Symphony Review: Variety is the spice of the St. Louis Symphony's Thanksgiving weekend

Variety was the order of the day Friday night as the St. Louis Symphony livened up the Thanksgiving weekend with classical favorites by Prokofiev and the local premiere of a new contrabass concerto by Chinese composer Tan Dun in a stunning performance by SLSO Principal Double Bass Erik Harris.

[Find out more about the music with my symphony preview article.]

Erik Harris

Tan Dun is probably best known here in the USA for his film and multimedia work—most notably his score for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2000—but his musical interests are wide-ranging and heavily weighted toward the theatrical. Some of his earliest works were written for the stage and even his concert pieces often have extra-musical reference points.

In the case of his "Contrabass Concerto: The Wolf" the inspiration was the Chinese novel "Wolf Totem" by Jiang Rong. According to the composer's web site the novel "resonated deeply with Tan Dun’s personal connection and fascination with the spirits of the natural world and the sounds and customs of the ancient cultures along the Silk Road. The symbol of the Mongolian wolf and its life in the grasslands for Tan Dun is a mirror of the human spirit and our relationship to the natural world."

The concerto starts mysteriously with high harmonics in the basses and soft tones from Tibetan singing bowls suggesting a vast, empty landscape. That Largo melancholia introduction soon gives way to an Allegro depicting (to quote the web site again) "the running of the wolves and wild horses across the Mongolian grasslands." An elegiac Andante molto second movement suggests "the loneliness of a young wolf missing its mother; missing the sky and grasslands of its home" while the final Allegro vivace "returns us to the scene of the running horses, heard in the galloping rhythms of the orchestra while the soloist alternates between the lyrical and percussive capabilities of the instrument."

It's all very dramatic—I might even say cinematic—as well as tremendously appealing. As Mr. Harris points out in an interesting video interview with Mr. Robertson that's shown during the stage change preceding the concerto, it also poses some stiff challenges for the soloist, with lots of rapid passages and extended sections calling for bowing and fingering techniques more typical of the Chinese erhu. Mr. Harris, I'm happy to report, appeared to have completely embraced those challenges, delivering a performance that combined impressive technique with artistic sensitivity. Spontaneous applause broke out after the exhilarating first movement and the entire piece got a standing ovation.

Preceding the concerto is Prokofiev's "Symphony No. 1 in D major," op. 25, ("Classical"). One of the composer's most popular works, it takes classical style and gives it a distinctly 20th-century twist, with harmonies and key changes that would probably have astonished Haydn or Mozart. It relies heavily on the strings (especially the violins) to produce an exceptionally light and transparent sound, and the SLSO players did quite well by it. The violins sounded a bit more astringent than they usually do, which worked quite well for this music.

Mr. Robertson, for his part, brought out a wealth of orchestral detail in a superbly balanced and subtly shaded performance. As often as I've heard this music, there were still facets of the score that came through here in ways that I hadn't noticed in the past.

Lara Teeter

The second half of this weekend's concerts opens with a short suite from Rimsky-Korsakov's 1882 opera "The Snow Maiden". The piece is a real rarity—the SLSO hasn't performed it since 1926. Which is rather a shame as it's filled with some vivid music, colorfully evoking the fairy tale world of the opera. The "Dance of the Birds," with its inventive writing for the woodwinds, was especially delightful, especially when played with the kind of precision I heard Friday. Mr. Robertson and his forces brought out all the loopy comedy of the "Coretge," and the concluding "Dance of the Tumblers"—undoubtedly the best-known piece from the opera—was fittingly energetic.

The concerts conclude with another of Prokofiev's greatest hits, the 1936 children's story for narrator and orchestra, "Peter and the Wolf," about a brave lad who outsmarts a nasty predator. The SLSO has taken a variety of approaches to this piece in the past, but this one was perhaps the most remarkable in that it used fanciful watercolor-inspired animation and not one but two narrators: Webster Conservatory acting student Annie Barbour and Webster faculty member Lara Teeter.

A familiar figure from both the local and Broadway stages, Mr. Teeter handled the bulk of the narration in a slightly arch and humorous style, while Ms. Barbour was a bit more straightforward. I thought it worked quite well, especially in combination with Natalie Arco's charming animation, but I'm not sure splitting up the narration added anything much. The orchestral playing was excellent, in any case, with fine work by Principal Clarinet Scott Andrews as the cat, Associate Principal Flute Andrea Kaplan as the bird, and Principal Oboe Jelena Dirks as the unfortunate duck who gets swallowed whole by the wolf.

Next at Powell Hall, Bernard Labadie conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with soloists Lydia Teuscher, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo-soprano; Jeremy Ovenden, tenor; and Philippe Sly, bass-baritone, in Handel's "Messiah." Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., December 3-6. For more information: stlsymphony.org

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of November 30, 2015

[Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.]

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's events web site.

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All is Calm
Photo: John Lamb

Mustard Seed Theatre presents the a capella musical All is Calm Thursdays through Sundays through December 20. "Join us in celebrating the power of peace in this a capella musical based on the true story of soldiers during World War I who for one night, put down their arms and played soccer instead of exchanging bullets." Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com. Read my review!

R-S Theatrics presents Animals Out of Paper Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., through December 8 "When a reclusive origami artist opens her studio to a teenage prodigy and his eager high-school teacher, she discovers that life and love can't be arranged neatly in this drama about finding the perfect fold." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: r-stheatrics.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Bad Jews
Photo: Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Bad Jews December 3-20. "Good Jews, Bad Jews - it's all relative in this razor sharp and savage comedy about family, faith, and legacy. Meet Daphna Feygenbaum, a "Real Jew" with an Israeli boyfriend who she met on Birthright. When Daphna's cousin Liam brings home his shiksa girlfriend Melody for their grandfather's shiva and declares ownership of "Poppy's" Chai necklace, a vicious and hilarious family brawl ensues.A gleefully funny, thought-provoking evening of theatre. Outrageously and laceratingly funny, it's about what you choose to believe when you're chosen." 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.

The Monocle presents The Bitch is Back Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., December 4 and 5 "Celebrity female impersonator Joe Posa teams up with comedic writer Tony Tripoli of Fashion Police to bring the legendary Joan Rivers back to the stage in "The Bitch is Back!" This ninety-minute comedy show will have you rolling in the aisles with the bawdy humor of the late Joan Rivers." The performance takes place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: buzzonstage.com/st-louis.

Lindenwood University presents A Christmas Carol December 3-5. "Lindenwood University is honored to continue it's yearly tradition of presenting Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. This timeless classic follows the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge on a fantastic journey through time and space, forced to confront his past, present, and future through the aid of his spiritual guides." Performances take at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information, call 636-949-4433 or visit lindenwood.edu/center.

Stone Spiral Coffeehouse presents A Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 4 at 8 p.m. The show features prose, poetry, and comedy by Shakespeare, Truman Capote, TS Eliot, and Lewis Carroll, among others, along with seasonal songs and a holiday sing-along. Featured performers are Phyllis Thorpe, Ralf Lucas, and Chuck Lavazzi ,with Tom Lilly on guitar. Stone Spiral is at 2500 Sutton in Maplewood, MO. For more information: www.stonespiralcoffee.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Christmas Sleigh-Ing through December 30th. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

The Fox Theatre presents Crirque Dreams Holidaze Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 6 p.m., December 4-6. "In CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE, Broadway director Neil Goldberg re-imagines the holiday season with over 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 performers showcasing an endless variety of imaginative, heart-pounding and gravity- defying feats you have to see to believe. Experience gingerbread men flipping mid air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires along with snowmen, icemen and penguins balancing, jumping and spinning in disbelief. The show celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with singers, choreography and exciting production numbers. Performers twirl, bounce and soar thru the air to original music and seasonal favorites brought to life within a stage setting of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering trees & soldiers creating a wonderland of amazement." The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Stray Dog Theatre presents the comedy Devil Boys from Beyond Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM December 3-19. "Men are from Mars; women are from Venus; all the rest are from Pluto. A high-camp parody of '50s B-movies and trashy romance novels, mixed with a dash of 'Adult Swim' cartoon. Fold in a heaping portion of screwball comedy and stir gently but keep it lumpy!" Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

The Gin Game

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents The Gin Game December 4-20 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. " This winner of the 1978 Pulitzer Prize, which originally starred Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn and was later revived with Julie Harris and Charles Durning, uses a card game as a metaphor for life. Weller Martin is playing solitaire on the porch of a seedy nursing home. Enter Fonsia Dorsey, a prim, self righteous lady. They discover they both dislike the home and enjoy gin rummy, so they begin to play and to reveal intimate details of their lives. Fonsia wins every time and their secrets become weapons used against one another. Weller longs for a victory to counter a lifetime of defeats but it doesn't happen. He leaves the stage a broken man and Fonsia realizes her self-righteous rigidity has led to an embittered, lonely old age." For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

St. Louis Community College at Wildwood presents It's a Wonderful Life, a live radio play by Joe Landry, on Friday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. The production features students, staff and community members.. The campus is at 2645 Generations Drive in Wildwood, MO. For more information: calendar.stlcc.edu

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents film maker John Waters in his one-man show A John Waters Christmas: Holier and Dirtier, on Thursday, December 3, at 8 p.m. "Waters pokes fun at the holiday season with adult-appropriate humor, effectively 'putting the X in Xmas,' developing a show for the open minded and slightly left-of-center audience. Regarded as a shocking entertainer, John Waters carefully chooses his material and exploits it through a dirty lens." Performances take place at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3658 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: sheldonconcerthall.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents The Naughty List November 20 - January 2. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents the a cappella vocal group One Too Many on Saturday, December 5, at 8 p.m. "St. Louis' newest a cappella group, One Too Many, brings their precise harmonies and beautifully blended voices back to the Tavern." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

The Monocle presents an open mic night every Monday from 8:00pm to 11:00pm" "Musical Theater actor? Cabaret singer? Balladeer? Beleter? Coloratura soprano? Crooner? Student? Teacher? Performer? Fan? Come on down and sing. All are welcome. Ron Bryant is your accompanist. Bring your sheet music"." The monocle is at 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: themonoclestl.com.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Peter and the Starcatcher December 2-27. "An apprentice starcatcher and a young orphan boy find themselves on a life-changing adventure when they are charged with protecting magical starstuff from a fearsome pirate. Pursued by a giant crocodile, mysterious mermaids and angry islanders, their fantastical journey is filled with spectacle and whimsy. This swashbuckling prequel to Peter Pan is rich in stage magic, off-the-wall humor and touching sincerity as it takes us on a voyage to an island where dreams are born and time is never planned. Winner of five 2012 Tony Awards." 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.

Sharon Hunter

The Presenters Dolan and The Monocle present Sharon Hunter in Play Me on Thursday, December 3, at 7 and 9 p.m. "Play Me, features songs with a mix of rock and pop from the 1970's. These songs were written and sung by some of the greatest male artists of their generation...Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Rod Stewart, TheEagles and more. Now they are given fresh arrangements and a new sound with a woman's voice and sensual touch." The performancs take place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: buzzonstage.com/st-louis.

Clinton County Showcase presents A Seussified Christmas Carol December 4-13. "A whimsical reinvention of Dickens' most beloved Christmas story in wacky rhymed couplets. With zoot fruited juices and binka bird geese, from Bed-Headed Fred to Timmy Loo Hoo, this tale of glorious holiday cheer is similar to something Dr. Seuss might have come up with - if he ever had his way with the story..." Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents Shotgun Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., December 2-13. "It is four months after Hurricane Katrina demolished the levees in New Orleans. A Caucasian man named Beau and his son, Eugene, lost their house due to the flood. Now they are renting half of a shotgun duplex from an African American woman named Mattie. Mattie's father also lost his home in the flood, so he is now living with her in her half of the duplex. Both families find that they are having difficulties inhabiting the home together. Will they be able to work it out" Performances take placein the Stage III Auditorium at 470 E. Lockwood on the Webster University campus. For more information, events.webster.edu or call 314-968-7128.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Since Africa December 4-12. Performances take place in the Metcalf Student Experimental Theatre on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siue.edu.

The Monocle Varieté presents Stuff It..Turkey's Done Friday and Saturday at 9 and 11 p.m., December 4 and 5. "A comedic romp through giving thanks each fall and the holiday where you carve your turkey, but wish you could carve your loved ones! Stuff It! brings joy to the dreaded family table where the roast precedes the toast!" This ninety-minute comedy show will have you rolling in the aisles with the bawdy humor of the late Joan Rivers." The performance takes place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: buzzonstage.com/st-louis.

Sublime Intimacy
Photo: John Lamb

Max and Louie Productions presents Sublime Intimacy by St. Louis actor/playwright Ken Page December 4-20. "Sublime Intimacy is the remembered tales of five friends: an ex-Hollywood actor,a psychology professor, a painter, an actress and a Broadway musical performer whose lives were elevated, touched and indeed changed by their love of a dancer and his dance. While each person's story is different, they overlap, intertwine and inform each other as the lives and tales of friends often do. We the audience, like the characters, are allowed to share in the intimate beauty of the art form through the performances of "The Dancer" as the play unfolds. Sublime Intimacy, isn't that what we all want?" Performances take place at the Wool Studio Theatre at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information, visit maxandlouie.com.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.

Theatre Review: "All is Calm" at Mustard Seed defies the masters of war

The cast of All is Calm
Photo: John Lamb

I missed it the first two times it was presented in 2013 and 2014, but last night I finally got to see Mustard Seed Theatre's much-praised "All is Calm" and I'm glad I finally did. You will be, too.

With a script by Peter Rothstein and musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach, this story of the remarkable Christmas truce of 1914—a spontaneous outbreak of peace that occurred at multiple points along the trenches in France—combines splendid and often quite complex a cappella singing with readings of letters from soldiers and other historical documents. It's powerfully moving and beautifully performed by a fine ensemble of eleven of our town's most talented singing actors.

Attired in nondescript period uniforms, the actors take on various roles, moving between the German and Allied sides of the stage.  It's a smart theatrical device that reminds us (as Peter Weiss wrote in "Marat/Sade") that in a war all soldiers ultimately want the same thing: "Not to lie under the earth but to walk upon it without crutches."

Deanna Jent's knowing direction keeps this short and powerful one act moving along without making it feel hurried.  The big emotional moments, like the singing of overlapping versions of "Silent Night" and "Stille Nacht", are allowed to breathe, which maximizes their impact.

At a time when opportunistic politicians are pushing an agenda of hate, fear, and eternal war, this is a play that everyone needs to see. As we used to ask back in the 1960s, "what if they gave a war and nobody came?"

"All is Calm" runs through December 20th at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of November 30, 2015

Tom Byrne

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The Community Music School of Webster University presents a faculty recital on Friday, December 4, at 7 p.m. "Performing Classical to Jazz to Contemporary music, the recital will include Community Music School faculty members: Tom Byrne, guitar; Sandra Geary, piano; Julia Hornberger, cello; Chris Hubbard, saxophone; Karl Koesterer, piano; Jennifer Toro Mazzoni, flute; John McClellan, guitar; Katie Myler, clarinet; Sue Pankratz, piano; Elizabeth Ramos, violin; and Jeanine York-Garesche, clarinet." The performance takes place at The Community Music School of Webster University, 535 Garden Avenue. For more information: webster.edu/cms.

Bernard Labadie conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with soloists Lydia Teuscher, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo-soprano; Jeremy Ovenden, tenor; and Kyle Ketelsen, bass-baritone, in Handel's Messiah. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., December 3-6. "With bright trumpets and the timeless "Hallelujah" Chorus, Handel's Messiah returns to Powell Hall under the direction of Bernard Labadie. Composed in only 24 days, Messiah remains Handel's most popular work and one of the most performed classical works of all time. Celebrate the start of the holiday season with this powerful and captivating choral classic." The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Peter Martin and David Halen

Wednesday, December 2nd, at 8 pm, The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Celebrate the Holidays with St. Louis Symphony concertmaster David Halen and jazz pianist Peter Martin. "Celebrate the season with St. Louis Symphony concertmaster David Halen and jazz pianist Peter Martin as they perform holiday favorites such as "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," as well as classics by Gershwin and more! Special guests include symphony violinist, and blossoming vocalist, Helen Kim." The Sheldon is at 3648 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: thesheldon.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Two Singing Tenors and a Piano in a Pear Tree on Thursday, December 3, at 8 p.m. "Pianist and tenor Jon Garrett teams up with tenor Phil Touchette and soprano Rebecca Drury for a holiday-centric evening full of laughter, fun, and celebration of the season's festivities. Come hear Phil in his first Tavern appearance since last winter, joined by Rebecca for their first collaboration concert together, all led by maestro Jon on the keys. The program will include favorite familiar tunes, comical solos and duets, along with a few unique arrangements and surprises." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Symphony Preview: The St. Louis Symphony cries "wolf" twice the weekend of November 27, 2015

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David Robertson and the St. Louis Symphony have a heavily lupine program for you this weekend, with Prokofiev's musical fairy tale "Peter and the Wolf" (in a collaboration with Webster University) as well as Tan Dun's new contrabass concerto, subtitled "The Wolf." There's also music from "The Snow Maiden," a fairy tale opera by Rimsky-Korsakov, along with one of Prokofiev's most popular pieces, "Symphony No. 1," Op. 25 ("Classical").

Prokofiev in New York, 1918
en.wikipedia.org

The "Classical" symphony, which opens the program, came about in part as a reaction by the composer to his growing reputation as an aggressive modernist—said reputation springing from his spiky "Piano Concerto No. 2" and his electrifying "Scythian Suite". He also felt that he was becoming too dependent on the piano as a compositional medium. So in 1917, with the socialist revolution exploding around him, he retreated, sans piano, to a village outside of St. Petersburg and completed the symphony he had begun the previous year.

"I had been playing with the idea of writing a whole symphony without the piano," wrote Prokofiev in his autobiography, "thinking that such a piece would have more natural and transparent colours. So that is how the project for a symphony in the style of Haydn came about. I had come to understand a great deal about Haydn's technique from Tcherepnin [his teacher at the St Petersburg Conservatory] and thought it would be less scary to embark on this piano-less journey if I were on familiar stylistic ground."

The result is a work that takes classical style and gives it a distinctly 20th-century sound. It will also give our orchestra's string section something of a workout as it demands a lot from them, with rapid passages in the first movement and a high soft entry in the second, and generally requires players that can handle the lightness and transparency of the orchestration.

The Tan Dun concerto is next. A joint commission among the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Taiwan Philharmonic (NSO), the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and our own SLSO, the concerto, according to the composer's web site, "richly gives voice to both the velvety expressive sound and also the virtuosic propulsive percussive abilities of the contrabass."

"At the time when Tan Dun began conceptualizing this concerto," the site continues, "he had recently finished reading the Chinese novel "Wolf Totem" by Jiang Rong...The symbol of the Mongolian wolf and its life in the grasslands for Tan Dun is a mirror of the human spirit and our relationship to the natural world."

For a more detailed description of the music along with some interesting background video, check out Tan Dun's site. His description of the unorthodox fingering techniques required for the music—based on the styles of ancient Mongolian Horse Fiddle playing—suggest that this piece will be a real challenge for the soloist, SLSO Principal Bass Erik Harris.

Rimsky-Korsakov in 1892
Painting by Ilya Repin

The second half of the concert kicks off with a suite from Rimsky-Korsakov's 1882 opera "The Snow Maiden". Based on Alexander Ostrovsky's 1873 play of the same name, the opera's basic plot is a familiar one about a supernatural creature—the Snow Maiden of the title—who falls in love with a mortal. If you know your Hans Christian Andersen, you know that can't end well—and it doesn't. The story is told with a sophisticated score that includes the Wagnerian technique of assigning different melodies (leitmotifs) to individual characters as part of the dramatic structure. You'll hear a number of them in the colorful suite's four movements.

The concerts conclude with Prokofiev's 1936 children's story for narrator and orchestra, "Peter and the Wolf," about a brave lad who outsmarts a wolf. This is a piece I first encountered as a child, in the 1946 animated version by Walt Disney with the gravel-voiced Sterling Holloway as the narrator. It changes the story a bit but generally sticks fairly close to the composer's original scenario.

"Peter and the Wolf" has been popular with the symphony lately. The most recent performance, for example, was this past February with Resident Conductor Steven Jarvi. In 2009 the SLSO performed a semi-staged production with former Resident Conductor Ward Stare at the podium and several local actors (including yours truly) playing the narrator, Peter, the wolf, and Peter's animal friends. This time around the orchestra is using a creative team from Webster University that includes acting student Annie Barbour and Webster faculty member (and well-known local singer/actor) Lara Teeter as the narrators. There will also be video projections, so expect a multi-media experience.

The essentials: David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, with double bassist Erik Harris, on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., 27-29. The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of November 27, 2015

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

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New This Week:

The 2013 production of All is Calm

Mustard Seed Theatre presents the acapella musical All is Calm Thursdays through Sundays, November 27-December 20. "Join us in celebrating the power of peace in this acapella musical based on the true story of soldiers during World War I who for one night, put down their arms and played soccer instead of exchanging bullets." Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

My take: This show is apparently going to be a holiday tradition at Mustard Seed, and with good reason. The story of the remarkable holiday truce that spontaneously interrupted the insanity of World War I remains an inspiring reminder of what happens when ordinary people ignore the manipulations of their leadership and allow their basic decency to take control of their actions. The lesson for contemporary politics is clear. "The singing is deep, strong and wide ranging in voice," wrote Dennis Corcoran in his review of the 2013 production for KDHX, "with arrangements spanning the complex to the surprisingly simple and pure...This show is a special treat. "

Animals Out of Paper
Photo: Michael Young

R-S Theatrics presents Animals Out of Paper Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., through December 8 "When a reclusive origami artist opens her studio to a teenage prodigy and his eager high-school teacher, she discovers that life and love can't be arranged neatly in this drama about finding the perfect fold." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: r-stheatrics.com.

My take: As someone who entered into a major love affair with origami as a youth, I find the subject of this play fascinating. In her review for KDHX, Tina Farmer says that Animals Out of Paper "is a cerebral story about intimacy told from three incomplete and deeply emotional perspectives. As such, there are thoughts left unsaid, confusion caused by good intentions, and anger and hurt that springs from misplaced need and misunderstood actions. Each character is authentically human and flawed, and the actors and Schaefer don’t hesitate in peeling back the skin and showing the turmoil, indecision, and impulses that drive the characters. The show poses more questions than it answers and opens more wounds than it heals, making for a compelling, if at times messy, story arc."

Christy Simmons

Topper Productions presents Christy Simmons in A Woman of a Certain Age on Sunday, November 29 at 3 p.m. "Christy Simmons takes to the stage at the beautiful Boom Boom Room, to explore the many contrasts between life as a twenty-something, and life as a well-beyond-twenty-something. Always funny and engaging, Christy tackles her subject matter with wit, honesty, a touch of wistfulness and romance, and an impressive variety of songs from The Great American Songbook. The song list ranges from Harold Arlen and Johhny Mercer, to Sondheim, and even Billy Joel. She is backed-up by some of St. Louis' premier musicians; Joe Dryer (Piano), Clancy Newell (Drums), and Dave Troncoso (Bass), to provide an afternoon of truly wonderful music, and story-telling." The performance takes place at The Boom Boom Room, 500 N. 14th St. downtown. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2461506.

My take: It has been a while since Christy has brought her big, brassy, sassy stage persona to the local cabaret scene, so this is a welcome return. Ms. Simmons has a well-trained voice that can belt or purr as needed, so she’s equally at home up-tempo numbers and ballads. And she has some pretty impressive sidemen this time around, including Joe Dreyer, a guy with some solid cabaret credentials of his own. I know nothing about the Boom Boom Room, but I know plenty about Ms. Simmons and that's enough to recommend this show.

Cabaret Review: Susan Werner provides a fine finish to the fall Gaslight Cabaret Festival

Susan Werner at Thalian Hall
in 2009
susanwerner.com

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Susan Werner's two shows at the Gaslight Cabaret Festival this past weekend marked her first solo appearances locally in over seven years, and that's far too long.

When I saw her for the first time back in 2008 at the Cabaret at Savor, I observed that her performance was creative, smart, hip, devilishly clever, and just downright entertaining. I'll second that now. When the Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich called her "one of the most innovative songwriters working today" in 2006 he was only stating the simple truth.

Due to accidents of history as much as anything else, the image of the singer/songwriter in the popular mind is often strongly linked to artists who draw their inspiration primarily from the folk/old-time tradition. Think of July Collins or Phil Ochs in the 1960s or Nanci Griffith today. Werner did, in fact, start out making a name for herself on the folk circuit, and her songs certainly include elements of what's now called "traditional" music, but that's only one color in a palette that includes jazz – traditional and modern – torch songs, American Songbook standards, and even some remnants of her classical conservatory training.

So, yeah, she did play the guitar, but she switched back and forth between it and the baby grand with ease, all the while humming riffs that led into the next number. It's as though singing was as natural to her as speaking, and the songs were just an extension of the stories that bridged them.

As for the songs themselves, Ms. Werner writes really great ones. She writes the kind of songs that make people like me want to go out and buy copies of the sheet music so we can learn them. She writes songs that can be funny, sad, wry, world-weary, romantic, cynical, cheerfully upbeat, and politically subversive – sometimes all at once.

Want some career advice? She's got it in "Don't Work With Your Friends." Need a good comeback when you encounter a friend who has just had cosmetic surgery? Consider "What Did You Do to Your Face?" There was sound advice about living for the moment in "May I Suggest" (as in, "May I suggest that this is the best part of your life"). And for fans of the Second City, she's got a great hymn to her home town in "Give Me Chicago Any Day," complete with an unexpected vocal nod to Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong.

There was more political material in this show than I recall hearing in the last one, but it was quality stuff. And the messages in those songs didn't beat us over the head. They were often laced with humor, as in "Our Father" ("Deliver us from those who think they're You") or in "Herbicides Done Made Me Gay." Or they grew naturally out of a narrative, as in the pro-choice "Manhattan, Kansas" or "Cuba Before" and "Cuba After," which were inspired by a trip to that formerly blockaded island.

There was even, as an encore, one song that Ms. Werner didn't write: Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne's "Time After Time" (first sung by Frank Sinatra in the 1947 film "It Happened in Brooklyn") and dedicated to her long-time partner and now (thanks to the Supreme Court) her spouse. It was a lovely "unplugged" moment, sung seated on the lip of the stage with acoustic guitar.

It was also a bit daring, but Ms. Werner was able to pull it off because she's a good a performer and she is a songwriter. She took us on a musical journey and told us stories that were worth hearing. She enjoyed herself immensely and included all of us in the fun. So the audience responded warmly and enthusiastically, even when the material got openly political.

Susan Werner's show brought the fall edition of Jim Dolan's Gaslight Cabaret Festival to a fine conclusion. The festival will start back up again in the spring. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

Symphony Review: Polished "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" highlights a "Music You Know" concert Friday, November 20, 2015

David Robertson
Photo: Dan Dreyfus

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I have become quite a fan of the St. Louis Symphony's periodic "Music You Know" concerts, sponsored by the Whitaker Foundation. The series got off to a rocky start last November but quickly righted itself this past March. As David Robertson and the orchestra clearly demonstrated at this past Friday's concert, the series has settled into a very polished and pleasing groove.

As the title suggests, these are classical "greatest hits" concerts, consisting of relatively short works, most of which are likely to be familiar to regulars at Powell Hall. This time around there was also a brand new piece—"Radial Play," written last year by the thirtysomething Samuel Adams—but for the most part the music was tried and true.

The concert opened with Shostakovich's "Festive Overture," slapped together in just three days in 1954 in response to a last-minute request for a piece to commemorate the 27th anniversary of the October Revolution. The music has echoes, here and there, of Glinka's popular "Ruslan and Ludmilla" overture (without the tympani solo), but it mostly pure Shostakovich, with lots of flashy writing for brass and percussion. It's a potboiler, with none of the dark drama and sarcastic humor that marks Shostakovich's major works, but even so Mr. Robertson found some subtleties in the score I hadn't heard before.

Next was one of my favorites, Dvorak's "Scherzo capriccioso." Written in the spring of 1883 just after the birth of the composer's son, the music is clearly informed by both the joy of that event and the sorrow of the death of Dvorak's mother only a few months earlier. The alternation of light and darkness is characteristic of the composer's music in general, but the middle section of this generally giddy piece has some especially poignant moments. Mr. Robertson highlighted them in a performance that was a bit less playful than I would have preferred, but well done nevertheless.

"Radial Play" was next. In his spoken remarks, Mr. Robertson explained that the title refers to the notion of rays (radii) shooting off from the F-sharp key in the middle of a standard piano keyboard. The music started and continually returned to that pitch in a kind of kaleidoscope of sonic pointillism that reminded me of the highly compressed musical essays of Alban Berg, albeit with less darkness. It was composed for the National Youth Orchestra, who must be a batch of pretty fine players, judging from the virtuosity needed to play this piece. Fortunately, the musicians were more than up to the challenge.

The first half concluded with music that pretty much everyone knows: the overture to Franz von Suppé's 1866 operetta "The Light Cavalry." The titular cavalry, as Mr. Robertson pointed out in his introduction, is Hungarian, which explains the soulful "gypsy" music that briefly interrupts the overture's well-known galloping rhythms. This was another fine performance, distinguished, in part, by Scott Andrews's limpid version of the clarinet solo.

The second half of the concert began with another work firmly entrenched in popular culture: the overture to Rossini's popular comic opera "The Barber of Seville." Like Shostakovich, Rossini had the ability to dash off polished compositions on short notice, but in this case he simply re-used an overture he had used for two previous operas, "Aureliano in Palmira" and "Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra." Which is why none of the engaging tunes in the overture appears in the actual opera. Here, again, Mr. Robertson found little nuances in the music that I hadn't really heard before, including a very romantic approach to the first major theme in the violins.

Two brief Russian favorites followed: Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee" from "The Tale of the Tsar Sultan," performed with brisk precision and featuring some impressive playing by the flute section, and Rachmaninoff's affecting "Vocalise." That latter got a melting, heart-on-sleeve treatment that felt just right.

The concert concluded with what was, for me, the highlight of the evening: Britten's "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" ("Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell"), Op. 34. It was written for the 1946 educational documentary film "Instruments of the Orchestra" where it was accompanied by plummy narration by conductor Sir Malcom Sargent, who introduced each section of the orchestra as it played its particular variation on the theme, which was taken from Purcell's incidental music for the 1676 tragedy "Abdelazer or The Moor's Revenge".

It's a brilliant showpiece and was performed with tremendous polish and panache. Each section made the most of its individual variation and the final statement of the theme was properly rousing. Mr. Robertson and his forces definitely earned their standing ovation with this one.

The "Music You Know" concerts are clearly intended to attract a wider audience to Powell Hall, so I was a bit disappointed to see so many empty seats Friday night. Still, there appeared to be a lot of folks in the house who were probably not SLSO regulars, so that bodes well. And if the concerts continue at this high level, the orchestra will certainly be putting its best foot forward.

Next at Powell: David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, with double bassist Erik Harris, on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., 27-29. The program features Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf as well as the US premiere of Tan Dun's Contrabass Concerto: The Wolf. The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of November 23, 2015

[Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.]

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's events web site.

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Mustard Seed Theatre presents the acapella musical All is Calm Thursdays through Sundays, November 27-December 20. “Join us in celebrating the power of peace in this acapella musical based on the true story of soldiers during World War I who for one night, put down their arms and played soccer instead of exchanging bullets.” Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

Animals Out of
Paper

R-S Theatrics presents Animals Out of Paper Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., through December 8 "When a reclusive origami artist opens her studio to a teenage prodigy and his eager high-school teacher, she discovers that life and love can't be arranged neatly in this drama about finding the perfect fold." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: r-stheatrics.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Christmas Sleigh-Ing through December 30th. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents Fly Guy and Other Stories Friday and Saturday, November 27, and 29, at 2 p.m. "A new musical revue based on favorite children's books. Book titles subject to change: Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl by Tedd Arnold, Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig by Kate McMullan, Horace and Morris But Mostly Dolores by James Howe, Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes, Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes and Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch." Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit www.florissantmo.com.

Jeremiah Clark

The Emerald Room Cabaret presents Jeremiah Clark on Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28, at 7 p.m. " In a small town outside of Memphis, Tennessee, singer-songwriter Jeremiah Clark grew up on gospel, country and classic rock. His sound is organic, refreshing and vocally-driven, much like artists Jason Mraz, Kelly Clarkson and Dave Matthews, but with a country twist." The performances take place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: buzzonstage.com/st-louis

Brass Rail Players present It's a Wonderful Life opening Saturday, November 28, with performances at 2 and 7:30 pm and running through November 30. " This radio play adaptation of Frank Capra's holiday favorite features a cast of old-timey radio actors reading the parts of multiple characters, and two sound-effects artists on stage!" The performances take place at The Turkey Hill Grange, 1375 Illinois Rte. 15 in Belleville, IL. For more information, visit brassrailplayers.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents The Naughty List November 20 - January 2. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Monocle presents an open mic night every Monday from 8:00pm to 11:00pm" "Musical Theater actor? Cabaret singer? Balladeer? Beleter? Coloratura soprano? Crooner? Student? Teacher? Performer? Fan? Come on down and sing. All are welcome. Ron Bryant is your accompanist. Bring your sheet music"." The monocle is at 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: themonoclestl.com.

Christy Simmons

Topper Productions presents Christy Simmons in A Woman of a Certain Age on Sunday, November 29 at 3 p.m. "Christy Simmons takes to the stage at the beautiful Boom Boom Room, to explore the many contrasts between life as a twenty-something, and life as a well-beyond-twenty-something. Always funny and engaging, Christy tackles her subject matter with wit, honesty, a touch of wistfulness and romance, and an impressive variety of songs from The Great American Songbook. The song list ranges from Harold Arlen and Johhny Mercer, to Sondheim, and even Billy Joel. She is backed-up by some of St. Louis' premier musicians; Joe Dryer (Piano), Clancy Newell (Drums), and Dave Troncoso (Bass), to provide an afternoon of truly wonderful music, and story-telling." The performance takes place at The Boom Boom Room, 500 N. 14th St. downtown. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2461506.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.

The St. Louis classical calendar for the week of November 21, 2015

Erik Harris

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David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, with double bassist Erik Harris, on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., 27-29. The program features Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf as well as the US premiere of Tan Dun's Contrabass Concerto: The Wolf. The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Ryan Bolinger, piano and Megan Moran, soprano in an evening of classical piano and voice on Saturday, November 28, at 8 p.m. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of November 20, 2015

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

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New This Week:

White Christmas
Photo: Kevin White

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Irving Berlin's White Christmas Tuesday through Sunday, November 17-22. The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. "This holiday season discover the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Start with a timeless tale of joy and goodwill, fill it with classic Irving Berlin songs, top it off with glorious dancing and lots of snow and join us at the Fox for Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS. Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of a song-and-dance team putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and falling for a stunning sister act in the process. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written! Give everyone the gift they're dreaming of with this merry and bright holiday musical." For more information, fabulousfox.com or call 314-534-1678.

My take: Based on the 1954 film of the same name, this is one of those cheerful, tune-filled and nostalgia-stuffed Great American Songbook shows that never fails to please most audiences. "The stage version makes significant changes to the script that streamline the story," notes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "moving the show along efficiently and keeping the running time to a pleasant two hours. While the number of characters and plot twists have been trimmed, the wholesome story of doing good, finding love, and ending on a happy note remains intact. The current version is quite polished and entertaining, with an emphasis on the songs and dance numbers...Berlin's songs are a gift of the season and a reflection of the American spirit. Each one evokes strong emotions, and the arc of the story and songs mirrors the optimism of an era that created so many of the memories we consider "traditions." The energetic dances, particularly the complex, high-speed tap numbers, tie the show together with a bright, enticing bow."

Craig Pomranz

Topper Productions and Michael Bogus present Craig Pomranz in Love Takes Time Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m. "Craig Pomranz brings his new show "Love Takes Time" from NYC and London to Webster Groves. Featuring diverse songs ranging from Irving Berlin up to Cyndi Lauper and Stevie Wonder. you'll wonder if "time" in the title refers to time spent longing for love, time in love, or references in song? You'll have to come and decide for yourself." The performance takes place at Cyrano's 603 East Lockwood in Webster Groves. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2450793

My take: It has been far too long since we've had a chance to see native St. Louis son Craig Pomranz on a local stage. Reviewing his 2011 appearance at the Kranzberg Center, I noted his ebullient stage persona, self-deprecating sense of humor, impressive vocal technique and acting skills. I haven't seen anything at Cyrano's performance space, but I have dined there often enough to suggest that you should seriously consider a dinner/show combo.

Susan Werner

The Presenters Dolan presents singer/songwriter Susan Werner on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Singers and songwriters don't get more talented than Susan Werner. She's a master of so many genres, and about to add Broadway. Susan is the composer and lyricist of Bull Durham, scheduled to open next year." The performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

My take: Speaking of performers who have been absent from the local scene for far too long, Susan Werner is someone I haven't seen since her appearance at the late, lamented Cabaret at Savor back in the spring of 2008. As I wrote back then, Susan Werner writes really great songs. She writes the kind of songs that make people like me want to go out and buy copies of the sheet music so we can learn them. She writes songs that can be funny, sad, wry, world-weary, romantic, cynical, cheerfully upbeat and politically subversive - sometimes all at once. And she performs everything impeccably. File this under "don't miss."

Held Over:

Rapture, Blister, Burn

The West End Players Guild continues their 105th season with Gina Gionfriddo's Rapture, Blister, Burn Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, through November 22. "After grad school, Catherine and Gwen chose polar opposite paths. Catherine became a 'rock star' in the academic world and a go-to cable TV commenter, while Gwen built a home with her husband and children. Decades later, unfulfilled in polar opposite ways, each woman covets the other's life, commencing a dangerous game of musical chairs." There will also be a show on Thursday, November 19, at 8 PM. 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: This is a funny and perceptive script about the way so many of us wonder about what might lie down the road not taken, and the cast includes some of our finest local actors. It delivers a message of female empowerment without beating the audience over the head and does it in an amusingly subversive way.

Symphony Peview: Of late bloomers and letter writing, November 21 and 22, 2015

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If you consider his entire output, Johannes Brahms was an early bloomer. He reportedly wrote his first piano sonata at the age of 11, was touring as a pianist by 19, and was only 20 when Schumann sang of his virtues in the October 28, 1853, issue of the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik ("a young man over whose cradle Graces and Heroes have stood watch"). Heady stuff.

Brahms, the boy wonder, 1853

And yet as a symphonist Brahms got off to a late start. His "Symphony No. 1 in C minor," op. 68, which takes up half of this weekend's St. Louis Symphony Concerts (with David Robertson at the podium), wasn't performed until 1876 (when Brahms was 43) and wasn't published in final form until the following year. "Part of the problem," wrote Larry Rothe in program notes for the San Francisco Symphony, "was that Brahms was such a harsh critic of his own work. He honed his material until he was satisfied, and he held himself to tough standards. We are told that his desire to be worthy is what kept him from introducing a symphony before he was already into middle age. He was intimidated by Beethoven. 'You have no idea what it's like to hear the footsteps of a giant like that behind you,' he said, those footsteps resonating through his psyche, making him question if he could ever do anything on a par with the author of nine symphonies that seemed to define the limits of what music could express."

Listening to the magisterial opening of the Brahms First now, it seems astonishing that it could have sprung from the brain of a man consumed with self-doubt. It's such a strong statement and the rest of the movement is so filled with drama and so commanding, you'd think it would have drowned out the sound of Beethoven's footsteps.

The other movements are equally impressive. A lyrical Andante is next—featuring a graceful trio for oboe, violin, and horn—followed by a terpsichorean third movement marked un poco allegretto e grazioso. And then Brahms caps it all with a finale that radically changes the idea of what the fourth movement in a Romantic symphony should do.

"This movement," writes Tom Service in The Guardian, "is his solution to what he saw as the 19th century's symphonic problem—the tendency for the pieces to be weighted towards their opening allegros, to have worked out all their major structural tensions by the end of the first movement. Brahms's fourth movement is different: everything is at stake here. It's the longest part of the symphony, and from the outset, its drama is set out on a bigger stage than the previous three movements... On one hand, this music crowns the work's dramatic trajectory, but it also celebrates Brahms's own vanquishing of his symphonic demons. And if we've only the ears to hear it, we'll hear how completely he created something subtly, multi-dimensionally new."

Brett Dean
boosey.com

Speaking of new things, the only other work on this weekend's program is "The Lost Art of Letter Writing," a work for violin and orchestra from 2007 that's getting its SLSO premiere with these concerts. The composer is Brett Dean, whose "Testament (Music for 12 Violas)" and "Viola Concerto" had their local premieres with the orchestra last January.

At the time I thought Mr. Dean's concerto was rather lacking in substance, stretching a paucity of brief musical ideas out well past their modest breaking point. Whether that will be true of this latest work remains to be seen. Reviews of the piece have been positive, though, which bodes well. "The Lost Art of Letter Writing is a most sincere and substantial work," wrote Shirley Apthorp in The Financial Times in 2007. "[I]t is art which needs neither pretension nor gimmicks." In a review for The Guardian of the premiere recording of the piece by Sydney Symphony, Andrew Clements was even more enthusiastic. "Like the best works with literary subtexts," he wrote, "The Lost Art of Letter Writing can also be appreciated on its own purely abstract musical terms, and as a wonderfully idiomatic concerto inhabiting a post-Bergian musical world, it's as important an achievement as Dean's earlier Viola Concerto and one of the most significant recent additions to the violin-concerto repertoire."

Like many of Mr. Dean's compositions, "The Lost Art of Letter Writing" is what was once called "program music" in that it is inspired by and specifically refers to non-musical ideas. Specifically, the decline in letter writing and, indeed, in handwriting in general brought on by the ubiquity of computers. "A recent article in an Australian newspaper," writes Mr. Dean in his notes for his work at the Boosey and Hawkes web site, "points out that the proportion of personal letters amongst the total number of sent articles handled by the national postal authority, Australia Post, has declined from 50% in 1960 to 13% nowadays. Sure, we stay in touch arguably more than ever, via telephone, email and messaging, but that too has undoubtedly changed the nature of communicating."

"Each movement," he continues, "is prefaced by an excerpt from a 19th Century letter of one kind or another, ranging from private love-letter to public manifesto. Each title refers to the place and year the letter was written. The violin plays the alternate roles of both an author and a recipient of letters, but perhaps more importantly, the solo part conjures something of the mood of each of the different letters."

SLSO program annotator Paul Schiavo has some interesting things to say about "The Lost Art of Letter Writing" as does blogger Eddie Silva in a blog entry that includes an interview with SLSO violist Woehr. If you're planning to attend this weekend, they're both worth your time.

In the solo role for these concerts will be English violinist Jack Liebeck. Mr. Liebeck is professor of violin at the Royal Academy of Music and is the Artistic Director of Oxford May Music Festival (a festival of "Music, Science, and the Arts"), who comes to us with a string of good notices, several of which are quoted at his web site. Reviewing his performance of the Dvorak "Violin Concerto" last month with the Halle Orchestra, for example, Bachtrack praised his "deep understanding" of the music. "With a sound that is considerably versatile and of a beautiful sonority in the lower register, he called forth a rich soundscape which met the challenges of the concerto." In a similar vein Ken Walton, writing in The Scotsman last December, enthused about Mr. Liebeck's "nimble technique and purity of tone."

The essentials: David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, with violinst Jack Liebeck, on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., November 21 and 22. The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of November 16, 2015

[Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.]

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's events web site.

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R-S Theatrics presents Animals Out of Paper Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., November 20 - December 8 "When a reclusive origami artist opens her studio to a teenage prodigy and his eager high-school teacher, she discovers that life and love can't be arranged neatly in this drama about finding the perfect fold." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: r-stheatrics.com.

Chuck Lavazzi
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

The Cabaret Project and 88.1 KDHX present the monthly cabaret open mic night on Wednesday, November 18, from 7 to 10 PM at the Tavern of Fine Arts “Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by the inimitable Carol Schmidt on the baby grand.” The master of ceremonies is Chuck Lavazzi, senior performing arts critic at 88.1 KDHX. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. At least one of your two songs should be a medium-or up-tempo number. We'd also recommend that you have your song memorized. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt at Waterman in the Central West End. There's free parking in the lot right across the street. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Christmas Sleigh-Ing through December 30th. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents The Christmas Show November 20 - January 2. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Monroe Actors Stage Company presents A Christmas Story, based on the stories of Jean Shepherd, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through November 22, in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

St. Louis University Theatre presents Beth Henley's Pulitzer Prize winning Crimes of the Heart, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2p.m., November 20-22 The play is "the touching and funny story of the three Magrath sisters as they deal with adversities and struggle to overcome past resentments. Performances are in the Main Stage Theatre in Xavier Hall, 3733 West Pine Mall. For more information, reservations and online ticket information go to slu.edu/utheatre.

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents Fly Guy and Other Stories Sunday, Friday, and Saturday, November 22, 27, and 29, at 2 p.m. "A new musical revue based on favorite children's books. Book titles subject to change: Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl by Tedd Arnold, Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig by Kate McMullan, Horace & Morris But Mostly Dolores by James Howe, Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes, Lilly's Big Day by Kevin Henkes and Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch." Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit www.florissantmo.com.

White Christmas
Photo: Kevin White

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Irving Berlin's White Christmas Tuesday through Sunday, November 17-22. The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. "This holiday season discover the perfect gift for everyone on your list! Start with a timeless tale of joy and goodwill, fill it with classic Irving Berlin songs, top it off with glorious dancing and lots of snow and join us at the Fox for Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS. Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS tells the story of a song-and-dance team putting on a show in a magical Vermont inn and falling for a stunning sister act in the process. Full of dancing, laughter and some of the greatest songs ever written! Give everyone the gift they’re dreaming of with this merry and bright holiday musical." For more information, fabulousfox.com or call 314-534-1678.

Topper Productions and Michael Bogus present Craig Pomranz in Love Takes Time Saturday, November 21 at 7 p.m. "Craig Pomranz brings his new show "Love Takes Time" from NYC and London to Webster Groves. Featuring diverse songs ranging from Irving Berlin up to Cyndi Lauper and Stevie Wonder. you'll wonder if "time" in the title refers to time spent longing for love, time in love, or references in song? You'll have to come and decide for yourself." The performance takes place at Cyrano's 603 East Lockwood in Webster Groves. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2450793.

Prison Performing Arts presents Mass Meaning, Mass Incarceration Explored by Inmates, on Thursday, November 19, at 1 and 7 p.m. "Created by inmates at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific, MO, this dynamic, moving and funny original work explores the topic of mass incarceration in America. Each performance is followed by a Q&A with the participants. Performances take place at at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific, MO. For more information: prisonartsstl.org.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents the Moliere's comedy The Misanthrope, translated by Richard Wilbur, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, through November 22. "Moliere's most enduringly modern comedy tells the story of Alceste, a scrupulous young man who despises the flattery and superficiality that prevails among the social elites of Paris. But Alceste is in love with Celimene, who embodies the duplicity that he can't stand in others. This stripped-down production, which imagines Moliere's story. Into the midst of a group of well-connected young people concerned with love, money and reputation, renews Moliere's fundamental questions: can someone of strong moral principles exist in a sophisticated social world?" Performances take place in the Hotchner Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu or call 314-935-6543.

St. Louis Community College at Meramec presents the musical Monty Python's Spamalot Wednesday through Sunday, November 18-22. Performances take place in the theatre on the campus at 11333 Big Bend Road. For more information, call 314-984-7500.

Alfresco Productions presents the Agatha Christie thriller The Mousetrap Friday through Sunday, November 20-22 "This is the longest running play in history. It is the classic suspense thriller: a group of people trapped in a boarding house during a huge snowstorm. A body is discovered. Who will be next?" Performances take place at the Alfresco Art Center, 2401 Delmar in Granite City, IL. For more information: (618) 560-1947 or www.alfrescoproductions.org.

St. Charles Community College presents the comedy Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music Wednesday through Sunday, November 18-22. "This hilarious comedy features Eve, who lives over the Nice People Dancing to Good Country Music Bar. She is paid a visit by her niece Catherine, a novice nun who's been asked to leave her convent. It seems Catherine suffers from a curious compulsion to yell obscenities at the wrong moment and even, on occasion, bark like a dog. Roy, an honest if simple fellow from the bar downstairs, wants to court Catherine whether she's a nun or not.” Performances take place in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building on the campus at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville, MO. For more information, call 636-922-8050 or visit stchas.edu.

The Emerald Room at The Monocle presents an open mic night every Monday from 8:00pm to 11:00pm" "Musical Theater actor? Cabaret singer? Balladeer? Beleter? Coloratura soprano? Crooner? Student? Teacher? Performer? Fan? Come on down and sing. All are welcome. Ron Bryant is your accompanist. Bring your sheet music"." The monocle is at 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: themonoclestl.com.

Rapture, Blister, Burn
Photo: John Lamb

The West End Players Guild continues their 105th season with Gina Gionfriddo's Rapture, Blister, BurnThursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, November 19-22. "After grad school, Catherine and Gwen chose polar opposite paths. Catherine became a 'rock star' in the academic world and a go-to cable TV commenter, while Gwen gild a home with her husband and children. Decades later, unfulfilled in polar opposite ways, each woman covets the other's life, commencing a dangerous game of musical chairs." There will also be a show on Thursday, November 19, at 8 PM. 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.

Jefferson College presents the A Seussified Christmas Carol on Saturday, November 21, at 2 p.m.. The performance takes place at the Jefferson College Fine Arts Theatre on the campus in Hillsboro, MO. For more information, visit jeffco.edu or call 636-481-3369 or 636-789-3000 ext. 3369.

The Presenters Dolan present Emily Johnson in Solo on Thursday, November 19, at 8 p.m. " After her successful debut cabaret, Emily Johnson returns to sing the songs of her vocal idols-including Whitney Houston, Sam Smith, and Adele. Join her as she explores a more intimate side of these iconic artists in this soul-searching performance." The performance takes place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: buzzonstage.com/st-louis

Family Musical Theater presents the musical revue A Song for Christmas Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., November 19-22. Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7622 Michigan. For more information, visit www.familymusicaltheater.org or call 314-571-9579.

Brian Owens

The Presenters Dolan presents Brian Owens in The Soul of Cash on Thursday, November 19, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. " Following a wildly popular sellout in the spring, Brian Owens comes back with a soulfully interpreted tribute to Johnny Cash. Brian Owens could be calling Nashville home, or LA or New York. But he chooses to live here. So we don't have to go anywhere else to hear him." The performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents the comedy Stage Door Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., November 18-22. “Stage Door is a comedy about sixteen young women who have moved to New York City in the hopes of pursuing careers in acting. They are all living in Mrs. Orcutt's boarding house with the girl with no talent and the over the hill actress. But the story really revolves around one woman named Terry Randall who is competing for a position in the theatre. One by one, her competitors drop out of the quest for the job, but a man named David Kingsley helps Terry to keep fighting for the job. Mattie the maid, her husband, gentleman callers and many others who find themselves in the boarding house provide comedic relief and excitement.” Performances take place on the main stage of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information, events.webster.edu or call 314-968-7128.

The Presenters Dolan presents singer/songwriter Susan Werner on Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Singers and songwriters don't get more talented than Susan Werner. She's a master of so many genres, and about to add Broadway. Susan is the composer and lyricist of Bull Durham, scheduled to open next year." The performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.