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Friday, September 13, 2019

Review: Life is but a dream

Congratulations are in order to absolutely everyone connected with the splendid and inspiring production of Man of La Mancha that concludes another successful season at Stages St. Louis.

L-R: James Patterson, John Patrick Moran
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Man of La Mancha has been with us for so long and has been produced in so many venues, amateur and professional, that it's easy to forget just how startling it was when it premiered at the ANTA Washington Square Theatre on November 22, 1965. The relatively small cast, unusual orchestration, and innovative dramatic structure of the show set it apart from the other major musicals of the time.

Initial response was effusive, both from the critics and, eventually, the theatre-going public. The latter made it one of the longest-running shows on Broadway with 2,329 performances and the former gave it five Tony awards and four Variety Poll of Drama Critics awards.

The Stages production, which runs through October 6, demonstrates vividly just why the show won all those trophies, and why it has remained popular for over half a century. The drama, comedy, and (above all) the inspiring message about the importance of "achieving the impossible" by "attempting the absurd" (to cite the Miguel Unamuno quote that inspired Dale Wasserman to write the show in the first place) come through loud and clear. If you're a fan of this play, you won't want to miss this one.

James Patterson, Amanda Robles
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

For those of you who have somehow managed to miss seeing Man of La Mancha, it's a highly-fictionalized account of an episode from the life of Miguel Cervantes y Saavedra, author of Don Quixote. Thrown into prison for attempting to apply the law to the Church (still a risky proposition), Cervantes entertains his fellow inmates with the story of Quixote, eventually inspiring them to share some of his and the Don's idealism. The resulting play within a play works surprisingly well, but puts a great burden on the actors to bring us into Quixote's fantastic world with only minimal props and the prison cell as a backdrop.

The Stages production is a hit in every possible respect, starting with its impressively strong cast. James Patterson manages the neat trick of shifting among four different characters: the well-meaning but diffident Cervantes, the self-assured Cervantes who narrates Quixote's story, the courageous but deluded Quixote and, in the final moments, the confused and dying Alfonso Quixano, no longer imagining himself to be a noble knght. He has the requisite big voice and compelling stage presence as well.

L-R: James Patterson, Ryan Cooper,
John Patrick Moran
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

John Patrick Moran is a funny and winsome Sancho Panza and Amanda Robles is a fiery and vulnerable Aldonza, who Quixote sees as his lady, Dulcinea. Stages regular Steve Isom has nice turn in the dual roles of The Governor, the prisoner who is the unofficial ruler of the dungeon in which Cervantes has been tossed, and the sympathetic Innkeeper who befriends Quixote. Ryan Cooper (a familiar figure on local stages) has a priceless comic cameo as the Barber whose shaving basin is mistaken for a legendary golden helmet by Quixote.

Other notable performances include Ryan Jesse's Duke/Dr. Carrasco (the cynical antagonist of both Cervantes and Quixote), Zoe Vonder Haar's Housekeeper, Julie Hanson as Quixano's niece Antonia, and Erik Keiser as the Padre, who has one of the show's stronger songs, "To Each His Dulcinea." In fact, everyone in this cast does splendid work.

L-R: John Patrick Moran, James Patterson,
Amanda Robles, Steve Isom
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

Michael Hamilton's direction and pacing are excellent, making the show's run time of two hours without intermission fly by. The show was originally intended for performance in one act, and it's nice to see Stages present it without the intermission other companies often shoehorn in right after the show's Big Hit, "The Impossible Dream." James Wolk's multi-level prison set looks appropriately imposing, and Sean M. Savoie's is very effective in creating individual playing areas with pinpoint accuracy.

This is, in short, a pretty much perfect production of a classic of the musical theatre, and its message is refreshingly out of synch with the prevailing cynicism, greed, spite, and short-sighted materialism of contemporary America. Don't miss it.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Review: The land we belong to is grand

Oklahoma!, the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that's getting a bang-up presentation right now at Stages, had a troubled beginning.

The cast of Oklahoma!
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoTSL

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The play it was based on, Green Grow the Lilacs, had been a flop when it was premiered by The Theatre Guild in 1931. Financial backing was not readily available. And when Lorenz Hart was approached by his then-partner Richard Rodgers to work on a musical stage version it he declined, shrugging off the story of farmers and cowboys in turn-of-the-century Oklahoma as corny and uninteresting.

He had a point there--the corn really is "as high as an elephant's eye" at times--but even so Oklahoma! was a box office smash in 1943 (running a record-breaking 2,212 performances). It garnered rave reviews and has remained a favorite of audiences and critics ever since.

Sarah Ellis and Blake Price
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Under the skilled direction of Michael Hamilton, the new Stages production isn't shy about spreading around plenty of corn of its own. The broad approach is almost cartoonish in places, but it's executed so flawlessly and with such precision that it's impossible not to find it vastly entertaining. The comic scenes are very funny, which makes the contrasting dramatic moments that much more effective. Mr. Hamilton clearly understands that when you're going to paint with a broad brush, it's that much more important to stay within the lines.

He has a great cast to work with. As Curly McLain, the cowboy in love with farm girl Laurey Williams, Blake Price sings beautifully (he has an impressive head voice) and perfectly captures both the character's swagger and underlying shyness. Sarah Ellis is a wonderfully winsome Laurey, with an equally strong voice and a wide-eyed charm that reminded me a bit of Liza Minnelli. Their voices blend to great effect in "People Will Say We're in Love."

L-R: Matthew Curiano, Con O'Shea-Creal, Lucy Moon
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Con O'Shea-Creal hits all the right comic notes as Will Parker, determined to marry the man-crazy Ado Annie, and he shows impressive dance moves in "Kansas City." Lucy Moon is a delight as the object of his affection, making "I Cain't Say No" a comic gem.

Matthew Curiano offers a brilliantly comic turn as the peddler Ali Hakim, straight out of Persia by way of the Borscht Belt, and David Sajewich is a dark presence as farm hand Jud Fry, whose thwarted affection for Laurey finally turns homicidal. His "Lonely Room," in which Jud faces the ugliness of his life, is a dramatic highlight. There's also great work here by (among others) John Flack as Annie's rough-hewn father, Zoe Vonder Haar as the charmingly garrulous Aunt Eller, and Steve Isom as Sherriff Cord Elam.

The men and women of the chorus are sold dancers and sing with a clarity that does full justice to Hammerstein's lyrics. The dancing chorus for the "Dream Ballet" sequence is excellent as well, skillfully executing Dana Lewis's choreography, which (at least to my eyes) appears to pay homage to Agnes de Mille's original. Nicholas De La Vega was apparently a late substitute for Mark Mackillop as Dancing Curly in that number, but you wouldn't know it from the high quality of his work.

L-R: Sarah Ellis, Blake Price, Zoe Vonder Haar
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Bright, colorful sets by James Wolk and costumes by Brad Musgrove set just the right tone, accented by Sean M. Savoie's lighting.

Oklahoma! has been around long enough now to have accumulated some unorthodox (if not outright revisionist) productions over the years, including an all-female version by Japan's Takarazuka Revue in 2006 and one by the Chichester Festival in 2009 that tried to impose a darker subtext, but if you're looking for a straightforward approach to this classic show, you can't go wrong with the one at Stages. It's an entertainment powerhouse and a fine finale for the company's season. Performances continue through October 7th at the Robert G. Reim theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center.

Monday, June 11, 2018

Review: The marriage of true minds

Corinne Melançon and Steve Isom
Photo by Peter Wochniak

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Looking for a lightweight, feel-good summer musical that sends you away with a smile on your face and probably a memorable tune or two in your head? If so, let me direct your attention to Stages St. Louis's excellent production of I Do! I Do!, which runs through July 1st, 2018.

When it premiered on Broadway in 1966, this two-character musical by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, the creators of the runaway hit The Fantasticks, was already something of an exercise in nostalgia. Like the play on which it's based--Jan de Hartog's The Fourposter from 1951--I Do! I Do! tells the story of the marriage of Michael and Agnes, from their hesitant honeymoon night in 1895, through the birth of their children, Michael's success as an author, and their wistful preparation, in old age, to move to a smaller house and turn the home over to a new couple just starting out in life. In the play that departure takes place in 1925. The musical extends it to 1945, but in both cases the action remains firmly rooted in a sepia-tinted past

Corinne Melançon and Steve Isom
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Like any married couple, Michael and Agnes have their ups and downs, but the latter are few and far between and are reconciled with unconvincing ease. It hardly matters; Mr. Jones' book is clearly about celebrating marriage, not analyzing it. And Michael and Agnes sing in the final number ("This House"), "Marriage is a very good thing / Though it's far from easy / Still, it's filled this house with life and love." If you want realism and ambiguity, look to Sondheim.

Possibly the greatest asset of I Do! I Do! is the score. The show's biggest hit, "My Cup Runneth Over," was a huge success in the 1960s for Ed Ames, and was also recorded by everyone from The Lennon Sisters to Aretha Franklin. Its gentle celebration of love is still calculated to bring a lump to the throat, while "The Honeymoon is Over" remains a caustically funny picture of a love boat that's close to sinking. The Act II opener, "Where Are the Snows?," is a whimsical picture of a couple looking back on their younger days, while the title song paints an amusing picture of the naïveté of young love ("You can throw away your every care and doubt / For that's what married life is all about"). More importantly, the songs advance the story and illuminate character, which is ultimately the test of a good musical theatre score.

The Stages production is actually two shows in one, with two separate casts the alternate performance nights. The night we saw it, Michael and Agnes were played by Steve Isom and Corinne Melançon (who is also the show's dance captain). They alternate with David Schmittou and Kari Ely, both of whom will be familiar to Stages audiences.

Mr. Isom has a long history with Stages. In the past I have only seen him in supporting roles, so it was good to finally have a chance to appreciate his work in a leading part. He perfectly captures both Michael's pompous cluelessness as well as his tenderness, and proves to be a deft physical comic. Vocally, he reminded me more than once of the late, great Robert Preston--very appropriate, given that Preston was the original Michael on Broadway.

Corinne Melançon and Steve Isom
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Ms. Melançon is sheer delight as Agnes. Her "Flaming Agnes," in which Agnes envisions life as a very gay divorcée, is a comic tour de force, while her performance of Agnes's Act II identity crisis, "What Is a Woman?," is appropriately moving. Vocally strong and physically graceful, she glides through director Michael Hamilton's fairly straightforward choreography with ease.

The main set piece for productions of I Do! I Do! has always been the four-poster bed that gave the original play its title, and scenic designer James Wolk has come up with an impressive-looking one for Stages. It's also mobile enough to be spun around and quickly rolled upstage behind a sliding wall when it's not needed for a scene. That allows for more set pieces than might otherwise be the case on the Reim Center's relatively shallow stage, including separate dressers for Agnes and Michael.

I Do! I Do! isn't one of the 20th century's great contributions to musical theatre, but it's an agreeable diversion. And the Stages production is sheer perfection. Maybe, in this summer of "universal brouhaha" (to quote Tom Lehrer), that's enough. Performances continue through July 1st in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Review: "South Pacific" at Stages is an enchanted evening

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To close their 2017 season, Stages St. Louis is giving us enchanted evenings with a very strong production of South Pacific. Using the slightly revised version of the original script prepared for the 2008 Broadway revival, director Michael Hamilton honors both the comedy and tragedy of the show.

Leah Berry and the company
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

If you only know Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic as a high-gloss widescreen musical from 1958, the show's occasionally trenchant commentary on the folly and futility of war, issues of racism, and what Emile De Becque, in a moment of despair, refers to as "a mean little world / Of mean little men" might come as a surprise. We need to remember that when the show opened in 1949, the aftermath of the horror that was the war in the Pacific was still very much on everyone's minds.

We need to remember, as well, that less than a year before that opening, President Truman had issued Executive Order 9981 desegregating the armed forces—provoking a violent backlash that continues to this day. "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught," Lt. Cable's bitter commentary on racism, provoked anger and accusations of indecency and Communism when South Pacific arrived in the southern USA. Rodgers and Hammerstein, to their credit, refused to cut the song.

The Stages cast is a great one, headed by Leah Berry as a captivating Nellie Forbush and Michael Halling, radiating gravitas as Emile De Becque. Matthew Hydzik is compelling as the conflicted Lt. Cable and Mark DiConzo could illuminate a small city with the comic energy he brings to role of the conniving Luther Billis.

Matthew Hudzik and Sydney Jones
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Joanne Javien's Bloody Mary is a ball of comic ferocity and Muny Teen Troupe member Sydney Jones is the epitome of wordless grace as Mary's daughter Liat. There is, in fact, not a single performance here that isn't on target. Simple, evocative sets and atmospheric lighting add to the overall polish of the production.

So if you haven't seen South Pacific in a while, now is a good time to renew your acquaintance. Its condemnation of racist folly remains, I'm sorry to say, as relevant now as it was in 1949. Apparently we learn from history that we learn nothing from history.

The show got an enthusiastic reception from a sold out house when we saw it, so you'll want to visit the Stages web site soon to order tickets. Performances continue through October 8th.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 19, 2016

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:

Inherit the Wind
Photo: John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents the drama Inherit the Wind through August 28. "Bert Cates a 1920's schoolteacher is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead creationism. Rachel Brown who is Cates girlfriend is also the daughter of Reverend Brown is torn between the opposing beliefs held by Cates and her father and her love for both of them." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

My take: This classic portrayal of the struggle between science and superstition ought to be a museum piece, but the resurgence of radical fundamentalism has created a new wave of attacks on science in our public schools, making this script sadly relevant again. "In a political season," writes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "a play like Inherit the Wind, running through August 28, 2016 at Insight Theatre Company, serves to remind us that our vote often has ramifications that extend well beyond a politician's name or party affiliation. Our response to the challenges that face our country impacts society on every level, including the education of future generations. This stirring production presents a fresh, engaging, and well-performed case for education, helmed by two of our most persuasive stage veterans."

Mary Shelley Monster Show

Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble presents Mary Shelley Monster Show by Nick Otten Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., August 17 - 20. "SATE will remount its original play, Mary Shelley Monster Show, by Nick Otten. Mary Shelley: the impulsive teen in a runaway love triangle, the precocious novelist, the daughter of revolutionaries, the lover and wife of philosopher-poet. Mary Shelley: the grieving mother, the martyr-widow, the hack writer. Mary Shelley: the monster and monster's mother. Was Mary Shelley's most famous novel, “Frankenstein” really an autobiography? Is she the creator or the creature? " Performances take place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: slightlyoff.org.

My take: This innovative piece was very well received when it first appeared back in 2014. At the Stage Door blog, for example, Steve Allen called it "a wonderful, creative piece of theatre" while Mark Bretz at Ladue News said it was "riveting and thought-provoking."

The St. Lou Fringe Festival opens on Friday, August 19, and runs through August 27 at several venues in the Grand Center area including the Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand) and TheStage at KDHX. Performances include traditional theater, dance, music, comedy, circus arts, performance art, cabaret, and burlesque, with acts from St. Louis and around the country. "This year's festival will coincide with Grand Center's new arts event Music at The Intersection and will include both new and familiar programming. 2016 will see the premiere of microtheater (short performances for an audience of no more than 9 patrons in an intimate, immersive setting), spin rooms (post show talk backs an workshops), Voices Unleashed (A number of festival slots are reserved for producers who are underrepresented in mainstream theatrical settings based on ethnicity, gender identity, language, dialect, age, physical ability, BMI, or other barrier), and an incubator program (a specialized collaborative showcase setting with more support for emergent artists). Past favorite programs like Fringe Family and the Artica sculpture garden will again enliven Strauss Park." For a complete schedule, visit stlfringe.comstlfringe.com.

My take: I've been an enthusiastic supporter of the St. Lou Fringe since its scrappy beginnings in June of 2012. Four years later, the Fringe is a major player on the local cultural scene and is attracting attention nation-wide. If you've never "fringed," you have missed an awful lot of unusual—and often unique—entertainment. And this year, with the festival expanded to two weekends, there's no excuse not to check it out.

Tell Me On a Sunday
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Tell Me on a Sunday Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through August 27. "This pop-rock song cycle follows a young English woman newly arrived in New York, brimming with optimism, and her journey through America and the perils of ill-advised romance. As she seeks out success and love, she weaves her way through the maze of New York and Hollywood social life, and through her own anxieties, frustrations, and heartaches, and she begins to wonder whether there are better choices to be made." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

My take: Tell Me On a Sunday may be one of the least-known of Andrew Lloyd Webber's many musicals, right down there with the impressive Aspects of Love. As a one-woman show, it's also one of the most modest. It's by no means ALWs best work and, in fact, the composer himself later turned it into the first act of his full-length musical Song and Dance, but is has some fine music, including the lovely "Unexpected Song", and star Sarah Porter has gotten lots of praise for her performance.

Kelsey Bearman

The Emerald Room Cabaret presents singer Kelsey Bearman in Whatever I Want to Be on Saturday, August 20, at 8 p.m. "Kelsey offers her fresh, fun take on this wonderfully crazy journey we call “life,” as she playfully explores life's paradoxes, from falling in love to breaking up, from facing fears to embracing life's mysteries. The show includes classic golden-age favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein as well as selections by contemporary musical theatre composers such as Heisler and Goldrich and Michael John LaChiusa. Engaging and hysterically edgy, “Whatever I Want It To Be” embraces life and the opportunity to make each moment whatever we want it to be." The performance takes place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: themonoclestl.com.

My take: As her performance at the St. Louis Cabaret Conference last month reminded me, Kelsey is a very talented performer who very likely has a promising career ahead of her. She's off to New York soon to make a name for herself, so here's your opportunity to say you saw her when.

Held Over:

Bat Boy

The Drowsy Chaperone
Photo: Peter Wochniak

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 12, 2016

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:

Aida

The Muny presents Elton John and Tim Rice's musical Aida opening on Monday, August 8, and running nightly at 8:15 pm through August 14 in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. "A decade ago, Muny audiences fell in love with an unforgettable tale. Set in ancient Egypt, this timeless saga of forbidden love between the Ethiopian princess Aida and her Egyptian captor has been re-envisioned for this enchanting production. Expect to be captured yourself by Elton John's soaring melodies including “Written in the Stars,” “The Gods Love Nubia” and “Elaborate Lives.” Aida is the thrilling finale to the Muny season." For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

My take: When I reviewed the tour of the Broadway production back in 2001, I found Aida to be pretty entertaining but rather thin stuff overall. But reviews for the Muny's version have been good and this is certainly a show that allows the Muny to display its glossy tech. "Surely any story involving ancient Egypt has the potential for good visuals," writes Ann Lemmons Pollack, "and the opening scene, taking place in the dessert, pyramids in the background, gives us to understand that this is all fantasy, simply by creating a scene that evokes something from Tatooine in Star Wars." And given the weather lately, you won't have to try very hard to imagine you're in Egypt.

Bat Boy

Amy Ogle

David Giuntoli

The Emerald Room at the Monocle and The Presenters Dolan present David Guintoli in Sinatra...The Man and His Music on Saturday, August 13, at 8 p.m. "David Giuntoli sings songs that Frank Sinatra made famous. He would have been 100, if alive, and although he was from a different era, his musical stylings are a as swinging today as they were in the 40s, 50s, and 60s when he was at his peak. Sinatra had a gift of taking songs from great composers like, Cole Porter, Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn, and, along with his fantastic arrangements, giving them that “Sinatra” stamp. The show includes these songs; I've Got the World on a String, All or Nothing at All, The Best is Yet to Come, I've Got You Under My Skin, The Way You Look Tonight, Angel Eyes, Fly Me to the Moon, Night and Day, The Lady is a Tramp and more." The show features Adam Maness on piano and Ben Wheeler on bass. The performance takes place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: www.buzzonstage.com/st-louis.

My take: No, this is not the David Giuntoli who stars in Grimm, but rather my fellow Cabaret Project board member in his first solo show. The focus on Sinatra makes perfect sense, given that Mr. Giuntoli is a baritone with a crooner's sensibility and an affection for the Great American Songbook.

Held Over:

The Drowsy Chaperone
Photo: Peter Wochniak

Sunday, August 07, 2016

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of August 8, 2016

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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.

Bat Boy

Stray Dog Theatre presents Bat Boy: the Musical Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, through August 20. “This offbeat comedy/horror musical is a big-hearted satire about prejudice. As ripped from a bizarre tabloid headline and set in a tiny West Virginia town, a strange, deformed boy is found alone in a cave. Once the “bat boy” is brought to light, dark - and hilarious - secrets emerge, shaking the community to its core. A clever, playful pop/rock score highlights the show's delirious take on American eccentricities._For MATURE AUDIENCES: In an effort to keep the selection of shows engaging and dynamic, this production may not be appropriate for all ages." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

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

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents CSI: Bissell through October 30. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

The Drowsy Chaperone
Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical satire The Drowsy Chaperone through August 21. "With its laugh-a-minute script and one show-stopping song and dance number after another, it's easy to see why THE DROWSY CHAPERONE won the most Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway in 2006, including Best Book and Score. It all begins when a die-hard musical theatre fan decides to play his favorite cast album in his small brownstone apartment - a 1928 smash hit musical called "The Drowsy Chaperone." The show magically bursts to life before him as audiences are instantly transported to an earlier time and place and immersed in the glamorous and hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with gangsters, mistaken identities, an off-course aviatrix, and an uplifting ride to the rafters. " 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.

Insight Theatre Company presents the drama Inherit the Wind August 12 - 28. "Bert Cates a 1920's schoolteacher is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead creationism. Rachel Brown who is Cates girlfriend is also the daughter of Reverend Brown is torn between the opposing beliefs held by Cates and her father and her love for both of them." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Shakespeare's tragedy Julius Caesar Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through August 14. Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

Act Two Theatre presents the comedy Moon Over Buffalo through August 14. "Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950's who are playing Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac in rep in Buffalo, New York. On the brink of a disastrous split-up, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if he likes what he sees, he might cast them in his new film. Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does. As a result, this tribute to “Life in the Theatre” is simply outrageously hilarious!! "" Performances take place in the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre at 1 St Peters Centre Blvd, St. Peters, MO 63376. For more information: act2theater.com.

Amy Ogle

The Emerald Room at the Monocle presents singer Amy Ogle in Nick of Time on Friday, August 12, at 8 p.m. "In her all new show, Amy explores the realization of a dream. And ours." The performance takes place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: themonoclestl.com.

The Emerald Room at the Monocle and The Presenters Dolan present David Guintoli in Sinatra...The Man and His Music on Saturday, August 13, at 8 p.m. "David Giuntoli sings songs that Frank Sinatra made famous. He would have been 100, if alive, and although he was from a different era, his musical stylings are a as swinging today as they were in the 40s, 50s, and 60s when he was at his peak. Sinatra had a gift of taking songs from great composers like, Cole Porter, Jimmy Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn, and, along with his fantastic arrangements, giving them that “Sinatra” stamp. The show includes these songs; I've Got the World on a String, All or Nothing at All, The Best is Yet to Come, I've Got You Under My Skin, The Way You Look Tonight, Angel Eyes, Fly Me to the Moon, Night and Day, The Lady is a Tramp and more." The show features Adam Maness on piano and Ben Wheeler on bass. The performance takes place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: www.buzzonstage.com/st-louis.

New Line Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Tell Me on a Sunday Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, August 11-27. "This pop-rock song cycle follows a young English woman newly arrived in New York, brimming with optimism, and her journey through America and the perils of ill-advised romance. As she seeks out success and love, she weaves her way through the maze of New York and Hollywood social life, and through her own anxieties, frustrations, and heartaches, and she begins to wonder whether there are better choices to be made." 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 Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love through October 28. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

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

Thursday, August 04, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 5, 2016

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:

The Puppet Guild of Greater St. Louis is presenting the Great Regional Puppet Festival through Sunday, with performances by various groups at different venues in the city. You can see a complete list at puppetfestivalstl.org, but here are a few I thought look especially interesting:

Puppet Potpourri and Puppet Slam on Friday, August 5, at 10 p.m.: "This is a combination of an open mike and slam. The Puppet Potpourri features an "open mike" short 3 to 5 minute acts by volunteer puppeteers attending The Great Regional Puppet Festival. The Potpourri acts are usually family friendly, sometimes including performances by budding child puppeteers. The second part of the program is the Puppet Slam. Here there are no time limits or rules. The acts are often more adult oriented anywhere from reverent to artistic to bawdy." The performance takes place at The Stage at KDHX, 3524 Washington in Grand Center.
Still Life on Saturday, August 6, at 2:30 p.m.: "Sill Life is a collection of (mostly) nonverbal shadow puppetry shorts. In these vignettes, people struggle-humorously, for the greater part-to make sense of or contend with a world that refuses to obey their expectations." The performance takes place at the St. Louis University Theatre, 3733 West Pine on the St. Louis University campus. For more information: puppetfestival.org.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Death Star on Saturday, August 6, at 3:15 p.m.: "Mike Horner imagines what would have happened if George Lucas had turned his epic space saga into a musical puppet show? Find out in this wacky parody of the Star Wars trilogy written by musician Curt Bright and adapted and performed by puppeteer Mike Horner. Wookies and Jedis and Droids, Oh my! " The performance takes place at the St. Louis University Theatre, 3733 West Pine on the St. Louis University campus.
Immigrant Stew at the Chat 'n' Chew on Saturday, August 6, at 4 p.m.: "Eulenspiegel Puppets and Friends present a humorous, touching, and quite timely as we welcome immigrants into the rural Midwest. Cathy Schmidt-McGillicutty, played by Monica Leo, is the proprietress of the local cafe, the Chat 'N' Chew. She's upset because her daughter wants to marry a member of a Mexican immigrant family. She confronts her prejudice as flashbacks play out scenes from her own family history. The flashbacks are performed by older children or adults from the local community to an accompaniment of live music by Tim Hillis." The performance takes place at the St. Louis University Theatre, 3733 West Pine on the St. Louis University campus.

THOMPAIN (based on nothing)

The Midnight Company presents Will Eno's THOMPAIN (based on nothing) Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., through August 6. Performances take place at Herbie's Vintage72, 405 N. Euclid in the Central West End, It will be a 10-year anniversary revival production for Midnight, with Artistic Director Joe Hanrahan once again the performer, and Larry Dell once again directing. "Nearly indescribable, THOMPAIN was described thus by the NYTimes: 'A surreal meditation on the empty promises life makes, the way experience never lives up to the weird and awesome fact of being...but also, in its odd, bewitching beauty an affirmation of life's worth...a small masterpiece.' Actor Joe Hanrahan calls it 'Existential Stand-Up,' while director Larry Dell describes it as 'Stand-Up Tragedy.'" Tickets will be on sale later in the spring at brownpapertickets.com.

My take: Joe Hanrahan has had something of a monopoly on the one-man show genre for many years, and with good reason. He's a skilled actor who is not afraid to take on unusual and difficult material. "Hanrahan is relaxed, comfortable in the world of the narrator, oddball as it is," writes Ann Lemmons Pollack, "pacing and gesturing and occasionally talking to specific members of the audience. He makes it look easy, creating an experience as much as he’s creating theatre." She goes on to note how much the whole experience reminds her of the early days of Gaslight Square, which ain't bad.

Tosca
Photo: John Lamp

Union Avenue Opera presents Puccini's Tosca Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, through August 6. "Tosca is a powerful tale of an unholy bargain between the tragic heroine Floria Tosca and the chief of the Roman police, Baron Scarpia, arguably one of opera's vilest characters, who will stop at nothing to get his way. Will Tosca give herself to a man she hates to save Cavaradossi, the man she loves? Will she betray everything her lover believes to spare his life? Intrigue, cruelty, and betrayal swirl about the doomed diva in this riveting drama that explores the dark side of human emotion, set to some of Puccini's most passionate and unforgettable music." Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in Italian with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

My take: This production has been updated to Mussolini's Italy. Which, if you think about it, makes a fair amount of sense. The political subtext for the opera, after all, is the struggle between a democratic underground and an autocratic government that uses torture and terror as political tactics. Reviews have been very positive—Steve Callahan's for KDHX is a good example—and while I won't see the show until Friday, I see no reason to doubt their accuracy. Union Avenue has a very impressive track record.

Held Over:

The Drowsy Chaperone
Photo: Peter Wochniak

Fiddler on the Roof

The Muny presents the musical Fiddler on the Roof opening running nightly at 8:15 pm through Friday in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. "A musical that celebrates family, tradition and community, Fiddler on the Roof is one of the greatest musicals ever written. This cherished musical is a poignant folk tale, laden with happiness and tears - a musical that grows more resonant with every passing year. See it with someone you love." For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

My take: Bock and Harnick's music is as engaging today as it was nearly fifty years ago. Joseph Stein's book, adapted from Sholem Aleichem, remains powerful. Its tragic depiction of the plight of refugees trying to hold on to their religion and culture as they are persecuted and driven from their homes ought to feel very relevant today. I haven't seen the Muny production, but the fact is this is the sort of big, old-fashioned Broadway chestnut that they usually do quite well. Besides, those actors wearing those bulky costumes in this sub-tropical heat really do deserve our support.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 29, 2016

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:

The Drowsy Chaperone
Photo: Peter Wochniak

The Muny presents the musical Fiddler on the Roof opening on Saturday, July 30, and running nightly at 8:15 pm through August 5 in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. "A musical that celebrates family, tradition and community, Fiddler on the Roof is one of the greatest musicals ever written. This cherished musical is a poignant folk tale, laden with happiness and tears - a musical that grows more resonant with every passing year. See it with someone you love." For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

My take: Bock and Harnick's music is as engaging today as it was nearly fifty years ago. Joseph Stein's book, adapted from Sholem Aleichem, remains powerful. Its tragic depiction of the plight of refugees trying to hold on to their religion and culture as they are persecuted and driven from their homes ought to feel very relevant today. I haven't seen the Muny production, but the fact is this is the sort of big, old-fashioned Broadway chestnut that they usually do quite well. Besides, those actors wearing those bulky costumes in this sub-tropical heat really do deserve our support.

Ken Haller

The Presenters Dolan and The Emerald Room Cabaret present Ken Haller in The TV Show on Friday, July 29, at 8 p.m. and Song by Song by Sondheim on Saturday, July 30, at 8 p.m. The performances take place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: www.themonoclestl.com/events-page.

My take: These encore performances of Ken's first two cabaret shows offer a great chance to catch a local master of the form at work. A Children's Hospital pediatrician, Ken may be familiar to you form his many appearances on local TV talking about children's health issues. Or you may have seen him singing with the Gateway Men's Chorus or acting with any number of local companies. In any case, his Sondheim shows pairs Ken's passion for the work of one of our greatest living theatre composers with interesting insights into the man and his music. The TV Show, on the other hand, is an entertaining and very funny romp through classic TV themes and songs, from The Monkees to Moonlighting. And the Emerald Room is a charmingly intimate venue, ideally suited to the art of cabaret.

Held Over:

Grey Gardens
Photo: Dan Donovan

Max and Louie Productions presents the musical Grey Gardens through July 30. "Not since Mama Rose and Gypsy has there been a mother/daughter act as hilarious, as heartbreaking and as utterly unforgettable as "Big" Edith and "Little" Edie Beale - Jackie Kennedy's most outrageous relatives - in the acclaimed musical smash Grey Gardens! From the grandeur of an East Hampton high society party in 1941 to the sensational tabloid headlines that rocked the Kennedy clan in 1973, Grey Gardens is scandalously entertaining. Step into the world of Grey Gardens and see the other side of Camelot." Performances take place at the Wool Studio Theatre at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information, visit maxandlouie.com.

My take: The folks at Max and Louie must be popping open the champagne right now, given how much critical praise they're getting. Steve Allen's review at Stage Door STL is typical. "Reviewing a production is, of course, a personal viewpoint", he writes, "and every one of the several critics we have in our town will vary in their opinions. But with “Grey Gardens,” the current musical from Max and Louie Productions, I think we'll join forces in our praise for just about every aspect from casting and direction down through the technical creators. If it isn't flawless, it comes pretty darn close." 'Nuff said, I guess.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 30, 2016

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:

42nd Street

The Muny presents the musical 42nd Street running nightly at 8:15 pm through June 30 in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. "All-singing! All-tapping! One of the biggest, boldest, brashest musicals in Broadway history, this song-and-dance extravaganza remains the ultimate backstage musical. Yet, beneath all the hip hooray and ballyhoo, this 'lullaby of Broadway' reminds us that Broadway dreams still do come true." For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

My take: Here's your last chance to catch the glitzy all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza. Reviews have been good (see Tina Farmer's comments at KDHX for an example) and, frankly, given how awful so much of the news is these says, even if this weren't such a solid production, I might recommend it anyway. Remember: "There's a Sunny Side to Every Situation".

Grand Center presents the Grand Center Theatre Crawl on Friday, July 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. at various locations in the Grand Center Arts District. " It's a “tasting menu” of the best of St. Louis theatre, and it's free! Every half hour, 6-9pm, you'll stroll to a different Grand Center venue for a short show from local theatre companies. See shows from nineteen St. Louis theatre companies, and yes, there will be prizes!" Featured theatre companies include Prison Performing Arts, West End Players Guild, St. Louis Actors' Studio, Insight Theatre Company, R-S Theatrics, and Union Avenue Opera. For more information: grandcenter.org.

My take: Here's a chance to get sneak previews of some of what's coming up on local stages. I'll be there as part of the West End Players Guild team with a preview of our opening production of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia. Come on down!

Held Over:

Alice in Wonderland
Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Disney's Alice in Wonderland through July 3. "Tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice as she falls into the madcap world of Wonderland and meets such extraordinary characters as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, and the frantically late White Rabbit. Inviting and magical, Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND is a fantastic adventure the whole family can enjoy! Based on the classic literary tales of Lewis Carroll and the beloved Walt Disney film, this whimsical journey to a land beyond imagination is sure to bring you and yours the perfect“Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah” day." Performances take place in at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

My take: Looking for theatre that's fun for the whole family? Stages has a deal for you. Children's theatre can sometimes feel like it's aimed not so much at children as at simple-minded adults. Such is apparently not the case here. "Children will likely be enthralled by the clever dialogue, catchy songs, and abundantly joyful tone of the show" writes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "so much so that the simple but effective lesson about being true to yourself can easily sneak its way into their brains. Parents and older kids have not been forgotten, and most will appreciate the pop culture references, fast pacing, comic choreography, and high quality singing that ties the show up in a delightful bow."

It Shoulda Been YouPhoto: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical It Shoulda Been You through July 3. "You are cordially invited to join us for what is certain to be the wedding of the year! Direct from Broadway and in its Mid-Western premiere, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU comes to STAGES with a mad-cap wedding celebration we know you won't want to miss! After all, who doesn't love a wedding? Especially one that includes a beautiful blushing bride, her uninvited and unrequited boyfriend, a groom with a secret, a sister with her own hidden agenda, and a pair of mothers from hell. This refreshingly modern romantic comedy has more than a few surprising twists in store as out comes the bride and groom in a wedding you are sure to remember. Be the first to say “I do” to this wonderfully witty musical that kept Broadway audiences rolling in the aisles. " 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: This world premiere musical has gotten considerable praise from my fellow critics. "Strong actors abound in the production," says Laura Kyro at KDHX, "and most have excellent singing voices." At Broadwayworld, Chris Gibson calls it a "superbly rendered presentation" and strongly recommends it.

Pastime

Circus Flora presents its new show, Pastime, through July 3 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center next to Powell Hall. "Along with runs and hits, the box score will fill-up with flips, flights, and laughs throughout PASTIME. When the hometown Zephyrs struggle to get out of last place, only their biggest fan and some incredible (and unlikely) stunts can help them turn their season around. Join us, and the magic of baseball." For more information: circusflora.org.

My take: Although I was born and have spent most of my life in St. Louis, there are some local traditions and institutions that I never have and probably never will understand. White Castle, for example, or the business about asking where you went to high school. What's THAT all about, anyway? Circus Flora, though, is a St. Louis tradition that anyone can embrace. And what could be more St. Louis than a show inspired by baseball? Happy 30th birthday, Circus Flora. The elephant after which you are named may have retired to Florida long ago, but you're still going strong.

Stage Left

Friday, September 13, 2019

Review: Life is but a dream

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Review: The land we belong to is grand

Monday, June 11, 2018

Review: The marriage of true minds

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Review: "South Pacific" at Stages is an enchanted evening

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 19, 2016

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 12, 2016

Sunday, August 07, 2016

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of August 8, 2016

Thursday, August 04, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 5, 2016

Friday, July 29, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of July 29, 2016

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of June 30, 2016

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