Chris Gibson - Page 62

Chris Gibson Chris has been active in the local theatre scene for over 30 years and reviewing local theatre for over 11. In addition to his acting work, he's also contributed as a director, writer and composer. Though, initially a film buff, he grew tired of the sanitized, PG-13 rated blockbusters that were being continually shoved down his throat by the studios. An opportunity to review theatre in St. Louis has grown exponentially with the sudden explosion of venues and talent in the region. He now finds himself obsessed with witnessing those precious, electric moments that can only happen live, on stage.




Black Rep Kicks Off Holiday Season with BLACK NATIVITY 11/27 at the Grandel for a Four Week Run
November 19, 2009

Adapted and directed by Black Rep producing director Ron Himes, BLACK NATIVITY tells St. Luke's story of the birth of Christ with an ensemble cast that features inspiring gospel songs and graceful dancing. The Black Rep first produced BLACK NATIVITY 20 years ago, and will reprise the play as a prelude to its 33rd season, which begins in January.

Washington University Performing Arts Department Presents THE PILLOWMAN Nov 19-22
November 19, 2009

Set amidst a Kafkaesque police state, THE PILLOWMAN opens in a stark interrogation room, where the adult Katurian - a slaughterhouse worker beginning to find recognition as a writer of gruesome fairy tales - sits blindfolded, his brother Michal in the adjoining room. Their interrogators, the outrageously profane good-cop-bad-cop duo of Tupolski and Ariel, suspect that Katurian's stories may not be entirely fiction. And in fact, they do bear remarkable resemblance to a series of grisly child murders that the detectives are currently investigating.

Stray Dog Theatre Announces Holiday Show: SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU
November 18, 2009

Stray Dog Theatre continues their non-traditional Holiday offerings with Sister Mary Ignatius! Sister Mary will have you roaring with laughter at her cookies and commentary on everything from redemption, sin, heaven, hell, and the after-life. When Sister Mary is visited by four of her former pupils (now adults) the fireworks really begin!

REVIEW: Lyceum Theatre Closes Their 2009 Season with Charming Presentation of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - A LIVE RADIO PLAY
November 16, 2009

The 2009 season for the Lyceum Theatre draws to a close with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - A LIVE RADIO PLAY. This is a unique take on the familiar holiday film classic that's been reworked for the stage by Joe Landry; in this case as a radio dramatization. What's interesting to me is that it was quite common during the golden age of radio to adapt current movies for the airwaves, and that was actually done back in the 1940's with Frank Capra's timeless feature. So, you're essentially viewing a fictionalized version of an event that genuinely occurred at some point. And, it's a perfectly charming and delightful experience.

REVIEW: Parsons Dance with the East Village Opera Company Present a Stunning Production of REMEMBER ME
November 15, 2009

As soon as you hear the strains of the keyboard riff from The Who's 'Baba O'Reily' blending seamlessly into Mozart's 'Overture for Figaro', you know you're in for something different. With their co-creation, REMEMBER ME, Parsons Dance and the East Village Opera Company have crafted an exhilarating combination of music and modern dance that manages to transcend both mediums, transforming a simple story into something wholly new and visually arresting.

Parson Dance and East Village Opera Company bring REMEMBER ME to Edison Theatre 11/14-15
November 14, 2009

It's a timeless tale: two rivalrous brothers vie for the love of a single woman. But REMEMBER ME, the ambitious new collaboration between Parsons Dance Company and the East Village Opera Company (EVOC), is anything but old-fashioned. Combining contemporary dance with live and recorded music as well as video projections, aerial choreography and special effects, Remember Me is at once rock-opera and opera that really rocks.

Sheldon Chorale Celebrates the Holidays with Yuletide Reflections December 14th
November 13, 2009

The Sheldon presents The Sheldon Chorale, 'Yuletide Reflections,' Monday, December 14 at 8 p.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. Enjoy refined choral repertoire performed by the 25-person chorale, directed by Allen Carl Larson, and accompanied by musicians from Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Patrick Murphy from KETC will narrate and act as storyteller for the evening as patrons enjoy familiar carols, as well as some unusual and beautiful ones, along with Vivaldi's Gloria.

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN - the Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show Comes to the Sheldon Dec 12
November 12, 2009

The Sheldon presents 'Go Tell It On The Mountain,' The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 8 p.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. One of today's most celebrated Grammy-award winning gospel groups, the Blind Boys of Alabama have spread the spirit and energy of pure soul gospel music for over 60 years, ever since the original group formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939.

REVIEW: Lively Production of IN THE HEIGHTS Takes the Stage at the Fox Theatre
November 13, 2009

The Tony award winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS takes the stage at the Fox Theatre for an extended run. The show examines the lives of the various characters that populate the New York neighborhood known as Washington Heights, and features an infectious mix of rap and Latin music styles. It's an exuberant production filled with plenty of good humor, and it features a positive, upbeat message which will linger in your mind long after the show has ended.

St. Louis Ragtimers Part of the Sheldon Coffee Concert Series Nov 10 & 11
November 11, 2009

The Sheldon presents the St. Louis Ragtimers, Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10 and 11, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries at 9 a.m. in the beautiful Louis Spiering Room and a morning of Dixieland in the concert hall.

THE CLARION BRASS Make Their Sheldon Debut December 8-9 to Celebrate the Holiday Season
November 10, 2009

The Sheldon presents Christmas with THE CLARION BRASS, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 8 and 9, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries at 9 a.m. in the beautiful Louis Spiering Room and a morning of holiday favorites in the concert hall.

HotCity Theatre Announces Christmas Show - THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLGUES Dec 4-19th
November 10, 2009

THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES is a wickedly funny alternative to traditional candy-cane cheer. Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa's eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. As the mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges -which seems to implicate everyone from the teeniest elf to the tainted Saint himself.

Avalon Theatre Company Opens Holiday Season with AN O. HENRY CHRISTMAS Tonight, 12/3
November 10, 2009

Avalon Theatre Company is proud to present its first holiday production, AN O.HENRY CHRISTMAS, A Christmas Musical by Peter Ekstrom, December 3 - 20 at Avalon in ArtSpace at Crestwood Court. AN O.HENRY CHRISTMAS is comprised of two heart-warming one-act musicals based on the classic O. Henry stories, The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf.

Washington University Performing Arts Department Presents THE PILLOWMAN Nov 19-22
November 10, 2009

Set amidst a Kafkaesque police state, THE PILLOWMAN opens in a stark interrogation room, where the adult Katurian - a slaughterhouse worker beginning to find recognition as a writer of gruesome fairy tales - sits blindfolded, his brother Michal in the adjoining room. Their interrogators, the outrageously profane good-cop-bad-cop duo of Tupolski and Ariel, suspect that Katurian's stories may not be entirely fiction. And in fact, they do bear remarkable resemblance to a series of grisly child murders that the detectives are currently investigating.

REVIEW: Piwacket Theatre for Children Continue Season with JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
November 9, 2009

Piwacket Theatre for Children takes a stab at a classic English fairytale with their production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. As always, this is a pleasant, tune-filled presentation aimed at little ones, that teaches them a valuable lesson along the way. Founders Scott Sears, Edie Avioli and Charlotte Dougherty have crafted another amusing take on a childhood favorite.

REVIEW: St. Louis Shakespeare Close Their 2009 Season with TREASURE ISLAND at the Missouri History Museum
November 9, 2009

TREASURE ISLAND, Robert Louis Stevenson's narrative coming-of-age adventure about sea-faring scalawags and buried treasure, is a touchstone for all things pirate. All the standard iconography that we associate with these vicious buccaneers is present in his text including: one-legged seamen who have pet parrots, maps with 'X's' on them, and tropical islands where booty has been stashed.

St. Louis Ragtimers Part of the Sheldon Coffee Concert Series Nov 10 & 11
November 10, 2009

The Sheldon presents the St. Louis Ragtimers, Tuesday and Wednesday, November 10 and 11, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries at 9 a.m. in the beautiful Louis Spiering Room and a morning of Dixieland in the concert hall.

REVIEW: Muddy Waters Theatre Closes Their Season of Albee with a Powerful Production of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
November 7, 2009

If you've only ever seen the 1966 film adaptation of Edward Albee's masterwork, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, then you really haven't seen it at all. The Hollywood stunt casting of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton derails the movie, and in the process, dilutes Albee's potent social commentary. So, it's a revelation to witness this play with a cast that understands their roles so thoroughly and completely, finding all the humor and sadness that dwell within the text.

REVIEW: Echo Theatre Company Presents an Outstanding World Premiere Production of FUGITIVE SONGS
November 10, 2009

There are quite a few outstanding theatre congregations in the St. Louis area, and Echo Theatre Company is fast becoming a company to watch with their consistently interesting choices. Their latest production,the World Premiere of the engaging song cycle FUGITIVE SONGS, continues this trend, and provides local audiences with the opportunity to see a terrifically entertaining show performed by a hugely talented ensemble. This is modern musical theatre at its best, and I cannot recommend this show enough.

Roger Rees Brings WHAT YOU WILL to Edison Theatre November 20th
November 4, 2009

Roger Rees, a 22-year veteran of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), will return to the stage with WHAT YOU WILL, a side-splitting one-man-show that combines the Bard's greatest soliloquies with colorful observations about the acting life and offbeat (and occasionally bawdy) tales of theatrical disaster.



  …       62       …    




Videos