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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| Your festive MC |
The Cabaret Project and
The Curtain Call Lounge at the Fox present the
Broadway Open Mic Night Holiday Special on Thursday, December 21, from 7 to 10 p.m. Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by this month's special guest pianist and music director Ron McGowan. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. It's also recommend that you have your song memorized. Holiday songs are not required but strongly encouraged. The Curtain Call Lounge is next door to the Fabulous Fox in Grand Center. For more information:
thecabaretproject.org.
My take: Well, yes, I'm the master of ceremonies, so I don't claim to be objective here. But the open mic is always a good time and at the holiday version there's even a Christmas carol sing-along. Come on down, have a glass of bubbly, and celebrate the season with us.
The Stage at KDHX presents singer
Dom Thomas in
Here to Entertain on Saturday, December 23, at 8 pm. "This show will feature Stand up Comedy, original music by Dom Thomas, Tributes to Legends such as Chuck Berry, and Holiday tunes to put any Grinch in the holiday spirit. Featuring an 8 piece band, this show is sure to be a blast and packed full with surprises." The performance takes place at The Stage at KDHX, 3524 Washington in Grand Center. For more information:
ticketfly.com
My take: I first saw Mr. Thomas shortly after he arrived in St. Louis three years ago at
The Cabaret Project open mic night. He impressed me (and everyone else who has seen him) with his smooth, charming song delivery, with its echoes of the great Nat "King" Cole and other classic crooners. And The Stage at KDHX is a first-rate venue, with state of the art lights and sound and a well-stocked bar.
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Souvenir
Photo: John Lamb |
Max and Louie Productions presents
Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins through December 31. "Dubbed by her critics as the "Dire Diva of Din", passionate music lover and wealthy socialite, Florence Foster Jenkins enjoyed a remarkably successful concert career even though she was unburdened by talent and deliriously tone deaf.Her story is told through the eyes of her pianist, Cosme McMoon. A truly talented musician, he regards her at first as a little more then an easy way to pay the rent, but his initial contempt gives way to reluctant admiration, then friendship and a unique kind of love." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr. in Grand Center. For more information, visit
maxandlouie.com.
My take: As I write
in my review, the Christmas season is many things to many people, but to me it has always been a time to celebrate love and friendship. That's why I think this just might be the perfect holiday show. Debby Lennon is ideal as the legendary society matron soprano with the tin ear and Paul Cereghino is the impeccable foil as her accompanist and friend Cosme McMoon. Their story, in Mr. Temperley's telling, is a tribute to the power of love and friendship. It's funny, ultimately touching, and brilliantly done under Sydnie Grosberg Ronga's expert direction. Adding to the polish are Teresa Doggett's stunning costumes and Dunsi Dai's elegant set, enhanced greatly by Patrick Huber's lighting and digital projections.
Held Over:
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Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly
Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr. |
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly through December 24. "In this winning and witty sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the bookish middle child of the Bennet family finally has her day. Constantly overshadowed by her four sisters, Mary Bennet finds hope for a new life beyond her family from an unexpected holiday romance. Austen fans and first-timers alike will find much to love in this alluring comedic tale." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information:
repstl.org.
My take: Looking for a family friendly Christmas theatre treat that isn't based on Charles Dickens or Jean Shepherd? Allow me to recommend most heartily. This ingenious play by Lauren Gunderson (
Silent Sky) and Margot Melcon does for
Pride and Prejudice what
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead did for
Hamlet by taking a minor character and thrusting her into the spotlight so that her story can be told. It's a beautifully done tribute to the values that have been at the heart of this season's celebrations for thousands of years: family, friends, light, and love. Oh, yeah: it's also funny as hell. Don't miss it.
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