2009 provided me with the opportunity to review 126 of the more than 200 shows that were available in the St. Louis region, and it began in terrific fashion with New Line Theatre's NIGHT OF THE LIVING SHOW TUNES. This was a wonderful sampling of contemporary show tunes performed by a cast of talented locals, and featuring artistic director Scott Miller's fine accompaniment on piano. In the acoustically perfect confines of the Sheldon Concert Hall, these unique melodies made a glorious noise. And, as I continued on my quest to expose my young son to the world of musical theatre, I ended the year with the Imaginary Theatre Company's splendid presentation of BAH! HUMBUG!. I was lucky enough to catch quite a few gems in between, and I've decided to compile a list of the ten most intriguing and engaging productions I saw in 2009.
Want a little sultry with your coffee? Come to the Skokie Theatre November 21st. You can catch one of Chicago's top multi-genre vocalists, Heather Moran, as she explores what put the 'itch' in those lovely kittenish 1950's girl singer stylings.
Want a little sultry with your coffee? Come to the Skokie Theatre November 21st. You can catch one of Chicago's top multi-genre vocalists, Heather Moran, as she explores what put the 'itch' in those lovely kittenish 1950's girl singer stylings.
Want a little sultry with your coffee? Come to the Skokie Theatre November 21st. You can catch one of Chicago's top multi-genre vocalists, Heather Moran, as she explores what put the 'itch' in those lovely kittenish 1950's girl singer stylings.
The opposites attracting plot is probably as old as romantic comedy itself, but even if Rooms: a rock romance follows familiar paths, the Paul Scott Goodman (book/music/lyrics) and Miriam Gordon (book) two-person musical is such a buoyant, funny and upbeat affair that the clichés of the story are conquered by the cleverness and exuberance with which the story is told. Under Scott Schwartz's swift and breezy direction, the 90-minute one-act scoots the audience along on an immensely enjoyable ride.
Want a little sultry with your coffee? Come to the Skokie Theatre November 21st. You can catch one of Chicago's top multi-genre vocalists, Heather Moran, as she explores what put the 'itch' in those lovely kittenish 1950's girl singer stylings.
Due to popular demand, the following shows have added additional performances this week: R.R.R.E.D: A Secret Musical - Thursday, Oct. 8 at 11pm Gay Bride of Frankenstein - Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11pm
On September 14th, The Marvelous Wonderettes? one-year anniversary will mark their 418th performance, surpassing the runs of landmark off-Broadway productions
On September 14th, The Marvelous Wonderettes? one-year anniversary will mark their 418th performance, surpassing the runs of landmark off-Broadway productions
WWS Productions, in conjunction with William and Wendy Spatz, presents the original sci-fi, audience interactive, docu-comedy 'Earth:TTFN?! Or Will the Developer from Planet Sildenia Destroy Earth, Calling it a Blight on the Intergalactic Neighborhood?'
ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE (William Carden, Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Slee, Executive Director) cordially invites you to MARATHON 2009, E.S.T.'s 31st annual festival of new one-act plays, at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street). Performances begin Friday, May 22nd, and continue through Saturday, June 27th. Press dates for each series are indicated below.
WWS Productions, in conjunction with William and Wendy Spatz, presents the original sci-fi, audience interactive, docu-comedy 'Earth:TTFN?! Or Will the Developer from Planet Sildenia Destroy Earth, Calling it a Blight on the Intergalactic Neighborhood?'
For the first preview all seats are only $19.50 when buying tickets for June 10th please put in code '1950' when ordering. By popular and critical demand the MAN underdog production of 'The Temperamentals' by Jon Marans, will reopen on Wednesday, June 10th for a limited four week run Off Broadway at the larger (same location) TBG Theater, 312 West 36 Street 3rd Floor, NYC.
ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE (William Carden, Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Slee, Executive Director) cordially invites you to MARATHON 2009, E.S.T.'s 31st annual festival of new one-act plays, at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street). Performances begin Friday, May 22nd, and continue through Saturday, June 27th. Press dates for each series are indicated below.
The 2009 Festival of New American Musicals, a four-month musical theatre festival, will be held in April through July, 2009, throughout Southern California. Marcia Seligson, Bob Klein, and Linda Shusett are the Executive Producers of the second annual Festival.
Academy? Award-winners Geoffrey Rush (Shine) as King Berenger and Susan Sarandon (Dead Men Walking) as Queen Marguerite will star in Eugene Ionesco's EXIT THE KING on Broadway. This production marks Rush's Broadway debut. Translated by Neil Armfield and Geoffrey Rush and directed by Neil Armfield, EXIT THE KING will begin performances Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) and open on Thursday, March 26, 2009. This limited engagement will run for 14 weeks only, through Sunday, June 14, 2009.
Academy? Award-winners Geoffrey Rush (Shine) as King Berenger and Susan Sarandon (Dead Men Walking) as Queen Marguerite will star in Eugene Ionesco's EXIT THE KING on Broadway. This production marks Rush's Broadway debut. Translated by Neil Armfield and Geoffrey Rush and directed by Neil Armfield, EXIT THE KING will begin performances Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Barrymore Theatre (243 West 47th Street) and open on Thursday, March 26, 2009. This limited engagement will run for 14 weeks only, through Sunday, June 14, 2009.
In preparation for the opening of the theater's renovated complex in Southwest D.C., Arena Stage has undertaken ARENA RESTAGED-a two-year festival of American voices. Part One of ARENA RESTAGED was an ambitious staging of 10 productions ranging from classics such as Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance to the Broadway-bound rock musical Next to Normal. Part Two will continue the remarkable exploration of American work and provide the theater with necessary time to move into the new Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater in time for the Fall 2010 opening.
FEINSTEIN'S AT LOEWS REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue their 10th Anniversary season with the return of Hollywood legend TONY MARTIN from January 13 to 17. After sold-out engagements in 2007 and 2008, the singer and actor will celebrate his 96th Birthday at Feinstein's. Once again, he will perform songs from his career like 'Begin the Beguine,' 'Let's Face the Music and Dance,' 'You Stepped Out of A Dream' and 'A Foggy Day.' He also tells stories of his days in Hollywood performing alongside such iconic names such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Lana Turner and his late wife Cyd Charisse.
Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, will present the first major New York revival of Irwin Shaw's Bury the Dead, directed by Joe Calarco, beginning performances Friday, October 31, at 220 East 4 Street, between Avenues A and B (6 to Astor Place, W/N to 8th Street or F/V to Second Avenue). The opening has been scheduled for Sunday, November 9, at 3pm.
'Halloween High School,' a new musical makes its world premiere performance at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Saturday, October 11, 2008. Billed as the new high energy monster mash musical, the show will play at the acclaimed theatre through November 2, 2008.
Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, will present the first major New York revival of Irwin Shaw's Bury the Dead, directed by Joe Calarco, beginning performances Friday, October 31, at 220 East 4 Street, between Avenues A and B (6 to Astor Place, W/N to 8th Street or F/V to Second Avenue). The opening has been scheduled for Sunday, November 9, at 3pm.
Signature Theatre Company (James Houghton, Founding Artistic Director; Erika Mallin, Executive Director) announced today that THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER has been extended for a second time by popular demand after receiving glowing reviews and playing to sold out houses since beginning performances on August 5th. The limited engagement, initially slated to conclude Sunday, September 28th, will now run through Sunday, October 19th. THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER, by Leslie Lee and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, is the first production of the 2008-2009 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company (NEC). The show opened August 21st at the Peter Norton Space located at 555 West 42nd Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues).
Transport Group, the winner of a special 2007 Drama Desk Award and a 2007 Obie Award, has announced its 2008-09 season: Bury the Dead, written by Irwin Shaw and directed by Joe Calarco, and Being Audrey, music and lyrics by Ellen Weiss, book by James Hindman, additional book and lyrics by Cheryl Stern, developed with Jack Cummings III and Adam R. Perlman, and directed by Jack Cummings III.
Cabaret and concert star Andrea Marcovicci brings her own captivating high style to the role of the magnificent and mercurial fashion doyenne, Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel in 42nd Street Moon's upcoming production of Coco. Alan J. Lerner and Andre Previn's musical memory play - unseen anywhere since the early 1970s -- will preview April 24 and 25, open on April 26, and run through May 11.
Videos
