Chuck's Choices for the weekend of April 11, 2014

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

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Stray Dog Theatre presents Kander and Ebb's musical Cabaret Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through April 19. "The popular musical, based on British writer Christopher Isherwood’s semiautobiographical short novel Goodbye to Berlin, explores the decadence and seamy underbelly of 1930s Germany where beguiling, self-destructive chanteuse Sally Bowles lives with no thought for tomorrow. As the growing power of the Nazi’s Third Reich secretly begins to take hold, everything is thrown into disarray." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: This show has gotten a lot of exposure (you should pardon the expression) lately, but it never hurts to be reminded of how easy it is for people to just go along with evil rather than stand up against it. The Stray Dog production adds a new element by basting an female actor (Lavonne Byers) as the androgynous MC. "If you want to see this show and you should," writes Andrea Braun in her review for KDHX, "get tickets now because the first weekend was sold out before the opening. Ask about cabaret seating (the first rows of pews) with tables and service by the cast."

The Presenters Dolan present Taylor Pietz in If I Only Had a Brain on Thursday, April 10, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "People always see the perfectly put-together 'performer' side of me, but rarely do they see the unpolished and awkward side," says Taylor. "But tonight's the night. With songs highlighting the stumbles, falls, and life lessons of a perfectly imperfect artist." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

My take: I first encountered Ms Pietz over a decade ago when we both appeared in New Line Theatre's production of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." I have always been impressed by her musical theatre chops, but last year she started coming to The Cabaret Project's monthly open stage night at Tavern of Fine Arts and I saw the emergence of her cabaret personality. I'm looking forward to this one.

Photo: John Lamb

The West End Players Guild continues their 103rd season with Kate Fodor's Rx by Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, through April 13. “If there was a drug that could make your dreary job an exciting daily adventure, would you take it? If you did, would it make your life better or worse? And who would dream up such a thing in the first place? Answers to all those questions - liberally laced with laughter - will be found in Rx, the satirical romantic comedy by 2013 Guggenheim playwriting fellow Kate Fodor. The show takes a hilarious look at life, love and Big Pharma.” Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org.

My take: OK, I'm on the board at West End as well as the play reading committee that recommended this piece in the first place. I also did the sound design for this production. That said, I wouldn't have voted for this script if I hadn't thought it was funny and thought provoking. Ms. Fodor takes on our drug-obsessed society effectively without getting strident. In his review for broadwayworld.com, Chris Gibson calls the show "likable and engaging" and notes that "Renee Sevier-Monsey's direction is well done, maximizing the comic potential of the script while also paying attention to the romance."

Held Over:

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off through April 13. “Disasters abound as a frantic, sleep-deprived touring company of actors rehearses and performs their fictional farce, Nothing On. Too many doors, too many sardines and not near enough time combine to create a riotously funny situation on and off stage for both cast and crew. Michael Frayn's intricately crafted mayhem is hailed as one of the greatest comedies ever written.” Performances take place on the mainstage at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

My take: Reviews for this show have been overwhelmingly positive, and with good reason. Michael Frayn's script is an ingenious, brilliantly assembled laugh machine performed with all the necessary precision by a fine ensemble cast.