Chuck's Choices for the weekend of February 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:

Shining City
ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents Shining City by Connor McPherson, with live music by Farshid Soltanshahi, through February 14. "In 2003 in a modest Dublin office, a young ex-priest-turned-therapist is consulted by a well-off businessman with a terrible secret. How these characters change, and how they change each other, is the story-a story that will grip you and move you and make you laugh and send shivers down your spine." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

My take: Lovers of Irish theatre get not one but two shows by noted Irish playwright Conor McPherson. An site-specific production of The Weir is running at two local pubs through February 11 (see below) and now Upstream has opened Shining City. In his review for KDHX, Steve Callahan calls this "a splendid evening of moving theatre."

Held Over:

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the musical comedy Avenue Q Wednesdays through Sundays through February 7. "The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that although the residents seem nice, it's clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life." The show is recommended for mature audiences. Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

My take: I have not seen Looking Glass's production, but I can tell you that the show itself is very funny and very true to life, even though all the characters are puppets manipulated by actors who are visible at all times, in the manner of Japanese bunraku (or Disney's Lion King, for a more Western reference).

Georama
Photo: Peter Wochniak

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the world premiere of the musical Georama through February 7. "In the mid 1800s, John Banvard created the first georama, a three-mile long scrolled painting celebrating the majesty of the Mighty Mississippi. Once a starving sketch artist, his creation catapulted him to a life of luxury and notoriety, but also brought competition and deception that threatened to push his passion to the wayside. Georama illustrates an artist's rise and fall, and the choice between the art he loves and the life he's always longed for." 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.

My take: As I write in my review, this show could use some tweaking here and there (this is the world premiere, after all) but otherwise it's a very entertaining and educational look at an overlooked aspect of late 19th-century showbiz: the moving panorama. Arguably the precursor of motion pictures (since it was, after all, a picture that moved), the moving panorama was eclipsed by photography and then movies, but for a while it was all the rage. And this is the fascinating tale of the man who invented the genre.

Underneath the Lintel
Photo: Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents the one-character play Underneath the Lintel by Glenn Berger through February 13. "A haunting, beautifully constructed one-person meditation on time and devotion. A returned library book, 113 years overdue with a clue scribbled in the margin and an unclaimed dry-cleaning ticket take the Dutch librarian on a life-changing quest with an obsession to find its owner. Our protagonist follows multiple clues- tickets to the Peking Opera, a love letter written in Yiddish - on a world-wide search that ultimately decodes the meaning of life. A metaphysical detective story that is funny and fierce, quirky and smart." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

My take: As I noted in my review of the St. Lou Fringe presentation of this play in 2014 (which featured a bravura performance by Pat O'Brien), this is a terrific script. It's a fantasy, a mystery, and a wonderfully human story about the pursuit of someone who is no longer human at all. New Jewish is doing a revised version of the script in which the character is female rather than male, and Glynis Bell turns in a performance which, while very different from Mr. O'Brien's, is no less accomplished. As I write in my review for OnSTL, this .compelling and literate script offers plenty of food for thought, including implications about the nature of God that not everyone will find comfortable, and Ms. Bell's performance is a genuine gem. Don't miss it.

The cast of The Weir

Cocktails and Curtain Calls presents The Weir, the award-winning play by Irish playwright Conor McPherson, Monday through Thursday at 8:00pm through February 18. It will be the first local production to utilize the new Members' Project Code, under the auspices of the Actors' Equity Association. All profits from ticket sales go directly to the artists. Performances will take place at McGurk's Irish Pub and Dressel's in the Central West End. For details on performance times and locatsions, visit CocktailsandCurtainCalls.com.

My take: We saw McPherson's play many years ago in London, and found it a rattling good ghost story: well written with plausible characters. In his review for KDHX, Steve Callahan says that "Cocktails and Curtain Calls company gives us what, to me, must be the definitive production of this beautiful play." At Ladue News, Mark Bretz writes that the company "makes an impressive debut with a grand regaling of Irish playwright Conor McPherson's chilling drama...Setting the production in an actual tavern enhances the atmosphere immensely and, combined with director Kari Ely's careful direction of a top-rate cast, makes The Weir a fanciful tale and a tonic for a deep winter's night."

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of January 15, 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:

Topper Productions presents Christy Simmons in Ain't We Got Fun on Sunday, January 17, at 2 and 5 p.m. The show is a "rollicking romp through the Roaring 20s." Paul Westcott is pianist and music director for the show, which takes place at The Boom Boom Room, 500 North 14th Street, downtown. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2485560

My take: This one's a no-brainer. I'm a sucker for music from this period, and featured quite a lot of it in my one-man show Just a Song at Twilight. And Christy Simmons is a great entertainer with a big, powerful voice. You can't go wrong.

Deborah Sharn

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Bridgette Kossor, Tim Schall, Deborah Sharn in a cabaret evening on Friday, January 15, at 8 p.m. "Three dynamic singers who individually have played some of St. Louis' top venues come together for an evening of jazz standards and sophisticated pop. Rocky Tucker at the piano. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

My take: This is another easy call. I don't know Bridgette's work, but Tim and Deborah are old hands at this. Expect a solidly entertaining evening is one of our city's coolest musical event spaces. Come early and check out the menu and wine list.

The Lion in Winter
Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents James Goldman's The Lion in Winter through January 31. "During Christmas of 1183, King Henry II of England plans to announce his successor to the throne. But in this amusing and high-spirited romp, other members of the royal family have their own opinions of who should be crowned king. As he feuds with his estranged wife, Eleanor, and attempts to navigate the minefield of his bickering sons, all of whom have a stake in the game, it's open season on the English throne, bringing a whole new meaning to dysfunctional family drama." 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.

My take: This is a tough call for me. I'm not very persuaded by director Edward Stern's approach to the text. I think he rushes it a bit and misses many nuances in Goldman's witty dialog. Reviews, however, have been very positive. "The Rep's production," writes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "finds more humor in the script than I remember, and the subtle differences in inflection and emotion expertly counter the frequently ambiguous actions of the characters. The effect is mesmerizing, giving the well-known show a fresh, vibrant energy and suspenseful tone that propels the story." And over at stltoday.com, Judy Newmark calls it a "satisfying, well-seasoned, wonderfully witty drama — perfect fare for a cold winter's night." It has been a while since we've had a solid professional production of this literate and intelligent script and this one has an excellent cast and great production values, so I'm giving it a qualified thumbs up.

First Run Theatre presents the comedy The Other Side by David Hawley Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, through January 17. "Stan and Kevin are two post graduate Psychology students from England and Ireland working on their doctorate thesis in Boston. they decide to combine their research into spiritualism with the need to make a few extra bucks by setting up as mediums themselves. Things are going very well for them until a client who wants to contact her father turns out to be the daughter of the local mafia Don. Things start going crazy when she has them confirm he's dead and her brother now demands to know who killed him. How do our boys get out of this mess and evade the overly large strong-arm for the brother who also happens to be a Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard? We will find out." Performances take place at De Smet Jesuit High School Theatre 233 N. New Ballas Rd. For more information, call (314) 352-5114 or visit www.firstruntheatre.com.

My take: In the years after World War I, con artists found fertile ground in the despair of those who lost loved ones in the conflict. Mediums claiming the ability to contact "the other side" and relay messages from the dead bilked many grieving families. First Run's script plays the hustle for laughs and generally gets it right according to Tina Farmer at KDHX. "First Run Theatre," she writes, "is committed to staging productions of original, premier plays, primarily by St. Louis area playwrights. As a result, their productions can often be more enjoyable when viewed as a 'work-in-progress.' In this spirit, I applaud the company's efforts and more thoroughly enjoyed a script that, while problematic in places, is interesting and engaging, with likeable characters and a solid story arc."

Zi

The Emerald Room at the Monocle and The Presenters Dolan present magician Zi in Playing With Impossibilities on Friday and Saturday, January 15 and 16, at 7 p.m. "When was the last time you were truly blown away by a Magic show? Curious about what Mentalism means? There will be no rabbits in hats or doves from sleeves here! Instead, come experience jaw-dropping moments as Zi amazes and delights with feats of the mind, and makes you reconsider the true depths of what we are capable of! Watch as everything from how we think to how we connect with each other become charged with an element of the supernatural, and come witness as things happen that should be utterly impossible. Watch as the impossible becomes a playground. " The performances take place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: buzzonstage.com/st-louis

My take: Magician Zi Teng Wang is a board member of the Skeptical Society of St. Louis, so it's a safe bet he won't be claiming any supernatural powers. As a former magician myself, I love a good magic show, and local performers don't get nearly enough chances to show their stuff. The cabaret space at The Monocle should be a good fit for a show like this.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of March 20, 2015

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:

Jeremy Webb in Buyer and Cellar
©Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Buyer and Cellar through March 29. "Inspired by Barbra Streisand's coffee table book, My Passion for Design, this uproarious fictional account of celebrity eccentricity takes us into Babs' basement, where she houses her unique collections in a small street of shops. An underemployed actor becomes the caretaker, interacting with Barbra in moments both hilarious and surprisingly tender. A runaway hit in New York, this one-man show takes us into the ultimate fantasy of a star-struck dreamer as he fills the oddest of odd jobs." Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

My take: One-man shows can be risky propositions, but this one is apparently a success. "If you are a Streisand fan (and who among us isn’t?)," writes Bob Cohn at St. Louis Jewish Light, "'Buyer & Cellar' is a double treat. Not only is the play itself highly amusing and satisfying, it also contains enough Streisand trivia to satisfy an entire season of questions on 'Jeopardy.'" "Jonathan Tolins is a very clever writer," says Bob Wilcox at KDHX. "Jeremy Webb is a very smart actor. Put them together, with some inventive guidance from director Wendy Dann, and you get a quite enjoyable ninety minutes or so in the Studio Theatre at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis."

Anna Blair

The Presenters Dolan present Anna Blair in Inside Story - Celebrating the Songs of Fran Landesman on Saturday, March 21, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Anna got the chance to work with Fran Landesman several years ago at the Gaslight Theater, when Jim Dolan brought Fran back to Gaslight Square for several shows. He asked Anna to sing some of Fran's standards. They connected, and Anna became a devotee of Fran's songs. Prior to Fran's death, Anna was able to visit and study with her, and her then-composer Simon Wallace, in London. This show is the fruit of that collaboration." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

My take: I saw this show the first time Anna did it back and 2009 and was very impressed. At the time, Andrea Braun reviewed it for KDHX and had this to say about Anna's performance: "She has a supple, melodic voice, and she looks like she was born to wear a red dress (and proves that redheads needn't avoid that color) and lean against a baby grand. She is sultry, playful, sad, straight-forward, and she provides the audience with an altogether lovely evening." Anna was still relatively new to cabaret back then and has only gotten stronger over the years. Fran Landesman might not have always been the most profound lyricist, but her work was always intelligent, and Anna brings real heart to her performances of Fran's songs.

Robert McNichols, Jr. as Paul Robeson
Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents Paul Robeson through March 29. "In Phillip Hayes Dean's biographical two-man play, the legendary actor, singer and political activist Paul Robeson sings songs and tells stories of his multi-faceted career, from triumphs in Show Boat and The Emperor Jones, to his fight for racial equality to accusations of Communist involvement." Performances take place at the Emerson Performance Center at Harris-Stowe State University in midtown. For more information: theblackrep.org.

My take: Paul Robeson's story is an important one, and not just because he was one of the great bass-baritones of the early 20th century. His courage in the face of virulent racism and deranged red baiting is an inspiration to us all. "Seeing a performance of playwright Phillip Hayes Dean’s fascinating, one-man drama, Paul Robeson," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "is an exhilarating and educational experience." Over at stltoday.com, Judy Newmark has words of praise for the show's star, Robert McNichols, Jr.: "An opera singer himself, McNichols performs the song with feeling and intention, and gives an equally meaningful treatment to a trio of gospel numbers that Robeson sang in his stage debut. McNichols is also a fine actor, a big plus for a show that’s not a musical."

Meghan Kirk

The Presenters Dolan present Meghan Kirk in The Story Goes On on Friday, March 20, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Meghan reprises her wildly popular and sold-out splash. What a talent! Recently moved back to St. Louis after appearing many times at the Gardenia in LA." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

My take: Conflicts have prevented me from seeing Meghan's solo shows until now (yes, I'll be there on Friday), but her work at the Cabaret Project's open mic nights (which I host) has always been exemplary. I'm looking forward to this one.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents a staged reading of This Thing of Ours by Caridad Svich on Saturday, March 21, at 3 p.m. as part of the Ignite! New Play Festival. "When an act of violence strikes an American city, how do we react? It's happened before. We say we will put our lives back together, but years will go by. We will grow apart, come together and some of us will wonder how to keep going, as we turn to myths and seek lessons there. This Thing of Ours is the latest play by Caridad Svich, winner of the Obie Award for Lifetime Achievement and author of the loving adaptation of Love in the Time of Cholera, read in the 2012 Ignite! series." The reading takes place at Sally S. Levy Opera Center, 210 Hazel Avenue, on the Webster University Campus. For more information: repstl.org

My take: The Rep's Ignite! festival offers a fascinating glimpse at new works while they're a-borning. Some, like Soups, Stews, and Casseroles 1976, have gone on to full productions and proven worthy of attention. Will this be the start of something big? The only way to know is to attend. It's a fascinating experience and a great opportunity to let the playwright know what you think.

Women Under the Influence
L-R: Carol Schmidt, Michele Isam,
Debbie Schuster, Katie McGrath

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Women Under the Influence on Saturday, March 21, at 8 PM. "Women Under the Influence includes St. Louis cabaret singers Katie McGrath and Debbie Schuster, and features the former Jasmine duo Michele Isam and Carol Schmidt. With a soulful, strong and sultry style, their uplifting harmonies bring new interpretations of their girl-group musical influences, from LaBelle to Adele. Join them for songs of passion, romance, betrayal, survival and joy. A donation of $15 is suggested. All collected donations will go directly to Stray Rescue. The Tavern will also contribute a percentage of all food and drink sales to Stray Rescue." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

My take: I will confess to knowing all the the members of Women Under the Influence for a number of years now (especially Carol Schmidt, who is the music director for the monthly open mic night I mentioned earlier). Their first show back in 2012 took a classic '60s R & B song list and, by artfully arranging the songs, turned the show into a narrative that moved from the first crush, through true love, down into betrayal and back up into independence. It’s could have the story of one woman or of late 20th century women in general. It might even be a little of both. WUI created a space for ambiguity there, and ambiguity is where art lives. They have added songs to their list and rearranged things a bit since then, so it will be interesting to see what the new show look like.

Held Over:

Afflicted: Daughters of Salem
Photo: Victoria Lafferty

Metro Theatre Company and the Missouri History Museum present Afflicted: Daughters of Salem by Laurie Brooks through March 22. "Abigail Williams, Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis, Mary Warren, and Betty Paris meet deep in the dark woods of Puritan New England at night. Denied all outlets for imagination and all hope for the future, the girls unite in a secret society - Allies are found, promises made and broken, power taken. When the girls force the slave Tituba to tell their fortunes, they ignite a crucible of events that burns out of control, leading straight to the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Through their secrets, gossip and accusations these girls become some of the most notorious teens in history." Performances take place in the Lee Auditorium at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. For more information: mohistory.org.

My take: Metro can usually be relied upon to redefine the concept of "children's theatre" in ways that will engage and adult audience as well. In her review for KDHX, Tina Farmer says this new take on the Salem witchcraft trials is "an enjoyable well-researched fiction that successfully reminds audiences there are two sides to every story, even history."

Jerry Springer the Opera
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the St. Louis premiere of the musical Jerry Springer the Opera Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, through March 28. "The New Line season continues with one of New Line's wildest and most ambitious projects, JERRY SPRINGER THE OPERA, the smash-hit, multi-award winning musical that ran to unprecedented rave reviews and standing ovations at the National Theatre in London, after a sold-out run in London's West End. The Sunday Times called it “a shocking, irresistibly funny masterpiece.” With music by Richard Thomas, and book and lyrics by Thomas and Stewart Lee, this is an audacious, fearless piece of theatre that brilliantly and hilariously dissects the cultural forces that have kept Jerry Springer on the air all these years, the lives of quiet desperation that explode into public view in Springer's weirdly nonjudgmental, national confessional." Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. . For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

My take: Come on, how can you not want to see a show with a title like this? The second act, after all, is a "very special" episode of the Jerry Springer Show broadcast live from Hell. And, yes, it really is an opera—or at least a musical in which there is no spoken dialog. "I recognize a quality production with strong direction and spot-on performances," says Tina Farmer in her KDHX review, "and I applaud the company for the bold and daring theater they produce."

Chuck's theatre choices for the weekend of October 24, 2014

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:

Steve Ross

The Presenters Dolan present An Evening With Steve Ross on Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "He's magic. Cabaret legend Steve Ross takes us to old New York, to London between the wars, to Paris and Vienna in the 20's and 30's, where everyone goes out to hear music, and everyone has words and wit and charm. Whether he showing us Coward, Porter, Hart, Kern or Weill, it is as if for the first time." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

My take: Steve Ross is still, in the words of the New York Times, "the Crown Prince of New York cabaret". In the words of me "the very personification of savoir faire: a graceful, elegant, and charming performer in the mold of Noel Coward." Steve Ross has a long and happy relationship with St. Louis, going back to the early days of the Grandel Cabaret Series. He was one of the first performers to be featured by Jim Dolan's Presenters Dolan organization when it got off the ground several years ago, and he even made a special trip to Mound City in February of 2010 to participate in a tribute cabaret for the late Chris Jackson (the only time, to date, that I have shared a stage with him). It's only appropriate, then, that he should be part of Jim Dolan's Gaslight Cabaret Festival.

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream through November 9. "Magic, merriment and romance all unite in one of Shakespeare's most beloved and imaginative comedies. Starry-eyed lovers escape to an enchanted forest full of lust and bewitchment, where mischievous fairies play tricks, bumbling actors rehearse for a love-play and couples pursue one another, all under the light of the moon." 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.

My take: The Rep's track record with Shakespeare has been uneven over the years, but judging from Robert Ashton's review for us at KDHX, they have come up a winner this time. Director Paul Mason Barnes "admirably succeeds in creating a well-paced production that brings out both the comedy and commentary on the human condition that are inherent in this play. It is very clear that both the director and actors understand the words and intent of the script, something which is sadly lacking in many productions of Shakespeare." Chris Gibson at broadwayworld.com concurs. "If I were asked to provide the perfect introduction to the work of playwright William Shakespeare," he writes, "I would advise that person to check out The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' current production of A Midsummer Night's Dream."

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Much Ado About Nothing through October 25. "As one pair of (reluctant) lovers engages in a merry war of wits, another becomes innocent victims of a villainous plot to destroy their happiness. But thanks to the dogged persistence of a truly remarkable keeper of the peace, love prevails at last in one of Shakespeare's most popular romantic comedies." Performances take at the Forissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

My take: The Rep is not the only outfit serving up Shakespeare this weekend. St. Louis Shakespeare has been doing all the Bard all the time for decades and appear to have a hit this time around, according to our critic Tina Farmer at KDHX. "St. Louis Shakespeare warms up fall," she writes, "with a breezy, optimistic interpretation of one of Shakespeare's most popular romantic comedies. Set in Italy at the end of World War II, this version is bubbly and cheerful, filled with a hopeful tone and vibrant personality. The play overflows with sharp observations and broad humor, and the company meets the upbeat, eternally romantic tone in an enjoyable production that's constantly in motion, but never hurried." The Egan Theater at the Florissant Civic Center is a good performance space as well, if you don't mind the drive up north. It comfortably seats around 600 with good sound and sight lines.

Family Musical Theater presents the musical The Rocky Horror Show through October 25 at the Ivory Theatre, 7622 Michigan. For more information, visit familymusical.org or call 314-571-9579.

My take: Get ready for Halloween with this now venerable R-rated send-up of cheesy horror movies. Great art is ain't, but it is great fun if done well, and judging from Bob Wilcox's review for us at KDHX the folks at Family Musical Theater have, in fact, done it well. "Director Alison Driscoll and her cast hit the right style notes for this parody of horror movies and popular music," he writes. And while a show like this is rather pushing the envelope for a company that normally does more G-rated material, it's nevertheless true, as Bob points out, that "someone who first saw 'Rocky Horror' on stage or screen 30 years ago could well be joined by a grandchild at this production for a pleasant family outing." Nostalgia ain't what it used to be. The Ivory is a cool space as well and rather under-utilized.

Held Over:

Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents Agatha Christie's thriller And Then There Were None Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through October 25. "Ten strangers, each with something to hide - or fear - are lured to a remote island by an unseen host. With no way to leave, the guests begin to share their dark secrets-and then, one by one, they die. Based on the best-selling mystery novel of all time, this thriller contains perhaps the most unpredictable plot ever devised by Agatha Christie." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: There's nothing profound about Christie's classic whodunnit, and the plot twist, while clever when first used in the novel on which the play is based, has become something of a cliche by now. I speak from experience; I've done the show. Still, reviews for this production have been uniformly good. At the Post-Dispatch, Judy Newmark praises the "chic set" and "vivid performances." On the Stage Door blog, Steve Allen lauds director Gary Bell's "eye for detail and heightened suspense." Mark Bretz at Ladue News calls it "a nifty whodunit designed to entertain." Well, you get the idea. It's a ripping yarn and it runs through the weekend.

Upstream Theater presents Sophocles' Antigone through October 26. "This ancient drama deals with the tragedy that ensues when society's demand for the rule of law conflicts with an individual's moral imperative-a conflict that recent events in our city have given unforeseen and unwanted resonance." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org. 

My take: This new adaptation of the Sophocles classic by David Slavitt is getting its world premiere at Upstream, and notices have generally been very good. "Meticulously directed by artistic director Philip Boehm and featuring superb performances by a stellar cast," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "Upstream’s presentation shows the timelessness and enduring perceptive power of Sophocles’ observations of human foibles." At broadwayworld, Chris Gibson calls Slavitt's adaptation "the most intriguing and accessible version I've ever seen. With the inclusion of a dash of humor to the proceedings he's also managed to enhance the dramatic depth of the tale. Upstream Theater's current production is masterful and powerful in equal measure, providing a memorable experience that demands to be seen."

Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the St. Louis premiere of the musical Bonnie and Clyde Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through October 25. The show is "a kind of horror Romeo and Juliet story, exploring the culture that created this infamous couple and their two-year murder spree, the moral ambiguity of Prohibition and the Great Depression, and a national cult of celebrity that turned these damaged, dangerous kids into national folk heroes, in their twisted quest for dignity in a time of national humiliation. Bloomberg News called the show, 'a pop romance about the American nightmare.' Today, in this time of economic distress in America, this story seems more relevant than ever. Not only could it happen again; it does." Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. For more information, visit the web site or call 314-534-1111.

My take: Frank Wildhorn, the composer of Bonnie and Clyde, is nothing if not eclectic when it comes to his choice of material. His shows include The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War, and Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure. Even if this were not a much-praised production, it would be worth seeing for Wildhorn's contribution alone. But, has it happens, the show has gotten plenty of good reviews locally. Writing for broadwayworld.com, Chris Gibson calls it "brilliant." "You'll be blown away by how engaging the story and characters are," he says, "and you'll be humming the score as you walk out the doors because it's just so incredibly and infectiously catchy." The St. Louis Theatre Snob concurs: "Under Jeffrey Richard Carter's musical direction, the New Line Band is tight, handling Wildhorn's score of depression-era blues, folk, gospel and rockabilly superbly...Seeing this production makes it hard to understand why it didn't last longer in NYC." Over at the RFT, Malcom Gay says it "should be on anyone's Most Wanted list." So maybe it should be on yours as well.

Photo: John Lamb

New Jewish Theater presents The Diary of Anne Frank through November 2. "The iconic story of Anne Frank who hid with her family and four others in the annex of her father's factory. In this gripping and transcendently powerful new adaptation of the original story based on Anne's diary, we see Anne as a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of the time with astonishing honesty, wit and determination.This young girl's remarkable diary has become a testament to the human spirit and illuminates Anne's unwavering belief in justice and love. This moving, true story is essential viewing for every generation - a new adaptation for a new generation." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

My take: I should note at the outset that this is a new adaptation of Anne Frank's diaries by Wendy Kesselman based on the older dramatization by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett that most of us have seen in the past. "The current production by The New Jewish Theatre is simply heart wrenching in its exquisite and engaging execution," writes Chris Gibson at broadwayworld.com. "A wonderful cast and sensitive direction allow this true and tragic tale to blossom fully." Other reviews have been equally effusive. At the Jewish Light, for example, Bob Cohn calls it "heart-stopping." 'Nuff said.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of January 17, 2014

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

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Photo: Stewart Goldstein

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

My take: In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Tina Farmer calls this an "effective, thought-provoking drama" that offers "a well-directed, well-performed look under the public veneer" of these important historical figures. "The new space at the Emerson Performance Center on the Harris-Stowe State University campus suits the company well," she writes, "and the technical aspects were to their usual high standards."

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

My take: The kids at Circus Harmony are always a highlight of Circus Flora's annual performances in Grand Center. Expect a fun, family friendly show in the small ring at City Museum. And don't forget to check out the museum's unique interactive attractions while you're at it; the place is truly a one-of-a-kind experience and a tribute the the remarkable imagination of its founder, the late Robert Cassilly.

Held Over:

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Michael Hollinger's Opus through February 2. "With only four days to rehearse for their most important performance ever, a world-class string quartet takes a chance by hiring a gifted but inexperienced young woman. Onstage the Lazara Quartet is pitch perfect but behind the scenes they're coming unstrung as the four artists battle the sweat, tears and pain that go into making extraordinary music seem effortless. This fascinating play is a passionate look at the delicate and complex relationships between artists' lives and their art." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

My take: I'm on the board of West End Players Guild, the group that did the St. Louis premiere of this play last April. I was a big backer of Opus in the WEPG play reading committee and remain a fan of this funny, literate, dramatic, and informed look at the often less than beautiful reality behind the performance of so much beautiful music. It's easy to be transported by (say) a late Beethoven quartet and lose sight of the fact that the performers are doing their jobs as well as creating art. Opus explores what happens when the worlds of commerce and art collide. "Here is a lovely play," writes Andrea Braun in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "well performed by a talented cast and it deserves an audience".

First Run Theatre presents Whatever Remains, a new Sherlock Holmes mystery by Jason Slavik, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 10-19. Performances take place at First Run Theatre at De Smet Jesuit High School Theatre, 233 N. New Ballas Rd. For more information, call (314) 352-5114 or visit www.firstruntheatre.com.

My take: I admit it; I'm a Sherlock Holmes fan (a Sherlockian, as we call ourselves) and have been for a long time. You'll even find some Sherlockian papers that I've written over the years at my old personal home page (now mostly abandoned). I don't know whether I'm gong to be able to see this or not (the next two weekends are pretty heavily booked for me), but I look forward to at least finding out what it's about. For those of you curious about the title, it comes from something Holmes says in "The Sign of Four": "How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?" He repeats that point in "The Beryl Coronet," "The Bruce-Partington Plans," and "The Blanched Solider" (and says something very similar in "Silver Blaze") so it's a safe bet he meant it. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Tina Farmer says the show is "is entertaining and well paced, if occasionally a bit of a credibility stretch."

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of December 20, 2013

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

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Mariposa Artists and Mid-Town Artists present John McDaniel: Home for the Holidays, on Friday, December 20th, at 7 PM. A St. Louis native, McDaniel is a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning music director, composer, arranger, orchestrator, and theatrical and record producer. The performance takes place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/513952.

My take: It has been six years since Mr. McDaniel made a solo appearance in his old home town. Back then he performed in the intimate Flim Flam Room at Savor (now, alas, defunct) and impressed me mightily. In my review for 88.1 KDHX, I described him as a classic example of a great cabaret artist who can't sing worth a hoot and went on to say that he was "such a talented arranger/pianist and such an engaging performer that it was easy to forget his vocal limitations and simply enjoy his lively anecdotes about his life and work since graduating from Kirkwood High School locally and his sympathetic performances of a wide range of music." When I saw him back then, his penultimate medley was improvised on the spot, based on favorite tunes called out by audience members. I hope he's still dong that; it's a pretty impressive trick.

©Photo by Eric Woolsey

The Rep's Imaginary Theatre Company presents The Velveteen Rabbit by Kim Esop Wylie with music and lyrics by Joe Dreyer through December 23. “ Based on Margery Williams' famed literary classic, The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of a little boy and his stuffed bunny who wonders what it means to be “real.” After years of adventure and devotion, the bunny becomes a truly beloved friend and is magically transformed into a real woodland rabbit. Join us this holiday season and share in a heartwarming musical tale that celebrates the rewards of loyalty and the wonderful, surprising power of love.” Performances take place at Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall High School, 530 East Lockwood Avenue in Webster Groves. For more information: repst.org or call (314) 968-4925.

My take: It's always good to have a show pitched at kids over the holidays, and this one looks to be a good bet. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Tina Farmer describes The Velveteen Rabbit as "a charming and engaging show with particular appeal for young children. With a running time of about an hour, it's also the perfect length for little attention spans, making this show an excellent choice for arts patrons looking to share the magic and excitement of live theater."

Held Over:

The Black Rep presents Black Nativity: A Holiday Celebration through December 22. "Conceived and directed by Ron Himes, the first act tells a moving and traditional African Nativity story, while the second act swings into the season with joy and reverence." Performances take place at the Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University. For more information: theblackrep.org.

My take: This is the closest thing to a traditional holiday show on stage this week, and reviews have been good. As Steve Callahan notes in his review for 88.1 KDHX, this is really two shows in one "The first half," he writes, "is almost an oratorio on the birth of Jesus. The stage is constantly full of bright movement and dance as we see Mary and Joseph on their familiar journey...The songs are a vivid patchwork of styles—from Handel's 'Joy to the World' to vibrant African folk-songs to a wonderful Reggae version of the "'ate-Night Shepherd's Blues' in which a shepherd bemoans that his woman done left him...The second half of the evening is probably the best Christmas cabaret you'll ever see."

Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents William Gibson's The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod The Nut And The Slaughter Of 12 Hit Carols In A Pear Tree Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM December 5-21, with an extra 2 PM matinee on the 21st. “A touching, funny, and highly imaginative retelling of the Christmas story complete with talking animals, a feminist-leaning Mary, a jealous Joseph, a fast-talking sheep, and one loud-mouthed overbearing tree. Created by one of America's major dramatists, this Christmas cartoon mixed with psychological realism brings new relevance to its timeless subject.” Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: Yes, that's the same William Gibson who wrote The Miracle Worker, the oft-seen play about the young Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. The 1975 play got good notices in earlier productions, and Stray Dog has garnered its share of praise for this one. Over at Vital Voice, for example, Andrea Braun calls it "a lovely holiday gift from one of St. Louis's consistently finest and most popular theatre companies" "If you're looking to take tradition in a somewhat non-traditional direction this holiday season," writes Laura Kyro at 88.1 KDHX, "try Stray Dog's 'The Butterfingers Angel'." It's nice to see something a bit left of center at the holidays, and Stray Dog can usually be relied upon to deliver the goods.

New Jewish Theater presents the one-woman show Hannah Shenesh through December 22. The play is based on the dairies of Senesh, who worked with a British para-military group to rescue Hungarian Jews during World War II. Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

My take: One-person shows can be risky propositions, but this one appears to be a winner. "Last season," writes Andrea Braun in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "NJT gave us 'Conviction,' a one-actor play that I thought was as good as any of that genre I'd seen. With 'Hannah Senesh,' the company has surpassed even that level of excellence in this production because of a perfect performance guided by a sensitive and meticulous director." She describes lead actress Shanara Gabrielle's performance as "magical" and says "the electricity in the room is palpable."

©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap through December 29. “The Grande Dame of suspense weaves a clever mystery that will keep you guessing till the very end. The guests at Monkswell Manor are snowed in with a murderer in their midst. Whodunit? Sergeant Trotter is determined to find out, and his investigation turns up more shocking secrets than anyone could have anticipated. Full of intricate plot twists and shuddering suspense, it is no wonder The Mousetrap has become the world's longest-running stage production.” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

My take: Well, you don't get to be the longest-running stage production in modern history without doing something right. Christie was not a creator of great dialog or deep characters, but she knew how to write a rattling good mystery. "Under the thoughtful direction of Paul Mason Barnes," writes Andrea Torrance at the St. Louis Theatre Snob blog, "the cast provide strong performances, giving their respective characters enough depth beyond their first introduction to make you believe any one of them could have done it."

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of November 1, 2013

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

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Darick Pead as Beast and Hilary Maiberger as Belle
Photo by Joan Marcus.

The Fox Theatre presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast Friday through Sunday, November 1-3. The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-534-1678.

My take: Yeah, I know. But let's face it—Beauty and the Beast is a big, brash, amusement park of a show. It's fast, colorful, loud, opulent, shamelessly sentimental, unapologetically vulgar, and (when done properly) highly entertaining. The well-known story is simple enough to keep the kids' attention, and polished enough to amuse all but the most jaded adults. If this isn't a family show, I don't know what is.

Zach Wachter as Mr. Gibbs, Roger Erb as Lush
Photo: John Lamb

The West End Players Guild continues their 103rd season with Pinter's The Hothouse by Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, November 1-10. There will also be a show on Thursday, November 7, at 8 PM. “Enjoy an evening of Pinter's wicked humor at its darkest. Set in a government-run mental institution on Christmas day, The Hothouse is wild, impudent and blisteringly funny. When one patient dies mysteriously and another turns up pregnant, director Roote seems to be losing control - or is he merely losing his mind?” Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org.

My take: I'm on the board of West End Players Guild and was the one who first proposed that the group take on this rarely-seen (the last local performance was over 30 years ago; I was in it) Pinter.  Now, as then, I was amazed at how much like a Monty Python sketch (albeit a very dark and odd one) this play is.  I don't know whether Pinter was influenced by the Pythons at all, but it's hard to read this and not visualize specific Python actors in the roles.  Graham Chapman, for example, would have been an ideal Roote, the asylum director.  But what the heck—go and see for yourself.

R-S Theatrics presents its second annual KIDaret on Saturday, November 2, at 7 PM. “This is a fundraiser cabaret designed for families and featuring some of your favorite R-S Theatrics performers, this year's Halloween themed KIDaret will handle difficult subjects like whether or not Istanbul really is Constantinople, what to do with your Undead Mummy, and how to dance the Monster Mash. This event is designed to be a relaxed evening of musical performances, where children are invited to sing along and dance in the aisles during the show with costumes encouraged to show off their best ghoul-ish attire. In addition to the performance, there will be a silent auction, concessions, and craft paper and drawing materials for kids of all ages.” The cast includes Rachel Hanks, Marshall Jennings, Mark Kelley, Nick Moramarco, Macia Noorman, Christina Rios, Antonio Rodriguez, Kirsten Wylder, and Michael Young. Music direction is by Nick Moramarco. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/475773

My take: R-S is a company worth supporting for its daring choices (they took on the local premiere of Jason Robert Brown's Parade, for example) and the performers in this show constitute a nice cross section of local theatre talent.  Should be fun, and certainly less pricey than Beauty and the Beast as a family night out.

Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble presents the thriller The Woman in Black Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 and Fridays and Saturdays at 10, October 30 - November 9. Performances take place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: slightlyoff.org.

My take: if your only exposure to this creepy little masterpiece is the recent film version with Daniel Radcliffe, you're in for a bit of a surprise.  Stephen Mallatratt's stage adaptation of the original Susan Hill novel—still running after 25 years in London's West End—is a tour de force for two actors. "The Woman in Black," says the London production's web site, "combines the power and intensity of live theatre with a cinematic quality inspired by the world of film noir. It gives audiences an evening of unremitting drama as they are transported into a terrifying and ghostly world."  Yep.  And as a neat bit of chamber theatre, this should play to SATEs strengths.

Held Over:

Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents Evil Dead: The Musical Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through November 1. Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: Honestly, this is not my particular thing, but the reviews have been so good and I'm so favorably inclined towards Stray Dog shows anyway that I have to include it. "If you like your scary stories served with a generous helping of ribald and slapstick humor," writes Tina Farmer in her review for 88.1 KDHX, "you'll want to put Evil Dead The Musical at the top of your must see list. Stray Dog Theatre kicks off its eleventh season with a show that takes the company's tagline "Come out and play" and ratchets it up to new levels in an energetic, yet playful, spoof on the teen horror movie genre." Besides, how can you not like a show that includes a dance number titled "Do the Necronomicon"?

©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents drama Fly through November 10. “Based on the experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen, this inspiring story follows four courageous young African-American pilots as they train to fly combat aircraft during World War II. Facing powerful conflict both on and off the battlefield, the men form a lasting brotherhood, paving the way for the desegregation of the military and giving hope to a changing America on the horizon. Soaring and inventive, Fly combines live action, video and the compelling “Tap Griot,” an innovative dancing storyteller who expresses the anger, fear and triumph that the officers cannot.” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

My take: As I wrote in my OnSTL.com blog, the world premiere of Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan's drama Fly at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is the most inspiring, enraging, and sad thing you can see in a theatre this week. Inspiring because this story of the legendary Tuskegee Airman—an all-black fighter pilot unit who escorted an unprecedented 200 of 205 bomber missions without losing an aircraft and earned a raft of medals in the process. Enraging because the white Americans whose lives and freedom they were protecting treated them as subhuman. Sad because we seem to have learned so little in the intervening seven decades." Other critics have been equally effusive. This is definitely a "must see."

Photo: Jill
Ritter Lindbergh

New Line Theatre presents the musical version of the film Night of the Living Dead Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through November 2. Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. For more information, newlinetheatre.com.

My take: This is not, as you might think, another horror send-up along the lines of Evil Dead the Musical. "This is no spoof," writes Steve Callahan in his review for 88.1 KDHX, "nor is it merely an homage; if you let it, it will lead you to think...By approaching these rather two-dimensional characters with such deep seriousness the cast leads us to consider some thoughts that make this show more than just a zombie thriller: How fragile is peace. How fragile is happiness. Death, despair, catastrophe can come suddenly, with no warning. War, a tornado, an economic crash—they can destroy us in a moment, just like a horde of zombies." So, no, not a lot of laughs, but rather a serious musical about what's out there in the dark—very appropriate to open the current season by "the bad boy of musical theatre." Before you go, check out my interview with director Scott Miller.

Photo: Whitney Curtis

Washington University Performing Arts Department presents the musical Spring Awakening Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. "A girl asks awkward questions. A boy, frustrated by a dead language, erupts into a new one. Latin falls to rock ‘n’ roll. Steven Sater’s Spring Awakening—with its blunt depictions of adolescent sexuality and startling mixture of contemporary expression and fin de siècle restraint—is among the most influential, unexpected and beloved Broadway shows of recent years." Performances take place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543.

My take: This powerful rock musical of teens struggling with raging hormones in a repressive social system is pretty much ideal material, I think, for a collegiate theatrical program. In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Tina Farmer says this "is a beautifully produced and acted piece, filled with youthful exuberance and cold truths that linger well after the final song."

OnSite Theatre Company presents the world premiere of The Trivia Job by St. Louis native and San Francisco playwright Dan Rubin Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, through November 9. “When the women of the St. Francis Knitting Ministry learn that their beloved church is on the brink of financial ruin, they do exactly what anyone else would do: they plan an elaborate bank heist, using a special trivia night fundraiser as their cover. But will the replacement emcee, a young priest from their church, screw up all of their plans? With a complete evening of trivia interwoven into a thrilling comedy set in a site-specific location, The Trivia Job promises to be a night of theater like none you've ever before experienced. Get ready to be accessories to fun!” Performances take place at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis, 1919 S Broadway in Soulard. For more information: www.OnSiteTheatre.org.

My take: For many local theatre companies, not having a fixed abode is a problem. For OnSite, it's a mission. Their site-specific productions have taken them to bars, restaurants, a bowling alley, and a laundromat, among other non-traditional locations.  In her review for 88.1 KDHX, Andrea Braun says The Trivia Job "is clever, fun and surprisingly moving. Anna Pileggi had her hands full directing this complex operation, and she pulls it off with apparent ease."