Capsule Reviews

Falsettos What you get here is two for the price of one. These two one-act musicals by William Finn, written nearly a decade apart (1981 and 1990) bookend the Reagan '80s, as AIDS is ravaging the nation. The plot concerns a dysfunctional family in which the father has left his wife and son in order to live with a man who contracts AIDS. Sound like a downer? It's not. Finn's two one-acts are delightful and engaging. And this brash production is out to beat the band. It is so well staged and performed that there are moments when its sheer professionalism will leave you breathless with admiration. The ultimate effect is sublimely exhilarating and sadly stirring. Performed by the New Jewish Theatre through May 20 at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus. Call 314-442-3283. (DB)

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change A sketch-comedy primer that chronicles the rituals of dating, weddings and marriage, this six-person musical revue is as fluffy as pollen in the St. Louis air. Much of the writing is derivative; Maybe the most original thing about the revue is its clever title. But this long-running off-Broadway hit is so cheerfully inoffensive, it's making a niche for itself as Gen X's You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. And this rambunctious production is so attractively and energetically performed, it's difficult to imagine even a hardened theatergoer not finding something to like. Presented by City Theatre through May 30 in the Little Theatre in Clayton High School, One Mark Twain Circle. Call 314-719-2855. (DB)

Phyro-Giants! Reviewed in this issue.

Speed Racer and The Challenge of the Superfriends Reviewed in this issue.