When a couple's son drowns, their marriage begins to dissolve under the weight of grief that follows his death. As they grow farther and farther apart, their daughter is emotionally abandoned. Can the Tooth Fairy, a life-size G.I. Joe doll and a cross-dressing flight attendant help them discover solace? GOD'S EAR is an unfolding of the human heart told through a poignant and hilarious look at the language we use when we cannot bear to speak.
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.
As the New Jewish Theatre continues its Bat Mitzvah Season, we take another look at Father-Son relationships with Donald Margulies' brilliant BROOKLYN BOY which opens with a preview performance on Wednesday, December 2 and runs through December 20. For this production, we will once again return to Clayton High School's more intimate Little Theatre.
Over the course of six scenes, BROOKLYN BOY'S protagonist, Eric Weiss, is taken on a journey of discovery that will leave him with a stronger appreciation of his family and friends, as well as a deeper understanding of himself. Weiss is a writer who's finally enjoying success on the bestseller list after penning an autobiographical novel about his life growing up in Brooklyn. But, he's become extremely sensitive to accusations and intimations that his account is just a thinly veiled version of the truth. His encounters act to illuminate the feelings that he's kept buried within, and by the end of the play, he finally seems to be coming to terms with his own legacy.
As the New Jewish Theatre continues its Bat Mitzvah Season, we take another look at Father-Son relationships with Donald Margulies' brilliant BROOKLYN BOY which opens with a preview performance on Wednesday, December 2 and runs through December 20. For this production, we will once again return to Clayton High School's more intimate Little Theatre.
Piwacket Theatre for Children continues their season with a festive treat called THE HOLIDAY SHOW, which teaches kids the importance of sharing. Of course, this is a valuable lesson any time of the year, but with Christmas around the bend, it's especially imperative that the little ones understand that it is truly better to give than receive.
As the New Jewish Theatre continues its Bat Mitzvah Season, we take another look at Father-Son relationships with Donald Margulies' brilliant BROOKLYN BOY which opens with a preview performance on Wednesday, December 2 and runs through December 20. For this production, we will once again return to Clayton High School's more intimate Little Theatre.
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.
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.
Piwacket Children's Theatre begins their 2009-2010 season with a retelling of the familiar Cinderella story, here called CINDERBOTTOM. Like all of their productions, there's a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor that makes it palatable for both children and adults, and there are a number of cute little catchy singalong type tunes interspersed as well.
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's whimsical musical, INTO THE WOODS, is an amusing combination of fractured fairy tales from the like of the Brothers Grimm and others. It's an intriguing idea that brings these disparate characters together to interact in ways that are decidedly different from their original source material. Stray Dog Theatre is mounting a successful production at the Tower Grove Abbey that features a plethora of local talent.
Though it may have seemed more shocking when it was originally written and staged during the 1960's, Edward Albee's adaptation of Giles Cooper's EVERYTHING IN THE GARDEN still packs a healthy punch. Stray Dog Theatre closes their 2008-2009 season with a wonderfully dark and funny production of Albee's work, that's performed by an exceptional cast.
