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.
August 20, 2011
HIROMI KANDA is a unique talent, casting her lot among the bevy of performers proffering up classic standard recordings, while contributing her own original lyrics to some tunes as well with her newest collection Days of Yesterday (2011), and with 2010's Hiromi in Love. Both feature lush orchestration thanks to producer Yusuke Hoguchi that ranks with some of Nelson Riddle and Billy May's most swinging arrangements. The standards stand out, but it's the originals that really make these albums (CDs) truly special, along with Hiromi's voice which can travel from a whisper to a growl in a heartbeat.
August 19, 2011
The Fantasticks opened in 1960 and when the show closed in 2002 it had seen 17,162 performances in its original location, the Sullivan Street Playhouse, a small off-Broadway theatre in Greenwich Village, making it the longest running show in the history. Nine presidents have seen The Fantasticks and generation after generation have embraced the universality of the show.
August 19, 2011
Since winning the International Jugglers Championship in 1990, Mark Nizer has emerged as the quintessential juggler's juggler, combining deft comedic wit with new tricks and invented technologies that seem to make the impossible suddenly possible. He has juggled while hang-gliding. He has juggled underwater with sharks. He has juggled jellyfish and - once, briefly - cats.
August 19, 2011
Before receiving this detailed biography, Jeffrey Spivak's BUZZ, my knowledge of Busby Berkeley was limited to some articles I'd read in a few fan magazines as well as an old trade paperback from 1973 (The Busby Berkeley Book). Spivak's book not only fills in the gaps, but it brings a lot of previously forgotten lore to light, illuminating the troubled life of this musical design genius. The University of Kentucky Press has put together an excellent resource for those seeking, not only the arcane knowledge of his unique talents, but a fresh look at just what did happen to the movie musical after its Golden Age, which was spear-headed by the imaginative and eye-popping work of 'Buzz' Berkeley.
August 19, 2011
Written, directed, and musical score composed by three mothers of children with autism THE VIOLINIST also stars a child with autism in a lead role. This play combines intrigue with inspiration, bringing to life a tale of deception and murder...of love, friendship and courage. Accompanied by a live musical ensemble, THE VIOLINIST will capture your heart and mind, as a 12-year-old boy finds in himself the capacity to do something extraordinary.
June 2, 2011
In celebration of its 25th season, Circus Flora, St. Louis' beloved, one-ring circus presents a brand new show, VAGABOND ADVENTURES, June 2 through 26, under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center. Presented by Edward Jones, the show comes on the heels of Circus Flora's triumph with the St. Louis Symphony in January.
May 25, 2011
How much truth is too much? When dealing with the masses, is it better to entertain or enlighten? Should people hear what they want or need to hear? How do we find meaningful relationships in such a diverse world? These are just a few of the issues addressed with compassion and lots of humor in Bill C. Davis' comedy/drama MASS APPEAL, presented by Dramatic License Productions.
May 25, 2011
The Friends of The Sheldon present the 12th Annual Sunset at The Sheldon Wine Tasting, Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. until sunset on The Sheldon Observation Deck. Proceeds benefit Sheldon Educational Programs. The event is co-chaired by Jane Matoesian and Nuviah Shirazi.
May 22, 2011
Max and Louie Productions presents The Lady With All the Answers by David Rambo, drawn from the life and letters of Ann Landers with the cooperation of Margo Howard. This production stars Stellie Siteman as Ann Landers and is directed by Sydnie Grosberg Ronga. The play closes May 22nd at the COCA Black Box Theater.
May 22, 2011
Peter Martin Music: Live! returns to The Sheldon stage with the Peter Martin Quartet featuring Reuben Rogers, bass; Greg Hutchinson, drums; and vibraphonist Warren Wolf. Vibes player Warren Wolf is one of the most sought after young musicians on the East Coast jazz scene. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Wolf toured with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the age of 9, wrote his first composition at age 10, and was playing jazz professionally by the time he was 12. Since then, Wolf has studied and performed with jazz masters such as Roy Haynes, Lewis Nash and Milt Jackson and is currently touring with Christian McBride and Inside Straight.
May 11, 2011
Max and Louie Productions presents THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS by David Rambo, drawn from the life and letters of Ann Landers with the cooperation of Margo Howard. This production stars Stellie Siteman as Ann Landers and is directed by Sydnie Grosberg Ronga. The play opens on Thursday, May 12th at the COCA Black Box Theater.
May 8, 2011
Avalon Theatre Company closes its sixth season with John Pielmeier's haunting glimpse into science, faith, and even miracles, AGNES OF GOD, April 28 - May 8 at Avalon in ArtSpace at Crestwood Court.
May 8, 2011
In what can be labeled a 'First,' the New Jewish Theatre is proud to boast that the director for the upcoming production of Clifford Odet's 1935 classic AWAKE AND SING! is Steve Woolf, Artistic Director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. While Woolf does direct outside of the Rep, he does not direct for other theatres in the St. Louis area. So this is a genuine First for both Woolf and the New Jewish Theatre. Most recently outside of the Rep, Mr. Woolf directed THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre (and then went on to direct the Rep's production of the same show). But the upcoming production at NJT was a show that he could not resist. Its realism and grittiness and the strength of the characters appealed to him.
May 4, 2011
I've seen a lot of unusual and unique productions, especially since I've been checking out the Ovations! Series at the Edison Theatre the past couple of years, and a recent presentation of THE ALUMINUM SHOW (April 30, 2011) provided yet another example of the kind of energetic and engaging fare that I've come to expect from them. Though I've seen the show described as being some kind of cross between Blue Man Group and Stomp, it's really something else entirely. In fact, with it's use of recycled industrial material, it has more in common with ScrapArtsMusic than it does with either of those. What it does provide is a dazzling display of tightly choreographed dance set to pulsating music, combining puppetry, along with remote-controlled 'critters' and outlandish costuming, to produce a spectacle wholly different from anything you've ever seen before.
May 4, 2011
If you've ever stayed up and listened to late night AM radio programs like the popular 'AM Coast to Coast' show, then you're fully aware that there are a lot of folks out there who believe in a lot of very peculiar things. While some of these unusual occurrences and sightings of critters and spacecrafts are probably chemically induced hallucinations, or purely bogus in nature, occasionally something happens that just can't be explained away. The former, more than the latter, forms the backbone of the plot of Lauren Dusek Albonico's INTELLIGENT LIFE, a new play which HotCity Theatre is presenting, that explores the depth of faith that individuals place in their beliefs, and how it can allow them to be easily blinded by the truth in the process.
May 3, 2011
Playwright John Pielmeier has constructed an interesting work with AGNES OF GOD. It's decidedly uneven in tone, and the template for the script is very similar to the one utilized by the far-superior Equus (as a learned colleague of mine pointed out), but it's an engaging and involving show nonetheless. Avalon Theatre Company's current production is certainly a solid one, driven by three fine performances and intelligent direction.
May 1, 2011
Mustard Seed Theatre presents the final performance of Till We Have Faces May 1, 2011.
April 29, 2011
The Sheldon presents Paul H. Alpert & '3' w/ Kimmy V & John Farrar on Tuesday, May 03, 2011 at 7:00 PM.
April 28, 2011
Avalon Theatre Company closes its sixth season with John Pielmeier's haunting glimpse into science, faith, and even miracles, AGNES OF GOD, April 28 - May 8 at Avalon in ArtSpace at Crestwood Court.
April 26, 2011
How much truth is too much? When dealing with the masses, is it better to entertain or enlighten? Should people hear what they want or need to hear? How do we find meaningful relationships in such a diverse world? These are just a few of the issues addressed with compassion and lots of humor in Bill C. Davis' comedy/drama MASS APPEAL, presented by Dramatic License Productions.
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