A major celebration is astir next month for Metro Theater Company.
This weekend, Metro Theater Company (MTC) is premiering its season-finale production of “Go, Dog. Go!”
The P.D. Eastman classic children’s book comes to life April 2 to 16 at The Big Top in Grand Center. The story centers on a group of dogs who are out and about, traveling, interacting and at play.
“Simply put, ‘Go, Dog. Go!’ is pure joy. While it is certainly for our very youngest audiences, you do not need to bring a toddler or a kindergartner with you to delight in this production,” said managing director Joe Gfaller. “Director Rosemary Newcott has created a full production that celebrates all the sweetness and fun and wonder of what it means to be a dog – just as P.D. Eastman’s original book does so beautifully. You’ll see dogs of all colors play, work, sleep (or, well, avoid sleep), howl at the moon, go for a boat ride, drive cars, climb trees, ride a Ferris wheel, and yes, have a massive dog party!”
Gfaller says the play is a throwback to some of MTC’s earliest work, which was often highly physical and company-created.
“While this company of artists bringing ‘Go, Dog. Go!’ to life is definitely working from a script, each moment in how the story is told has been created through the delight, creativity, and pure charisma and chemistry this team has together,” he said. “I highly encourage anyone who is looking for a little extra joy in their week to make plans to experience this delightful production – and I even more highly encourage anyone caring for a child whose eyes might go wide at the experience of this kind of magical live performance – which, honestly, is every child – to definitely make plans to see it.”
The production is the final show of the 2022-23 season for Metro Theater Company, the area’s premiere professional theatre for children and their families. MTC is St. Louis’ third-oldest professional theatre company, founded in 1973 by Zaro Weil and Lynn Rubright.
Even as the season winds down, MTC is setting the stage for its upcoming celebration to mark the organization’s 50th anniversary. Its annual After Dark gala will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at The Big Top.
“In a way, The Big Top is a departure from more traditional event spaces, but it truly is a perfect venue for us for this 50th celebration for one very significant reason: When MTC was founded 50 years ago, the company’s original name was Metro Theater Circus,” said Gfaller, who notes the name changed to Metro Theater Company in 1992. “So being at The Big Top helps us to connect back to the very roots we are celebrating.”
The gala, themed “After Dark: The Second Greatest Show on Earth,” will feature emcee and ringmaster Jaime Zayas of Kinetic Tapestry, live aerial performances, a stilt walker and musical entertainment, as well as cocktails, circus snacks, a three-course dinner, dessert and after-party. The evening will also honor founders Weil and Rubright, as well as others who’ve played a significant role in the organization’s history.
“Zaro and Lynn chose Circus in our name, because like a traditional circus, in the earliest years of MTC, the company was a beautiful organic melding of all kinds of performing arts: theatre, storytelling, dance, mime, clowning, music and more. And Circus reminded everyone of childlike wonder and joy – something that centered all of our work then and now,” Gfaller said. “At heart, MTC still produces everything today grounded in the respect for the emotional wisdom and intelligence of young people. Being in the tent will allow us to create an environment that is just as joyful, creative and imaginative for our supporters now as the stories we bring to life have been for young people since the very beginning.”
The event’s co-chairs are Crystal and Patrick Dallas, and Kathie and Richard Winter. John Weil, who served as MTC’s first executive director, and Anabeth Weil, who was among the organization’s first board chairs, are the gala’s honorary chairs.
Proceeds from After Dark supports MTC’s educational programming and theatrical performances, as well as solidifies a foundation for its future. For tickets and additional information, visit the After Dark event page.
Gazelle is a proud sponsor of the “After Dark: The Second Greatest Show on Earth” gala.
