Chuck's Choices for the weekend of May 3, 2013

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

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HotCity Theatre presents the St. Louis premiere of Maple and Vine May 3-18. “Disgusted with today's SCANDALOUS society where vulgarity and obscenity are actually rewarded? Overwhelmed by computers, smart phones, tablets and the such? Well, forsake Reality TV and your electronic devices for the dry martinis and Tupperware parties of the 1950's, when the simpler life was much more wholesome. Or ... was it?” I saw the world premiere of this at the Humana Festival two years ago and was very impressed with it; I'm looking forward to seeing what HotCity does with it.  Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit www.hotcitytheatre.org or call 314-289-4063.

Metro Theater Company presents the MetroNEXT Festival of New Work Friday through Sunday, May 3-5. “Metro Theater Company invites the public to its new home in Grand Center to engage in a weekend of innovation and “risky” theater, being developed for adventurous audiences.” Metro has been doing fine work for many years now, including productions that re-define the entire idea of "children's theatre." Performances take place at 3311 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: metrotheatercompany.org

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Photo: Jeremy Daniel

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Million Dollar Quartet April 23-May 5. “Million Dollar Quartet is the Tony® Award winning Broadway musical, inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.” In his review for 88.1 KDHX, Robert Mitchell says "if you’re looking for a rockin’ good time, it’s unlikely you’ll find any better than what’s happenin’ now down at the Fox."  The Fox Theatre is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Winning Juliet by Christopher Limber and Elizabeth Birkenmeier Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, April 26-May 4. “When the School Drama Department announces a production of Romeo And Juliet at Stratford High, no one expects competition for the role will end in tragedy. A new student arrives at school, and a cyber-mystery of torment and mistaken identity ensues. Julie, the new girl, is targeted at Stratford High for being strange...self-assured and bookish, fiercely honest and unstylish. Gwyneth is her immediate bully; she is set on being cast as Juliet and used to having her way at school. Julie is a sudden threat, noticeably standing a chance at winning the coveted role. There is much more to their competition than their teachers and parents can see. Beyond the school hallways, the girls play dangerous game, with consequences that seem unimaginable to their instigators. A single-sentence “status” is enough to ruin a day, and maybe a life.” Since I'm performing in this one, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to include it here. Besides, as I noted in a pair of backstage blog posts, the mostly teen-age performers are really quite good and the script addresses a serious issue. Performances take place at the Little Theater at Clayton High School, 1 Mark Twain Circle in Clayton. For more information: http://sfstl.com.