SATE opens its Season of Motherhood with World Premiere of ‘Confetti Kids’  

SATE opens its Season of Motherhood with World Premiere of ‘Confetti Kids’  

Maya doesn’t have a ride to prom. Her friends have ditched her, and her mom, Dr. Rachel Graves, is too busy fighting for a community that’s been poisoned by WWII-era radioactive waste. Like most fights, the front line has formed at a St. Louis County PTA meeting.

Confetti Kids by Aurora Behlke is a world premiere, with performances Aug. 20–Sept. 5, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 PM, at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive (63105). Tickets are $20 for artists, seniors, and students; $25.00 for general admission; and are available through Eventbrite. 

Confetti Kids follows Rachel Graves, a nuclear scientist and single mother whose carefully controlled world begins to unravel as her community confronts the legacy of decades-old radioactive contamination near her daughter’s high school. As Rachel is drawn into the fight for environmental justice, she must navigate the tension between scientific objectivity and the deeply personal stakes of protecting her family.

All while life continues to revolve around the very real, very urgent matters of teenage friendships, prom preparations, and growing up. Blending humor and hope, Confetti Kids explores motherhood, friendship, inherited consequences, and the choices we make when the past presents constant obstacles. 

For generations, Coldwater Creek has been woven into the fabric of North St. Louis County. A place where families walked, children played, and neighborhoods grew. What many residents didn’t know was that the creek also carried the legacy of radioactive waste generated during uranium processing for the Manhattan Project.

As contamination spread through flooding, Coldwater Creek became the center of decades of community advocacy, scientific investigation, and ongoing environmental cleanup. Its story raises urgent questions about environmental justice, public trust, and what we owe communities living with the consequences of decisions made long ago.

The performing ensemble includes: Nicole Angeli, Adam Flores, Hailey Medrano, and Tia Williams.

Kristen Strom will direct the production. Jim Bernatowicz is the stage manager. Lighting design by Theresa Comstock, costume design by Kayla Lindsay, set design by Erik Kuhn, with sound design by Ellie Schwetye. Props by CeCe Entz, Video/Projection design by Eric Satterfield. Dramaturg was Keir Aitken. Mason Hunt serves as master electrician, and graphic design by Dottie Quick. Ellie Schwetye, Rachel Tibbetts, and Summer Baer are co-producers. 

Confetti Kids was developed through the 2024 Confluence Writers Project, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s fellowship supporting emerging playwrights from Missouri and Illinois. Written by Aurora Behlke for the festival, the play continues the Confluence Writers Project’s mission of nurturing new voices and bringing original Midwestern stories to the stage.

This production also marks SATE’s second full production of a Confluence developed play, following its acclaimed world premiere of Courtney Bailey’s Brontë Sister House Party, another commission that went on to earn multiple St. Louis Theater Circle Awards. SATE is proud to continue to foster new and impactful work by local playwrights. 

Funding for Confetti Kids made possible by Missouri Arts Council and the Regional Arts Commission.

High-Spirited Cast Makes ‘Clash Of The Titans’ Parody A Jolly Time

High-Spirited Cast Makes ‘Clash Of The Titans’ Parody A Jolly Time

By Lynn Venhaus
Funny and fast-paced, “The Clash of the Titans Live Parody” showcases an obliging cast goofing off as famous Greek mythology characters, from Zeus to the Kraken. This is not your high school literature teacher’s reference guide.

The good-natured production is full-throttle silliness, crafted by the Cherokee Street Theatre Company’s brain trust, and they have the skills and collaborative spirit of an improv troupe.

The performers focus on the absurdity while trying not to break character, but hey, it happens. Using the framework mainly of the 1981 film and not the 2010 remake, they lean into the cheesiest elements of the pseudo-prestige epic that starred Laurence Olivier as Zeus, a young and virile Harry Hamlin as Perseus. Ursula Andress had one line as Aphrodite. (The reboot starred Liam Neeson as Zeus and Sam Worthington as Perseus).

The short version is that Perseus must prove his worth to his daddy, foil his stepmom, complete heroic tests, and battle Medusa and the Kraken all to save the lovely Princess Andromeda from a terrible fate.

For those wanting to refresh their Greek Gods and Heroes backstory, Perseus, the favored son of the god Zeus, has not only angered the sea goddess Thetis, but also fallen in love with Princess Andromeda. She had been engaged to Thetis’ son, Calibos. As Perseus goes on one quest after another, people come to a watery demise or are stabbed, or involved in other mayhem.

The adventure movie’s claim to fame is that it was the last film produced by Ray Harryhausen, the legendary special effects creator who was known for stop-motion animation. His Kraken did not disappoint!

One of the pluses about the company moving to Westport Playhouse for the last leg of their run is that they benefit from its large LED screen and are able to show panoramic scenes from the film that help visualize this odyssey – especially when the Kraken is released.

When that happens, the cast takes a moment to splash audience members with water, which is like a few raindrops falling on your head.

Because this company often uses the same repertory of players, the ensemble is a cheerful tight-knit bunch who wrings every possible laugh from these epic characters.

Ronald Dean Strawbridge goes for the gusto as imposing Zeus, while Ryan Lawson-Maeske shows off his acrobatic moves as the swaggering Perseus. Fox Smith has fun as both Hera and Medusa, complete with a daffy snake headtopper.

Patience Davis exaggerates Thetis as only Dame Maggie Smith could and Payton Gillam adds merriment as the sweet love interest Princess Andromeda and a sultry Aphrodite.

Perhaps the most playful in this madcap romp is Joseph Garner, feisty as Calibos and frisky as Bubo, no action too broad.

Supporting players include Nancy Nigh as Athena and Cassiopeia, Rob McLemore as Ammon, Stan Davis as Poseidon and Thallo, and Chuck Brinkley as King Acrisius and Hades.

Even you don’t remember the gods’ playlist or saw either movie, it does not matter. This is just all in good fun, and a terrific escape to watch some skilled performers clown around.

Company founder Suki Peters directed with a light touch and adapted the film to the stage with jokes in mind.

The technical elements are all first-rate, with Joel Wilper’s lighting design and Ted Drury and Morgan Maul-Smith’s sound design enhancing the Westport Playhouse production. The choice of pop-rock hits add to the high spirits.

Video designer Dan Foster seamlessly integrated the film footage to expand our vistas, and it really adds a pleasant viewpoint.

Costume Coordinator Kayla Lindsay celebrated the ancient period, accessorizing many riffs on togas to emphasize the parody. Stan Davis’s props were one of the highlights, adding to the ‘anything goes’ spirit.

Performances take place through June 1 Upstairs at The Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee, and June 9 through 17 at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza. For more information: www.cherokeestreettheatercompany.com.

For June 16 and 17 performances, use promo code “kraken” to save $10 per ticket.  

Photo by Anastasiya Vasyuta and show poster by Stan Davis