By Lynn Venhaus
Stage: American Idiot at Webster University Oct. 7-9
Whoa! I saw rehearsal clips of the musical “American Idiot,” before interviewing Lara Teeter, the director , and this cast has got game. The energy! Really impressive. I’m planning to go Saturday afternoon, it is about an hour and a half.
Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents its first show of the 2022-2023 season, “American Idiot” this weekend on the Browning Mainstage Theatre (Loretto-Hilton). Tickets are available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5565666
“American Idiot” follows the exhilarating journey of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world, borne along by Green Day’s electrifying score. The rock musical draws on all the songs from the album “American Idiot,” plus material that did not make the album and a handful of numbers from Green Day’s Grammy-winning “21st Century Breakdown.”
“American Idiot” is for mature audiences only. It involves adult content, sexual themes and situations, strong language, and stimulated use of drugs.
Listen to the PopLifeSTL.com Presents podcast featuring director Lara Teeter to hear more on the production:
https://soundcloud.com/lynn-zipfel-venhaus/october-7th-2022-joe-hanrahan-lara-teeter?si=951e6276d9554160a4ed23e829083b80&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
To see some clips, visit:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m77zuvbyd240abp/AADxC7RrXfj-VaYQo-00tEKza?dl=0.
Photo and Video courtesy of Andrew Sanker.
Movie: “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” in theaters
Family fun, Shawn Mendes singing Pasek and Paul show tunes, and Javier Bardem having a blast! Here is my review in the Webster-Kirkwood Times
Trailer: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an upcoming computer-animated film based on Nintendo’s Mario video game franchise, produced by Illumination in association with Nintendo and distributed by Universal Pictures. Release date is April 7, 2023.
Weekend Happenings
Cardinal Nation: Wild Card Games at Home
Friday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies will be on ABC at 1:07 p.m. and Saturday’s game is set for 7:37 on ESPN2. If needed, Sunday is at 7:37 p.m., possibly on ESPN2, but that could change, depending on all the other games.
St. Louis Public Radio’s 50 Fest Satruday
Celebrate 50 years of STLPR with a street festival full of food, fun and festivities. We’re taking over our little branch of Olive Street and the Public Media Commons! Enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, and a children’s zone with games, face painting and more!
Plus, pop inside for St. Louis Public Radio’s 50th Anniversary Exhibit, a chance to meet some of your favorite St. Louis Public Radio hosts and staff or record a testimonial. They might even use your voice on air.
Meet and Greet Schedule:
1 p.m. – On air hosts and journalists
2 p.m. – St. Louis on the Air team
3 p.m. – Politics team
Live musical performances by DJ Crim Dolla Cray, The Saint Boogie Brass Band, and HEAL Center for the Arts Point of View Jazz Ensemble.
More info: stlpr.org/50fest
Belleville Chili Cook-off Friday and Saturday
Main Street, downtown square
For more than 39 years, the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce has hosted the Annual Chili Cook-off and has grown to over 50 vendors – individuals, local organizations, and area businesses.
Haunted Garage Horror Festival Oct. 7-9, Westport Playhouse
Last year’s Best of Fest, “Fresh Hell,” will screen on Friday evening. Co-director Matt Neal will be on hand tonight.
Who will take home this year’s Golden Piston Awards?
For a complete line-up of the fun and fright that awaits this weekend on the 40-foot screen at the renovated Westport Playhouse, read on:
https://www.hauntedgaragehorrorfest.com/
To hear more from fest founder Franki Cambeletta, listen to the PopLifeSTL.com Presents Podcast with co-hosts Lynn Venhaus and Carl “The Intern” Middleman:
And if you can’t attend tonight, “Fresh Hell” is available to stream for free, shown with ads, on Tubi and Redbox, and for rent for $2.99 on Amazon Prime.
“Fresh Hell,” co-directed and written by Ryan Imhoff, takes place inside the dark days of 2020. A group of friends reunite online and experience another level of darkness, terror. From their isolation comes this strange tale that turns brutal when they begin to uncover the depths of their dammed era.
Next Week: MasterBlaster Stevie Wonder Tribute
Lincoln Theatre in Belleville, Oct. 14
Steve Ewing, of The Urge, is back with a new project aimed at bringing the classic hits of Stevie Wonder to the stage, MasterBlaster. In this two-hour tribute Steve Ewing reproduces the beloved songs of this music legend. This is no small task, but Ewing has gathered the best musicians in the area to conquer the challenge.
To open the show, special guest Brad Jackson from O’Fallon, Ill., will perform a mix of popular hits.
For tickets, visit: https://117.formovietickets.com:2235/T.ASP?WCI=BT&Page=PickTickets&SHOWID=40733&PLACEID=2
Playlist: Shawn Mendes, “Top of the World” from “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile”
Benji Pasek and Justin Paul, of “The Greatest Showman,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and “La La Land,” have written songs for the new hybrid animated-live action family film, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.” Here is a Mendes’ music video. He’s the voice of Lyle.
https://youtu.be/kgLc_UIFgKc
Word:
“Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.”
― Edgar Allan Poe, who died on this day in 1849.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.