St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 27, 2017

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Lindenwood University presents the comedy Anton in Show Business March 30 - April 9. "This madcap comedy follows three actresses across the footlights, down the rabbit hole and into a strangely familiar Wonderland that looks a lot like American theatre… the resemblance is uncanny! As these women pursue their dream of performing Chekhov in Texas, they're whisked through a maelstrom of 'good ideas' that offer unique solutions to the Three Sister's need to have life's deeper purpose revealed. In the tradition of great backstage comedies, Anton in Show Business conveys the joys, pains and absurdities of 'putting on a play' at the turn of the century." The performances take place at The Lindenwood Theatre at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information, call 636-949-4433 or visit www.lindenwood.edu/center.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Big Easy Murder through April 30. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

The Comedy of Errors
Photo: Autumn Rinaldi

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., March 31 - April 9. Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

Alton Little Theater presents the comedy/drama Driving Miss Daisy Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., through April 2. "In 1948 Atlanta, Daisy Werthan, a rich, sharp-tongued, Jewish, 72-year-old widow has just demolished another car. Her son Boolie informs her that he will from this point on be hiring a chauffeur for her. Thus begins the 25-year relationship between Daisy and Hoke Colburn, her driver. She regards him with disdain and he is not impressed with her patronizing tone and latent prejudice. But despite their differences, they grow closer and more dependent on each other over time. The once contentious relationship blossoms into a profound, life-altering friendship that transcends all the societal boundaries placed between them. An iconic tale of pride, changing times and the transformative power of friendship." Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Card magician An Ha Lim
Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fox Theatre presents The Illusionists-Live From Broadway, opening on Friday, March 31, and running through Sunday. "Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, The Illusionists has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth." The Fox in at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Take Two Productions the musical It Shoulda Been You through April 1. The show is "a mad-cap wedding celebration we know you won't want to miss! After all, who doesn't love a wedding? Especially one that includes a beautiful blushing bride, her uninvited and unrequited boyfriend, a groom with a secret, a sister with her own hidden agenda, and a pair of mothers from hell. This refreshingly modern romantic comedy has more than a few surprising twists in store as out comes the bride and groom in a wedding you are sure to remember." Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org.

The Hawthorne Players present Love Letters March 31 - April 9. "Andy and Melissa, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends, whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. They continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years. Andy's last letter, written to Melissa's mother, makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years- physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.: 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.

Florissant Fine Arts Council presents Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, Live on Sunday, April 2, at 7 p.m. at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker Road at Waterford Drive in Florissant, MO. "This one-man fusion of theatre and stand-up is based on the New York Times #1 best-selling book of the last decade by John Gray. Moving swiftly through a series of vignettes, the show covers everything from dating and marriage to the bedroom. Sexy and fast-paced, this show is definitely for adults. It's a great recipe for a night out: a little storytelling blended with some comedy and a dash of sage wisdom from the book." For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit florissantmo.com.

Million Dollar Quartet

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the musical Million Dollar Quartet through April 9. “Million Dollar Quartet is the Tony® Award winning Broadway musical, inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Murder at the Abbey through April 29. "Welcome to the world of Downton Abbey! A world full of aristocracy, old money but never anything as droll as murder! Congratulations! You've been invited to the dinner party held by the Earl of Grantham himself! Some would kill for the opportunity to meet the Crawley family. They'll all be there! The Earl, his beautiful wife and three daughters...not to mention all the other characters in, (and around), the Grantham house. That's right! All the family, staff and townsfolk will be there. You'll meet lots of fun characters...and you'll play as big, (or as small), of a part as you wish. Up to you. Hope nothing bad happens...but if it does...we might need you to help us figure it out? Or perhaps you're the killer?" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Muny Magic at the Sheldon presents Nicholas Rodriguez in My 70s Show Wednesday and Thursday, March 29 and 30, at 7:30 p.m. "My 70s Show will fuse all things you love and remember about the 1970s with the music of Broadway, Bossa Nova, Folk and of course Disco in a unique and intimate evening filled with charm, personality and soul!" Performances take place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: muny.org.

Never the Sinner
Photo: Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Never the Sinner through April 2. "Chicago, 1924. Clarence Darrow is defending Nathan Leopold Jr., age 18, and Robert Loeb, age 19, in the 'Crime of the Century.' The two had decided to commit the 'perfect murder,' just for the thrill of it. Considering themselves Nietzsche's übermensch (supermen), they concluded they were removed from the moral and social imperatives of the world. They brutally murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks but were quickly apprehended. Darrow's defense of them was an eloquent plea against capital punishment. This exquisite play asks what demons lurked in the minds of these two young men and the complex relationship between them. This is a love story set to themes of crime and punishment, the press, the times, humanism, Nietzsche's philosophy and the end of the jazz age." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents Next Fall Friday through Sunday, March 31 - April 2. “Adam and Luke are in a happy, committed relationship. They have been living together for years, despite some minor differences: Luke is a Christian and Adam is very much not. This leads to some debates, as well as to Luke keeping his relationship with Adam a secret from his family. Everything is running somewhat smoothly, until a sudden accident forces Adam to turn to Luke's family for support. This touching and funny play questions the limits of love and faith.” Performances take place in the Stage III Auditorium in Webster Hall on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

Dena Blizzard

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents One Funny Mother Thursday through Sunday, March 30 - April 2. "One Funny Mother stars comedian, former Miss New Jersey, and married mother of three, Dena Blizzard, in her hilarious solo comedy show about the trials and tribulations of motherhood and marriage. An outrageous and side splitting 80-minutes of sass that follows Dena on her hilarious journey through a day of cleaning as she prepares for her big “Girls Night Out.” Along the way she laments how her life and marriage have changed since becoming a mother of three, wrestling with the eternal question, “Have I gone crazy since having these kids?” The answer is a hysterical, “laugh 'til your face hurts” comedy that you won't want to miss." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Curtain's Up Theatre presents Pinocchio on Sunday, April2, at 2 p.m. "From the moment Pinocchio wrecks Mastroni's puppet show until he becomes a real boy for rescuing his father from the great fish, the excitement never abates in this charming adaptation. The Blue Fairy and her three wood elves introduce the story, set the scenes and work the magic as Pinocchio travels his road of misadventures. Pinocchio's 'growing' nose, Pleasure Isle, the Great Fish are all handled with fascinating simplicity." The performance takes place The Wildey Theatre is at252 North Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. For more information, visit curtainsuptheater.com.

The Black Rep presents the drama Seven Guitars by August Wilson March 29 - April 23. " Set in 1948 in the backyard of a Pittsburgh apartment house, Seven Guitars follows Floyd " Schoolboy" Barton's circle of friends and neighbors-the play's seven voices-as they spin a rich tale of the deck that's stacked against them, what they've lost and all they dream of. Part murder mystery, part memory play, Seven Guitars depicts the events leading up to the untimely death of Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton, a gifted blues guitarist. Released from jail after serving time for the crime of “worthlessness,” Floyd tries to retrieve his guitar and get to Chicago to make a record. He believes he is on the brink of a career breakthrough, but bad decisions and worse luck prevent him from leaving Pittsburgh. " Performances take place in the Emerson Performance Space on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University in midwotn. For more information: theblackrep.org.

Rebel and Misfits Productions presents Sex With Strangers Wednesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m., March 30 - April 15. “How far will you go to get what you want? Will you be the same person if you do? When twenty-something star sex blogger and memoirist Ethan tracks down his idol, the gifted but obscure novelist Olivia, he finds they crave what the other possesses. As attraction turns to sex, and they inch closer to getting what they want, both most confront the dark side of ambition and the trouble of reinventing oneself when the past is only a click away.” Performances take place at a private home in the Central West End at 4632 McPherson Avenue. All attendees in the play's small, intimate audience of 50 people, must be age 18+. For more information: www.anintimatetheatreproject.com.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company presents Silent Sky Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., March 31 - April 9, in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. "When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn't allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women's probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman's place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women's ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications; Henrietta Leavitt and her female peers believe in both, and their dedication changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth." For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

Over Due Theatre presents musical Sister Act Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, March 31 - April 9. "Blessed with a rollicking new musical score from Alan Menken - the composer who brought us BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LITTLE MERMAID, NEWSIES, and ALADDIN - this divine comedy about a sassy, low-rent lounge singer forced to hide out from the mob in the last place anyone would ever look for her - a convent - recently became one of Broadway's smash hit musicals and continues to attract flocks of faithful followers wherever it goes thanks to its soulful chorus of swingin' sisters." 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.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents Son of Soil Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., March 30 - April 2. "America is sick. The rivers run with blood and the trees bend under human weight. Peak, Ohio is a town trapped by horrific traditions and Ruth has seen her share. In this lyrical vision, she must learn to love across boundaries and find solace in the world that remains." The performances take place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue

Alfresco Productions presents the comedy/drama Steel Magnolias through April 1. "The celebrated Southern classic of family and friendship, this is the story of a group of strong and beautiful women who cluster around Truvy's Beauty Parlow in a small Louisiana parish. The story centers on Shelby, who moves fro wedding to childbirth to medical complications with a love of live and a willingness to face its possibilities bravely with support from steely southern sisterhood." Performances take place at the Alfresco Art Center, 2401 Delmar in Granite City, IL. For more information: (618) 560-1947 or www.alfrescoproductions.org.

Dance St. Louis presents Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., March 31 and April 1. "Through a fusion of film, dance, and music, this dazzling international sensation takes audiences on a live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society. The production is a high energy celebration of new India's pop music, Bollywood culture, and deep traditions featuring colorful costumes, joyful dance, and thrilling live music." Performances take place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Missouri, St. Louis. For more information: dancestlouis.org.

Review: "The Illusionists" entertains but falls a bit short of hype

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

An Ha Lim
Photo: Joan Marcus

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The Illusionists Live From Broadway, which bills itself as the "next generation" in magic, arrived at Chicago's Oriental Theatre last week (February 21-16) trailing clouds of hype -- as magic shows have always done. Featuring seven performers, each with his own specialty, The Illusionists promises high-gloss wonder. If what we saw at the Saturday matinee is any indication, it mostly delivers, even if many of the effects are likely to be very familiar to fans of stage magic.

As a former magician myself, I've become something of a connoisseur of conjuring over the years. There's nothing I love more than a good magic act, and The Illusionists delivered six very fine ones when we saw the show (Dan Sperry, "The Anti-Conjurer," was inexplicably absent).

Andrew Basso
Photo: Joan Marcus

I was most impressed by Korean sleight of hand artist An Ha Lim's gracefully balletic way of producing seemingly endless fans of cards from thin air. Although nearly every magician who has ever cracked a book on card tricks knows the principles Mr. Lim employs, only a precious few take them to his stratospheric heights. His routine is a double illusion in that it, like Fred Astaire's dancing, creates the impression of effortlessness that only comes with years of effort.

The larger-scale illusions of Kevin James ("The Inventor"), while not especially novel, were nevertheless slick and flawlessly executed. His best effect, for me, was an ingenious variation on the traditional "solid through solid" gag with a coin and a Perrier bottle, all done right under the delighted nose of a young volunteer from the audience.

Andrew Basso, "The Escapologist," also impressed with the Water Torture Cell escape that was a fixture of Houdini's act for a number of years. Handcuffed and with his ankles locked in stocks, the performer is suspended upside-down in a tank of water and must escape before his air runs out. Houdini used to do it behind a curtain, extricating himself within a couple of minutes but drawing out the suspense until everyone was sure he must have drowned. Mr. Basso does it in full view of the audience using a paper clip to pick the locks, which puts him one up on Houdini.

Colin Cloud
Photo: Joan Marcus

Colin Cloud, billed as "The Deductionist," does a mentalist act, making seemingly miraculous predictions and appearing to read the minds of volunteers. He presents it all as a form of observation and deduction in the manner of Sherlock Holmes, and some of it probably is, although he appears to use some more traditional tricks of the trade as well. It is, in any case, a very entertaining specialty, and Mr. Cloud is a most engaging performer.

Jonathan Goodwin, a.k.a "The Daredevil," has only one number, but it's a goodie involving sharpshooting with a crossbow. His finale involves putting on a blindfold and hitting a balloon held over the head of his assistant, guided only by the sound of a bell. If it's an illusion, it's an incredibly realistic one. If it's not, maybe his assistant should be labeled a daredevil as well.

Kevin James
Photo: Joan Marcus

Less interesting, for me, was the comedy act of Jeff Hobson, who is billed as "The Trickster." He's the MC, which means he gets more stage time than anyone else, and I thought his Liberace-esque persona and nonstop "gay" jokes got a bit old after a while as a result. Most of his tricks also cover very familiar territory. He does a nifty "egg bag" routine, though, and in all fairness most of the audience clearly found him entertaining.

So while The Illusionists certainly delivered a couple of hours of solid entertainment it did not entirely live up its hype. I was hoping for more big, spectacular illusions and a bit more sleight of hand. Overall, I think this would be a stronger show with fewer acts and more time devoted to each one, especially Mr. James and Mr. Lim. Your mileage may vary.

The illusionists Live From Broadway closed its Chicago run on Sunday, February 27, and will make several more stops before playing the Fox here in St. Louis at the end of March.