Steve Callahan - Page 4

The New Line Theatre is such a reliable source of great musical theater. Now they have opened a very fine production of what, curiously, has become something of a beloved old standard-La Cage aux Folles.

The New Jewish Theatre has opened 'District Merchants', by Aaron Posner, and it is certainly among the finest productions I've ever seen there. Posner's script is most remarkably beautiful-it's masterful indeed.

There's that initial low, stealthy tip-toeing pizzicato, like a Warner Brothers cat creeping up on a clever mouse. Then an oboe slips in, and other woodwinds, some piccolo. Then (SURPRISE!) a racing, romping foretaste of the musical fun to follow. It's the utterly delicious overture to Giochino Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri-The Italian Girl in Algiers. It's another bright success in Winter Opera's long list of delights.

The Upstream Theater has opened a lovely production of Wittenberg, by David Davalos. It is a 'tragical-comical-historical play', a genre first mentioned by Polonius and rarely seen thereafter. (I guess Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead would fill the bill.) Here in Wittenberg we meet two great figures, Martin Luther and Dr. John Faustus, both professors at the University. Attending their lectures is an ardent young Danish student, Hamlet.

Four years ago the New Jewish Theatre offered a side-splitting evening of 'Four Old Jews Telling Jokes'; now they offer 'An Act of God'. Once again it's an evening of stand-up comedy. So, who do you think could tell a joke better than an old Borscht-Belt Jewish comic? Do I hear you cry, 'Nobody!'? Well, how about God himself? God's famous for his sense of humor; just look at the book of Job.

A scandalous drama is still politically potent after 139 years! When Nora Helmer slammed that door in 1879 she told the world that her duty to herself was greater than her duty to her family. Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House has been an iconic inspiration to generations of second-wave feminists. In that simple, strong action Nora--Torvald's 'little songbird'-- flipped the bird to centuries of patriarchy.

The St. Louis Opera Collective is an adventurous tiny company that brings us chamber operas. Their current offering at the Kranzberg Studio is Three Decembers, with music by Jake Heggie and libretto by Gene Scheer.

I first saw Paula Stoff perform-oh, years ago¬-in a revue by the Non-Prophet Theatre. They had some fine local talent who were performing very well indeed. But when Paula stepped into the spot-light and sang I swallowed my gum! What in the world was this Broadway talent doing with this tiny company in St. Louis?? Now (as Paula Stoff Dean) she appears in her cabaret debut. I can only say, 'IT'S ABOUT TIME!!

What is the place of monarchy in today's world? An utterly fascinating 'King Charles III' opens at the Ivory.

Jean-Paul Sartre's iconic play 'No Exit' is receiving a solid production under the aegis of the Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble (SATE). It's directed by Bess Moynihan and uses a fresh new translation by Alyssa Ward.

Lonely woman finds true love in sunny, romantic, magical Italy! It's an all-too-familiar trope in films. It's happened to Kate (and Audrey) Hepburn, to Marisa Tomei, to Renee Zelwigger, to Miranda Richardson and others.

Kurt Weill's 'Lost in the Stars' brings a moving tale of South Africa to the Union Avenue Stage.

Stray Dog Theatre, August 3-18, 2018 Stray Dog Theatre has opened that strange, hilarious, almost surrealistic hoot of a show, The Robber Bridegroom.

The grandest of all of America's grand outdoor theaters has opened Gypsy. In its one hundredth season the MUNY in St. Louis brings us one of their very finest productions. It's certainly one of the best musical theater offerings I've ever seen.

Verdi's Nabucco has opened at St. Louis' Union Avenue Opera, and it is a remarkably fine production. Of the many beautiful shows that this amazing small company has presented in its twenty-four seasons Nabucco is, perhaps, the most vocally gorgeous of all. This is due not only to the stellar quality of the principals, but also-and especially-to the quite wonderful work of the chorus. In this opera the chorus plays a starring role.

The Union Avenue Opera opens its 24th season with a splendid production of Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, and it brims with glorious music, wonderful voices, and bright, delightful, timeless comedy.

Stages St. Louis is one of the great success stories in American theater. Jack Lane and Michael Hamilton started a little group in 1987 and it soon grew into a dynamite company producing season after season of superbly professional musical theater.

Orpheus could charm the very stones with his lyre and his singing. Just such magic can be seen on the stage of Opera Theatre St. Louis when Jennifer Johnson Cano portrays the mythical superstar in the company's current production. She gives an utterly stunning performance.

Opera Theatre St. Louis continues its 43rd season of exceptionally fine opera with another world premiere. An American Soldier is their twenty-seventh such premiere, a record which sets OTSL among the forefront of producers of new opera in America.