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| Baskerville Photo: John Lamb |
My take: If you have seen The 39 Steps (a production of which is also on the boards right now at Alton Little Theater), you've got the basic concept for Baskerville: a comedic stage adaptation of a literary classic with a small cast playing multiple roles around a couple of actors who plays the same characters throughout. In this case, John J. O'Hagan and Kent Coffel play Holmes and Watson, respectively, which three other actors dash about the stage playing everyone else. Reviews have been good and, as a Holmes fan from way back, I have to say I find the idea intriguing.
Windsor Theatre Group presents the musical revue Broadway: The Early 1900's - Victor Herbert and His Contemporaries at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 5 and 12. "Talented professional singers and dancers will take the audience to an era that was very interesting for music lovers. Fantastic shows were staged on Broadway, and jazz, blues and tango began receiving mainstream recognition. Broadway tunes include the great male chorus numbers from Rose-Marie, The Student Prince, The Merry Widow, and The New Moon. There will be solo and duet performances of more Broadway selections and the other genres gaining fame. In addition, highlights of plots or other interesting facts about a song will enhance the enjoyment of the attendees." Performances take place at the historic Ozark Theatre, 103 E. Lockwood in Webster Groves. For more information call 314-832-2114 or visit the group's Facebook page.
My take: I'm putting this on the list for the simple reason that I'm very fond of music from the early years of the 20th century. Heck, I even created an entire show around it. Herbert and his contemporaries aren't heard that much these days, which is a pity. Thanks to Windsor for brining us a full evening of this classic stuff.
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| Fasano and Comstock |
My take: It has been over a decade since I reviewed the Comstock-Fasano duo, but I still clearly remember what a strong impression they made. I dubbed it a richly rewarding night for lovers of American song. I'd expect this show to do the same for fans of British song.
The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents the musical Urinetown Fridays and Saturdays at at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. through October 29. "Winner of three Tony awards in 2002, Urinetown has been described as the "anti-musical." Brechtian in spirit and dystopian in setting, the show is wildly funny and engaging. Bruce Weber of The New York Times wrote ten days after the 9/11 attacks that "Urinetown...is simply the most gripping and galvanizing theater experience...equal parts visceral entertainment jolt and lingering provocation. The context of the historical moment makes us ask ourselves going in: Can we laugh and thrill to a musical at a time like this?" In 2017 others may be asking a similar question. We are confident that revisiting Urinetown will be just the ticket." The performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.
My take: Urinetown is a extraordinarily well crafted rock musical that takes on a serious subject—water and the way we take it for granted—in an entertaining way. As climate change dries up glaciers and creates water shortages in glacier-fed rivers and lakes, this show's message is, if anything, even more relevant now than when I first saw it many years ago. And the cast includes my fellow KDHX theatre critic Laura Kyro. Had to get that in.
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