For those who haven't been around St. Louis theater very long, let us explain that Scott Miller, artistic director and founder of New Line Theatre, pretty much lives for off-the-wall musical theater. It's almost an invasion of privacy to imagine what his shuddering delight must have been like upon discovering "Jerry Springer The Opera".
This is shock art, the way Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ" was almost 30 years ago. There's mention of sex, of course, in multitudinous variations, and other bodily functions, addictions, strange personal, uh, preferences, and antiestablishmentarianism, both political and theological. It's a veritable encyclopedia of offensiveness. What fun!
The opening is a choral work, beautiful music, exquisitely sung Then one begins to pay attention to the lyrics, and there's the contrast. This is the antidote to the classic remark about modern musicals, "No one ever walked out of the theater whistling the scenery." It's a lovely score, it's just that the lyrics - and this is indeed an opera, everything sung except the Jerry Springer role and one speech at the end by another character. - are X-rated. Sometimes XXX.
Another trait of Miller is his seeming habit of casting gifted singers even though they don't resemble television anchors. This reflection of real life is one of his most endearing qualities, and this show is a great example of how that benefits the audience. Many of the cast are New Line regulars, although the warm-up guy, Matt Pentecost, and Steve, the security person, played by Matt Hill, are among the few newcomers. So is Lindsey Jones, in fine voice, playing Zandra and other characters. Anna Skidis looks great in long blonde hair and shows off her pipes, too, as Shawntel, who wants to be a stripper. Luke Steingruby, as transgender Tremont, shows off better legs than...well, I was about to mention a certain female politician, but let's let that dog snooze. And Zachary Allen Farmer, playing God in shades and a sky-blue polo shirt, is a delight to hear and see.
Kudos to lighting designer Rob Lippert and sound designer Benjamin Rosemann. Scott Miller directed the show and deserves the plaudits for this one. And very nice to see an audience of many people who are old enough to remember the Serrano work and "Sister Mary Explains It All For You" and are not shocked by more f-bombs than an Army mess hall.
Jerry Springer The Opera
through March 28
New Line Theatre
Washington University South Campus
6501 Clayton Rd., Richmond Heights
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