The art of storytelling has its origins in the simple act of one person speaking directly to an audience. Upstream Theater’s newest offering, Bashir Lazhar by Quebecois playwright Evelyne de la Cheneliere, continues that tradition. In the skillful hands and voice of St. Louis favorite J. Samuel Davis, the story unfolds. Lazhar is a French-Algerian political refugee who is quickly hired to replace a teacher whose students have been traumatized by her death. In the end, his unorthodox methods gain him neither job nor refuge. Davis expertly leads us through the tale and leaves us to wonder whether the discussion of violence in an effort to heal can be more distressing than the seminal event. Kudos go to Davis, director Philip Boehm and musical artist Farshid Soltanshahi.
Another gorgeous bit of storytelling happens at The New Jewish Theatre with Imagining Madoff. Playwright Deb Margolin gives us her poetic conversation between Bernie Madoff (the outstanding Bobby Miller) and fictional poet and Holocaust survivor Solomon Galkin (Jerry Vogel in one of his best performances in years.). Miller’s Madoff is arrogant and lustful, scorning any harm he causes, but in a scene where Galkin has him don the tefillin, we see he fears being bound and trapped. Miller gives Madoff such depth that we cannot see him as only evil. Vogel has the most expressive passages, and between his precise, lovely accent and elegant acting, the play becomes a fascinating discourse on poetry, religion, desire, evil, God and trust. “Life is for planting trees in whose shade you never expect to sit,” says Vogel’s character.
Operas tell stories in song, usually in a language I don’t speak, and when I started attending Winter Opera Saint Louis, I finally understood the allure. The first show in the season, Le nozze di Figaro, had the most impressive production values. The latest contribution, Pietro Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz continues those strong values with outstanding voices in the leads: general director Gina Galati as Suzel and Jorge Pita Carreras as Fritz. The duo were at their best when singing together, especially delightful in ‘The Cherry Duet.’ One could wish for more story here; Mascagni’s opera is a bit thin in the libretto. Embarrassment is hardly a provocative passion, but the ensemble perseveres, and the ticket is the charming pairing of Galati and Carreras.
Finally, there was an old story with a new twist when the Fox presented Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. In some modern updates, there were no more good king and queen of the land. They are dead, and in their place is an evil tyrant who wrests land from the poor while the prince (Andy Jones) is away on his extended quests. A champion arises in Jean-Michel (David Andino) who, together with Ella (Paige Faure) and his girlfriend Gabrielle (Kaitlyn Davidson), is finally able to bring his message to the prince. William Ivey Long’s costumes were a riot of color, and the choreography included the whirling set pieces danced by the ensemble, obviously having a ridiculous amount of fun.
Pictured: Jerry Vogel and Bobby Miller in Imagining Madoff
Photo: Eric Woolsey