St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 30, 2018

New shows this week include a hometown favorite musical at the Muny and an unusual musical at Stray Dog with a book by the author of Driving Miss Daisy.

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The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Addams Family Affair August 3 through October 28. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo

The Black Mirror Theatre Company presents Ravi Joseph's Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo through August 4. The show is about "a tiger that haunts the streets of present day Baghdad seeking the meaning of life. As he witnesses the puzzling absurdities of war, the tiger encounters Americans and Iraqis who are searching for friendship, redemption, and a toilet seat made of gold." Performances take place in the black box theatre at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

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.

Curtain's Up Theatre presents the Sondheim musical Into the Woods opening on Friday, August 3, at 7:30 pm and running through Saturday, August 11. Performances take place at the Alfresco Art Center, 2401 Delmar in Granite City, IL. For more information, visit curtainsuptheater.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Dead LIke Me August 3 through November 3. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Gypsy
Photo by Phillip Hamer

The Muny presents the musical Gypsy through August 2. "Revered by many as the greatest musical ever written, Gypsy is the timeless tale of an ambitious stage mother, Momma Rose, fighting for her daughters' success…while secretly yearning for her own. With a book by Academy Award-winner Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy features countless showstoppers, including "Let Me Entertain You," and "Together, Wherever We Go." Take our word for it, "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," or better yet a ticket, to see this spectacular Muny gem shine." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Clinton County Showcase presents the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame Thursday through Sunday at 8 pm, August 2 - 5. " The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, Judge Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn't the only one captivated by her free spirit, though - the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies - and it's up to Quasimodo to save them all." Performances take place at Breese Northside Park, 1000 North Main Street, Breese, IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

The Hawthorne Players present Legally Blonde the Musical through August 5. "Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world." The performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 921-5678 or visit hawthorneplayers.info.

Mamma Mia!
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the music of ABBA, through August 19. "The ultimate feel-good show, MAMMA MIA! uses the music of ABBA to tell the hilarious and touching tale of a teen's search for her birth father on a Greek Island paradise. See why 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with this pop-music phenomenon of a mother, a daughter, three possible dads, and an unforgettable trip down the aisle! Chock full of explosive dance numbers, you'll want to unleash your inner "Dancing Queen" with such ABBA hits as "Winner Takes It All," "Take A Chance On Me," and the smash title tune, "Mamma Mia." This enchanting tale of love between mothers and daughters, laughter between old friends, and a celebration of newly found family is a guaranteed non-stop party that you won't want to miss!!" 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 Muny presents the musical Meet Me in St. Louis opening on Saturday, August 4, at 8:15 pm and running through August 12. "Clang, clang, clang, we are off to The Muny! Based on the heartwarming 1944 MGM film, Meet Me In St. Louis paints a wholesome portrait of a turn of the century American family. Set in the summer of 1903, the Smiths eagerly await the grand opening of the 1904 World's Fair. With hits such as "The Trolley Song," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Boy Next Door" and the title number, this is the perfect finale to our 100th season, and will evoke nothing but love and pride…right here in St. Louis." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Nabucco
Photo by John Lamb

Union Avenue Opera presents Verdi's Nabucco Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm through August 4. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in Italian with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through August 5. Performances will be held at the Highland Elementary Schoo auditorium in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.org.

Rebel and Misfits Productions presents The Realistic Joneses through August 12. "In The Realistic Joneses, Will Eno connects two suburban couples who have so much more in common than their identical homes and their shared last names. As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities and, ultimately, confront mortality." Performances take place at the black box theater at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Ladue. For more information: www.rebelandmisfitsproductions.com.

The Robber Bridegroom

Stray Dog Theatre presents the musical The Robber Bridegroom Thursdays through Saturdays, August 2 - 18. There will also a 2 pm on Sunday, August 12, and 8 pm on Wednesday, August 15. This rousing, bawdy Southern fairytale comes from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Driving Miss Daisy. Set in Mississippi, the show follows Jamie Lockhart, a rascally robber of the woods, as he courts Rosamund, the sole daughter of the richest planter in the country. Thanks to a case of double-mistaken identity, the entangled relationship begins to unravel. Throw in an evil stepmother, her pea-brained henchman, and a hostile talking head-in-a-trunk, and you have a rollicking country romp." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

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.

Tower of power

Verdi's first big hit is a tower of power at Union Avenue.

L-R: Robert Garner, Melody Wilson, Marsha Thompson
Photo by John Lamb

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Verdi's 1842 Biblical melodrama "Nabucco" ("Nebuchadnezzar") isn't the composer's biggest hit, but it was his first, sealing his reputation as a major new force in Italian opera. Union Avenue Opera's fast-paced and splendidly sung production makes an exceptionally good case for it.

"Nabucco" is pretty red-blooded stuff. Loosely based on Old Testament texts, it's the story of Nebuchadnezzar's conquest and exiling of the Jews and his subsequent conversion to Judaism following a curse of madness from Jehovah when he arrogantly proclaims himself a god. Librettist Temistocle Solera took considerable liberties with both the OT and history, though, by adding a romantic triangle involving Fenena (Nabucco's youngest daughter), Abigaille (his eldest daughter), and Ismaele (a Jewish soldier), as well as a backstabbing power struggle between Abigaille and Nabucco. The story delivers passion, violence, and borderline-absurd rapid plot reversals in quantity, all accompanied by powerful music that illuminates character even as it dazzles.

Union Avenue's cast certainly squeezes every ounce of drama out of this material. As the Jewish high priest Zaccaria, bass Zachary James is a powerful stage presence with a big, rolling basso that easily reaches to the back of the house. Baritone Robert Garner delivers Nabucco's anger and anguish brilliantly.

C: Zachary James
Photo by John Lamb

Marsha Thompson's wide-ranging soprano turns Abigaille into a monstrous force of nature while mezzo Melody Wilson, as Fenena, once again demonstrates the combination of vocal power and theatrical smarts that made her so impressive in previous roles with Union Avenue and Opera Theatre. Tenor Jesse Donner has somewhat less to work with, dramatically speaking, in the role of Ismaele, but he delivers the character's passion with real conviction in a fine, ringing voice.

And let us not neglect the chorus, one of the most consistently strong aspects of Union Avenue productions, in my experience. Verdi assigns the chorus an important narrative role that has them on stage for much of the opera's length, switching between displaced Jews and arrogant Babylonians. They get some of the opera's most memorable music, including the famous "Va pensiero" of Act III in which the exiled Jews long for their native land. In this production they begin singing from the house, finally arriving on stage for its hushed, moving conclusion.

The chorus part in "Nabucco" is, in short, physically taxing, with frequent costume changes and music that sometimes pushes singers to the limits of their tessiture. The Union Avenue singers are splendid throughout the opera, delivering a powerful, unified sound while still making each member of the ensemble a fully realized character.

Conductor Stephen Hargreaves leads the Union Avenue orchestra in a rousing and vital performance of the score, complete with a dramatic reading of the overture that features an electrifying coda. In his program notes for Lyric Opera of Chicago's "Nabucco" two years ago, conductor Carol Rizzi observed that "a conductor's greatest challenge in 'Nabucco' is creating a unity, rather than a stop-and-start idea of the opera; certain episodes don't flow easily into one another." Mr. Hargreaves and his players certainly create that unity, assisted by stage director Mark Freiman's brisk pacing.

C: Jesse Donner
Photo by John Lamb

Patrick Huber's massive set has enough levels to make for interesting stage pictures and allows the cast to do something other than just face downstage and sing. Teresa Doggett's costumes neatly contrast the humble, earth tone Jews with the colorful and gaudy Babylonians. Patrick Huber's lighting is dramatic, but it sometimes left singers in partial darkness on opening night.

Union Avenue's "Nabucco" is, in short, a certified rouser. And given that local performances of the opera are rare (there has not been one in my lifetime, as far as I know), any opera lover should head over to the Union Avenue Christian Church to see one of the two remaining performances on Friday and Saturday, August 3 and 4. Visit the Union Avenue web site for tickets.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 27, 2018

New on the list: A jukebox musical based on songs by ABBA, a festival of new one-act plays, and a musical theatre classic at COCA.

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New This Week:

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Mamma Mia!

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the music of ABBA, through August 19. "The ultimate feel-good show, MAMMA MIA! uses the music of ABBA to tell the hilarious and touching tale of a teen's search for her birth father on a Greek Island paradise. See why 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with this pop-music phenomenon of a mother, a daughter, three possible dads, and an unforgettable trip down the aisle! Chock full of explosive dance numbers, you'll want to unleash your inner "Dancing Queen" with such ABBA hits as "Winner Takes It All," "Take A Chance On Me," and the smash title tune, "Mamma Mia." This enchanting tale of love between mothers and daughters, laughter between old friends, and a celebration of newly found family is a guaranteed non-stop party that you won't want to miss!!" 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: As I wrote in my review of the 2002 USA tour of this show on its first visit to the Fox, I am not now nor have I ever been a fan of the 1970s pop quartet ABBA. When they were cranking out hits like "Dancing Queen", I was sneering at them and listening to Elvis Costello and The Ramones. But when I first saw Mamma Mia! in London back in 2001 surrounded by wildly enthusiastic Brits (who apparently feel about ABBA the way the French feel about Jerry Lewis), I had to admit it was great fun. I found it a completely captivating evening of musical theatre, mostly because Judy Craymer, director Phyllida Lloyd and playwright Catherine Johnson (all from Britain, where this show began) have put together a fast-paced, funny, and occasionally even touching show that can send even a die-hard ABBA hater like yours truly out of the theatre with a smile on his face and a handful of those bouncy, hook-laden melodies rattling around in his brain. So enjoy it, already.

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"The Gettier Problem"
Photo by Justin Foizey

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 2 through July 29 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. The festival features professional, new and previously unproduced one-act plays 45 minutes or less in length, chosen from submissions to the festival over the previous year. The plays in Part 2 are "4th Reich" by Neil LaBute, "Unabridged" by Sean Abley, "The Gettier Problem" by Michael Long, and "The Process" by Peter McDonough. For more information call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

My take: I didn't put the first part of the LaBute festival in my list because reviews indicated that the new plays were a rather uneven lot. That doesn't appear to be the case with part two, as Tina Farmer notes in her review for KDHX. "The four one act plays presented in Set Two feel considerably more finished than the shows presented in Set One," she writes, describing the evening as "an enjoyable slate of polished one acts complemented with strong performances and clear direction." And, of course, new plays are always worth your attention.

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West Side Story

COCA presents the musical West Side Story Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 1 and 5 pm, July 27 and 28. "West Side Story sets Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York City as the two star-crossed young lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. From the first notes to the final breath, their struggle to survive in a world of violence and prejudice remains one of the most memorable and powerful musical dramas of our time. Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Entire original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins." Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: cocastl.org.

My take: The term "classic" gets thrown around quite a lot in the entertainment biz, of course, and it usually winds up being a synonym for "old". In this case, however, it's fully justified. After all, the people who created West Side Story either already were or would soon become theatrical legends: music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (his Broadway debut, in fact), book by Arthur Laurents (lifted from Shakespeare, who lifted it from a poem by Arthur Brooke), and direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins. West Side Story is one of the crowning achievements of American musical theatre, and that its moving, complex, and energetic score is one of Bernstein's best efforts in the genre. Besides, with choreography from COCA alum Christopher Page-Sanders, musical direction by Ron McGowan, and direction by Jim Butz, the COCA Summer Musical production features what COCA describes as "St. Louis' most talented 'triple threat' performers." The kids are alright, as the song by The Who goes; check 'em out.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 23, 2018

New shows this week include Sondheim/Styne musical classic at the Muny, a less often seen Verdi opera at Union Avenue, and the local premiere of a play by Will Eno.

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Annie
Photo by Phillip Hamer

The Muny presents the musical Annie through July 25. "Leapin' lizards! Everyone's favorite plucky, irresistible orphan is back! Based on the popular 1920s Harold Gray comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, Annie is considered one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time. This seven-time Tony Award-winning family favorite features unforgettable hits like "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the iconic Broadway standard "Tomorrow." You can bet your bottom dollar this is one beloved, multigenerational Muny favorite guaranteed to entertain the entire family." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

The Black Mirror Theatre Company presents Ravi Joseph's Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo opening on Thursday, July 26, at 7 pm and running through August 4. The show is about "a tiger that haunts the streets of present day Baghdad seeking the meaning of life. As he witnesses the puzzling absurdities of war, the tiger encounters Americans and Iraqis who are searching for friendship, redemption, and a toilet seat made of gold." Performances take place in the black box theatre at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

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 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.

The Muny presents the musical Gypsy opening on Friday, July 27, at 8:15 pm and running through August 2. "Revered by many as the greatest musical ever written, Gypsy is the timeless tale of an ambitious stage mother, Momma Rose, fighting for her daughters' success…while secretly yearning for her own. With a book by Academy Award-winner Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy features countless showstoppers, including "Let Me Entertain You," and "Together, Wherever We Go." Take our word for it, "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," or better yet a ticket, to see this spectacular Muny gem shine." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

St. Charles Community College presents the musical It Shoulda Been You Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, July 24 - 29. "It Shoulda Been You is a modern spin on the traditional wedding comedy, proving that when it comes to wedding day insanity, it's all relative. It's a culture clash for the ages when two families from wildly different backgrounds come together to celebrate a wedding. As if the union wasn't complicated enough, the bride's ex-boyfriend arrives, bringing the wedding to a screeching halt and throwing both families into hysterical chaos. It's up to the sister of the bride to turn a tangled mess into happily ever after in this musical comedy for anyone who ever had parents. " Performances take place in the FAB Theater 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 Hawthorne Players present Legally Blonde the Musical July 27 - August 5. "Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle ingeniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world." The performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 921-5678 or visit hawthorneplayers.info.

Mamma Mia!

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the music of ABBA, through August 19. "The ultimate feel-good show, MAMMA MIA! uses the music of ABBA to tell the hilarious and touching tale of a teen's search for her birth father on a Greek Island paradise. See why 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with this pop-music phenomenon of a mother, a daughter, three possible dads, and an unforgettable trip down the aisle! Chock full of explosive dance numbers, you'll want to unleash your inner "Dancing Queen" with such ABBA hits as "Winner Takes It All," "Take A Chance On Me," and the smash title tune, "Mamma Mia." This enchanting tale of love between mothers and daughters, laughter between old friends, and a celebration of newly found family is a guaranteed non-stop party that you won't want to miss!!" 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.

Union Avenue Opera presents Verdi's Nabucco Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, July 27 - August 4. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in Italian with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

4th Reich
Photo by Patrick Huber

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 2 through July 29 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. The festival features professional, new and previously unproduced one-act plays 45 minutes or less in length, chosen from submissions to the festival over the previous year. The plays in Part 2 are "4th Reich" by Neil LaBute, "Unabridged" by Sean Abley, "The Gettier Problem" by Michael Long, and "The Process" by Peter McDonough. For more information call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 27 - August 5. Performances will be held at the Highland Elementary Schoo auditorium in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.org.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents Portrait of Christina by St. Louis playwright Jim Danek Fridays through Sundays through July 29. Performances take place in the Guild theatre at Newport and Summit in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: theatreguildwg.org or call 314-962-0876.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the play Rain Dance by Mario Farwell on Monday, July 23, at 6:30 pm. "Four college friends have gathered to celebrate the life of their late friend Philip Branson. As the reminisce that evening, tensions rise until all hell breaks loose and the four friends are forced to deal with personal conflicts and face up to suppressed aspects of their lives." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

The Realistic Jonses
Photo by Eric Woolsey

Rebel and Misfits Productions presents The Realistic Joneses opening on Wednesday, July 25, and running through August 12. "In The Realistic Joneses, Will Eno connects two suburban couples who have so much more in common than their identical homes and their shared last names. As their relationships begin to irrevocably intertwine, the Joneses must decide between their idyllic fantasies and their imperfect realities and, ultimately, confront mortality." Performances take place at the black box theater at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Ladue. For more information: www.rebelandmisfitsproductions.com.

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the rock musical The Rocky Horror Show Friday and Saturday at 7 and 10 pm, July 27 and 28. "In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named 'Rocky.'" Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

Ignite Theatre Company presents the School Edition of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd Thursday Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, July 26 - 29. "An infamous tale, Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to nineteenth-century London, seeking vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up... and the carnage has only just begun! PG:13 Audience Advisory: Strong language, adult themes & gore." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information: ignitewithus.org.

COCA presents the musical West Side Story Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 1 and 5 pm, July 27 and 28. "West Side Story sets Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York City as the two star-crossed young lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. From the first notes to the final breath, their struggle to survive in a world of violence and prejudice remains one of the most memorable and powerful musical dramas of our time. Book by Arthur Laurents. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Entire original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins." Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: cocastl.org.

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.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 20, 2018

New on the list: A family musical theatre classic, one of Oscar Wilde's Greatest Hits, and the return of an excellent cabaret show from last year.

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New This Week:

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Annie
Photo by Phillip Hamer

The Muny presents the musical Annie running through July 25. "Leapin' lizards! Everyone's favorite plucky, irresistible orphan is back! Based on the popular 1920s Harold Gray comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, Annie is considered one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time. This seven-time Tony Award-winning family favorite features unforgettable hits like "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the iconic Broadway standard "Tomorrow." You can bet your bottom dollar this is one beloved, multigenerational Muny favorite guaranteed to entertain the entire family." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

My take: Just about every theatre group on the planet seems to have done this 1977 Broadway hit over the decades, and with good reason. The Charles Strouse/Martin Charnin score is loaded with great songs and the book by Thomas Meehan (who also wrote the musical stage versions of The Producers and Hairspray) hits just the right balance of friendly send-up of and homage to the comic-strip original. The Muny production is directed by John Tartaglia, who has distinguished himself as an actor and director at the Muny in the past. Take the family and remember: you're never fully dressed without a smile!

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The Importance of Being Earnest
Photo by John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest through July 22. "The Importance of Being Earnest is a Trivial Comedy for Serious People. Set in 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues. " Performances take place at Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

My take: Speaking of shows everyone has done, The Importance of Being Earnest is surely close to the top of everyone's list of favorite comedies. The absurd story line and Wilde's infallibly brilliant wit are irresistible, and Insight appears to be doing a good job with this production. "It’s Oscar Wilde at his best," writes Ann Lemmons Pollack, "one funny line after another...One of the main reasons this production glows so brightly is the combination of Will Bonfiglio and Pete Winfrey. Bonfiglio plays Algernon Moncrieff, and Winfrey is his chum John Worthing...Bonfiglio and Winfrey bounce off each other like they’ve been doing it for years, all in the droll, arch style that so marks this script. It’s a pleasure to watch."

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Ken Haller and Marty Fox in The Medicine Show in 2017

The Presenters Dolan presents Ken Haller in The Medicine Show Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21 at 8 pm. "Ken Haller's shows have been described as "touching," "hilarious," "intimate," and "tremendously entertaining." In The Medicine Show, where "miracle cures" are peddled, Ken weaves songs as diverse as "The Physician" (Cole Porter), "Someone to Fall Back on," (Jason Robert Brown), "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" (Stephen Sondheim) and more, into a narrative of how becoming a doctor is only the first step toward becoming a healer." The performances take place at The Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

My take: The Medicine Show, the newest diadem in the crown of St. Louis cabaret star Ken Haller, was just what the doctor ordered. And Mr. Haller is a doctor, so he should know. Check out my review of the show earlier last spring at Cabaret Scenes to learn more.

Review: Old friends, new cabaret

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

Bob Wetzel and Craig Becker

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"What do you say, old friend, are we or are we unique?" So runs the lyric of Sondheim's "Old Friend," the song that, in combination with Simon and Garfunkel's "Old Friends," served as the opening number in "A Fine Bromance," the new show by Bob Wetzel and Craig Becker presented by Mariposa Artists July 13th.

It was a perfect choice because, while their decades-long friendship may not be unique it is, at least, rare. And it informed every minute of this unfailingly charming evening.

That opening number was just a bit deceptive in that it began with the two singers seated with their backs to each other, dimly lit, as they wistfully sang Simon and Garfunkel's melancholy lines ("Old friends, winter companions, the old men / Lost in their overcoats, waiting for the sun"). But then they turned face to face, the lights brightened and the tempo quickened. They smiled as if reconnecting for the first time in years and launched into a breezy run through the Sondheim.

That set a celebratory tone the show maintained to the end, with just the right number of ballads for contrast.

Indeed, under the knowing direction of Lina Koutrakos, a cabaret legend in her own right, Mr. Wetzel and Mr. Becker assembled an exceptionally well-balanced mix of show tunes old and new, some Great American Songbook standards, and even pop classics like James Taylor's "The Secret of Life," a thoughtful performance of which brought the show to a close. Each selection was carefully tailored to the strengths of its respective performer by the evening's music director and pianist, the infallibly creative Rick Jensen. The result was an example of what a well-turned-out cabaret evening should be.

Messers Wetzel and Becker provided a nice balance of performing styles as well. Mr. Wetzel was the "old smoothie" of the duo, delivering standards like "Moonlight in Vermont" with suave assurance. Mr. Becker, in contrast, proved a dab hand at lyric-heavy comedy numbers like Kander and Ebb's "Coffee in a Cardboard Cup" and Maltby and Shire's trenchant commentary on breaking up, "You Want to be My Friend?" When they sang together, whether on self-deprecatingly funny numbers like Jerry Herman' s "Elegance" or on easy-going standards like Simon and Garfunkel's "59th Street Bridge Song," they had the cozy camaraderie that comes from long acquaintance.

L-R: Rick Jensen, Bob Wetzel, Craig Becker
Photo by Gerry Love

In fact that lifelong friendship, during which Mr. Wetzel and Mr. Becker have managed to combine successful careers in the business world with after-hours lives as actors and singers, was the main theme of "A Fine Bromance." The biographical details sprinkled throughout the show were just substantial enough to provide a narrative thread without ever deteriorating into the cabaret equivalent of home movies.

Their stories also allowed them to personalize their songs and make the lyrics their own. Mr. Becker preceded his high-wattage performance of Sondheim's "Everybody Says Don't," for example, by talking about how, as a young man, he decided to take a life path different than the one he was expected to follow. It turned a song about challenging authority into a kind of personal declaration of independence. In the same vein, Mr. Wetzel put a personal spin on his rendition of "Luck Be a Lady" by talking about how important luck has been in his life.

"A Fine Bromance" had only one performance at the Kranzberg Center here in St. Louis, but New York cabaret lovers will be able to see it at Don't Tell Mama on September 30th; visit their web site for more information. For upcoming Mariposa Artists shows, visit their Facebook page.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 16, 2018

New shows this week include a family musical classic at the Muny, a jukebox musical at Stages, the return of Ken Haller's Medicine Show, and The Cabaret Project's monthly open mic.

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The St. Lou Fringe presents Act Your Pants Off on Thursday, July 19, at 7 pm. "Act Your Pants Off offers a full night of theatrical entertainment wrapped in bawdy, competitive fun! Selected actors duel with short monologues and improvised scenes for the opportunity to wow audiences with their comic burlesque skills. That's right, co-hosts Desirée Declyne and Lola Van Ella won't be the only ones showing a little skin, the actors will also be strip teasing the audience! Local St. Louis favorites Katy Keating, Suki Peters, Paul Cereghino, Michelle Hand, Melissa Allen, and Keaton Trece will be performing their pants off for your votes in two quick rounds of competition, culminating in a grand finale number that you won't want to miss. The event takes place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle on Manchester in the Grove. For more information: stlouisfringe.com.

Altar Boyz

Silhouettes Production Company presents the musical Altar Boyz Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm, July 19 - 21. Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: silhouettesproductionco.com.

The Muny presents the musical Annie opening on Wednesday, July 18, at 8:15 pm and running through July 25. "Leapin' lizards! Everyone's favorite plucky, irresistible orphan is back! Based on the popular 1920s Harold Gray comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, Annie is considered one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time. This seven-time Tony Award-winning family favorite features unforgettable hits like "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the iconic Broadway standard "Tomorrow." You can bet your bottom dollar this is one beloved, multigenerational Muny favorite guaranteed to entertain the entire family." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.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 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.

Girls Night: The Musical

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Girls Night: The Musical Friday through Sunday, July 20 - 22 "This touching and hilarious musical takes audiences on a journey into the lives of a group of female friends as they go from heartbreak to happiness during a wild night of karaoke. Audience members can't help but laugh, cry and even find themselves singing and dancing in the aisles to some of the most popular hit songs of the '80s and '90s." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Alton Little Theater presents the rock musical Hair Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through July 22. Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Insight Theatre Company presents Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest through July 22. "The Importance of Being Earnest is a Trivial Comedy for Serious People. Set in 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym ("Ernest") for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues. " Performances take place at Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

The Muny presents the musical Jersey Boys at 8:15 pm on July 16. 'The international sensation arrives at The Muny in style! Jersey Boys, winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, is the authentic biographic story of the magic behind the music of worldwide megahit group, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Featuring over 30 chart-topping hits, including fan favorites "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," this Muny premiere is almost too good to be true, and will leave audiences saying, "Oh, What a Night!"' Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the music of ABBA, July 20 through August 19. "The ultimate feel-good show, MAMMA MIA! uses the music of ABBA to tell the hilarious and touching tale of a teen's search for her birth father on a Greek Island paradise. See why 54 million people all around the world have fallen in love with this pop-music phenomenon of a mother, a daughter, three possible dads, and an unforgettable trip down the aisle! Chock full of explosive dance numbers, you'll want to unleash your inner "Dancing Queen" with such ABBA hits as "Winner Takes It All," "Take A Chance On Me," and the smash title tune, "Mamma Mia." This enchanting tale of love between mothers and daughters, laughter between old friends, and a celebration of newly found family is a guaranteed non-stop party that you won't want to miss!!" 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.

Ken Haller

The Presenters Dolan presents Ken Haller in The Medicine Show Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21 at 8 pm. "Ken Haller's shows have been described as "touching," "hilarious," "intimate," and "tremendously entertaining." In The Medicine Show, where "miracle cures" are peddled, Ken weaves songs as diverse as "The Physician" (Cole Porter), "Someone to Fall Back on," (Jason Robert Brown), "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir" (Stephen Sondheim) and more, into a narrative of how becoming a doctor is only the first step toward becoming a healer." The performances take place at The Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 2 July 20 - 29 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. The festival features professional, new and previously unproduced one-act plays 45 minutes or less in length, chosen from submissions to the festival over the previous year. The plays in Part 2 are "4th Reich" by Neil LaBute, "Unabridged" by Sean Abley, "The Gettier Problem" by Michael Long, and "The Process" by Peter McDonough. For more information call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents Portrait of Christina by St. Louis playwright Jim Danek Fridays through Sundays, July 20 - 29. Performances take place in the Guild theatre at Newport and Summit in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: theatreguildwg.org or call 314-962-0876.

Chuck Lavazzi

The Cabaret Project presents its weekly Singers Open Mic Night on Wednesday, July 18, 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.

Spotlight Productions presents Suessical the Musical Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through July 22. "Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination - Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos." Performances take place at Lafayette High School Theater in Wildwood, MO. For more information: www.prcommunityed.org/spotlightproductions

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Twisted Improv on Friday, July 20, at 8 pm at The Steamboat Room, 314 S. Clay in Kirkwood, MO. "Join Adam and his crew for an interactive night of fun and laughter. Beer, wine and food available from Kirkwood Station Brewery." For more information: ktg-onstage.org.

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.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 13, 2018

New on the list: Cabaret, operetta, and a biographical juke-box muscial.

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New This Week:

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Bob Wetzel and Craig Becker

Mariposa Productions presents Bob Wetzel and Craig Becker in A Fine Bromance on Friday, July 13, at 8 pm. The show is "a musical journey through a lifelong friendship! Featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim, James Taylor, Noel Coward, Paul Simon....and more!" Lina Koutrakos directs, with musical direction by Rick Jensen. The performance takes place at The Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

My take: Honsesty compels me to point out that Bob is a fellow member of the board of The Cabaret Project, but honesty also comples me to say that I've been very impressed by his smooth and musically sharp work at the Cabaret Project open mic nights. And you can never go wrong when cabaret legends Lina Koutrakos and Rick Jensen are your directors.

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H.M.S. Pinafore
Photo by John Lamb

Union Avenue Opera presents Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta H.M.S. Pinafore Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm through July 14. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in English with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

My take: As I write in my review for KDHX, this is a jolly and entertaining production of a G&S classic that's a little bit of Savoyard heaven. It's satisfyingly silly and sung to perfection.

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Jersey Boys
Photo by Philiip Hamer

The Muny presents the musical Jersey Boys opening on Monday, July 9, at 8:15 pm and running through July 16. 'The international sensation arrives at The Muny in style! Jersey Boys, winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, is the authentic biographic story of the magic behind the music of worldwide megahit group, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Featuring over 30 chart-topping hits, including fan favorites "Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Walk Like a Man" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," this Muny premiere is almost too good to be true, and will leave audiences saying, "Oh, What a Night!"' Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

My take: I have always managed to curb my enthusiasm for Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, but there's no question that this juke-box musical gloss on the lives and careers of the group has met with considerable critical acclaim. Writing for MaxSTL, Tina Farmer says Jersey Boys "is more than a touch nostalgic, but the show doesn't feel old. The story is still relatable and nearly every song is a well-crafted piece of pop music history...the focus on the songs and storytelling creates a satisfying and surprisingly intimate evening of theater." "The Muny showcases its best and brightest presentation yet," enthuses Mark Bretz at Ladue News.

Review: "All the airs from that infernal nonsense Pinafore"

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

The cast of H.M.S. Pinafore
Photo by John Lamb

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Union Avenue Opera dropped anchor for their 24th season this past weekend with a jolly and entertaining production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore" that's a little bit of Savoyard heaven.

The cast is excellent. As Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty who admits that the junior partnership in a law firm was "the only ship [he] ever had seen," baritone Steven Condy has the character's clueless pomposity and bottomless self-regard down pat, and he delivers Gilbert's lyrics with impressive clarity. Baritone Thomas Gunther shows an equally firm grasp of comic timing as Captain Corcoran, who's "hardly ever" sick at sea, and he brings an impressive, powerful voice to the role. His "Fair moon, to thee I sing" at the top of the second act was a genuine crowd pleaser.

Anthon Heinemann and Leann Schuering
Photo by John Lamb

Tenor Anthony Heinemann brings solid acting skills and an impressive vocal range to the role of Ralph Rackstraw, the sturdy sailor in love with Corcoran's daughter Josephine, although he sounded a bit underpowered compared to the rest of the cast. Soprano Leann Schuering is a real delight as Josephine, displaying a clear, attractive voice in her big second act aria, "The hours keep on apace," in which she tries to decide between true love and true money.

Mezzo Katherine Calcamuggio is an endearingly funny Little Buttercup, and baritone Jacob Lassetter shows a remarkable lower register as the despised Dick Deadeye, a role usually assigned to a bass. Mezzo Erin Haupt makes the small role of Cousin Hebe a comic gem.

As is so often the case, Union Avenue's chorus sings with an authority and clarity that belies its small size, often rendering the projected English supertitles irrelevant. Under Scott Schoonover's expert baton, the orchestra delivers a fine, robust performance of Sullivan's wonderful score, with tempi that are invariably perfect. There were a few moments when singers and orchestra were not quite in synch on opening night, but I'd expect that to work itself out with time.

Kyra Bishop Sanford's multi-level set appears to have sailed straight out of "Anything Goes," an image reinforced by the straw boaters worn by the sailors, but otherwise Teresa Doggett's bright costumes suggest we're still comfortably ensconced in the Victorian era, with horizontal striped shirts for the men and blue and white bustle skirts for the women. Sir Joseph looks appropriately ridiculous, especially in his tacky second act smoking jacket.

L-R: Thomas Gunther, Leann Schuering, Steven Condy
Photo by John Lamb

Director Eric Gibson is sometimes a little too fond of gilding the comic lily with overly busy stage business and unnecessary extra lyrics for the popular patter song "When I was a lad," but that's minor stuff. His pacing is brisk, his blocking makes dramatic sense, and the minimal choreography he has provided for a couple of the chorus numbers makes everyone look good without calling for significant terpsichorean skills.

So, yeah, Union Avenue Opera has gotten their season off to a strong start with a bit of classic Gilbert and Sullivan that's fun and funny. It's not entirely to my taste, but it's awfully well done and that, in these times of what Tom Lehrer might describe as "universal brouhaha," is more than enough.

Performances of "H.M.S Pinafore" continue through Saturday, July 14th 2018, at the Union Avenue Christian Church, at Union and Enright in the Central West End. More information is available at the company web site.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 9, 2018

New items this week include a biographical musical at the Muny, an Oscar Wilde classic at Insight, and a new cabaret show at the Kranzberg.

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Hard Road Theatre Productions presents the children's musical Annie Jr. Thursday through Sunday, July 12 - 15. Performances will be held at the Highland School Kennel , 12760 Troxler Avenue in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.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.

Bob Wetzel and Craig Becker

Mariposa Productions presents Bob Wetzel and Craig Becker in A Fine Bromance on Friday, July 13, at 8 pm. The show is "a musical journey through a lifelong friendship! Featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim, James Taylor, Noel Coward, Paul Simon....and more!" Lina Koutrakos directs, with musical direction by Rick Jensen. The performance takes place at The Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.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.

Alton Little Theater presents the rock musical Hair Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 13 - 22. Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

H.M.S. Pinafore
 Photo by John Lamb

Union Avenue Opera presents Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta H.M.S. Pinafore Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm through July 14. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in English with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

Insight Theatre Company presents Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest July 12 - 22. "The Importance of Being Earnest is a Trivial Comedy for Serious People. Set in 1890s London, two friends use the same pseudonym (“Ernest”) for their on-the-sly activities. Hilarity ensues. " Performances take place at The .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Midtown. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

The Muny presents the musical Jersey Boys opening on Monday, July 9, at 8:15 pm and running through July 16. 'The international sensation arrives at The Muny in style! Jersey Boys, winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, is the authentic biographic story of the magic behind the music of worldwide megahit group, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Featuring over 30 chart-topping hits, including fan favorites “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don't Cry,” “Walk Like a Man” and “Can't Take My Eyes Off You,” this Muny premiere is almost too good to be true, and will leave audiences saying, “Oh, What a Night!”' Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville presents a musical version of the Shakespeare comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, adapted and directed by Chuck Harper, Department Chair of Theater and Dance, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through July 15. Performances take place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus of SIU Edwardsville, next to the Student Fitness Center. For more information: siue.edu.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 1through July 15 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. The festival features professional, new and previously unproduced one-act plays 45 minutes or less in length, chosen from submissions to the festival over the previous year. The plays in Part 1 are "4th Reich" by Neil LaBute, "Shut up and Dance"by Barbara Blumenthal-Ehrlich, "Advantage God" by Norman Kline, and "Hipster Noir" by James McLindon. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Spotlight Productions presents Suessical the Musical Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 13 - 22. "Now one of the most performed shows in America, Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Tony winners, Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island, Ragtime), have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little boy with a big imagination - Jojo. The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos." Performances take place at Lafayette High School Theater in Wildwood, MO. For more information: www.prcommunityed.org/spotlightproductions

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.