We probably take the cultural impact of rock 'n' roll for granted, not fully comprehending the effect this raw, powerful blast of rebellious freedom has had worldwide, where it has somehow managed to shape generations that are far removed from its origins. With his play ROCK 'N' ROLL, Czech playwright Tom Stoppard is able to show us firsthand how this music molded the beliefs, hopes, and dreams of his own youth, and he filters it through a unapologetic, surprisingly sentimental haze that makes for an engaging and compelling ride through time. The St. Louis Actors' Studio is currently presenting a very entertaining and sharply acted and directed production of this work at the Missouri History Museum.
St. Louis Actors' Studio continues its fourth season, themed Angels and Demons, with Tom Stoppard's semi-biographical ROCK 'N' ROLL. ROCK 'N' ROLL is an electrifying collision of the romantic and the revolutionary. It is 1968 and the world is ablaze with rebellion, accompanied by a sound track of the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. Clutching his prized collection of rock albums, Jan, a Cambridge graduate student, returns to his homeland of Czechoslovakia just as Soviet tanks roll into Prague.
St. Louis Actors' Studio continues its fourth season, themed Angels and Demons, with Tom Stoppard's semi-biographical ROCK 'N' ROLL. ROCK 'N' ROLL is an electrifying collision of the romantic and the revolutionary. It is 1968 and the world is ablaze with rebellion, accompanied by a sound track of the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. Clutching his prized collection of rock albums, Jan, a Cambridge graduate student, returns to his homeland of Czechoslovakia just as Soviet tanks roll into Prague.
Jerry Vogel, who directed St. Louis Shakespeare's critically acclaimed productions of Merchant of Venice and Treasure Island in 2009, takes on Shakespeare's magical tale of revenge, young love, reconciliation and hope which opens October 1st at the Grandel Theatre.
Shakespeare's last great play, THE TEMPEST, has always been a favorite of mine, if only because it lends itself to intriguing stagings and imaginative re-interpretations with it's appealing mix of comedy, romance, and magic. And, with director Julie Taymor's film version about to be put into wide release, it's certainly a good time to revisit this material.
Jerry Vogel, who directed St. Louis Shakespeare's critically acclaimed productions of Merchant of Venice and Treasure Island in 2009, takes on Shakespeare's magical tale of revenge, young love, reconciliation and hope which opens October 1st at the Grandel Theatre.
Jerry Vogel, who directed St. Louis Shakespeare's critically acclaimed productions of Merchant of Venice and Treasure Island in 2009, takes on Shakespeare's magical tale of revenge, young love, reconciliation and hope which opens October 1st at the Grandel Theatre.
October 2010 will mark the beginning of St. Louis Actors' Studio's fourth season, themed Angels and Demons. This theme will be examined from the minds of some of our favorite plays and playwrights; from lame duck presidents to aging comedy partners - human wants, needs and political relationships bring out the best and worst in us.
St. Louis Actors' Studio, continuing its third season, is honored to participate in the Missouri History Museum's Performing Arts Series with A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS. Robert Bolt's classic Tony Award-winning play tells the true story of 16th century Chancellor of England Sir Thomas More. A religiously devout man of conscience, More objected to King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church - a decision that led to his prosecution.
Good theatre makes you think, and Albee has given the audience a lot to chew on here. Issues concerning death and the ways in which we identify ourselves are keys to figuring it out, but don't expect to decipher it all, even Albee doesn't fully explain what he's getting at. At times, it's rather messy and convoluted, but THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE provokes a dialog, and that's truly the key to understanding it.
Three couples engage in Edward Albee?s trademark humorously wry, visceral banter at a party where the hostess happens to be dying. At the end of the first act a patrician woman claiming to be the dying woman?s mother arrives with a companion. Complications ensue. This is ?The Lady from Dubuque,? presented by Muddy Waters Theatre Company, June 12-28 at the Kranzberg Art Center in the Big Brother Big Sisters Building in Grand Center.
Three couples engage in Edward Albee?s trademark humorously wry, visceral banter at a party where the hostess happens to be dying. At the end of the first act a patrician woman claiming to be the dying woman?s mother arrives with a companion. Complications ensue. This is ?The Lady from Dubuque,? presented by Muddy Waters Theatre Company, June 12-28 at the Kranzberg Art Center in the Big Brother Big Sisters Building in Grand Center.
Phoenix Theatre will open an all new production of the epic, musical masterpiece Les Mis?rables on February 18, bringing the audience closer to the searing story, and to the barricade, than ever before. It will run through March 22, 2009.
Phoenix Theatre is one of only a few professional regional theatres in the country to have been chosen to produce this powerful musical. Phoenix Theatre's production has been produced in collaboration with Arkansas Repertory Theatre.
Phoenix Theatre will open an all new production of the epic, musical masterpiece Les Mis?rables on February 18, bringing the audience closer to the searing story, and to the barricade, than ever before. It will run through March 22, 2009.
Phoenix Theatre is one of only a few professional regional theatres in the country to have been chosen to produce this powerful musical. Phoenix Theatre's production has been produced in collaboration with Arkansas Repertory Theatre.
