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My take: Well, as you can see from the description above, I'm not exactly a neutral observer on this one. In fact, I'm pretty flattered to be sharing to stage with these performers, all of whom I have worked with in the past in one way or another and all of whom are immensely talented. My set will consist of "Making Whoopee," "Lydia the Tattooed Lady," and Tom Lehrer's "Masochism Tango" (not exactly a song that has been performed all the often locally). Expect a fun and festive event, and the money goes to a good cause.
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| Photo: Daniel Brodie |
My take: For many years after its first appearance, Joseph was rather neglected—overshdowed by the spectacular success of Rice and Webber's second Biblical musical Jesus Christ Superstar. About 20 years ago it began to seriously emerge from the shadow of its more famous successor. By 2008 more than 20,000 schools and amateur theatre groups had produced it. The current tour uses somewhat gimmicky casting: husband and wife team Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young (both former American Idol Top 10 contestants) head the cast as Joseph and the Narrator. Still, they both appear to have legit musical theatre credentials. "Though "Joseph" touches on serious themes," writes Amy Burger in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "with the infectious and humorous songs of Weber and Rice, great cast performances, fantastic direction and choreography by Blankenbuehler, and dazzling set and costume design, the show is a fun and lighthearted good time for theatergoers of all ages."
Mainstreet Musicals presents staged readings of three new musicals on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, in the Orthwein Hall at the Muny, 1 Theatre Drive in Forest Park. The musicals are Merton Of The Movies by Doug Katsaros and Donald Brenner (6 PM Saturday and 3 PM Sunday), Pride and Prejudice by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs (3 PM Saturday and noon Sunday), and Under Fire by Barry Harman and Grant Sturiale (noon Saturday and 6 PM Sunday). For more information: www.mainstreetfestivals.org/stlouis.htm.
My take: This hasn't gotten a lot of publicity—I only found out about it accidentally myself during a side conversation just prior to Lara Teeter's show at the Gaslight Theatre last weekend—so I feel called upon to draw as much attention to it as possible. I have no idea whether these musicals are worthwhile or not, but I do know that it's always a good idea to encourage new shows and the ticket price is right: $10 a pop.
My take: As Steve Callahan notes in his review for 88.1 KDHX , the play itself is not without its flaws, but the performance by Linda Kennedy is first rate. "She tells a compelling tale," he writes. "She moves deftly and with grace, as the well-trained dancer that she is. And she sparkles with wit....Miss Kennedy gives a strong, engaging performance in a play that is not, in itself, very strong."
Held Over:
My take: Non-traditional approaches to Shakespeare's classics can be a risky proposition, but as Steve Callahan notes in his review for 88.1 KDHX, this production "powerfully captures all the fears, doubts, anxieties and philosophical wonderings in which Shakespeare's play is so rich. This production expects much of its audience: it expects intelligence; it expects a good familiarity with Shakespeare's play; it expects an open mind; it expects a sense of humor. But if you have these things then ERA's production of 'Make Hamlet' is certainly for you." The Chapel Venue is non-traditional in its own way. It offers the space free of charge to performers and volunteers run the bar at the back of the house. It's definitely worth supporting that kind of attitude.
My take: St. Louis doesn't export that much theatre, so when it does it's worth taking notice. In his review for 88.1 KDHX, Steve Callahan says that "you can count your lucky stars that right now it is again playing in St. Louis. This is the most powerful, moving new play I've seen in years." I think you can take that to the bank, as they say.
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