Stage Voice

Picture Imperfect: Snapshots
reviewed by David Noble Dandridge

Presented by St. Louis Actors Studio

Being an optimist, I’m always intrigued by St. Louis playwrights or theater companies producing new and original work. I was even more optimistic that St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s season ending original production would be directed by its artistic director, Milton Zoth, whom along with Deanna Jent I would call one of the most consistently solid directors in town.

Written by Bertolt Brecht & revised by Eric Bentley
Presented by Hydeware Theatre

Reviewed by David Noble Dandridge
Script Adaptation by Jim Ousley
Presented by Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre

A Life in the Theatre written by David Mamet
Lip Service written by Howard Korder
Presented by The Non Prophet Theatre Company

The Non Prophet Theatre Company, still best known for their original sketch comedy show, “The Militant Propaganda Bingo Machine,” is now in their second full season of performing straight plays. Having served on Non Prophet’s board until recently, I have obeyed a self imposed moratorium on reviewing in their shows until now. Full disclosure: Artistic Director Robert Mitchell is still my next door neighbor.

Written by William Shakespeare

Presented by Mustard Seed Theatre

Those of you who know me in my capacity as a bookie may recall that back in September, I gave 18-1 odds that no play in the 2007-2008 theater season would have a song by Saul Williams, feature Sarah Cannon doing a karaoke version of “Desperado” and cast Terry Meadows as a hoodie-wearing pimp. It is with some regret that I report on Mustard Seed Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” which stands to make me several dollars poorer.

Written by Sam Shepard
Presented by St. Louis Actor’s Studio

Written by Stephen Massicotte
Presented by Echo Theatre Company

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: A beautiful, innocent young maiden meets a handsome and gentle young farm boy and in short order, they fall in love. Alas, war breaks out and despite the maiden’s protest, the valiant farm boy feels the call to duty and goes off to war. He writes her letters from the frontlines and plans to ask for her hand in marriage when he returns from battle. And from there, to paraphrase Leonard Maltin, if you can’t guess what happens, get a new hobby.

Written by Tennessee Williams
Presented by Muddy Waters Theatre Company