St. Louis Stage Capsules

Newly Reviewed
The Death of Klinghoffer Reviewed in this issue.

Legally Blonde She came, she shopped, she conquered. Elle Woods, the perky Hollywood blonde turned Harvard law student, fronted a popular movie in 2001 that was adapted into a long-running Broadway musical. Now add Forest Park to Woods' list of triumphs. This sassy opening production of the 93rd Muny season begins as too many of the newer musicals do, with young performers screeching rather than singing and with energy standing in for entertainment. But twenty minutes into the show, a Harvard law professor (smoothly played by Ken Land) slows down the mindless momentum with the cunning song "Blood in the Water." From that moment forth, the evening becomes ever more assured, the ensemble becomes ever more poised, and the sly production begins to soar. At the end of Act One, Lauren Ashley Zakrin, who portrays Elle, sings, "I am so much better than before." Zakrin might be singing about herself. Two years ago when she portrayed Elle at the Fox, her performance comprised little more than a wink and a smile. But how she has grown in the role. Now Zakrin is a knockout who dominates the strenuous evening without seeming to break a sweat. The giant Muny stage becomes her playpen — and play she does. Under the breakneck direction of Marc Bruni, Legally Blonde sets this summer's Muny entertainment bar very high. Through June 26 in Forest Park. In addition to the free seats, tickets are $10 to $68. Call 314-361-1900 or visit www.muny.org. — Dennis Brown

The Visit Reviewed in this issue.

Ongoing
Circus Flora An acrobat on the back of a moving horse juggles fire. A young contortionist twists her body into surreal poses worthy of Picasso. Up at the top of the tent, trapeze artists somersault through the air. Down on the ground, children wear red clown noses (just three dollars at the gift shop) and pretend they're part of the circus, too. Circus Flora is back, making its 25th annual appearance in St. Louis. This year's edition, titled Vagabond Adventures, tries to spin a tale about a travelling Mississippi River steamboat in pre-Civil War days. But as usual the story is negligible. What works best here, as always, are the visuals that incite laughter, applause and even the occasional drama. All the performers, young and old, are a pleasure to behold. But best of all is the magnificent Giovanni Zoppe. Better known (and loved) as Nino the Clown, this unassuming star is a joyous performer. When he sprays the audience with crocodile tears, his timing is impeccable. When he free-falls from the top of the tent down to the center of the ring, his audacity is breathtaking. But because Nino almost never leaves the circus ring, also be sure to observe him when he's not the center of attention. Then, as he intently watches the other acts, his vigilant face gives us a clue into the high-stakes risks that are in play here. Nino personifies why, once again, the big red-and-white tent on the Powell Hall parking lot is the happiest place in town. Through June 26 at North Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive (east of Powell Hall). Tickets are $8 to $44. Call 314-289-4040 or visit www.circusflora.org. (DB)

The Daughter of the Regiment Opera Theatre of St. Louis' new production of composer Gaetano Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment is beautifully sung, artfully staged, frothy and entertaining — the opera equivalent of what Hollywood likes to call a "date movie." This bel canto classic, which features a libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Jean-François Bayard, provides an ideal vehicle for soprano Ashley Emerson and a talented cast. Director Seán Curran's deft choreography, Kirkwood High grad John McDaniel's sure hand with the baton and a delightfully goofy cameo by Sylvia McNair make the evening complete. Through June 26 at the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves. Tickets are $25 to $120 ($15 for students, K-12 teachers and active military, subject to availability). Call 314-961-0644 or visit www.opera-stl.org. — Lew Prince

Don Giovanni May was a tough month for sexual miscreants. The world's most feared terrorist was reduced to Osama bin Wankin', the former governor of California was exposed as the Sperminator, and the head of the International Monetary Fund turned political metaphor on its head: Rather than figuratively rape the African continent, as the Fund has been accused of doing for decades, he went and got himself indicted for physically raping an African. Appropriate, then, that Opera Theatre of St. Louis opened its 2011 season with Mozart's study of Don Giovanni's descent into Hell. Perfectly executed by conductor and Mozart expert Jane Glover, the Saint Louis Symphony and a superbly talented cast, the gorgeous score alone is worth the price of admission. Lorenzo Da Ponte's libretto juxtaposes Giovanni's ruthless manipulation of those around him against wildly comic interludes, and the injection of modern elements (Giovanni kills the Commendatore with a pistol) adds a jagged edge to OTSL's production. Through June 25 at the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves. Tickets are $25 to $120 ($15 for students, K-12 teachers and active military, subject to availability). Call 314-961-0644 or visit www.opera-stl.org. (LP)