52nd City

"Girl Gone" by Ass Kicking NPTCO Begins Tonight

I tend to be a completist, which I why I anticipate making it to "Girl Gone," the third fall production of the Non-Propeht Theatre Company's three-show season. The fact that the show has scenes contained in a strip club shocks my sensibilities, but, again, there's that completist mentality, which compels me to put aside my Puritan reservations in lieu of a trip to West County for this NPTCO joint.

(And before I give details on "Girl Gone," which begins tonight, have I mentioned that the Non-Prophets will be performing for a half-hour at the Kick Ass Awards on November 9th? Remind me to do that, sometime.)

Here's the relevant data:

NonProphet Theater Company's "GIRL GONE"
DUE TO ADULT SITUATIONS, THIS SHOW IS INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY

Directed by Christopher Limber, the play is set against the backdrop of exotic dancing. When Tish, a novice dancer, loses her friend and mentor Jean to a brutal murder, she sets out to find who killed her and why. Her search takes her along the seedy underbelly of the city, and the action drifts in and out of Tish's mind as she flashes back to past incidents in an attempt to unmask the killer. With a rapid pace, the scenes shift from the strip club, to a smoky jazz lounge, to a male hustler's pad, to Jean's apartment. She eventually finds the answer she's looking for, but is she ready to handle the truth?

This production, in addition to being the final entry in the NonProphet's inaugural season, is part of the St. Louis Political Theatre Festival. With tones of feminism, free speech, race, and sexual freedom, Reingold has crafted a dark yet moving story that flows seamlessly from one scene to the next, and subtly speaks to political and social issues of the day, while maintaining a bite-your-nails sense of suspense.

The show stars Kimberly C. Mason as Tish, Margeau Baue Steinau as Jean and Robert A. Mitchell as Bobby. The show also features B. Weller, Leah Schumacher, Paula Dean, Kiné Brown, and Jared Nell.

The NonProphet Theater Company promises that this will be the most ambitious production to date, with a dazzling array of lights designed by Jim Dolan, sound design by Dave Toretta, and set design by Dan Steinau. In addition to being a cast member, Leah Schumacher, of the Albino Alley Cat Burlesque Revue on Washington Avenue, is also acting as choreographer for the dance numbers.

The show is performed October 19 through October 28 in the Sarah & Abraham Wolfson Studio Theater, located in the JCCA (2 Millstone Campus Drive; Creve Coeur, MO 63164).

Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm. There are no Sunday matinees.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and $12 for students and seniors. Student rush tickets will also be available for $10. Student rush tickets are available 15 minutes prior to show time, and will be released only if the show is not sold out. Valid ID is required.