For COCA’s magical production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” I had the pleasure of being surrounded by beloved family for a special afternoon of live musical theater.
This was not an assignment for regional professional theater reviewing, but rather supporting the arts and being with people I love. It was a charming and delightful show Sunday, the last of six performances this July – and the audience was clearly appreciative of this momentous labor of love. It was just fun to be a part of, and watch families enjoy the experience.
As a fan of the show, seen multiple times, it was heart-warming to see how transfixed my guests Josie, 9, and Meadow, 3, were by the fairy tale’s whimsy and wonder, and so were us moms and company. I spied many little girls in mermaid outfits in the beautiful Catherine B. Berges Theatre in University City.
So many fine elements were impressive – the vibrant characters in the underwater kingdom, the dazzling seascape, the glistening costumes, and the lush orchestrations. Shout-outs to scenic designer Seth Howard, technical director Cameron Tesson, costume manager Cody Floyd, Jayson Lawshee-Gress’ lighting designs and Luke Bowers’ sound designs.
Kaelyn McCurtis as Ariel
With that many costumes, special mention to assistant costume designer and draper Meredith LaBounty and costume shop manager Ari Stern. And to the volunteer make-up artist Michael Coleman.
It’s the first COCA musical directed by Will Bonfiglio as the Artistic Director of Theatre, and he surrounded himself with a strong creative team. Peerless Larry D. Pry as the music director and vivacious choreography by alum Alisa Cooper.
The production benefitted from student assistant director Aspen Meyer and JiaLi Deck as alumni assistant choreographer. And no production can do without a stellar production manager (Carolyn Carter), with assistants Lexi Sims and Gray Campbell, and youth manager Cassie Gant, who also served as an effective prop designer.
Always a fan of Bonfiglo’s innovative eye, he has an imaginative, clear image of an overall picture and how to achieve maximum heart-tugging. To date, Bonfiglio is the only three-time St. Louis Theater Circle Award winner as lead actor in a comedy.
Dr. Philip A. Woodmore as King Triton.
Bonfiglio incorporated so many enchanting aspects – including aerial wizardry! (Kudos to flying effects by On the Fly Productions and fly operators Mason Hunt, Connor Kielty, Isaac Bunting and Elliot Wright).
He set the shimmering tone in the opening “The World Above,” and the cast quickly endeared themselves. Kaelyn McCurtis was a spunky, engaging Ariel with a gorgeous voice, and Xander Ungerboeck was a likable Prince Eric.
Nayomi Shackelford was quite the villainess as Ursula – and special shout-out to Ursula’s shell designer Bess Moynihan. Flotsam and Jetsam looked great – Rian Page and Karajana Caplinger were quite nimble, too.
Grimsby is always an unsung hero, so bravo to Grayson Ritson for an impeccable job keeping the show moving fluidly. Ariel’s six sisters had fun with their roles – Nora Griswold, Clara Garcia, Cora Donaldson, Haylin Travis, Peyton Webster, and Molly Fitzpatrick.
Ariel’s sisters Nora Griswold, Clara Garcia, Cora Donaldson, Haylin Travis, Peyton Webster, and Molly Fitzpatrick with Flounder Nora Turner.
With adorable cheerfulness, the 16-person featured ensemble and the 13-person guppy and gull ensemble added to the show’s big, bright numbers. The cast included student performers, alumni, and adult professionals – including COCA’s Dr. Philip A. Woodmore, Artistic Director of Voice, as King Triton.
They sung their hearts out of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater’s game-changing score from the 1989 animated film: especially “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl.” Always a showstopper, “Under the Sea” was a fun spectacle – complete with jellyfish, swimming turtles and other marine life.
The three comical characters — Nora Turner as confidante fish Flounder, Brynn Meyer silly seagull Scuttle and Safiya Austin-El as skittish sidekick Sebastian the crab – were standouts, as was Byron Jenkins as the fussy French Chef Louis in his signature number “Les Poissons.”
Nayomi Shackelford as Ursula with Kaelyn McCurtis.
Pry led an accomplished pit orchestra of 12 – Jonah Larsen, Joe Winters, Anne Stevenson, John Gerdes, Timothy R. Clark, Kris Pineda, Jeffrey Brayden Bollwinkel, Becca Bessette, Stephanie Brueggeman, Brandon Thompson, Alex Macke and Mo Carr.
(Fun fact: The movie is regarded as the property that resuscitated Disney’s reputation and ushered in the studio’s creative renaissance in the 1990s.)
The stage musical arrived in 2007, and there was a live-action remake in 2023.
With strong performances and portraying a vivid underwater fantasy world, COCA offered family-friendly escapism and provided an emotional connection with comedic and theatrical flair.
Safiya Austin-El as Sebastian led the showstopper “Under the Sea.”
COCA presented their summer musical, “The Little Mermaid,” on July 17-19 and July 24-26.
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.
New season reimagines the theatre’s production model with a mix of self-produced and co-produced productions, special limited engagements, family friendly performances, and the return of the acclaimed holiday spectacular, A Christmas Carol
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has announced its 2023-2024 season, which includes a mix of world-class self-produced productions that have made The Rep one of the premier regional theaters in the country, alongside co-produced and presented theater works from the most exciting emerging and established voices in American theater across a wide range of genre, thought, and lived experience.
The Rep’s new shape for its season offers four mainstage shows, a returning holiday classic, two limited engagements, two family-friendly shows, and a continuation of its community and educational programming to provide different experiences for the full spectrum of the St. Louis community.
Beginning in fall 2023, The Rep will bring award-winning, critically acclaimed plays to its mainstages at the Loretto-Hilton Center and Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA (Center of Creative Arts) including Ben Power’s adaptation of Stefano Massini’s TheLehman Trilogy; Twisted Melodies, written and performed by Kelvin Roston, Jr.; the Lookingglass Theatre Company’s adaptation of Moby Dick; and Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County.
The theatre will also host limited engagement presentations of The Greatest Love for Whitney: A Tribute to Whitney Houston created by Mark Clements, and The Lion, created by Benjamin Scheuer.
“The new season will build upon The Rep’s decades-long tradition of artistic excellence as a leading voice in the region by spotlighting a myriad of the best and most exciting voices in theater to tell the 21st-century American story, and by pioneering an arts model which can be replicated to meet the challenges that face the industry at-large,” said Hana S. Sharif, Augustin Family Artistic Director of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
Sharif added, “The pandemic and its aftermath have radically reshaped our industry. In order to create a sustainable model on which to build towards the future, we took an innovative approach to this new season that has opened a new world of exciting opportunities for The Rep and our audiences. We are building bridges and collaborating more than ever before with our peers across the country and deepening connections with our community to give everyone a stronger curatorial hand in their experience at The Rep. We look forward to embarking on this next phase of The Rep that will give us the flexibility to continue to meet the needs of St. Louisans and anchor our position as a cornerstone arts organization in the region.”
Additional season highlights include the return of the spectacular and much lauded holiday show A Christmas Carol, the Charles Dickens classic that has quickly become a festive holiday tradition for St. Louis area families. Support for A Christmas Carol is provided by The Berges Family Foundation.
The Rep will also continue to create touring productions for young audiences and families as part of its Imaginary Theatre Company, with an adaptation of Pat Mora’s book Tomás and The Library Lady by José Cruz González, based on the life of Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, and Puss in Boots, a musical version of the popular fairytale.
The Rep’s new season builds on its previous three under the leadership of Hana S. Sharif and Danny Williams, Managing Director, who have worked closely together to bring well-crafted theatrical experiences and impactful learning initiatives to the community.
“The Rep offers our community a creative hub where everyone feels welcomed and valued through programming and performances that represent diverse audiences and their lived experiences,” said Danny Williams, Managing Director. “This past season we were delighted to see a wide array of patrons from across different generations and cultures join us at the theatre, and we look forward to continuing to reach new audiences while welcoming back those who have supported us over the years and decades, with a wide array of world-class theatrical experiences that will captivate and challenge audiences.”
The Rep will stage its productions across two theaters this coming year—the Loretto-Hilton Center and the Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA—providing a variety of opportunities for audiences from across the city and the region to experience theater on different scales from large, show-stopping productions to more intimate experiences.
The Rep will also continue to offer its Learning and Community Engagement (LACE) programs that provide people of all ages opportunities to deeply engage with the art they see on stage through immersive in-classroom and extracurricular learning opportunities, public forums for civic discourse, and opportunities to participate in the artmaking process. The Rep will announce its community and educational programming over the course of the coming year.
Find a full schedule of the 2023-2024 season programs below. Subscriber renewals begin May 8, 2023 and new subscription purchases will be available starting June 1, 2023.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.repstl.orgor call the Box Office, Monday – Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at (314) 968-4925. The Rep Box Office will also be available for in-person support at the Loretto-Hilton Center, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis 2023-2024 Season
For tickets, accessibility, and visitor information, visitrepstl.org.
Tony winner for Best Play 2022, “The Lehman Trilogy”
MAINSTAGE
The Lehman Trilogy Winner of five Tony Awards, including best play!
September 5 – September 24 Loretto-Hilton Center By Stefano Massini Adapted by Ben Power
Experience this epic tale of one family’s passionate pursuit of the American Dream and the piercing cost of greed, excess, and unbridled power. In 1844, a young man from Bavaria, along with his two brothers, arrived in New York City, full of hope and ambition. Over the course of two centuries, their family business grew to unimaginable heights and ultimately collapsed into bankruptcy. A can’t miss masterpiece that The Guardian calls “a kaleidoscopic social and political metaphor.”
Twisted Melodies Based on the life of St. Louis soul music icon Donny Hathaway.
October 3 – October 22 Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA Written and Performed by Kelvin Roston, Jr.
This powerful one-man show is based on the life of St. Louis soul music icon Donny Hathaway. Twisted Melodies is an immersive and crushing play about the brilliant singer and composer’s compelling inner struggle. Torn between the muses that inspire him and the mental illness that torments him, Hathaway evaluates his life in a gripping performance by St. Louis native Kelvin Roston, Jr.
Moby Dick Soar to new heights in this acrobatic and theatrical spectacle! February 6 – February 25 Loretto-Hilton Center Adapted & Directed by David Catlin From the book by Herman Melville
Madness, obsession, and bloodlust take harrowing flight in a thrilling revision of Melville’s masterpiece. Captain Ahab’s hunt for the great White Whale soars to new heights through an exhilarating acrobatic and theatrical spectacle that invites audiences into the heart of the action. This adaptation from Lookingglass Theatre Company brings a literary legend to life in an experience that’s both visceral and evocative.
August: Osage County A Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning family drama.
March 19 – April 14 Loretto-Hilton Center By Tracy Letts
This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning family drama paints a stark and often unflattering picture of the Midwestern family. In this tableau: the pill-popping and manipulative matriarch, a vanished patriarch, and three daughters with secrets of their own. Familial tensions rise when all are called back to the family home in Oklahoma. Equal parts heartfelt and heart-wrenching, this story gives an in-depth look at what it takes to keep a family together.
LIMITED ENGAGEMENTS
Special two-week performances with extraordinary talents that everyone will be talking about!
The Greatest Love for Whitney: A Tribute to Whitney Houston Inspired by the phenomenal voice that changed music forever.
January 18 – January 28 Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA Created by Mark Clements
Whitney Houston’s breathtaking voice skyrocketed her to stardom. From her powerful anthems to her glamorous elegance on the silver screen, she became an unparalleled icon. The Greatest Love for Whitney celebrates her amazing career and legacy by taking audiences on an unforgettable journey through her record-setting hits. Featuring songs like “I Will Always Love You,” “Saving All My Love for You,” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” experience the magic of the woman who changed music forever.
The Lion One man, six guitars, and a transformative story.
February 8 – February 18 Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA Created by Benjamin Scheuer
One man, six guitars and a transformative story. Benjamin Scheuer brilliantly weaves together heartfelt monologues and original songs to take audiences on his own true coming-of-age story. Hailed by critics as a “wondrous” and “spellbinding” experience, The Lion is a story about courage and the music it takes to find it.
HOLIDAY PRESENTATION A Spectacular Holiday Tradition Your Family Won’t Want To Miss!
A Christmas Carol A St. Louis tradition returning for its third season at The Rep!
November 25 – December 24 Loretto-Hilton Center By Charles Dickens Adapted by Michael Wilson
The Rep’s third annual holiday presentation of A Christmas Carol promises to be a joyous and heartwarming experience for audiences of all ages. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on the adventure of a lifetime as three spirits take him on a transformative journey through time. This is a St. Louis tradition unlike any other, that Ladue News calls “a technical marvel of artistry.”
IMAGINARY THEATRE COMPANY Theatre for young people and their families!
Tomás and The Library Lady Based on the true story of Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera.
Dates TBA Adapted By José Cruz González From the book by Pat Mora
Dive into a fantastical world of books in this celebratory true story. As Tomás’ family heads north to Iowa for work, they find fewer and fewer people who speak their native Spanish language. Looking for a place to fit in, Tomás finds a new passion when he befriends a librarian who introduces him to the magical world of books. This enchanting story adventures through the pages of towering dinosaurs and ferocious tigers, igniting Tomás’ imagination and bringing the audience along for the ride.
Puss in Boots Everyone’s favorite feline fable is here to charm and entertain!
Dates TBA By Jennifer Roberts Music and lyrics by Nathan A. Roberts
Everyone’s favorite feline fable is here to charm and beguile! The miller’s son is not finding life easy, with barely a penny to his name and no inheritance from his father, save for a useless cat and a pair of too-small boots. But this cat hides a secret: She can talk! And sing! And she has a plan to take them from the poor house to a princely castle. But how long can this extraordinary kitty keep up the ruse before the cat is out of the bag? Bring the whole family and share the legend of Puss in Boots.
ABOUT THE REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS
The Rep is the St. Louis region’s most honored live professional theatre company. Founded in 1966, The Rep presents innovative and compelling productions with something for everyone on its stages. The Rep delivers creative and thought-provoking theatrical experiences at two adaptable and intimate stages across St. Louis: the Virginia Jackson Browning Theatre and the Berges Theatre at COCA at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. With creative and thought-provoking performances, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. For more information, please visit repstl.org.
Cover photo of Kelvin Rolston Jr. as Donny Hathaway in “Twisted Melodies” at The Black Rep in 2016. Photo by Sam Roberson
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.
New season includes world premieres of ‘Dreaming Zenzile’ and ‘The Gradient,’ plus ‘The Trinity River Plays,’ an original work by Rep playwright-in-residence Regina Taylor
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) is pleased to announce its 2021-2022 Season, featuring two world premieres. The season kicks off September 10 with the world premiere production of ‘Dreaming Zenzile,’ a musical about the South African songstress Miriam Makeba, written and performed by Grammy-nominated international music sensation Somi Kakoma.
‘Dreaming Zenzile’ will be followed by the world premiere of Steph Del Rosso’s ‘The Gradient,’ a satire set in the not-so-distant future in which a new facility promises to take men accused of sexual misconduct and rehabilitate them into responsible citizens. The Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ will become a new holiday tradition under the direction of Hana S. Sharif, Augustin Family Artistic Director at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. The second half of the season will feature ‘The 39 Steps,’ a farce written by Patrick Barlow adapted from the novel by John Buchan and the Alfred Hitchcock film; ‘The Trinity River Plays,’ a trilogy exploring one woman’s life journey by The Rep’s playwright-in-residence, Regina Taylor; and ‘House of Joy,’ an action-adventure romance by Madhuri Shekar.
The full schedule for the 2021-2022 Season is as follows:
Dreaming Zenzile: September 10 – October 3, Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts
The Gradient: October 1 – October 24, Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA
A Christmas Carol: December 3 – 23, Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts
The 39 Steps: January 21 – February 13, Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts
The Trinity River Plays: February 11 – March 6, Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA
House of Joy: March 18 – April 10, Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts
“We are excited to be returning to the stage for a new season of live theatre featuring the work of thought-leading playwrights including our own playwright-in-residence, Regina Taylor,” said Hana S. Sharif, Augustin Family Artistic Director at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. “We know our audiences have been eager to return to the theatre and we’re delighted this compelling season offers something for everyone to enjoy.”
Subscriptions for The Rep’s 2021-2022 season are available now, and single tickets go on sale August 2. For more information and to purchase, visit repstl.org.
Hana S. Sharif
About The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Rep is the St. Louis region’s most honored live professional theatre company. Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. Visit www.repstl.org for more, and find The Rep on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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.
