Chuck's Choices for the weekend of May 9, 2014

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

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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,' 'Walkin’ 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.

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 Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 10:30 PM, May 9 - 17 and Thursday, May 16, at 7:30 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.

Held Over:

Photo: Daniel Brodie

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat April 29-May 11. "One of the most enduring shows of all time, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel's favorite son. The first collaboration of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera, Cats) and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King) JOSEPH blends pop, country and rock into an uplifting, technicolored story of biblical proportions. 'JOSEPH is still the wittiest of Lloyd Webber's extravaganzas' declares the Orlando Sentinel." The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

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."

Upstream Theater presents Windmill Baby by David Milroy through May 11. “Winner of the prestigious Patrick White Award, Windmill Baby is an enthralling show about an aging Aboriginal woman named MayMay, who returns briefly to the cattle station where she lived years ago in order to take care of some 'unfinished business.' With warmth, wit, and great heart she tells a story of many layers: Of Black Australians in the service of White Australia. Of unexpected romance and sudden ruination. Of overcoming heartbreak and -most wonderfully of all-of abiding love.“ Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

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."