Review: Let's face the music--Debby Lennon shines in 'Songs for Nobodies'

Having seen Debby Lennon's astonishing performance in the Max and Louie production of Joanna Murray-Smith's one-woman show Songs for Nobodies, I am now convinced that Ms. Lennon can do anything. If she were to walk on water it wouldn't amaze me.

Debby Lennon as Pearl
Photo by John Lamb

In fact, she does something almost as miraculous in this show by playing 10--count 'em, 10--different roles in a completely convincing way. The fact that five of those roles are Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Édith Piaf, Billie Holiday, and Maria Callas--legendary singers with unique vocal and performance styles--is just icing on that tasty cake.

Ms. Murray-Smith wrote Songs for Nobodies in 2010 as a vehicle for Bernadette Robinson, an Australian singer/actress noted for her skill as a musical impressionist. As such, it's a pretty tall order for actresses who lack Ms. Robinson's skills, which may explain why it hasn't made it to St. Louis until now. Where, after all, can you find someone who can credibly play those great divas as well as the five "nobodies" who connect with them (each of whom has a radically different accent and physical presence)?

The answer, as Judy Garland's character says in Meet Me in St. Louis, is: "Right here where we live. Right here in St. Louis."

Songs for Nobodies is technically a one-act play, running just under 90 minutes, but structurally it's a set of five short play/monolog hybrids, held together by a common theme: the consequences of serendipitous meetings between ordinary women (the "nobodies" of the title) and extraordinary singers. Sometimes one of the pair is changed, sometimes both (in one case without ever actually meeting), but their stories are always compelling and written with a remarkably good ear for the divergent voices of the characters.

The play opens with the story of Beatrice Appleton, an attendant at the women's washroom at an upscale New York hotel in 1963. Abandoned by her husband and suspecting that happiness is just the absence of misery, she's stunned when Judy Garland walks in "to take a pee." Beatrice notices that Garland's hem needs a stitch, and as she makes the repairs, Garland coaxes Beatrice's unhappy history from her. No stranger to romantic disasters herself, Garland sympathizes and begins to sing, a cappella, one of her signature tunes, "Come Rain or Come Shine." The lighting shifts, the band starts to play, and suddenly we're seeing full-metal Judy on stage. The transitions among Beatrice, real-life Judy, and stage Judy are handled so smoothly that the illusion of multiple actresses on stage is perfect.

Those amazing nobody-to-somebody transitions continue for the rest of the evening. The second story concerns a chance encounter between country star Patsy Cline and Pearl Avalon, a singer and usherette at the 1963 benefit concert in Kansas City, Kansas, on what turned out to be the last night of Cline's life. Then we meet Edie Delamotte, a librarian in contemporary England who discovers that she owes her very existence to the great French chanteuse Édith Piaf, who saved Edie's father from a trip to Dachau.

Debby Lennon as Piaf
Photo by John Lamb

Next it's back to NYC in the 1950s, where ambitious reporter Gwendolyn "Too Junior" Jones (so dubbed by her colleagues because she's constantly told that she's "too junior" for plum assignments) breaks out of the fashion section via an interview with Billie Holiday that includes an a cappella version of "Strange Fruit," the graphic depiction of a lynching that white America didn't want to hear. Finally, Irish nanny Orla McDonagh comes close to being seduced by Aristotle Onassis aboard his yacht until the sound of Maria Callas singing Puccini's "Visi d'arte" (from Tosca) casts a different spell--and ends the show.

The abruptness of that ending leaves Orla's story incomplete, but that small flaw is my only complaint about what is otherwise a very compelling script.

Along the way Patsy Cline sings "San Antonio Rose" and "Crazy." Piaf does "L'accordioniste" and (the one that made me tear up) "Non, je ne regrette rien" ("No, I regret nothing at all"). And Holiday gives us "Lady Sings the Blues" and "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do," this time with the band.

None of those singers were really present, of course (they're all dead, to begin with), but Ms. Lennon's impersonations are so perfect that they might as well have been. As an Édith Piaf fan, I was especially taken with her ability to conjure up the shade of "La Môme Piaf" ("the little sparrow"), right down to those "gargled" r's that are characteristic of her French. Indeed, calling those performances "impersonations" is rather like calling a Tesla Roadster an automobile. Sure, it's accurate, but it hardly does the thing justice.

Backing Ms. Lennon up is a first-rate trio of local musicians led by pianist and music director Nicolas Valdez. The night I attended, Jake Stergos played bass with Keith Bowman on percussion, sitting in for Ben Wheeler and Micah Walker, respectively.

Applause is due as well to Dialect Coach Pamela Reckamp (a vital role in a show the requires multiple English accents and a very specific form of French) and Lighting Designer Tony Anselmo. Dunsi Dai's is simple and functional, assisted by Kevin Bowman's projections, which neatly set each scene and provided visuals to illustrate the individual stories. Pamela Hunt's direction moves everything along at a good pace and insures that sight lines are always clean.

It is, in short, a flawless production.

Debby Lennon's tour de force performance of Songs for Nobodies continues through Sunday, February 2nd, in the black box space at the Kranzberg Center at Grand and Olive in Grand Center. Catch it if you can; it's truly spectacular. Tickets (if any are still available) can be ordered at the Max and Louie Productions web site.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of January 31, 2020

New this week: cabaret, contemporary drama, and an amazing one-woman show.

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New This Week:

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My Name is Asher Lev
Photo by John Gitchoff

New Jewish Theater presents My Name is Asher Lev Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm through February 9. "My Name is Asher Lev follows the journey of a young Jewish painter torn between his Hassidic upbringing and his desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise. When his artistic genius threatens to destroy his relationship with his parents and community, young Asher realizes he must make a difficult choice between art and faith. This stirring adaptation of a modern classic presents a heartbreaking and triumphant vision of what it means to be an artist." 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: Reviews for this one have been good as well, but rather than give you a sampling, here's a longer quote from Michelle Kenyon's review at her blog that seems to sum it up well: "New Jewish Theatre's latest production is a compelling showcase for excellent local actors. It's also a fascinating look at one person's struggle to find his place in two different worlds that seem at odds with one another. My Name is Asher Lev is a well-structured, almost poetic look at an artist's journey of self-discovery, and his relationship with his art, his faith, his family, and the world around him."

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Songs for Nobodies
Photo by John Lamb

Max and Louie Productions presents Songs for Nobodies, starring Debbie Lennon, Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm through February 2. "This one-woman powerhouse performance, starring Debby Lennon, weaves the music of legendary divas Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, and Maria Callas throughout a mosaic of stories told by the everyday women who had unexpected life-changing encounters with these musical icons." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: maxandlouie.com

My take: After seeing this last night, I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing Debby Lennon can't do. If she were to walk on water, I would not be surprised. As it is she plays 10 different roles including five legendary singers with unique vocal and performance styles (Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, and Maria Callas) with uncanny accuracy. Which is pretty close to miraculous. This is one you really should not miss.

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Kristen Goodman

The Blue Strawberry presents Kristen Goodman in Unrequited on Friday, January 31, at 8 pm. "St. Louis's own versatile vocalist and local musician, Kristen Goodman, is presenting an unforgettable evening of cabaret featuring some of the most beautiful, heartbreaking songs of Broadway and popular music. From Cole Porter to Stephen Sondheim, from Joni Mitchell to Sara Bareilles, Kristen has curated a night of songs that vary widely in their styles, yet express the common human experience of grief, loss, and unrequited love. Kristen will be joined by the talents of Ron Bryant on keys, Andy Hainz on bass, Dustin Sholtes on drums, and guest vocalist Cindy Minnis." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: www.bluestrawberrystl.com.

My take: Kristen Goodman is a fine singer and solid cabaret artist. I probably won't get to see this myself, but based on what I have seen her do in the past, I have no hesitation recommending this show.

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Wildfire
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents Wildfire through February 9. "Claudette, Claudia, Claudine, Carol, Callum, and Caroline have more in common than names that begin with C-they are haunted by a family history of childhood trauma, which unfolds across three generations-and then loops back … to the future. They do what they can to survive. Sometimes by baking cookies, sometimes by playing fantasy games, and sometimes by smashing a hammer into a TV. Highly absurd, terribly funny and beautifully constructed, WILDFIRE is a mix of ferocious black comedy and a humanistic worldview which recognizes that seemingly unremarkable lives can experience extraordinary fates." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

My take: The concept behind this show is intriguing, and reviews have generally been quite good. At the Post-Dispatch, for example, Calvin Wilson describes this as a "strange and wonderful comedy...which is not only incredibly imaginative but also outrageously hilarious." KDHX's Jacob Juntunen calls it "a fast-paced, fun, darkly humorous production." It's clearly not a conventional work, but maybe that's all the more reason to go.

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Held Over:

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Madam
Photo by Caroline Guffey

Fly North Theatricals presents the new musical Madam through February 2. "ELIZA HAYCRAFT - She built an EMPIRE of brothels based on three simple rules. . . RESPECT, CONSENT, and PAY UP FRONT! In 1870 - she was the richest and most powerful woman in the City of St. Louis! But in 1870, Eliza Haycraft was dying. . . And the richest and most powerful men in the City of St. Louis. . . They were hellbent on taking it all away from her. With a score by STL-based composer Colin Healy (The Gringo, Forgottonia) described as 'power swing', fusing elements of modern pop and musical theatre with traditional St. Louis blues and swing revival, you can move-and-be-moved by this turbulent story about the right to be remembered, the meaning of love, and the power of 'no.'" Performances take place at the .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: https://flynorththeatricals.com/events.

My take: New scripts are always welcome (as our new theatre companies), and a couple of our local critics are very taken with both the show and the production. "Madam," writes Michelle Kenyon on her blog, "takes a look at a once-prominent but now more obscure figure in St. Louis history, fashioning a story around her that proves to be a vehicle for a memorable score and strong performances. Even though some of the plot elements are predictable, it proves to be a thoroughly entertaining theatrical experience." "While the acting is solid," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "what really distinguishes in this production of Madam are the standout vocal performances by the cast. The women in particular have stellar voices which beautifully shape Healy's lyrics and successfully navigate his sometimes intricate melodies."

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The Thanksgiving Play
Photo by Phil Hamer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Thanksgiving Play through February 9. "Four earnestly progressive theatre-makers want to create a politically correct Thanksgiving play that is historically accurate, avoids all possible stereotypes and doesn't offend anyone. Guess how long it takes for everything to fly off the rails? This wickedly hilarious satire hurtles into glorious chaos, skewering both its characters' pretensions and the traditional "Thanksgiving story."" Performances take place in the Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

My take: The best of intentions can be taken to silly extremes. I have seen it happen in real life, so the premise of this comedy strikes me as fairly plausible. As Ann Lemmons Pollack writes in her blog, playwright Larissa FastHorse is "really tired of how history is so often wrong, being written by the winners, and how strongly people cling to the errors despite information to the contrary. Her attempt to set things straight on the subject of Thanksgiving, rather than a this-is-what-really-happened line, is a comedy to remind us to think more about the real story of Thanksgiving, and, by inference, a lot of other things...Great fun, considerable laughter, and ninety minutes with no intermission. " "FastHorse's satire is incisive but affectionate," writes Calvin Wilson at the Post-Dispatch, "maintaining a tone somewhere between 'Doonesbury' and Dorothy Parker. And her comically flustered characters are at once quirky and recognizable."

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of February 13, 2017

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

Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Buying the Moose Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., February 17-19. Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Chuck Lavazzi and Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and The Emerald Room at the Monocle present a Cabaret Open Mic Night on Wednesday, February 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by the pianist and music director Carol Schmidt. The master of ceremonies is 88.1 KDHX senior performing arts critic Chuck Lavazzi. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. It's also recommend that you have your song memorized. The Emerald Room at The Monocle is at 4510 Manchester in The Grove. For more information, visit themonoclestl.com.

St. Louis Community College at Meramec presents Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead Wednesday through Sunday, February 15-19. "A New York Fringe Festival hit which satirizes the Peanuts comic strip by aging its cast of characters into their teenage years. Consumed with teenage angst, experimentation and sexual identity, CB and his friends face questions of morality, the existence of an afterlife and true friendship." The production is recommended for mature audiences. Performances take place in the theatre on the campus at 11333 Big Bend Road. For more information, stlcc.edu/MC or call 314-984-7500.

A Doll's House
Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents Ibsen's drama A Doll's House through February 18. "Nora Helmer once committed forgery in order to save the life of her authoritarian husband, Torvald. Years later she is being blackmailed, living in fear and shame of what might destroy Torvald's career. When the truth is revealed, Nora is shocked to learn where she really stands in her husband's esteem. Henrik Ibsen's world_renowned drama contains perhaps the most scandalous theatrical climax in all of 19th century drama." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Five Women Wearing the Same Dress Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. February 15-19. "During a very fancy wedding reception five, reluctant, identically clad bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each with their own reason to avoid the proceedings below. As the afternoon wears on, these five very different women, joyously discover a common bond in this wickedly funny, irreverent, and touching celebration of women's spirit." Performances take place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siue.edu

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley presents the Sam Shepard drama Fool for Love February 17-25. Performances take place in the Fisher Theatre on the campus at 3400 Pershall Road. For more information, www.stlcc.edu/fv or call 314-644-5522.

KTK Productions presents the Agatha Christie's Go Back for Murder February 17-26. "Imprisoned for poisoning her husband fifteen years earlier, Caroline Crale finds herself at death's door and writes a letter expressing her undeniable innocence to her daughter Carla. Carla, aided by Justin Fogg - a former admirer of Caroline - persuades those present on the day of her father's death to return to the scene of the crime. When the witnesses reassemble, Fogg discovers the identity of the true murderer, and Carla discovers her true feelings for Fogg." Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information: kurtainkall.org or call 314-351-8984.

The Ice Fishing Play
Photo: John Lamb

The West End Players Guild continues their 106th season with The Ice Fishing Play Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, February 16-19. Described as "Joel and Ethan Coen meet Samuel Beckett," The Ice Fishing Play is written by story teller and NPR radio broadcaster Kevin Kling, dubbed the "Minnesota Story Laureate." 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.

Act Two Theatre presents the musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change through February 19. "This celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as 'the relationship.' Act I explores the journey from dating and waiting to love and marriage, while Act II reveals the agonies and triumphs of in-laws and newborns, trips in the family car and pick-up techniques of the geriatric set. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, 'Say, what are you doing Saturday night?'" 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.

Peabody Opera House presents the Fiasco Theatre production of the Sondheim musical Into the Woods on Sunday, February 19, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. "Venture back INTO THE WOODS as the Dodgers (Jersey Boys, Matilda) team up with Networks (Phantom, War Horse, South Pacific) to present the acclaimed Fiasco Theater production that became New York's surprise hit of this season, coming to Peabody Opera House for two performances on February 19. Unanimously acclaimed, extended twice at the Roundabout's Laura Pels Theater, the Tony Award-winning musical classic by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine has been mounted with boundless imagination. This witty and wildly theatrical re-invention is INTO THE WOODS like you've never seen it before!" The Peabody Opera House is at 14th and Market, downtown. For more information: peabodyoperahouse.com.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Max and Louie Productions presents the one-woman show Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill February 17 - March 4. "It's March 1959 and at a small Philadelphia club, jazz and blues "phenom" Billie Holiday takes the stage for one of the last shows of her life. Playwright Lanie Robertson's Musical Drama allows us a penetrating look into the life and times of Billie "Lady Day" Holiday, as we listen to the profound legacy of her artistry-the music itself." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Cener, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit maxandlouie.com.

Clinton County Showcase presents Ken Ludwig's farce Lend Me a Tenor through February 19. "World-renowned tenor Tito Merelli has signed on to play Otello at a Cleveland opera company in the fall of 1934. He arrives late and, through a set of crazy circumstances, passes out after mixing wine with a huge dose of tranquilizers. Believing that the divo is dead, the excitable opera manager taps his hapless assistant, an aspiring singer named Max, to suit up as the Moor and replace Merelli. Meanwhile, the tenor's jealous wife, his ambitious female co-star, Max's young girlfriend and the flirtatious head of the opera guild are on the scene fighting-sometimes literally-for the star's attention. Nominated for a Tony Award in Best Play and a Lawrence Olivier Award for Comedy of the Year, this farce is sure to bring you lots of laughter and entertainment." Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

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

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents The Philadelphia Story Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., Febr 15-26. "Socialite Tracy Lord is preparing for her second marriage at the estate of her family. The Philadelphia Lords have all gathered for the celebration. So has Tracy's ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven and an attractive reporter named Mike Connor. This makes the weekend a little more complicated. These American nobles handle all with a lot of wit in this classic 1930s comedy. There's nothing like a high-society wedding for some high-caliber entertainment." Performances take place in the Emerson Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents the musical Pump Boys and Dinettes Tuesday through Sunday, February 14-19. " Set in a gas station and diner,  Pump Boys and Dinettes stars four gas station attendants (L.M., Jackson, Jim and Eddie) and two waitresses (Prudie and Rhetta Cupp), a musical group who love fishin', beer, and a slice of homemade pie. Equipped with guitar, piano, bass, cello, ukulele, banjo, and a few kitchen utensils, they are serving up a night of fun in this concert-style show about life's simple pleasures. The music is a quirky, highly imaginative blend of country, rock-a-billy, swing, rock and jazz." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Something Rotten
Photo: Jeremy Daniel

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Something Rotten through February 19. "Set in 1595, this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are desperate to write a hit play. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL!" The Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Christopher Sergel's stage adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird through March 5. "Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a beloved tale that still resonates today. Scout Finch is growing up in Depression-era Alabama, where poverty and prejudice dominate daily life. With the guidance of her wise father, Atticus, the rebellious Scout discovers her own path, learning the power of empathy and the struggle for justice." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Twisted Improv on Friday, February 17, at 8 p.m. at The Steamboat Room, 314 S. Clay in Kirkwood, MO. "Join Adam and his crew for an interactive night of fun and laughter.Beer, wine and food available from Kirkwood Station Brewery." For more information: ktg-onstage.org.

The Way We Get By
Photo: John Lamb

V-Day Wash U presents The Vagina Monologues Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., February 17 and 18. "Produced, directed and performed by Wash U students, the Vagina Monologues is an annual fundraiser for V-Day Wash U. V-Day Wash U is a local chapter of an international movement dedicated to ending violence against women and girls around the world. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. All money raised through ticket sales and other fundraisers by V-Day Wash U will support Planned Parenthood's educational endeavors." The performances take place in Holmes Lounge on the Washington University campus. For more information: edison.wustl.edu.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Neil Labute's The Way We Get By through February 26. "Meet Beth and Doug, two people who have no problems getting dates with their partners of choice. After a drunken party and a hot night, they wake up to a blurry morning where the rules of attraction, sex, and society are waiting for them before their first cup of coffee. It's very awkward-and it also leads the pair to ponder how much they really know about each other, and how much they really care about what other people think." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

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

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

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