It’s been a wonderful month for theater, with some of the finest and most interesting pieces our city has to offer. Upstream Theater, under artistic director Philip Boehm’s deft hand, always has done fascinating work. This time, for an adaptation of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, he turned the directing reins over to Patrick Siler, who adapted the poem, directed the piece and exceeded all expectations. He gave us a show with such warmth and ingenuity and a cast with such depth and skill, that I was compelled to find him after the show and bestow a giant hug.
Jerry Vogel, a St. Louis favorite who plays the lead, is having a great run this year, having just turned in a spectacular performance in the NJT’s Imagining Madoff. He gives another poignant, beautiful performance in Mariner. Joining him are Shanara Gabrielle and Patrick Blindauer (playing multiple roles), who are graced with lovely voices and who found surprisingly sensual moments together. The third performance element is that of Paige Brubeck and Evan Sult, known as Sleepy Kitty, a local Indie duo. They composed and played the music and added their voices as otherworldly characters. Mariner is told in poetry, song and movement and the most exciting piece of theater I have seen in years. When the Mariner goes out into the audience to share the words of penitence and absolution, Vogel’s compassionate gaze is heartbreaking. If you missed this show, please put Upstream Theater’s 11th season on your ‘must see’ list.
Andrew Michael Neiman’s new company, Flying Blind Productions, produced a second show, 2×3 LOVERS. Written and directed by Neiman, it was a most unusual way to experience three new plays. The audience was emailed an address on Skinker Boulevard the night before, greeted with wine when we exited the elevator, and ushered into a lovely condo. After some wine and pleasant chat in the living room, we turned to face the music room and watch Robert Riordan and Will Bonfiglio in With This Ring, a mesmerizing discussion between gay men who want to be married, but must deal with the atheism of one and devout Catholicism of the other.
Assistant director Leo Ramsey then led us to the bedroom, where Pillow Talk, with Taylor Steward and Michael Amoroso gave us a touching, if neurotic, sample of how relationships can end. Finally, we were brought to the kitchen where a spirited Abigail Oldham and gutsy Julie Layton (brought in at zero hour to replace a sick actor) put an ironic twist to Appeal, in which a woman leaves husband and child for a cheating lover.
Neiman’s work is Woody Allen-esque in its intense scrutiny of the human heart. The actors turned in delightful performances, and the sheer audacity of crowding 15 people into a bedroom and having actors literally brush shoulders with their audience left me breathless. And afterward there was pie. Bravo.
[on the marquee]
» My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding – New Jewish Theatre – May 7 to 31
(perfect example of how a title can do all your marketing for you).
» The Three Penny Opera – New Line Theatre – May 28 to June 20
(with Todd Schaefer as MacHeath? Gimme, gimme)
Pictured: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Patrick Blindauer, Jerry Vogel, Shanara Gabrielle
Photo: Peter Wochniak ©ProPhotoS