The St. Louis Actors' Studio 

Through 11/4/2007
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

The St. Louis Actors' Studio has inaugurated the new Gaslight Theatre with a powerful production of Edward Albee's drama, A Delicate Balance.  The Gaslight, like the recently opened Ivory Theatre, is an emblem of St. Louis' burgeoning theatre life. Located at 356 North Boyle, the Gaslight is unpretentious but comfortable. Housed in an historic store-front building near the old Gaslight Square, it seats only ninety-eight patrons, but the Actors' Studio has an ambitious program including actor training, improv workshops and the development of new works.

The Tin Ceiling

Through December 21, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

I adored Tin Ceiling's gore-fest, Zombozo, a year or two ago and was looking forward to feasting on similar sensibilities in their production of Titus Andronicus--that truly bizarre dip into Grand Guignol by old Will Shakespeare.  But alas, St. Louis' most adventurous troupe gives us not a drop of the old crimson ichor, despite various amputations, tongue rippings and sword piercings--and despite a truly beautiful and evocative Art Noveau poster by Derek Simmons.

The MUNY  

Through July 20, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

It was a warm and pleasant evening in Forest Park.  In this rainy summer you're always on the look-out for a downpour-but at the MUNY it was not rain that came on Monday-it was a downpour of talent and wonderful music.   Producer Paul Blake, in 90 Years of MUNY Magic,  has put together a vast cornucopia of hits from the history of American musical theatre-and from the glorious ninety-year history of our beloved MUNY.   It's quite a birthday party! 

St. Louis Shakespeare

Through August 3, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

Mary Zimmerman takes giant helpings from the ancient storytellers.  She it was who adapted Ovid's Metamorphoses for the stage.  That show, with its vast central pool of water, was highly praised.  Her version of Homer's Odyssey is an earlier piece--derived, in fact, from her thesis production at the Goodman.  It's just as ambitious as Metamorphoses, but nowhere near so successful.  St. Louis Shakespeare has opened a production at the Grandel.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

Through December 14, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

S. I. U. Edwardsville revisits (and revises) Gorky's The Lower Depths.  The Lower Depths opened at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1902 and was a huge success.  It instantly established its author, Maxim Gorky, as the archetype of Socialist Realism.  It stands as one of the huge masterpieces of twentieth-century drama, and was widely translated and produced around the world.  Under Stalin the Moscow Art Theatre was renamed the Maxim Gorky Theatre--a name shared by one of Berlin's largest theatres to this day.

St. Louis Actors' Studio

Through 6/22/2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

The St. Louis Actor's Studio has opened a charming little evening called Snapshots. Two of the company's stated missions are "to provide a strong ensemble environment" and to produce "original collaborative theatre".  Snapshots fulfills both of these aims very well, indeed.

The Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble

Through October 18, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

A small miracle occurs at the Chapel on Skinker.  It's like the phoenix arising from its ashes.  Over fifty years ago Jules Feiffer's moody, doodly modern dancer first announced, "I dance to Spring!"   Alas, the spring of 2000 was her last Spring, as Feiffer retired from his weekly comic strip and the wispy interpretive dancer had to hang up her tights.   But, lo!   She is reborn!   On the stage of the Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble you can see her evoking entities every bit as primal as Spring.  In fact that's the title of the piece--Primal.  There are actually twelve artists in this show, all in black tights and leotards (or their close approximation).  But it is Ellie Schweyte--willowy and slender as an ink line--who seems to flow directly from Feiffer's pen.

Washington University Performing Arts Department

Through November 2, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

There is no better way to celebrate a political season!   No more delightful means of dispelling the tensions and conflict that always accompany a presidential campaign!  It's the Gershwins' wacky 1931 musical political spoof, Of Thee I Sing!

Union Avenue Opera Company :

Through July 19, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

The wonderful Union Avenue Opera Company has opened its fourteenth season with a most charming production of L'Elisir d'Amore.  This delicious opera buffa by Donizetti is the perfect light and lovely entertainment for a summer's evening.

Cabaret St. Louis

October 22 through 25, 2008
Reviewed by Steve Callahan

Fran Landesman is back in town!!!  Under the aegis of Cabaret St. Louis she gave four performances at the Gaslight Theatre to utterly adoring audiences.   For our younger listeners who may need an introduction, Ms. Landesman and her husband Jay were the central figures in that astonishing cultural phenomenon called Gaslight Square some forty years ago.  They were proprietors of the Crystal Palace, a theatre bar where many of America's brightest young talents made fledgling appearances--Barbra Streisand, the Smothers Brothers, Phyllis Diller, Miles Davis, Nichols and May, Woody Allen, Dick Gregory, Lenny Bruce, Oscar Peterson and others.  Their improv group, the Compass Players, later went on to Chicago to become the Second City company.