Taylor Pietz News

Though Shakespeare's first play, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, is ungainly and raw at times, many of the devices and plot mechanisms that will soon become the playwright's stock in trade are present in its text. As such, it remains a crude example of an early work by a master still fine tuning his craft. In Galt MacDermot (music), John Guarre (lyrics) and Mel Shapiro's (who polished and 'corrected' the Bard's book) 1971 musical adaptation it becomes a light-hearted and enjoyable introduction to his work, full of the same pluck and irreverence that distinguished MacDermot's Hair, but fully capable of standing on its own merit too. New Line Theatre and director Scott Miller's current production of Two Gentlemen of Verona not only rocks, but it's hilarious as well, aided greatly by the spectacular efforts of an enthusiastic cast and a crack band. I honestly can't recall when I've ever witnessed an audience laugh at and enjoy Shakespeare more; the resident 'Bad Boy of Musical Theatre' has come through again.

New Line Theatre, 'The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' continues its Twentieth Anniversary Season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre with the rock and roll, Shakespearean sex comedy TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, running March 3-26, 2011, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend.

The theatre scene in St. Louis in 2010 turned out to be another year filled with fine productions and superb performances. Despite the economic barriers faced by all the local theatre companies many continued to take risks, presenting material that challenged audience expectations, but entertained them as well. And so, I'm presenting my own top ten of 2010, to honor the shows that beguiled and entranced me this past year.

New Line Theatre, 'The Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' continues its Twentieth Anniversary Season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre with the rock and roll Shakespearean sex comedy TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, running March 3-26, 2011, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend.

As State Fairs take place around the country, Stages St. Louis concludes its 24th season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical STATE FAIR at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood from September 3 - October 3, 2010.

STATE FAIR was the only musical that Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote specifically for Hollywood and two versions were filmed, one in 1945 and the other in 1962. The one that's probably most familiar to audiences today is the rather forgettable 1962 version which features Pat Boone serenading a pig. Hammerstein's son, James, revived the musical in 1995, plucking tunes from ME AND JULIET, PIPE DREAM and ALLEGRO! to round out the score. While the results are certainly a mixed bag musically, the latest presentation by Stages St. Louis is splendidly mounted, and provides a lively and engaging look back at a simpler time in our history.

As State Fairs take place around the country, Stages St. Louis concludes its 24th season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical STATE FAIR at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood from September 3 - October 3, 2010.

As State Fairs take place around the country, Stages St. Louis concludes its 24th season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning Broadway musical STATE FAIR at The Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood from September 3 - October 3, 2010.

Since I first started taking my son along with me to see children's shows, it's become readily apparent to me that he especially enjoys seeing the ones put on by Stages St. Louis. That's because they're always entertaining and fun, and they don't wear out their welcome by running too long. Their current presentation of DISNEY'S THE ARISTOCATS is another fine example of the kind of engaging productions they present year in and year out. And, I'm happy to report that my son absolutely loved it (my wife and I did, too)!

New Line Theatre closes its nineteenth season with the first St. Louis production in many years of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera EVITA, running July 8-31, 2010, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend. Tickets are on sale now, through Metrotix, 314-534-1111.

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' closes its nineteenth season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre with the first St. Louis production in many years of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's political rock opera EVITA, running through July 31, 2010, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend. Tickets are on sale now, through Metrotix, 314-534-1111.

Simply put, New Line Theatre's current production of EVITA absolutely rocks! Employing a more intimate staging and utilizing stripped down orchestrations acts to reinvigorate the work, personalizing the story and adding a real edge to the music. This is one of the chief reasons I'm always drawn to New Line's productions; they don't conform to the norm, offering regular theatre goers the opportunity to witness creative and imaginative takes on new works as well as more familiar ones. If you're already a fan of EVITA (or musical theatre in general), or if you've only seen the misguided movie version with Madonna in the lead role, and you've been turned off to the subject as a result, then you owe it to yourself to check out New Line's darkly engaging presentation.

New Line Theatre closes its nineteenth season with the first St. Louis production in many years of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera EVITA, running July 8-31, 2010, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend. Tickets are on sale now, through Metrotix, 314-534-1111.

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' closes its nineteenth season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre with the first St. Louis production in many years of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's political rock opera EVITA, running July 8-31, 2010, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend.

New Line Theatre closes its nineteenth season with the first St. Louis production in many years of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock opera EVITA, running July 8-31, 2010, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend. Tickets are on sale now, through Metrotix, 314-534-1111.

DIVA LA TAP Professional Tap Trio makes its concert debut with the premiere of 'Rhythm Confetti - A Unique Tap Cabaret' combining the rhythmic tap footwork of Diva La Tap with the jazz vocal stylings of Charles and Nikki Glenn.

After experiencing some initial success in the world of cabaret last year, Jeffrey Wright has returned to the Kranzberg Arts Center for a weekend of sold out performances. With the encouragement of mentors Lina Koutrakos and Rick Jensen, Wright has fashioned a show centered around the theme of 'The Dance', featuring an eclectic mix of standards, show tunes, classic rock and country. But, Wright breaks down these genre classifications by investing each song with the same sense of genuine warmth and sensitivity that characterizes his own personality.

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' opens its nineteenth season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre with the world premiere of Kyle Jarrow's searing new rock musical Love Kills, running October 1-24, 2009, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend.

LOVE KILLS, Kyle Jarrow's musical meditation on the relationship between Charlie Starkweather and Caril Fugate, who embarked on a killing spree in Nebraska during the late 1950's, is an intriguing piece that succeeds in confounding expectations. If there's any truth to be gleaned from the facts presented in this dramatization, then New Line Theatre's compelling production will provide you with the opportunity to judge for yourself.

New Line Theatre, 'the Bad Boy of Musical Theatre,' opens its nineteenth season of provocative, adult, alternative musical theatre with the world premiere of Kyle Jarrow's searing new rock musical LOVE KILLS, running October 1-24, 2009, at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road, just east of Big Bend. (This is not on the main Wash.U. campus.)