Chris Gibson - Page 53

The time is 1928. The world is between wars, the stock market is booming, Berlin is the center of high life, and optimism rules the day. Inspired by Viki Baum's period novel, book writer/playwright Luther Davis collaborated once again with the prolific, distinguished composer-lyricist team Robert Wright and George Forrest for GRAND HOTEL. Together, they created a seamless musical that boasts an engaging, non-stop book and a powerful score that is sure to sweep you away with all of the lavishness of the 1920s.

St. Louis Actors' Studio continues its third season with Henrik Ibsen's A DOLL'S HOUSE. At the play's center is Nora Helmer, who has a deep secret-one that if revealed would ruin her happy marriage to Torvald. Nora's desperation to keep the truth from her husband forces her to set out on a transforming journey through a suspenseful turn of events, ending in betrayal and self-awakening. Ibsen's 19th century masterpiece is a lesson of the true meaning of love, sacrifice and happiness.

Bear Stage kicks off its inaugural season as the Professional Theatre Company in Residence at Lindenwood University with PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, a musical tribute to life by the roadside on Highway 57, April 9 - April 25 at Jelkyl Theater in Roemer Hall located off Watson Street on the Lindenwood University campus.

In April and May, the Performing Arts Department (PAD) in Arts & Sciences will present METAMORPHOSES, perhaps the most acclaimed theatrical work of the last decade, as its spring Mainstage production. Performances will take place in the university's Edison Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 23 and 24; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25. Performances will then continue the following weekend, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 30 and May 1; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2.

Mustard Seed Theatre will present Moliere's TARTUFFE April 23-May 9, 2010. Translated from Moliere's French by Richard Wilbur, the witty rhyming couplets keep the action moving as the plots swirl and power is stolen. Join Mariane, Elmire and their maid Dorine as they try to convince Orgon that Tartuffe is an imposter and not a saint.

Don't let the title fool you...THE COUNTRY GIRL isn't a homespun theatre piece, but a biting, 1950's backstage drama with masterful characterization by Odets at his finest. Georgie Elgin has suffered long years of devotion to actor husband, Frank. When Frank is offered what is needed to revive his career - a big role in an important new play, the play's brilliant director believes Georgie is the key to Frank's downfall...until a dynamic incident reveals the country girl's identity and exposes Frank's reality.

The Sheldon Art Galleries presents a gallery talk with Robert Koester, founder of Delmark Records and owner of the Jazz Record Mart in Chicago, Saturday, May 1 at 11 a.m. in the History of Jazz Gallery. Koester will speak on the history of Delmark Records in St. Louis in conjunction with the exhibition Legends of St. Louis Blues Music, ongoing through August 28, 2010. Admission Free.

With late morning sunshine streaming through the gorgeously colorful plate glass windows of the Sheldon Concert hall, accomplished singers/actors Ben Nordstrom and Katy Tibbets, along with pianist extraordinaire Neal Richardson, took to the stage to present a wonderful hour of 'Broadway Romance' for an attentive and appreciative audience. From start to finish they charmed a packed house, providing splendid and tuneful selections from the vast Broadway canon.

Though elements of its plot has been pilfered by countless writers and filmmakers over the years, Henrik Ibsen's classic, A DOLL'S HOUSE, still manages to pack a punch today. The tale of a woman in a seemingly idyllic marriage who suddenly finds herself being extorted because of a risky decision she made in order to save her husband's life has been reworked into countless thrillers and Lifetime originals. It may well be the prototype of feminists plays, empowering its heroine with a sense of true purpose as she comes to grips with the reality that her 'perfect' marriage isn't all it's cracked up to be. The St. Louis Actors' Studio is presenting a tautly acted production of Ibsen's most famous, and controversial work, and it's must-see viewing.

If you've read my reviews for the last few years then you know that I really enjoy a good re-imagining of a classic. I like experimentation in theatre, and it's always a thrill to see new life pumped into a time-worn favorite. There are certainly a lot of interesting ideas at work in writer/director Robin Weatherall's revision of Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET, and it's certainly deserving of being labeled as provocative.

HotCity Theatre, a professional theatre company with a focus on contemporary programming and new play development announces the Mainstage world premiere presentation of THE SINKER, written by Jami Brandli, with dramaturgical help from Erica Nagel. THE SINKER was the chosen script from the 2009 Annual GreenHouse new play festival.

Black Rep to present ART by Yasmina Reza May 5 - 23, 2010, a play which takes a profound look at the nature of friendship. When well-to-do Serge purchases an expensive painting it causes his best friend to question not only his taste, but his moral fiber as well. What do we really know about our friends and can friendship survive when we discover an unexpected, hard to believe truth about someone we think we know?

With leading man written all over him, Jeff Wright returns to the Kranzberg with his show THE DANCE. (When it comes time to pay the band, is the dancing always done?) Following a sold out weekend earlier this year, Jeff returns to The Kranzberg with his latest show.

The time is 1928. The world is between wars, the stock market is booming, Berlin is the center of high life, and optimism rules the day. Inspired by Viki Baum's period novel, book writer/playwright Luther Davis collaborated once again with the prolific, distinguished composer-lyricist team Robert Wright and George Forrest for GRAND HOTEL. Together, they created a seamless musical that boasts an engaging, non-stop book and a powerful score that is sure to sweep you away with all of the lavishness of the 1920s.

Upstream Theater's production of Scottish playwright David Greig's OUTLYING ISLANDS is an intriguing evening of theater, thoroughly confounding expectations, and providing plenty of food for thought. As a person who seeks out the unusual and unexpected, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself haunted by moments from it that linger in the memory long after viewing. Maybe it was all the references one character makes to Laurel and Hardy's classic 1937 film comedy Way Out West, or the fact that they actually break into a song from that film, warbling a drunken rendition of 'The Trail of the Lonesome Pine'. Whatever the cause, Philip Boehm's fine direction, and the wonderful work of an exceptional cast, help to make this a compelling and entertaining journey.

It can be difficult and stressful to try and start up a new theatre company. There are just so many things that have to be taken into consideration, and there are always last minute items that pop up at the most inconvenient time. This being said, Bear Stage made their debut at the Jelkyl Theatre in St. Charles this past weekend and, all things considered, presented a pretty solid production of PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES.

Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut brought his considerable talents to the stage of the Sheldon Concert Hall for a show (April 10, 2010) that featured selections of music more commonly associated with Elvis Presley. And, while this might seem to be an unlikely combination, Chestnut demonstrated his traditional jazz roots by improvising his way through these familiar melodies in dynamic and adventurous fashion. Chestnut proved to be a force to be reckoned with as he attacked the keys for each number, bending and twisting the chord progressions to suit his fancy, and providing a scintillating performance for an enthralled and appreciative audience.

Based on the enthusiastic patrons in attendance, it's clear to me that the musical adaptation of the 2001 Reese Witherspoon vehicle, Legally Blonde, has a pretty strong following, and seems to have struck a chord with audiences. I can understand why, since it's a lively and entertaining show filled with catchy tunes, that also manages to deliver a positive message about female empowerment. The current touring production playing the Fox Theatre (April 8 - 11, 2010) is certainly a cute and charming delight.

The Sheldon presents the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, 'Cyrus Plays Elvis,' Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 8 p.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. KWMU host Dennis Owsley will present a pre-concert talk, 'Jazz Piano Giants,' at 7:10 p.m. Jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut and pop icon Elvis Presley aren't a likely pairing: Chestnut is one of the top pianists of a generation, born many years after songs like 'Love Me Tender,' 'Hound Dog' and 'Don't Be Cruel' made Presley the king of rock 'n' roll. But on Chestnut's new CD, Cyrus Plays Elvis, he offers a fresh outlook on Presley.

With leading man written all over him, Jeff Wright returns to the Kranzberg with his show THE DANCE. (When it comes time to pay the band, is the dancing always done?) Following a sold out weekend earlier this year, Jeff returns to The Kranzberg with his latest show.