Chuck's Theatre choices for the weekend of September 19, 2014

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

Share on Google+:

New This Week:

Photo: John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents Arthur Miller's classic drama Death of a Salesman through September 21. "A true American classic, this drama follows the last day in the life of salesman Willy Loman. Through memories, dreams and explosive arguments, playwright Arthur Miller delves into the contradictions between denial and reality, between success and failure. This poignant family story of a broken man, his supportive wife and the two sons who try to please him received the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. It has been revived on Broadway four times, most recently in 2012." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

My take: Arthur Miller called his 1949 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama a “tragedy of the common man” because its protagonist isn't the powerful, noble character usually associated with the genre. Willy Loman (even his name marks his status in life) is, in the words of his son Biff, “a dime a dozen...a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them”. His foolish and self-destructive pursuit of a dream world in which everything comes to you simply because you're “well liked” isn't just his tragedy, it's a tragedy of an entire culture that raises popularity and personal magnetism above intelligence, ability and even common decency. In a nation where elections routinely hinge on which candidate is the more likable, Miller's play reaches out across half a century to remind us that “attention must be paid”. Reviews have been very good. Here's just one example, from Steve Allen's Stage Door blog: "From top to bottom, this cast is superb and tells this riveting story with pain, passion and a bit of panache."

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof through October 5. "Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and one of the most touching creations in the history of Broadway, featuring such heartfelt and beloved songs as 'Sunrise, Sunset,' 'If I Were A Rich Man,' and 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker'.” Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

My take: Reviews for the Stages producion of this justifiably famous hit by Bock and Harnick have been pretty generally positive. Writing for the Riverfront Times, for example, Malcom Gay calls it "a bright production, filled with sumptuous choreography and impressive musical numbers" while our reviewer at KDHX, Laura Kyro, says it's "an entertaining and satisfying production." "The show has been performed once before at Stages in 1999," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "but the current presentation is as fresh and inviting as ever." Sounds like a winner, yes?

The Normal Heart

HotCity Theatre presents The Normal Heart through September 27. “Debuting in 1985, Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart was perceived as “too urgent to ignore.” The AIDS epidemic was by then full-blown and hysteria was rampant. The intensity of the play helped usher in a new gay activism that could arguably be attributed to the evolution of gay rights in the decades to follow. An acclaimed revival in 2011 and the upcoming HBO version (produced by Ryan Murphy and starring Julia Roberts) have given this (now) modern classic a place in one of the important plays of our times.” 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.

My take: Raves dominate the notices for this one. At Ladue News, Mark Bretz calls it "a most extraordinary production, directed brilliantly by Marty Stanberry, which grabs one by the throat at the start and throttles with shock, grief and drenched desperation at its end." Snoop's Theatre Blog says it's "a must see."

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy One Man, Two Guvnors through October 5. “Francis Henshall needs a job. Recently sacked from his skiffle band, he's hungry and has a bad case of fish and chips on the brain. To make ends meet, he becomes a servant to two different masters. Frazzled Francis tries his best to balance duties and keep his bosses from meeting, but what he doesn't know about them, and what they don't know about each other, quickly become uproarious and riotous cases of mistaken identities and slapstick antics in this laugh-out-loud award-winning comedy.” 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: Tina Farmer's review at KDHX describes this as "is a rollicking ride filled with laughs and physical comedy that's suitable for the whole family," and other local critics have said much the same thing. The show was a massive hit in London and on Broadway, so this should not, perhaps, be a surprise. Note that it's relatively long for a comedy, though, clocking in at over two and one-half hours.

The Black Rep presents the musical Purlie, based on the Ossie Davis play Purlie Victorious, through September 21. "Purlie is the story of Purlie Victorious Judson, a preacher who returns to his homeland to revive an old church and help empower the African Americans who are under the thumb of bigoted Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University Campus. For more information: theblackrep.org

My take: I've always had a soft spot for this exuberant musical version of the play Purlie Victorious by the late actor, playwright, director, and social activist Ossie Davis, so I'm glad to see the good reviews. "With this inspiring, engaging musical," writes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "the Black Rep once again demonstrates why it is among the most consistently exceptional theater companies in the region. From the selection of material to the technical details to the casting, the company produces compelling shows that entertain without shying away from substantive themes and provocative subjects."

Held Over:

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Always..Patsy Cline through October 12. "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. See my KDHX review for more information.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Photo: Zachary Stefaniak

Dramatic License Productions presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical through September 21. "Directed by St. Louis theatre veteran actor and director, Alan Knoll with musical direction by Stephen Eros and choreography by Zachary Stefaniak, the adults-only musical is the story of a wayward stripper, Pippi, pursued by her marker-sniffing, highly combustible boyfriend. Pippi hides out in the north Florida trailer park Armadillo Acres, home to an agoraphobic housewife, her toll-collector husband and three gossiping girlfriends who also narrate the wacky story. A four-piece, on-stage band accompanies the cast of seven." 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: The reviews on this cheerfully tacky slice of double-wide life are generally pretty good. Malcom Gay of the Riverfront Times calls it "a blast," KDHX's Laura Kyro says "the audience was having a hoot and a holler," and Snoop's Theater Blog praises its "great, highly energetic cast and strong production values." If you're looking for low class high times, this just might be the ticket.