Practice Makes Perfect

For those of us who love music deeply but can't actually play it on a real instrument to save our lives, nothing seems more compelling and admirable (and enviable) than the gift of musicianship. But that gift comes at a dear price. Musicians work hard for years to hone their craft; The best ones would say that learning process is a never-completed, lifelong one. The fictional Lazara Quartet has put in the sweat equity to perfect its art and enjoys a commensurate level of worldwide prestige -- behind the scenes, though, it's a different story. Michael Hollinger's play Opus spins the tale of this world-renowned chamber quartet's daring long shot: With only a few days to rehearse before it performs at the White House, the group hires a talented but completely inexperienced young woman to join its elite ranks. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Opus Tuesday through Sunday (January 8 to February 2) on the Browning Mainstage at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus (130 Edgar Road; 314-968-4925 or www.repstl.org). Tickets are $16.50 to $76.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Jan. 8. Continues through Feb. 2, 2014