Chuck's Choices for the weekend of May 30, 2014

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

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Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry V nightly except for Tuesdays through June 15. Beginning May 26, the production alternates with performances of Henry IV. Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org and don't forget to check out my interview with the directors.

My take: The festival's production of Henry IV has already gotten raves and it looks like the sequel is doing the same. In her review for KDHX, Tina Farmer says this is "a well-acted, fast-paced retelling of the glory days of Henry V's reign, from the battle of Agincourt, where Henry prevailed against the odds, to the resulting peace, sealed with the marriage of Henry and Katherine."

Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis Actors' Studio continues its seventh season, themed Sins of the Father, with Pinter's The Homecoming through June 8. "In an old and slightly seedy house in North London there lives a family of men: Max, the aging, crude patriarch, his ineffectual brother Sam and two of Max's three sons, both unmarried- Lenny, a small-time pimp and Joey, who dreams of success as a boxer. Into this sinister abode comes the eldest son Teddy, now a successful professor of philosophy in America. After six years abroad, Teddy brings his wife Ruth, to meet the family for the first time. In the style that became a trademark, Pinter creates mounting tension, with insidiously bizarre accusations and proposals by the men to Ruth, The Homecoming gives way to an ominous game of cat and mice." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

My take: Pinter is an acquired taste; it took me many years and the experience of actually acting in a Pinter script to appreciate the nuances of a writer who implies rather than states. "Harold Pinter's tale of family dysfunction," writes Tina Farmer in her review for KDHX, "is a well-acted, sharply directed and tightly produced piece, driven by a surprisingly satisfying level of dark humor and absurdity."

Held Over:

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Always..Patsy Cline through June 22. "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,' 'WalkinÄô 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.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry IV nightly except for Tuesdays, May 15 through June 14. Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, written as two separate plays, have been edited to fit into one evening. Beginning May 25, the production alternates with performances of Henry V. "Audience members can expect a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience this season," said Rick Dildine, Artistic and Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St.Louis. "Many theaters around the world have performed these plays in consecutive seasons; however, we are performing them at the same time with the same cast on the same set." Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org.

My take: This is a rare opportunity to see two (well, three, if you count the two parts of Henry IV) of Shakespeare's history plays back to back and with a single unifying concept. Costuming is period, but the themes are timeless. As Tim Ocel says in his director's notes for Henry IV, this is "the story of human beings shaping a civilization...Shakespeare saw that the future inclines to those who believe in a forward moving energy, not to those who hold back mankind's potential due to a selfish lack of vision." If that sounds familiar it's probably because, as Walt Kelly once wrote, "those things which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand. Resolve, then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tiny blasts of tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us."  Check out my interview with the directors for more information.

New Jewish Theater presents Old Jews Telling Jokes through June 1. "Think you've heard them all before? Think again! If you've ever had a mother, visited a doctor or walked into a bar with a priest, a rabbi and a frog, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will sit in the dark, give you a second opinion and ask you where you got that. You'll laugh til you plotz. It is a kosher pickle barrel full of laughs! Straight from NY, this is the first independent production; recommended for mature audiences." 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: "I'm sorry not to be able to delve into the arc of the plot or the themes that this evening investigates," writes Steve Callahan in his review for 88.1 KDHX, "for in fact there are none. But after all, whaddya get when five old Jews walk into a theatre? You get—at its simplest, at its purest—entertainment." Besides, any show that includes a sing-along version of Tom Lehrer's "I'm Spending Hannukah in Santa Monica" has got my vote. So go, already. Enjoy.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of May 26, 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 ArtsZipper site.

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Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Always..Patsy Cline through June 22. "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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents The Dapper Flappers through July 27. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Donizetti's comedy The Elixir of Love in rotating repertory with three other operas May 31-June 25. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the St. Louis premiere of the musical Hands on a Hardbody Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, May 29 - June 21. "This unique new musical is based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name, about an annual contest at a Texas truck dealership, where ten hard-luck Texans compete for a new hardbody truck. A new lease on life is so close each of them can touch it, and now for once, their fate is in their hands. Under a scorching sun, over the next 144 hours they will laugh, cry and push their bodies and minds to the limits, as they fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck. The contestant with the most nerve and endurance will drive away with the American Dream." Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. For more information: newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry IV nightly except for Tuesdays through June 14. Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, written as two separate plays, have been edited to fit into one evening. Beginning May 25, the production alternates with performances of Henry V. “Audience members can expect a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience this season,” said Rick Dildine, Artistic and Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St.Louis. “Many theaters around the world have performed these plays in consecutive seasons; however, we are performing them at the same time with the same cast on the same set.” Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org and don't forget to check out my interview with the directors. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry V nightly except for Tuesdays through June 15. Beginning May 26, the production alternates with performances of Henry IV. Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org and don't forget to check out my interview with the directors. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis Actors' Studio continues its seventh season, themed Sins of the Father, with Pinter's The Homecoming through June 8. " In an old and slightly seedy house in North London there lives a family of men: Max, the aging, crude patriarch, his ineffectual brother Sam and two of Max's three sons, both unmarried- Lenny, a small-time pimp and Joey, who dreams of success as a boxer. Into this sinister abode comes the eldest son Teddy, now a successful professor of philosophy in America. After six years abroad, Teddy brings his wife Ruth, to meet the family for the first time. In the style that became a trademark, Pinter creates mounting tension, with insidiously bizarre accusations and proposals by the men to Ruth, The Homecoming gives way to an ominous game of cat and mice." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Mozart's The Magic Flute in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 28. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. "Mozart’s most enchanting masterpiece returns in an all-new production, directed and designed by fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi. In this fantastic fairy tale, a prince goes on a quest to rescue a beautiful princess. His  companion, a bird catcher, hopes to snare true love. But in the end, it’s revealed that no one’s magic is ever quite as it seems." All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.  Read my preview article! Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Music, Courage, and Belief in Dialogues of the Carmelites. "Based on a true story of Carmelite nuns during the French Revolution, Dialogues of the Carmelites challenges modern understandings of faith and courage, asking audiences to contemplate the true meaning of sacrifice. Guest speaker Dr. Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Society of the Sacred Heart, will lead off the conversation with reflections on this true story, joined on the panel by conductor Ward Stare, director Robin Guarino, and soprano Christine Brewer." It's part of their Spotlight on Opera, a series of four insightful dialogues exploring the ideas in each season's opera, and it takes place on Monday, June 2, at 7:30 PM at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

New Jewish Theater presents Old Jews Telling Jokes through June 1. “Think you've heard them all before? Think again! If you've ever had a mother, visited a doctor or walked into a bar with a priest, a rabbi and a frog, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will sit in the dark, give you a second opinion and ask you where you got that. You'll laugh til you plotz. It is a kosher pickle barrel full of laughs! Straight from NY, this is the first independent production.; recommended for mature audiences.” 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!

Circus Flora presents its new show, The Pawn, May 29 through June 22 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center next to Powell Hall. " Drawing from the history of chess, this mythic tale is steeped in the rich sights, sounds and mystique of ancient Persia and India. The audience will journey to an exotic world where myth and intellect collide, and the stone city surrenders to the desert's ever shifting sands. Follow the Pawn on his journey through curious creatures and intrigues: knights mounted on steed, bishops zigzagging across colored squares, chess pieces flying through the air. In this world, the chess pieces do not wait to be moved. They have their own adventures to play out under the big top. For more information, visit circusflora.org.

Stages St. Louis presents the musical They're Playing Our Song May 30 - June 29. "Meet Vernon, a neurotic, witty composer and Sonia, a wacky, free spirited lyricist who form an unlikely partnership to write the next great love song. A rocky and hilarious start leaves them struggling to find their creative harmony - and romance was definitely not what they were expecting! But a series of unlikely events lead to a match made in musical comedy heaven. They're Playing Our Song is inspired by the real life love story of Academy Award-winning composer, Marvin Hamlisch (The Way We Were, The Sting) and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Carole Bayer Sager (“That's What Friends Are For”, “Nobody Does It Better” ). Topping off the jazzy score is a laugh-a-minute book by America's leading funny man, Tony Award Winner Neil Simon (Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple). A sweet and sophisticated musical romp, They're Playing Our Song will have you singing along from curtain up to curtain down!" 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.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents This is Nowhere by Caitlin McCommis Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM, through June 1 "Annie has built her life around travel and adventure, but it takes an unexpected turn when she's diagnosed with a debilitating chronic illness. She's ready to settle down, but when an old friend and fellow-wanderer returns to tell her about his recent adventures, she finds herself yearning for a past life and faces a tough choice: to fight against the illness or to fight for herself?" Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission on Delmar, across from the Pageant. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

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 January 13, 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 ArtsZipper site.

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Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Arthur Miller's drama All My Sons Thursday [January 24 only] through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday [January 19 only] at 2 PM, January 17-26. Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre of the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road. For more information, call 314-821-9956 or visit ktg-onstage.org.

The Pub Theater Company presents Bye Bye Liver: The St. Louis Drinking Play, a comedic romp through the joys and pitfalls of The Gateway to the West's favorite pastime. Performances take place on Saturdays at 9 PM at Maggie O'Brien's, 2000 Market Street. For more information, you may call 314-827-4185, email stlouis at byebyeliver.com, or visit byebyeliver.com/stlouis.

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and 88.1 KDHX present the monthly Cabaret Open Stage Night on Wednesday, January 15, from 7 to 10 PM at the Tavern of Fine Arts. The master of ceremonies is 88.1 KDHX senior performing arts critic Chuck Lavazzi and the music director is Carol Schmidt. Bring your favorite seasonal songs and be prepared for the big sing-along! 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 Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt at Waterman in the Central West End. There's free parking in the lot right across the street. For more information, visit tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com or call 314-367-7549.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Flaming Saddles through April 27. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents its Bullets in the Bathtub through April 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents Crossing Delancey through January 19. 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.

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents Jeff Stetson's The Meeting, based on a supposed meeting between Malcom X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., through January 26. Performances take place at the Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University. For more information: theblackrep.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Michael Hollinger's Opus through February 2. "With only four days to rehearse for their most important performance ever, a world-class string quartet takes a chance by hiring a gifted but inexperienced young woman. Onstage the Lazara Quartet is pitch perfect but behind the scenes they're coming unstrung as the four artists battle the sweat, tears and pain that go into making extraordinary music seem effortless. This fascinating play is a passionate look at the delicate and complex relationships between artists' lives and their art." Performances take place 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!

St. Louis Actors' Studio continues its seventh season, themed Sins of the Father, with Arthur Miller's The Ride Down Mount Morgan January 17 - February 2. Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Peabody Opera House presents Sesame Street Live: Make A New Friend Thursday through Sunday, January 16-19. For more information, visit peabodyoperahouse.com or call 314-622-5420.

The Midnight Theatre Company presents the St. Louis premiere of Solemn Mockeries, the Notorious True Story of the Great Shakespeare Forgery by Rick Creese Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, through January 18. “Solemn Mockeries tells the true story of William Henry Ireland, who as a teenager in 1795, ignored by his father, detested by his stepmother, despised by his teachers, became an expert Shakespearean forger, producing dead-on facsimiles of the Bard's signatures,and creating his business papers, love letters, a rewritten KING LEAR and the “lost” Shakespeare play VORTIGERN. Taking London by storm, his VORTIGERN by William Shakespeare was scheduled to play the Drury Lane, the finest theatre in London, with a cast of the greatest performers of the day, including John Phillip Kemble, Mrs. Siddons and Mrs. Jordan, with the Duke of Clarence as his benefactor. In SOLEMN MOCKERIES, Ireland has returned to England thirty years later to proudly confess the literary crime of the century -and remember the one, wild, unforgettable staging of his “Shakespeare” play at the Drury.” Performances take place at Stray Dog Theatre's Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information call 314-487-5305 or visit www.midnightcompany.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents Theatreworks USA performing The Teacher From The Black Lagoon And Other Storybooks Friday at 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM, January 17-19. Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit www.florissantmo.com.

Circus Harmony presents Verismo, described as “the four seasons, circus style,” on Saturdays at 2 and 7 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 18-26. Performances take place at City Museum, 701 N. 15th Street. Museum  admission is free with your ticket purchase. For more information: circusharmony.org.

First Run Theatre presents Whatever Remains, a new Sherlock Holmes mystery by Jason Slavik, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM through January 19. Performances take place at First Run Theatre at De Smet Jesuit High School Theatre, 233 N. New Ballas Rd. For more information, call (314) 352-5114 or visit www.firstruntheatre.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

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, 2013

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

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The Edison Theatre Ovations for Young People series presents The Adventures Of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer on Saturday, October 5, at 11 AM and 2 PM. “The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer is the story of the enduring love of a brave explorer with a heart as big as a whale. This highly imaginative fusion of animation, mime, puppetry and projection is a multi-award-winning one-man-show by master storyteller Tim Watts. Unique, moving and thoroughly entertaining, this show's “mix of environmental disaster, twee humor and cutie-pie whimsy makes it something akin to a theatrical Wall-E” according to the New York Times. Winner of the 2011 “Best Theatre Show” at the Auckland Fringe Festival, “Outstanding Solo Show” at the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival and “Best Puppetry” at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2010.” Performances take place at Edison Theater on the Washington University campus. For more information, edison.wustl.edu or call 314-935-6543.

My take: The Ovations for Young People series has an impressive track record of bringing high-quality children's theatre to town. If you're looking for something to show the young ones why a live show on stage always has more impact than a movie or video, no matter how big the screen is, this might just be it.

The Alpha Players of Florissant present the musical Les Miserables through October 6 at The Florissant Civic Center Theater, Parker Rd. at Waterford Dr. in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678.

My take: Yes, I know we're up to our chapeaux in productions of this wonderful musical/operetta this season, but this one is entirely local and the work of a community theater group to boot. It's such an ambitious undertaking that it would be worth a shout out for that reason alone. Happily, it appears to also be a good production. "Director Sharon Cotner," writes Bob Wilcox in his review for 88.1 KDHX, 'has handled this sprawling story intelligently, and she draws variety and liveliness from the large cast...If you're a "Les Miz" fan, Alpha Players has a production of it you'll enjoy."

St. Louis Actors' Studio opens its seventh season, themed Sins of the Father, with Susan Lori-Parks' Pulitzer Prize Winning play Topdog, Underdog through October 6. A “darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity,” the play “tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, two brothers whose names were given to them as a joke, foretelling a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment. Haunted by the past, the brothers are forced to confront the shattering reality of their future.” Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

My take: It's hard to argue with a Pulitzer, and this looks like a good production. "The characters are genuinely compelling," writes Tina Farmer in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "and the all too familiar story of lives of desperation leading to equally desperate actions seems sadly poignant."  

Held over:

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret through October 6. “In this multi award-winning musical, a young, naïve American writer arrives in 1930s Berlin and is swept away by the decadent pleasures of the sexy, seedy world that is the Cabaret. At the center of it all is the beguiling Sally Bowles, who takes the stage every night. Inside the Kit Kat Klub life is beautiful, but outside the world is about to change.” Performances take place 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: After multiple revivals and substantial script and score revisions, does this dramatic portrait of a nation on the eve of destruction still have the power to shock and move an audience? Judging by the standing ovation that greeted Cabaret when we saw it, I'd say the answer is "yes, in spades." There were occasional missteps and the amplified voices were not always as clear as they might have been, but those are minor flaws in an otherwise fine production distinguished by smart direction and solid acting; see my capsule review for more details.

Photo: John Lamb

The West End Players Guild opens their 103rd season with the St. Louis premiere of Lee Blessing's Lonesome Hollow by Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, September 27-October 6. There will also be a show on Thursday, October 3, at 8 PM. “In an America of the 'soonish' future, society has taken a stand against sex offenders, consigning them permanently to a series of privately-run gulags. This provocative and chilling parable of vengeance and community standards charts a disturbing trip down a slippery moral slope.” 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: OK, I'm on the board and play reading committee at West End, so I'm not a disinterested party here. That said, I was massively impressed by the script when I read it last year. It's funny, it's creepy, and it raises very provocative questions about the how the punishment a society metes out to its undesirables reflects on its larger values. Theatre that enlightens and entertains is always worth supporting. "This play is probably the riskiest piece WEPG is done to date," writes Andrea Braun in her review for 88.1 KDHX, noting that "WEPG gives it a stylish showcase."

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents My Fair Lady September 6 through October 6. 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: I have always loved this show, a feeling that only increased after I had the pleasure of playing Alfred P. Doolittle in Stray Dog Theatre's production a few years ago. Unlike some musical adaptations of classic plays, My Fair Lady retains the spirit and a fair amount of dialog from its original (Shaw's Pygmalion). The combination of Lerner and Loewe's score and Shaw's bit is unbeatable. "You should see this absolutely fabulous My Fair Lady if you have the chance," writes Andrea Braun in her review for 88.1 KDHX. "I don’t see how it could have been done any better, and overall, it is just a “loverly” production of an American musical theatre treasure.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 26, 2013

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

Carol Schmidt

The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents the High School Cabaret Conference Showcase on Sunday, July 28, at 7 PM. The showcase features six singers from the conference with Carol Schmidt at the piano. The performance takes place at The Bistro at Grand Center, 3536 Washington Blvd. Tickets are $10, available at the door with cash or check.

My take: As I noted in my interview for OnSTL last week, the cabaret scene in St. Louis is as hopping as it is largely unknown by the general public. The St. Louis Cabaret Conference has been producing top-notch talent for years now. The high school version is relatively new, but the degree of talent displayed by the kids in the program is really pretty amazing. It doesn't hurt that Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt are both very effective teachers and talented performers in their own right. The Bistro has a respectable menu, by the way, so you might want to show up early and grab a bite and a libation.

Blood Brothers
Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival Part 2 through July 28 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. Part 2 features performances of The Possible by LaBute along with Kink by Joshua Thomas, Blood Brothers by Rachel Fenton, Present Tense by Nancy Bell and Peter Grandbois, and Cut by Daniel Damiano. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

My take: I'm not an unabashed admirer of LaBute, but there's no question that an evening of new plays by local playwrights is always welcome. "The first part of the festival," writes Tina Farmer in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "set the tone with assertive, contemporary shows that bristled with tension and energy. The company's production of the second series of new short plays fully demonstrates that commitment to previously untested material and ideas as well as emerging playwrights."

Held Over

Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents the musical Little Shop of Horrors Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, July 18-August 3. There will be a matinee on the closing Saturday at 2 PM in addition to the evening show. "Seymour, a nerdy floral shop employee, becomes an overnight sensation when he raises an exotic plant that has a mysterious craving for human blood. Based on a 1960’s low-budget sci-fi film, this gleefully gruesome rock musical has zany characters and songs sure to delight audiences of all ages." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: I've done a number of shows with Stray Dog over the years and have been consistently impressed with the quality of their work and how well they treat their performers and tech folks. You might not think that matters that much from the audience standpoint, but as someone who works both sides of the footlights, I can tell you can a cast that's loving their work will always communicate that to the audience, intentionally or otherwise. Besides, this show—with its spot-on parodies of 50s and 60s sounds and hilariously dark humor—is always worth seeing. "As usual," writes Tina Farmer in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "the company does not disappoint with this production, adding a touch of earnest to the inside jokes and dark humor inherent in the original script."

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents the musical The Wiz through July 28. Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. Joining the cast for this extended production are J. Samuel Davis as The Wiz, Leslie Johnson as the Tinman, and Alicia Reeve as the Scarecrow. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810.

My take: This 1970s soul version of The Wizard of Oz crackles with energy, and a good production is always fun. This particular production of The Wiz was originally scheduled to close on June 30. Ticket sales were so brisk, though, that the Black Rep elected to go an hiatus for two weeks, re-cast the roles whose actors had conflicts for July, and re-open this weekend. "I had a blast," wrote Sheila Schultz in her review of the original production for 88.1 KDHX. "I head home humming 'Ease on Down the Road'. Still humming."

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 19, 2013

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

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Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents the musical Little Shop of Horrors Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, July 18-August 3. There will be a matinee on the closing Saturday at 2 PM in addition to the evening show. "Seymour, a nerdy floral shop employee, becomes an overnight sensation when he raises an exotic plant that has a mysterious craving for human blood. Based on a 1960’s low-budget sci-fi film, this gleefully gruesome rock musical has zany characters and songs sure to delight audiences of all ages."  

My take: I've done a number of shows with Stray Dog over the years and have been consistently impressed with the quality of their work and how well they treat their performers and tech folks. You might not think that matters that much from the audience standpoint, but as someone who works both sides of the footlights, I can tell you can a cast that's loving their work will always communicate that to the audience, intentionally or otherwise. Besides, this show—with it's spot-on parodies of 50s and 60s sounds and hilariously dark humor—is always worth seeing. Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

The Possible

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival Part 1 through July 14 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. Part 2 features performances of The Possible by LaBute along with Kink by Joshua Thomas, Blood Brothers by Rachel Fenton, Present Tense by Nancy Bell and Peter Grandbois, and Cut by Daniel Damiano.  

My take: I'm not a huge LaBute fan myself, but in Tina Farmer, her review of Part one of the festival for 88.1 KDHX, described it as "five well-written, well-performed new works that pack a punch. Each piece features contemporary persons in contemporary settings exploring the fine art of living, and the selection committee is to be commended on their choices." Will part 2 follow suit? Check it out and discover for yourself. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Held over:

(c) 2013 Ron Lindsey

Union Avenue Opera presents Puccini's Madama Butterfly Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, July 12-20. 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.  
 My take: Union Avenue is a small local opera company that has successfully produced both classics like this one as well as newer works—most notably the Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally collaboration Dead Man Walking in 2011—that stretch the company's artistic and physical limits. This one didn't stretch them at all; it's a very solid, compelling production of an operatic classic. How good is it? Well, I really liked it and I'm all that fond of this particular opera. You can see my review at 88.1 KDHX for details, but the bottom line is Union Avenue's Madama Butterfly is so good that it made me forget why I don't much like Madama Butterfly. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents the musical The Wiz through July 28. Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. Joining the cast for this extended production are J. Samuel Davis as The Wiz, Leslie Johnson as the Tinman, and Alicia Reeve as the Scarecrow.   

My take: This 1970s soul version of The Wizard of Oz crackles with energy, and a good production is always fun. This particular production of The Wiz was originally scheduled to close on June 30. Ticket sales were so brisk, though, that the Black Rep elected to go an hiatus for two weeks, re-cast the roles whose actors had conflicts for July, and re-open this weekend. "I had a blast," wrote Sheila Schultz in her review of the original production for 88.1 KDHX. "I head home humming 'Ease on Down the Road'. Still humming." For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 21st

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

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Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Smetana's comedy The Kiss in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 28. “Brimming with joyful music, sly romance, and delightful comedy, The Kiss is a bright and buoyant escape. Experience this rarely produced folk masterpiece by the composer of The Bartered Bride in its first American staging in over two decades. Co-produced with Ireland's Wexford Festival Opera, this production of The Kiss premiered to rave reviews there as “the runaway success of the 2010 festival” (Financial Times, London).” This opera isn't performed often, at least on this side of the Atlantic, so it's apperance here is a welcome one Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

The Muny presents the Muny premiere of Monty Python's Spamalot Monday through Sunday at 8:15 PM, June 17-23, in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. I was somewhat underwhelmed by the tour of this show when I reviewed it for KDHX in 2006, but Bob Wilcox has seen this production and had good things to say about it, so maybe I didn't see it under the best of circumstances. Or maybe they've trimmed it a bit in the interim. For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

The St. Lou Fringe Festival takes place Thursday through Sunday, June 20-23, at several venues in the Grand Center area including the Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand), the rock club Fubar (3108 Locust), and ANNONYarts at Satori (3003 Locust.) Performances include traditional theater, dance, music, comedy, circus arts, performance art, cabaret, and burlesque, with acts from St. Louis and around the country. Last year's Fringe offered an impressive array of performing arts events and this one promises to be even larger and more varied. Some of the performances that look especially interesting to me (in no particular order) are:

• Joel Doty's I Am My Own Militia or Mea’s Unique Garage Sale at Fubar
• Daniel MacIvor’s one-act comedy This Is a Play, by R-S Theatrics at Fubar
• Christy Strickland Live, a program of big band and cabaret standards at Satori
• Montana: The Shakespearean Scarface by the NonProphet Theater Company (the folks that brought you Corleone: The Shakespearean Godfather, in which I played the title role) at Satori
• Underneath the Lintel by Pat O'Brien's Vanity Theatrics. "Veteran TV and Film actor Pat O’Brien plays an obsessive compulsive librarian who finds a book 123 years overdue and embarks on a worldwide quest to apprehend the borrower."
• Hey Minnie the Moocher: A Musical Tribute to Cotton Club Swing Jazz Legends by Rajpa Productions at Fubar

For a complete schedule, visit the festival calendar site.

Held over:

New Line Theatre presents the St. Louis premier of the musical Bukowsical Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through June 22. "With book and lyrics by Spencer Green and Gary Stockdale, and music by Stockdale, Bukowsical is a wacky, high-energy – and gleefully adult – musical comedy, an ironic and insightful 21st-century reboot of the classic American musical comedy, exploring the intersection between sex, drugs, booze, and art, all through the life story of the great American novelist and poet Charles Bukowski." I haven't seen this, but the idea is so much in line with the mission of the Church of the SubGenius that it demands attention. "The show is, I think, ephemera," writes Steve Callahan in his review for 88.1 KDHX, "But it’s the sort of ephemera that a company like New Line should be doing. And they do it so very, very well!" Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. For more information, call 314-534-1111.

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the world premiere of Champion in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 30. “Audiences across the country are already anticipating the world premiere of this compelling new opera in jazz. With music by five-time Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard and libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Michael Cristofer, Champion is inspired by the true story of Emile Griffith. An immigrant from the Virgin Islands, Emile claimed the title of World Welterweight Champion in a fatal 1962 fight which transformed him into a tragic hero and left the two-year old son of his opponent, Benny “The Kid” Paret, without a father.” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. The combination of composer, librettist, and subject matter make this an easy call. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents King Lear through June 23 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. "The St. Louis Actors Studio has opened a fine production of King Lear, writes Steve Callahan in his review for 88.1 KDHX, "and it's an excellent opportunity for you to make your little temporal tithe." For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 29. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. As I note in my review for 88.1 KDHX, this may not be a perfect production, but it's pretty darned good and well worth seeing. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Puccini's Il Tabarro and Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 29. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. As I note in my review for 88.1 KDHX, this is "a dramatically powerful and musically impeccable combination of two classics of verismo opera." For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Circus Flora presents its new show, A Trip to the Moon through June 23 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center next to Powell Hall. "Inspired by Georges Méliès' groundbreaking 1902 film, A Trip to the Moon, Circus Flora's creative team captures the film's imaginative spirit ...A Trip to the Moon borrows this iconic piece of cinematic history and Méliès' artistic instruments to construct the visual styling, costuming and narrative elements." "Circus Flora continues to amaze us," writes Sheila Schultz in her review for 88.1 KDHX. "Unflinching, its artists perform mind-boggling feats of daring." For more inforamtion, visit circusflora.org.

The Black Rep presents the musical The Wiz through June 29. Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Sheila Schultz says "I had a blast." For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 14, 2013

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:

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the world premiere of Champion in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 30. “Audiences across the country are already anticipating the world premiere of this compelling new opera in jazz. With music by five-time Grammy Award-winning composer Terence Blanchard and libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Michael Cristofer, Champion is inspired by the true story of Emile Griffith. An immigrant from the Virgin Islands, Emile claimed the title of World Welterweight Champion in a fatal 1962 fight which transformed him into a tragic hero and left the two-year old son of his opponent, Benny “The Kid” Paret, without a father.” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. The combination of composer, librettist, and subject matter make this an easy call. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents King Lear through June 23 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. "The St. Louis Actors Studio has opened a fine production of King Lear, writes Steve Callahan in his review for 88.1 KDHX, "and it's an excellent opportunity for you to make your little temporal tithe." For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Held over:

New Line Theatre presents the St. Louis premier of the musical Bukowsical Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through June 22. "With book and lyrics by Spencer Green and Gary Stockdale, and music by Stockdale, Bukowsical is a wacky, high-energy – and gleefully adult – musical comedy, an ironic and insightful 21st-century reboot of the classic American musical comedy, exploring the intersection between sex, drugs, booze, and art, all through the life story of the great American novelist and poet Charles Bukowski." I haven't seen this, but the idea is so much in line with the mission of the Church of the SubGenius that it demands attention. "The show is, I think, ephemera," writes Steve Callahan in his review for 88.1 KDHX, "But it’s the sort of ephemera that a company like New Line should be doing. And they do it so very, very well!" Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. For more information, call 314-534-1111.

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 29. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. As I note in my review for 88.1 KDHX, this may not be a perfect production, but it's pretty darned good and well worth seeing. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Puccini's Il Tabarro and Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 29. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. As I note in my review for 88.1 KDHX, this is "a dramatically powerful and musically impeccable combination of two classics of verismo opera." For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Circus Flora presents its new show, A Trip to the Moon through June 23 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center next to Powell Hall. "Inspired by Georges Méliès' groundbreaking 1902 film, A Trip to the Moon, Circus Flora's creative team captures the film's imaginative spirit ...A Trip to the Moon borrows this iconic piece of cinematic history and Méliès' artistic instruments to construct the visual styling, costuming and narrative elements." "Circus Flora continues to amaze us," writes Sheila Schultz in her review for 88.1 KDHX. "Unflinching, its artists perform mind-boggling feats of daring." For more inforamtion, visit circusflora.org.