We're in the thick of most exciting political season ever, many say. To be honest, I am right sick of politics. In Utah, I was totally addicted to following local government, because city hall politics in Salt Lake City are so Fellini-esque. St. Louis - and by extension, Missouri - is something else entirely. After a year or two here, I began to realize that reading Plunkett of Tammany Hall in history class was actually a practical use of my time. As for nationwide politics, I'm just gonna equate that one with Faces of Death IV. Of course I'll vote in November, but I'm taking a break from the mud wrestling match on the Beltway in the meantime.
Ironically, I suspect the cure for this queasiness is to immerse oneself in politics, but not of the CNN variety. I may be a sap for believing this, but I think art can be a balm for cynicism, despair and ennui (as well as other illnesses). I am pretty sure local theater dynamo Scott Miller of New Line Theatre believes this too, looking at the shows he's produced over the years. The other clue is that he's the organizing force behind the biannual St. Louis Political Theatre Festival, which debuted in 2006. This year's lineup is pretty stunning, with productions from The Rep, That Uppity Theatre Company, St. Louis Actors' Theatre and Upstream. The two shows I'm most excited about: the Orange Girls' U.S. premiere of Scorched (Quebec playwright Wadji Mouawad's acclaimed play about a brother and sister who look into their Middle Eastern mother's incendiary past) and New Line's Hair, which of course needs no introduction. Both shows open this weekend, and though I am determined to see them, I'm not too optimistic about my chances of being there opening night for either one. Anyway, when I put my ear to the floor and listen to the buzz for both productions, I wonder if I'd be able to get tickets anyway! If you want to tear yourself away from the CNN ticker for the night and try your luck at finding a seat, here are the pertinent details:
Hair
September 11-Oct. 18
8 p.m., Wed-Sat
Washington University South Campus
(formerly CBC High School)
6501 Clayton Road
314-534-1111
Scorched
September 12-28
8 p.m. Fri & Sat, 2 p.m. Sun
Anheuser-Busch Studio Theatre at COCA
524 Trinity Ave.
314-520-9557
