whistle

The 2000-2001 season continued in June at the Art Loft Theatre with Stephen Sondheim’s wickedly funny, subversively disrespectful, and aggressively blasphemous musical comedy Anyone Can Whistle, a show that was waaaaaay too far ahead of its time when it first played Broadway. In fact, audiences were so offended the show ran for only nine performances. But Sondheim went on to write the scores for Company, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Passion, Assassins (all of which New Line has produced), and other subversive masterpieces. Since its original production, no one has known just what to make of Anyone Can Whistle, but in typical New Line fashion, we charged headlong and eyes closed into this crazed tale of fake miracles, escaped lunatics, corrupt politicians, psychotherapy, and good ol’ true love. Taking well-aimed pot shots at literally everything America holds dear, it’s one of the funniest musicals ever written for Broadway.

Cookies -- Kiné Brown, Greg Coleman, Cindy Duggaan, Justin Heinrich, Alison Helmer, Tamara Kelly, Terry Meddows, Jeanine Skala, Uchenna Ogu

Praise for New Line's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE

“Instead of bringing serious matters to the foreground, as he often does, director Scott Miller went all out for entertainment and let the issues emerge from a framework of farce. The resulting show offered much to enjoy on the surface without obscuring the depth.” – Gerry Kowarksy, The Sondheim Review

“The best reason to see Anyone Can Whistle, the appealing mess of a show that New Line Theatre is staging at the ArtLoft is simple. You’re not likely to get another chance. . . Anything by Stephen Sondheim has an element of fascination, thanks to his enormous influence on modern musical theatre. New Line’s artistic director Scott Miller, who has staged a number of Sondheim shows, directs this one with verve and intelligence. . . Miller and choreographer JT Ricroft make the most of the ArtLoft’s flexible space.” – Judith Newmark, St. Louis Post Dispatch

“[Director Scott] Miller and choreographer JT Ricroft stage the musical numbers with brio – nicely adapting to the ArtLoft’s shallow stage and making intriguing use of aisle space.” – Cliff Froehlich, The Riverfront Times