An art world powerhouse picked the nearly 100 works of art on display as part of Clayton's Ann Metzger Memorial National All Media Exhibition. The exhibition—which draws on submissions from across the U.S. and includes paintings, photography and sculpture—kicked off Sunday at the St. Louis Artists' Guild in Oak Knoll Park. It is one of the largest shows the Artists' Guild mounts each year. (See which artists won the 2012 Ann Metzger exhibition.) Marla Prather juried the show. She is curator in the department of modern and contemporary art at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA). …

When High Fidelity opened on Broadway in late 2006, it flopped. Critics were merciless. The show seemed destined never to be produced again. But Scott Miller of Clayton's New Line Theatre—having heard the cast album—saw something different. After working out an agreement with the writers of the musical, Miller produced High Fidelity in St. Louis. It was a bona fide hit. Critics praised it. Every performance but one sold out, and it inspired productions across the country. Now, it's returning for a second run. Like the cult movie that came before it, High Fidelity the musical—with a book by …

If laughter is the best medicine, then Larry Shue's play The Foreigner is guaranteed to cure what ails an audience. Clayton Community Theatre (CCT) will present the show starting Friday and continuing through April 29. The play is set in a rustic fishing lodge in rural Georgia and focuses on Charlie Baker, a down-in-the-dumps British gent with a failing marriage. His friend, Staff Sgt. “Froggy” LeSueur, wants to cheer him up and brings him to the lodge for a little rest and relaxation. Charlie erupts into a near-panic at the thought of having to speak with strangers (it turns out he's …

Clayton's Mustard Seed Theatre is known for producing meaningful and thought-provoking plays that explore the richness of the human experience. It will stay true to form when it presents Athol Fugard's Playland, a production that explores apartheid in South Africa, from Feb. 2-12. As is common with Fugard's work, the play is reduced to the most basic theatrical elements: A single scene, two actors and a spare set. It's also rich (some might say laden) with metaphor. The setting—a seedy amusement park—stands in for a punch-drunk Africa that is staggering from years of apartheid. Enter the …

Along with all the unmistakable signs of the yuletide season—frenzied shopping, Christmas trees, festive lights, party-going and a sudden outpouring of good will—productions of The Nutcracker convey that Christmas is near and that the time to get into the holiday spirit has arrived. The ballet has become a mainstay of the holiday season in America. It is based on E. T. A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and features music by Tchaikovsky. “It's an interesting phenomenon, and it's only in America,” said Adam Sage, founder and artistic director of Missouri Ballet Theatre. The …

A new book by the artistic director of Clayton's New Line Theatre looks at how sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll have shaped our society and the modern American musical, and in turn how musicals are shaping our culture. The premise of Scott Miller's newest book, Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll and Musicals, is not difficult to accept at face value. But if you have doubts, you won't after reading Miller. His exploration of American musicals has resulted in five previous books, each richly detailed, comprehensive and insightful. The book looks primarily at 10 different shows, the earliest being 1967's …

The electric colors and singular style of artist Peter Max's work is unmistakable. The pop icon and unofficial U.S. painter laureate will bring his art to Clayton's Ober Anderson Gallery, 14 N. Meramec Ave., this month for an exhibit and receptions. The show, “Colors of a Better World,” will feature both new and classic Max art—including original Rams and Cardinals helmets by Max—from Saturday through Oct. 23. He will attend receptions from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22 and from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 23.When Max recounts his staggering sales statistics or relates his impressive accomplishments, there is no…

A dream turned into a nightmare Oct. 15, 1970, when a span of the West Gate Bridge in Melbourne, Australia, collapsed during construction. Approximately 2,000 tons of steel came crashing to earth, taking the lives of 35 workers in Victoria's worst-ever industrial accident. The tragedy became the subject of Structure and Sadness, a modern dance piece by award-winning choreographer Lucy Guerin that will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Clayton's Edison Theatre. The work explores the resiliency of the human spirit and the physical, emotional and community rebuilding required after …

The story of a young man undertaking a journey of self-discovery is as old as theater itself. But “Passing Strange,” being presented by New Line Theatre in Clayton, breathes new life into the old device by telling the story almost entirely in music. The show incorporates rock, punk, funk and gospel, leaving no musical stone unturned as the hero, Youth, searches for “the real.” The show features book and lyrics by Stew (formerly known as Mark Stewart), who leads the group Stew and the Negro Problem, with orchestrations by Stew and Heidi Rodewald. The show opened on Broadway in 2008 and has …

When juggler Mark Nizer takes the stage at the Edison Theatre in Clayton this Saturday, he'll bring not only his considerable skill as a world-class juggler but also what appears to be the world's first juggling act to be performed in 3-D. In addition to 3-D technology, Nizer also incorporates interactive video, flying lasers and accoutrements such as a bowling ball, ping pong balls and orbiting propane tanks. Nizer is no stranger to pushing juggling parameters. He's won the International Jugglers Championship, Collegiate Entertainer of the Year and 1998 Comedy Entertainer of the Year. Just …

When the Saint Louis Art Fair opens Friday night in Clayton, it will feature artists who create music in addition to those who specialize in painting, jewelry and sculpture. Entertainment will be offered each day of the Art Fair on three different stages. This year's acts include music styles such as blues, rock, classical, a capella, reggae and funk. Oh: And it's all free. Here's a look at three of the groups performing WHO: Jeremiah Johnson Band WHEN: The Jeremiah Johnson Band with the Sliders performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday on the Main Stage. ABOUT THE BAND: One of the headliners this year is…

When visitors flock to downtown Clayton this weekend, they will experience one of the most renowned art fairs in the country. Now in its 18th year, the Saint Louis Art Fair will offer not only 181 artists from 35 states and two countries but also live entertainment, food, ice sculptures, sidewalk-chalk painting and interactive exhibits. The event happens in the Clayton business district, bordered by Maryland and Carondelet avenues on the north and south, and Central Avenue and Brentwood Boulevard on the east and west. A map of the event may be printed from the festival website. Cultural …

On a recent late afternoon, the studios at Saint Louis Ballet in Chesterfield were quiet and empty. The faint brushing sound of a single ballet dancer could be heard coming from the main studio. Inside, Vanessa Woods—one of the newest members of the company—ran through her basic floor exercises. “Nobody makes us come in and practice,” Woods said. “We come in and do it on our own. Everyone wants to be in tip-top shape for our audience next season.” The story of her dedication is told with the grace and fluidity of her movements as she runs through her floor exercises. It's the same routine she…

Meramec Communty CoOPERAtive's Friday presentation of "On the River's Edge" conveyed a message of symbiosis. But the more than 50 kids who performed in the 11th annual youth opera also delivered something else—pure fun.“It really is a cooperative effort put together with the kids, starting just a week ago,” said Amy Gage, the author and executive producer of the opera, in a speech before the performance. “Parents, neighbors, volunteers, middle school, high school and college kids all contributed with costumes, props and all the technical aspects.” Each year, the production raises funds …

Playwright Buddy Thomas' "The Crumple Zone" is a story about a gay household with a love triangle on the verge of exploding at Christmastime. The play premiered in 2000 in New York and will debut this year in St. Louis—featuring two actors with Clayton ties—as part of the second season of the revamped Citilites Theatre. The company began in 1994 but closed because of financial difficulties. Thomas named the play after the part of an automobile that is designed to absorb the impact from a collision. That's the role of the play's driving character, Terry, an unemployed actor with a flamboyant …

When several St. Louis-area painters came to the conclusion that Clayton's Saint Louis Art Fair included very few local artists, they decided to do something about it. The group of 10 artists rented a store right in the thick of the festival. Their choice of location proved serendipitous: Store owner Sheldon Johnson, an art lover, liked what the artists had done with the space so much that he asked them to stay. Gateway Gallery has been there ever since.Located at 7921 Forsyth Blvd., Gateway Gallery now has 18 partners and features art in a variety of styles, including Heather Haymart's …

Scott Miller is a busy man. The New Line Theatre Artistic Director is in the final production of his 20th season. The pop musical “bare,” directed by Miller, examines 5 main characters in boarding school who are experiencing various conflicts. The show has played to rave reviews and runs through June 25 at the South Campus Theatre in Clayton. But that's just the beginning of the Miller juggernaut. The word “prolific” doesn't seem adequate. Miller has written the book, music and lyrics for nine musicals and two non-musical plays. He's also written five books about musicals available at Amazon …

*Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the person who worked with singers in the musical. Sarah Wilson worked in that role. This article has been updated to reflect her name. bare, a musical now showing at Washington University South Campus Theatre in St. Louis, portrays a group of seniors at a Catholic high school as they explore and experience sexuality, religion, jealousy and guilt. Catholicism is just the framework on which the plot hangs, but in the musical by Damon Intrabartolo and John Hartmere Jr., the real story is the issues and conflicts the …

A pastiche of dance styles. The athleticism of well-toned bodies. Remarkable choreography. All of these came together Saturday night at Clayton's Edison Theatre in Black Dance, USA, a concert by Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Company interspersed with performances by Karen Prall and Carvon “Taz” Futrell. It was, quite often, a rousing show.The event is sponsored by Better Family Life, a community development corporation dedicated to the prosperity and growth of the American family. The show is designed to bring together family, friends and community in a positive, safe environment and to …

It wasn't midsummer, but it did seem like a dream when the Missouri Ballet Theatre presented the classical ballet version of Shakespeare's play at the Edison Theatre at Washington University on Friday night. The production featured a beautiful set, clever choreography and heavenly dancing. The ballet attempts to tell one of Shakespeare's more complicated stories. It involves faeries, a love potion, unrequited love and star-crossed lovers. Of course, everything is rectified in the end, and the characters live happily ever after. In the ballet, the plot is difficult to follow. Don't try too …