Chuck's Choices for the weekend of October 11, 2019

New this week: a revival of a regional premiere at New Line.

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New This Week:

Cry-Baby
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the musical Cry-Baby Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm through October 19. "It's 1954. Everyone likes Ike, nobody likes communism, and Wade 'Cry-Baby' Walker is the coolest boy in Baltimore. He's a bad boy with a good cause -- truth, justice, and the pursuit of rock and roll." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

My take: Critical opinion seems to be pretty much unanimously positive on this one. Judy Newmark calls it "keen-witted...a youthful cast that sparkles with energy as they sing and dance their way through one hilarious song after another." At Ladue News, Mark Bretz says it's a "bright, energized rock musical, which dabbles creatively in several genres, including rockabilly, barbershop quartets and old-fashioned rock ‘n' roll." And over at KDHX, Tina Farmer writes that Cry-Baby "bristles with energy and hormonal frenzy that's played for laughs, but delivers plenty of commentary on everything from classism to our definition of beauty." I could go on, but you get the idea. New Line originally did this show back in 2012. Mark Bretz points out that this revival, by New Line's artistic director Scott Miller "was approved by the show's creators with a reduced cast and fresh orchestrations by original orchestrator Chris Jahnke." Sounds like a bit of a coup for New Line.

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Held Over:

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The Agitators
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents The Agitators running through October 13. "Upstream Theater is excited to present Mat Smart's compelling play The Agitators, which takes us straight into the thunder and lightning of the 45-year friendship between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. After meeting in Rochester in the 1840's, these two social activists became great allies and, at times, great adversaries. They agitated the nation, they agitated (and sometimes aggravated) each other and, in so doing they helped change the Constitution and the course of American history." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

My take: This is a somewhat qualified recommendation, based mostly on the rave reviews about the work of the two actors in the show, J. Samuel Douglas and Erin Kelley. In her KDHX review, for example, Tina Farmer writes that "J. Samuel Davis returns to the Upstream stage in the role of Frederick Douglass. Once again he gives a superb performance...Erin Kelley does fine work in her portrayal of Susan B. Anthony, convincing us of this woman's utter, tireless commitment to the cause." But she goes on to note tha the script is "rather weak" and that the characters themselves are a bit one-dimensional. At Limelight, Andrea Braun strikes a similar note, observing that "much of the play seems rather like a lecture" but adds "if there are better actors than Kelley and Davis to play these parts, I don't know who they are." All the other aspects of the production have gotten plenty of praise as well and the play tells a story that is probably not well known, so (to quote The Bard), "'tis enough, 'twill suffice."

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Hello, Dolly!

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents the musical Hello Dolly! running through October 13. "Winner of four Tony® Awards including Best Musical Revival, HELLO, DOLLY! is the universally acclaimed smash that NPR calls "the best show of the year!" and the Los Angeles Times says "distills the mood-elevating properties of the American musical at its giddy best." Director Jerry Zaks' "gorgeous" new production (Vogue) is "making people crazy happy!" (The Washington Post). After breaking box office records week after week and receiving unanimous raves on Broadway, this HELLO, DOLLY! is now touring America, paying tribute to the original work of legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion - hailed both then and now as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history." The Fabulous Fox Theatre in on N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

My take: How can anyone not like this show? The original Hello, Dolly opened on Broadway in January of 1964 after some rocky out-of-town previews and several revisions. It ran for 2,844 performances, considerably raising the bar for the definition of "blockbuster." It's not hard to see why. Herman's score is one of his best (not that he every wrote a bad song anyway) and the book retains all the humanitarian humor of the Thornton Wilder play on which it's based. Go and enjoy.

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Valhalla Cemetery and The Hawthorne Players present Voices Of Valhalla: A Hayride Through History through October 12. Hayrides through Valhalla Cemetery depart every fifteen minutes beginning at 6:30 each evening as members of the Hawthorne Players portray some of the noted locals buried in Valhalla. Valhalla Cemetery is located at 7600 St. Charles Rock Road. For more information, visit hawthorneplayers.com.

My take: I had a chance to both see and appear in this annual event in 2014 and again in 2016, and I must say that I was impressed by the professionalism of both the script (assembled by director Larry Marsh from historical sources) and the quality of the performances. Here's how it works: you pile on a hay wagon and are driven through historic Valhalla Cemetery. At various points during the ride, the wagon stops and an actor portraying a historical figure buried at Valhalla steps out of the darkness and delivers a monologue on his or her life. They can be comic, tragic, or a combination of the two, but they're always well researched and informative.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of October 7, 2019

Another big explosion of theatre this week, including shows from New Jewish, KTK, and Stray Dog.

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The Agitators
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents The Agitators running through October 13. "Upstream Theater is excited to present Mat Smart's compelling play The Agitators, which takes us straight into the thunder and lightning of the 45-year friendship between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. After meeting in Rochester in the 1840's, these two social activists became great allies and, at times, great adversaries. They agitated the nation, they agitated (and sometimes aggravated) each other and, in so doing they helped change the Constitution and the course of American history." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

KTK Productions presents the comedy/drama Amateurs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, October 11-20. "Following the opening night of the Timberly Troupers' musical about undertakers, Dorothy and her slightly daft husband, Charlie, host a gathering of actors and friends. The chic opening night party is in another part of town, but into Dorothy's living room comes a guest list that includes Nathan (a recently divorced high school teacher who is also a very bad ventriloquist), Wayne (better at loving than acting), Jennifer (who has a sure shot at Hollywood stardom), Ernie (one of the Troupers' actors filled with ham and spite), Irene (his out of patience wife), Mona (who was in love with Wayne but has since moved on to someone else) and Paul (a well-known drama critic and friend of Dorothy's who has just broken his rule of never reviewing community theater). When Paul has a heart attack he drops his not-yet-published review before being taken to the hospital. The actors read it and confront the harsh reality of a pan. Dorothy's sweetness and patience rise above Ernie's bitter tirade, and the others trade barbs and insults as they try to control their emotions. The party becomes the setting where the dreams, loves, failures and successes of this group are explored with bittersweet humor and the relationship between risk and need is touchingly depicted." Performances take place at St. John the Baptist Church, 4200 Delor. For more information: kurtainkall.org or call 314-351-8984.

Brighton Beach MemoirsPhoto: Greg Lazerwtz

New Jewish Theater presents Neil Simon's Brighton Beach Memoirs Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, October 10-27. "Brighton Beach, September 1937. Eugene Jerome is dreaming of baseball and girls. Over the course of a few short days amid family harmony and disharmony, young Eugene will come to understand life a little deeper. This award-winning play is a bittersweet memoir that captures the life of a struggling Jewish household where, as his father states 'if you didn't have a problem, you wouldn't be living here.'" 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.

TLT Productions presents Chasing Waterfalls through October 12. "Chasing Waterfalls, a R&B musical revue strolls down musical memory lanes. Featuring music from the 90's Era and the early 00's - 'Chasing Waterfalls' explores pop culture and the glorified life of the music industry." Performances take place at the .ZACK Theatre in Grand Center. For more information: www.metrotix.com

CSZ St. Louis presents The ComedySportz Show on Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. The show is "action-packed, interactive and hilarious comedy played as a sport. Two teams battle it out for points and your laughs! You choose the winners the teams provide the funny!" Performances take place on the second floor of the Sugar Cubed, 917 S Main St. in St Charles, Mo. For more information: www.cszstlouis.com.

Cry-Baby
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the musical Cry-Baby Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm through October 19. "It's 1954. Everyone likes Ike, nobody likes communism, and Wade 'Cry-Baby' Walker is the coolest boy in Baltimore. He's a bad boy with a good cause -- truth, justice, and the pursuit of rock and roll." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

Metro Theatre Company presents The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm, October 12 and 13. "When school is out, there's nothing to do and the desert sun beats down hot. Sheila and her friends find themselves in search of something-anything-interesting to explore. So when a walking, talking, and surprisingly well-dressed coyote shows up, the kids find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime!" The performances take place at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. For more information: metroplays.org.

Hello, Dolly!

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents the musical Hello Dolly! through October 13. "Winner of four Tony® Awards including Best Musical Revival, HELLO, DOLLY! is the universally acclaimed smash that NPR calls "the best show of the year!" and the Los Angeles Times says "distills the mood-elevating properties of the American musical at its giddy best." Director Jerry Zaks' "gorgeous" new production (Vogue) is "making people crazy happy!" (The Washington Post). After breaking box office records week after week and receiving unanimous raves on Broadway, this HELLO, DOLLY! is now touring America, paying tribute to the original work of legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion - hailed both then and now as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history." The Fabulous Fox Theatre in on N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents Ismene by Sato Makoto Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through October 13. "Ismene is a modern take on Sophocles' Antigone told through the eyes of Antigone's younger sister. Her beloved brothers have killed each other in battle; the king has declared one a hero and the other a traitor. When the body of her traitorous brother is delivered to her door, Ismene must decide what to do. This poignant, absurdist play explores the role of family, loyalty, and coca cola in one of the great Greek tragedies." Performances take place in the Emerson Studio Theater of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

Lindenwood University presents the musical Little Shop of Horrors Wednesday through Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm, October 9-13. "The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out-of-this-world origins and intent towards global domination!" Performances take place at the Scheiegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information: http://www.lindenwood.edu/j-scheidegger-center-for-the-arts.

Clinton County Showcase presents the drama Mama's Boy Fridays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, October 11-20 "The riveting story of Lee Harvey Oswald and his complex relationship with his overbearing mother Marguerite, "Mama's Boy" follows Marguerite's reckless attempts to reunite her family, from Lee's return to the U.S. from Russia, through the assassination of Kennedy, to her son's own murder and her defense of his innocence in the months that follow. A fascinating examination of family dynamics and obsessive maternal devotion played out in the shadow of history. The Kennedy assassination serves as a framework for "Mama's Boy," but the play isn't overtly political, or intended to change public opinion." Performances take place outdoors at the Avon Theatre, 535 N. 2nd St. in Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

A Night With Janis Joplin

The Stifel Theatre presents A Night With Janis Joplin on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 8 and 9, at 7:30 pm."Fueled by these amazing songs, A Night With Janis Joplin is a sensational show featuring a musical journey celebrating Joplin and her biggest musical influences like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith. These are the women who inspired one of rock and roll’s greatest legends." The Stifel Theatre is at 14th and Market downtown. For more information: stifeltheatre.com.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents the first round of its Playwright Slam on Monday, October 7, at 6:30 pm. "Get ready for a night of fun impromptu theater. The order of scripts to be read will be chosen at random. Actors to read will be chosen at random. Each script will be given a five minute read, and rated by a panel of judges based upon audience reaction. The judges will select several plays to move on to round two which will be ten minutes of the same script, from which a winner will be chosen." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

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

A Call to Conscience presents The Three Not-So-Little Pigs on Wednesday, October 9, at 10 am. "A St. Louis play about bullying set in various neighborhoods in the St. Louis area. "The Three Not-So-Little Pigs" shows the damaging effects of physical, verbal, and social bullying. The play encourages students to explore the importance of standing up for each other, learning to get along with one another, and being good friends." The performance takes place at the Emerson Theatre at Harris Stowe University, 3046 Laclede. For more information: https://acalltoconscience.org/

The University Theatre at Saint Louis University presents Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, October 10-13. "Separated in a shipwreck, twins Viola and Sebastian each believe the other is dead. The stranded Viola disguises herself as a man leading to an unlikely and comical love triangle. Trickery, confusion and romantic hijinks abound in this most beloved of Shakespeare's comedies. Directed by Nancy Bell." Performances take place at The Grandel, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com or at the venue one hour prior to performance.

Valhalla Cemetery and The Hawthorne Players present Voices Of Valhalla: A Hayride Through History through October 12. Hayrides through Valhalla Cemetery depart every fifteen minutes beginning at 6:30 each evening as members of the Hawthorne Players portray some of the noted locals buried in Valhalla. Valhalla Cemetery is located at 7600 St. Charles Rock Road. For more information, visit hawthorneplayers.com.

Stray Dog Theatre presents the rock musical The Who's Tommy opening on Thursday, October 10, at 8 pm and running through October 26. "Back by popular demand! Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who's TOMMY is an exhilarating tale of hope, healing, and the human spirit. The story of the pinball-playing, deaf, dumb, and blind boy who triumphs over his adversities has inspired and amazed audiences for 50 years." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Alfresco Productions presents the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, October 11-20. Performances take place at the Alfresco Art Center, 2401 Delmar in Granite City, IL. For more information: (618) 560-1947 or www.alfrescoproductions.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love (No Biting) 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.

Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's Events Calendar.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of October 4, 2019

Lots of new stuff this week, including a unique theatre/dance hybrid.

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New This Week:

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The Agitators
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents The Agitators running through October 13. "Upstream Theater is excited to present Mat Smart's compelling play The Agitators, which takes us straight into the thunder and lightning of the 45-year friendship between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. After meeting in Rochester in the 1840's, these two social activists became great allies and, at times, great adversaries. They agitated the nation, they agitated (and sometimes aggravated) each other and, in so doing they helped change the Constitution and the course of American history." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

My take: This is a somewhat qualified recommendation, based mostly on the rave reviews about the work of the two actors in the show, J. Samuel Douglas and Erin Kelley. In her KDHX review, for example, Tina Farmer writes that "J. Samuel Davis returns to the Upstream stage in the role of Frederick Douglass. Once again he gives a superb performance...Erin Kelley does fine work in her portrayal of Susan B. Anthony, convincing us of this woman's utter, tireless commitment to the cause." But she goes on to note tha the script is "rather weak" and that the characters themselves are a bit one-dimensional. At Limelight, Andrea Braun strikes a similar note, observing that "much of the play seems rather like a lecture" but adds "if there are better actors than Kelley and Davis to play these parts, I don’t know who they are." All the other aspects of the production have gotten plenty of praise as well and the play tells a story that is probably not well known, so (to quote The Bard), "'tis enough, 'twill suffice."

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Equivocation
Photo by John Lamb

The West End Players Guild opens its 109th season with Bill Cain's Equivocation Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, October 3-6. "Equivocation is a Shakespearean tale of intrigue starring the Bard himself. The King offers Shakespeare a commission he can't refuse, to write a play about the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament. Shakespeare discovers it is a perilous assignment, as he learns that the King's version of the story does not quite square with the facts. Shakespeare is torn between the truth and the Crown. Can he walk this tightrope without losing his head (literally)?" There will also be a show on Thursday, October 3, at 8 pm. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org.

My take: Speaking of The Bard, This freewheeling mix of fact and fiction has gotten good notices. "West End Players Guild begins its 109th season," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "with an absorbing production of this provocative, fascinating and richly rewarding play by Jesuit priest Bill Cain." At STLToday, Calvin Wilson is less enthused about the script but praises the "imaginative direction and a terrific acting ensemble" and ends by calling it "a witty and wonderfully insightful play and a must-see for fans of all things Shakespearean." Sounds like a plan.

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Hello, Dolly!

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents the musical Hello Dolly! running through October 13. "Winner of four Tony® Awards including Best Musical Revival, HELLO, DOLLY! is the universally acclaimed smash that NPR calls "the best show of the year!" and the Los Angeles Times says "distills the mood-elevating properties of the American musical at its giddy best." Director Jerry Zaks' "gorgeous" new production (Vogue) is "making people crazy happy!" (The Washington Post). After breaking box office records week after week and receiving unanimous raves on Broadway, this HELLO, DOLLY! is now touring America, paying tribute to the original work of legendary director/choreographer Gower Champion - hailed both then and now as one of the greatest stagings in musical theater history." The Fabulous Fox Theatre in on N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

My take: How can anyone not like this show? The original Hello, Dolly opened on Broadway in January of 1964 after some rocky out-of-town previews and several revisions. It ran for 2,844 performances, considerably raising the bar for the definition of "blockbuster." It's not hard to see why. Herman's score is one of his best (not that he every wrote a bad song anyway) and the book retains all the humanitarian humor of the Thornton Wilder play on which it's based. Go and enjoy.

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Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, The Big Muddy Dance Company, Jazz St. Louis and the Nine Network of Public Media present an adaptation of Duke Ellington's Such Sweet Thunder Friday and Saturday, October 4-5 at 8:00 pm. "The collaboration between Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Nine Network of Public Media, Jazz St. Louis, and The Big Muddy Dance Company brings to life Such Sweet Thunder, a 12-part jazz suite from Duke Ellington, in a multi-disciplinary performance to portray a tempestuous love story set in the 1950s. Bruce Longworth will adapt the script and direct the ensembles which include two actors Rayme Cornelle (Kate) and Ron Himes (Henry), 18 dancers in original choreography by Dexandro Montalvo and a 15-piece band playing Ellington's timeless score." Free performances take place in the Public Media Commons in Grand Center. Reservations are recommended. For more information: www.sfstl.com

My take: Honestly, I think this just speaks for itself. It's a jazz suite by Duke Ellington based on Shakespeare and adapted by Opera Theatre's Bruce Longworth. What more do you want? Well, how about this: it runs about an hour, it's free, and although it's outdoors, evening temperatures are finally seasonal. Case closed.

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Valhalla Cemetery and The Hawthorne Players present Voices Of Valhalla: A Hayride Through History October 4 - 12. Hayrides through Valhalla Cemetery depart every fifteen minutes beginning at 6:30 each evening as members of the Hawthorne Players portray some of the noted locals buried in Valhalla. Valhalla Cemetery is located at 7600 St. Charles Rock Road. For more information, visit hawthorneplayers.com.

My take: I had a chance to both see and appear in this annual event in 2014 and again in 2016, and I must say that I was impressed by the professionalism of both the script (assembled by director Larry Marsh from historical sources) and the quality of the performances. Here's how it works: you pile on a hay wagon and are driven through historic Valhalla Cemetery. At various points during the ride, the wagon stops and an actor portraying a historical figure buried at Valhalla steps out of the darkness and delivers a monologue on his or her life. They can be comic, tragic, or a combination of the two, but they're always well researched and informative.

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Held Over:

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Angels in America, Part 2
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches and Angels in America, Part 2: Perestroika running in alternating repertory with through October 4. "A towering epic that unveils new depths with each passing year, Tony Kushner's Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece arrives on The Rep's stage for the first time. The AIDS epidemic is the flashpoint in Kushner's swirling tapestry of American culture, myths and spirituality. Navigating this maelstrom are Prior Walter, whose prophetic visions lead him toward an uncertain destiny, Joe Pitt, a devout and painfully closeted Mormon, and Roy Cohn, a lawyer whose AIDS diagnosis forces him to face a lifetime of misdeeds. These twin plays' vision of a wounded and chaotic nation struggling toward redemption is more urgent than ever." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org

My take: Angels in America: Gay Fantasia on National Themes (to quote its full title) is, effectively, an opera with no singing. It's a sweeping, unapologetically theatrical examination of some of the most basic of human ideas: love, death, loyalty, commitment, community and lots of other things that are usually capitalized when we discuss them. It's an epic tale told, as the best epics are, through the lives of a collection of flawed and fascinating characters. I saw Part 1 last weekend was sufficiently blown away by the quality of the Rep's production to recommend both parts without reservation. Yes, they're very long shows--Part 1 clocks in at around 3:15 with two intermissions and Part 2 (in the current revision, which dates from 2013) at around 3:30. Trust me, you'll never notice the length. Kushner's writing is so deft and this production so brilliantly acted and directed that the time flies like, well, an angel. I'd put this version of Angels right up there with the stunning production Stray Dog did in 2012, and that's high praise indeed.

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Man of La Mancha
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Man of La Mancha through October 6. "A romantic and inspiring musical adventure, MAN OF LA MANCHA tells the epic story of seventeenth-century author Miguel de Cervantes and his immortal literary creation Don Quixote." Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

My take: Winner of five Tony awards and four Variety Poll of Drama Critics awards and with an impressive track record of 2,329 performances on Broadway, Man of La Mancha has remained enduringly popular since its first performance on the Great White Way in 1965. The Stages production demonstrates forcefully what that is the case. The drama, comedy, and (above all) the inspiring message about the importance of "achieving the impossible" by "attempting the absurd" (to cite the Miguel Unamuno quote that inspired Dale Wasserman to write the show in the first place) come through loud and clear. If you're a fan of this play, you won't want to miss this one. It's a polished and moving way to close their current season. And it's even performed in its original one act format, running right at two hours and feeling much shorter.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of July 1, 2019

The Muny and Insight continue to celebrate revolution while the Actors' Studio opens its annual new play festival and Union Avenue Opera unveils a new production of Leonard Bernstein's often-revised Candide.

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1776
Photo courtesy of The Muny

The Muny presents the musical 1776 nightly at 8:15 through July 3rd. "With the American Revolution underway, a nation's independence is ready to be claimed. The three-time Tony Award-winning 1776 sets ablaze the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence and illuminates the personalities, passions and compromises that created a nation. Featuring a telling score that includes "Sit Down, John," "He Plays the Violin" and "Momma Look Sharp," this Muny production will mesmerize, delight and inspire you." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Union Avenue Opera presents Leonard Bernstein's Candide Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, July 5 - 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.

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

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.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 1 July 5 - 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.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of The Red Diary by Charlie Jacobsen on Monday, July 1, at 6:30 pm. "The red diary of Marilyn Monroe is the focus of this comedy adventure which takes place during an eventful afternoon in St. Louis. Why the diary was hidden here is another matter, but its exact location was encoded in a painting at the Art Museum. Many years later Charlie, the grandson of the man who hid it has taken job at the museum to search for the painting. Charlie’s AI assistant Eva and her agent Nikita join in the chase and everyone converges on the curator’s bookstore in a madcap ending." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.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.

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

New this week: two very different plays based on true stories.

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New This Week:

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Dreamgirls
Photo by John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents the musical Dreamgirls Thursdays through Saturdays through April 20. "Journey back to a time in musical history when rhythm and blues weren't everything, they were the only thing. In the swinging 60s, the Dreamettes, led by the powerful Effie White, embark on an R and B music career that leads them across the country. Romantic entanglements, Effies weight, racism, and the arrival of a fresh new sound in the 70s make this show biz musical a thrilling hit." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: I haven't seen this show since the 1997 USA tour played the Fox, so it's good to see a locally-sourced production. Stray Dog has had a pretty impressive string of hits with its musicals in recent years, and judging from the reviews, this one is keeping the streak going. "Go see Dreamgirls at Stray Dog Theatre because it sounds glorious," writes Ann Lemmons Pollack. "It's a thrilling kind of opera, with a powerful R&B heartbeat," says Richard Green at Talkin' Broadway. "Director Justin Been keeps things moving," writes Calvin Wilson at STLToday.com "with particular attention to creating stage pictures that capture the zing of showbiz life. The contributions of music director Jennifer Buchheit and choreographer Mike Hodges are first-rate, and the performances are excellent." I just hope I can still get at ticket.

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Photograph 51
Photo by John Lamb

The West End Players Guild continues its 108th season with the St. Louis premiere of the Photograph 51 Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, April 12-14. "Anna Ziegler's Photograph 51 is a moving portrait of Rosalind Franklin, one of the great female scientists of the twentieth century, and her fervid drive to map the contours of the DNA molecule. A chorus of physicists relives the chase, revealing the largely-unsung achievements of this trail-blazing, fiercely independent woman - largely-unsung because the men usually credited with cracking the DNA code, James Watson and Francis Crick, did so by "borrowing" Franklin's most important discovery." Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org.

My take: Although the story of Dr. Franklin's contribution to the discovery of the nature of DNA is a complex one, there seems little doubt that, she never received proper credit for her work. There is even, as Ms. Ziegler's script suggests, evidence that Watson and Crick appropriated some of her work--in particular the X-ray photograph from which the play takes its title--without proper credit. The script, in any case, is literate, witty, and filled with compelling and multi-faceted characters. Director Ellie Schwetye and her superb six-member cast do a remarkable job bringing them all to life. Nichole Angeli, in particular, does a wonderfully subtle job of revealing the many aspects of Franklin's personality and Ben Ritchie's portrayal of her inhibited and somewhat hapless co-worker Maurice Wilkins, whose sharing of Photograph 51 with Watson and Crick might have violated scientific ethics, is also a nuanced gem. There are first-rate performances as well by Will Bonfiglio and John Wolbers as Watson and Crick, Alex Fyles as the enthusiastic Don Caspar, and Ryan Lawson-Maeske as Ray Gosling, forever taken for granted by everyone. At the Riverfront Times, Paul Friswold calls this "a beautifully told story about how life flourishes and fades away, and about how death is not the end of anything really." I call it a "must see."

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Held Over:

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Popcorn Falls
Photo by Todd Davis

The Midnight Company presents the comedy Popcorn Falls Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm through April 13. "The small town of Popcorn Falls is bankrupt. Its only tourist attraction, the Falls, has dried up, and it's about to be taken over by an unfeeling corporation who will turn the whole place into a sewage plant. There's only one chance to save the town - a dusty old grant that will give Popcorn Falls the money it needs if it will produce a play. (Which the town's future landlords demand be produced in one week.) The problem? There's no theatre in Popcorn Falls, there's never been a play seen there, and just a couple of its very eccentric citizens have ever been involved with anything resembling a play. It's up to Popcorn Falls' intrepid mayor and its Head Custodian ("Executive Custodian") to rally the town and lead its people in a heroic effort to prove that art can save the world. (Or at least a town.)" Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: midnightcompany.com

My take: This is one of those examples of theatrical sleight of hand, on the order of The 39 Steps or Stones in His Pockets, in which a small cast (two actors, in this case) quickly take on a wide variety of roles to tell a relatively straightforward story. Fortunately, those two actors are the very talented Joe Hanrahan and Shane Signorino. "The implausible script," writes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "offers a coterie of interesting townsfolk to recruit for help, a satisfying villain and a budding romance along with secret fears and unresolved personal truths. The actors work through each challenge in ways that are laugh out loud funny and totally entertaining." At Ladue News, Mark Bretz writes that "Hanrahan and Signorino have a grand time playing 21 parts, often successfully conveying those good feelings to the audience. It’s especially humorous to see Signorino switch identities in the quick time it takes him to walk behind an on-stage curtain and emerge as a different character with just guile and gesticulations."

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Time Stands Still
Photo by Philip Hammer

New Jewish Theater presents Time Stands Still Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm through April 14. "Time Stands Still revolves around Sarah, a photojournalist who has returned from covering the Iraq war after being injured by a roadside bomb, and her reporter boyfriend James who is swamped by guilt after having left Sarah alone in Iraq. The two are trying to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone crazy. Theirs is a partnership based on telling the toughest stories, and together, making a difference. But when their own story takes a sudden turn, the adventurous couple confronts the prospect of a more conventional life. Can they stay together amidst unspoken betrayals and conflicting ideals? Playwright Margulies answers these questions, while leaving unanswered qualms regarding the way America deals with war and tragedy coverage." 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.

My take: Here's a play that deals with some serious issues and, if reviews are any indication, does so very effectively. "Margulies is a superior writer," says Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "and his thought-provoking, two-act drama is currently being given a telling rendition at New Jewish Theatre...Director Doug Finlayson keeps the focus correctly on the players and while doing so brings out stellar performances." "It’s fine ensemble work, certainly," writes Ann Lemmons Pollack. "Director Doug Finlayson has created a very worthwhile group to offer a thoughtful experience for all audiences."

At the Rep Studio, "Georama" spins the tale of America's first moving picture star

P.J. Griffith
Photo: Peter Wochniak

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The musical "Georama," which is getting its world premiere right now in the studio at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, may not be perfect, but has a lot going for it: a great cast, a literate book, a mostly appealing score, and above all, a fascinating story about John Banvard.

“Who the heck is that,” I hear you ask.

The answer is that Banvard, who died in 1891, was a once-famous self-taught American artist whose magnum opus was a 3,000-foot-long panoramic painting of the Mississippi River—the titular "georama."  It was the centerpiece of a one-man show in which Banvard would relate, to musical accompaniment, his adventures traveling on the river while the georama would scroll behind him, illustrating his story.  As the first example of what would later be known as the "moving panorama" genre it was, quite literally, the first "moving picture," and it made Banvard a star.

L-R: P.J. Griffith, Dan Sharkey, Jillian Louis
Photo: Peter Wochniak

At his peak, his fame was worldwide.  He toured Europe beginning in 1846 and even gave a private showing to Britain's Queen Victoria.  Alas, his success resulted in the inevitable imitators, including some promoted by the celebrated P.T. Barnum, whose talent for promotion was superior to Banvard's. 

The artist's attempts to compete with Barnum and his imitators proved unsuccessful, and bad financial decisions, including the construction (on Long Island) of a palatial residence modeled on Windsor Castle, resulted in bankruptcy. Dubbed "Banvard's Folly" by the artist's critics, the estate was later was sold by Banvard to cover debts and eventually became a private beach and tennis club.

Banvard never recovered financially and his legendary painting was eventually cut up and sold.  Today not a trace of it remains, although the St. Louis Art Museum has a panorama almost as large by one of his competitors.  Reliable information on Banvard's life itself has almost disappeared as well, making him (in the words of the opening song) "the most famous man that nobody knows".

Randy Blair
Photo: Peter Wochniak

If you think that all sounds like the basis for a ripping yarn, you'd be right.  Working with primary sources, West Hyler (who also directs) and Matt Schatz (who wrote the music in partnership with Red Clay Ramblers bassist Jack Herrick) have put together a script that, while in need of a bit of tweaking, is nevertheless a fascinating look at the world of late 19th-century showbiz.  The characters, all drawn from real life, are credible.  And while they sometimes speak in obviously anachronistic ways (usually for comic effect), their interactions always ring true.  Moreover, the book's message about the hard choices creative folk have to make between commerce and artistic purity is as relevant today as it was over a century ago

There are, perhaps, a few too many songs.  Not every scene longer than a minute or so needs a musical number, not every aspect of the story needs musical illustration, and a few songs feel like unnecessary filler.  Still, most of the score is an ingenious pastiche of late 19th-century folk and pop styles that serves the story well and provides a nice sense of time and place.  Having the music performed by members of the ensemble also makes transitions into and out of songs seamless.

That brings me to the cast, and an excellent one it is, filled with versatile singing actors.  P.J. Griffith is a model of naïve conviction as Banvard while Jillian Louis, as his wife and artistic collaborator Liz, neatly balances him with a believably warm and grounded performance.  She also proves to a respectable pianist.

Randy Blair is the wily P.T. Barnum, conniving his way around the stage, making the most of some clever patter songs, and moving with surprising grace for a man of his girth.  Dan Sharkey brings welcome gravitas to the role of showboat owner and wise friend William Chapman.  Both men also play multiple smaller roles, with Mr. Sharkey getting a plum comic cameo as Queen Victoria.

Jillian Louis and P.T. Griffith
Photo: Peter Wochniak

Emily Mikesell and Jacob Yates are the musicians: Ms. Mikesell is the fiddler with Mr. Yates (who is also the Music Director) on cello and piano.  Their playing is assured and polished, and they also fill in as multiple smaller characters very capably.

Scott C. Neale's simple unit set keeps sight lines clean so that its central feature—his own 600-foot moving panorama—is visible from pretty much the entire house.  Executed in an impressive imitation of period style by artists at The Paint Space on South Kingshighway, the scrolling painting both stands in for Banvard's georama and provides changing backdrops for many of the musical's scenes.  Margaret E. Weedon's historically apt costumes and the simple but effective lighting and sound designs of Ann G. Wrightson and Rusty Wandall complete the job of whisking the audience back to the gaslight era.

"Georama" is new and so not without its issues.  At 90 minutes it is perhaps too long for the one act format; an intermission at about the 50-minute point would give the audience a chance to breathe. And, as noted earlier, the score could do with a bit of a trim—an issue that seems to pop up fairly often in recent musicals. 

That said, "Georama" is solid entertainment and well worth your time.  Performances continue through February 7 in the studio at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.