Posts Tagged ‘stephen sondheim’

The Rep’s “Side by Side” Is a Hit-or-Miss Tribute to a Musical Theatre Legend

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , on February 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Side by Side by Sondheim
Directed by Reggie D. White
Choreographed by Heather Beal
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
February 3, 2023

Phoenix Best, Paul HeeSang Miller, Saidu Singlah, Amy Spanger
Photo by Phillip Hamer Photography
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Since Stephen Sondheim died in 2021, many performers and theatre companies have offered their various tributes, in the form of special performances, concerts, and productions of his shows. Now, the Rep is taking the opportunity to salute this legend of musical theatre with a somewhat understated production of the revue Side by Side by Sondheim, focusing mostly on his works up until the mid-1970s. Although this production has its moments, the performances are hit-or-miss, and it could use more energy and presence.

As narrator Alan Knoll points out early in the production, there isn’t much here in terms of a plot. Instead, the show is presented as an overview of Sondheim’s work up until about 1976, when this revue first debuted in London’s West End. in fact somewhat amusing to hear Knoll refer to 1976’s Pacific Overtures as one of Sondheim’s “later works”. Still, even with the somewhat dated elements and obvious exclusion of Sondheim’s work from the late 1970s and forward, the show as written is intriguing, and I imagine it could be a great success with more consistent performances. The cast includes late-addition Knoll, as well as performers Phoenix Best, Paul HeeSang Miller, Saidu Sinlah, and Amy Spanger, accompanied by Kris Pineda and Stephen A. Eros on Piano. 

The show covers Sondheim’s earlier works as a lyricist working with other composers on shows such as West Side Story and Gypsy, as well as his work as both composer and lyricist on shows like A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, and Follies. Also featured are some more obscure songs from lesser-known works, as well as television and film. 

The staging can be inventive on occasion, featuring Heather Beal’s energetic choreography, Tre’Von Griffith’s  music direction, and a simple set featuring a screen and eye-catching projections by Camilla Tassi, and flanked by the two pianists seated at grand pianos on either side. Xavier Pierce’s atmospheric lighting also adds flair to the staging, and Sharath Patel’s sound design is proficient, although there are occasional issues with the singers’ volume. 

As for those performers,  the biggest standouts are Knoll, in a personable and occasionally hilarious turn as the Narrator, and the appropriately named Best, who delivers several memorable solos on songs such as “I’m Still Here”, “I Never Do Anything Twice”, and “Send in the Clowns”. Miller also has his moments and a strong tenor voice, but Sinlah and especially Spanger struggle to maintain energy and consistency. After a somewhat lackluster opening, there are a few memorable group numbers, including a unique staging of “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” from Gypsy and an entertaining closing medley. It’s a fairly low-key production, and could use a little more energy in places.

Side by Side by Sondheim isn’t the spectacular tribute it could be, and I also think modern audiences might notice the lack of material from the composer’s more well-known later works like Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, and Into the Woods. Still, even though it focuses on his earlier works, this could be a much more vibrant show than the Rep has managed to produce. It’s not entirely a miss–there are certainly some memorable moments, especially from Best and Knoll, and there are some interesting bits of trivia to learn about the legendary composer and lyricist. Anyone who is a particular fan of Sondheim’s, though, might still be frustrated with the lack of energy and true sparkle.

Paul HeeSang Miller, Saidu Singlah, Phoenix Best, Amy Spanger
Photo by Phillip Hamer Photography
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting Side by Side by Sondheim at COCA’s Catherine B. Berges Theatre until February 19, 2023

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“A Little Night Music” is an Emotional, Melodic Delight at Stray Dog Theatre

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , on October 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »

A Little Night Music
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Justin Been
Choreographed by Michael Hodges
Stray Dog Theatre
October 6, 2022

Jonathan Hey, Paula Stoff Dean
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

Stray Dog Theatre is honoring the late Stephen Sondheim with a delightfully vibrant production of the composer’s 1973 musical A Little Night Music. Although in his pre-show speech artistic director Gary F. Bell mentioned that this show was planned before Sondheim’s passing, it’s nonetheless a fitting tribute to the celebrated legend of musical theatre to have one of his well-known shows staged with such energy and style. At SDT, this production highlights acting, emotion, and musicality in a memorable and thoroughly entertaining way.

This is the second production of this show I’ve seen this year. The first one, by a local opera company, was also excellent, although SDT’s version seems to emphasize the sensuality and emotion a little more in this tale of entanglements, temptations, and volatile emotions in early 20th Century Sweden. There’s a fairly large cast of characters, but the main focus is famous stage actress Desirée Armfeldt (Paula Stoff Dean) and lawyer Fredrik Egerman (Jonathan Hey), who were once lovers but have been apart for 14 years before being reunited when Fredrik takes his new, much younger wife Anne (Eileen Engel) to one of Desirée’s plays. Anne, who professes to love Fredrik but who still refuses to consummate the marriage, is distraught when it becomes obvious that her husband carries a torch for Desirée, though at first he claims not to know her. Meanwhile, Anne engages in somewhat of a flirtation with Fredrik’s son Henrik (Bryce A. Miller), an earnest young seminary student who tries to suppress his feelings for his young stepmother. Eventually, Desirée arranges to have her mother, Madame Armfeldt (Liz Mischel) invite the Egermans to her country estate for the weekend, and Desirée’s latest paramour, the jealous and self-important Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (Scott Degitz-Fries), decides to crash the party along with with his neglected wife, Charlotte (Madeline Black), who hatches a plan to make her husband jealous so he will drop the affair with Desirée, who already appears to be tiring of the affair and turning her affections back to Fredrik. Also figuring into the story are Desirée’s young daughter Fredrika (Adeline Perry), who has been living with her grandmother while Desirée tours; Anne’s romantically adventurous maid Petra (Sarah Gene Dowling), and a quintet listed here as the “Liebeslieder Singers” (Cory Anthony, Shannon Lampkin Campbell, Jess McCawley, Kevin O’Briend, and Dawn Schmid), who serve as something of a Greek Chorus, singing songs that offer commentary on the proceedings. 

The plot may seem somewhat convoluted, but it all makes sense in the context of the show, and the subplots weave together with precision. The themes include the volatility of relationships, moral hypocrisy in high society, the fleeting nature of life, and more. It’s a highly melodic show with an Old World atmosphere, and a style that’s obviously influenced by older European musical styles, as well as operetta. There’s comedy ranging from the light and witty to the more risqué, as well as some darker comic moments along with moments of poignancy and romance. The staging here gets the tone just right, with the right balance of wit, energy, and drama, with a superb cast who are all in excellent voice, led by the wonderfully melodic Liebeslieder Singers, who also play other roles in the story as needed. There’s also excellent, waltz-heavy choreography by Michael Hodges that fits well with the mood of the show, along with an excellent small orchestra led by music director Leah Schultz.

As for individual performances, it’s great to see Dean again, who makes a return to SDT after several years, and who shines as Desirée, especially showcasing the character’s wit and strength, also providing a particularly emotional rendition of the show’s most famous song, “Send in the Clowns”. Dean is well-matched by the equally excellent Hey, who is especially adept at showing Fredrik’s vulnerability and progression of awareness through the course of the show. There are also standout performances from Miller as the conflicted, idealistic Henrik and Engel as the also conflicted Anne, who doesn’t seem to know exactly what she wants until suddenly, she does. Mischel is also memorable as the strong-minded but somewhat regretful Madame Armfeldt, and young Perry makes a strong impression as the curious and surprisingly observant Fredrika. Degitz-Fries and Black give fine performances as the Malcolms, as well, as does Dowling in a memorable and well-sung turn as Petra. It’s a strong ensemble all-around, and they do justice to Sondheim’s classic score and Hugh Wheeler’s witty, incisive book.

The show looks wonderful, as well, with gorgeously appointed period costumes by Engel, excellent atmospheric lighting by Tyler Duenow, and a minimal but effective set by Justin Been, consisting of a color-changing backdrop and various furniture pieces as needed. It’s a musical delight from start to finish, and one of the most marvelous shows I’ve seen from the already excellent Stray Dog Theatre. A Little Night Music may not be as well known as some other Sondheim shows, but this production emphasizes its classic, timeless appeal.

Cast of A Little Night Music
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

Stray Dog Theatre is presenting A Little Night Music at Tower Grove Abbey until October 22, 2022

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Union Avenue Opera’s “Night Music” is Witty, Emotional, Beautifully Sung

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , on August 20, 2022| Leave a Comment »

A Little Night Music
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler
Directed by Annamaria Pileggi
Choreographed by Christine Knoblauch-O’Neal
Union Avenue Opera
August 19, 2022

Debby Lennon, Peter Kendall Clark
Photo by Dan Donovan
Union Avenue Opera

A Little Night Music is a show I had heard the score to but hadn’t seen onstage, and by the end of October I hope to have seen it twice, as two local companies have chosen to produce it this year. The first production by Union Avenue Opera, which as an opera company focuses much on the singing and orchestra. And it does sound wonderful, with gorgeous vocals, and a full, lush-sounding orchestra, although in addition, it is also superbly acted and directed, with a stellar cast including several St. Louis-based performers.

A lot of companies are doing Stephen Sondheim shows this year, in memory of the legendary composer/lyricist who died late last year at the age of 91. Sondheim is regarded by many, including me, as one of the true geniuses of musical theatre. A Little Night Music is one of his more operatic-sounding works, which makes it ideal for a company like Union Avenue Opera. Based on the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, the show has a very “Old World European” feel, taking place in Sweden at the turn of the 20th Century. It explores issues of romance, repression, and regret, as well as challenging the attitudes and conventions of upper class society. The main characters are middle-aged lawyer Fredrik Egerman (Peter Kendall Clark), and well-known stage actress Desiree Armfeldt (Debby Lennon), who had been romantically involved years before but had lost touch until Fredrik brings his new, much younger wife Anne (Brooklyn Snow) to a play in which Desiree is appearing.  Anne is suspicious of Desiree because Fredrik, who obviously still carries a torch for his old flame, is evasive about their relationship. Also figuring into the story are Desiree’s aging mother Madame Armfeldt (Teresa Doggett), who is still nostalgic about the romantic adventures in her own past, and Desiree’s teenage daughter Fredrika (Arielle Pedersen), who lives with her grandmother while Desiree tours. There’s also Fredrik’s son from his first marriage, Henrik (James Stevens), who is studying to join the clergy but struggles to live up to his own ideals, and who harbors thinly-veiled feelings for Anne. Also figuring into the story are Desiree’s latest paramour, the self-absorbed and not-too-bright Count Carl-Magnus Malcom (Eric J. McConnell), and his neglected and jealous wife, Charlotte (Leann Schuering); and Anne’s maid, the bold and amorously adventurous Petra (Amy Maude Helfer). A somewhat hastily arranged weekend at Madame Armfeldt’s villa brings all these characters and their conflicting desires, jealousies, and conflicts together, resulting in a great deal of relational chaos, a measure of witty banter, and much reflection and commentary by way of song.

It’s a fascinating story, especially since a lot of the characters aren’t exactly likable, although all are made interesting and there isn’t a dull moment here, even though there isn’t much in the way of “action”, traditionally speaking. It’s a lot of talking, singing, and reflecting. There’s also a clever framework involving a Quintet (Joel Rogler, Gina Malone, Grace Yukiko Fisher, Philip Touchette, and Sarah Price) who serve as something of a Greek Chorus, commenting on the proceedings and characters as the story plays out. Many of the relationships are shallow and even silly, but I think that’s the point of this story, and there are a lot of selfish motives and petty squabbling, but it’s all done with so much wit, emotion, and energy, as well as well-paced comic timing, that it’s fascinating and often hilarious to watch, and the ultimate reflections as the story starts to wind down and gets to the show’s most well-know song “Send In the Clowns”, are truly poignant and soul-bearing. That song, incidentally, makes a whole lot more sense in the context of the show than it does sung by itself.  

The characters are made all the more watchable by the terrific cast that has been assembled here. Debby Lennon, who is known locally in both musical theatre and opera, is excellent as Desiree, projecting that “stage star” presence with ease, as well as communicating the character’s vulnerability and sense of regret. She has has a wonderful voice, as usual, and her scenes with the equally excellent, rich-voiced Clark are a highlight of the show. There are also strong performances from Stevens as the idealistic, oh-so-earnest Henrik, with a strong tenor voice; excellent soprano Snow as the conflicted Anne; along with particularly strong comic turns by McConnell as the boastful, possessive Carl-Magnus, and Schuering as the jealous, exasperated Charlotte. The Quintet is also especially strong, and the biggest standout is Doggett in a delightful, hilarious performance as the aging, nostalgic Madame Armfeldt. There are strong performances all around, and the singing is especially stellar, as should probably be expected for an opera company. The wonderful singing is accompanied by an equally wonderful, rich-sounding orchestra conducted by Scott Schoonover, bringing the overall mood and atmosphere of the piece to life in a memorable way.

Technically, the set designed by C. Otis Sweezey isn’t as elaborate as you might expect from a traditional theatre company, but it’s effective all the same, with mood-setting backdrops and furniture being brought on and off by a highly efficient stage crew. The costumes by Doggett are sumptuously appointed and true to the period, suiting the characters especially well. There’s also excellent lighting by Patrick Huber that helps to set and maintain the tone and mood of the story. Another aspect of the production that’s more specific to opera companies is that “supertitles” (designed by Philip Touchette) are projected on screens at either side of the stage, displaying the script and lyrics as the show goes on, which is especially helpful in this show since there are several moments in which several characters are singing different lyrics at the same time. 

If you’ve never been to Union Avenue Opera, this is a good show to introduce you to this excellent company. Opera can seem intimidating to the uninitiated, but musical theatre is generally seen as a little more accessible. This production of A Little Night Music has a lot of the best qualities of both art forms, with top-quality singing, acting, and orchestra, as well as being a compelling story with much to think about in terms of relationships and the varying, flawed people who engage in them.  It’s a remarkable production.

James Stevens, Leann Schuering, Eric J. McConnell, Jordan Wolk, Teresa Doggett
Photo by Dan Donovan
Union Avenue Opera

Union Avenue Opera is presenting A Little Night Music at Union Avenue Christian Church until August 27, 2022

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The Muny Brings “Sweeney” to Stage in Intense, Fully-Realized Production

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 18, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler
From an Adaptation by Christopher Bond
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
The Muny
July 17, 2022

Ben Davis, Carmen Cusack
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Muny

The Muny has gone darker and grittier with its latest production, and it’s brilliant! Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is one of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s masterpieces, but it hadn’t been performed at the Muny before, and it’s taken a while for this production. First announced  for the eventually cancelled 2020 season and then postponed again after last year’s season was shortened, this production has been long-anticipated, and I’m glad to say it’s been well worth the wait. With first-class production values that use the vast Muny stage ideally, a sumptuous sounding full orchestra, and a wonderful cast, this is a production of a modern classic that brings all the intense energy with chilling results. 

This is a big production, as is fitting the huge stage at the Muny, and all the lavish production values are here, fitting the darker and more horror-themed tone with just the right blend of gritty realism and old-style theatrical thrill. The story, following revenge-minded barber Todd (Ben Davis) upon his return to London after many years exiled in Australia, is well-cast and expertly paced. All the well-known characters are here and impeccably cast, from Todd’s admirer and eventual partner-in crime, meat pie baker Mrs. Lovett (Carmen Cusack), to his arch-nemesis Judge Turpin (Robert Cuccioli), who lusted after Todd’s wife in the old days and, after had Todd exiled on trumped-up charges, has been raising the barber’s daughter Johanna (Riley Noland) and aims to marry her now that she’s older. There’s also Anthony Hope (Jake Boyd), a young sailor who rescues Todd on his way back from Australia and soon becomes enamored with Johanna. Todd, for his part, is fixated mostly on getting revenge on the judge and his accomplice, the weaselly Beadle Bamford (Stephen Wallem), while Mrs. Lovett has her own plans for Todd, and for her pie shop. It’s a complex and eventually gruesome tale with interweaving plotlines, callbacks, and clues that come together gradually at first, and then pick up speed in the second act, leading to a shocking but essentially inevitable conclusion. 

While the Muny has occasionally produced darker, more cynical shows like Chicago, and Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd heads into even grimmer territory, as anyone who knows the basic plot will realize, even if it takes most of Act 1 to get to the “meat” of the story (pun most definitely intended). All the intricate plotting leads to a fully realized story and a pace that becomes more brisk as the story plays out, and in the hands of director Rob Ruggiero, this Sweeney never misses a beat. With a marvelously detailed and dynamic set by Michael Schweikardt, detailed costumes by Alejo Vietti, chillingly evocative lighting by John Lasiter and striking video design by Caite Hevner, as well as a superb orchestra led by music director James Moore, this is an ideal Sweeney Todd for this venue.

Nothing is “too much”, either–it’s all what it needs to be, including an ideal cast, led by the charismatic, big-voiced Davis as the moody, vengeful Todd, who is well-matched scene-for-scene by the equally superb Cusack as the devoted, single-minded Mrs. Lovett. Cusack also has a great voice, along with good comic timing and lots of energy. Other standouts include Cuccioli and Wallem as the appropriately villainous Judge Turpin and Beadle Bamford; Boyd and Noland as well-matched youthful lovers Anthony and Johanna; Lincoln Clauss as the young, impressionable Tobias Ragg, who gets taken in by Mrs. Lovett and comes to mistrust Todd; and Julie Hanson, in strong voice as the mysterious Beggar Woman who, in many ways, is the key to this whole story. There’s an excellent ensemble, as well, all in superb voice, singing Sondheim’s complex harmonies with energy and precision. 

So far, this is a remarkable season for the Muny, and this production just may be the best so far. It’s a long-awaited production (by me, anyway) that’s proven to be worth the hype. It’s a big, intense, emotional, well-cast, gloriously sung show that brings out all the chilling intensity that you would expect from Sweeney Todd. There’s much to think about here, and it’s not just blood and gore–and that aspect is done with just the right level of spectacle without being overly sensationalized. It’s not a show for all audiences, but if you know what to expect, this production delivers all the characterization, emotion, and intensity with much to think about, as well. It’s a true must-see at the Muny. 

Cast of Sweeney Todd
Photo by Phillip Hamer
The Muny

The Muny is presenting Sweeney Todd in Forest Park until July 22, 2022

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Fly North Theatricals’ “Assassins” is Incisive, Well-Cast, Chilling

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , on July 4, 2022| Leave a Comment »

Assassins
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by John Weidman
Directed by Bradley Rohlf
FlyNorth Theatricals
July 1, 2022

Eli Borwick, Sarah Lantzberger, Eileen Engel, Jaymeson Hintz
Photo by John Gramlich
Fly North Theatricals

It’s Assassins, but (mostly) immersive! That’s essentially the idea of Fly North Theatricals’ latest production of the Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman musical study of various individuals who have sought out to assassinate Presidents of the United States, with varying degrees of “success”. I put that word in quotes because of the inherently problematic and disturbing nature of the goal, which is pointed out in chilling fashion in this cleverly staged production, which features a contextualization that adds a degree of immediacy to the show that contributes much to the overall dramatic effect. 

Assassins is a show that blends sharp satire with social commentary and moments of intense drama. It profiles various would-be presidential assassins, some well-known and some more obscure, but they are not glorified here, although there is criticism of the societal and cultural values and situations that influenced them. The tone is satirical for the most part, but this production in particular brings out a degree of immediacy in the sense of how the show is framed. While most productions of this show have the backdrop of a carnival/fair shooting gallery attraction, this production is set up as a panel discussion at a convention called “PresCon 2022”. Each audience member is given a lanyard with a badge, identifying each attendee as “President”. The pre-show activities are a combination of hilarious and disturbing, such as autograph sessions with John Wilkes Booth (Jordan Wolk), a projected schedule of events that includes some clever topical and historical references, and more. Then the show starts and all the “presidents” settle down to watch the “panel”.  For a closer look at the pre-show activities and a lists of the various “schedules of events”, you can check out Fly North’s Facebook page. 

Although the show is advertised as “fully immersive”, it’s most immersive elements are before the actual play begins, and then it plays out as written, only with a different set than usual, and with the Proprietor (Eileen Engel) outfitted in professional attire and serving essentially as the host of the panel. The assassins and aspiring assassins are presented and begin to tell their tales. In addition to Booth, we meet Leon Czolgosz (Eli Borwick), Charles Guiteau (Bradford Rolen), Sarah Jane Moore (Kimmie Kidd-Booker), Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme (Avery Lux), John Hinckley (Jaymeson Hintz), Giuseppe Zangara (Ryan P. Townsend), Sam Byck (Sarah Lantsberger), and Lee Harvey Oswald (Stephen Henley).  The characters and their motives are varied, but the ultimate goal is the same–to kill a president. There’s also social commentary in the form of a figure called The Balladeer (also Henley), who–aided by clever projections–clicks through his cell phone to show us background on the various figures and their situations. The stories are sometimes linked in ways they didn’t in real life–like with Fromme and Moore, who both tried to assassinate President Ford, but not together as shown here, and Fromme and Hinckley, whose disturbingly dissonant duet “Unworthy of Your Love” is one the show’s most memorable tunes. Of course, these characters are all from different times and places, but having them interact adds to the theme, drama, and satire of the piece. This particular production adds another layer to that drama, as well, casting the audience as “presidents”, which makes everyone a potential victim if you think about it. Also, the sharp dramatic turn the show takes toward the end adds even more tension and impact to the story, making it a lot more personal than I had seen before. I won’t spoil it, but I’ll give a clue–the guns used in the show are all obviously fake (mostly toys). There’s a rather jarring moment when that changes, which affects the whole tone of the show in a powerfully effecting way. 

The theming here is excellent and consistent, working well with this production, as the “PresCon” setting is played out especially well in the build up to the show itself, and Lauren Perry’s simple but effective set and clever media design adds to the overall effect. The colorful, character-appropriate costumes by Engel are also excellent, as is Tony Anselmo’s evocative lighting. Music Director Colin Healy leads a top-notch band that accompanies the show with style, as well, although the band’s placing and the acoustics in the .ZACK theatre sometimes work to make the music drown out the singers.

Aside from occasional sound issues, though, this is a strong production all around, led by a superb cast with no weak links. Engel has an oddly effective air of detached menace as the Proprietor, and Wolk’s prideful, vengeful Booth is also a standout, as is Lantsberger (who also briefly plays anarchist Emma Goldman) as the attention-seeking Byck, whose goal was to assassinate President Nixon. Lux and Kidd-Booker are memorable in their scenes together as Fromme and Moore, and Hintz is effective as the single-minded and disturbed Hinckley, as is Borwick as aspiring anarchist Czolgosz, who shot President McKinley. Rolen, as the gleefully self-promoting Guiteau (Garfield’s assassin), is a stand-out, as well, and Henley is in excellent voice as the Balladeer, and also makes a convincing Oswald. The whole cast is excellent here, with strong ensemble chemistry and strong stage presence, energy, and vocals. 

If you’ve seen Assassins before, you essentially know what to expect, but there are some surprises in this version, in terms of direction and focus, with a powerful turn toward the end that makes the story more personal than I’ve seen before. Fly North Theatricals has presented some memorable productions in the past, but I think this is their best yet. It’s a profoundly affecting theatrical experience. 

Jordan Wolk, Eli Borwick, Kimmie Kidd-Booker, Bradford Rolen
Photo by John Gramlich
FlyNorth Theatricals

Fly North Theatricals is presenting Assassins at the .ZACK Theatre until July 23, 2022

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With “Gypsy” The Muny Brings a Classic Musical to the Stage With Style

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 30, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Gypsy
Book by Arthur Laurents, Music by Jule Styne, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
Choreographed by Ralph Perkins
The Muny
July 27, 2018

Cast of Gypsy Photo: The Muny

It makes sense that the Muny would be staging Gypsy in its historic 100th season, considering the show’s reputation as an iconic American classic. It’s a show that’s been lauded for its strong book, its memorable score, and its well-realized characters, and particularly for the role of Rose–a part that has been played by many legendary performers over the years from Ethel Merman and Angela Lansbury to Patti Lupone and Imelda Staunton. It’s also been filmed three times, and although I had seen two of those three filmings, I had never seen the show onstage in its entirety before, having been part of a group trip to a community theatre production when I was a teenager that was lesss than great, although I was struck by the excellent songs and intriguing story. Although I had wanted to stay, I was outvoted and my group left that production at intermission, so I only got to see half of it. Now, the Muny is presenting this show and I’m happy, not just because I finally get to see the whole show on stage, but also because it’s such a wonderful production, staged with such precision, attention to detail, stunning production values and a superb cast lead by Broadway and Muny veteran Beth Leavel.

This show is a fictionalized account based on the memoirs of famous mid-20th Century stripper Gypsy Rose Lee. Lee isn’t the main character here, although she is important, and the story does show how Louise (Julia Knitel, with Elise Edwards as the younger “Baby Louise”) eventually became Gypsy Rose Lee. The primary focus, though, is on her mother, Rose (Leavel), a determined “stage mother” who once had hopes of stardom for herself but eventually pours all her energy into her daughters’ success in Vaudeville, and particularly her younger daughter, June, first as the headlining child performer “Baby June” (Amelie Lock) and later as the teenage “Dainty June” (Hayley Podschun). As Rose promotes the act in various venues on the West Coast, she eventually meets Herbie (Adam Heller) an agent-turned-candy salesman who is attracted to Rose, and whom she persuades to represent June’s act. While Herbie hopes to marry Rose, she strings him along, also neglecting Louise in her focus on the “star” of the act, June, and both sisters feel the pressure of having grown up on the road. Rose’s indomitable drive alienates and intimidates a lot of people, but the act is sucessful for a time, although not without consequences, as key figures in her life eventually are driven away. Although the story is well-known, I won’t give away too much, other than the obvious fact of who Louise eventually becomes. How she gets there, though, is a pivotal part of the drama and her relationship with her domineering mother.

Rose herself is a formidable character, a challenging role that’s considered one of the most sought-after roles in musical theatre. She’s complex and forceful, and not always likable, although a strong performer can make her watchable and even sympathetic in crucial moments. Here, Leavel takes the role and fills that colossal Muny stage with her powerful voice and memorable presence. She has her over-the-top moments, as is expected for the character, but she also portrays the characters humanity and desperate need for validation with clarity. Her “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Rose’s Turn” are intense, but she also displays an easy chemistry with Heller’s supremely likable and dependable Herbie in songs like “Small World” and “You’ll Never Get Away From Me”. Her last scene with the grown-up Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee is especially poignant. Knitel, for her part, is excellent as Louise, showing a truly credible personal journey as she grows from insecure teenager to world-class burlesque performer in the course of the show. There are also stand-out performances from Podschun as the outwardly perky but increasingly exasperated June, by Drew Redington in a dazzlingly danced turn as chorus boy and aspiring song-and-dance man Tulsa, and especially by Jennifer Cody, Ellen Harvey, and Ann Harada as the trio of strippers who explain the secrets of their success to Louise in the show-stopping “You Gotta Get a Gimmick” number. The whole cast is excellent here, from the leads to the ensemble, with some cast members playing a few different roles and everyone in excellent form in singing, dancing, and acting.

One of valuable lessons I learned from that half-production I saw years ago is that pacing in this show is crucial. This is a show that, as great as it is, depends a lot on timing and energy. Director Rob Ruggiero has staged this show at just the right pace, so it’s not too slow but still takes the time to tell the story well. At the Muny, the lavish production values also help, with and excellent versatile set designed by Luke Cantarella that makes great use of the Muny’s turntable and authentically recreates the look and atmosphere of Vaudeville theatres and Depression-era America. There are also excellent costumes by Amy Clark, striking lighting by John Lasiter, and impressive use of video, designed by Nathan W. Scheuer.

This is a show that demands a great production, and the Muny has delivered that here. Anchored by the excellent performances of Leavel and her co-stars, this is a Gypsy production that’s worth seeing and remembering. It’s a magnificent production.

Adam Heller, Beth Leavel, Julia Knitel Photo: The Muny

The Muny is presenting Gypsy in Forest Park until August 2, 2018

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The Muny Dazzles with Dance in “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway”

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 15, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Jerome Robbins’ Broadway
by James M. Barrie, Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Jerry Bock, Sammy Cahn,
Moose Charlap, Betty Comden, Larry Gelbart, Morton Gould, Adolph Green,
Oscar Hammerstein II, Sheldon Harnick, Arthur Laurents, Carolyn Leigh,
Stephen Longstreet, Hugh Martin, Jerome Robbins, Richard Rodgers,
Burt Shevelove, Stephen Sondheim, Joseph Stein, Jule Styne
Directed by Cynthia Onrubia
Additional Choreography by Harrison Beal, Dan Knechtges, Ralph Perkins
The Muny
June 11, 2018

Cast of Jerome Robbins’ Broadway
Photo: The Muny

The Muny’s 100th season is finally here, and it’s opening in grand style with a show that’s really several shows in one. The 1989 Tony Winner for Best Musical, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway pays tribute to a prolific director-choreographer from the Golden Age of Broadway in a production that, even though it has “Broadway” in the title, seems almost tailor-made for the Muny.

The Muny has traditionally been about big, large-cast musicals with spectacle and style, and that’s here in abundance with Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. It’s the first regional production of the show ever, apparently, and although it’s not exactly the same as the 1989 version, most of the songs are here, highlighting Robbins’ illustrious career and featuring some iconic numbers from classic shows, as well as some numbers from lesser-known shows. From On the Town, HIgh Button Shoes and Billion Dollar Baby to West Side Story, The King and I, Peter Pan, and Fiddler On the Roof, this show has a little bit of everything, dance-wise, from dramatic, ballet-influenced numbers, to jazz, to slapstick comedy, and more, staged with the usual big, bold, high-energy stage-filling style of the Muny.

There isn’t really a story here. It’s a revue, essentially, with Rob McClure as “The Setter” introducing the scenes. McClure, a Muny veteran and favorite performer, also plays several memorable roles in the production, including two roles from HIgh Button Shoes and the role of Tevye alongside Maggie Lakis as Golde in the excellent Fiddler sequence that features “Tradition”, “Tevye’s Dream”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, and the always thrilling wedding dance. There are many excellent moments here. In fact, there are so many highlights, it’s not easy to name them all. Among the standout routines is a thrilling rendition of “I’m Flying” from Peter Pan starring Sarah Marie Jenkins as a vibrant Peter Pan, along with Elizabeth Teeter as Wendy, Gabriel Cytron as Michael, and Cole Joyce as John. This sequence is particularly dazzling, with excellent flying effects by ZFX, Inc. and great use of the Muny’s electronic scenery wall. The ensemble is the star here, really, with energetic dancing from the more dramatic West Side Story moments to the high comedy of the “On a Sunday By the Sea” number from High Button Shoes. Another memorable sequence is the truly stunning dance number “Mr. Monotony” featuring powerful vocals from Muny veteran Jenny Powers and astounding dancing from Sean Rozanski, Alexa De Barr, and Garen Scribner, who also all turn in strong performances in the West Side Story sequence as Bernardo, Maria, and Tony respectively, alongside the equally excellent Davis Wayne as Riff and Tanairi Vazquez as Anita, along with an athletic, energetic ensemble of Jets and Sharks. There is so much here to see and enjoy, with Robbins’ routines recreated with an authentic look and feel, to the point where it seems for some moments as if the audience has traveled in time.

The production values here are also first-rate, with a stylish, colorful and versatile set by Paige Hathaway and remarkably authentic costume design by Robin L. McGee. There’s also excellent lighting design from John Lasiter, lending atmosphere and changing tones and moods to the various production numbers. There’s also great video design by Nathan W. Scheuer and wonderful music from the always excellent Muny Orchestra.

This is an old-school musical revue with lots of energy and a big cast to fill out the enormous Muny stage. Jerome Robbins’ Broadway is a collection of numbers that serves as an ideal first show for the Muny’s 100th season. It’s a retrospective, but also a celebration of musical theatre’s past as the Muny prepares to move into the future. It’s a dazzling start to a long-awaited season in Forest Park.

West Side Story Dancers
Photo: The Muny

The Muny is presenting Jerome Robbins’ Broadway in Forest Park until June 17, 2018.

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The Muny’s Fun “Forum” Makes the Most of A Last-Minute Cast Change

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , on July 9, 2017| Leave a Comment »

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum
Book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Gary Griffin
Choreographed by Alex Sanchez
The Muny
July 5, 2017

John Tartaglia, Mark Linn-Baker, Jeffrey Shecter
Photo: The Muny

 

According to the notes in the program, A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum in its original pre-Broadway run was saved by a last-minute song change, as composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim added “Comedy Tonight” as the opening number and the show became a hit. Well, another last-minute change has occurred for the Muny’s latest production, as billed star Peter Scolari unfortunately had to drop out due to illness, and Jeffrey Schecter, who winningly portrayed Scuttle in the Muny’s last production, The Little Mermaid, was called in four days before opening to take over the role of Pseudolus. Executive producer Mike Isaacason made an appearance before the opening night show to announce the change, and to let the audience know that Schecter would be performing with script in hand.  Still, despite the short rehearsal time, Schecter’s performance is a resounding success, anchoring a production that’s full of wit, energy, and old-school humor.

Based on several comedies by the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, Forum is framed as a theatrical repertory performance, introduced by Prologus (Schecter), who will play Pseudolus in tonight’s comedy. Pseudolus is a slave in the house of the wealthy Roman Senex (Mark Linn-Baker), who is about to go out of town with his overbearing wife Domina (E. Faye Butler), leaving his son Hero (Marrick Smith) in the charge of Pseudolus and chief slave Hysterium (John Tartaglia), who aren’t yet aware that the wide-eyed young man has fallen in love with a young woman he’s only seen but never met. This young woman is Philia (Ali Ewoldt), a new arrival at the house of Lycus (Jason Kravits), who keeps courtesans and has sold the virginal Philia sight unseen to a vainglorious military captain, Miles Gloriosus (Nathaniel Hackmann), who is due to arrive any day to claim his bride. There’s also Erronius (Whit Reichert), another neighbor, who is still searching for his long lost children, who were abducted years previously by pirates. Meanwhile Pseudolus seeks to obtain his freedom by helping Hero, but as this is a farce, nothing runs smoothly, with many comic mishaps and misunderstandings happening along the way to the show’s promised “happy ending”.

This is a funny, funny show, with a lot of wild, bawdy, and slapstick humor, and yes, some dated elements and some predictable plot points, but it’s a lot of fun, especially here with this energetic, enthusiastic cast. Schecter has had a difficult job filling in at the last minute in such a prominent role, but he shines, with excellent comic timing, smooth dance skills, and winning stage presence. He even manages to incorporate the script into a few jokes and visual gags. He also manages great chemistry with his co-stars with such little rehearsal time, which is remarkable, and his song-and-dance number “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” with the equally excellent Tartaglia, Linn-Baker, and Kravits is a comic highlight.  Tartaglia especially seems to be reveling in his part as the excitable Hysterium, giving a stand-out performance. There are also strong turns from Hackmann as the haughty, full-of-himself Miles Gloriosus, who has come to claim his bride but would probably marry himself if he could; and by Reichert as the determined, goofily earnest Erronius. As the thwarted young lovers Hero and Philia, Smith and Ewoldt are excellent, as well, with Ewoldt especially funny and in great voice. There’s also a trio of Proteans–Marcus Choi, Justin Keyes, and Tommy Scrivens–who play a number of roles throughout the production and bring a lot of laughs in the process; and six elaborately costumed courtesans (Khori Michelle Petinaud, Katelyn Prominksi, Emily Hsu, Lainie Sakakura, Justina Aveyard, and Molly Callinan) who also contribute to the humor and energy of the show.

This isn’t as big a cast as is usually seen at the Muny, but they fill the stage well, as does the colorful, evocative set by Tim Mackabee, representing the three prominent houses and providing an ideal setting for the action. There are also vibrant costumes by Mara Blumenfeld, wigs by John Metzner, and lighting by Rob Denton,  contributing to the Roman atmosphere as well as the slapstick tone. The staging is brisk and sprightly, with some energetic choreography by Alex Sanchez adding to the overall madcap atmosphere.

This is a funny show. The title doesn’t lie. It’s a kind of show that brings in a lot of old-style comic elements, with some memorable Sondheim songs and a great cast. Kudos again to Jeffrey Schecter for giving such a strong, assured performance on such short notice. I’m sure his portrayal will get even stronger as the show goes on. It’s another excellent production from the Muny.

Cast of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Photo: The Muny

The Muny is presenting A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum in Forest Park until July 11, 2017.

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“Sweeney Todd” Makes a Chilling Impression at Stray Dog Theatre

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 13, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Hugh Wheeler
From an Adaptation by Christopher Bond
Directed by Justin Been
Stray Dog Theatre
April 6, 2017

Lavonne Byers, Jonathan Hey
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

Sweeney Todd is such a difficult show to do. Its complex story, ridiculously complicated rhythms, and its bleak and even brutal subject matter, blended with a dark sense of humor, make this musical a challenge, to say the least. Now Stray Dog Theatre, known for its ambitious musical productions, has risen to that challenge, staging a bold, thrilling, excellently cast production of this well-known musical.

The show is one of Stephen Sondheim’s most well-known works, and it’s also possibly his darkest. A re-telling of an old British legend of the “Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, the story fleshes out (pun intended) the barber’s backstory. Here, Sweeney Todd (Jonathan Hey), formerly known as Benjamin Barker, has just returned from 15 years of exile in Australia, where he was sent on trumped-up charges after running afoul of the corrupt, conniving and self-righteous Judge Turpin (Gerry Love), who had eyes for Barker’s wife, Lucy. Now returned to London, the world-weary Todd is bent on revenge, especially after he hears of his wife’s fate after Barker’s exile, and the fact that the judge has taken in and raised Barker’s daughter Johanna (Eileen Engel), and now has plans to marry her. Todd learns all this from the down-on-her-luck pie merchant Mrs. Lovett (Lavonne Byers), who has her own designs on Sweeney himself and assists him in establishing a new barber shop above her pie shop. When the Judge and his accomplice Beadle Bamford (Mike Wells) continue to evade Todd’s plots to exact revenge, his and Lovett’s plans grow even darker and more ambitious, and more gruesome, in ways that feed Todd’s desire for vengeance and the customers of Lovett’s increasingly successful pie shop. In the midst of all these machinations, Anthony Hope (Cole Gutmann), a young sailor who saves Todd from drowning on his way back from Australia, meets and is instantly smitten with Johanna, further complicating Todd’s plans, and Lovett takes in young Tobias Ragg (Connor Johnson), an orphaned young man who grows increasingly suspicious of Todd. Meanwhile, there’s a mysterious Beggar Woman (Kay Love) who keeps appearing and who Todd sees as an annoyance and a distraction.

There’s a lot going on in this play, and the tone is both bleak and darkly comic at different moments. It’s a large cast for the small-ish stage at SDT’s Tower Grove Abbey, but director Justin Been has staged it with a brisk energy that keeps the story going without ever appearing too cluttered. Rob Lippert’s multi-level set is superb, providing an excellent evocation of a 19th Century London street and Mrs. Lovett’s run-down pie shop, as well as Todd’s barber shop above it and various other locations as needed. Tyler Duenow’s dramatic lighting and Ryan Moore’s colorful, meticulously detailed costumes help to set the mood of the production, which keeps an urgent pace throughout as the story starts out dark and only gets darker as the story progresses. Tower Grove Abbey, with its wooden pews, stained glass windows and striking 19th Century architecture, is a fitting space for this show, and the cast uses most of the available performance space (stage and audience area) effectively.

The cast here is extremely strong, led by the brooding, looming, booming-voiced Hey as the determined, vengeful Todd. His sheer single-mindedness is at the forefront here, and his singing is strong and clear, bringing out the power of songs like “No Place Like London”, “My Friends”, and “Epiphany”. Byers, whose diminutive stature provides a physical contrast to the much larger Hey, brings a big personality to the scheming, lovestruck Lovett. Although she struggles a bit with the vocal range on her first song, “Worst Pies In London”, Byers is in excellent form throughout the rest of the production, and her blend of dark desperation and broad humor is showcased well in songs like “By the Sea”, “God, That’s Good”, and the showstopping Act 1 finale, “A Little Priest”, in which she and Hey both shine. There’s also excellent support from the rest of the cast, particularly Gutmann as the ever-optimistic Anthony, Engel as a particularly gutsy Johanna, Wells as the smarmy Beadle Bamford, Gerry Love as the creepy Judge Turpin, Kay Love as the enigmatic Beggar Woman, and Johnson as young Tobias, whose story arc is particularly affecting, although he does struggle a little bit with volume on some of his faster-paced songs. The singing is strong throughout, and there’s a strong, energetic ensemble backing the leads and filling out the stage as townspeople, customers, inhabitants of an asylum, and more.

Sweeney Todd is a show where so much is happening, and where the musical style is so challenging, that I imagine it would be easy to get wrong. Fortunately, Stray Dog’s production gets it right. It’s a sharp social critique and a highly personal tale at the same time. The tone of this show is dark and even mournful at times, but maintaining the pace and energy level is absolutely critical for this show, and that’s done well here. With an excellent cast especially in the two crucial leading roles and a top-notch ensemble, this Sweeney Todd is a chilling, thrilling, and memorable tale.

Cast of Sweeney Todd
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre

Stray Dog Theatre is presenting Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Tower Grove Abbey until April 22, 2017.

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The Rep Takes a Dazzling Trip Down Memory Lane With “Follies”

Posted in St Louis Theatre, tagged , , , , , , , on September 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Follies
Book by James Goldman, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Directed by Rob Ruggiero
Choreographed by Ralph Perkins
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
September 9, 2016

Emily Skinner, Christiane Noll Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr. Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Emily Skinner, Christiane Noll
Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

With the Repertory of St. Louis Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, nostalgia is sure to abound. It’s especially fitting now for the Rep to open its new season with Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, a musical that explores both good and bad aspects of nostalgia, and reflects on hopes, dreams, regrets, and the power of memory. It’s also a pastiche of old Broadway themes and styles, and on stage at the Rep, it looks and sounds positively stunning.

The stage at the Rep is constantly changing in this production, thanks to Luke Cantarella’s vividly realized set design that makes excellent use of a turntable. The space represents an old, dilapidated Broadway theatre that is due to be demolished, and it’s haunted by the “ghosts” or memories of the elaborately dressed showgirls who used to perform there. The theatre becomes the scene for a reunion of many performers, mostly women, who participated in the “Weismann Follies” between the World Wars.  They have been invited there by Follies producer Dimitri Weismann (Joneal Joplin) so that they can reconnect, remember, reflect, and say goodbye to the old theatre that was such an important part of their lives in the past. Among the various Follies alumni are former roommates Sally Durant Plummer (Christiane Noll) and Phyllis Rogers Stone (Emily Skinner), who are now middle-aged and married to the former “stage door Johnnies” who used to court them at the theatre. Sally’s husband Buddy (Adam Heller) is a salesman who loves Sally but has been worn out by years of feeling rejected by her. Sally still carries a torch for Ben Stone (Bradley Dean), who was involved briefly with Sally when they were younger but chose to marry Phyllis instead. Phyllis, stuck for years in an unhappy marriage to the well-connected, well-known politician Ben, is forced to confront her own choice to marry and stay with him, as well as trying to reconcile the idealistic but unrefined young woman she used to be with her more sophisticated but jaded present-day existence. All four have younger counterparts (Sarah Quinn Taylor as Young Sally, Kathryn Boswell as Young Phyllis, Michael Williams as Young Ben, and Cody Williams as Young Buddy) who interact with their present-day selves in a series of flashbacks, vestiges of memories. Meanwhile, the other Follies performers relive their glory days by performing their signature numbers and reflecting on their own lives in show business and elsewhere. And then there’s the stylized “Loveland” sequence in the second half of Act 2. This is a complex, multi-faceted show that provides an excellent showcase for most of the members of its large cast.

That superb cast is led by the extraordinary performances of this production’s Sally and Phyllis, Noll and Skinner. Noll brings a childlike quality to Sally that is ideal for the role of the middle-aged regretful starlet-turned-housewife who continues to delude herself by living in the past. Her rendition of Sondheim’s classic “Losing My Mind” is achingly real. Skinner, as the seemingly tougher, caustic Phyllis, allows the audience to see the vulnerability that lies beneath her outward steeliness. She delivers a devastating interpretation of “Would I Leave You?” and an energetic, clear performance of her song that outlines her inner conflict between who she was, who she is now, and how she wishes she could be in “The Story of Lucy and Jessie”. Heller brings a great deal of sympathy to the disillusioned, weary Buddy, who pines for a real relationship with Sally and lives in the shadow of her memories of Ben. For his own part, Dean plays Ben with just the right mixture of charm, regret, and confusion, bringing a lot of raw emotion to his big number in the “Loveland” sequence, “Live, Laugh, Love”. Taylor, Boswel, Michael Williams and Cody Williams are also excellent as the leads’ younger selves, and the rest of the cast is simply stellar. There are top-notch turns from Nancy Opel as former Follies girl turned TV star Carlotta, whose ode to a life in showbiz, “I’m Still Here” is a highlight. There’s also the terrific Zoe Vonder Haar singing the classic “Broadway Baby” with strength and style, an excellent haunting version of “One More Kiss” by Carol Skarimbas as the oldest of the alums, the gloriously voiced Heidi Schiller, in duet with the also great Julie Hanson and her younger self. And perhaps best of all is E. Fay Butler as Stella Deems leading the rest of her follow Follies alums in a spectacularly choreographed tap number, “Who’s That Woman?” that stops the show.

Visually, this show is simply a treat as well, with that spectacular, constantly morphing set and Amy Clark’s marvelous, colorful costumes that help bring the Follies atmosphere to life. The atmosphere of the early 1970s and the various preceding eras is ideally realized. There’s also wonderful lighting work by John Lasiter that helps set the mood particularly in the flashback and fantasy sequences, and top-notch sound design by Randy Hanson.

I had been looking forward to this production, being a Sondheim fan and having seen the excellent 2011 revival on Broadway. At the Rep, the show is just as spectacular as anything on Broadway. It’s a poignant reflection on how the past informs the present, as well as a glorious celebration of classic musical styles from the first half of the 20th Century. It’s at turns thrilling, funny, dramatic and heartbreaking. Follies is a spectacular way for the Rep to start off its historic 50th season. Go see it while you can. It’s not to be missed.

Zoe Vonder Haar, Dorothy Stanley, Christiane Noll, E. Faye Butler, Emily Skinner, Nancy Opel, Amra-Faye Wright Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr. Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Zoe Vonder Haar, Dorothy Stanley, Christiane Noll, E. Faye Butler, Emily Skinner, Nancy Opel, Amra-Faye Wright
Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

Follies is being presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis until October 2, 2016. 

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