Fall in St. Louis marks the beginning of the traditional theater season. It may be coincidence, but several companies have chosen to launch their seasons with works that spotlight strong women.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opened its 50th season with Follies, a seldom-produced Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman piece from the ‘70s about a group of showgirls who return to relive past glories before their old theater is razed. Director Rob Ruggiero gave us a wonderful season opener with a great cast, lavish costumes and gorgeous set. Emily Skinner as Phyllis and Adam Heller as Buddy were so terrific in their roles I found myself rooting for them to leave their selfish spouses, played by Christiane Noll (Sally) and Bradley Dean (Ben).
But that would have required a totally different ending! My disappointment notwithstanding, I delighted in the production, especially the huge showstopper, Who’s That Woman (Mirror, Mirror). Wow! What an amazing piece of theater that was! The show was full of exceptional performances by women from 50 to 80, most notably I’m still here, performed with depth and heartbreaking beauty by Nancy Opel.
My favorite actor, Lavonne Byers, opened the 20th season of the New Jewish Theatre to great triumph. It’s such a treat to see an expert actor craft a superb performance. Byers’ Golda Meir is a fully realized woman with strong convictions who almost wills the state of Israel into existence. If you don’t have tickets yet for Golda’s Balcony, get them. You don’t want to miss Byers’ nuanced work and magnificent performance. The show runs through Oct. 30 at the intimate theater in the JCC Staenberg complex, 2 Campus Millstone Drive.
Golda’s Balcony also has a marvelous set by the exceedingly talented duo of Margery and Peter Spack. Every time I have found myself blown away by a set, it’s been one of theirs. I hope they stay in St. Louis for a long while, although their talent can take them anywhere they want to go. Finally, Upstream Theater opens its 12th season with a U.S. premiere from Israeli playwright Maya Arad Yasur. Suspended explores the story of two men from the same African village who find themselves reunited hundreds of feet above New York City streets as window washers. Benjamin (Phillip Dixon) is looking for answers and closure and Isaac (the masterful Reginald Pierre) is looking to forget and move on with his life.
The actors spend the entire play actually suspended in the air on rigging, which deepens the tension already present in the poetry of Yasur’s script. Deft direction by Linda Kennedy propels us to the jarring and powerful finish. Upstream Theater should be on your list of St Louis’ always-interesting theater companies.
Pictured: Phillip Dixon and Reginald Pierre in Suspended at Upstream Theater
Photo: PropPhotoSTL