St. Louis Stage Capsules

Damn Yankees Reviewed in this issue.

My Name Is Rachel Corrie Reviewed in this issue.

On the Verge, or The Geography of Yearning Independent Victorian explorer-women Fanny, Mary and Alexandra (Amy Loui, Susie Wall and Jenni Ryan) go in search of undiscovered country in Eric Overmyer's densely worded comic drama, and end up journeying through time and space. Overmyer's vaunted love of wordplay is more accurately a love for his own voice; many lines are spoken, most of them doing very little to develop the characters or to move the plot forward (that first act is l-o-n-g). The pace picks up in the second half, but what the ladies are yearning for — Marriage? Freedom? An uncertain future? — remains vague. Performances are good, particularly Ryan's cheerful, jingle-writing Alexandra and Ed Reggi as a host of nutty characters encountered along the way, but the play leaves a strangely empty feeling when it's over. Perhaps that's the yearning? Presented by Insight Theatre Company through July 18 at the Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall High School, 530 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves. Tickets are $20 to $30. Call 314-239-9040 or visit www.insighttheatrecompany.com.
— Paul Friswold