Stage Left: June 2018

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Review: Light rain

This article originally appeared at 88.1 KDHX, where Chuck Lavazzi is the senior performing arts critic.

L-R: Corbin Bleu, Berklea Going, Jeffrey Schecter

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"Singin' in the Rain," the 1983 stage adaptation of the beloved 1952 movie musical, will probably never make anyone's list of Best Musicals of All Time. But the Muny's production of the 2012 London revival is, to paraphrase the Bard, entertaining enough and 'twill suffice.

Set in the late 1920s, the story of both the original movie and the stage version by Broadway veterans Betty Comden and Adolph Green concerns matinee idol Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly in the film), pianist/sidekick Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor), and aspiring actress and singer Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). When Lockwood's movie studio decides to make the change to talking pictures, the grating voice of Lockwood's co-star Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) threatens to end both their careers even as her unwelcome interference threatens the budding romance between Lockwood and Selden.

When I last saw this show at the Muny back in 1995, I suggested that the acting opportunities available to the leads in this show were somewhat limited by the fact their characters aren't fictional creations so much as distillations of the public personas of three legendary performers who appeared in the original film. What was called for, I thought, were skilled impersonations rather re-interpretations.

L-R: Corbin Bleu, Megan Sikora, George Merrick

Well, we all make mistakes.

Viewed over two decades later, I'm now obliged to admit that a talented musical theatre actor can capture the essence of the film's original stars without ever coming close to celebrity impersonation. That's certainly what's happening this week in Forest Park.

As Don Lockwood, Corbin Bleu lights up the Muny stage with his own version of Kelly's famous Blitzkrieg charm and blinding smile, along with strong, graceful dance moves and an impeccable voice. Whether he's shuffling, tapping, or soft-shoeing through classics like "Fit as a Fiddle", "Good Morning", or the title song (complete with on-stage rain), or crooning to Berklea Going's Kathy Selden, he's always in character and in the moment. Besides, you've got to admire any hoofer who can look that good on a rain-slicked stage.

Ms. Going is also treasure as the iron-willed and golden-voiced singer who is only willing to keep her light hidden under a basket for so long. Her performance of "You Are My Lucky Star" is a high point of the first act, as is her song and dance number with the ensemble women in "All I Do Is Dream of You." She's also a more than capable dancer, holding her own with her co-stars in the lively "Good Morning."

Debby Lennon

Jeffrey Schecter is Cosmo Brown. The role calls for a combination of precise comic timing, athletic dancing, and the ability to be endearing without becoming sappy. Mr. Schecter does it all, and splendidly. The audience took to him immediately on opening night, applauding enthusiastically at his big comic dance number "Make 'Em Laugh."

Megan Sikora hits all the right notes--along with some deliberately hilarious wrong ones--as Lina Lamont, the woman with a voice that could peel paint. The part offers less room for interpretation than the three leads since it's mostly a matter of reproducing Ms. Hagen's brassy bombshell shtick from the film, but even so Ms. Sikora puts her own comic spin on it. That's most apparent in her second act showstopper "What's Wrong With Me," a song that never appeared in the original film but probably should have.

The supporting cast is strong as well, with fine performances from Jeff McCarthy as studio boss R.F. Simpson, Debby Lennon as both gassy gossip columnist Dora Bailey and Lamont's long-suffering elocution coach, George Merrick as film director Roscoe Dexter, and Halle Morse as Lina's co-conspirator Zelda Zanders. A special tip of the critical hat is also due dancer Lizz Picini for her slinky and sexy turn as The Girl in the Green Dress in the "Broadway Rhythm" number.

Corbin Bleu

Under the direction of Ben Whiteley the Muny orchestra sounded at the top of their game on opening night, the humidity not withstanding. Director Marc Bruni keeps everything moving briskly and looking polished, while Rommy Sandhu's choreography is a neat mix of classical dance moves and vintage styles of the 20s and 30s. Sets by Paul Tate dePoo III, video projections by Greg Emetaz, and lighting by Nathan W. Scheuer all help to create a properly glitzy Hollywood ambience, as do Tristan Raines's period costumes.

So, yeah, "Singin' in the Rain" is great fun, although on opening night the show was not without its issues. There were some ragged spots, a missed entrance, and everything looked just a bit under-rehearsed. That's because, as fate would have it, the final dress on Tuesday night was disrupted by a massive thunderstorm. On-stage rain is essential for "Singin' in the Rain," but only when it's under the control of the stage manager.

I expect those issues to be resolved by the time you read this, though, so I have no hesitation about recommending it to fans of the original movie or anyone who is looking for a light, entertaining musical evening. And unlike the version of the show I saw back in 1995, this more streamlined revival never wears out its welcome. If the weather permits, go and enjoy. Performances continue through Tuesday, July 3rd, and tickets are available at the Muny web site.

Review: Under the rainbow

L-R: Thomas Conroy, Angela Ingersoll, Kyle Hately
Photo by John Lamb

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There's no doubt about it, Angela Ingersoll is Judy Garland in Max and Louie Productions' End of the Rainbow, and I don't know how she does it every night.

This harrowing look at the star's final flameout during a five-week run at London's Talk of the Town nightclub in late 1968/early 1969 (just months before her death from a barbiturate overdose) can be difficult to watch because Ms. Ingersoll's performance is so convincing, and also because the script by Peter Quilter is so unrelenting in its look at Garland's disastrous private life, with its insecurity, financial ruin, and drug and alcohol addiction.

Fortunately the concert performances interspersed with the backstage drama are spectacular, and the five-piece band directed by Thomas Conroy (who also turns in a compelling performance as Garland's fictional pianist and admirer, Anthony) adds real punch to every number.

There's great work here as well by Kyle Hatley as Garland's last husband, Mickey Deans. As written, Deans is seriously conflicted, trying to save Garland from her self while still keeping her happy-or at least placated. Mr. Hately allows us to see both the love and pain.

L-R: Angela Ingersoll, Paul Cereghino
Photo by John Lamb

Paul Cereghino shows versatility in multiple roles as a stoic porter, distracted assistant stage manager, and somewhat smarmy BBC interviewer.

The high drama of Garland's backstage life became a bit much at times and started to feel a bit numbing, at least to me. I also thought that focusing more on Garland's offstage excesses rather than her onstage success robbed her of some dignity. More of Judy Garland the legendary performer and less of Judy Garland the nervous wreck would have been preferable.

That said, nobody should miss Ms. Ingersoll's stunning performances of Garland's hits, such as her heartbreaking "The Man That Got Away," or her "Come Rain or Come Shine," in which Garland is just inches away from completely losing control. It's like watching a high wire act without a net.

Bracing and tragic, End of the Rainbow is a powerful tribute to Garland's genius and madness. Performances continue through this Sunday, July 1st, at the Grandel Theatre.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 29, 2018

New on the list: Judy Garland in decline, zoo animals on the loose, a new LGBTQIA chorus, and samplers from Hawthorne Players and a vast variety of local theatre groups.

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New This Week:

Voices of Valhalla (2016)
Photo by Ken Clark

The Hawthorne Players present Echoes of Valhalla on Saturday, June 30, at 2 and 7 pm. For the past eight years, the popular "Voices of Valhalla" events held each October have sold out within the first 24 hours. Author and director Larry Marsh, says that "Echoes of Valhalla" will be a wonderful opportunity for folks who have been unable to get tickets in the past to see some of the very best performances given over the last eight years. The seats are a lot more comfortable in the Civic Center Theatre than on those hay wagons, and you won't have to worry about rain or hay allergies! As in the outdoor hayride productions, leading actors from Hawthorne Players will bring to life the stories and times of people buried in the historic Valhalla Cemetery on St. Charles Rock Road." The performance takes place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 921-5678 or visit hawthorneplayers.info.

My take: I had a chance to both see and appear in the outdoor version of this annual event in 2014 and 2016, and I must say that I was impressed by the professionalism of both the script (assembled by director Larry Marsh from historical sources) and the quality of the performances. In the outdoor version, you pile on a hay wagon and are driven through historic Valhalla Cemetery. At various points during the ride, the wagon stops and an actor portraying a historical figure buried at Valhalla steps out of the darkness and delivers a monolog on his or her life. They can be comic, tragic, or a combination of the two, but they're always well researched and informative. And in this special encore performance, you can sit in a theater in air-conditioned comfort.

End of the Rainbow
Photo by John Lamb

Max and Louie Productions presents Angela Ingersoll in End of the Rainbow through July 1. "It's 1968 and Judy Garland is about to make her comeback… again. In a London hotel room, with both her new young fiancé and her adoring accompanist, Garland struggles to get "beyond the rainbow" with her signature cocktail of talent, tenacity and razor sharp wit. Featuring some of Garland's most memorable songs, this savagely funny play-with-music offers unique insight into the inner conflict that inspired and consumed one of the most beloved figures of our time." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: maxandlouie.com.

My take: This season, Max and Louis have been concentrating on shows about extraordinary real-life women singers in even more extraordinary situations. That has included Billie Holiday, the eccentric Florence Foster Jenkins and, finally, the great Judy Garland in a decline of operatic proportions. At Ladue News, Mark Bretz says "Ingersoll, who dazzled patrons in April at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza in her tribute concert, Judy Garland: Come Rain or Come Shine, is both brilliant and extraordinary in her portrayal of the doomed star in the current production being staged by Max & Louie Productions. It’s a performance which any local fan of Garland should not miss." I plan to be there this Friday.

St. Louis Public Radio presents the Grand Center Theatre Crawl on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1 and 6 pm, June 29 and 30, at various locations in the Grand Center Arts District. Join St. Louis Public Radio for the finest offerings of the bustling St. Louis theatre scene at the Grand Center Theatre Crawl. Rotate through venues in Grand Center to get free access to 24 local theatre groups in short performances." Featured theatre companies Equally Represented Arts, Insight Theatre Company, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Prison Performing Arts, R-S Theatrics, The Midnight Company, and West End Players Guild. For more information: stlpublicradio.org

My take: Here's a chance to get sneak previews of some of what's coming up on local stages. Think of it as a kind of theatrical tasting menu. And for free, no less.

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, based on the animated film, through July 1. "STAGES invites you to take a journey out of the Central Park Zoo and onto an enchanted desert isle with your favorite crack-a-lackin' friends from the DreamWorks blockbuster film, MADAGASCAR! Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip-hip Hippo, and, of course, mad King Julien for a musical adventure of a lifetime. Filled with gut-busting laughs galore, rockin' dance moves, and an upbeat up-to-the-minute score that includes "Move It, Move It," exploring a brave new world was never so much ridiculous fun!" Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

My take: Looking for something the whole family can enjoy? Stages has your ticket(s). "Stages St. Louis," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "brings the musical version of the popular 2005 animated feature across the state from Kansas City, where it had its world premiere in 2016, to the Reim Theatre for a rousing, rambunctious good time for kids and adults alike."

Singin' in the Rain

The Muny presents the musical Singin' in the Rain opening on Wednesday, June 27, at 8:15 p.m. and running through July 3. "A timeless Muny favorite, Singin' in the Rain has all the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline - the starlet, the leading man, a love affair for the ages and the unexpected transition from the silent film era to "talkies." Known for its unforgettable hit-parade of Hollywood standards, splashy production numbers, hilarious situations and snappy dialogue, this Muny production is sure to be a downpour of pure delight." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

My take: As I write in my review for KDHX, nobody would mistake Singin' in the Rain for the Great American Musical, but it's great fun nevertheless, especially when performed by such an outstanding cast. Corbin Bleu lights up the stage as Don Lockwood, and co-stars Berklea Going, Jeffrey Schecter, and Megan Sikora are shining up there with him. It's fun for the whole family, so go and enjoy.

The Black Tulip Chorale presents You Come Too Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 1 pm, June 30 and July 1. The Black Tulip Chorale is "St. Louis' only LGBTQIA-friendly mixed voice ensemble welcoming all genders and orientations. In its inaugural season, the Black Tulip Chorale promotes social consciousness through the finest in choral repertoire." Performances take place at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road, on Saturday and at the St. Paul United Church of Christ, 3510 Giles, on Sunday. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com

My take: This is the first outing (you shold pardon the expression) by a spinoff group of the much-admired Gateway Men's Chorus. Dr. Ken Haller, who is also much admired for his work as a cabaret singer, actor, and (most recently) cabaret director is a force majeure here, which is reason enough to recommend this concert.

Held Over:

Corinne Melançon and Steve Isom
in I Do! I Do!
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Sunday, June 24, 2018

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of June 25, 2018

There's a lot of children's theatre avaialble this week, along with a popular musical at the Muny, the Grand Center Theatre Crawl, and a chance to sample highlights from Hawthorne Players' Voices of Valhalla without sitting on a bale of hay.

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CSZ St. Louis presents The ComedySportz Show on Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. The show is "action-packed, interactive and hilarious comedy played as a sport. Two teams battle it out for points and your laughs! You choose the winners the teams provide the funny!" Performances take place on the second floor of the Sugar Cubed, 917 S Main St. in St Charles, Mo. For more information: www.cszstlouis.com.

The Bankside Repertory Theatre Company presents The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] through June 30. "A comedy crash-course on the Bard's canon, an iambic pentametric delight! For adult audiences." Performances take place at The Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway in Alton, IL. For more information: www.banksiderep.com.

Ignite Theatre Company presents Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 1 and 7 pm, June 29 - July 1. "Travel down the rabbit hole and join Alice, one of literature's most beloved heroines, in her madcap adventures. Featuring updated songs from Disney's thrilling animated motion picture, Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. is a fast-paced take on the classic tale." The 7 pm Sunday performance is "sensory friendly." Performances take place at .Zack, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: ignitewithus.org.

Clinton County Showcase presents the musical Disney's Beauty and the Beast Jr. Friday through Sunday at 8 pm, June 28 - July 1. "The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity." Performances take place at Breese Northside Park, 1000 North Main Street, Breese, IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

COCA presents Disney's Marry Poppins Jr. Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 1 pm, June 29 and 30. "Everyone's favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure." Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: cocastl.org.

The Drowning Girls

Fourth Wall Down presents The Drowning Girls through July 14. 'The play gasps to life with Bessie, Alice, and Margaret (English women of the early 1900s) trying to remember their lives. Though fragmented, the tragic truth is slowly unraveled: each unassuming, lonely and on the cusp of 'spinsterhood', they're surprised to find Love, along with an avenue toward societal worth… Marriage to "a man of independent means".' Performances take place at Wild Carrot, 3901 Shaw in the Shaw Neighborhood. For more information: www.fourthwalldown.org.

The Hawthorne Players present Echoes of Valhalla on Saturday, June 30, at 2 and 7 pm. For the past eight years, the popular "Voices of Valhalla" events held each October have sold out within the first 24 hours. Author and director Larry Marsh, says that "Echoes of Valhalla" will be a wonderful opportunity for folks who have been unable to get tickets in the past to see some of the very best performances given over the last eight years. The seats are a lot more comfortable in the Civic Center Theatre than on those hay wagons, and you won't have to worry about rain or hay allergies! As in the outdoor hayride productions, leading actors from Hawthorne Players will bring to life the stories and times of people buried in the historic Valhalla Cemetery on St. Charles Rock Road." The performance takes place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 921-5678 or visit hawthorneplayers.info.

End of the Rainbow
Photo by John Lamb

Max and Louie Productions presents Angela Ingersoll in the one-woman show End of the Rainbow through July 1. "It's 1968 and Judy Garland is about to make her comeback… again. In a London hotel room, with both her new young fiancé and her adoring accompanist, Garland struggles to get "beyond the rainbow" with her signature cocktail of talent, tenacity and razor sharp wit. Featuring some of Garland's most memorable songs, this savagely funny play-with-music offers unique insight into the inner conflict that inspired and consumed one of the most beloved figures of our time." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: maxandlouie.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents A Fistful of Hollers through July 28. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Get "Hitched" To A Redneck Or Die through July 29. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Independent Theater Company presents an adaptation of James Weldon Johnson's God's Trombones, adapted and directed by Gregory Carr, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, June 29 - July 1. "'God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse' is part of the great canon of African American literature. This classic has often been brought to life through dramatization on stage. The production will feature audience favorites such as 'The Creation', 'The Prodigal Son', and 'The Crucifixion' and accompanied by traditional gospel and hymns." Performances take place at The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, 517 Theatre Lane in Webster Groves. For more information: brownpapertickets.com

St. Louis Public Radio presents the Grand Center Theatre Crawl on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1 and 6 pm, June 29 and 30, at various locations in the Grand Center Arts District. Join St. Louis Public Radio for the finest offerings of the bustling St. Louis theatre scene at the Grand Center Theatre Crawl. Rotate through venues in Grand Center to get free access to 24 local theatre groups in short performances." Featured theatre companies Equally Represented Arts, Insight Theatre Company, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Prison Performing Arts, R-S Theatrics, The Midnight Company, and West End Players Guild. For more information: stlpublicradio.org

Corinne Melançon and Steve Isom in I Do! I Do!
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical I Do! I Do!, by the creators of The Fantasticks, through July 1. "I DO! I DO! tells the poignant story of 50 years in the married lives of Michael and Agnes. This two character musical version of the comedy/drama 'The Fourposter' takes place entirely in a bedroom and takes its audience on a whirlwind journey that begins in 1895 and ends half a century later. I DO! I DO! offers its audiences a frank look at the miracle of marriage as Michael and Agnes experience childbirth, parenthood, and the eventual settling down to face the future and their advancing years together. Originally written for the Broadway stars, Mary Martin and Robert Preston, STAGES employs the innovative theatrical hat-trick of two separate rotating casts: neither of which you will want to miss! An unabashed gift to the many couples who have walked through our doors, I DO! I DO! will be sure to steal your heart while celebrating the many triumphs and heartaches of marriage: past, present, and future!" Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm, June 28 - July 1. "Take a journey out of the Central Park Zoo and onto an enchanted desert isle with your favorite crack-a-lackin' friends from the DreamWorks blockbuster film, MADAGASCAR! Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip-hip Hippo, and, of course, mad King Julien for a musical adventure of a lifetime. Filled with gut-busting laughs galore, rockin' dance moves, and an upbeat up-to-the-minute score " Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Madagascar: A Musical Adventure, based on the animated film, through July 1. "STAGES invites you to take a journey out of the Central Park Zoo and onto an enchanted desert isle with your favorite crack-a-lackin' friends from the DreamWorks blockbuster film, MADAGASCAR! Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip-hip Hippo, and, of course, mad King Julien for a musical adventure of a lifetime. Filled with gut-busting laughs galore, rockin' dance moves, and an upbeat up-to-the-minute score that includes "Move It, Move It," exploring a brave new world was never so much ridiculous fun!" Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Outlaw Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30, at 8 pm. " OUTLAW is a one-man show, starring George Christie, thirty-five-year president of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club. It takes us from his childhood, growing up as the son of poor Greek immigrants, to his tenure as an employee of the Department of Defense with top security clearance, to his glory days as a leader of the most infamous outlaw motorcycle club on the planet. OUTLAW chronicles the rise and fall of a man, from celebrity parties to solitary confinement in federal prison. It is the story of an era in America that has come and gone, with all its myth, magic, music and harsh reality." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Take Two Productions the musical Rock of Ages Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, June 29 - July 7. "It's the tail end of the big, bad 1980s in Hollywood, and the party has been raging hard. Aqua Net, Lycra, lace and liquor flow freely at one of the Sunset Strips last legendary venues, a place where sex machine Stacee Jaxx takes the stage and scantily clad groupies line up to turn their fantasies into reality. Amidst the madness, aspiring rock star (and resident toilet cleaner) Drew longs to take the stage as the next big thing (and longs for small-town girl Sherrie, fresh off the bus from Kansas with stars in her eyes). But the rock and roll fairy-tale is about to end when German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled Strip into just another capitalist strip mall. Can Drew, Sherrie, and the gang save the strip - and themselves - before it's too late? Only the music of hit bands Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Whitesnake and more hold the answer." Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org.

The Muny presents the musical Singin' in the Rain opening on Wednesday, June 27, at 8:15 p.m. and running through July 3. "A timeless Muny favorite, Singin' in the Rain has all the makings of a Tinseltown tabloid headline - the starlet, the leading man, a love affair for the ages and the unexpected transition from the silent film era to "talkies." Known for its unforgettable hit-parade of Hollywood standards, splashy production numbers, hilarious situations and snappy dialogue, this Muny production is sure to be a downpour of pure delight." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

The Black Tulip Chorale presents You Come Too Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 1 pm, June 30 and July 1. The Black Tulip Chorale is "St. Louis' only LGBTQIA-friendly mixed voice ensemble welcoming all genders and orientations. In its inaugural season, the Black Tulip Chorale promotes social consciousness through the finest in choral repertoire." Performances take place at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road, on Saturday and at the St. Paul United Church of Christ, 3510 Giles, on Sunday. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com

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 Calendar.

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.

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 21, 2018

It's your last chance for great productions at Opera Theatre, along with new shows at The Muny and Uppity Theatre Company.

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New This Week:

That Uppity Theatre Company and the University of Central Oklahoma present 26 Pebbles by Eric Ulloa on Tuesday through Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 2 pm, June 19 - 23. Presented in partnership with the Missouri Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and "Painting for Peace in Ferguson", the play combines live music, singing, and interviews from Newtown residents as they recount the ripples in their community in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The performances taks place at Christ Church Maplewood UCC, 2200 Bellevue on 6/21; at Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Lafayette on 6/22; and at Daniel Boone Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 300 Clarkson Rd., on 6/23. The production is suitable for ages 12 and above. All performances are free and open to the public. For more information: uppityco.com.

My take: I haven't seen this, but the issues is raises and the high profile of The Uppity Theatre Company are enought to move me to recommend it. Producing theatre about important contemporary issues is never easy, and Uppity does an exemplary job of it.

The Wiz

The Muny presents The Wiz running through Monday, June 25. Based on L. Frank Baum's nostalgic classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz is considered a feel-good favorite sparkling with heart-pounding soul, unforgettable gospel and infectious rock rhythms. Grammy Award-winner for Best Cast Show Album, and ranked as one of the highest watched live television musicals, this reimagined familiar favorite will have you ready to "Ease on Down the Road" to meet The Wiz for yourself!" Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

My take: This 1975 Broadway hit is getting a contemporary update, courtesy of Emmy-nominated writer Amber Ruffin (Late Night With Seth Meyers) and choreographer Camille A. Brown (Once on This Island). If you're a fan of the original, though, don't worry. As Kevin C. Johnson writes at STLToday, the heart of the original "remains intact, from the positive message of what you’re looking for most in life being inside you the whole time, to the importance of home and family, old and new."

Held Over:

An American Soldier
Photo by Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the world premiere of An American Soldier, by Huang Ro and David Henry Hwang, running through June 22. "Danny Chen is the son of Chinese immigrants, and a proud American. He enlists in the US Army in 2011, eager to serve his country. In boot camp, Danny is welcomed by his band of brothers. But in Afghanistan, his own base becomes enemy territory as military hazing turns deadly. Based on a true story, this opera asks powerful questions about what it means to be an American." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org call 314-961-0644.

My take: While I'm not particularly taken with Huang Ro's score, David Henry Hwang's libretto is so strong and the performances of the cast are so compelling that I'm recommending this important new opera without hesitation. As I write in my review for KDHX, it's a work that forcefully reminds of us the gap that far too often exists between our nation's ideals and its realities, and it deserves to be seen. Note that as this is being written, the last performance of the show is sold out, but you can still put yourself on a wait list.

Blithe Spirit
Photo by John Lamb

Act Inc presents Noël Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm through June 24. "Blithe Spirit is a comic play by Noël Coward. The play concerns the socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when he is haunted by the ghost of his annoying and temperamental first wife, Elvira, after the séance. Elvira makes continual attempts to disrupt Charles's marriage to his second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost." Performances take place in the Emerson Black Box Theatre at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information, visit actincstl.com.

My take: Coward's arch take on ghostly goings-on has been so popular for so long for very good reasons. Tina Farmer calls it an "entertaining diversion" in her review for KDHX, and I'd say that summarizes the play's appeal perfectly. Act Inc has also gotten the technical demands right, it seems, which is where productions of the play can sometimes fall down.

Hedda Gabler
Photo by John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents Ibsen's tragedy Hedda Gabler Thursdays through Saturdays through June 23. "A masterpiece of modern theatre, Hedda Gabler exposes a powerful and reckless heroine who finds herself stranded in the seemingly ordinary but dangerously imbalanced Victorian Era. Employing methods that define the modern psychological drama, the plot stealthily reveals the bitter conflicts and thwarted longings that lie just below the "civilized" interactions of daily life and unflinchingly leads us to a shocking but inevitable conclusion." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: Well, you don't need me to tell you that Hedda Gabler is one of the classics of 20th-century theatre. It is, however, easy to get it wrong and make it tedious. Needless to say, Stray Dog has done nothing of the kind, which means (to quote Tina Farmer at KDHX), "Ibsen’s dark drama is as juicy and pointedly acerbic as it is sharply perceptive and every moment is purposeful." At Ladue News, Mark Bretz concurs, noting that director Gary Bell "elicits compelling performances from his talented cast and keeps this version of Hedda Gabler intriguing and involving throughout its three acts and three hours, which never drags despite its length."

Corinne Melançon and Steve Isom
in I Do! I Do!Photo by Peter Wochniak

Orfeo and Euridice
Photo by Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Gluck's Orfeo and Euridice through June 21. "What would you do if you lost your soulmate? For Orfeo, the answer is simple: get her back - even if it means traveling to the underworld. He braves every challenge, armed with nothing more than his music and his devotion. Little does he realize that his greatest obstacle will ultimately be his own passion. As a myth, it's a celebration of love and of music's transcendent power. As an opera, it's a ravishing masterpiece." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org call 314-961-0644.

My take: Director Ron Daniels' modern, minimalist production takes a bit of getting used to, but when all is said and done it works pretty darned well as a contemporary theatre piece while still honoring the intentions of the opera's creators. That's not an easy task. Check out my review at KDHX for more details.

Regina
Photo by Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Mark Blitzstein's Regina running through June 24. "Theft. Blackmail. Murder. Is there nothing that Regina Giddens won't do to satisfy her ambition? Based on Lillian Hellman's play The Little Foxes, and set against a Southern backdrop of spirituals, jazz, and ragtime, this deliciously twisted opera pits siblings and spouses against each other in a battle for the family business. Prepare to be scandalized - and entertained - as the renowned Susan Graham returns to Opera Theatre to portray one of the American stage's most fascinating characters." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org call 314-961-0644.

My take: As I write in my review for KDHX, Regina is an American classic, and the Opera Theater production is a triumph in every respect. Don't miss it. Its condemnation of the ethical vacuum at the heart of crony capitalism and the ugly brutality of those who practice it could hardly be more relevant today. You should not miss it.

La Traviata
Photo by Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Verdi's La Traviata through June 23. "Violetta has one important rule: never fall in love. As a Parisian courtesan, her life is full of parties, admirers, and - most importantly - freedom. Then she meets Alfredo. His naive sincerity sweeps her off her feet. Just when Violetta thinks she has escaped her past, she is asked to make an unthinkable sacrifice. Will pride, love, or honor prevail? Embrace the romance of this Verdi masterpiece, featuring the directing debut of star soprano Patricia Racette" Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org call 314-961-0644.

My take: There was a time (before November 2016) when I would have suggested that the mix toxic chauvinism and smug self-righteousness of the males characters in Verdi's opera was starting to look dated. Now I'm not so sure. In any case, this new production is getting rave notices for the quality of the singing and acting on display. Having finally seen it myself, I have to agree that, while it may not be my favorite Traviata (that position is still held by Union Avenue's wonderful 2014 production), it's an awfully good one. Besides, it stars the immensely talented Sydney Mancasola, who was so impressive in OTSL's La Rondine in 2015.

Yeast Nation
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the St. Louis premiere of the rock musical Yeast Nation Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, through June 23. "The world's first bio-historical musical comedy, from the mad geniuses who brought you Urinetown! It is the year 3,000,458,000 BC. The Earth's surface is a molten mass of volcanic islands and undulating waves. The atmosphere is a choking fog lit by a dim red sun. And the mighty waters of the world are inhabited only by rocks, sand, salt, more rocks, a little silt, and the great society of salt-eating yeasts - yes, yeasts! - the world's very first life form! These single-cell salt-eaters are the only living creatures on earth, and they're struggling against a food shortage, a strange new emotion called Love, and the oppression of a tyrannical yeast king. But when the king's son ventures out of the known yeastiverse, the yeasts' epic story - and ours - is changed forever." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

My take: One of the takeaways from the success of Urientown is that you can make a musical out of pretty much anything. So it should be no surprise that Mark Hollmann and Gret Kotis decided to follow up on the success of that first show with a musical about that most song-inducing of subjects, salt-eating yeasts. The show, as Tina Farmer writes at KDHX, features "vibrant color and effective performances that are delightfully engaging and thoroughly satisfying. You might learn a little science if you listen closely, but you're sure to leave the theater with a smile, a melody in your head and a new appreciation for our distant neighbors those salt-eating yeasts." Sounds...um...tasty.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of June 18, 2018

New shows this week include The Wiz at the Muny, a provocative new play inspired by the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, and the Cabaret Projecdt open mic at the .ZACK.

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That Uppity Theatre Company and the University of Central Oklahoma present 26 Pebbles by Eric Ulloa on Tuesday through Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 2 pm, June 19 - 23. Presented in partnership with the Missouri Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and “Painting for Peace in Ferguson”, the play combines live music, singing, and interviews from Newtown residents as they recount the ripples in their community in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The performance takes place at First Congregational Church of St. Louis, 6501 Wydown on 6/19; at St. Paul United Church of Christ 3510 Giles Avenue on 6/20; at Christ Church Maplewood UCC, 2200 Bellevue on 6/21; at Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Lafayette on 6/22; and at Daniel Boone Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 300 Clarkson Rd., on 6/23. The production is suitable for ages 12 and above. All performances are free and open to the public. For more information: uppityco.com.

An American Soldier
Photo by Ken Howard

Blithe Spirit
Photo by John Lamb

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project presents Cabaret Open Mic Night on Wednesday, June 20, from 7 to 10 pm. Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by pianist and music director Carol Schmidt and hosted by 88.1 KDHX's Chuck Lavazzi. 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. The event takes place at Sophie's Artist Lounge on the second floor of the .ZACK performing arts space at 3226 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

CSZ St. Louis presents The ComedySportz Show on Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. The show is "action-packed, interactive and hilarious comedy played as a sport. Two teams battle it out for points and your laughs! You choose the winners the teams provide the funny!" Performances take place on the second floor of the Sugar Cubed, 917 S Main St. in St Charles, Mo. For more information: www.cszstlouis.com.

The Bankside Repertory Theatre Company presents The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] June 21 - 30. "A comedy crash-course on the Bard's canon, an iambic pentametric delight! For adult audiences." Performances take place at The Jacoby Arts Center, 627 E. Broadway in Alton, IL. For more information: www.banksiderep.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through June 24. " With the classic songs, "Be Our Guest," "Something There," and "Beauty and the Beast," this will be a fairy-tale musical experience the whole family can share and enjoy. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" has enthralled Broadway audiences for over 22 years." Performances take place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siue.edu.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents Disney's Mary Poppins Jr. Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, June 21 - 24. Performances will be held at the Highland School Auditorium, 1800 Lindenthal, in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.org.

Fourth Wall Down presents The Drowning Girls opening on Friday, June 22, and running through July 14. 'The play gasps to life with Bessie, Alice, and Margaret (English women of the early 1900s) trying to remember their lives. Though fragmented, the tragic truth is slowly unraveled: each unassuming, lonely and on the cusp of 'spinsterhood', they're surprised to find Love, along with an avenue toward societal worth… Marriage to “a man of independent means”.' Performances take place at Wild Carrot, 3901 Shaw in the Shaw Neighborhood. For more information: www.fourthwalldown.org.

End of the Rainbow

Max and Louie Productions presents Angela Ingersoll in the one-woman show End of the Rainbow June 21 - July 1. "It's 1968 and Judy Garland is about to make her comeback… again. In a London hotel room, with both her new young fiancé and her adoring accompanist, Garland struggles to get “beyond the rainbow” with her signature cocktail of talent, tenacity and razor sharp wit. Featuring some of Garland's most memorable songs, this savagely funny play-with-music offers unique insight into the inner conflict that inspired and consumed one of the most beloved figures of our time." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: maxandlouie.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents A Fistful of Hollers through July 28. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

The Game of Thrones Seasons 2 - 4

St. Louis Shakespeare's Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents The Game of Thrones seasons 2 - 4: Four Weddings and a S#!t-ton of Funerals Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 10:30 pm, through June 23. "Join us in June for a wacky evening of sex (sorta), violence (ouch!), nudity (kinda), cussing ($#!%), dragons, shadow demons, White Walkers, kings, queens, weddings, and deaths. Lots and lots of deaths!" Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission in University City. For more information: brownpapertickets.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Get "Hitched" To A Redneck Or Die through July 29. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

The St. Louis Summer Players presents the musical Guys and Dolls Thursday through Saturday, June 21 - 23, at 7:30. 'Set in the Manhattan of Damon Runyon's short stories, Guys and Dolls tells of con-man Nathan Detroit's efforts to find new life for his illegal, but notorious, dice game. When their trusty venue is found out by the police, Nathan has to find a new home for his game quickly - but he doesn't have the dough to secure the one location he finds. Enter Sky Masterson, a high-rolling gambler willing to take on any honest bet with a high enough reward attached. Nathan bets Sky that he can't take the “doll” of Nathan's choosing to Havana, Cuba, with him on a date. When Sky agrees to the bet, Nathan chooses uptight Evangelist Sergeant Sarah Brown, head of Broadway's Save-a-Soul Mission. Sky thinks he's been duped, but he's in for even more of a surprise when his efforts to woo Sarah are so successful that he falls in love with her himself! Guys and Dolls takes us from bustle of Times Square to the dance clubs of Havana to the sewers of New York City as it demonstrates the great lengths to which a guy will go when he truly falls in love with a “doll.”' Performance take place on the campus of Missouri Baptist University. For more information: mobap.edu.

Stray Dog Theatre presents Ibsen's tragedy Hedda Gabler Thursdays through Saturdays through June 23. " A masterpiece of modern theatre, Hedda Gabler exposes a powerful and reckless heroine who finds herself stranded in the seemingly ordinary but dangerously imbalanced Victorian Era. Employing methods that define the modern psychological drama, the plot stealthily reveals the bitter conflicts and thwarted longings that lie just below the "civilized" interactions of daily life and unflinchingly leads us to a shocking but inevitable conclusion." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Corinne Melançon and Steve Isom in I Do! I Do!
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Orfeo and Euridice
Photo by Ken Howard

Regina
Photo by Ken Howard

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents the tragedy Romeo and Juliet nightly except for Tuesdays through June 24. Beginning at 6:30, the Green Show presents pre-play entertainment a variety of local performers. The play begins at 8 p.m. Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information, visit sfstl.com.

La Traviata
Photo by Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Verdi's La Traviata through June 23. "Violetta has one important rule: never fall in love. As a Parisian courtesan, her life is full of parties, admirers, and - most importantly - freedom. Then she meets Alfredo. His naive sincerity sweeps her off her feet. Just when Violetta thinks she has escaped her past, she is asked to make an unthinkable sacrifice. Will pride, love, or honor prevail? Embrace the romance of this Verdi masterpiece, featuring the directing debut of star soprano Patricia Racette" Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org call 314-961-0644.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the screenplay The Vampire's Widow by Johnny Xeno on Monday, June 18, at 6:30 pm. "Livia's abusive husband, Eddie, is always cheating on her but things get worse when he unknowingly hooks up with a vampire. Already violent, Eddie soon grows more unstable until a confrontation with the police leaves him shot and buried. Livia's relief is short-lived however when she discovers that even his death can't free her." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

The Muny presents The Wiz opening on Tuesday, June 19, at 8:15 p.m. and running through Monday, June 25. Based on L. Frank Baum's nostalgic classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Wiz is considered a feel-good favorite sparkling with heart-pounding soul, unforgettable gospel and infectious rock rhythms. Grammy Award-winner for Best Cast Show Album, and ranked as one of the highest watched live television musicals, this reimagined familiar favorite will have you ready to “Ease on Down the Road” to meet The Wiz for yourself!” Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Yeast Nation
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg

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 Calendar.

Stage Left

Saturday, June 30, 2018

Review: Light rain

Review: Under the rainbow

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 29, 2018

Sunday, June 24, 2018

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of June 25, 2018

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 21, 2018

Sunday, June 17, 2018

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of June 18, 2018

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