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Regional Reviews: St. Louis Eleventh Hour Radio Also see Richard's reviews of The End of the World Cabaret, La Cage aux Folles, and Prayer for the French Republic
But is it just a lush and plush Escalade of a show, a bit over their heads perhaps, but highly accommodating to a gaggle of little ones? Or a zippy little two-seater for adults who'll be surprised by something so undeniably entertaining? The earnestness of the musical's five performers on stage is in line with the kind of charming naiveté you'd normally expect in a Metro Theater type production. But its subject matter, and the very special attention to detail in performance, and even the great chaotic set by Laura Skroska (with sound and video design by Mr. McLaughlin) will keep even the most fidgety of parents quiet for the whole 90 minutes. Ms. Mwez brings endless high energy to her choreography, with lots of splendid dancing by Kevin Corpuz as the leader of a pirate radio station–along with his troupe who go into battle against the nearly abstract idea of climate change and all the hidden forces striving to maintain a dangerous status quo. The rest of the fearsomely talented cast includes Olivia Neal as Terra, Josh Mayfield as Rex, Emily Johnson as Chris, and Anita Jackson as the wise Sugar. A jackpot of talent pours out of this show. But who's to blame, and how do we come to grips with a planet-wide, largely invisible crisis? Many of the questions of cause and effect are carefully weighed in short bursts of dialog and a slew of fun, light hip-hop songs. Wonderful 1960s music tributes are mixed in to great effect. Costume designer Shevaré Perry shows exceptional attention to detail in the show's wardrobe, from a microphone-themed shirt for Mr. Corpuz to a layered, lighted cape for Ms. Johnson in her secondary part as the algorithm made flesh: a Disney villainess if there ever was one. As a critic, you can really put a show to the test by coming in to review on its first Sunday, when everyone on stage is bone tired. And yet, each performance was machined to the highest tolerance. The synchronization of dance was intricate and flawless, and meaning and humor fit together like the pieces of a deep space telescope. It's a shame to waste it all on kids. But why "very nearly" Hair for climate change? It's only 90 minutes, and the songs are mostly plot driven, or issue-oriented. If I could snap my fingers and add three or four more character-driven tunes by the very impressive McLaughlin and Marquez, I would in a flash. And I never thought I'd say this, but the great thing about hip-hop is that it doesn't waste a lot of time on any one topic. So the kind of preachiness you're expecting, given the subject matter, is thrown into a wood chipper of smart lyrics and fast-paced razzmatazz. Foretelling (in the opening minutes) of their later 1960s sentimentality in song, Mr. Corpuz jokes they may be more of a Sly Stone tribute band than unlicensed broadcaster. But those baby boomer ditties, like "Carbon Neutral Baby," are solid gold. Mr. Mayfield (Josh, not Curtis) plays a villain himself in "Bottom Line," representing the oligarchy of wealthy corporations eager to trade our futures for another good quarterly report. And Ms. Johnson, as the Algorithm, deals out puppy memes and celebrity worship, tempting them all with "Feed The Flame." Ms. Neal, as Terra, rivals Ms. Jackson (as the mystical Sugar) in terms of heartfelt wisdom singing "Come Home." And the two women face off in the style of Noh theater, quite convincingly, in the show's climactic moments. Eleventh Hour Radio, produced by Action Art Collaborative, runs through April 26, 2026, at the Metro Theater studio theater, 3311 Washington Ave., St. Louis MO. For tickets and information, please visit www.actionartstl.org. Cast: Band: Production Staff: * Denotes Member, Actors' Equity Association |
