The St. Louis Theater Circle announces its 2022 awards ceremony

[NOTE: Much of this information comes from yesterday's St. Louis Theater Circle press release. Any opinions expressed, on the other hand, are mine alone.]

Members of the Circle in 2017

As I have noted in the past, the last couple of years have been rough for performing arts institutions. That includes ancillary organizations like the St. Louis Theater Circle, which had to cancel its 2021 awards ceremony and held a bare-bones version of its 2020 ceremony on line.

The Theater Circle is back his year with a virtual ceremony that will be streamed at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28, 2022 on HEC’s YouTube channel and web site. Unlike the 2020 ceremony, which had to be assembled quickly, this one will be professionally recorded at and produced by HEC-TV at their studios.

Nominees in more than 30 categories will vie for honors covering comedies, dramas, musicals and operas produced by local professional theater and opera companies in the combined calendar years of 2020 and 2021.

In an attempt to represent the gender diversity of both roles and actors, the Circle has revised the categories of its acting awards. Those categories now are based on genders of the characters in the scripts rather than by the genders of the performers. For example, the category formerly titled “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy” now is termed “Outstanding Lead Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role.”

Because the pandemic brought about the cancellation of so many productions by virtually all local professional theater companies, approximately 75 productions have been considered for nominations for the combined years of 2020 and 2021. This compares to roughly 120 to 130 productions normally considered in one year alone.

For this ninth annual ceremony, members of the St. Louis Theater Circle considered nominees from shows produced in the first three months of 2020 and the last eight months of 2021 combined. In addition, a few shows produced between April 2020 and May 2021 were included. The total number of shows considered from the years 2020 and 2021 combined amounted to about 75 shows.

The nominees for the ninth annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards are:

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role
•    Nicole Angeli, It Is Magic, The Midnight Company
•    Ani Djirdjirian, The Thanksgiving Play, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Colleen Heneghan, Bloomsday, West End Players Guild
•    Jennifer Theby-Quinn, Flanagan’s Wake, Playhouse at Westport Plaza
•    Chrissie Watkins, It Is Magic, The Midnight Company

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role
•    Chuck Brinkley, The Thing – A Live Parody, Cherokee Street Theatre Company
•    Stephen Cefalu Jr., The Gradient, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Joe Hanrahan, It Is Magic, The Midnight Company
•    Carl Overly Jr., It Is Magic, The Midnight Company
•    Jonathan Spivey, The Thanksgiving Play, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Comedy, Female or Non-Binary Role
•    Shayna Blass, The Thanksgiving Play, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Michelle Hand, It Is Magic, The Midnight Company
•    Stephanie Machado, The Gradient, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Ellie Schwetye, Tinsel Town, The Midnight Company
•    Jennifer Theby-Quinn, Jake’s Women, Moonstone Theatre Company

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Comedy, Male or Non-Binary Role
•    Jeff Cummings, Jake’s Women, Moonstone Theatre Company
•    Adam Flores, The Thanksgiving Play, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Jeremy Goldmeier, Art, Stray Dog Theatre
•    Jordan Moore, Dress the Part, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Garrett Young, Dress the Part, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play
•    Joe Clapper, Spell #7, The Black Rep
•    Mextly Couzin, The Gradient, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Jasmine Lesane, Mlima’s Tale, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Seth Reiser, A Christmas Carol, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    John Wylie, King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

Outstanding Sound Design
•    Avi Amon, Mlima’s Tale, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    David R. Molina, King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Sadah Espii Proctor, The Gradient, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Nathan A. Roberts and Charles Coes, A Christmas Carol, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Rusty Wandall, Dress the Part, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play
•    Dede Ayite, A Christmas Carol, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Mika Eubanks, King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Elizabeth Henning, Tinsel Town, The Midnight Company
•    Christina Leinecke, Dress the Part, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Brandin Vaughn, Spell #7, The Black Rep

Outstanding Set Design in a Play
•    Wilson Chin, King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Tim Jones, Sweat, The Black Rep
•    Carolyn Mraz, The Gradient, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Margery & Peter Spack, The Ville: Avengeance, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Margery & Peter Spack, Two Trains Running, The Black Rep

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role
•    Kelly Howe, Sweat, The Black Rep
•    Amy Loui, My Name Is Asher Lev, The New Jewish Theatre
•    Alma Martinez, Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Elizabeth Teeter, The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
•    Sharisa Whatley, Two Trains Running, The Black Rep

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role
•    Allen Gilmore, King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Brian McKinley, Spell #7, The Black Rep
•    Shane Signorino, A Piece of My Heart, West End Players Guild
•    Chauncy Thomas, The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
•    Chuck Winning, My Name Is Asher Lev, The New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Drama, Female or Non-Binary Role
•    Velma Austin, Sweat, The Black Rep
•    Kari Ely, Comfort, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
•    Debby Lennon, Songs for Nobodies, Max & Louie Productions
•    Michelle Hand, Tiny Beautiful Things, Max & Louie Productions
•    Laurie McConnell, Annapurna, St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Drama, Male or Non-Binary Role
•    Andre De Shields, King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Kambi Gathesha, Mlima’s Tale, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    John Pierson, Annapurna, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
•    Spencer Sickmann, Comfort, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
•    James A. Williams, Two Trains Running, The Black Rep

Outstanding New Play
•    Comfort, by Neil LaBute, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
•    The Gradient, by Steph Del Rosso, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Madam, by Colin Healy, Fly North Theatricals
•    Now Playing Third Base for the St. Louis Cardinals…Bond, James Bond, by Joe Hanrahan, The Midnight Company
•    Tinsel Town, by Joe Hanrahan, The Midnight Company

Outstanding Achievement in Opera
•    Sean Curran, Gianni Schicchi, Opera Theatre of St. Louis
•    Levi Hernandez, Gianni Schicchi, Opera Theatre of St. Louis
•    Karen Kanakis, La Fanciulla del West, Winter Opera St. Louis
•    Patricia Racette, La Voix Humaine, Opera Theatre of St. Louis
•    Leonard Slatkin, Highway 1, U.S.A., Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Production of an Opera
•    Gianni Schicchi, Opera Theatre of St. Louis
•    Highway 1, U.S.A., Opera Theatre of St. Louis
•    La Fanciulla del West, Winter Opera St. Louis
•    La Voix Humaine, Opera Theatre of St. Lousi
•    Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Union Avenue Opera

Outstanding Musical Director
•    Charlie Alterman, Chicago, The Muny
•    Colin Healy, Madam, Fly North Theatricals
•    Jeremy Jacobs, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Herve Samb, Dreaming Zenzile, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Nicolas Valdez, Head Over Heels, New Line Theatre

Outstanding Choreographer
•    William Carlos Angulo, On Your Feet!, The Muny
•    Kirven Douthit-Boyd, A Christmas Carol, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Marjani Forte-Saunders, Dreaming Zenzile, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Denis Jones, Chicago, The Muny
•    Dana Lewis, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role
•    Tielere Cheatem, Head Over Heels, New Line Theatre
•    Natascia Diaz, On Your Feet!, The Muny
•    Bryonha Marie Parham, The Sound of Music, The Muny
•    Elizabeth Teeter, The Sound of Music, The Muny
•    Zoe Vonder Haar, Always…Patsy Cline, Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role
•    Brent Michael DiRoma, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Jason Michael Evans, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Adam Heller, Chicago, The Muny
•    Ryan Jesse, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Mykal Kilgore, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Muny

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical
•    Rob Denton, Chicago, The Muny
•    Shelby Loera, The Sound of Music, The Muny
•    Sean M. Savoie, Always…Patsy Cline, Stages St. Louis
•    Sean M. Savoie, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Yi Zhao, Dreaming Zenzile, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical
•    Edward E. Haynes Jr. and Kevan Loney, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Muny
•    Tim Mackabee and Shawn Duan, Chicago, The Muny
•    Tim Mackabee and Kate Ducey, On Your Feet!, The Muny
•    Michael Schweikardt and Caite Hevner, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Muny
•    James Wolk, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical
•    Leon Dobkowski, On Your Feet!, The Muny
•    Eileen Engel, Madam, Fly North Theatricals
•    Courtney Gibson and Sarah Porter, Head Over Heels, New Line Theatre
•    Sully Ratke, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Muny
•    Emily Rebholz, Chicago, The Muny

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Musical, Female or Non-Binary Role
•    Diana DeGarmo, Always…Patsy Cline, Stages St. Louis
•    J. Harrison Ghee, Chicago, The Muny
•    Kimmie Kidd-Booker, Madam, Fly North Theatricals
•    Kate Rockwell, The Sound of Music, The Muny
•    Somi, Dreaming Zenzile, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Leading Performer in a Musical, Male or Non-Binary Role
•    Christopher Kale Jones, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Chris Kernan, The Story of My Life, New Line Theatre
•    James T. Lane, Chicago, The Muny
•    Omar Lopez-Cepero, On Your Feet!, The Muny
•    Jeffrey M. Wright, The Story of My Life, New Line Theatre

Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy
•    Art, Stray Dog Theatre
•    Dress the Part, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    It Is Magic, The Midnight Company
•    The Thanksgiving Play, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Wildfire, Upstream Theater

Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama
•    King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Mlima’s Tale, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Spell #7, The Black Rep
•    Sweat, The Black Rep
•    Two Trains Running, The Black Rep

Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical
•    Chicago, The Muny
•    Head Over Heels, New Line Theatre
•    Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Madam, Fly North Theatricals
•    Smokey Joe’s Café, The Muny

Outstanding Director of a Comedy
•    Eddie Coffield, Jake’s Women, Moonstone Theatre Company
•    GQ and JQ, Dress the Part, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Suki Peters, It Is Magic, The Midnight Company
•    Amelia Acosta Powell, The Thanksgiving Play, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Rachel Tibbetts, Tinsel Town, The Midnight Company

Outstanding Director of a Drama
•    Carl Cofield, King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Ron Himes, Sweat, The Black Rep
•    Brian Hohlfeld, The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
•    Annamaria Pileggi, Annapurna, St. Louis Actors’ Studio
•    Ed Smith, Two Trains Running, The Black Rep

Outstanding Director of a Musical
•    Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Smokey Joe’s Café, The Muny
•    Michael Hamilton, Always…Patsy Cline, Stages St. Louis
•    Michael Hamilton, Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Denis Jones, Chicago, The Muny
•    Scott Miller and Mike Dowdy-Windsor, Head Over Heels, New Line Theatre

Outstanding Production of a Comedy
•    Dress the Part, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    It Is Magic, The Midnight Company
•    Jake’s Women, Moonlight Theatre Company
•    The Thanksgiving Play, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Tinsel Town, The Midnight Company

Outstanding Production of a Drama
•    The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
•    King Lear, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
•    Mlima’s Tale, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
•    Sweat, The Black Rep
•    Two Trains Running, The Black Rep

Outstanding Production of a Musical
•    Always…Patsy Cline, Stages St. Louis
•    Chicago, The Muny
•    Head Over Heels, New Line Theatre
•    Jersey Boys, Stages St. Louis
•    Smokey Joe’s Café, The Muny

The mission of the St. Louis Theater Circle is to honor outstanding achievement in St. Louis professional theater. Other cities around the country, such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., pay tribute to their own local theatrical productions with similar awards programs.

Members of the St. Louis Theater Circle include Steve Allen (stagedoorstl.com); Mark Bretz (Ladue News); Bob Cohn (St. Louis Jewish Light); Tina Farmer (KDHX); Michelle Kenyon (snoopstheatrethoughts.com); Gerry Kowarsky (Two on the Aisle, HEC-TV); Chuck Lavazzi (KDHX); Rob Levy (Broadwayworld.com); Judith Newmark (judyacttwo.com); Ann Lemons Pollack (stlouiseats.typepad.com); Lynn Venhaus (St. Louis Limelight Magazine); Bob Wilcox (Two on the Aisle, HEC-TV); and Calvin Wilson (St. Louis Post-Dispatch). Eleanor Mullin, local performer and arts supporter, is group administrator.

For more information, visit the St. Louis Theater Circle Facebookpage.

Virtually Yours: The St. Louis Theater Circle Awards take to the Internet

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do a lot of things in this country, especially in the performing arts. That's certainly true of the St. Louis Theater Circle, the organization of local theatre critics, of which I am a member.

This year, for the first time since we founded the organization in 2012, we've been obliged to cancel our annual awards ceremony--which has become known as the "St. Louis theatre prom" because of how gussied up all of us get for it--and move it to where so much our activity has gone these days: the Internet.

The St. Louis Theater Circle in 2017

This year the Circle's gala event, originally scheduled for March 30, 2020 at the Loretto-Hilton Center, was turned into a Facebook-based webcast by HEC Media. Normally a full evening event with food, drink, and live entertainment, the ceremony this year was short and to the point, running just over 30 minutes. It aired "live" on Tuesday, April 7th, and can still be seen at the Facebook link above.

Awards were given in 31 categories covering comedies, dramas and musicals, as well as two categories for opera. In addition, Ken and Nancy Kranzberg received a special award for their philanthropic contributions to the arts and theater in the St. Louis area, including many developments in Grand Center.

As a volunteer staffer at KDHX, I was happy to see that. The Kranzbergs have been very good to us; we would not be in Grand Center ourselves right now without their help.

New Jewish Theatre led the way with six awards while Max and Louie Productions' performance of Indecent copped five. Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis for its production of A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur got four, with the rest distributed among other local companies large and small. Altogether, a total of 21 productions and 14 companies were recognized. This year there were also nominees from two companies, Black Mirror Theatre and The Q Collective, which were represented for the first time. Each company received an award for outstanding achievement.

Here's the complete list of honorees. Personally, I was happy to see Union Avenue Opera's La Bohème get the nod; it was a fine production, one of the best I have seen.

Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy
A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Kelley Weber, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Patrick Blindauer, Love's Labors Lost, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy (tie)
Katie Kleiger, Pride and Prejudice, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Maggie Wininger, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy
Will Bonfiglio, Fully Committed, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Director of a Comedy
Kari Ely, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Outstanding Production of a Comedy
Brighton Beach Memoirs, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama
Indecent, Max and Louie Productions

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama
Carly Uding, Translations, Black Mirror Theatre

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama
J. Samuel Davis, District Merchants, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Actress in a Drama
Donna Weinsting, Salt, Root and Roe, Upstream Theater

Outstanding Actor in a Drama
Gary Wayne Barker, District Merchants, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Director of a Drama
Joanne Gordon, Indecent, Max and Louie Productions

Outstanding Production of a Drama
Indecent, Max and Louie Productions

Outstanding Set Design in a Play
Margery and Peter Spack, Brighton Beach Memoirs, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Costume Design in a Play
Felia Davenport, District Merchants, New Jewish Theatre

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Play
Patrick Huber, Indecent, Max and Louie Productions

Outstanding Sound Design Phillip Evans, Indecent, Max and Louie Productions

Outstanding Set Design in a Musical
Mary Engelbreit and Paige Hathaway, Matilda, The Muny

Outstanding Costume Design in a Musical
Sarah Porter, La Cage aux Folles, New Line Theatre

Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical
Sean M. Savoie, Man of La Mancha, Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Musical Director
Charles Creath, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, The Black Rep

Outstanding Choreographer
Dexandro Montalvo, Such Sweet Thunder, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Big Muddy Dance Company, Jazz St. Louis, Nine Network of Public Media

Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical
Matilda, The Muny

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Taylor Louderman, Kinky Boots, The Muny

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Tielere Cheatem, La Cage aux Folles, New Line Theatre

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Kendra Kassebaum, Guys and Dolls, The Muny

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Luke Steingruby, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Q Collective

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Michael Hamilton, Man of La Mancha, Stages St. Louis

Outstanding Production of a Musical
Such Sweet Thunder, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Big Muddy Dance Company, Jazz St. Louis, Nine Network of Public Media

Outstanding New Play
Nonsense and Beauty, by Scott C. Sickles, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Achievement in Opera (tie) Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons, Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Roland Wood, Rigoletto, Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Outstanding Production of an Opera La Bohème, Union Avenue Opera

Special Award
Ken and Nancy Kranzberg

Members of the St. Louis Theater Circle include Steve Allen, stagedoorstl.com; Mark Bretz, Ladue News; Bob Cohn, St. Louis Jewish Light; Tina Farmer, KDHX; Michelle Kenyon, snoopstheatrethoughts.com; Gerry Kowarsky, Two on the Aisle (HEC Media); Chuck Lavazzi, KDHX and Stage Left; Sarah Bryan Miller, St.Louis Post-Dispatch; Judith Newmark, judyacttwo.com; Ann Lemons Pollack, stlouiseats.typepadcom; Tanya Seale, Broadwayworld.com; Lynn Venhaus, PopLifeSTL.com; Bob Wilcox, Two on the Aisle (HEC Media); and Calvin Wilson, St.Louis Post-Dispatch. Eleanor Mullin, local actress and arts supporter, is the group's administrator.

For more information, contact stltheatercircle at sbcglobal.net or 'like' The St. Louis Theater Circle on Facebook.

[Thanks to TC Executive Board member Mark Bretz for much of the information in this article.]

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

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 25, 2019

New shows this week include the Rep's Ignite! festival, the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, and musicals at Webster Conservatory and Insight.

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The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Bullets in the Bathtub through April 13. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.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.

Daddy Long Legs
Photo by John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents the musical Daddy Long Legs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, March 28 - April 14. "Based on the classic novel, which inspired the 1955 movie starring Fred Astaire, Daddy Long Legs is a beloved tale in the spirit of Jane Austen, The Brontë Sisters and "Downton Abbey." Daddy Long Legs features music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist, Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre), and Tony-winning librettist/director, John Caird (Les Misérables), and is a "rags-to-riches" tale of newfound love." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents a staged reading of the play Frankenstein, adapted from the Mary Shelly novel by Eric Schmiedl, on Saturday, March 30, at 7:30 pm as part of the Ignite! new play festival. "What does it mean to be human? In 1783, the lives of four outsiders come crashing together: Victor, a brilliant young student, Elizabeth, the love of his life, Henry, his best friend, and the Creature - a force that can unite them, or tear them all to pieces. This new adaptation celebrates the insight, passion and youthful exuberance of Mary Shelley's seminal novel on the 200th anniversary of its publication." The reading takes place in the Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

Take Two Productions presents the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, March 29 and 30. " he Brothers Grimm hit the stage with Into the Woods, an epic, Tony-Award-winning fairytale with about wishes, family and the choices we make. Follow a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results." Performances take place at Tower Grove Baptist Church, 4257 Magnolia in the Shaw neighborhood. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents The Little Prince by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, adapted from the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Friday at 7:30 pm and Saturday at 11 am, 2 pm, and 7:30 pm, March 29 and 30. "The Little Prince tells the story of a world-weary and disenchanted Aviator whose sputtering plane strands him in the Sahara Desert and a mysterious, regal "little man" who appears and asks him to "Please, sir, draw me a sheep." During their two weeks together in the desert, the Little Prince tells the Aviator about his adventures through the galaxy. The Little Prince talks to everyone he meets: a garden of roses, the Snake and a Fox who wishes to be tamed. From each he gains a unique insight which he shares with the Aviator: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly." "What is essential is invisible to the eye." Performances take place in the Stage III on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

St. Charles Community College presents the musical Newsies opening Friday, March 22, at 7 pm and running through March 30. "This rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies," is a feel-good musical that speaks to us all. When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. This Disney film-turned-Tony-winning-Broadway hit inspires everyone to fight for what is right and to seize the day! Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message that is perfect for the whole family." Performances take place in the SCC Center Stage Theater in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building on the campus at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville, MO. For more information, call 636-922-8050 or visit stchas.edu.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through May 9. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

The Play the Goes Wrong
Photo: John Gitchoff

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy The Play That Goes Wrong running through April 7. "Calamity, disaster, fiasco: whichever word you'd like to choose, the opening night performance of The Murder at Haversham Manor has gone decidedly wrong. A maelstrom of madcap madness ensues, complete with collapsing scenery, unconscious actors and a stage crew pushed to the brink. Will The Rep survive this train wreck of a play? Come find out!" Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org

Lion's Paw Theatre Company presents Plays on the Menu, a reading of the plays Rules of Comedy by Patricia Cotter and A Second of Pleasure by Neil LaButeon Monday and Tuesday, March 25 and 26, at noon at The Hearth Room at The Hawken House, 1155 South Rock Hill Road. The readings include lunch. For more information: lionspawtheatre.org.

The Midnight Company presents the comedy Popcorn Falls Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, March 28 - 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

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents a staged reading of the play Quiz Out by Margot Connolly on Wednesday, March 27, at 7:30 pm as part of the Ignite! new play festival. "High school junior Harper and her best friend Hannah join their church's Bible Quiz team. The more time they spend together, the more they learn about themselves, their faith, their sexual identities, and the intense and occasionally claustrophobic world of Bible Quiz. A crazy, heartwarming comedy by an exciting new voice in the American theatre." The reading takes place in the Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

Lindenwood University presents the rock musical The Rocky Horror Show Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 7 and 10 pm, and Saturday at 7:30 pm, March 27-30. "In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky." This dark comedy musical has several secrets up its sleeve, and things are not always as they appear." Performances take place at the Scheiegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information: www.lindenwood.edu.

St. Louis Theater Circle critics in 2017

The St. Louis Theater Circle presents the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards on Monday, March 25, at 7 pm. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in locally produced professional theatre as judged by local theatre critics who are members of the Circle. Presenters will include KDHX's own Chuck Lavazzi. Live music will be provided by Joe Dreyer and Deborah Sharn. Llywelyn's Catering will offer a selection of snack boxes, desserts and drinks on a pay-as-you-go basis beginning at 6 pm. The ceremony takes place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the play School Secrets by Patrick Anderson on Monday, March 25 at 6:30 pm. " As the new principal of his hometown high school, armed with innovative new ideas, programs, and a precocious 2nd grade friend, John Andrews finds himself struggling to make it all click. With pressure mounting from his superintendent, the school board, and reluctant old school teachers, John and his new social worker must fight to do what they know is right for their students. " The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

The Stifel Theatre presents the musical The Sound of Music Saturday, March 30, at 7:30 pm. "A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is coming to St. Louis on March 30. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning Best Score, including "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Edelweiss" and the title song. " The Stifel Theatre is at 14th and Market downtown. For more information: stifeltheatre.com.

Time Stands Still
Photo by Eric Woolsey

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, March 28 - 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.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents the musical Waitress opening on Tuesday, March 26, at 7:30 pm and running through April 7. "Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker, Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life." The Fabulous Fox Theatre in on N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.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.

The party's over: a look back at the Fourth Annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards

The St. Louis Theater Circle critics at the 2016 awards

So, (to paraphrase Mr. Kipling a bit) the tumult and the shouting have died after the Fourth Annual St. Louis Theater Circle Awards last night. The general consensus appears to be that we have really hit our stride with this one, with a new and very classy venue at the Skip Viragh Center on the Chaminade campus, slick media production from HEC-TV, and an all-around positive vibe from everyone in attendance, regardless of who did or didn't get an award or nomination.

Speaking of the awards, though, here's the official list of who got what. For those of you keeping score, the companies that got the largest number of awards were Stages St. Louis and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis with five awards each. Next were Opera Theatre of St. Louis and St. Louis Actors' Studio with four each; Mustard Seed Theatre, Shakespeare Festival, and Upstream Theater with two each; and one each for Insight Theatre Company, Max and Louie Productions, Metro Theatre Company, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, The Black Rep, Union Avenue Opera, and West End Players Guild.

As someone who reviews classical music as well as theatre, I was struck by how well our local opera companies did this time around. I thought it was especially notable that the awards for outstanding actor/actress in a musical both went to opera productions. That says something, I think, about the dedication local opera companies have to the theatrical aspects of their craft.

The event was broadcast live on HEC-TV and, for those of you who missed it, will be available on their web site shortly. Thanks to them for all their great work on this project.

Congratulations are also due to some Theater Circle members who go above and beyond the call of duty in helping put this whole shebang together. Specifically:

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch critic Judith Newmark for her script
• Andrea Torrance of St. Louis Theater Snob for pulling all the production photos together
• Bob Wilcox and Gerry Kowarsky for their work with HEC-TV
• Executive Board member Mark Bretz of Ladue News for his tireless work behind the scenes, along with Judith and our administrator Eleanor Mullin
• The original Funny Lady herself, Donna Weinsting, for her hilarious opening monologue

It was fun, folks. See you next year. And meanwhile, keep reading our reviews. And here's the complete list:

Category	Person	Show	Company
Supporting Actress in a Comedy	Betsy Bowman	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?	St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Supporting Actor in a Comedy	Michael Brightman	Mr. Marmalade	West End Players Guild
Actress in a Comedy	Kari Ely	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?	St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Actor in a Comedy	Jeremy Webb	Buyer and Cellar	Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Lighting Design in a Play	Peter E. Sargent	Angel Street	Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Sound Design in a Play	Greg Mackender and Rusty Wandall	Antony and Cleopatra	Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Costume Design in a Play	Beth Ashby	An Invitation Out	Mustard Seed Theatre
Set Design in a Play	Wilson Chin	Angel Street	Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Supporting Actress in a Drama	Jennifer Theby-Quinn	Afflicted: Daughters of Salem	Metro Theater Company
Supporting Actor in a Drama	John Flack	Sublime Intimacy	Max & Louie Productions
Actress in a Drama	Amy Loui	The Amish Project	Mustard Seed Theatre
Actor in a Drama	J. Samuel Davis	Bashir Lazhar	Upstream Theater
New Play	Nancy Bell	The World Begun	Shakespeare Festival St. Louis
Musical Director	George Manahan	Emmeline	Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Choreographer	Keith Tyrone Williams	Once on This Island	The Black Rep
Supporting Actress in a Musical	Zoe Vonder Haar	The Full Monty	Stages St. Louis
Supporting Actor in a Musical	Joneal Joplin	The Fantasticks	Insight Theatre Company
Lighting Design in a Musical	Christopher Akerlind	Emmeline	Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Set Design in a Musical	Shoko Kambara	The Barber of	Seville Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Costume Design in a Musical	Brad Musgrove	Anything Goes	Stages St. Louis
Actress in a Musical	Joyce El- Khoury	Emmeline	Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Actor in a Musical	Jordan Shanahan	Rigoletto	Union Avenue Opera
Ensemble in a Comedy		The 39 Steps	Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
Ensemble in a Drama		All the Way	Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Ensemble in a Musical		Anything Goes Stages	St. Louis
Director of a Comedy	John Contini	Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?	St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Director of a Drama	Patrick Siler	The Rime of the Ancient Mariner	Upstream Theater
Director of a Musical	Michael Hamilton	Anything Goes	Stages St. Louis
Production of a Comedy		Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?	St. Louis Actors’ Studio
Production of a Drama		All the Way	Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Production of a Musical		Anything Goes	Stages St. Louis

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 21, 2016

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

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

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American Idiot
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the musical American Idiot, based on the album by Green Day, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through March 26. " New Line continues its 25th season with the powerful, high-octane, rock fable AMERICAN IDIOT, based on the powerhouse album by Green Day, a scorching attack on what they saw as the hypocrisy and moral evils of the Bush Administration after the attacks of Sept. 11, as well as the increasingly submissive nature of the American public. The score includes every song from Green Day's hit album American Idiot, as well as several songs from their follow-up release, 21st Century Breakdown, with music by Green Day, lyrics by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, a book by Armstrong and Michael Mayer, and musical arrangements and orchestrations by Broadway composer Tom Kitt (High Fidelity, Next to Normal, If/Then). The Toronto Star called the show 'the first great musical of the 21st century.'" 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.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents And Away You Go through March 27. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Clueless through April 16. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Presenters Dolan present Natalie Douglas in Hello Dolly: The Music of Dolly Parton on Thursday, March 24, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Called "a true force of nature" by The Times UK and "sensational" by Time Out New York. After a Birdland residency and a weeklong triumph in London, Natalie Douglas - a buxom beauty herself - brings her acclaimed Dolly Parton show to our town.." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

If/Then
Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fox Theatre presents the musical If/Then opening on Tuesday, March 15, and running through March 27. "IF/THEN is a contemporary Broadway musical about living in New York today - and all the possibilities of tomorrow. With unforgettable songs and a deeply moving story by the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning creators of Next to Normal, this "fascinating, ambitious, and original new musical" (New York Post) simultaneously follows one woman's two possible life paths, painting a deeply moving portrait of the lives we lead, as well as the lives we might have led." The Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

The Presenters Dolan present Liam Forde: Live! on Friday and Saturday, March 25 and 26, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. " Liam's one break away from the heights - catch him now." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the world premiere of Molly's Hammer through March 27. "Molly Rush was focused on the endgame- save the world, protect her family. But what would she have to sacrifice? In 1980, the Pittsburgh housewife and mother of six walked into a General Electric plant and took a hammer to a nuclear warhead to protest the buildup of America's nuclear arsenal. Based on the true story of the Plowshares Eight, Molly's Hammer is the world-premiere account of one woman's unwavering beliefs and her family's desperate attempts to protect her from infamy." Performances take place in the studio theater at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org. Read my review!

Old Wicked Songs
Photo: Eric Woolsdy

New Jewish Theater presents the Old Wicked Songs through April 3 "Hoping to reconnect with his music and shatter the artistic block that has plagued his career, a young American piano prodigy travels to Vienna in the spring of 1986. He is assigned to a vocal teacher who gives him the "Dicheterliebe" song cycle by Robert Schumann. Marans incorporates the poetry of Heinrich Heine and the music of Robert Schumann into the series of events. Through the sessions between the two men, Marans creates a link between two generations who find they much more in common than they think. This is the inspirational journey of two very different men who, with music as their one common bond, must find a way to break through their pasts." 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.

The Presenters Dolan present Pink Martini: A Spring Fling Featuring China Forbes on Monday, March 21, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. The performance takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

The St. Louis Theater Circle presents the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards on Monday, March 21, at 7 PM. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in locally produced professional theatre as judged by local theatre critics who are members of the Circle. Presenters will include KDHX's own Chuck Lavazzi. The ceremony takes place at The Skip Viragh Center on the campus of Chaminade University . Tickets are available in advance at brownpapertickets.com. A pre-ceremony buffet and open bar will be situated just outside the theater entrance. Food and drinks will be available on a cash basis, but the buffet has to be ordered and paid for in advance. Check out the With Love Catering site for details or call 314-637-7907. The event will be broadcast and webcast live on HEC-TV Charter channel 989, U-Verse channel 99, and at hectv.org

Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing
Photo: John Gitchoff

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing March 16 - April 10. "The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd-it's what every baseball player dreams of. In 1947, Jackie Robinson had broken baseball's color barrier, while Satchel Paige and his Negro League All-Stars were barnstorming against their white counterparts in the Majors. It was baseball by day and jazz by night as the impassioned and devoted players tried to find their place in a country on the verge of change." Performances take place on the mainstage at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

On Wednesday, March 23, at 7:30 p .m. the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Ignite! New Play Festival presents Unseen by Mona Monsour. "Conflict photographer Mia wakes up in the Istanbul apartment of her on-again, off-again girlfriend after being found unconscious at the scene of a massacre she was photo-graphing. When Mia's mother arrives from the U.S., the apartment is filled with tension as the women try to unravel what happened. Unseen is a provocative look at one American's attempt to commune with another very foreign, much discussed part of the world." The performance takes place at the Sally S. Levy Opera Center, 210 Hazel Avenue in Webster Groves. For more information www.repstl.org/ignite.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Ignite! New Play Festival presents Until the Flood by Daniel Orlandersmith Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m., March 25 and 26. " The Rep has commissioned celebrated writer, performer and Pulitzer Prize finalist Dael Orlandersmith to write and perform a play about the recent events in Ferguson. She has fashioned a sensitive and moving portrayal of the people in our community, and how they feel about an event that placed St. Louis in a spotlight it didn't expect or relish." The Friday performance takes place at the Sally S. Levy Opera Center, 210 Hazel Avenue in Webster Groves and the Saturday performance at St. Louis Public Radio in Grand Center. For more information www.repstl.org/ignite.

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.