Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 21, 2017

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:

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The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents the Professional Track Showcase on Saturday, July 22, at 7:30 p.m. as part of the 2017 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "Directed by Tony Winner Faith Prince with music direction by Alex Rybeck, these six singers take to the stage to show you why they are on the right track! The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents these select singers in their own showcase of mini cabaret sets to show so you can see why they are ready to take their talents and ambitions and make their mark in the cabaret world - if they haven't already." The performance takes place at The Stage @ KDHX in Grand Center. For more information: www.ticketfly.com.

My take: These are singers from the most advanced of the Cabaret Conference's three tracks. They're established cabaret pros from around the country, often with many shows to their credit, who are polishing their craft here in St. Louis. The showcase presents each of them in short, carefully tailored sets that display their range and talent.

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The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents the Final Showcase and Closing Night Party on Saturday, August 25, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the 2017 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "Singers come from all around the country as well as our hometown to be mentored by the renowned artists who are performing as part of the St. Louis Cabaret Festival. This is the closing night revelry to honor their work. Don't miss this audience favorite and the go-to singer showcase of the year. Seats are limited. Who knows -- maybe the next St. Louis Cabaret Festival headliner will be on the stage! Directed by Marilyn Maye, Peisha McPhee, and Jeff Harnar and music directed by Tedd Firth, Chris Denny, and Michael Orland." The performance takes place at The Stage @ KDHX in Grand Center. For more information: www.ticketfly.com.

My take: As someone who has seen and/or performed in most of the closing showcases over the years, I can attest to the wonderful variety and skill of the performers who take the stage in this big, two-act show.

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Held Over:

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On Golden Pond
Photo: John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents the drama On Golden Pond through July 23. "On Golden Pond had its Broadway appearance in 1979. Directed by Ernest Thompson and reopened again the following season. It received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play and received 5 Drama Desk Awards: When it was adapted for the screen in 1981, it starred Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Jane Fonda, and was highly acclaimed. It is a love story of Ethel and Norman Thayer, a long married couple in their near 80s and their relationship with their daughter, Chelsea." Performances take place at The .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Midtown. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

My take: The script is slight but the characters have real depth (or so says the critical consensus). "There’s a certain aww, cute aura about it that the play’s script frequently knocks off-kilter," writes Anne Lemmons Pollack, "if not intermittently obliterates altogether. Insight Theatre Company's current interpretation gives such the off-kilter attitude center stage." And St. Louis veteran Joneal Joplin can always be counted upon for a finely wrought performance.