Chuck's Choices for the weekend of May 16, 2014

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

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slightlyoff.org

Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble presents the comedy Bachelorette by Leslye Headland Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8, May 14- 17. "Ten years out of high school, four friends convene in a luxurious bridal suite the night before a wedding. Fueled by jealousy and resentment, the girls embark on a night of debauchery that goes from playfully wasted to devastatingly destructive. Bachelorette is a wicked black comedy about female friendship and growing up in an age of excess." Performances take place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: slightlyoff.org.

My take: SATE can usually be counted upon to produce something edgy, and this appears to be no exception. "The display of alcohol fueled bitchiness among women is nothing new, but the vicious appetites of the three women featured in Leslye Headland's play firmly places the dark in dark comedy," writes Andrea Torrance at the St. Louis Theatre Snob. "How appropriate that this play falls within SATE's “Season of the Monster”. Monsters indeed. They remind me of those girls whom you DID NOT want to cross in high school, while the thought of being friends with them was even less palatable. It's one hell of an entertaining evening, but don't bring the kids."

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry IV nightly except for Tuesdays, May 15 through June 14. Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, written as two separate plays, have been edited to fit into one evening. Beginning May 25, the production alternates with performances of Henry V. "Audience members can expect a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience this season," said Rick Dildine, Artistic and Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St.Louis. "Many theaters around the world have performed these plays in consecutive seasons; however, we are performing them at the same time with the same cast on the same set." Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org.

My take: This is a rare opportunity to see two (well, three, if you count the two parts of Henry IV) of Shakespeare's history plays back to back and with a single unifying concept. Costuming is period, but the themes are timeless. As Tim Ocel says in his director's notes for Henry IV, this is "the story of human beings shaping a civilization...Shakespeare saw that the future inclines to those who believe in a forward moving energy, not to those who hold back mankind's potential due to a selfish lack of vision." If that sounds familiar it's probably because, as Walt Kelly once wrote, "those things which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand. Resolve, then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tiny blasts of tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us."

New Jewish Theater presents Old Jews Telling Jokes through June 1. "Think you've heard them all before? Think again! If you've ever had a mother, visited a doctor or walked into a bar with a priest, a rabbi and a frog, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will sit in the dark, give you a second opinion and ask you where you got that. You'll laugh til you plotz. It is a kosher pickle barrel full of laughs! Straight from NY, this is the first independent production; recommended for mature audiences." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

My take: "I'm sorry not to be able to delve into the arc of the plot or the themes that this evening investigates," writes Steve Callahan in his review for 88.1 KDHX, "for in fact there are none. But after all, whaddya get when five old Jews walk into a theatre? You get—at its simplest, at its purest—entertainment." Besides, any show that includes a sing-along version of Tom Lehrer's "I'm Spending Hannukah in Santa Monica" has got my vote. So go, already. Enjoy.

Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann

The Fox Theatre presents a new musical version of The Wizard of Oz by Andrew Lloyd Webber Tuesday through Sunday, May 13-18. ""We're off to see the most magical adventure of them all!" Andrew Lloyd Weber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber." The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com

My take: ALW and company are hardly the first team to have a shot at turning this classic film into a staged musical, although they may be the first with the chutzpah to add their own songs to the originals. The new material works pretty well. Even the added dance numbers make sense, and they're not so long that they bring the show to a screeching halt (as many newer shows do). If you're an Oz fan, I think you and your family will enjoy this. Check out my review at KDHX for more information.

Held Over:

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Always..Patsy Cline through June 22. "Jacqueline Petroccia and Zoe Vonder Haar star in the return engagement of the show critics called 'exceptional, must see entertainment.' The touching and true story of Country music legend Patsy Cline and her friendship with Texas housewife Louise Seger returns to STAGES this spring. Combining down home country humor, heartache and 27 of Patsy Cline's unforgettable hits such as 'Crazy,' 'WalkinÄô After Midnight,' and 'Sweet Dreams,' Always... Patsy Cline endures as a piece of genuine Americana." Performances take place at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

My take: Call this a qualified recommendation. If you're a lover of Patsy Cline or country music in general, I think you'll have a great time at this show, which is really more of a celebrity impersonation review than a book musical per se. Jacqueline Petroccia captures Cline's voice and manner so accurately it's eerie and Zoe Vonder Haar is a hoot and a half as Louise Seger, the real-life Houston fan who became a close friends and correspondent of Cline. With over two dozen Patsy Cline hits performed to perfection by Ms. Petroccia and a six-piece band, the show is a real feast for fans. See my KDHX review for more information.

Dramatic License Productions presents the comedy The Nerd through May 18. Performances take place at Dramatic License Theatre located at the upper level of Chesterfield Mall (near Sears and across from Houlihan's Restaurant). For more information, call 636-220-7012 or visit dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

My take: This is the "other play" by actor/playwright Larry Shue, better known for his later (and massively popular) comedy The Foreigner. "Filled with engaging performances built around snappy remarks, witty comebacks, comic expressions, and a dash of pure silliness," writes Tina Farmer in her review for KDHX, "the show is a bit romantic comedy, a bit slapstick, and a bit of a mystery."

Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents The One-Hour Twilight Zone Thursday at 7:30 PM and Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 10:30 PM. The featured episodes are "To Serve Man" and "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." There will also be a special guest appearance by The Superfriends. Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. For more information: www.stlshakespeare.org/magicsmokingmonkey.htm

My take: Ah, yes: Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre, the bastard offspring of St. Louis Shakespeare. Originally dedicated to live stage versions of the cinema oeuvre of Ed Wood, the company has since gone on to try their hand at Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, superhero cartoons, and Dobbs only knows what else. In my one and only appearance with them I played an evil brain from outer space, which may give you some idea of what to expect: fast-paced comedy, deliberately cheesy special effects, and a generally bent sensibility.