Chris Gibson - Page 40

STAGES ST. LOUIS continues its tradition of presenting Broadway-quality children's theatre in its sixth year of the STAGES Theatre for Young Audiences Program with Disney's THE ARISTOCATS. The musical adapted from the hit Disney film will run from August 4th through 15th at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood.

It wasn't until a couple of years ago that I actually saw the stage version of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Of course, I'd been exposed to the movie version long before that, but I never really enjoyed watching it until they started letterboxing the film for broadcast presentations, because the 'pan and scan' versions always ruined the beautiful vistas captured by the cinematographer. But, you don't have to worry about that at the Muny, which offers up its own 'widescreen' take on this classic musical (it is a big stage, after all), producing a solid and enjoyable outing fit for the entire family.

Insight Theatre Company is proud to announce the upcoming production of the Tony Award winning musical, Man of La Mancha by Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion, and Dale Wasserman. Starring the legendary Joneal Joplin under the direction of Edward Coffield, MAN OF LA MANCHA opens Wednesday, August 11 at The Heagney Theater on the campus of Nerinx Hall, 530 East Lockwood in Webster Groves. The show runs through August 22 with performances Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm and matinees each Sunday at 2pm.

Which actor in the movie The Exorcist also wrote the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON to be presented by Dramatic License Productions, August 5-22? The answer: Jason Miller (who played Father Damien Karras in the 1973 movie) won the Tony, the Pulitzer and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award that same year for his gritty, ahead-of-its-time drama about four men who reunite with their high school basketball coach for a 20th anniversary celebration of their state championship basketball game. Dramatic License Productions presents the gripping play for the first time on a St. Louis professional theatre stage.

Most of the productions of Kander and Ebb's CABARET that I've attended in recent years have been rather intimate and cozy affairs, with stagings seeking to replicate the smoky atmosphere of the Kit Kat Klub as closely as possible. And, the latest production by Non-Prophet Theatre Company is one such example, making full use of every square inch of the Kranzberg Arts Center space. The performers are certainly an enthusiastic lot, but there's a decided lack of dramatic focus in this production that removes the sting from its downbeat, but honest finale. Still, there are some memorable moments to be gleaned from this generally engaging presentation.

I grew up listening to the music and lyrics of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and I've always had a warm spot in my heart for their tuneful pop confections. So, it was with a considerable amount of anticipation that I looked forward to getting a chance to see a production of their 1968 hit PROMISES, PROMISES, which combines their songs with a funny and touching script by master comedy scribe Neil Simon (a rare adaptation by the finicky writer of I.A.L. Diamond and famed film director Billy Wilder's original screenplay from their Oscar-winning film, The Apartment). Stages St. Louis has put together a stunning production that completely captures that swinging 60's vibe. An exceptional cast and sparkling direction combine to make this a must-see event.

Mustard Seed Theatre opens it's 4th Season with Pulitzer-Prize-winner Lynn Nottage's CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY August 27 - September 12, 2010. African-American teenager Ernestina Crumb uses movie fantasies to escape from the challenges of her recent move to New York and a most unexpected Step-Mother. The cast includes real-life sisters Alexis and Tyler White playing the Crump sisters, as well as Patrese McClain, Jill Ritter-Lindberg and Chauncy Thomas.

The Lerner and Loewe masterpiece MY FAIR LADY brings to life Eliza Doolittle, an uncommon Cockney flower girl who is taken under the tutelage of the arrogant Henry Higgins as he attempts to teach her proper diction and pass her off as a lady. According to the show's director Michael Rothhaar 'MY FAIR LADY is the gold standard of Broadway musicals and an honest to goodness fairy tale.' The delightful score includes audience favorites 'I Could Have Danced All Night,' 'On the Street Where You Live,' 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face,' 'Get Me to the Church on Time,' and so many others.

Despite the fact that I'm not exactly what you'd call a fan of the show CATS, I've always tried to keep an open mind whenever I've attended a production of it (just as I would with any other show I'm not particularly fond of), because you never know when you're going to be beguiled by an especially well done presentation that confounds your expectations. The Muny's current production of CATS does just that, and I have to admit that I enjoyed it more than any of the other versions I've seen to this point.

The Union Avenue Opera kick off their 2010 season with a spirited romp through Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera PIRATES OF THE PENZANCE, and even if you've never seen it before, there's a good chance you've heard some of these tuneful melodies somewhere along the line. Countless variations on "The Major-General Song" have popped up in movies, cartoons and television sitcoms alone. But, even after their initial familiarity fades, you'll still have the pleasure of enjoying a nicely realized production by a very talented ensemble.

To an audience today, William Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW might be considered politically incorrect. After all, it's a tale about a man who takes on the challenge of breaking the will of a strong-minded woman in order to provide him with a subservient wife. I'm thinking this isn't exactly a plot that feminists will find particularly inspiring. But, it's important to look at things within their historical context, especially when you're going to attempt to swallow that kind of concept. St. Louis Shakespeare is currently presenting a colorful and generally engaging production that plays the whole affair rather tongue-in-cheek.

I'm not sure how I would react if I found myself in the situation that Vito Pignoli finds himself in as the plot unfolds in Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna's play IT HAD TO BE YOU. I certainly wouldn't remain as calm and collected as he (mostly) does while being trapped inside the apartment of a kooky actress named Theda Blau, during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. Actually, I kept thinking that, if this were a drama, events might suddenly take a very nasty turn at any given moment. Thankfully, they don't. If your interest is sufficiently piqued, then check out Max and Louie Productions' presentation of this quirky romantic comedy.

Union Avenue Opera presents Gilbert and Sullivan's PIRATES OF THE PENZANCE.Finally able to leave his apprenticeship to the Pirate King, Frederic comes ashore and instantly falls in love with the innocent daughter of the Major-General, Mabel. But how will the Major-General handle it when ALL the pirates want to marry his daughters without consent? Abundant laughter ensues with this timeless Gilbert and Sullivan operetta perfect for all ages.

St. Louis is a baseball town, of that there can be no doubt. We live and die with our beloved Cardinals, ever optimistic that if we don't win this year, we'll give it our best shot the next. So, with our national pastime taking it's annual hiatus for the All-Star game, this is the perfect opportunity for fans to check out the best musical ever written about the subject; DAMN YANKEES. And, don't fret about the weather, even an impressive light show by Mother Nature wasn't enough to stop the show or dampen the audience's spirit on opening night at the Muny.

When a couple's son drowns, their marriage begins to dissolve under the weight of grief that follows his death. As they grow farther and farther apart, their daughter is emotionally abandoned. Can the Tooth Fairy, a life-size G.I. Joe doll and a cross-dressing flight attendant help them discover solace? GOD'S EAR is an unfolding of the human heart told through a poignant and hilarious look at the language we use when we cannot bear to speak.

The NonProphet Theater Company is excited to bring you the second show of their 2010 season CABARET by Masterson, Kander & Ebb featuring St. Louis 's own, 'The Derriere Beyond Compare' Lola Van Ella as Sally Bowles! Cabaret opens Friday, July 23, 8pm at the Kranzberg Arts Center.

Simply put, New Line Theatre's current production of EVITA absolutely rocks! Employing a more intimate staging and utilizing stripped down orchestrations acts to reinvigorate the work, personalizing the story and adding a real edge to the music. This is one of the chief reasons I'm always drawn to New Line's productions; they don't conform to the norm, offering regular theatre goers the opportunity to witness creative and imaginative takes on new works as well as more familiar ones. If you're already a fan of EVITA (or musical theatre in general), or if you've only seen the misguided movie version with Madonna in the lead role, and you've been turned off to the subject as a result, then you owe it to yourself to check out New Line's darkly engaging presentation.

Whether your political views favor one side or the other in the continuing conflict between Israel and Palestine, you're sure to find Blue Rose Stage Collective's debut presentation of MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE to be a provocative and compelling piece of theatre. A superb performance by Magan Wiles drives this tragic tale of a young peace activist who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003 while protesting the destruction of homes in occupied Palestine.

Travel back to an era that's not as bygone as you might think, when Americans put away the cares of war, social unrest, and massive technological change by reveling in the often-bawdy comedy, incredible variety, and unforgettable songs of the vaudeville stage. Get re-acquainted with standards like 'Shine On Harvest Moon' and 'Carolina in the Morning', laugh along with comedy classics like 'The Bird on Nellie's Hat', 'Last Night on the Back Porch', and 'I've Got Rings on My Fingers', take a fresh new look at sentimental favorites like 'Love's Old Sweet Song' and 'After the Ball', and hear all the verses to 'Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis'.

The much anticipated third installment in the Greater Tuna trilogy, RED, WHITE & TUNA takes the audience through another satirical ride into the hearts and minds of the polyester-clad citizens of Texas' third smallest town. Two comic masters, Lyceum Theatre artistic director Quin Gresham and Lyceum favorite Daryl Vaughan, ignite the stage playing all 24 firecracker characters from Tuna, Texas.