest playwrights.” Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert January 29 through February 10. "This OUTRAGEOUSLY fun show tells the uplifting story of a trio of friends, on a road trip of a lifetime, who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship in the middle of the Australian outback and end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed." The Fox Theatre is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Clayton Community Theatre presents the drama Splendor In The Grass Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM through February 3. Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre. For more information, call 314-721-9228 or visit placeseveryone.org.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of January 25, 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:

Circus Harmony presents Capriccio, A Vaudevillian Adventure, Saturday at 2 and 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM,. “Capriccio features children from all corners of St. Louis. For this first time ever, this Circus Harmony production will include singing along with unicycling, juggling, wire walking and other feats of skill and daring.” "Performances are professional, precision, and some of the performers leave audience members gasping in disbelief," writes Connie Bollinger in her review for 88.1 KDHX. .Performances take place at City Museum, 701 N. 15th Street. For more information: circusharmony.brownpapertickets.com or call 314-436-7676.

St. Louis Actors Studio presents Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? January 18 through February 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “The tale of a married, middle-aged architect whose life crumbles when he falls in love with a goat, the play focuses on the limits of an ostensibly liberal society. Through showing this family in crisis, Albee challenges audience members to question their own morality in the face of other social taboos including infidelity, homosexuality, pedophilia, incest and, of course, bestiality.The play also features many language games and grammatical arguments in the middle of catastrophes and existential disputes between the characters.” In his review for 88.1 KDHX, Steve Callahan describes this as "a stunningly beautiful piece of theatre." For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org



Dance St. Louis presents the Royal Winnipeg Ballet production of Moulin Rouge-The Ballet Friday at 8 PM and Saturday at 2 and 8 PM, January 25 and 26. “Fin de siècle Paris throbs with love, ambition, and desire when an original new story told entirely through dance brings the oldest continuously running ballet company in North America to St. Louis for the first time. Set to classical music by Debussy, Offenbach and more, Moulin Rouge® - The Ballet was created in 2009 for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's 70th anniversary by their own Jorden Morris and has been a sold-out sensation on tour in Canada and the U.S. In a city where pomp runs hand in hand with poverty, where the heady elixir of freedom breeds reckless passion, struggling artist Matthew and cancan dancer Nathalie tempt fate as they seek love and destiny at the infamous cabaret - The Moulin Rouge®.” The performances take place at the Touhill Performing Arts center on the campus of The University of Missouri at St. Louis. For more information, you may visit dancestlouis.org or call 314-534-6622.

Held over:

The Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Almost, Maine through Sunday at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. This is a charming set of romantically comic one acts with a strong dose of a kind of magical realism. We did the local premier of this a few years back at West End Players Guild and the show has been cropping up here and there ever since. I haven't seen the ALT production, but I can attest to the fact that the play itself is first-class stuff. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Upstream Theater presents Café Chanson, a “ballet in song” created and directed by Broadway star and native St. Louisan Ken Page, Thursday through Sunday,. The official description says the show “includes World War II period songs from some of France's most renowned singers and songwriters” although the actual song list includes material from the late 1920s to the early 1970s. Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. I'm a great fan of the classic French pop songs so, as I note in my review for 88.1 KDHX, I mostly enjoyed this production despite some significant flaws. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

Metro Theatre Company and the The Edison Theatre at Washington University present the St. Louis premiere of Jackie and Me by Steven Dietz, adapted from the book by Dan Gutman, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. “An exciting play that illuminates Jackie Robinson's courage and dignity in the face of cruel racial prejudice, Jackie and Me will have you on the edge of your seat as we all root for the man who changed the face of the game.” Each performance will be immediately followed by a discussion exploring questions raised by the story. The play is recommended for adults and young people 10 and over. I'm not going to get to see this one, but I'm recommending it because Metro has such a good track record and becuase Robinson's story a reminder of both how far we have come in race relations and how far we still have to go. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Andrea Braun describes this as "a fine show for kids, and that’s exactly what it aims to be." For more information, call the Edison Theatre Box Office at (314) 935-6543.

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's The Piano Lesson through February 3. “Depression-era Pittsburgh. A family strives to hold on to its history. The masterful Pulitzer Prize winner from one of American's greatest playwrights.” In his review for 88.1 KDHX, Robert Ashton describes this production as "lively, funny and challenging." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810.

Le Chansons de Café Chanson, Part 2

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Upstream Theater is presenting a flawed but nevertheless interesting new production through January 27th of Café Chanson, a new musical written and directed by Ken Page. The score consists of one new song by Mr. Page and his music director Henry Palkes. The rest of it is made up of (mostly) French popular songs from the 1920s through the early 1970s.

This is the second (and last) installment of a complete song list along with some background and random thoughts on some of the numbers. In cases where I had nothing intelligent to add about a particular song, I just listed it and left it alone.

The names in parentheses are the songwriters. In the few cases where the titles in the program were incorrect or misspelled, I’ve corrected them here. If there’s anything in here that I’ve gotten wrong, please let me know.

“Rain”

“Madame”

Mistinguett, circa 1927

“Mam’selle Josephine et Mistinguette” (Ken Page / Henry Palkes) In the show this is sung by The Man, the gay cross-dressing waiter at the Café, decked out in a flashy sequined Folies Bergère-style outfit. The Josephine of the title is, of course, Napoleon’s empress. Mistinguett (the final version of her stage name) was a celebrated French singer and actress of the early 20th century. Born Jeanne Bourgeois in 1875, she began her showbiz career at the age of 10, was appearing at the Casino de Paris by the age of 20, and went on to international celebrity. Her signature song, “Mon Homme” (1916) was not only a big hit for her but, in English translation (“My Man”) for Fanny Brice as well. She died in 1956.

“What Makes a Man (Comme ils dissent)” (Charles Aznavour) The great French singer/songwriter stirred up some controversy in 1972 with this sympathetic and tragic portrayal of a gay female impersonator.

Jacques Brel

“I’m Not Afraid” (Rod McKuen / Jacques Brel) The original title of the song was “Fils de” (“Sons of”). McKuen’s lyrics are completely different. Both English versions have had their share of recordings over the years; I remember the Judy Collins version of “Sons of” with considerable affection. In Café Chanson, the McKuen version is sung by The Young Soldier and The Mademoiselle as they try to deal with the disintegration of their relationship.

“If You Go Away (Ne Me Quitte Pas)” (Jacques Brel) The version of this used in the show has lyrics by Rod McKuen. The original is more properly translated as “Don’t Leave Me.” Brel originally released the song on his 1959 LP “La Valse à Mille Temps”. The song has been amazingly popular, with versions in nearly two dozen languages.

“La Fanette” (Jacques Brel) Another story of love and betrayal, a recurring Brel theme. A 1965 performance by Brel is heartbreaking in its intensity.

“Bonsoir Mademoiselle”

Charles Aznavour in 1978

“Yesterday When I Was Young ” (Charles Aznavour) Original French title: “Heir Encore” (“Only Yesterday”); the English version is by Herbert Kretzmer. This lament for the lost opportunities of youth is especially affecting for those of us who have reached a certain stage in our lives. It’s kind of the yang to the yin of songs like “It Was a Very Good Year”. Roy Clark had great success with it in the USA, as have many other big-name vocalists.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 21, 2013

[Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.]

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's ArtsZipper site.

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The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee January 24-February 3. Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

©Photo by Lon Brauer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents 4000 Miles through February 3. “Leo biked for a month from Seattle to New York, but it's a small Greenwich Village apartment where his real journey begins. Reeling from a tragedy, the rudderless twenty-something arrives at the doorstep of his 91 year-old grandmother Vera, an old lefty navigating the rough waters of aging. Together, these two outsiders find their way in one of this year's most touching new plays.” Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Almost, Maine through January 27 at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

The Pub Theater Company presents Bye Bye Liver: The St. Louis Drinking Play, a comedic romp through the joys and pitfalls of The Gateway to the West's favorite pastime. Performances take place on Saturdays at 9 PM at Maggie O'Brien's, 2000 Market Street. For more information, you may call 314-827-4185, email stlouis at byebyeliver.com, or visit byebyeliver.com/stlouis.

Upstream Theater presents Café Chanson, a “ballet in song” created and directed by Broadway star and native St. Louisan Ken Page, Thursdays through Sundays, through January 27. The show “includes World War II period songs from some of France's most renowned singers and songwriters.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Circus Harmony presents Capriccio, A Vaudevillian Adventure, Saturday at 2 and 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM,. “Capriccio features children from all corners of St. Louis. For this first time ever, this Circus Harmony production will include singing along with unicycling, juggling, wire walking and other feats of skill and daring.” Performances take place at City Museum, 701 N. 15th Street. For more information: circusharmony.brownpapertickets.com or call 314-436-7676. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

St. Louis Actors Studio presents Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? January 18 through February 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “The tale of a married, middle-aged architect whose life crumbles when he falls in love with a goat, the play focuses on the limits of an ostensibly liberal society. Through showing this family in crisis, Albee challenges audience members to question their own morality in the face of other social taboos including infidelity, homosexuality, pedophilia, incest and, of course, bestiality.The play also features many language games and grammatical arguments in the middle of catastrophes and existential disputes between the characters.” For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Good People through January 27. “You can't keep a good woman down - unless that woman is from Southie, the gritty, blue-collar Boston neighborhood that Margie Walsh has always called home. Down on her luck and facing eviction, Margie turns to Mikey, an old fling who made good and secured himself a new life in the ritzy suburbs. But is he strong enough to face his humble beginnings and give Margie a hand? Laughter is never far from heartache in this poignant look at the "haves" and "have-nots".” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Metro Theatre Company and the The Edison Theatre at Washington University present the St. Louis premiere of Jackie and Me by Steven Dietz, adapted from the book by Dan Gutman, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM through January 27. There will also be special school matinees Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:00 AM. “An exciting play that illuminates Jackie Robinson's courage and dignity in the face of cruel racial prejudice, Jackie and Me will have you on the edge of your seat as we all root for the man who changed the face of the game.” Each performance will be immediately followed by a discussion exploring questions raised by the story. The play is recommended for adults and young people 10 and over. For more information, call the Edison Theatre Box Office at (314) 935-6543. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The COCA Family Theatre Series presents The Mark of Zorro performed by Scotland's Visible Fictions Saturday, January 26, at 2 and 5 PM. COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. “Ages 5+. Scotland's Visible Fictions performs this swashbuckling adventure featuring the mysterious masked man. Is he friend or foe? Grab your cape and lock swords with Zorro as he ricochets from one sticky situation to another.” For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.



Dance St. Louis presents the Royal Winnipeg Ballet production of Moulin Rouge-The Ballet Friday at 8 PM and Saturday at 2 and 8 PM, January 25 and 26. “Fin de siècle Paris throbs with love, ambition, and desire when an original new story told entirely through dance brings the oldest continuously running ballet company in North America to St. Louis for the first time. Set to classical music by Debussy, Offenbach and more, Moulin Rouge® - The Ballet was created in 2009 for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's 70th anniversary by their own Jorden Morris and has been a sold-out sensation on tour in Canada and the U.S. In a city where pomp runs hand in hand with poverty, where the heady elixir of freedom breeds reckless passion, struggling artist Matthew and cancan dancer Nathalie tempt fate as they seek love and destiny at the infamous cabaret - The Moulin Rouge®.” The performances take place at the Touhill Performing Arts center on the campus of The University of Missouri at St. Louis. For more information, you may visit dancestlouis.org or call 314-534-6622.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Christopher Durang's Mrs. Sorken and David Manet's The Duck Variations January 25-February 10 at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. “These two one-act plays are comic explorations of the meaning of theatre, the challenges of aging, and the importance of friendship.” For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Murder in Mayberry through April 27. . The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through April 30th. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's The Piano Lesson through February 3. “Depression-era Pittsburgh. A family strives to hold on to its history. The masterful Pulitzer Prize winner from one of American's greatest playwrights.” Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Peabody Opera House presents Sesame Street Live "Can't Stop Singing" Thursday through Sunday, January 24-27. For more information, visit peabodyoperahouse.com or call 314-622-5420.

Clayton Community Theatre presents the drama Splendor In The Grass Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 25-February 3. Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre. For more information, call 314-721-9228 or visit placeseveryone.org.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.

Will it go round in circles

By now you've probably heard about The St. Louis Theater Circle (of which yours truly is a member) and our Louie Awards for outstanding work by local professional theatre companies.  If not, here's the official press release.  As you can see, our aims are modest: celebrate local theatre and have a party in the process.  Come one down and join us.  The Gaslight Theater is cozy and I think you'll find the food and drink at the West End Grill and Pub most agreeable.

No, we don't have a web site just yet.  But we do have a Facebook page where you can "like" us.  Because we're performing arts types and we're needy.

Anyway, congratulations to all the nominees.  As you can see, we collectively liked a lot of what we saw in 2012.  We have a rockin' theatre scene here in St. Louis; here's a toast to everyone who makes it that way.

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=============================

For more information contact:

Mark Bretz, Bretz Public Relations

314-838-9371 or mark at bretzpr.com For Immediate Release:

NOMINATIONS ARE ANNOUNCED FOR INAUGURAL LOUIE AWARDS TO HONOR OUTSTANDING WORK IN LOCAL PROFESSIONAL THEATER

ST. LOUIS, January 18, 2013 -- Performances by local professional theater companies, ranging in size from The Muny and its productions in the 11,000-seat Forest Park amphitheater to small companies performing in modest spaces throughout the area, will be recognized at the inaugural Louie Awards.

The first Louie Awards presentation, to be held March 11, 2013 at the Gaslight Theater in the Central West End, will celebrate theatrical achievements in the year 2012 in local professional theater as recognized by the St. Louis Theater Circle, a new organization of area reviewers. Tickets will be $10 apiece, payable in cash only at the door on the night of the event, and can be reserved by contacting stltheatercircle at sbcglobal.net. Additional seating will be available at the West End Grill & Pub, which adjoins the Gaslight Theater, where food and drinks can be purchased throughout the evening.

The mission of the St. Louis Theater Circle is simple: To honor St. Louis professional theater. While various reviewers may also cover touring shows at The Fox and the Peabody Opera House as well as selected community and college productions, The Louies are designed to focus attention on dozens of area theater companies which showcase the artistic efforts of actors, directors and technical artists in the metropolitan area. Other cities around the country, such as Phoenix, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington D.C., honor their own local theatrical productions with similar awards programs.

Nominations for The Louies are divided into categories for musicals, dramas and comedies. Approximately 100 local professional theatrical productions were presented in the St. Louis area in 2012.

The nominees for the 2012 Louie Awards are:

NOMINEES FOR MUSICALS

Outstanding Production

• Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stages St. Louis
• Chicago, The Muny
• Spring Awakening, Stray Dog Theatre
• Sunday in the Park with George, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
• Sweeney Todd, Opera Theatre Saint Louis

Outstanding Director

• Justin Been, Spring Awakening, Stray Dog
• Michael Hamilton, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stages
• Denis Jones, Chicago, The Muny
• Scott Miller, High Fidelity, New Line Theatre
• Rob Ruggiero, Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep

Outstanding Actor

• Ron Bohmer, Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep
• Ryan Foizey, Cry-Baby, New Line
• Rod Gilfry, Sweeney Todd, Opera Theatre
• Antonio Rodriguez, Urinetown, Stray Dog
• John Sparger, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, New Line

Outstanding Actress

• Erin Davie, Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep
• Natascia Diaz, Chicago, The Muny
• Tari Kelly, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Muny
• Jennifer Theby, Urinetown, Stray Dog
• Karen Ziemba, Sweeney Todd, Opera Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor

• Dean Christopher, Chicago, The Muny
• Mike Dowdy, Cry-Baby, New Line
• Zachary Allen Farmer, High Fidelity, New Line
• Ryan Foizey, Spring Awakening, Stray Dog
• Steve Isom, My One and Only, Stages

Outstanding Supporting Actress

• Terrie Carolan, Cry-Baby, New Line
• Beth Leavel, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Muny
• Susanne Menzer, Sweeney Todd, Opera Theatre
• Deborah Sharn, Urinetown, Stray Dog
• Anna Skidis, Spring Awakening, Stray Dog

Outstanding Acting Ensemble

• Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stages
• Chicago, The Muny
• High Fidelity, New Line Theatre
• Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep
• Urinetown, Stray Dog

Outstanding Set Design

• David Blake, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Stray Dog
• Adrian Jones, Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep
• Scott L. Schoonover, High Fidelity, New Line
• Michael Schweikardt, The King and I, The Muny
• James Wolk, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stages

Outstanding Costume Design

• Lou Bird, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stages
• Brad Musgrove, My One and Only, Stages
• Alexandra Scibetta Quigley, Spring Awakening, Stray Dog
• Alejo Vietti, Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Tyler Duenow, Spring Awakening, Stray Dog
• Seth Jackson, Chicago, The Muny
• John Lasiter, Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep
• Matthew McCarthy, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stages

Outstanding Choreography

• Robin Michelle Berger, Cry-Baby, New Line
• Denis Jones, Chicago, The Muny
• Dana Lewis, My One and Only, Stages
• Lara Teeter, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Muny
• Chris Bailey, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Muny

Outstanding Musical Direction

• Lisa Campbell Albert, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Stages
• Stephen Lord, Sweeney Todd, Opera Theatre
• Chris Petersen, Spring Awakening, Stray Dog
• Justin Smolik, High Fidelity, New Line
• F. Wade Russo, Sunday in the Park with George, The Rep

NOMINEES FOR DRAMAS

Outstanding Production

• Angels in America, Stray Dog Theatre
• Clybourne Park, The Rep
• Good, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, St. Louis Black Repertory Company
• The Hairy Ape, Upstream Theater

Outstanding Director

• Gary Bell, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Deanna Jent, Going to See the Elephant, Mustard Seed Theatre
• Timothy Near, Clybourne Park, The Rep
• Ed Smith, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Black Rep
• Milton Zoth, Good, St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Outstanding Actor

• John Hickok, The Invisible Hand, The Rep
• Michael Scott Rash, 9 Circles, R-S Theatrics
• Michael James Reed, A Steady Rain, The Rep
• Ben Watts, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• B Weller, Good, St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Outstanding Actress

• Nancy Bell, Clybourne Park, The Rep
• Rachel Fenton, Oleanna, HotCity Theatre
• Rachel Hanks, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Patrese McClain, No Child, The Black Rep
• Kirsten Wylder, Bug, Muddy Waters Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor

• Larry Dell, Killer Joe, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Greg Fenner, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Terry Meddows, Way to Heaven, New Jewish Theatre
• Joshua Thomas, Othello, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
• David Wassilak, Angels in America, Stray Dog

Outstanding Supporting Actress

• Teresa Doggett, Good, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Rachel Fenton, Killer Joe, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Laura Kyro, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Elizabeth Ann Townsend, The Maids, Upstream Theater
• Kelley Weber, Lost in Yonkers, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Acting Ensemble

• Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Clybourne Park, The Rep
• Going to See the Elephant, Mustard Seed Theatre
• Good, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• The Hairy Ape, Upstream Theater

NOMINEES FOR COMEDIES

Outstanding Production

• Jacob and Jack, New Jewish Theatre
• The Comedy of Errors, The Rep
• The Divine Sister, HotCity Theatre
• The Foreigner, The Rep
• The Violet Hour, Max & Louie Productions

Outstanding Director

• Paul Mason Barnes, The Comedy of Errors, The Rep
• Edward Coffield, Jacob and Jack, New Jewish Theatre
• Suki Peters, The Compleat Wks of Wm Shkspr (Abridged), St. Louis Shakespeare
• Marty Stanberry, The Divine Sister, HotCity
• Edward Stern, The Foreigner, The Rep

Outstanding Actor

• Ryan DeLuca, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Rep
• Greg Fenner, Fully Committed, Stray Dog
• John Flack, The Divine Sister, HotCity
• Bobby Miller, Jacob and Jack, New Jewish Theatre
• John Scherer, The Foreigner, The Rep

Outstanding Actress

• Emily Baker, Season’s Greetings, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Sarah Cannon, Dinner with Friends, Dramatic License Productions
• Tarah Flanagan, The Comedy of Errors, The Rep
• Meghan Maguire, Talley’s Folly, New Jewish Theatre
• Carol Schultz, The Foreigner, The Rep

Outstanding Supporting Actor

• Matthew Galbreath, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Black Rep
• Chopper Leifheit, The Divine Sister, HotCity
• Casey Predovic, The Foreigner, The Rep
• Antonio Rodriguez, The Violet Hour, Max & Louie Productions
• Lenny Wolpe, The Comedy of Errors, The Rep

Outstanding Supporting Actress

• Sarajane Alverson, Wake Up, Cameron Dobbs, West End Players Guild
• Lavonne Byers, The Divine Sister, HotCity Theatre
• Teresa Doggett, Season’s Greetings, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Shanara Gabrielle, The Comedy of Errors, The Rep
• Kirsten Wylder, The Divine Sister, HotCity Theatre

Outstanding Acting Ensemble

• Jacob and Jack, New Jewish Theatre
• The Comedy of Errors, The Rep
• The Divine Sister, HotCity Theatre
• The Foreigner, The Rep
• The Violet Hour, Max & Louie Productions

COMEDIES and DRAMAS

Outstanding Set Design

• Jason Coale, The Maids, Upstream Theater
• Dunsi Dai, Imaginary Jesus, Mustard Seed Theatre
• Scott Neale, Clybourne Park, The Rep
• Erik Paulson, The Comedy of Errors, The Rep
• John Stark, Way to Heaven, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design

• Felia Katherine Davenport, Good, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Sarita Fellows, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Black Rep
• Daryl Harris, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Black Rep
• Alexandra Scibetta Quigley, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Margaret E. Weedon, The Comedy of Errors, The Rep

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Steve Carmichael, The Hairy Ape, Upstream Theater
• Tyler Duenow, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Phil Monat, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Rep
• Nathan Schroeder, Talley’s Folly, New Jewish Theatre
• Michael Sullivan, Way to Heaven, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Sound Design

• Justin Been, Angels in America, Stray Dog
• Zoe Sullivan, Going to See the Elephant, Mustard Seed
• Rusty Wandall, A Steady Rain, The Rep
• Robin Weatherall, Good, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
• Robin Weatherall, Way to Heaven, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding New Play

• Imaginary Jesus, Deanna Jent, Mustard Seed Theatre
• Stupefy! The 90-Minute Harry Potter Live!, Jaysen Cryer, Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre
• The Invisible Hand, Ayad Akhtar, The Rep
• The New World, Nancy Bell, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
• Wake Up, Cameron Dobbs, Stephen Peirick, West End Players Guild.

Founding members of the St. Louis Theater Circle include Steve Allen, Stagedoorstl.com; Andrea Braun, The Vital Voice and Playback; Mark Bretz, Ladue News; Bob Cohn, St. Louis Jewish Light; Chris Gibson, Broadwayworld.com; Harry Hamm, KMOX; Gerry Kowarsky, Two on the Aisle; Chuck Lavazzi, KDHX; Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Andrea Torrence, Stlouistheatresnob.com; Lynn Venhaus, Belleville News-Democrat; and Bob Wilcox, Two on the Aisle and Town & Style.

For more information, contact stltheatercircle at sbcglobal.net or 314-838-9371.

Les Chansons de Café Chanson, Part 1

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Upstream Theater is presenting a flawed but nevertheless interesting production through January 27th of Café Chanson, a new musical written and directed by Ken Page. The score consists of one new song by Mr. Page and his music director Henry Palkes. The rest of it is made up of (mostly) French popular songs from the 1920s through the early 1970s.

You can see my review of the show for 88.1 KDHX for details on what works and what doesn’t. What I’d like to do here is provide you with the first installment of a complete song list along with some background and random thoughts on some of the numbers. In cases where I had nothing intelligent to add about a particular song, I just listed it and left it alone.

I'm a great admirer of classic French songs, but even so some of these were new to me. I love it when that happens.

The names in parentheses are the songwriters. In the few cases where the titles in the program were incorrect or misspelled, I’ve corrected them here. If there’s anything in here that I’ve gotten wrong, please let me know.

Édith Piaf

“La Vie En Rose” (Édith Piaf, Marguerite Monnot and Louis Guglielmi, a.k.a. Louiguy) Her songwriting team didn’t think it would be a hit initially, but after a live concert in October 1946 it took off and has remained strongly identified with Piaf ever since. Piaf performed the song in the 1948 French movie Neuf garçons, un coeur.

“J'ai Deux Amours” (Georges Koger, John Murray, Vincent Scotto, Barry Trivers, Henri Eugene Vantard)

“Sous Le Ciel de Paris” (Jean Drejac / Hubert Giraud) Another Piaf hit with wonderfully poetic lyrics. The English version (“Under Paris Skies”) substitutes some fairly banal stuff by Kim Gammon. Here’s my own attempt at a translation of the first verse (I'm still working on the second):

Under a Paris sky
There’s a song in the air, Hum,
Born in the heartfelt sigh
Of a boy young and fair.

Under a Paris sky
Lovers walking along, Hum;
Passion is in their eyes,
On their lips is a song.

Down at the Pont Bercy
A philosopher you see
A busker or two, some loafers, then
Everyone that you know.

Under a Paris sky
They’ll be singing ‘till dawn, Hum.
Their love for Paris is why
The song goes on and on.

Down by Notre Dame
Sometimes there is drama
But here in “Paname”
You’ll find it’s OK.

A few sun rays,
A summer day,
The accordion
A sailor plays.
There’s hope in our eyes
Beneath Paris skies.

“Parlez-moi D’Amour” (Jean Lenoir) This was written in 1930 and made popular by Lucienne Boyer, among others.

“La Boheme” (Jacques Plante and Charles Aznavour) The song is one of Aznavour’s signature tunes, originally recorded by him in 1966

“Le Grand Café”

Sophie Tucker

“Fifty Million Frenchmen Can’t be Wrong” (Fred Fisher / William Raskin / Billy Rose) Sophie Tucker’s 1927 recording of this was famous enough to provide the title of a Cole Porter show in 1929. The lyrics compare French freedom unfavorably with repression and prohibition in the USA. The lyrics make a little less sense sung by a character in a French café during World War II, but the song still packs a punch.

“Der Fuehrer’s Face” (Oliver Wallace) Written for a 1943 Donald Duck propaganda short of the same name, the song became a hit before the movie was released due to the famous Spike Jones recording. It’s still pretty hilarious.

“Don’t Touch Me Tomato” (Arthur S. Reid) A calypso novelty originally performed by (I think) Josephine Baker

“Adieu Mon Coeur” (Contet / Marguerite Monnot) Recorded by Edith Piaf in 1946

“She”

“A Blue Like the Blue (Plus Bleux)”

“La Fille de Joie Est Triste (L'Accordéoniste)” (Édith Piaf / Michel Ermer) Another quintessential Paif song, about a woman of the streets and her love for a musician who goes off to war. This one was rather popular at the piano bars in Paris this past fall (or at least at the few I frequented).

More to come...

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of January 17, 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:

The Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Almost, Maine through January 27 at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. This is a charming set of romantically comic one acts with a strong dose of a kind of magical realism. We did the local premier of this a few years back at West End Players Guild and the show has been cropping up here and there ever since. I haven't seen the ALT production, but I can attest to the fact that the play itself is first-class stuff. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's The Piano Lesson through February 3. “Depression-era Pittsburgh. A family strives to hold on to its history. The masterful Pulitzer Prize winner from one of American's greatest playwrights.” In his review for 88.1 KDHX, Robert Ashton describes this production as "lively, funny and challenging." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810.

Photo: Ryan Foizey

New Line Theatre Off Line presents Some Songs 'N' Sh!t: An Adult Cabaret starring Taylor Pietz, Zachary Allen Farmer, and Mike Dowdy, on Saturday, January 19, at 8 PM. The show is directed by Mike Dowdy, with Justin Smolik as music director and pianist. "The evening will include "You Don't Know / I Am the One" from Next to Normal, "Little Mary Sunshine" from Reefer Madness, "Schadenfreude" from Avenue Q, "Don't Know Where You Leave Off" from The Sweet Smell of Success, "Falling Slowly" from Once, and other amazing songs." This looks like a fun everning of songs from contemporary musical theatre. The performance takes place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.newlinetheatre.com or 314-534-1111.

Held over:

Upstream Theater presents Café Chanson, a “ballet in song” created and directed by Broadway star and native St. Louisan Ken Page, Thursdays through Sundays, through January 27. The official description says the show “includes World War II period songs from some of France's most renowned singers and songwriters” although the actual song list includes material from the late 1920s to the early 1970s. Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. I'm a great fan of the classic French pop songs so, as I note in my review for 88.1 KDHX, I mostly enjoyed this production despite some significant flaws. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

Metro Theatre Company and the The Edison Theatre at Washington University present the St. Louis premiere of Jackie and Me by Steven Dietz, adapted from the book by Dan Gutman, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, through January 27. There will also be special school matinees Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:00 AM. “An exciting play that illuminates Jackie Robinson's courage and dignity in the face of cruel racial prejudice, Jackie and Me will have you on the edge of your seat as we all root for the man who changed the face of the game.” Each performance will be immediately followed by a discussion exploring questions raised by the story. The play is recommended for adults and young people 10 and over. I'm not going to get to see this one, but I'm recommending it because Metro has such a good track record and becuase Robinson's story a reminder of both how far we have come in race relations and how far we still have to go. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Andrea Braun describes this as "a fine show for kids, and that’s exactly what it aims to be." For more information, call the Edison Theatre Box Office at (314) 935-6543.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 14, 2013

[Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.]

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's ArtsZipper site.

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©Photo by Lon Brauer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents 4000 Miles January 16 through February 3. “Leo biked for a month from Seattle to New York, but it's a small Greenwich Village apartment where his real journey begins. Reeling from a tragedy, the rudderless twenty-something arrives at the doorstep of his 91 year-old grandmother Vera, an old lefty navigating the rough waters of aging. Together, these two outsiders find their way in one of this year's most touching new plays.” Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

The Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Almost, Maine January 18-27 at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

The Pub Theater Company presents Bye Bye Liver: The St. Louis Drinking Play, a comedic romp through the joys and pitfalls of The Gateway to the West's favorite pastime. Performances take place on Saturdays at 9 PM at Maggie O'Brien's, 2000 Market Street. For more information, you may call 314-827-4185, email stlouis at byebyeliver.com, or visit byebyeliver.com/stlouis.

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project presents its monthly Cabaret Open Mic Night on Wednesday, January 16, from 7 to 10 PM at the Tavern of Fine Arts. “Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by the inimitable Carol Schmidt on the baby grand.” The master of ceremonies is 88.1 KDHX senior performing arts critic Chuck Lavazzi. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. It's also recommend that you have your song memorized. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt at Waterman in the Central West End. There's free parking in the lot right across the street. For more information, visit tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com or call 314-367-7549.

Upstream Theater presents Café Chanson, a “ballet in song” created and directed by Broadway star and native St. Louisan Ken Page, Thursdays through Sundays, through January 27. The show “includes World War II period songs from some of France's most renowned singers and songwriters.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Circus Harmony presents Capriccio, A Vaudevillian Adventure, Saturdays at 2 and 7 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 19-27. “Capriccio features children from all corners of St. Louis. For this first time ever, this Circus Harmony production will include singing along with unicycling, juggling, wire walking and other feats of skill and daring.” Performances take place at City Museum, 701 N. 15th Street. For more information: circusharmony.brownpapertickets.com or call 314-436-7676.

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents Charlotte's Web January 18-20. Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit www.florissantmo.com.

Chesterfield Community Theatre presents the comedy The Commedia Cinderella Friday through Sunday, January 18-20. Performances take place at the West County YMCA, 16464 Burkhardt Place. For more information, call (636) 532-6515 Ext. 227.

First Run Theatre presents An Evening of Predicaments Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 PM,. The program consists of two one-act plays: All Makes Repaired by Gerry Mandel and The Predicament by Patrick Conroy. Performances take place in the Thomas Hunter Theatre at DeSmet Jesuit High School, 233 North New Ballas Road. For more information: firstruntheatre.com or call 314-352-5114.

St. Louis Actors Studio presents Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? January 18 through February 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “The tale of a married, middle-aged architect whose life crumbles when he falls in love with a goat, the play focuses on the limits of an ostensibly liberal society. Through showing this family in crisis, Albee challenges audience members to question their own morality in the face of other social taboos including infidelity, homosexuality, pedophilia, incest and, of course, bestiality.The play also features many language games and grammatical arguments in the middle of catastrophes and existential disputes between the characters.” For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Good People through January 27. “You can't keep a good woman down - unless that woman is from Southie, the gritty, blue-collar Boston neighborhood that Margie Walsh has always called home. Down on her luck and facing eviction, Margie turns to Mikey, an old fling who made good and secured himself a new life in the ritzy suburbs. But is he strong enough to face his humble beginnings and give Margie a hand? Laughter is never far from heartache in this poignant look at the "haves" and "have-nots".” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Metro Theatre Company and the The Edison Theatre at Washington University present the St. Louis premiere of Jackie and Me by Steven Dietz, adapted from the book by Dan Gutman, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM through January 27. There will also be special school matinees Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:00 AM. “An exciting play that illuminates Jackie Robinson's courage and dignity in the face of cruel racial prejudice, Jackie and Me will have you on the edge of your seat as we all root for the man who changed the face of the game.” Each performance will be immediately followed by a discussion exploring questions raised by the story. The play is recommended for adults and young people 10 and over. For more information, call the Edison Theatre Box Office at (314) 935-6543. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The COCA Theatre Company presents James and the Giant Peach Friday at 7 PM and Saturday at 2 and 7 PM, January 18 and 19. COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. “The Roald Dahl classic adventure story is performed by COCA's student theatre company, adapted by David Wood and directed by COCA's Josh Routh.” For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents the romantic comedy The Last Romance through January 20. Performances take place at the Robert G. Reim Theatre of the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road. For more information, ktg-onstage.org or 314-821-9956.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the Monsanto Artists-in-Training program recital, featuring  23 students from 19 area high schools, on Sunday, January 20, at 2 PM.  "Chosen through a highly competitive audition process, each student has engaged in weekly college-level vocal coaching since September from faculty at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Washington University, Webster University, and University of Missouri–St. Louis. The winter recital culminates a ten-day residency by renowned tenor Everett McCorvey, Director of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre." The free concert takes place at Graham Chapel, on the campus of Washington University.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Murder in Mayberry through April 27. . The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through April 30th. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's The Piano Lesson through February 3. “Depression-era Pittsburgh. A family strives to hold on to its history. The masterful Pulitzer Prize winner from one of American's greatest playwrights.” Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: Ryan Foizey

New Line Theatre Off Line presents Some Songs 'N' Sh!t: An Adult Cabaret starring Taylor Pietz, Zachary Allen Farmer, and Mike Dowdy, on Saturday, January 19, at 8 PM. The show is directed by Mike Dowdy, with Justin Smolik as music director and pianist. The performance takes place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.newlinetheatre.com or 314-534-1111.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the comedy thriller Stage Fright through January 20. Performances take place in the Guild theatre at Newport and Summit in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: theatreguildwg.org or call 314-962-0876.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.