Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 1, 2019

This week, the showcase of the next generation of stars joins La Bohème on the list.

New This Week:

The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presents the Rising Stars Showcase on Sunday, August 4, at 2 pm. "Join us for an afternoon of amazing talent from the Finalists and Nominees of both the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition and the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards. This event is FREE and open to the public." The show takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: https://www.foxpacf.org/event/rising-stars-showcase-2/

My take: The Teen Talent Competition provides a showcase for the best of our up-and-coming local performers, and that's very good indeed. Here's your chance to see the next generation of theatre stars in action.


Held Over:

La Bohème
Photo by Dan Donovan
Union Avenue Opera presents Puccini's La Bohème Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, July 26 - August 2. 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.

My take: By the time Puccini and his librettists got around to translating Henri Murger’s episodic 1849 novel Scènes De La Vie Bohème into the 1896 opera La Bohème, it had already enjoyed a considerable European vogue, so it’s not surprising that La Bohème has gone on to become a favorite of opera companies around the world. The classic tearjerker has been produced many times here in St. Louis (most recently by Opera Theatre in 2016), but a good production is always worth seeing, and given Union Avenue's track record, I expect this one to be solid.

Monday, July 29, 2019

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 29, 2019

More musicals join the list this week, including a new show at The Playhouse at Westport.

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Assisted Living: The Musical opening on Thursday, August 1, at 2 pm and running through August 11. "From early retirement right up to the pulling of the plug, 21st Century seniors are partying like it's 1969. Imagine: no work, no pregnancy and a full array of Medicare-subsidized pharmaceuticals. Get your tickets today, before your short-term memory goes!" The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

La BohèmePhoto by Dan Donovan
Union Avenue Opera presents Puccini's La Bohème Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, through August 2. 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.

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 Hawthorne Players present the musical Footloose opening on Friday, August 2, at 7:30 pm and running through August 11. "Kick off your Sunday shoes with this 80s favorite! Based on the 1984 Academy Award-nominated blockbuster hit, Footloose shows how a little teenage rebellion and a love of music can open hearts and transform a town. Featuring chart-topping hits, including "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Holding Out for a Hero" and the Grammy-nominated title track "Footloose," this four-time Tony Award-nominated dancing-sensation will have the entire family burning and yearning to cut loose!" 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.

Grease
Photo by Peter Wochniak
Stages St. Louis presents the musical Grease through August 18. " Welcome to Rydell High where Danny Zuko and his gang of Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies rule the school! Bursting with explosive energy and 1950's nostalgia, GREASE blends an irresistible mix of adolescent angst and All-American teen spirit to create a high-octane, pop-culture phenomenon 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.

Over Due Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through August 4. "Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, Joseph is one of the most enduring shows of all time and reimagines the biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors." Performances take place at the Olivette Community Center, 9723 Grandview Drive, in Olivette, MO. For more information, call 314-210-2959 or visit overduetheatrecompany.com.

Clinton County Showcase presents the Disney musical The Little Mermaid Friday through Sunday at 8 pm. August 1-4. "Based on the classic Disney animated feature, Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea " Performances take place outdoors at Northside Pari, 1000 N. Main in Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents the musical Mamma Mia! Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through August 4. Performances will be held at the Highland Elementary School auditorium in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love (No Biting) opening on Friday, August 2, and running through November 2. "Calling all Zombies! Tired of being judged for munching on the occasional brain? So you're not really "alive" anymore but you can still enjoy socializing with the living and enjoying a hilarious show together! Well, we've got the perfect show for you! Drama! Comedy! Looove! ...And, of course, Zombies! Don your best Living Dead Costume and choose to be a Zombie, or not (its up to you), but we do promise lots of fun for both the living and the undead! hey, Hey, HEY! No Biting!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Paint Your Wagon
Photo courtesy of The Muny
The Muny presents the Lerner and Loewe musical Paint Your Wagon nightly at 8:15 through August 2. "Following our beloved productions of The Unsinkable Molly Brown and The Wiz, The Muny again serves as a birthplace to a reimagined version of an American musical classic. This Lerner and Loewe gem from 1951 is set in the California gold rush, sharing a moving tale of ambition, love and home. Featuring shimmering numbers such as "They Call the Wind Maria," "I Talk to the Trees" and "Wand'rin' Star," this reimagined adaptation has a revised book by Jon Marans and is produced in association with On the Wagon Productions and Garmar Ventures." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Act Two Theatre presents Neil Simon's Plaza Suite opening on Wednesday, July 31, at 7:30 pm and running through August 11. Performances take place in the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre at 1 St Peters Centre Blvd, St. Peters, MO 63376. For more information: act2theater.com.

The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presents the Rising Stars Showcase on Sunday, August 4, at 2 pm. " Join us for an afternoon of amazing talent from the Finalists and Nominees of both the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition and the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Awards. This event is FREE and open to the public." The show takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: https://www.foxpacf.org/event/rising-stars-showcase-2/

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Sherlock Holmes in "The Case Without a Clue" opening on Friday, August 2, and running through October 27 The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Stomping Ground presents the musical revue This Very Moment Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, August 2 and 3. "First produced in New York City in 2016, This Very Moment is a musical revue in the tradition of Closer Than Ever and Songs for a New World. Incorporating songs that span Brett Kristofferson's 20+ year career, This Very Moment explores, mourns, and celebrates the moments that help shape the landscape of our lives; moments that expose our weaknesses, perplex us, and help us define the things that are important to us." Performances take place at the Fontbonne University Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Boulevard on the Fontonne University campus. For more information: ThisVeryMomentSTL.eventbrite.com

Alton Little Theater presents musical The Wizard of Oz, based on the books by L. Frank Baum, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through August 4. Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.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.

Friday, July 26, 2019

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 26, 2019

This week: a classic opera, a send-up of a classic movie, and a nostalgic look at a classic time when the USA was actually united against fascism.

New This Week:

The All Hands on Deck Show
Lindenwood University presents The All Hands on Deck Show on Saturday, July 27, at 3 pm. " Join us as we pay homage to the days of Bob Hope and war-bond drives, in a show that features Broadway Veterans Jody Madaras and Valerie Hill, a cast of New York voices, the rich sounds of the 9-piece ALL-LIVE Hollywood Victory Caravan Big Band Orchestra, classic commercials, tight harmonies, Broadway tap-dancing, impromptu skits, and 42 of the Greatest American songs ever written -- not to mention a full-circle patriotic salute to the American way of life. Come celebrate the U.S.A. 1942-style with The All Hands on Deck! Show." Performances take place at the Scheiegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information: lindenwood.edu.

My take: This nostalgic tribute to the patriotic shows of World War II originated in Branson, where it continues to play on a regular basis. Reviews of the tour elsewhere have been pretty positive, and it's worth recalling a time when (unlike today) America was largely united in the war against fascism. The 1940s had a lot of problems which, as far as I can see, this upbeat revue ignores, but as I wouldn't expect a production like this to take on a subject that complex, I can hardly say that's a criticism. Bottom line: it looks like great fun.

La Bohème
Photo by Dan Donovan
Union Avenue Opera presents Puccini's La Bohème Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, July 26 - August 2. 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.

My take: By the time Puccini and his librettists got around to translating Henri Murger’s episodic 1849 novel Scènes De La Vie Bohème into the 1896 opera La Bohème, it had already enjoyed a considerable European vogue, so it’s not surprising that La Bohème has gone on to become a favorite of opera companies around the world. The classic tearjerker has been produced many times here in St. Louis (most recently by Opera Theatre in 2016), but a good production is always worth seeing, and given Union Avenue's track record, I expect this one to be solid.


Jaws: The Parody
Photo by Kayla Lindsay
St. Louis Shakespeare's Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents Jaws: The Parody, through July 27. Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission in University City. For more information: www.stlshakespeare.org

My take: Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre, the illegitimate love-child of St. Louis Shakespeare, got its start by concocting its own scripts from pop culture detritus like the films of Ed Wood and superhero cartoons. In recent years they have branched out to making fun of of material that, unlike Ed Wood's collected works, didn't suck in its original form. "The bigger the original's special effects budget," writes Paul Friswold at the Riverfront Times, "the funnier the Magic Smoking Monkey version becomes, thanks to cardboard sets, dollar-store props and the actors' wild-eyed willingness to try anything for a laugh." Sounds about right.

Monday, July 22, 2019

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of July 22, 2019

Nothing says summer in St. Louis quite like outdoor band concerts. There are three this week, along with a nice cool indoor concert by the Gateway Festival Orchestra.

The Compton Heights Concert Band
The Compton Heights Concert Band presents free Musical Mondays concerts featuring marches, show tunes and classical favorites Mondays at 7:30 pm through July 28. This week, July 22, the soloists are The Abbey Road Warriors. The concert takes place in Tower Grove Park at the historic Henry Shaw Bandstand. For more information: chband.org.

The Compton Heights Concert Band presents free Sunday Serenades concerts featuring marches, show tunes and classical favorites on Sundays at 7:30 PM through July 28. This week (July 28) the soloist is tenor Hugh Kash Smith. The concerts takes place in Francis Park at Donovan and Eichelberger on the Compton Heights Band's Carol Joy Brooks Memorial Stage. For more information: chband.org.

The Gateway Festival Orchestra welcomes piano soloist Alla Voskoboynikova for an evening of music from the movies, along with Mozart's 23rd piano concerto, Sunday night at 7:30. The concert takes place at at the 560 Music Center in University City. For more information: gatewayfestivalorchestra.org.

The University City Summer Band presents a concert on Tuesday, July 23, at 7 p.m. "Concerts last about 80 minutes, and include a short intermission. Seating is on the lawn. Bring a lawn chair or blanket as available seating is limited. Bring your children! Bring a picnic!" The concert takes place in Heman Park, 1028 Midland in University City. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church 6800 Washington Ave (at Kingsland). For more information: ucsummerband.org.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 22, 2019

There's lots of musical theatre in the air this week, with everything from The Wizard of Oz to The Rocky Horror Show, plus a new version of a rarely-seen Lerner and Loewe show from 1951 and a favorite Puccini opera at Union Avenue.

The All Hands on Deck Show
Lindenwood University presents The All Hands on Deck Show on Saturday, July 27, at 3 pm. " Join us as we pay homage to the days of Bob Hope and war-bond drives, in a show that features Broadway Veterans Jody Madaras and Valerie Hill, a cast of New York voices, the rich sounds of the 9-piece ALL-LIVE Hollywood Victory Caravan Big Band Orchestra, classic commercials, tight harmonies, Broadway tap-dancing, impromptu skits, and 42 of the Greatest American songs ever written -- not to mention a full-circle patriotic salute to the American way of life. Come celebrate the U.S.A. 1942-style with The All Hands on Deck! Show." Performances take place at the Scheiegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information: lindenwood.edu.

Union Avenue Opera presents Puccini's La Bohème Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, July 26 - August 2. 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.

St. Charles Community College presents the musical Catch Me If You Can Wednesday through Sunday, July 24-28. "Based on the hit film and the incredible true story, Catch Me If You Can is the high-flying musical comedy about chasing your dreams without getting caught. Seeking fame and fortune, precocious teenager, Frank Abignale, Jr., runs away from home to begin an unforgettable adventure. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer - living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. When Frank's lies catch the attention of FBI agent, Carl Hanratty, though, Carl pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes." 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/events.

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 HIlton St. Louis Frontenac presents The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show through July 27. "Solve a hilarious crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!" For more information: https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/st-louis

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Flaming Saddles through July 28 The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Footloose
Photo courtesy of The Muny
The Muny presents the musical Footloose at 8:15 nightly through July 24. "Kick off your Sunday shoes with this 80s favorite! Based on the 1984 Academy Award-nominated blockbuster hit, Footloose shows how a little teenage rebellion and a love of music can open hearts and transform a town. Featuring chart-topping hits, including "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Holding Out for a Hero" and the Grammy-nominated title track "Footloose," this four-time Tony Award-nominated dancing-sensation will have the entire family burning and yearning to cut loose!" Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Grease through August 18. " Welcome to Rydell High where Danny Zuko and his gang of Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies rule the school! Bursting with explosive energy and 1950's nostalgia, GREASE blends an irresistible mix of adolescent angst and All-American teen spirit to create a high-octane, pop-culture phenomenon 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.

COCA presents Sondheim's Into the Woods Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 1 and 5 pm, July 26 and 27. "The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with Into The Woods, an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, and relevant, piece. AGES 9+ " Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: cocastl.org.

St. Louis Shakespeare's Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents Jaws: The Parody, through July 27. Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission in University City. For more information: www.stlshakespeare.org

Over Due Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 26 - August 4. "Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, Joseph is one of the most enduring shows of all time and reimagines the biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors." Performances take place at the Olivette Community Center, 9723 Grandview Drive, in Olivette, MO. For more information, call 314-210-2959 or visit overduetheatrecompany.com.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents the musical Mamma Mia! Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 26 - August 4. Performances will be held at the Highland Elementary School auditorium in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Muurder in Maaaybury! through July 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Great Negro Works of Art
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 2 through July 28 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 "Great Negro Works of Art" by Neil LaBute, Predilections by Richard Curtis, "Henrietta" by Joseph Krawczyk, and "Sisyphus and Icarus a Love story" by William Ivor Fowke. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

First Run Theatre presents the plays Overdone by David Hamley and Screaming at Optimum Pitch by Peg Flach Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through July 28. Performances take place at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, 517 Theatre Lane in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: firstruntheatre.com.

The Muny presents the Lerner and Loewe musical Paint Your Wagon opening on Saturday, July 27, at 8:15 p.m. and running through August 2. " Following our beloved productions of The Unsinkable Molly Brown and The Wiz, The Muny again serves as a birthplace to a reimagined version of an American musical classic. This Lerner and Loewe gem from 1951 is set in the California gold rush, sharing a moving tale of ambition, love and home. Featuring shimmering numbers such as "They Call the Wind Maria," "I Talk to the Trees" and "Wand'rin' Star," this reimagined adaptation has a revised book by Jon Marans and is produced in association with On the Wagon Productions and Garmar Ventures." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the musical The Rocky Horror Show Friday and Saturday at 7 and 10 pm, July 26 and 27. " n 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.

Alton Little Theater presents musical The Wizard of Oz, based on the books by L. Frank Baum, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 15 - August 4. Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.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.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 19, 2019

A pair of important plays shares the spotlight with a pair of great cabaret showcases this week.

New This Week:

Encore Theatre Group presents A Dream Deferred Double Feature, consisting of performances of Lorraine Hansberry's drama A Raisin in the Sun and the Bruce Norris comedy Clybourne Park, on Saturday July 20. Raisin in the Sun is performed at 2:30 pm and Clybourne Park at 7:30 pm. "A RAISIN IN THE SUN tells the story of the Youngers, a burdened but strong family consisting of a widowed Mother, a bright and lively college student daughter and a less than satisfied with life son who houses his wife and child in his mother's cramped one bedroom apartment in 1959 South Chicago. A seemingly perfect opportunity for the family members to advance on each of their dreams comes in the form of a $10,000 life insurance check for the life of the late Mr. Younger. Each of them have their own plans for the money's best use but it is ultimately up to Momma (Lena Younger) to decide how the money will be used. Will their dreams flourish with this new seed of hope? Or will the plight of poverty and hopelessness continue to crush and dry them up like a raisin in the sun? CLYBOURNE is the 2009 response to the question, 'What happened to the Youngers after leaving Chicago's south side?' Clybourne Park is a political satire that lends the perspective of the White family who sold the Youngers their house in a less than welcoming neighborhood. In the second act, the audience will witness a fast-forward in time to a modern day conversation between the current homeowners (Younger descendants) and new hopeful White purchasers. WARNING: CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE AND SITUATIONS!" The performance takes place at The Fellowship, 3453 S. Jefferson. For more information: www.eventbrite.com

My take: A Raisin in the Sun is, of course, an American classic. And while Clybourne Park is not as well known, it certainly should be. As I wrote in my review of the Rep's 2012 production, it's a play characterized by crackling, literate dialog, and credible characters. Here's a rare opportunity to see both of them in one day.


Marilyn Maye
The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents the Professional Track Showcase on Saturday, July 20, at 7 pm. and the Final Showcase and Celebration on Sunday, July 21, at 7:30 pm. Both events take place at The Stage at KDHX on Washington in Grand Center. For more information: www.eventbrite.com

My take: Mentored by the legendary Marilyn Maye, Tedd Firth, Alex Rybeck, Faith Prince, and other notable members of the Cabaret Conference faculty, the Professional Track showcase stars six singers singers from the most advanced of the Cabaret Conference's three tracks. They're established cabaret pros from around the country, often with many shows to their credit, who are polishing their craft here in St. Louis. The showcase presents each of them in short, carefully tailored sets that display their range and talent. The Final Showcase features features singers from all over the country who have spent five days of working on their craft with the faculty. As someone who has seen and/or performed in most of the closing showcases over the years, I can attest to the wonderful variety and skill of the performers who take the stage in this big, two-act show. This will be a couple of entertaining and varied nights of cabaret; don't miss them.

Sunday, July 14, 2019

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 15, 2019

Cabaret is busting out all over this week, with shows from the St. Louis Cabaret Conference and The Cabaret Project. There are also musicals at Stages and the Muny, new plays from St. Louis Actors' Studio and First Run, and a provocative double feature from Encore Theatre Group.

Marilyn Maye
The Cabaret Project presents the 2019 Cabaret Gala, featuring performances by Marilyn Maye, Jim Caruso, Jeff Harner, and Peisha McPhee and hosted by Sirius XM Radio's Christing Pedi, on Thursday, July 18, at 7:30 pm. The show is preceded by cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 6:30 and takes place at Jazz St. Louis on Washington in Grand Center. Proceeds beenfit The Cabaret Project's performance and training programs. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of Blind by Dennis Fisher on Monday, July 15, at 6:30 pm. " Dave and Lloyd, who haven't seen each other in twenty years, reunite to go duck hunting. As they discuss old times, Lloyd reveals he has invited another old classmate to join them in the duck blind. The reunion does not go well." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

Cinderella
Photo courtesy of The Muny
The Muny presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderalla through Tuesday, July 16. "A magical evening awaits, but we mustn't be late! This Rodgers and Hammerstein treasure began as one of the most-watched television programs in history and was finally produced on Broadway in 2013, receiving nine Tony Award nominations. With winsome charm and irresistible fantasy, the score features shoe-in favorites, including "In My Own Little Corner," "The Prince is Giving a Ball" and "Ten Minutes Ago." "It's Possible" this timeless tale will have your heart soaring and prove, once and for all, dreams really can come true." 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 HIlton St. Louis Frontenac presents The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show through July 27. "Solve a hilarious crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!" For more information: https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/st-louis

Encore Theatre Group presents A Dream Deferred Double Feature, consisting of performances of Lorraine Hansberry's drama A Raisin in the Sun and the Bruce Norris comedy Clybourne Park, on Saturday July 20. Raisin in the Sun is performed at 2:30 pm and Clybourne Park at 7:30 pm. "A RAISIN IN THE SUN tells the story of the Youngers, a burdened but strong family consisting of a widowed Mother, a bright and lively college student daughter and a less than satisfied with life son who houses his wife and child in his mother's cramped one bedroom apartment in 1959 South Chicago. A seemingly perfect opportunity for the family members to advance on each of their dreams comes in the form of a $10,000 life insurance check for the life of the late Mr. Younger. Each of them have their own plans for the money's best use but it is ultimately up to Momma (Lena Younger) to decide how the money will be used. Will their dreams flourish with this new seed of hope? Or will the plight of poverty and hopelessness continue to crush and dry them up like a raisin in the sun? CLYBOURNE is the 2009 response to the question, 'What happened to the Youngers after leaving Chicago's south side?' Clybourne Park is a political satire that lends the perspective of the White family who sold the Youngers their house in a less than welcoming neighborhood. In the second act, the audience will witness a fast-forward in time to a modern day conversation between the current homeowners (Younger descendants) and new hopeful White purchasers. WARNING: CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE AND SITUATIONS!" The performance takes place at The Fellowship, 3453 S. Jefferson. For more information: www.eventbrite.com

The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents the Final Showcase and Celebration on Sunday, July 21, at 7:30 pm. " 20 singers take to the stage and sing their hearts out for you. Stick around and enjoy drink and a nosh and say farewell to another STL Cabaret Conference. Celebrate with us!." The event takes place at The Stage at KDHX on Washington in Grand Center. For more information: www.eventbrite.com

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Flaming Saddles through July 28 The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

The Muny presents the musical Footloose opening on Thursday, July 18, at 8:15 p.m. and running through July 24. "Kick off your Sunday shoes with this 80s favorite! Based on the 1984 Academy Award-nominated blockbuster hit, Footloose shows how a little teenage rebellion and a love of music can open hearts and transform a town. Featuring chart-topping hits, including "Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Holding Out for a Hero" and the Grammy-nominated title track "Footloose," this four-time Tony Award-nominated dancing-sensation will have the entire family burning and yearning to cut loose!" Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Grease July 19 through August 18. " Welcome to Rydell High where Danny Zuko and his gang of Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies rule the school! Bursting with explosive energy and 1950's nostalgia, GREASE blends an irresistible mix of adolescent angst and All-American teen spirit to create a high-octane, pop-culture phenomenon 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.

St. Louis Shakespeare's Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents Jaws: The Parody, opening on Friday, July 19, at 8 pm and running through July 27. Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission in University City. For more information: www.stlshakespeare.org

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of ABBA, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through July 21. "This smash Broadway hit is a hilarious and touching story of marriage, family and finding where you belong. Set on an idyllic Greek island on the eve of a wedding, the musical follows a mother, her daughter, and three possible dads on an unforgettable trip down the aisle. Mamma Mia! features the greatest hits of supergroup ABBA, including "Super Trouper," "Lay All Your Love On Me," "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo" and more! Come see why more than 54 million people worldwide have laughed and danced to this unforgettable jukebox musical. " Performances take place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit www.siue.edu.

Take Two Productions the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of ABBA, Thursday through Saturday, July 18-20, at 7:30 pm. "ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago." Performances take place at Tower Grove Baptist Church, 4257 Magnolia in the Shaw neighborhood. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Muurder in Maaaybury! through July 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Great Negro Works of Art
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 2 July 19-28 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 "Great Negro Works of Art" by Neil LaBute, Predilections by Richard Curtis, "Henrietta" by Joseph Krawczyk, and "Sisyphus and Icarus a Love story" by William Ivor Fowke. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

First Run Theatre presents the plays Overdone by David Hamley and Screaming at Optimum Pitch by Peg Flach Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 19-28. Performances take place at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, 517 Theatre Lane in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: firstruntheatre.com.

The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents the Professional Track Showcase on Saturday, July 20, at 7 pm. "6 select singers from around the country each perform a cabaret set in this culmination of 9 days of study with the St. Louis Cabaret Conference's renowned faculty." The event takes place at The Stage at KDHX on Washington in Grand Center. For more information: www.eventbrite.com

The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents the Sing Center Stage Showcase on Tuesday, July 16, at 7:30 pm. "18 talented teens take to the stage to showcase the work they've been doing for 5 days as part of this summer performance intensive. This is just the beginning!" The performance takes place at Jazz St. Louis on Washington in Grand Center. For more information: tickets.jazzstl.org

Carol Schmidt
The Cabaret Project presents its monthly Singers Open Mic Night on Wednesday, July 17, 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. Your MC is Chuck Lavazzi of KDHX-FM. 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 in the .ZACK Performing Arts Center in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.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.

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 12, 2019

New productions by the Muny and Union Avenue Opera are on the list this weekend.

New This Week:

Candide
Photo by Dan Donovan
Union Avenue Opera presents Leonard Bernstein's Candide Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, through July 13. 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: It has been 25 years since Opera Theatre did their production of the often-revised Bernstein classic—which is, as it happens, exactly as long as Union Avenue Opera has been in existence. As I note in my review, this version of the show is a worth successor to the excellent one OTSL offered us all those years ago. I can't recommend it strongly enough.


Cinderella
Photo courtesy of The Muny
The Muny presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderalla opening on Monday, July 8, at 8:15 p.m. and running through Tuesday, July 16. "A magical evening awaits, but we mustn't be late! This Rodgers and Hammerstein treasure began as one of the most-watched television programs in history and was finally produced on Broadway in 2013, receiving nine Tony Award nominations. With winsome charm and irresistible fantasy, the score features shoe-in favorites, including "In My Own Little Corner," "The Prince is Giving a Ball" and "Ten Minutes Ago." "It's Possible" this timeless tale will have your heart soaring and prove, once and for all, dreams really can come true." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

My take: I'm usually suspicious of re-writes of classical musicals, but this 2013 makeover of the 1957 made-for-TV classic (which starred Julie Andrews, fresh from her Broadway success in My Fair Lady) was nominated for nine Tony Awards when it appeared on the Great White Way (despite very mixed reviews), and the Muny's new production has gotten high marks for the strength of its cast and it innovative look. Not everyone is impressed here either, but it looks like fun, and you have to give playwright Douglas Carter Beane credit for giving the show a contemporary spin. Plus, all  the hit tunes from the original are still there (although some have new lyrics).

Monday, July 08, 2019

Review: All for the best

Union Avenue Opera has opened its 25th anniversary season with a splendid production of the 1988 Scottish Opera House version of Leonard Bernstein's Candide. The show was last seen locally at Opera Theatre of St. Louis the same year Union Avenue was born, and this is a worthy successor to that exemplary production in just about every respect.

The company
Photo by Dan Donovan
Candide has had a convoluted and difficult history. Even before its 1956 Broadway premiere, it had already gone through a string of lyricists (including Dorothy Parker and James Agee) and over a dozen revisions by Lillian Hellman of her original book. Various incarnations of the show continued to pop up here and there during the ensuing decades, including a 1973 Harold Prince revival that jettisoned half of the score and (after moving to the Broadway Theatre the following year) ended up over $150,000 in the red despite a string of Tony and Critics Circle awards. The 1988 revision UAO is doing was the last one Bernstein himself deemed satisfactory and, while it sags a bit in the second act, it's still effectively the composer's last word on the subject.

L-R: Jesse Darden, Thomas Gunther
Photo by Dan Donovan
Candide is based loosely on Voltaire's brief comic novel puncturing the absurdities of complacent optimism. Indoctrinated by their tutor Dr. Pangloss to believe that they live in "the best of all possible worlds," the handsome Candide and his beloved Cunegonde learn the hard way that human life, in its natural state, is (to quote Thomas Hobbes) "nasty, poor, brutish, and short."

The script puts them through a thoroughly incredible series of globetrotting adventures and (especially) coincidences that take satirical jabs at organized religion, politics, love, and nearly every other human institution. In the end, Candide and Cunegonde learn to accept the world as it is and make the best of it. In a chorale finale that contains some of Bernstein's most ecstatic music, they agree to "make our garden grow".

Brooklyn Snow
Photo by Dan Donovan
This ought to be the basis for biting parody and theatrical farce, and much of the time it is. Bernstein's final version adds some of sentimental and dramatic moments that would have the overall effect of soft-pedaling the irony if recent political events in the English-speaking world had not so forcefully illustrated the degree to which we were living in our own Panglossian fantasy world.

Great voices and generally first-rate performances dominate UAO's production, with pride of place going to the performers who carry the bulk of the story: the chorus. Under Scott Schoonover's expert direction, this remarkable 15-member ensemble takes on a bewildering variety of roles in the opera's many scenes. Some have named roles and some don't, but all of them are always thoroughly in character and singing with crystalline clarity.

There are more wonderful individual performances in the cast than I can list here, but two of the most obvious come from tenor Jesse Darden as the painfully naive Candide and soprano Brooklyn Snow as Cunegonde.

Christopher Nelson, Brooklyn Snow
Photo by Dan Donovan
Mr. Darden makes the evolution of his character completely credible and sings with authority and power. A graduate of the prestigious Indiana University Vocal Performance program, Ms. Snow displays a stunning combination of vocal athleticism and sparkling stage presence. Her performance of the celebrated coloratura aria "Glitter and be gay" got sustained and richly deserved applause. Together, they are "a practically perfect pair" (to quote Stephen Sondheim, who contributed lyrics to the Harold Prince version of Candide).

Baritone Thomas Gunther, an admirable Captain Corcoran in UAO's H.M.S. Pinafore last season, turns in another fine set of comic performances as Voltaire, Pangloss, and Candide's two traveling companions. Tenor Charlie Tingen gets plenty of laughs as Cunegonde's vain brother Maximillian. And tenor Christopher Nelson makes a striking UAO debut in multiple roles.

L-R: Gina Malone, Brooklyn Snow, Charlie Tingen,
Jesse Darden, Anthony Heinemann,
Thomas Gunther
Photo by Dan Donovan
Soprano Gina Malone (Peep-Bo in UAO's quirky Mikado in 2016) is a delight as the maid Paquette, a girl who can't say "no" in any language. Celebrated soprano Christine Brewer brings her usual finely honed instrument to the role of the cynical Old Lady, who is a bit short in the fundament department, but this cheerfully vulgar character doesn't seem a good match for her strengths.

Bernstein's score is extraordinarily rich, ranging from ingenious patter songs to massive, harmonically complex ensemble numbers. It's wonderful music and, in a work that runs three hours with intermission, there's a lot of it. Mr. Schoonover and his orchestral forces give a fine account of it, despite a few moments when the players and singers seemed not quite in synch.

Brooklyn Snow, Christine Brewer, Jesse Darden
Photo by Dan Donovan
Stage Director Annamaria Pileggi has done a fine job moving her substantial forces quickly through the opera's many scenes with minimal use of props and set pieces. Indeed, C. Otis Sweezey's set consists of little more than some platforms, a few ornate ladder-back chairs, and a set of poles on which the actors hang signs to let us know where the action is taking place. Teresa Doggett's costumes continue the theme of elegant minimalism, with most of the performers in white, Mozart-era outfits to which small items like hats or coats are added to suggest individual characters. It all keeps the show flowing smoothly and at a brisk pace.

Union Avenue Opera's Candide gets the company's new season off to a glorious start. There are two more performances this Friday and Saturday at 8 pm (July 12 and 13) at the Union Avenue Christian Church at 733 Union in the Central West End. Given the size of the crowd when I attended last Saturday, you'd be wise to get your tickets sooner rather than later.

Saturday, July 06, 2019

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 8, 2019

This week, we have new shows from The Muny and Independent Theatre Company along with cabaret Queen tribute and two different productions of Mamma Mia!.

Candide
Photo by Dan Donovan
Union Avenue Opera presents Leonard Bernstein's Candide Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, through July 13. 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.

The Muny presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderalla opening on Monday, July 8, at 8:15 p.m. and running through Tuesday, July 16. "A magical evening awaits, but we mustn't be late! This Rodgers and Hammerstein treasure began as one of the most-watched television programs in history and was finally produced on Broadway in 2013, receiving nine Tony Award nominations. With winsome charm and irresistible fantasy, the score features shoe-in favorites, including "In My Own Little Corner," "The Prince is Giving a Ball" and "Ten Minutes Ago." "It's Possible" this timeless tale will have your heart soaring and prove, once and for all, dreams really can come true." 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 HIlton St. Louis Frontenac presents The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show through July 27. "Solve a hilarious crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!" For more information: https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/st-louis

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Flaming Saddles through July 28 The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Independent Theater Company presents Ntozake Shange's choreopoem For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, July 12-14. "Ntozake Shange's groundbreaking 'choreopoem' is a spellbinding collection of vivid prose and free verse narratives about and performed by Black women." Performances take place at the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, 517 Theatre Lane in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of ABBA, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, July 12-21. "This smash Broadway hit is a hilarious and touching story of marriage, family and finding where you belong. Set on an idyllic Greek island on the eve of a wedding, the musical follows a mother, her daughter, and three possible dads on an unforgettable trip down the aisle. Mamma Mia! features the greatest hits of supergroup ABBA, including "Super Trouper," "Lay All Your Love On Me," "Dancing Queen," "Waterloo" and more! Come see why more than 54 million people worldwide have laughed and danced to this unforgettable jukebox musical. " Performances take place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit www.siue.edu.

Take Two Productions the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of ABBA, Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, at 7:30 pm and Thursday through Saturday, July 18-20, at 7:30 pm. "ABBA's hits tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago." Performances take place at Tower Grove Baptist Church, 4257 Magnolia in the Shaw neighborhood. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org.

The Presenters Dolan presents Terry Barber's Mercury - The Music of Freddie Mercury and Queen on Saturday, July 13, at 8 pm. "A band that rocked the world, and the fame, decadence, tragedy and triumph that swirled around its leader. Hear incredible renditions of We Will Rock You, The Show Must Go On, Under Pressure, I Want It All, Hammer To Fall, Radio Ga Ga, Fat Bottomed Girls, Love Of My Life, We Are The Champions, Barcelona, The Great Pretender, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Bohemian Rhapsody and more. Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: www.metrotix.com

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Muurder in Maaaybury! through July 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Color Timer
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 1 through July 14 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 "Great Negro Works of Art" by Neil LaBute, "Color Timer" by Michael Long, "Privilege" by Joe Sutton, and "Kim Jong Rosemary" by Carter W. Lewis. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Encore Theatre Group presents Lorraine Hansberry's drama A Raisin in the Sun Thursday, July 11, at 7:30 pm. "A RAISIN IN THE SUN tells the story of the Youngers, a burdened but strong family consisting of a widowed Mother, a bright and lively college student daughter and a less than satisfied with life son who houses his wife and child in his mother's cramped one bedroom apartment in 1959 South Chicago. A seemingly perfect opportunity for the family members to advance on each of their dreams comes in the form of a $10,000 life insurance check for the life of the late Mr. Younger. Each of them have their own plans for the money's best use but it is ultimately up to Momma (Lena Younger) to decide how the money will be used. Will their dreams flourish with this new seed of hope? Or will the plight of poverty and hopelessness continue to crush and dry them up like a raisin in the sun?" The performance takes place at The Fellowship, 3453 S. Jefferson. For more information: www.eventbrite.com.

The Revolutionists
Photo by John Lamb
Insight Theatre Company presents The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through July 14. "Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world. It's a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold. " Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.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.