Posts Tagged ‘neil labute’

Trust, Control, and Satire Feature in STLAS’s Intriguing New LaBute Festival

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 19, 2025| Leave a Comment »

11th Annual LaBute New Theater Festival
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 13, 2025

It’s Festival time again for STLAS. Their Annual LaBute New Theater Festival, named for playwright Neil LaBute, is now in its 11th edition, with a selection of plays in which the prime issues seem to revolve around personal relationships and trust, as well as challenging societal structures, with a trend toward the sharply satirical in at least half of the shows presented here. As always, it’s an intriguing showcase for the works of largely lesser-known playwrights, providing memorable roles for talented local performers. 

While the writers are different for each play, the works are helmed by two directors, each taking three plays, and with six actors (Maclean Blanner, Claire Coffey, Tyler Crandall, Xander Huber, Reagain Posey-Mank, and Sarah Wilkinson) taking various roles as the shows demand. The technical team is consistent throughout, with sets and lighting by Patrick Huber, props by Emma Glose, costumes and wigs by Abby Pastorello, and sound by STLAS.

The background set is essentially the same as it has been at past festivals–a dark gray back wall with a recessed area in center, and with each play’s title and author projected at the beginning. It’s a format that has worked for STLAS consistently for this festival, and it works well this year, too, allowing a sort of “blank canvas” for the directors and designers to build their shows’ “worlds” as needed. 

Here are a few thoughts about the individual plays:

“TEOTWAWKI”
by Aleks Merilo
Directed by Bryn McLaughlin

Sarah Wilkinson
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

It’s the end of the world as we know it (that’s what the title stands for), and Wilkinson is sitting alone beside a ham radio setup, sending a broadcast out into the ether, hoping someone will hear. Apparently there has been some cataclysmic event, and Wilkinson is looking to see if anyone else is out there. Her pleas are passionate, even desperate, but what is really going on here? I can’t say much else, because that would spoil it, but I will say that there’s a lot to think about here, and Wilkinson gives a truly fantastic performance. There’s also fine support from Crandall, Huber, and Posey-Mank in smaller roles, but Wilkinson is star here. It’s a bold start for this year’s collection of shows. 

“Poor Me”
by Tracy Carns
Directed by Bryn McLaughlin

Former roommates have a spat. That’s the “easy” way to describe this play, but there’s a lot more going on here than just an argument. Tad (Huber) is apparently the son of the landlord of the apartment building, and he’s married and moved out of the unit that is still being occupied by Cleo (Claire Coffey), a struggling artist. The ongoing struggle between “haves” and “have-nots” is addressed here, as well as issues of personal loyalties and independence. The dialogue is sharp and characters well-drawn, with strong performances from both players here, with Coffey’s stubbornly insistent Cleo especially memorable. 

“Hungry Women”
By Melissa Maney
Directed by Avery Harrison

Megan Posey-Mank, Maclean Blanner, Claire Coffey
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This play is the most elaborate and pointed of this year’s offerings, with strong costume design and use of lighting, as well as a message that provides much to talk and think about. Subject-wise, this is more in the “extreme” satirical category, as a group women in what appears to be the 19th Century ponder their existence after an event of some sort that has killed all the men in their town, and potentially elsewhere. Each of these women–Eden (Posey-Mank), Mary (Blanner), Ruth (Coffey), and Vic (Wilkinson)–have seemingly different reactions at first, but the bold, brash Vic encourages a radical solution to their dilemma at which the others initially balk. I’m not going to say much else, other than that the title seems to have a multi-layered meaning. The performances are enthusiastic and excellent here, with strong chemistry among the actors, and the issues raised here are certainly worth talking about, even it if does seem to major more on shock value. Still, there are important issues to discuss that are raised here, and I’m guessing this will be the most talked-about show of the festival, which I guess is the overall point. 

“A Modest Proposal”
by David MacGregor
Directed by Avery Harrison

After the first part of the festival has closed with a “shocking” satire, the second part begins with another one, with a title that alludes to a famous satirical work by Jonathan Swift. As shocking and confrontational as that work was in its time (and now), this story has a similar approach, even though the “dilemma” and “solution” offered are different. Here, we see two corporate executives–CFO Posey-Mank and CEO Crandall–bemoaning all the various proposals they’ve been reviewing from a stream of consultants all offering variations on the same ideas, until a new consultant, Wilkinson, enters with a radical idea that shocks them at first, but soon exposes their own greed and selfishness and real sense of priorities. It’s a sharp skewering of corporate culture and greed, and all three performers do an excellent job with their characterizations and the overall tone of the story, although the corporate types portrayed here are kind of one-dimensional and therefore “easy targets”.

“Carpool”
by Dave Carley
Directed by Avery Harrison

This is a very short play, but it’s fun. Here, we have three white-collar office workers (Coffey, Huber, and Blanner) carpooling to work on a succession of days, with the road projected in the background to maintain the sense of movement. The banter between the characters, and the contrasting personalities adds to the comedy, as do the literary and theatrical references that may be noticed by those familiar with the works of T.S. Eliot and Samuel Beckett. This one comes across more as a sketch than a play, but it’s fun nonetheless, with strong performances and crisp comic timing all around. 

“Scenes From a Bookstore”
by Neil LaBute
Directed by Neil Labute

Tyler Crandall, Maclean Blanner
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This work, by the festival’s namesake LaBute, is perhaps the playwright’s best work for the festival to date, at least in my mind. Many of LaBute’s past entries have come across more as scenes or acting exercises than plays, but this one has a story and genuine plot movement, with characters that come across as well-drawn and memorable. The characters are listed in the program as Him (Crandall), Her (Blanner), and She (Coffey), but one of them (importantly, I think) does have a name. This is a somewhat clever variation on the rom-com “meet cute” trope, but it also examines the repercussions of such an encounter when one or both of the parties involved is already in a committed relationship. As Crandall and Blanner–whose characters have apparently been previously involved–are reacquainted in a chance encounter at a bookstore and then later seem to regularly bump into each other again, we later are introduced to the man’s wife, Coffey, who soon begins to have her own suspicions. I think it’s clear here with whom we are supposed to sympathize most (the one who has a name), and I certainly do. It’s a clever exploration of relationships and expectations, and all three players are excellent. In my mind, this is most successful and fully-formed show of this year’s collection.

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting The 11th Annual LaBute New Theater Festival at the Gaslight Theater until July 27, 2025

 

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STLAS Highlights Communication, Connection in Latest LaBute Festival

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »

10th Annual LaBute New Theater Festival
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 13, 2024

It’s that time again for St. Louis Actors’ Studio. For this local company, summer means the LaBute New Theater Festival, now in its tenth installment. This latest edition highlights themes of personal connection and communication, with an especially strong set of plays featuring memorable performances and strong technical elements.

There are two directors represented in this year’s festival–Kristi Gunther and Spencer Sickmann, who both turn out impressive work in the variety of short plays featured. Patrick Huber’s “blank canvas” set is back, and it’s as versatile as ever, augmented by Emma Glose’s strong props design and Abby Pastorello’s detailed costumes, wigs, hair and makeup design. There’s also excellent work from Huber on lighting design and sound from STLAS. It’s a good slate of plays this year, and another successful example of the more streamlined format that began with last year’s festival, featuring one set of five plays throughout the festival’s run. 

Here are some brief thoughts about this year’s featured plays:

“Grief & Woe”
by Paul Bowman
Directed by Spencer Sickmann

Lorelei Frank, Greg Hunsaker, Tyler Crandall
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This is a somewhat whimsical take on the story of Adam (Tyler Crandall) and Eve (Lorelei Frank), who have a rocky start to their relationship to the consternation of their creator “Mr. G” (Greg Hunsaker), who keeps reminding them that they were made for each other. Enter Lou (Chuck Winning), the wily tempter who tries to derail the relationship even further, but Mr. G has his own ideas about how to handle their problems. 

This is a well-acted show with memorable portrayals from all, with Frank and Crandall portraying a believable love-hate relationship, and standout turns from Hunsaker as the exasperated but determined Mr. G and Winning making the most of every moment as the slippery Lou. It’s a quirky re-imagining of a familiar tale, and a memorable start to the festival. 

“Cage”
by Barbara Blatner
Directed by Kristi Gunther

Lorelei Frank, Jane Paradise
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This story focuses on a fractured mother-daughter relationship, as the surly teenager George (Lorelei Frank) clashes with her critical mother, Bobby (Jane Paradise). While George takes refuge from the conflict in her love of animals, she upsets her mother by bringing in a wild snake as a pet. Meanwhile, Bobby has her own personal issues to deal with that are brought up by George. 

This play, more than the others here, seems like a scene from a larger work. The strong performances drive the plot well, but I find myself wanting to know more, and wishing this story had more time. This could easily be expanded into a full-length play, with its intriguing concept and believable relationship that could use more backstory.

“Walrus”
by Brandt Adams
Directed by Kristi Gunther

Greg Hunsaker, Anthony Wininger, Tyler Crandall
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

If this festival were giving out awards, this one would win for its hilarious concept. It’s essentially a run-of-the mill bar fight/conflict story, but the characters are all animals. It almost seems like the start of a joke–“a walrus and a manatee walk into a bar…” Here, the outspoken Walrus (Anthony Wininger) is telling loudmouthed stories to the more passive Manatee (Tyler Crandall), rousing the ire of bartender Mike (Greg Hunsaker), who happens to be a polar bear. 

This is easily the funniest play this year, with well-drawn characters and a thoroughly credible setup, with characters that are believably human, even though they’re animals. There’s even a subtle message about climate change thrown in for good measure, but what really makes this show work are the characters, and the performances. Everyone works well here, from Wininger’s blustery Walrus, to Crandall’s conciliatory Manatee, to Hunsaker’s volatile Polar Bear. It’s a dynamic, highly entertaining, well-portrayed story.

“Who’s On First”
by Neil LaBute
Directed by Kristi Gunther

Chuck Winning, Anthony Wininger
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This year’s entry by the festival’s namesake, Neil LaBute, is a more serious twist that alludes to a famous comedy routine by means of its title and the character names. Abbott (Chuck Winning) is a Little League baseball coach having a clandestine and somewhat emotionally charged meeting with Costello (Anthony Wininger), the father of one of the team’s young players. From the start, it’s obvious that the coach isn’t comfortable with the idea that Costello is proposing, although it takes a while to become obvious what exactly the “deal” is. This is an intriguing, thought-provoking idea, raising concepts such as the purpose and goals of youth sports and its impact on the kids, as well as how seriously adults can take them. The performances are convincing, and this comes across as a believable moment that works more as a short play than some of the LaBute works in previous festivals, many of which seems more like extended monologues or acting exercises. 

“Love in the Time of Nothing”
by Jayne Hannah
Directed by Spencer Sickmann

Greg Hunsaker, Jane Paradise
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Here, in the last and most poignant festival entry, Jane Paradise and Greg Hunsaker are Juleanna and David, a married couple who tell their love story and the difficulties they endure as David faces a heartbreaking diagnosis. This is an especially well done story, with memorable, sensitive portrayals by both performers and an engaging structure that brings the audience along for the ride as the story rolls along. There’s a strong sense of character and chemistry here, and although the overall concept is not new, it plays out in a convincing, heart-wrenching manner.

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting The 10th Annual LaBute New Theater Festival at he Gaslight Theater until July 28, 2024

 

 

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Communication, Consistency are Highlights in STLAS’s LaBute Festival

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 15, 2023| Leave a Comment »

LaBute New Theater Festival 2023
Directed by Kari Ely and John Contini
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 14, 2023

The 2023 edition of St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s LaBute New Theater Festival is currently running at the Gaslight Theater. It’s a streamlined setup this year, with one slate of five plays showing for the whole run, which is a benefit as I see it, since it makes the festival easier to follow, and also seems to lend an increased degree of consistency to the productions. While in past years, there have been some excellent plays, the festival has usually had its ups and downs in terms of overall consistency of productions. This year, all five plays are solid, thought-provoking productions that feature strong acting and a step up in production values. They are also all two-handers, with communication issues and personality conflicts being a major theme, as well as an air of mystery in most of them.

Production values are impressive across the board, from the relatively simple staging of the first play, “Safe Space” to more elaborately staged plays with a degree of lighting effects and costuming like “The Mockingbird’s Nest”, the creative team has done impressive work. Technical director Joseph M. Novak, set designer Patrick Huber, lighting designer Kristi Gunther, props designer Jenny Smith, and costumes/hair/makeup designer Abby Pastorello have contributed much in the way of tone, atmosphere, and overall style to the productions, as have sound designers and directors Kari Ely and John Contini. As for the individual shows themselves, here are some brief thoughts:

“Safe Space”
by Neil LaBute

Jane Paradise, Reginald Pierre
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This is the “headliner” show, by the festival’s namesake playwright, LaBute. Like several other of his entries in previous festivals, this play consists mainly of a conversation between two people about a potentially volatile subject. The setup here is a “Black Out” performance of an unnamed play, where a Black man (Reginald Pierre) is surprised to see a white woman (Jane Paradise) take the seat next to him. What then ensues is an awkward interaction in which both convey their opinions about various topics relating to this situation, such as the need (or not) for “Black Out” performances of shows or “safe spaces” in general, and both characters’ personal and family experiences of racism and oppression. The structure of this script is clever in that it first appears to be an exploration of theatre manners, and the issue of the actual situation is revealed gradually. Both performers give convincing performances, and the arguments given can be alternately intriguing, thought-provoking, and occasionally infuriating. The issues brought up might better be covered in a longer play, but this vignette provides a lot to think, and talk about. 

“The Blind Hem”
by Bryn McLaughlin

This play is probably the most straightforward relationship drama of this year’s group, but elements of mystery and communication troubles are also on clear display. In what appears to be a hotel room or small apartment, Kate (Eileen Engel) and Robert (Anthony Wininger) are engaging in what has become a regular ritual for them–getting cleaned up after a rendezvous, while reflecting about the nature and future of their relationship, as well as Robert’s past and reluctance to commit. While this general idea isn’t new, it is approached in a clever way by playwright Bryn McLaughlin, who employs the inventive device of a running water faucet to obscure sound just enough so the characters can share their true feelings without being sure if the other can hear. Also, Robert is a college English professor, and Kate is a former student of his, so there are a fair amount of literary references (especially Shakespeare) thrown in to give the story a bit of a poetic flair at times. The performances are strong, with Engel and Wininger demonstrating believable chemistry as the younger, optimistic Kate, and the middle-aged, widowed and regretful professor.

“Da Vinci’s Cockroach”
by Amy Tofte

This play is a quirky one, and it has a lot to say, as two very different people reflect on art, science, and the meaning of life after a chance encounter in an art gallery, where Finn (Laurel Button) works and Dana (Colleen Backer) has come out of a sort of clinical curiosity following the recent death of a family member. The acting is the real highlight here, with Button’s sincere, determined hopefulness serving as a contrast to Backer’s more reserved, cynical Dana. The art gallery setting is well realized through means of artwork provided by Abby Pastorello, and the staging is dynamically paced, the characters memorable, and the dialogue thought-provoking. 

“One Night in the Many Deaths of Sonny Liston”
by J. B. Heaps

Eileen Engel, Reginald Pierre
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

Here is perhaps the darkest play of the evening in terms of tone. Its an imagination of an evening toward the end of the life of former World Heavyweight Champion Sonny Liston (Reginald Pierre), who died under mysterious circumstances. The story imagines a meeting between Liston and a mysterious woman (Eileen Engel) who has been sent by a guy named Vinnie with a “gift” that appears to be drugs. Soon, the two engage in a flirtation and a discussion of Sonny’s life and career, as a harsh truth is gradually revealed. The actors here do an excellent job, working together well as the tone grows more ominous as the story plays out. The costumes and set are also especially impressive in this production. 

 

“The Mockingbird’s Nest”
by Craig Bailey

This is perhaps the weirdest play here, but it starts with a basic premise, as Robyn (Colleen Backer) is spending the day caring for her elderly mother, Daisy (Jane Paradise), who suffers from dementia and is getting increasingly unpredictable in her behavior and recounting of once-familiar stories. That’s just the beginning, though, and the story develops in an unexpected direction that I will not spoil. It’s a fascinating story, though, with stellar performances from both Backer, as the increasingly exasperated Robyn, and Paradise in an impressively versatile and physical performance as Daisy. The lighting effects are also memorable here, in a story with no dull moments. 

Colleen Backer, Jane Paradise
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

 

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting the LaBute New Theater Festival at the Gaslight Theater until July 23, 2023

 

 

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St. Louis Actors’ Studio Stages a Poignant, Expertly Measured “Vanya”

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , on February 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Uncle Vanya
by Anton Chekhov
Adapted by Neil LaBute
Directed By Annamaria Pileggi

John Pierson
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is currently staging a production of Chekhov’s classic Uncle Vanya, in an adaptation by Neil LaBute. This play is famous for a reason, considering its timeless themes and memorable characters. On stage at STLAS’s Gaslight Theater, the play is given a remarkably measured, expertly acted staging that brings out the play’s poignancy and emotion.

The story, set in late 19th Century Russia, follows a group of characters whose lives aren’t where they would want them to be. Vanya (John Pierson) and his niece Sonya (Bryn McLaughlin) manage a country estate that belonged to Sonya’s late mother. Her father, the retired professor Serebryakov (Greg Johnston) has been staying there recently along with his young second wife Yelena (Jennelle Gilreath Owens). While the ailing professor bemoans his lost youth, Yelena has attracted the attentions of both Vanya and local doctor Astrov (Michael James Reed). The story that ensues involves unrequited love, regrets of lost potential, flirtations, resentments, and crushing loneliness, as almost everyone seems to want something they can’t have. 

It’s an ensemble play, with most of the action revolving around Vanya, Sonya, Astrov, and Yelena, but also featuring supporting characters in the form of the professor, Vanya’s mother Maria (Jan Meyer), family nurse Marina (Eleanor Mullin), and family friend Telegin (Michael Musgrave-Perkins), who also lives on the estate. The acting is universally impressive, well-paced by director Pileggi so that every emotional moment is earned, and nobody goes over the top. Pierson is excellent as the regretful, lonely Vanya, and McLaughlin’s pining (after Astrov) but insistently hopeful Sonya is also a standout. There are also strong performances from Owens as the conflicted Yelena and Reed as the lovestruck Astrov. Everyone is strong, with excellent moments all around and cohesive ensemble chemistry that helps carry this long play and make every moment fascinating. 

Technically, this production is also remarkable, in using the Gaslight Theater stage in a way the emphasizes the confined, closed-in feeling of some of the characters. The  meticulously crafted set by Patrick Huber, who also designed the lighting, suits the mood and era appropriately, as do Teresa Doggett’s excellent costumes. There’s also good use of sound and music in the transitions, with impressive work by sound designer Pileggi. 

Uncle Vanya has stood the test of time for its relatable themes, characters, and situations, even though we may be over a century removed from its setting. Astrov has some lines that mention what people may think of them a hundred years in the future, and these moments made me think of how this play has endured through the years, being staged in many places and venues around the world. At St. Louis Actors’ Studio, this play is given a remarkable production more than worthy of the play’s reputation. 

Jennelle Gilreath Owens, Michael James Reed, Bryn McLaughlin
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting Uncle Vanya at the Gaslight Theater until  March 5, 2023

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Second Round of STLAS’s LaBute Festival Features Twists, Turns, Strong Acting

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »

The LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 2
Directed by Spencer Sickmann
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 22, 2022

Carly Uding, Brock Russell, Bryn Mclaughlin in “St. Louis”
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is back this week with the second round of their 2022 LaBute New Theater Festival. This week’s selection features one from last week, namesake playwright LaBute’s “St. Louis”, which stood out for its sharp dialogue on this viewing, as well as its strong performances by Carly Uding, Brock Russell, and Bryn Mclaughlin. The rest of this installment’s entries represent a mix of styles and subject matter, with a bit of a focus on the unexpected, as well as a turn more toward drama. Here are some thoughts:

“TNT”
by Steve Apostolina

This play is the most comedic of this set, focusing on relationships between work colleagues Tucker (Drew Patterson), Nunez (Mara Bollini), and Thompson (William Humphrey), who work in the parking garage of some type of movie and/or television studio. The personality conflicts, political differences, and hidden secrets between these three characters form the story. Tucker and Nunez, on opposite sides of the political spectrum, seem to barely tolerate one another while trying to maintain a cordial working relationship, while Nunez drops hints about new co-worker Thompson and soon, a series of surprises reveal themselves as the story plays out, revealing how quickly feelings can change when key information is revealed. It’s briskly paced, and all three performers handle the timing well, even though the ending is more than a little abrupt, to the point where it almost leaves me wondering what the point of this play is. Still, it’s a timely reflection on how relationships are affected by core beliefs, with some amusing moments, along with some room for thought and reflection.

“Maizie and Willow, Brown Penny, Blue Pillow”
by John Yarbrough

This is by far the shortest of the plays in this set. In fact, it comes across more as a scene from a larger play, and as such it leaves a lot of questions. There’s a lot of detail here that doesn’t get explored because the play is so short. The story focuses on married couple Maizie (Missy Heinemann) and Willow (Jaelyn Hawkins), as they deal with a major life decision having to do with Willow’s apparent terminal illness. There are intense moments in this play, and both performers exhibit strong chemistry and intense, credible emotion while dealing with a controversial subject that is going to affect different audience members different ways. It’s an intriguing vignette, but for the most part, it  seems incomplete. 

“What Do they Want”
by Gary Pepper

This play gets my vote for “best of the festival” this year–in a near-tie with the next play of this set–with its fascinating twists and turns in the plot, as well as it’s surprisingly well-drawn characters and excellent pacing. In this story, strangers Gary (Brock Russell) and Burt (Drew Patterson) meet on the roof of a building, while Gary tries to figure out a puzzling issue and Burt is trying, again, to quit smoking. At first, it’s not entirely clear what Gary’s problem is, but when Burt tries to help, he finds himself more and more disturbed. Then, the situation turns in a striking way with a fairly simple revelation, and the power balance shifts back and forth as these two work out their issues and talk through a variety of issues in their lives. It’s a mixture of comedy of drama in terms of tone, with both performers turning in excellent performances as these two increasingly fascinating characters. 

“Who Will Witness For the Witness”
by Susan Hansell

This is another strong entry in the festival, with a focus on women from history that you may or may not have heard of, and an infamous, horrific, and tragic event

that is well known. Told in a narrative style, first presented by a photojournalist character identified in the program as “Woman 1” (Jaelyn Hawkins) and then intertwining with the stories of Woman 2 (Mara Bollini), a philosopher, mystic, and activist; Woman 3 *Bryn Mclaughlin), a resistance fighter; and Woman 4 (Missy Heinemann), a Catholic convert and nun. All are essentially contemporaries, standing up against atrocities and injustice, mostly revolving around the World War II and specifically the Holocaust. This in an intense play, with a strong sense of story and character, as these historical figures tell their tales and implore the audience never to forget. There’s a lot here, but it’s a well constructed story, making a profound, emotional impression. This is a remarkable production. 

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting Part 2 of the LaBute New Theater Festival at the Gaslight Theater until July 31, 2022

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Part 1 of STLAS’s LaBute Festival Focuses on Relationships, With a Bit of Mystery

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 11, 2022| Leave a Comment »

The LaBute New Theater Festival
Directed by Spencer Sickmann
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 10, 2022

Mitch Henry-Eagles, Eric Dean White, Carly Uding in “Time Warp”
Photo: St. Louis Actors’ Studio

St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s usually annual LaBute New Theater Festival is back at the Gaslight Theater after a two year hiatus, in its usual 2 part format. The first set of plays, which opened on July 8, focus largely on relationships–romantic, adversarial, and friendship. It’s an intriguing set of plays, and as usual, features an entry by the festival’s namesake, Neil LaBute, that will be running throughout the festival. Unlike previous years’ festivals, which had a variety of directors, all the plays this time were directed by Spencer Sickmann. The set design and lighting design are by Patrick Huber, the costume design is by Carla Landis Evans, and the props and sound design are by STLAS. Here are my thoughts on Part 1:

“What Else is New”
by Aren Haun

Eric Dean White, Mitch Henry-Eagles
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This is a character-focused show that seems to drag a little at first, but picks up as the story plays out. The setting is a nameless diner, and Bruno (Eric Dean White) enters with a roll-on suitcase and begins asking questions of the only worker in the place, Mark (Mitch Henry-Eagles), who we soon find out is an art student. Bruno is very particular, bringing his own silverware and straw to the diner, as well as asking Mark pointed questions and insisting he turn on the TV. At first, Mark seems annoyed by Bruno, but as Bruno shares more of his story, the tone starts to change. It’s an intriguing look at the developing relationship between two characters who are initially strangers, although it does seem to run a little long. The point seems to be about finding connection in the midst of loneliness and disappointed dreams, and both actors do an excellent job portraying these two contrasting characters.

“Twilight Time” 
by John Doble

Bryn Mclaughlin, Alexander Huber
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This one is the shortest play of the night, again featuring two strangers meeting and forming a connection. What’s different about this play is that the characters, Benjamin (Alexander Huber) and Geraldine (Bryn McLaughlin), soon find that they are both there for the same dark reason. Not to give too much away, but I feel the need to provide a warning here, as suicide is discussed, along with various methods. Soon, however, the mood shifts, as the two characters find that they share much more in common than their mutual, sad goal. In fact, an attraction quickly grows between them, and the tone of the show starts to shift somewhat rapidly. The overall staging is simple, but well-paced. This is a very short play, and the overall comic tone may strike some audience members as odd, but both performers play out this story with excellent chemistry and compelling stage presence, and the characters seem surprisingly well-developed as a result, considering the length of the play. 

“Funny Thing”
by Willie Johnson

Mitch Henry-Eagles, Drew Patterson
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This entry is more of a relationship drama, with a non-linear element that can become confusing at times, although the staging and especially the lighting help in figuring out what is going on, and when. It shows the development and breakup of a romantic relationship between two characters identified as Older Man (Drew Patterson) and Younger Man (Mitch Henry-Eagles), with Older Man starting and ending the show holding a large rock-like object that he then hangs on the wall for the most of the play, taking it back down at the end. I’m not entirely sure what this action and object are supposed to mean. Maybe the relationship–or the act of of meeting, dating, and then breaking up is seen as a cyclical burden–but that’s not made entirely clear. It’s mostly just an “observational” type story as we see these characters meet, get to know another, and then break up, with the initial breakup scene happening right after the first meeting scene, forming two basic “threads” of the story. It’s an intriguing structure, reminding me somewhat of the musical The Last Five Years except here, both characters are interacting in both threads. It’s an interesting concept, but  Older Man isn’t especially likable, and there’s not enough time to show exactly why the relationship sours, so it’s not as easy to follow as it could be. The performances are strong throughout, but there doesn’t seem to be a major point here much of the time. 

“Time Warp”
by Fran Dorf

Eric Dean White, Alexander Huber
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This play is, to my mind, the most fascinating concept, as well as featuring the most compelling characters. The story takes place in what appears to be an antique shop in New York City, as an older couple, Brian (Eric Dean White) and Beth (Carly Uding) are celebrating their anniversary with a trip, and find themselves wandering into this shop, run by a friendly but mysterious proprietor , CG Young (Mitch Henry-Eagles). Soon, both Brian and Beth begin recognizing objects in the shop, as well as remembering, or almost-remembering, events that seem to have happened in their dreams. Soon, we hear about Brian’s experiences while serving in the Vietnam war, and an old Army acquaintance of his starts to figure into his memories and Beth’s–the angry but talented artist Joey Passarelli (Alexander Huber). It soon becomes clear that this shop is not what it first appears to be, and the answer to Brian and Beth’s growing confusion is something that the audience may not have guessed. I know I didn’t guess. The acting here is especially strong, although some of the subject matter is highly disturbing. Still, it’s a compelling story, and all of the players work well together. The lighting and sound are also especially notable in this production, working to lend a mysterious air to the proceedings.

St. Louis
by Neil LaBute

Carly Uding, Brock Russell, Bryn Mclaughlin
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

As the “headline” act of this festival, “St. Louis” strikes me as curious. It’s a cleverly structured, interview-style play, featuring a developing story of the intertwining relationships of characters listed in the program as Him (Brock Russell), Her (Carly Uding), and She (Bryn McGlaughlin), although they do have names that are mentioned throughout–Scott, Stephanie, and Sue, respectively. All three seem to be responding to an interrogation of sorts by an unseen interviewer, as their answers are sometimes hostile and/or defensive. It tells a fairly simple story in an “unfolding mystery” type of way, as Scott moves into the same apartment building as Stephanie and Sue, who are a couple. Soon, though, he and Stephanie strike up a rapport, and the story plays out from there, in a somewhat predictable fashion. It’s fairly easy to follow, and the characters and their relationships are clearly defined and portrayed, even though all three are standing alone in different areas of the stage. The acting is strong here, with characters who aren’t always easy to like (especially Scott), but the setting is somewhat superficial. The title of the play is “St. Louis”, and the story is ostensibly set here, but that setting doesn’t go any further than mentioning a few local place names. These names could easily be changed to have to play set essentially anywhere. Still, the dialogue is sharp and the characters well-defined. I’m curious to see what I will think when I see it again in Part 2 of the festival.

Part 1 of the LaBute New Theatre Festival is running at the Gaslight Theater until July 17, 2022. Part 2 begins on July 22, 2022.

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World Premiere “Comfort” at STLAS Features Strong Acting, Characterization

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , on December 8, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Comfort
by Neil LaBute
Directed by Annamaria Pileggi
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
December 3, 2021

Spencer Sickmann, Kari Ely
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s newest production isn’t just a St. Louis premiere–it’s a World Premiere, by playwright Neil LaBute, with whom the company has had an ongoing working relationship. They’ve produced several of his plays before, mostly as part of their annual LaBute New Theater Festival. The new play, Comfort, is a two-character drama examining a strained mother-son relationship, while exploring and challenging the character and choices of the mother in particular. It’s a superbly cast and acted play featuring two excellent local performers, and it works especially well as a showcase for their impressive talents.

The mother character, Iris (Kari Ely), is the main focus of the play, and the real catalyst for its action, even if what she did to set the play’s action in motion happened offstage and years before the events depicted in the play. Iris is a celebrated, multi-award-winning author who lives alone and cherishes the time she spends by herself, as well as the accolades she has received–and hopes to receive, as she has apparently recently been subject to some Nobel Prize buzz. Cal (Spencer Sickmann), her adult son, was primarily raised by his father–Iris’s recently deceased ex-husband–since the couple split up when Cal was 10 years old. The action begins when Cal breaks into Iris’s house while his mother is out, ostensibly to retrieve some photo albums that feature old family pictures from before the divorce, but we find out when Iris inevitably comes home and discovers him that Cal has an underlying motive that he doesn’t initially admit. What ensues is a series of scenes and events that work to challenge Iris’s choices as a writer, as a mother, and as a person, as well as reveal some of the reasons behind her estranged son’s resentment toward her.

As one who finds LaBute’s work somewhat hit-or-miss, I have been curious to see what this new work would be like. I have to say now that in my mind, this one is a lot more “hit” than “miss”, although it does contain some elements that I that I think need some editing or reworking, such as some repetitious situations and dialogue and some “revelations” that are too obvious, as well as some points that could be elaborated more. I also think the character of Cal isn’t as well-drawn as he could have been, although Sickmann does a commendable job of making him interesting. Both he and Ely make the most of their roles, and their dynamic interplay is the main source of the drama here, as at first it’s not entirely clear what Cal wants, and the revelations throughout the play are introduced gradually. Iris is a complex character with many levels of depth, and Ely does a fantastic job of portraying all of these levels with clarity and, when needed, startling intensity. Iris is also not especially likable, although Ely’s performance makes her fascinating to watch as the story unfolds and her interactions with Sickmann’s Cal become more emotionally charged.

As for the staging, director Anamaria Pileggi makes the most of the small stage here, and Patrick Huber’s thoroughly detailed set. The mood is helped along through means of Huber’s excellent lighting as well, and costume designer Teresa Doggett has outfitted the characters well. I’m continually impressed by how STLAS is able to use their relatively small venue to the best of its potential, and this show is no exception.

Overall, Comfort is a worthwhile theatrical experience. It’s not a perfect play, but it makes an excellent showcase for two superb performances. With its complex relationship dynamic dealing with academic, social, and personal issues, it’s an intense drama that’s sure to make audiences think.

Spencer Sickmann, Kari Ely
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting Comfort at the Gaslight Theater until December 3, 2021

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Second Set of STLAS’s LaBute Festival Brings More Thought-Provoking Situations

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 23, 2019| Leave a Comment »

LaBute New Theater Festival
Set Two
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 20, 2019

The second set of St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s LaBute New Theater Festival is now on stage at the Gaslight Theatre. Featuring a fresh collection of plays, all ably directed by Wendy Renee Greenwood, and the one holdover–festival namesake LaBute’s entry “Great Negro Works of Art” (directed by John Pierson). Featuring strong casts, these plays are also thought-provoking if not quite as well-formed as most of the first set. A new set of issues is in focus here, including artificial intelligence and privacy issues with technology, as well as journalistic integrity and couples therapy. Here are some thoughts about Set Two:

“Predilections”

by Richard Curtis

Directed by Wendy Renee Greenwood

Kim Furlow, Tiélere Cheatem
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This play, which opens the newer set, features a meeting between a reporter named Sparlin (Tiélere Cheatem), and an enigmatic stranger named Laura (Kim Furlow). Being a journalist and former Pulitzer Prize winner who now writes obituaries, Sparlin has done research on Laura, but he hasn’t figured out why she wants to see him. As the plot–or really, the conversation–unfolds, Laura tells Sparlin a story, the importance of which becomes clear soon enough. It’s an intriguing concept, with the intended ideas apparently being about sensationalism in journalism and how easy it is for a person’s whole life to be obscured by one incident, but as a play it doesn’t have much suspense or structure. It’s just a conversation, basically. Furlow and Cheatem do well in their roles, bringing about as much drama as this play can produce, although there isn’t much here that couldn’t be covered just as well by an essay.

“Henrietta”

by Joseph Krawczyk

Directed by Wendy Renee Greenwood

Chuck Brinkley
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

The evening’s second play is its cleverest concept, being part “perils of modern technology” tale and part morality play. Here, as Carl (Chuck Brinkley) prepares for an extramarital tryst in a nearby motel, he finds his new “upgraded” GPS AI has other plans. Called “Henrietta” and voiced by Carly Rosenbaum, this AI isn’t putting up with Carl’s excuses, taking him for a nightmare ride as she takes control of his car. It’s an especially well-acted and staged bit of thriller-fantasy that’s especially chilling is its basic plausibility. It’s one of those “be careful what you do when you don’t think anyone’s looking” tales beefed up with a bit of “Big Brother” technological fear thrown in for good measure. The staging and pacing here is crisp and chilling, and both Brinkley and Rosenbaum give especially convincing performances, and particularly Rosenbaum as the determinedly in-control “Henrietta”.

“Sysyphus and Icarus: a Love story”

by William Ivan Fowkes

Directed by Wendy Renee Greenwood

Tiélere Cheatem, Shane Signorino
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

The final of the new entries for Set Two is a cute concept that evolves into something reminiscent of a late-episode Saturday Night Live sketch. It’s a fun concept, with the mythological figures of Sysyphus (Tiélere Cheatem) and Icarus (Shane Signorino) speaking in faux-Shakespearean dialogue and forming an attraction, then, as the story veers into SNL territory, they show up a few years later as a married couple clad in hipster-ish beanies being counseled by the New York-accented Libra (Colleen Backer), a self-promotional therapist who tries to help them see why their once-exciting relationship has soured. It’s a fun show, full of broad comedy that brings laughs but not much in the way of substance. The performers seem to be having a great time, though, and they’re all excellent. The production values are particularly notable here, too, with great work from festival costume designer Megan Harshaw and lighting designers Patrick Huber (who also designed the set) and Tony Anselmo.

Overall, the LaBute Festival continues to be an intriguing showcase for new playwrights, with some hits and misses but with some thought-provoking subject matter and strong work from the actors and directors. Set Two has one more weekend left, and it’s worth checking out.

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting Set Two of the LaBute New Theater Festival at the Gaslight Theatre until July 28, 2019

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Thought-Provoking Plays Feature in the First Set of STLAS’s LaBute Festival

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 8, 2019| Leave a Comment »

LaBute New Theater Festival 2019
Set One
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 5, 2019

St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s latest installment of their annual LaBute New Theater Festival is now under way at the Gaslight Theatre. The first set of plays, which opened over the weekend, feature a variety of thought-provoking, timely issues, along with some memorable characters and strong performances. Here are some brief thoughts:

“Great Negro Works of Art”

by Neil LaBute

Directed by John Pierson

Carly Rosenbaum, Jaz Tucker
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

The first play of the evening is the annual work by the Festival’s namesake playwright, Neil LaBute. It’s also the first of two plays in the set that deal in some way with what can be best described as “the perils of online dating”. That issue is more directly addressed in the set’s second play, but it’s an issue in this one as well, although other topics are more prominent. This pairing features Jerri (Carly Rosenbaum), who is white, and Tom (Jaz Tucker), who is black, who are meeting in person for the first time after communicating online. Jerri chose the location, which is an art exhibit with the same provocative title as the play itself. The main focus here is on the interplay between Jerri and Tom, who points out the similarity of their names to the well-known cartoon characters, as well as cringing at Jerri’s increasingly flippant and obtuse comments and ignorance not only of African-American culture, but also apparently of her own inability to listen and recognize her obtuseness. It’s an all-too-realistic encounter, which serves as a challenge to the systems in society that have historically recognized works of white artists over those of artists of color, as well as a challenge to individuals (especially white individuals) to recognize how they contribute to this disparity. The performances of both performers are strong, and the play is both an intense character study and a thought-provoking personalization of timely issues.

 

“Color Timer”

by Michael E. Long

Directed by Jenny Smith

Shane Signorino, Rachel Bailey, Colleen Backer
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

 

Or “The Perils of Online Dating, Part 2”. In this play, the couple in question features intellectual Aaron (Shane Signorino), and calculating reality TV production worker Stacy (Colleen Backer). They meet for their first date at a restaurant, and Stacy comes on strong, challenging Aaron with confrontational questions and a few shocking revelations. This play, more than the first, is a more direct examination of dating in the age of technology, as well as the challenges and perils of a tech and entertainment-oriented society in general. The highlight here is Backer’s gleefully brash and enigmatic performance, along with excellent performances by Signorino as a man put on the defensive and by Rachel Bailey as a well-meaning and seemingly clueless server. This one is especially chilling, and keeps you guessing up until the very end.

 

“Privilege”

by Joe Sutton

Directed by Jenny Smith

Chuck Brinkley, Spencer Sickmann
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This play has a lot of ideas but probably needs some more work. The premise is compelling, as a young would-be lawyer, Peter (Spencer Sickmann), undergoes an unexpectedly aggressive line of questioning when applying for his law license. The unseen questioners are particularly interested in Peter’s family, including his uncle, Mark (Chuck Brinkley), to whom Peter turns for advice. His cousin, Amy (Carly Rosenbaum), another aspiring lawyer, who is the daughter of another of Peter’s uncles, experiences the same questioning, which turns out to relate to a violent incident from years before that involved Peter’s cousin (Amy’s brother), and that the family had done their best to cover up. Peter, for his part, doesn’t want to sweep it under the rug–he wants to find out what really happened, and to meet with the victim (Shane Signorino). There seems to be an element of symbolism here, concerning the family’s last name and some lines uttered by Mark and Amy, but the short nature of the play makes it difficult to cover the subject adequately. Still, the performances are compelling, especially from Sickmann as the determined Peter, and the use of lighting (by Patrick Huber and Tony Anselmo) is particularly effective.

 

“Kim Jong Rosemary”

by Carter W. Lewis

Directed by John Pierson

Eli Hurwitz, Jenny Smith
Photo by Patrick Huber
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

 

I had been especially anticipating this play, considering its author, Carter W. Lewis, is the writer of my overall favorite play from a LaBute Festival (2017’s “Percentage America”). This one, though, certainly has its moments, but it isn’t quite as cohesive and effective as the previous play. It has a fascinating premise, as mother and daughter Rhonda (Jenny Smith) and Beth (Eli Hurwitz) talk about issues relating to Rhonda’s anger, which is physically represented by a giant, overstuffed bag that she pushes around on a dolly. Colleen Backer makes a memorable appearance as an incarnation of the playwright, explaining the reasons for writing the play and acknowledging contributions to the anger of Rhonda and women in general. It’s an interesting character-piece, with talking points about gender roles and identity, societal expectations, and more, but it leans a little on the self-indulgent side this time. Still, there are great performances all around, and the dialogue is witty and provides food for thought on several timely topics.

Overall, I would say this set is more cohesive and themed than I’ve seen before from the Festival. It continues to be an excellent showcase for new plays and playwrights. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Set Two.

 

St. Louis Actors’ Studio is presenting Set One of the LaBute New Theater Festival at the Gaslight Theatre until July 14, followed by Set Two from July 19-28, 2019.

 

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STLAS’s Labute Festival’s Second Set is a Strong One

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on July 26, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Labute New Theater Festival 2018
Set Two
St. Louis Actors’ Studio
July 20, 2018

The Labute New Theater Festival is back with Set Two, and it’s a stronger set altogether. St. Louis Actors’ Studio is continuing its festival with another set of plays that feature thought-provoking concepts, strong acting and staging, providing for an all-around impressive production at STLAS’s Gaslight Theatre. In addition to the continued run of the festival’s namesake playwright Labute’s “The Fourth Reich” in which Eric Dean White’s performance is even more insidiously creepy than it was the first time around, the bill includes a strong group of three intriguing plays:

“The Gettier Problem”

by Michael Long

Directed by Wendy Greenwood

Colleen Backer, Erin Brewer, Spencer Sickmann
Photo by Justin Foizey
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

The first of the new plays is an intriguing work that challenges the audience’s perception and raises some interesting questions. The “Gettier” of the title here is Edie Gettier (Colleen Backer), a patient in a hospital psychiatric ward who is awaiting a surgical procedure and is attended by a stern, wary nurse (Erin Brewer) and an assistant (Spencer Sickmann) with whom Gettier seems to be enamored, referrring to him as her “boyfriend” and insisting he stay with her after the nurse leaves. Then, she spins a story that he finds difficult to believe at first and calls to question everything we’ve seen up until this point. It’s an interesting premise, although the short play format makes the ideas raised somewhat difficult to explore. It would be interesting to see what a longer version of this play could look like. The performances are universally strong, especially from Backer who presents an enigmatic character with impressive credibility. Sickmann and Brewer provide strong support, as well.

“The Process”

by Peter McDonough

Directed by Ryan Scott Foizey

Erin Brewer, Carly Rosenbaum
Photo by Justin Foizey
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This play is a puzzle of sorts–an unfolding mystery that becomes increasingly riveting as the story unfolds, although there is a degree of predictability to it. That doesn’t take away from the poignancy, though, in this tale of an interview that at first appears to be a therapy session of some kind, with a “client” who is soon revealed to be a soon-to-be-married elementary school teacher (Carly Rosenbaum). She’s meeting with someone who initially seems to be a counselor (Erin Brewer) who is helping her “client” recover memories that she seems to have blocked out. What is happening becomes more apparent as the details are gradually revealed, although I did guess the “twist” fairly early in the story. The weight of the drama is still here, though, even if you can guess where this is going. With great, sympthetical and emotional performances from both Rosenbaum and Brewer, this is a stunningly effective play and story.

“Unabridged”

by Sean Abley

Directed by Ryan Scott Foizey

Zak Farmer, Spencer Sickmann
Photo by Justin Foizey
St. Louis Actors’ Studio

This, the last and most inventive production of the evening, is an impressive exercise in world-building, with well-realized characters and an intriguing setting for a short play. It’s something of a venture into fantasy that could easily have been an episode of The Twilight Zone–an imagined “what if” situation in which words have become a valued commodity. Here, in what appears to have once been a library or bookstore in an unspecified but vaguely post-apocolyptic setting, a shopkeeper (Zak Farmer) hosts a frequent customer (Spencer Sickmann) whose passion for new words is almost akin to a drug habit. He’s desperate, intense, jittery, and hanging on every word he can find, both from Farmer and from an unseen competitor who seems to be feeding Sickmann faulty definitions for some inexplicable reason, leading to some humorous moments as well as some poignant ones. It’s a clever script, tackling some intriguing ideas and touching on some timely topics and some challenging philosophical concepts. It’s another play that I wish could be longer, because it would be interesting to see these ideas elaborated further. Farmer, Sickmann, and Eric Dean White (as another of Farmer’s customers) perform their parts well, with Sickmann especially memorable. This is probably my favorite of this year’s festival plays. It’s a highlight of a particularly strong week of plays that is well worth catching while this year’s festival heads into its final weekend.

Set Two of St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s Labute New Theater Festival runs at the Gaslight Theatre until July 29, 2018

 

 

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