Chris Gibson - Page 25

What is it about movie adaptations and Broadway? They're constantly adapting motion pictures for the stage, and yet, the majority are expensive flops and failures. Is it the fickle nature of the 'Great White Way', or simply cynical critics and theatre patrons who are jaded by these repeat offenders? Well, their loss is our gain, and the funny, romantic, utterly charming and delightful production of VICTOR/VICTORIA by Stages St. Louis is certainly proof enough that something is amiss in their estimations. This closer for Stages season is well worth you time and attention, and proves once again that some productions just work better in other venues.

Playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer's END DAYS is a whimsical sort of farce with heart, a humorous work that starts off amusing, but in the end, winds up teaching its characters what it means to be a real family. It's the kind of ensemble piece that the New Jewish Theatre does so well, and their current production is a well acted and neatly directed presentation that's a wacky delight.

The basic premise of THE WINNERS, a winner itself of the HotCity Theatre Greenhouse play competition, is really just a twist by playwright David L.Williams on the old idea about money buying (or not buying) happiness. However, there's something genuinely discomforting going on here that disturbs me, and not just as a theatre patron, but as a parent. I don't want to give away too much, because spoilers are always unwelcome in reviews, suffice to say that my enjoyment was hindered by some problematic elements that are key to the work. But I'd be a hypocrite if I said I didn't like it because the characters are unlikable or the story bothersome, because there are plenty of successful (and justly famous) plays that have the same kind of issues. Like a horror movie that makes you squirm in your seat uncomfortably, THE WINNERS is disquieting stuff, but that doesn't mean it isn't worthy of discussion, or viewing.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens their season with a real corker. RED is simply ablaze with what I can only call abstract emotionalism, heating up the stage with intense performances and dialog that crackles with commentaries on art and life in general. This might be a critical cliché at this point, but this is one hot ticket and must-see event, with the two performers working under expert guidance and delivering a brilliant 90 minutes of theatre that makes you think, which is much too rare of an experience these days. This study of Mark Rothko, and the muse that guides him and his work is a sheer delight that makes you wonder what happened to any kind of real expressionism in the world of art.

HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the opening of THE WINNERS by David L. Williams. THE WINNERS was the winning script for HotCity's 5th Annual GreenHouse New Play Festival in June 2010. It takes a serious look at responsibility and freedom and mayleave the audience questioning what problems money can truly solve in life.

Playwright Deanna Jent's FALLING is an intriguing piece of theatre, drawing on her own real life experiences caring for a teenager with autism, but creating something wholly original in the process. As the parent of a five year old, there's a frightening aspect to watching this tale unfold, thinking all the while that this could have been something I'd have had to deal with had this specific condition occurred to my own darling little boy. It's a scary thought indeed, and one that constantly cropped up in my head as I watched the story unfold. Would I have had the inner strength necessary to cope with such a problematic situation? Would my marriage have been able to withstand the strain? Mustard Seed Theatre's production raises these questions and more while also managing to entertain and bring a certain degree of good humor to the proceedings as well.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of 911, Blue Rose Stage Collective and River City Theatre are presenting playwright Anne Nelson's THE GUYS, which looks back at that fateful day in a most unique and diverting manner. If there's one thing this tragic day has taught us, it's to be aware and ever-vigilant, but also to remember, not just the event itself, but the brave people who gave their lives trying to rescue those poor souls trapped in the twin towers as the planes guided by terrorists struck them. It's a powerful and surprisingly, at times, light-hearted look at a particular time in our history that must never be forgotten, and this production is outstanding.

HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the opening of THE WINNERS by David L. Williams. THE WINNERS was the winning script for HotCity's 5th Annual GreenHouse New Play Festival in June 2010. It takes a serious look at responsibility and freedom and mayleave the audience questioning what problems money can truly solve in life.

The first thing that might strike you about the very concept of this show, DEAD MAN WALKING is: why an opera? It's already been made into a movie that treated the foreboding subject matter with respect. Well, songs typically allow for emotional content to be spilled forth in musical theatre, and there is enough drama here to more than fill that need, so it just makes a kind of warped, but logical sense. And, the music is pure dissonance for the most part, with Jake Heggie's pounding, dark score laying a potent background for Terrence McNally's straightforward libretto. What would the point of a strong melody be anyway, you're not going to be humming these selections on the way home. Instead, you'll be thinking about the case itself, and the sacrifice Sister Helen made to try and get a seemingly cold-blooded killer to accept his crime and bring Christ into his life. You might even debate the death penalty a little, although the brutality of the crime may scotch any attempt to do that.

MISTAKES WERE MADE is a very funny play, full of in-jokes for those in the know of theatre and the Hollywood scene for sure, but also for those who are aware of the history of the French revolution. Although essentially the ravings of one man, the part of his secretary keeps him in check and adds a bit of sanity to the proceedings. In any event, Joe Hanrahan and Emily Piro are terrific in this 90 minute peek into the world of a desperate Broadway producer who works his wiles as he tries to get a show off and running by tying it to a hot Hollywood commodity. The Midnight Company's current presentation is playing at the Kranzberg Arts Center, and it's a must-see event.

HIROMI KANDA is a unique talent, casting her lot among the bevy of performers proffering up classic standard recordings, while contributing her own original lyrics to some tunes as well with her newest collection Days of Yesterday (2011), and with 2010's Hiromi in Love. Both feature lush orchestration thanks to producer Yusuke Hoguchi that ranks with some of Nelson Riddle and Billy May's most swinging arrangements. The standards stand out, but it's the originals that really make these albums (CDs) truly special, along with Hiromi's voice which can travel from a whisper to a growl in a heartbeat.

The Fantasticks opened in 1960 and when the show closed in 2002 it had seen 17,162 performances in its original location, the Sullivan Street Playhouse, a small off-Broadway theatre in Greenwich Village, making it the longest running show in the history. Nine presidents have seen The Fantasticks and generation after generation have embraced the universality of the show.

Since winning the International Jugglers Championship in 1990, Mark Nizer has emerged as the quintessential juggler's juggler, combining deft comedic wit with new tricks and invented technologies that seem to make the impossible suddenly possible. He has juggled while hang-gliding. He has juggled underwater with sharks. He has juggled jellyfish and - once, briefly - cats.

Before receiving this detailed biography, Jeffrey Spivak's BUZZ, my knowledge of Busby Berkeley was limited to some articles I'd read in a few fan magazines as well as an old trade paperback from 1973 (The Busby Berkeley Book). Spivak's book not only fills in the gaps, but it brings a lot of previously forgotten lore to light, illuminating the troubled life of this musical design genius. The University of Kentucky Press has put together an excellent resource for those seeking, not only the arcane knowledge of his unique talents, but a fresh look at just what did happen to the movie musical after its Golden Age, which was spear-headed by the imaginative and eye-popping work of 'Buzz' Berkeley.

Written, directed, and musical score composed by three mothers of children with autism THE VIOLINIST also stars a child with autism in a lead role. This play combines intrigue with inspiration, bringing to life a tale of deception and murder...of love, friendship and courage. Accompanied by a live musical ensemble, THE VIOLINIST will capture your heart and mind, as a 12-year-old boy finds in himself the capacity to do something extraordinary.

In celebration of its 25th season, Circus Flora, St. Louis' beloved, one-ring circus presents a brand new show, VAGABOND ADVENTURES, June 2 through 26, under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center. Presented by Edward Jones, the show comes on the heels of Circus Flora's triumph with the St. Louis Symphony in January.

How much truth is too much? When dealing with the masses, is it better to entertain or enlighten? Should people hear what they want or need to hear? How do we find meaningful relationships in such a diverse world? These are just a few of the issues addressed with compassion and lots of humor in Bill C. Davis' comedy/drama MASS APPEAL, presented by Dramatic License Productions.

The Friends of The Sheldon present the 12th Annual Sunset at The Sheldon Wine Tasting, Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. until sunset on The Sheldon Observation Deck. Proceeds benefit Sheldon Educational Programs. The event is co-chaired by Jane Matoesian and Nuviah Shirazi.

Max and Louie Productions presents The Lady With All the Answers by David Rambo, drawn from the life and letters of Ann Landers with the cooperation of Margo Howard. This production stars Stellie Siteman as Ann Landers and is directed by Sydnie Grosberg Ronga. The play closes May 22nd at the COCA Black Box Theater.

Peter Martin Music: Live! returns to The Sheldon stage with the Peter Martin Quartet featuring Reuben Rogers, bass; Greg Hutchinson, drums; and vibraphonist Warren Wolf. Vibes player Warren Wolf is one of the most sought after young musicians on the East Coast jazz scene. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Wolf toured with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the age of 9, wrote his first composition at age 10, and was playing jazz professionally by the time he was 12. Since then, Wolf has studied and performed with jazz masters such as Roy Haynes, Lewis Nash and Milt Jackson and is currently touring with Christian McBride and Inside Straight.