Chuck's Choices for the weekend of September 6, 2019

This week's list features a pair of comic film adaptations.

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New This Week:

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The 39 Steps

St. Louis Shakespeare presents The 39 Steps running through September 7. "Four actors play over 100 characters in this hilarious parody of Hitchcock's 1935 thriller. You won't want to miss it!" Performances take place at Tower Grove Baptist Church, 4257 Magnolia Ave. For more information: stlshakespeare.org.

My take: This is one of those shows that is as much about the acting as the script, since all the roles are played by just four performers. It takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to Hitchock's breezy adaptation of John Buchan's classic thriller (one of a series of novels starring Buchan's stalwart Everyman hero, Richard Hannay), turning it into an action comedy and quick-change festival. "If you have four gifted comedic actors, regardless of budget and set complexity," writes Michelle Kenyon on her blog, "you can do this show. And STL Shakespeare certainly has those four gifted performers, as well as a fun approach and excellent pacing and setting." At KDHX, Tina Farmer writes that "director Dustin Massie and the four person cast mine the action and dialogue to maximum comic effect. Phil Leveling is thoroughly engaging as the dashing and courageous Hannay, and he uses his height and expressive face to his advantage. Kelly Schnider is appealing as Edwards and Schmidt, with an arched eyebrow punctuating her reactions. Rebecca Loughridge and Brian Kappler, credited as Clown 1 and Clown 2, fill in the plot while adding plenty of laughs as they skillfully juggle multiple characters and props with expectedly humorous results." Looks like a fun beginning to the fall theatre season.

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Shakespeare in Love
Photo by John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents Shakespeare in Love by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, through September 15. "Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block… the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse - Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will's greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will's love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

My take: This stage adaptation of the justifiably popular 1998 Tom Stoppard/Marc Norman film apparently compresses the plot a bit but retains all the important elements. Insight's production features a large (24-person) cast that includes many actors who will be familiar to you, including Whit Richers, Joneal Joplin, Carl Overly, and Michelle Hand. At KDHX, Tina Farmer writes that "spirited performances and an abundance of slyly referential dialogue ensure the show is an enjoyable diversion." "It's never not fun to watch Whit Reichert and Joneal Joplin play off each other," writes Ann Lemmons Pollack on her blog, "[a]nd we’ve got the bonus of live music from seven musicians, several of which also appear in roles in the show...It's a pleasure. Goeth thou. "