Will He or Won't She?

Victoria Grant is trying to break into the opera biz as a soprano, but there's no reality TV yet because it's the 1930s, and so she's starving in Paris. She ends up in a meet-cute with Toddy, which is unfortunate because he's gay, but fortunate in that he concocts one of the crazier get-rich quick schemes for the pair. If Victoria masquerades as a man -- Victor -- who makes "his" living as a female impersonator, she'll be the toast of the town. And when Paris toasts a female impersonator, great wealth follows. Victoria agrees to become Victor, and she and Toddy do indeed achieve instant fame and fortune. Victor also attracts the attention of King Marchand, a tough Chicago gangster in town on business who is greatly confused by his feelings for Victor. If Victor reveals the truth she breaks up her own act, but if she doesn’t tell King the truth, he'll never know she feels the same way about him. Blake Edwards' Victor/Victoria is a classic farce with music by the great Henry Mancini that romps back and forth across gender lines with glee. Stages St. Louis closes out its 2011 season with Victor/Victoria; performances take place every day except Monday (Friday, September 9, through Sunday, October 9) at the Robert G. Reim Theater (111 South Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood; 314-821-2407 or www.stagesstlouis.org). Tickets are $41 to $57.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: Sept. 9. Continues through Oct. 9, 2011