Chris Gibson - Page 28

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about The Butterfingers Angel, Mary and Joseph, Herod the Nut and the Slaughter of the 12 Hit Carols in a Pear Tree. I mean, for sheer title length it deserves some kind of acclaim. But, it's written by William Gibson. You know, the guy who wrote The Miracle Worker and Two for the Seasaw. So, I wasn't sure what to expect. And that's a good thing. Yes, it's kind of a mixed bag at best, but I have to applaud the efforts of Stray Dog Theatre for bringing it to my attention. It's definitely worth checking out.

MEDAL OF HONOR RAG reminds us all of the sacrifices made by those who fought for their country. Though it's set in 1971, it's relevance to today's audience is a moot point. The only shortcoming here is a certain degree of familiarity that permeates the work, and it's probably a direct result of the amount of material that's tread upon similar water over the past 40 years. However, I still consider this essential viewing because we need to remember our past so we can stop repeating the same costly mistakes.

I can't say that I've ever read much of Agatha Christie's work, I'm more inclined toward the convoluted and pulpy prose of Raymond Chandler myself. But, there's no denying the staying power of her play, THE MOUSETRAP, which is still running in Britain since its opening in 1952. It's become an institution, and has influenced countless writers with its mix of quirky characters and deliberately misleading red herrings. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting this classic mystery in a splendidly performed production, and it's a perfect holiday treat that engages and entertains.

Based on the hit 1992 of the same name, the musical version of SISTER ACT just might be more entertaining in a lot of ways. Since the star of the film, the multi-talented Whoopi Goldberg, is producing it as well, that might explain why it has a certain darkness around the edges. In any event, the current production playing the Fox Theatre (though December 1, 2013) is an inspirational delight.

The musical GODSPELL will always hold a special place in my heart since I was fortunate enough to produce the music for a version several years ago. While it was quite an undertaking for one person, it allowed me to get very familiar with Stephen Schwartz's genre-hopping score. Ever since, I've been a unabashed fan of the work. The Peabody Opera House is presenting a very good production buoyed by a talented and energetic cast. Even if you're not a particularly religious person, you'll still find plenty to appreciate in this family-friendly show.

Started back in the 1970's, the group known as Rain gained it's initial fame by recording the song selections utilized in the Dick Clark TV movie, The Birth of the Beatles. Over the years they've become better known as a touring group bringing the music of the four lads from Liverpool to the stage for a theatrical event that takes it's cast and audience on a chronological trip through their music, and the culture of the time. It's a thoroughly enjoyable ride, with a group of highly talented musicians expertly recreating the famed "Beatles sound".

Nicky Silver's PTERODACTYLS is a pitch black comedy with a number of peculiar twists and turns. Like his play, The Lyons, the focus is on a highly dysfunctional family that's fraying around the edges. The St. Louis Actors' Studio has put together an engaging presentation that's both shocking and amusing in equal measure.

ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 is a smartly conceived acapella musical by Peter Rothstein that chronicles the stunning events that occurred on Christmas Day 1914. It mixes short narrative bursts with 23 songs from the period, and it's never dull or contrived. For me, the hearty vocals produced by the cast are a sheer delight to listen to. Mustard Seed Theatre has put together a wonderful production that's a real treat for the upcoming holidays.

The latest release by pianist/composer David Lanz is called MOVEMENTS OF THE HEART, and that title accurately sums up the tone and tenor of the CD. These thirteen songs reflect the variety of emotions and feelings that accompany being in love. Fittingly enough, two of the compositions are co-written by David's new romantic interest, Kristin Amarie. From top to bottom, this is an absolutely lovely work.

Set in 1939, when Poland was falling to the Nazi's and Britain was being pulled into what would become World War II, playwright Mark St. Germain's engaging work FREUD'S LAST SESSION is a fascinating look at the historic meeting between two very different minds. Impeccably acted and directed, this Studio Theatre presentation by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a brilliant 75 minute piece that enlightens and entertains. This is absolute must-see theatre.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting a modern masterpiece with their soaring production of FLY. The acting is excellent, the direction is sharply focused, and the technical achievements are spectacular. I'm probably going to run out of superlatives before I finish this review, so bear with me as I gush on about one of the most amazing examples of 'action' theatre that I've had the privilege to witness. FLY is a theatrical experience that pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II in a most remarkable way, and it's an absolute must-see event.

I decided to take in one of the Sheldon's coffee concerts earlier this week, and though some snarled traffic kept me from enjoying the coffee portion of the bill, I arrived in time for the concert. I was rewarded for my efforts by witnessing the performance of a tremendously talented group of musicians collectively known as Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers. This was, indeed, time well spent.

In keeping with the Halloween season, and in distinct contrast to the serious tone of New Line's brilliant Night of the Living Dead, we have Stray Dog Theatre's lively production of EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL, a campy gorefest based on filmmaker Sam Raimi's Evil Dead trilogy. The first two films are audacious and nutty 'cabin in the woods' tales spiced with bravura camera work and copious amounts of blood and guts. The third movie sends our hero, Ash, back to medieval times to fight an Army of Darkness. This musical version combines elements taken from all three flicks, emphasizes the 'splat-stick' aspects of all of them, and adds a fairly catchy rock and roll score (book writer and lyricist George Reinblatt with a number of composers) to the mix. It's a dizzying, but enjoyable ride that, thankfully, never lets the foot off the gas.

I'm a horror film fan, and I saw NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD for the first time at a midnight show when I was a teenager. Like the movie, the musical version (music by Matt Conner, lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith and Conner) focuses our attention on the victims of a sudden outbreak of zombies. Sure, there are plenty of scenes of zombie mayhem in the original work, but the bulk of the film is really about a group of disparate people struggling to survive in an abandoned farmhouse. This is why I particularly enjoyed New Line's St. Louis premiere of this surprisingly tuneful adaptation. It's a serious-minded production that doesn't take a campy approach or attempt to spoof its subject, and I can appreciate that tact. This is an engaging and well acted presentation that takes a look at how humans behave in the direst of circumstances, and it's a must-see for fans of daring musical theatre.

I have to confess that other than the misguided movie that was made out of EVITA, the only other presentation I'd seen was New Line Theatre's wonderfully intimate version a couple of years ago. So, I was curious as to how this show would play on a bigger venue's stage. I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either. The current production playing the Fox Theatre is a dazzling mixture of song (score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics and book by Tim Rice) and dance that's both engaging and thoroughly entertaining.

When you're a critic and you witness a magical evening of theatre it's hard not to be overly enthused and gush about it, but Upstream Theater's current production of Nikolai Gogol's (adaptation by David Holman) DIARY OF A MADMAN is simply brilliant and truly deserving of such praise. Upstream consistently brings quality presentation of plays both old and new, and oft times they're adaptations of classic literature. A pair of splendid performers are guided by an expert hand to create a night of must-see entertainment, as engaging and thought-provoking as any show you've ever seen.

THE GOOD DOCTOR, Neil Simon's take on the short stories of Anton Chekhov, is a decidedly mixed bag. At the time he was writing this work he was dealing with his first wife's illness and busying himself with changes to the screenplay of The Prisoner of Second Avenue. Although it has become a much performed play now, it wasn't a huge success when it was first staged, however several members of the cast were nominated for awards. The New Jewish Theatre's current staging contains some fine performances and sharp direction, but it remains a hit and miss production that's only fitfully funny.

Playwright Lee Blessing's LONESOME HOLLOW paints a cynical and slightly contrived portrait of our country's future. Blessing's dystopian look at America imagines a place where sex offenders are housed by a corporation in small towns that have been taken over and converted for this very purpose. There are some interesting and haunting ideas at work here, and the West End Players Guild has fashioned a nicely mounted production of the play that features a strong cast.

Playwright/novelist/screenwriter/songwriter Suzan-Lori Parks has crafted an intriguing work with Topdog/Underdog, which is currently playing at The Gaslight Theater in a marvelously acted production by the St. Louis Actors' Studio. The theme for their seventh season is 'Sins of the Father', and as they have in the past, it's an eclectic and cool mix of older classic works, and newer plays. This current production is distinguished by a pair of exceptional performances which really make it worthy of your time and attention.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis kicks off their season with a lively and captivating production of CABARET, Kander and Ebb's dark and cynical examination of life in Berlin prior to Hitler's ascension. This sleek, sexy, abrasive and poignant musical is solidly performed by both the cast, and the musicians portraying the Kit Kat Club house band. There's a lot of fine theatre taking place in St. Louis at the moment, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't take the time to check out this decadent delight.