St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of August 3, 2015

[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 web site.

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Anything Goes

Stages St. Louis presents Cole Porter's Anything Goes through August 16. "Set sail on the S. S. American with a zany group of travelers, bound from New York to merry old England, where gangsters, socialites, and arrow-collar lads collide in a true tap-sensation from a by-gone era when travel was still fun and as unpredictable as the weather. There'll be laughs a-plenty set to a raucous and romantic Cole Porter score. Enjoy meltingly romantic melodies as "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "It's De-Lovely," "Easy To Love," "You're The Top," and "Anything Goes," that will inspire an uproarious and tune-filled trip across the Atlantic where ANYTHING GOES!" Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Beauty and the Beast

The Muny presents Beauty and the Beast nightly at 8:15 PM, opening on Wednesday, July 29 and running through Friday, August 7, in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. "'Be Our Guest' for the magical family extravaganza, Disney's Beauty and The Beast, returning to The Muny for 10 amazing performances. This enchanting, musical tells the classic love story set to the Academy Award® winning music of Alan Menken and Tim Rice. Based on the 1991 hit animated film, Disney's Beauty and The Beast has become one of the most popular musicals in the world. For 97 years, The Muny 'family show' has been one of the greatest St. Louis traditions, and our production of this Disney classic show will thrill you and your family!" For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents A Fistful Of Hollers through August 29. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

The Randy Dandies presents Burlesque Bingo on Thursdays from 9 to 11 p.m. "As anyone who frequents the bingo parlors knows, the facade of genteel decorum drops once the first game is won. The first cry of "Bingo!" fires up the blood something fierce, and all bets are off from that point forward. Now, imagine what would happen if you throw semi-clad young women into the mix - Ok, now stop imagining. The Randy Dandies present Burlesque Bingo from 9pm to 11:30 pm on Thursdays, and and it promises all the thrills of cutthroat bingo, with the added titillation of local burlesque performers and specialty variety acts plus silly prizes." The show takes place at Meyer's Grove, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: therandydandies.com.

Carousel

The Hawthorne Players present the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel through August 9. "Carousel tells the story of a swaggering, carefree carnival barker, Billy Bigelow, who falls in love with a mill worker, Julie Jordan. Years after he dies tragically, Billy is given a chance to return for a day to try to brighten the life of his unhappy 15-year-old daughter Louise. He watches as the school principal inspires Louise by assuring her that so long as she has hope in her heart, she'll never walk alone." 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.com.

The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler
Photo: Kim Carlson

St. Louis Shakespeare presents The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler by Jeff Whitty Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through August 9. "This play follows Hedda into the hereafter. There, she encounters Mammy of "Gone With the Wind" fame, and they join forces. Along the way, they encounter starlets, leading ladies, and other madwomen locked in the literary attic, in this darkly funny show." Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Get "Hitched" To A Redneck Or Die through October 31. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Clinton County Showcase presents Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar August 6-9. “1970 rock opera musical based on the Gospel accounts of the last week of Jesus's life. The show highlights political and interpersonal struggles of Jesus' time, of our time, between Jesus and others, and between Jesus' message and our perception of him.” Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Act Two Theatre presents Moonlight and Magnolias August 7 - 16. "1939 Hollywood is abuzz. Legendary producer David O. Selznick has shut down production of his new epic, Gone with the Wind, a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's novel. The screenplay, you see, just doesn't work. So what's an all-powerful movie mogul to do? While fending off the film's stars, gossip columnists and his own father-in-law, Selznick sends a car for famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and pulls formidable director Victor Fleming from the set of The Wizard of Oz. Summoning both to his office, he locks the doors, closes the shades, and on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men labor over five days to fashion a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time." 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.

Moon Over Buffalo
Photo: John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents Ken Ludwig's farce Moon Over Buffalo through August 9. "Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950's who are playing Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac in rep in Buffalo, New York. On the brink of a disastrous split-up, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if he likes what he sees, he might cast them in his new film. Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does. As a result, this tribute to "Life in the Theatre" is simply outrageously hilarious!! " Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Rigoletto
Photo: John Lamb

Union Avenue Opera presents Verdi's Rigoletto Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, July 31 - August 8. "A tale of innocence lost, Rigoletto is Verdi's tense and brutal tale of a deformed court jester caught in a snare of corruption, lechery, and vengeance. It is a chilling whirlwind of revenge: Rigoletto, jester to the Duke of Mantua, cannot protect the person he most loves from the person he most loathes. His beloved daughter Gilda falls in love with the hated Duke and eventually sacrifices her life to save the Duke from the assassin hired by her father. This iconic melodrama boasts an action-packed plot and a parade of brilliant music, including the Duke's boastful "La donna è mobile," Rigoletto's "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata," and Gilda's stunning "Caro nome."" 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Spellbound!

Dramatic License Productions presents Six Plays in Three Days Friday through Sunday, August 7-9, as part of its Play Reading Series. " DLP presents the staged readings of six plays by, for and about women. Scripts will be selected by a play reading committee. During performance weekend, audiences can select by ballot their choices for a future fully-staged production." The performance takes place at Dramatic License Theatre located at the upper-level Sears wing of Chesterfield Mall. For more information, call 636-821-1746 or visit www.dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

Stray Dog Theatre presents the musical Spellbound! A Musical Fable Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM August 6 - 22. "Spellbound is the story of a young woman's journey for inner strength and self-worth in a mythical land where at every turn she is thwarted by an evil enchantress, shape-shifting beasts, and a plethora of magic potions. Full of humor and adventure this world premiere musical is not to be missed! " Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

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.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of April 20, 2015

[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 web site.

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The Age of Bees

Tesseract Theatre Company presents The Age of Bees through April 28. "It's the year 2098. The bees are gone and the world struggles to keep up with the resulting ecological and economic changes. In the midst of this, we meet Mel, a young woman who has found sanctuary on an agricultural compound, where there's food and safety. She works alongside other girls, also orphans or castoffs. Sarah and Zed, who run the farm, hope that their next child will be a boy; Sarah is at the end of her fertility, however, and, to her dismay, Mel stands next in line to carry children for Zed. Into this uncertain sanctuary steps Jonathan, an independent field researcher who collects samples of plants to forestall additional ecological devastation. Meeting Mel provides a glimmer of other kinds of scientific riches on this compound, and he is determined to take her with him. Zed's history of violence makes any escape a dangerous proposition. Still, there's the hope that something new can grow, that something good can come from the ruined world they struggle to make theirs." Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Yasmina Reza's comedy Art through May 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. "How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art? One of Marc's best friends, Serge, has just bought a very expensive painting. It's about five feet by four, all white with white diagonal lines. To Marc, the painting is a joke, but Serge insists Marc doesn't have the proper standard to judge the work. Another friend, Ivan, though burdened by his own problems, allows himself to be pulled into this disagreement. Eager to please, Ivan tells Serge he likes the painting. Lines are drawn and these old friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter one another over various failures. As their arguments become less theoretical and more personal, they border on destroying their friendships. At the breaking point, Serge hands Marc a felt tip pen and dares him: “Go on.” This is where the friendship is finally tested, and the aftermath of action, and its reaction, affirms the power of those bonds." For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

St. Louis University Theatre presents Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It April 24-May 3. The source of some of Shakespeare's most famous lines this comedy follows the challenging path of love for Rosalind and Orlando. Performances take place in Xavier Hall, 3373 West Pine Mall. he cast will also be performing an excerpt from the show as part the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis Shake 38 event on Saturday, April 25 from 12-1 pm at the LaMancha Coffee House, 2800 N. 14th St. in Old North St. Louis. For more information, call (314) 977-2998 or visit slumarketplace.slu.edu.
 

Crimes of the Heart

The Hawthorne Players present the Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart through April 26. "Crimes of the Heart is filled with humanity and humor as it examines the plight of three young Mississippi sisters betrayed by their passions. In the end, the play is the story of how its young characters escape the past and seize the future-but the telling is so true and touching and consistently hilarious that it will linger in the mind long after the curtain has descended. This winner of the 1981 Pulitzer Prize will be directed by Ken Clark, who says, "If you think your family has issues, wait until you visit the Magrath household. As my grandmother once said, Southern hospitality can't fix crazy."" 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.com.

Family Musical Theater presents the Stephen Sondheim musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum through April 26 at the Ivory Theatre, 7622 Michigan. For more information, visit familymusical.org or call 314-571-9579.

An Invitation Out
Photo: John Lamb

Mustard Seed Theatre presents An Invitation Out by Shaulee Cook through May 3. "In this world-premiere comedy of manners, a young man searches for “truth” while living in virtual reality and explores the “reality” of life offline." Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

Gateway Opera presents Mozart's The Impresario Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25, at 7:00 p.m. "In this hilarious hour-long show, an entrepreneur struggles to hold together an opera company filled with affairs, feuding singers, and a strained budget. This new expanded English edition commissioned by Gateway Opera features favorites from other Mozart operas including Così fan tutte, The Magic Flute, Idomeneo and more!" Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: 1-800-838-3006 or gatewayopera.org.

Clayton Community Theatre presents Shakespeare's Macbeth Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, April 23-May 3. Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre. For more information, call 314-721-9228 or visit placeseveryone.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Muuurder in Maaaybury through April 25. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Alfresco Productions presents the musical Next to Normal Friday through Sunday, April 24-26 "Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal, because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. Next To Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart. This deeply moving piece of theatre provides a wonderful opportunity for performers to explore dramatic material and showcase vocal talents with an energetic pop/rock score. Next To Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. PARENTAL ADVISORY - STRONG LANGUAGE AND MATURE CONTENT" Performances take place at the Alfresco Art Center, 2401 Delmar in Granite City, IL. For more information: (618) 560-1947 or www.alfrescoproductions.org.

Dramatic License Productions presents the female version of Neil Simon's comedy The Odd Couple April 24-May 10. "Oscar and Felix become Olive and Florence in this, the equally-hilarious female version of Neil Simon's classic comedy about two unlikely roomies who will either become the best of friends or kill each other trying!" Performances take place at Dramatic License Theatre located at upper-level Sears wing of Chesterfield Mall. For more information, call 636-821-1746 or visit www.dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

The Black Rep presents the musical Once on This Island April 22-May 3. "Once on this Island is a warm fairy tale for children of all ages, told with breezy Caribbean rhythms. A young peasant girl in the French Antilles uses the power of love to bring together people of very different social classes." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: theblackrep.org.

Lindenwood University presents Shakespeare's Pericles, Prince of Tyre through April 25. "This action-packed production is a tempest-tossed hero's quest-a magical mystery tour spanning decades and continents, culminating in one of the most joyous reunions in the Shakespearean canon. Featuring pirates, goddesses, jousting knights, and a lost princess, Pericles, Prince of Tyre is a theatrical journey you don't want to miss!" Performances take place 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 lindenwood.edu/center.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Phantom of the Grand Ole Opery through April 26. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

St. Charles Community College presents Ionesco's absurdist comedy Rhinoceros Wednesday through Sunday, April 22-26. Performances take place 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.

KTK Productions presents the farce Sex, Please, We're Sixty April 24-May 3. "Mrs. Stancliffe's Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast has been successful for many years. Her guests (nearly all women) return year after year. Her next door neighbor, the elderly, silver-tongued, Bud "The Stud" Davis believes they come to spend time with him in romantic liaisons. The prim and proper Mrs. Stancliffe steadfastly denies this, but really doesn't do anything to prevent it. She reluctantly accepts the fact that "Bud the Stud" is, in fact, good for business. Her other neighbor and would-be suitor Henry Mitchell is a retired chemist who has developed a blue pill called "Venusia," after Venus the goddess of love, to increase the libido of menopausal women. The pill has not been tested. Add to the guest list three older women: Victoria Ambrose, a romance novelist whose personal life seems to be lacking in romance; Hillary Hudson a friend of Henry's who has agreed to test the Venusia: and Charmaine Beauregard, a "Southern Belle" whose libido does not need to be increased! Bud gets his hands on some of the Venusia pills and the fun begins, as he attempts to entertain all three women! The women mix up Bud's Viagra pills with the Venusia, and we soon discover that it has a strange effect on men: it gives them all the symptoms of menopausal women, complete with hot flashes, mood swings, weeping and irritability! When the mayhem settles down, all the women find their lives moving in new and surprising directions." Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information: kurtainkall.org or call 314-351-8984.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Shake 38, a city wide performance festival in which all 38 of Shakespeare's plays are performed by 38 different groups in a variety of neighborhoods and locations. Performances take place Wednesday through Sunday, April 22-26. For a complete schedule: sfstl.com.

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley presents Steel Magnolias through April 25. Performances take place in the Fisher Theatre on the campus at 3400 Pershall Road. For more information: stlcc.edu/FV under Fischer Theatre or call 314-644-5522.

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.

Minterview: Kim Furlow of Dramatic License Productions

Co-Artistic Director Pamela Reckamp,
Founder/Co-Artistic Director Kim Furlow and
Managing Director Sara Hughes

[Minterview = mini-interview]

Dramatic License Productions is a small professional theatre group that operates out of an 85-seat theatre in the ARTropolis arts district in Chesterfield Mall. The company was founded in late 2009 by St. Louis veteran actress Kim Furlow to offer additional directing, acting and design opportunities to local artists and to bridge the gap in professional theatre offerings west of I-270. DLP staged its first production, Doubt, A Parable downtown in August, 2009. They moved to Chesterfield early in 2010, where they now present five to seven theatre and cabaret performances annually.

Nearly two months ago, DLP announced a major change in its artistic mission to concentrate on the production of plays and musical presentations for, by, and about women. I caught up with Kim Furlow via email to pose a couple of questions about this new direction.

Chuck: The decision to feature plays by and about women represents a significant shift in the artistic focus at Dramatic License. What made you decide to make this move at this point in the company's development?

Kim: Board member Pamela Reckamp, production manager (now managing director) Sara Hughes and I all sat down one evening after our final theatre production of the 2014 season and discussed the fact that our most recent audience survey showed a trend that follows the national one: 68% of all DLP audiences are women. Up to 70% of women nationwide purchase theatre tickets according to a 2013 study by Theatre Communications Group, NYC.

We thought, "How can we increase patronage and serve the largest portion of our audience-women? We had produced a kids' show that bombed, and at least two productions appealing probably mostly to men, which also didn't sell well. We have seen only a slight uptick in attendance since launching the company in late 2009. The highest grossing DLP productions in five seasons were "The Great American Trailer Park Musical", "Steel Magnolias", and "Boeing Boeing" (one comedy, one dramedy and one ribald musical.) 98% of survey respondents were women.

Pam also conducted informal research among 10 local small professional theatre companies to gauge the number of available women roles between 2013-14 vs. the number of men's roles. The findings were pretty astonishing although unfortunately akin to what's happening across the nation: Most plays produced are written by male playwrights and most roles in St. Louis go to men, despite the fact that the number of women showing up at auditions is significantly larger than the number of men. In fact, out of 10 companies casting in 2013-14, we found that 63% of all roles went to men, and a piddly 37% went to women.

The Orange Girls had a successful five-year run producing plays by, for and about women. We hope to pick up where they left off.

DLP isn't necessarily going to produce plays exclusively about women's "issues" but rather stories that resonate with women. They might feature a strong (or weak) leading female character, a particular issue pertaining to women in our past or present, or a particular story written by a female playwright like Beth Henley. Will we exclude male roles, male playwrights or stories that appeal to men? No! We think men will leave the theatre with keen insight not only into women's "issues" but also into their hearts, their desires, their history, their hopes, and their feelings about the opposite sex, among other things. They may just change their minds about how they view women. If we can spark thought and discussion among either of the sexes from our productions, we're doing our jobs and have accomplished our goal.

Chuck: Dramatic License also produces a cabaret series. Will that share the emphasis on women as well? And if so, what form will that take?

Kim: In the interest of providing what our audiences have come to know and expect from DLP: high-quality musical presentations by the areas best vocalists and musicians, we will continue to present an annual Valentine Cabaret (cancelled in 2015 due to maintenance to our theater space) and the popular Holiday Musical Revue Dec. 11-13. This season we've added a June cabaret which will include music by both male and female composers but about themes that resonate with women such as motherhood, marriage, career, the opposite sex and more. More on this show will be announced later.

---

The first show of Dramatic License Production’ sixth season—the first one under its new artistic mission—is The Odd Couple (Female Version), Neil Simon’s 1985 rewrite of his hit comedy from two decades earlier. In this version Felix and Oscar become Florence and Olive, with the sex of other characters changed accordingly. The Pigeon sisters, for example, became the Costazuela brothers, Manolo and Jesus. The show opens on April 24 and runs through May 10. For more information: dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of October 27, 2013

[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 web site.

Share on Google+

DaySpring Arts and Education presents Broadway Then and Now on Thursday, October 30, at 6:30 p.m. "Broadway Then and Now is a musical revue highlighting the iconic Broadway hits of the 20th century. Come see performances from some of your favorite musicals such as West Side Story, Singin' in the Rain, Phantom of the Opera and more! Bring your family and enjoy a show, silent auction, trivia, games, refreshments and so much more." The performance takes place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information: dayspringarts.org.

Max and Louie Productions presents the US premier of the comedy Chancers October 30-November 16. “Aiden's bright and fully stocked store has no customers, a vagrant at the doorstep, and his family living in the back room while they rent their home to strangers. Pre-recession, Aiden expanded his empire and store count and spared no expense. After the foreclosures, the construction workers that once filled his stores were laid off, and no longer paying customers. The skeleton of the closed hot food bar hulks in the corner as daily reminder to Aiden that his store is slowly slipping away. Beyond the brilliant colors and bright lights of the store, we see the fields and the town of Kildare, with its rich horse racing history and plenty of old money. But the view of the town as a quaint village is a thing of the past in a global economy. Tesco has permanently joined the landscape of rolling fields and high street shopping and Aiden is in denial of his certain future.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit maxandlouie.com.

Photo: John Lamb

New Jewish Theater presents The Diary of Anne Frank through November 2. "The iconic story of Anne Frank who hid with her family and four others in the annex of her father's factory. In this gripping and transcendently powerful new adaptation of the original story based on Anne's diary, we see Anne as a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of the time with astonishing honesty, wit and determination.This young girl's remarkable diary has become a testament to the human spirit and illuminates Anne's unwavering belief in justice and love. This moving, true story is essential viewing for every generation - a new adaptation for a new generation." 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: Matthew Murphy

The Fox Theatre presents Dirty Dancing-The Classic Story on Stage Tuesdays through Sundays, through November 2. "Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensational dancing. Seen by millions across the globe, this timeless love story features the hit songs "Hungry Eyes," "Hey Baby," "Do You Love Me?" and the heart-stopping "(I've Had) The Time Of My Life." It's the summer of 1963, and 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is on vacation in New York's Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents. Mesmerized by the racy dance moves and pounding rhythms she discovers in the resort's staff quarters, Baby can't wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle, the resort's sexy dance instructor. Passions ignite and Baby's life changes forever when she is thrown in to the deep end as Johnny's leading lady, both on-stage and off." The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents A Kid Like Jake October 29-November 16. “Alexandra and Greg are stressed. Test scores, campus visits and entrance interviews for their son are almost too much to handle. Especially since this prep isn't for college, it's just part of the process of winning a place in one of Manhattan's exclusive kindergarten programs. Four-year-old Jake's intelligence has him in the running for a top school, but when the focus turns to his imagination and affection for dress-up, acceptance takes on a whole new meaning.” Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

The Presenters Dolan present Ken Haller in his new show Mama's Boy on Thursday and Friday, October 30 and 31, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Ken Haller turns 60 this Halloween, and his birthday present to YOU is his long-awaited, brand new cabaret show "Mama's Boy". Ken got love of music from his Irish-Catholic mom who would sing standards while keeping house and raising five kids. You won't want to miss this heartwarming, hilarious, moving show from one of St. Louis's foremost cabaret artists!"  Al Fischer is the music director and the show is directed by Tim Schall.  The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream through November 9. "Magic, merriment and romance all unite in one of Shakespeare's most beloved and imaginative comedies. Starry-eyed lovers escape to an enchanted forest full of lust and bewitchment, where mischievous fairies play tricks, bumbling actors rehearse for a love-play and couples pursue one another, all under the light of the moon." Performances take place on the mainstage at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Murder on 34th Street through December. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Lindenwood University presents the musucal Oklahoma Thursday through Saturday, October 30-November 1. Performances take place 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 lindenwood.edu/center.

Dramatic License Productions presents Rembrandt's Gift through November 9. "A New York couple is about to be evicted because of his hoarding. A marriage is in jeopardy and something has to give. Suddenly, Rembrandt Van Rijn, the famous Dutch painter steps through the mirror to save the day, or does he save himself? A magical and romantic "dramedy" about love, marriage, aging, passion and ART. Don't miss the regional premiere of Tina Howe's fantastical treat!" Performances take place at Dramatic License Theatre located at the upper level of Chesterfield Mall (near Sears and across from Houlihan's Restaurant). For more information, call 636-220-7012 or visit dramaticlicenseproductions.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Edison Theatre Ovations! presents Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., November 1 and 2. "This American Life host Ira Glass, with Monica Bill Barnes & Company have invented a new show that combines two art forms that -as Glass puts it-'have no business being together-dance and radio.' So what happens when you take one art form that is all words and no visuals and combine it with another art form that is all visuals and no words? You get a funny, lively and talky evening of dance and story. According to Ira Glass, 'People who like This American Life will probably like this because it is just like the radio show, um, if you picture dancers during all the stories.'" Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information, call (314) 935-6543, e-mail edison at wustl.edu or visit edison.wustl.edu.

The Presenters Dolan present The Webster Student Showcase and Benefit on Saturday, November 1, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "These Webster kids have talent, and energy and promise and ambition. At this showcase, three seniors will each perform a 20-mintue show. It's a benefit for the program at Webster -- all proceeds go towards spring auditions in NY and LA." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love! (No Biting) through November 2. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

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 Theatre choices for the weekend of September 19, 2014

As always, the choices are purely my personal opinion. Take with a grain (or a shaker) of salt.

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New This Week:

Photo: John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents Arthur Miller's classic drama Death of a Salesman through September 21. "A true American classic, this drama follows the last day in the life of salesman Willy Loman. Through memories, dreams and explosive arguments, playwright Arthur Miller delves into the contradictions between denial and reality, between success and failure. This poignant family story of a broken man, his supportive wife and the two sons who try to please him received the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. It has been revived on Broadway four times, most recently in 2012." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

My take: Arthur Miller called his 1949 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama a “tragedy of the common man” because its protagonist isn't the powerful, noble character usually associated with the genre. Willy Loman (even his name marks his status in life) is, in the words of his son Biff, “a dime a dozen...a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them”. His foolish and self-destructive pursuit of a dream world in which everything comes to you simply because you're “well liked” isn't just his tragedy, it's a tragedy of an entire culture that raises popularity and personal magnetism above intelligence, ability and even common decency. In a nation where elections routinely hinge on which candidate is the more likable, Miller's play reaches out across half a century to remind us that “attention must be paid”. Reviews have been very good. Here's just one example, from Steve Allen's Stage Door blog: "From top to bottom, this cast is superb and tells this riveting story with pain, passion and a bit of panache."

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof through October 5. "Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and one of the most touching creations in the history of Broadway, featuring such heartfelt and beloved songs as 'Sunrise, Sunset,' 'If I Were A Rich Man,' and 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker'.” Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

My take: Reviews for the Stages producion of this justifiably famous hit by Bock and Harnick have been pretty generally positive. Writing for the Riverfront Times, for example, Malcom Gay calls it "a bright production, filled with sumptuous choreography and impressive musical numbers" while our reviewer at KDHX, Laura Kyro, says it's "an entertaining and satisfying production." "The show has been performed once before at Stages in 1999," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "but the current presentation is as fresh and inviting as ever." Sounds like a winner, yes?

The Normal Heart

HotCity Theatre presents The Normal Heart through September 27. “Debuting in 1985, Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart was perceived as “too urgent to ignore.” The AIDS epidemic was by then full-blown and hysteria was rampant. The intensity of the play helped usher in a new gay activism that could arguably be attributed to the evolution of gay rights in the decades to follow. An acclaimed revival in 2011 and the upcoming HBO version (produced by Ryan Murphy and starring Julia Roberts) have given this (now) modern classic a place in one of the important plays of our times.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit www.hotcitytheatre.org or call 314-289-4063.

My take: Raves dominate the notices for this one. At Ladue News, Mark Bretz calls it "a most extraordinary production, directed brilliantly by Marty Stanberry, which grabs one by the throat at the start and throttles with shock, grief and drenched desperation at its end." Snoop's Theatre Blog says it's "a must see."

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy One Man, Two Guvnors through October 5. “Francis Henshall needs a job. Recently sacked from his skiffle band, he's hungry and has a bad case of fish and chips on the brain. To make ends meet, he becomes a servant to two different masters. Frazzled Francis tries his best to balance duties and keep his bosses from meeting, but what he doesn't know about them, and what they don't know about each other, quickly become uproarious and riotous cases of mistaken identities and slapstick antics in this laugh-out-loud award-winning comedy.” Performances take place on the mainstage at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

My take: Tina Farmer's review at KDHX describes this as "is a rollicking ride filled with laughs and physical comedy that's suitable for the whole family," and other local critics have said much the same thing. The show was a massive hit in London and on Broadway, so this should not, perhaps, be a surprise. Note that it's relatively long for a comedy, though, clocking in at over two and one-half hours.

The Black Rep presents the musical Purlie, based on the Ossie Davis play Purlie Victorious, through September 21. "Purlie is the story of Purlie Victorious Judson, a preacher who returns to his homeland to revive an old church and help empower the African Americans who are under the thumb of bigoted Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University Campus. For more information: theblackrep.org

My take: I've always had a soft spot for this exuberant musical version of the play Purlie Victorious by the late actor, playwright, director, and social activist Ossie Davis, so I'm glad to see the good reviews. "With this inspiring, engaging musical," writes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "the Black Rep once again demonstrates why it is among the most consistently exceptional theater companies in the region. From the selection of material to the technical details to the casting, the company produces compelling shows that entertain without shying away from substantive themes and provocative subjects."

Held Over:

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Always..Patsy Cline through October 12. "Jacqueline Petroccia and Zoe Vonder Haar star in the return engagement of the show critics called 'exceptional, must see entertainment.' The touching and true story of Country music legend Patsy Cline and her friendship with Texas housewife Louise Seger returns to STAGES this spring. Combining down home country humor, heartache and 27 of Patsy Cline's unforgettable hits such as 'Crazy,' 'Walkin' After Midnight,' and 'Sweet Dreams,' Always... Patsy Cline endures as a piece of genuine Americana." Performances take place at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

My take: Call this a qualified recommendation. If you're a lover of Patsy Cline or country music in general, I think you'll have a great time at this show, which is really more of a celebrity impersonation review than a book musical per se. Jacqueline Petroccia captures Cline's voice and manner so accurately it's eerie and Zoe Vonder Haar is a hoot and a half as Louise Seger, the real-life Houston fan who became a close friends and correspondent of Cline. With over two dozen Patsy Cline hits performed to perfection by Ms. Petroccia and a six-piece band, the show is a real feast for fans. See my KDHX review for more information.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Photo: Zachary Stefaniak

Dramatic License Productions presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical through September 21. "Directed by St. Louis theatre veteran actor and director, Alan Knoll with musical direction by Stephen Eros and choreography by Zachary Stefaniak, the adults-only musical is the story of a wayward stripper, Pippi, pursued by her marker-sniffing, highly combustible boyfriend. Pippi hides out in the north Florida trailer park Armadillo Acres, home to an agoraphobic housewife, her toll-collector husband and three gossiping girlfriends who also narrate the wacky story. A four-piece, on-stage band accompanies the cast of seven." Performances take place at Dramatic License Theatre located at the upper level of Chesterfield Mall (near Sears and across from Houlihan's Restaurant). For more information, call 636-220-7012 or visit dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

My take: The reviews on this cheerfully tacky slice of double-wide life are generally pretty good. Malcom Gay of the Riverfront Times calls it "a blast," KDHX's Laura Kyro says "the audience was having a hoot and a holler," and Snoop's Theater Blog praises its "great, highly energetic cast and strong production values." If you're looking for low class high times, this just might be the ticket.

Chuck's Theatre Choices for the weekend of September 12, 2014

As always, the choices are purely my personal opinion. Take with a grain (or a shaker) of salt.

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The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Photo: Zachary Stefaniak

Dramatic License Productions presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical through September 21. "Directed by St. Louis theatre veteran actor and director, Alan Knoll with musical direction by Stephen Eros and choreography by Zachary Stefaniak, the adults-only musical is the story of a wayward stripper, Pippi, pursued by her marker-sniffing, highly combustible boyfriend. Pippi hides out in the north Florida trailer park Armadillo Acres, home to an agoraphobic housewife, her toll-collector husband and three gossiping girlfriends who also narrate the wacky story. A four-piece, on-stage band accompanies the cast of seven." Performances take place at Dramatic License Theatre located at the upper level of Chesterfield Mall (near Sears and across from Houlihan's Restaurant). For more information, call 636-220-7012 or visit dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

My take: The reviews on this cheerfully tacky slice of double-wide life are generally pretty good. Malcom Gay of the Riverfront Times calls it "a blast," KDHX's Laura Kyro says "the audience was having a hoot and a holler," and Snoop's Theater Blog praises its "great, highly energetic cast and strong production values." If you're looking for low class high times, this just might be the ticket.

Matt Smith
Photo: John Jeffcoat

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Matt Smith in his one-man show My Last Year With the Nuns at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 12, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Master monologist Matt Smith turns his 8th grade year in 1966-67 into a wild coming-of-age comedy---a comedy grounded in his Catholic education, racism, and the joys and horrors that are male adolescence. Smith's stories---about the young hooligans he admired but couldn't bring himself to emulate; about the nun who tried, sometimes cruelly, to steer him and his friends on the path to righteousness; about a fleeting friendship with a black kid that gives him an unexpected view of escalating trouble---and jolting humor in serious events. My Last Year with the Nuns gathered critical and popular acclaim for Smith's dynamic performance and trenchant writing." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

The Seldoms
Photo: Andrew Musch

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents a performance of Power Goes by The Seldoms at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "In this new dance theatre work, artistic director Carrie Hanson responds to Robert Caro's famed biography of Lyndon B. Johnson and uses this controversial historical figure as a lens through which to see broader and enduring patterns of political power. Power Goes combines physical action and contemporary dance, spoken word, sound design including historical recordings, and visual design including text/video/photo in order to explore the relationship between political power and social action. " The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

My take: SIU-Es Xfest has turned into a festival of cuttting-edge theatre and theatre-like substance that brings performers from all over the country to the metro-east area. These last two offering of the fetival which began on Wednesday) are good examples: a one-man memory play on Friday and a mulit-media dance work on Saturday. If you're looking for something different and challenging this weekend, this is your best bet.

Held Over:

Photo: John Lamb

R-S Theatrics presents the musical First Lady Suite by Michael John LaChiusa Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. through September 14. "First Lady Suite provides a witty and poignant glimpse into the private lives of such women as Jackie Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mamie Eisenhower; all were First Ladies during historic times who navigated their public private lives through achievements and tragedy while always being second to their husband's job." Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan Avenue. For more information, visit r-stheatrics.com.

My take: Once again, R-S is bringing us the local premiere of an unconventional and innovative piece of musical theatre. A lyricist, librettist, and composer of both musical theatre and opera, LaChiusa has contributed to a long list of shows, none of which (as far as I know) has been produced locally. So thanks to R-S for giving local audiences a chance to see and hear the man's work.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Human Terrain by Jennifer Blackmer. "This world-premiere explores the treasonous relationship between a US Cultural Advisor and an Iraqi woman during the Iraq War." Performances take place through September 14 at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

My take: As Steve Callahan points out in his review for 88.1 KDHX, Mustard Seed "has a charter of examining moral questions." This play is an obvious fit for that charter, examining a real-life Army program in which anthropologists and sociologists were recruited to use their understanding of the cultures of countries currently occupied by Western forces to aid in combat operations in those nations. The program was controversial among anthropologists and raised tricky ethical questions. Callahan noes that "the play succeeds in giving us a powerful evening of drama, with a number of strong theatrical moments."

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of September 8, 2014

[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 web site.

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Manual Cinema
Photo: Jerry Schulman

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Manual Cinema production of ADA/AVA at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company presents the classic musical Annie Get Your Gun September 21-21 in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. " Annie Oakley is the best shot around, but when shooting ace Frank Butler's ego won't accept Annie's talent, it's up to Annie to prove to him that love trumps talent." For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Big Easy Murder through October 26. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

New Jewish Theatre presents Cabaret NJT: An Evening With Ben Nordstrom on Saturday, September 13, at 8:00 PM. The show features songs from Broadway, pop, and the American Songbook. The performance takes place at the JCCA, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information, call 314-442-3283 or visit www.newjewishtheatre.org.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the comedy/drama Dearly Departed through September 14. 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.

Insight Theatre Company presents Arthur Miller's classic drama Death of a Salesman September 11-21. "A true American classic, this drama follows the last day in the life of salesman Willy Loman. Through memories, dreams and explosive arguments, playwright Arthur Miller delves into the contradictions between denial and reality, between success and failure. This poignant family story of a broken man, his supportive wife and the two sons who try to please him received the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. It has been revived on Broadway four times, most recently in 2012." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

Endurance

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Split Knuckle Theatre production of Endurance at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Trapped in Antartica with no hope of rescue, the great British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton kept 27 men alive for two years in the most inhospitable climate on earth. Ninety-five years later, in the worst economic meltdown since the Great Depression, Hartford insurance man Walter Spivey, struggling to justify his recent promotion and save his employees jobs, relives Shackleton's story. Can one of the greatest leaders in human history inspire him to conquer the corporate world?" The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof through October 5. "Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and one of the most touching creations in the history of Broadway, featuring such heartfelt and beloved songs as 'Sunrise, Sunset,' 'If I Were A Rich Man,' and 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker'.” Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

R-S Theatrics presents the musical First Lady Suite by Michael John LaChiusa Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m., through September 14. "First Lady Suite provides a witty and poignant glimpse into the private lives of such women as Jackie Kennedy, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mamie Eisenhower; all were First Ladies during historic times who navigated their public private lives through achievements and tragedy while always being second to their husband's job." Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan Avenue. For more information, visit r-stheatrics.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Photo: Zachary Stefaniak

Dramatic License Productions presents The Great American Trailer Park Musical through September 21. "Directed by St. Louis theatre veteran actor and director, Alan Knoll with musical direction by Stephen Eros and choreography by Zachary Stefaniak, the adults-only musical is the story of a wayward stripper, Pippi, pursued by her marker-sniffing, highly combustible boyfriend. Pippi hides out in the north Florida trailer park Armadillo Acres, home to an agoraphobic housewife, her toll-collector husband and three gossiping girlfriends who also narrate the wacky story. A four-piece, on-stage band accompanies the cast of seven." Performances take place at Dramatic License Theatre located at the upper level of Chesterfield Mall (near Sears and across from Houlihan's Restaurant). For more information, call 636-220-7012 or visit dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

Human Terrain
L-R: Melissa Gerth and Wendy R Greenwood

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Human Terrain by Jennifer Blackmer. "This world-premiere explores the treasonous relationship between a US Cultural Advisor and an Iraqi woman during the Iraq War." Performances take place through September 14 at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Christ Memorial Productions presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I Friday sand Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, September 12-21. Performances take place at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 South Lindbergh. For more information, visit CMPShows.org or call 314-631-0304.

Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Leading Ladies Thursdays through Sundays, September 11-21, at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. "Two English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo, find themselves so down on their luck that they are performing “Scenes from Shakespeare” on the Moose Lodge circuit in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady in York, PA is about to die and leave her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, they resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, when they get to York, they find out that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces! Romantic entanglements abound, especially when Leo falls head-over-petticoat in love with the old lady's vivacious niece, Meg, who's engaged to the local minister. Meg knows that there's a wide world out there, but it's not until she meets “Maxine and Stephanie” that she finally gets a taste of it." For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Clinton County Showcase presents the drama The Miracle Worker September 12-27. "Immortalized onstage and screen by Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, this classic tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller. The Miracle Worker dramatizes the volatile relationship between the lonely teacher and her charge. Trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate, Helen is violent, spoiled, almost sub-human and treated by her family as such. Only Annie realizes that there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued from the dark, tortured silence. With scenes of intense physical and emotional dynamism, Annie's success with Helen finally comes with the utterance of a single, glorious word: “water”." Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Matt Smith
Photo: John Jeffcoat

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Matt Smith in his one-man show My Last Year With the Nuns at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 12, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Master monologist Matt Smith turns his 8th grade year in 1966-67 into a wild coming-of-age comedy---a comedy grounded in his Catholic education, racism, and the joys and horrors that are male adolescence. Smith's stories---about the young hooligans he admired but couldn't bring himself to emulate; about the nun who tried, sometimes cruelly, to steer him and his friends on the path to righteousness; about a fleeting friendship with a black kid that gives him an unexpected view of escalating trouble---and jolting humor in serious events. My Last Year with the Nuns gathered critical and popular acclaim for Smith's dynamic performance and trenchant writing." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

The Normal Heart

HotCity Theatre presents The Normal Heart September 12-17. “Debuting in 1985, Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart was perceived as “too urgent to ignore.” The AIDS epidemic was by then full-blown and hysteria was rampant. The intensity of the play helped usher in a new gay activism that could arguably be attributed to the evolution of gay rights in the decades to follow. An acclaimed revival in 2011 and the upcoming HBO version (produced by Ryan Murphy and starring Julia Roberts) have given this (now) modern classic a place in one of the important plays of our times.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit www.hotcitytheatre.org or call 314-289-4063.

One Man, Two Guvnors
©Photo by Lon Brauer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy One Man, Two Guvnors September 10-October 5. “Francis Henshall needs a job. Recently sacked from his skiffle band, he's hungry and has a bad case of fish and chips on the brain. To make ends meet, he becomes a servant to two different masters. Frazzled Francis tries his best to balance duties and keep his bosses from meeting, but what he doesn't know about them, and what they don't know about each other, quickly become uproarious and riotous cases of mistaken identities and slapstick antics in this laugh-out-loud award-winning comedy.” Performances take place on the mainstage at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents a performance of Power Goes by The Seldoms at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "In this new dance theatre work, artistic director Carrie Hanson responds to Robert Caro's famed biography of Lyndon B. Johnson and uses this controversial historical figure as a lens through which to see broader and enduring patterns of political power. Power Goes combines physical action and contemporary dance, spoken word, sound design including historical recordings, and visual design including text/video/photo in order to explore the relationship between political power and social action. " The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

The Black Rep presents the musical Purlie, based on the Ossie Davis play Purlie Victorious, September 10-21. "Purlie is the story of Purlie Victorious Judson, a preacher who returns to his homeland to revive an old church and help empower the African Americans who are under the thumb of bigoted Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee." Performances take place at the Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University. For more information: theblackrep.org

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love! (No Biting) through November 2. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

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.