By Joe Pollack
“Curtain up” is a phrase that quickens the pulse, maybe even causes a goose-bump or two. And so, well into an exciting fall theater season, we present a few previews of shows opening this month on St. Louis stages. Just remember that, in those first seconds after the curtain rises, all theaters, all actors and all audiences are created equal ...
Johnny Appleweed, New Line Theatre (October 12–November 4): Scott Miller, who serves as author, composer, lyricist and press agent for his company, describes his newest offering as “fiercely funny and outrageously original.” Some of his direction is spot-on, some of it is over the top, but he gets generally good work out of his casts, even when they’re inexperienced. His new show, obvious from its title, stars John Sparger in the title role and takes a strong, satiric look at our nation and how it could be improved by increased use of marijuana. As Johnny heads to Washington, he encounters, according to Miller, “a Christian-Republican closet case,” a lesbian performance artist, Jesus, a “perky” televangelist and others—and that’s all before the intermission. $18; $15 kids, students and seniors. Thu-Sat, 8 p.m. ArtLoft Theatre, 1429 Washington, 314-773-6526, www.newlinetheatre.com.
Shakespeare’s R&J, Rep’s Off-Ramp Series (October 18–November 5): The fact that everyone wants to reinvent William Shakespeare, juggling all degrees of time, space, gender and language, is continual proof that his work is everlasting. Now it’s Joe Calarco’s turn. He has moved the play to a Catholic boys’ prep school, where the author’s works have been banned because they incite lust. But four students wrestle with Romeo and Juliet in secret, facing the language, the drama and the tragedy. Paul Mason Barnes, who directed Stones in His Pockets a few years ago, returns, and Chris Landis, Bobby Steggert, Bob Braswell and Daniel Zaitchik make their St. Louis debuts. $15-$50. Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, Grand Center, 314-968-4925, www.repstl.org.
Noises OFF, ACT Inc. (October 13–15, 19–22 & 27–29): One of the funniest plays I’ve ever seen, Michael Frayn’s breakneck farce depicts the backstage goings-on by an amateur theatrical company. Since the play moves in a near-hysterical manner, its success hinges on impeccable timing, and can be a trainwreck or a triumph depending on how well director Deanna Jent keeps the action spinning. Since it’s easier to move bodies in a small theatre than it is to flip the set, the audience will shift at intermission from one seating area to another to properly view the action. Teresa Doggett leads the cast in the role created by Dorothy Loudon as the maid who has one of the great lines of English-speaking theater: “Get the sardines on, get the sardines off! That’s life. That’s theater. That’s art!” $18; seniors and students, $15. Fine Arts Theatre, 7162 Delmar, 314-725-9108, www.waxwingwebs.com/actinc/index.html.
Pollack's Pick:
John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men is one of the important books of the 20th century, and he adapted it into a splendid piece of theater. The Rep did it in 1972, and it was brilliant. It’s a passionate tale of love and lust and dependency and protection, with all the vibrancy of real life and all the pain of real tragedy. It’s must-see theater and a perfect way to introduce a pre-teen child to the real thing. At the Rep, October 13–November 5. $15-$50, Loretto-Hilton Center for the Perfoming Arts, Webster University campus, 130 Edgar, www.repstl.org.
