BWW News: STAGES St.Louis' CHEERS! Benefit for Education and Artistic Programs

I had the distinct privilege of being invited to attend Cheers! STAGES St. Louis' Annual Summer Cabaret last week, and it was a unique and fun experience that I was able to share with my young son. It's a yearly event that's designed to raise funds for STAGES' educational and artistic programs, and it featured a number of very interesting and entertaining performances, as well as some tasty appetizers and desserts prepared by Michael Brightman's With Love Catering. To say the event was a success is an understatement. What made this particular presentation especially memorable was the world premiere of a work-in-progress production of THE STORY GOES ON, which is a brand new revue of the songs of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire.

Hosted by the very talented and amusing pairing of Brennan Caldwell and Kari Ely, the evening was full of surprises, including an impromptu demonstration of athleticism that featured push-ups by Ely and Caldwell that helped to spark the bidding on some very cool auction items which included: St. Louis Cardinals tickets, a poolside party with cast members from their upcoming production of THE FULL MONTY, a chance to actually appear in a walk-on role in that show, a catered dinner with the stars, and a North Pole Getaway on the 2015 Polar Express. The audience was also treated to a short set of delightful songs by Triple Threat, a group of youngsters who represent the STAGES Performing Arts Academy's Premiere Performance Group. Seeing them get a chance to strut their stuff for an enthusiastic and very appreciative crowd was a memorable and inspirational moment, because you realize that these are kids that may someday be treading these same boards in future productions. And, it reminded the audience in attendance of the reason they were there in the first place; to aid in funding those efforts.

The jewel in this sparkling evening was the opportunity to take in the first presentation of THE STORY GOES ON. Since this is, indeed, a work-in-progress, I'm not going to actually do an in-depth review of the show, but instead give you an idea of how it has come together. From interviews I conducted with director/choreographer Stephen Bourneuf and musical director Lisa Campbell Albert, I was able to gain quite a bit of insight into how the germination of this work began, and also the direction in which it is headed. It's currently about two-thirds of the way completed, and has come about as a result of the Emerson American Musical Creative initiative.

Bourneuf revealed to me his love of revues, and along with Jack Lane, the Tony award-winning (FUN HOME) executive producer, artistic director Michael Hamilton, and musical director, arranger, and musician Lisa Campbell Albert, they've put together something which is simply extraordinary, utilizing various pieces created by the composing team of Maltby and Shire. But, this wasn't just a cabaret where actors and actresses just sing the songs in their original form, but something much more engaging. The composers allowed the team to actually create new arrangements, and to place the songs into a format that explores relationships and how they grow through the challenges that couples face over the course of time. Selections from TAKE FLIGHT, STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW, CLOSER THAN EVER, and BABY, have been combined to produce a wholly new show that, when completed, is sure to resonate with couples of all age groups.

While interviewing Bourneuf and Albert I became privy to the knowledge that Maltby and Shire have given their blessing to the show, to the point where their trunk has been opened and their original arrangements provided as a guide. And, while some of those arrangements are still intact, some have been altered, both musically, as well as to how they are placed within the context of this show. These wonderful conversations enlightened me on the fascinating ways in which this revue is attempting to bring new meaning and depth to this material. Bourneuf's concepts of how each song should be approached are greatly complemented by the inventive arrangements of Albert, and I'm anxious to see and hear what will eventually be added to the project in order to make it complete.

The current version featured Leah Berry, Julia Cardia, John Flack, Austin Hohnke, Erik Keiser and Bronwyn Tarboton lovingly taking on the roles of the various couples whose journeys provide the thread on which this revue is woven. Lisa Campbell Albert (piano), Don Drewett (drums), and Vince Cockery (bass) provided the musical accompaniment on stage, and I was impressed by the sweet sound they were able to generate as a trio. Maltby and Shire write music that can be both complex and straight-forward at the same time, which is certainly one of the keys to their success over the years. The pair definitely mesh well as a team, with the percussive and often daunting music blending masterfully with lyrics that have the ability to connect in decidedly emotional ways with audiences.

I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't straining at my tether to do a full-blown review of what I witnessed, but I think that should be saved for the final results of the efforts of this group. I hope that once it is completed STAGES will let all of us have the opportunity to savor the finished product.

Supporting the arts is a passion of mine. It's why I became a critic in the first place. It gives me a forum to let others know that there is superb work being accomplished here in the St. Louis region, and that's something that I'd shout from a mountaintop if I had the chance. If you're interested in making a contribution to STAGES efforts to continue to grow and nurture young talent then, by all means, check out the their website at www.stagesstlouis.org. We face a time in our country where artistic programs at schools and universities are often being slashed or eliminated altogether, and we need to realize that needs to be addressed so that our cultural heritage can continue to flourish.

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