When midnight falls on St. Louis, a new world reveals itself.
With over 27 years of experience, The Midnight Company is one of the longest-running independent theater companies in the city. As creative director and actor Joe Hanrahan recalls: “When we first opened up, there was the Rep and…that was pretty much it!” The company’s diverse repertoire includes comedies, dramas, one acts, and cabaret shows. They simply love to tell stories, whether they’re serious or humorous, spoken or sung.
2024 has been a year of songs, stories, and celebration for the Midnight Company. Hanrahan’s cabaret shows had long, successful runs at the Blue Strawberry Lounge (364 N. Boyle Ave.). He’s particularly proud of Just One Look, a variety show featuring the music of Linda Ronstadt. Ronstadt, a musical traveler who earned fame in the worlds of country, rock, Latin, and opera, is an inspiration for the Midnight Company.
Just One Look will be back by popular demand on August 22. The role of Linda will be reprised by Kelly Howe, who also performs in Midnight’s summer project: Harold Pinter’s Old Times. The play’s title conjures up feelings of nostalgia and rose-tinted visions of the past, but its story is anything but cheery or simple. According to Hanrahan, who also has a part in Old Times, “this is the story of a man who’s jealous of his wife… and those feelings are barely hidden under some strange dialogue. Nobody uses language quite like Pinter.”
Old Times will be performed at the Chapel on 6238 Alexander Dr. The venue is located on the grounds of Memorial Presbyterian Church and it provides a stark contrast to the Blue Strawberry—spare, somber, and somewhat gothic. The difference between these two venues reflects the dual nature of the Midnight Company, which will perform serious dramatic works and joyful musical variety shows in the same season.
Hanrahan acknowledges that the musicals tend to attract a bigger crowd and help to fund Midnight’s other projects. “You have to compete with that Fox and Muny crowd,” he jokes. Nonetheless, he maintains the same level of care and quality for each production. Every performance—comedy, tragedy, musical, or in-between—is part of the Midnight Theater vision.
Old Times runs from July 11 to July 27, with evening performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. There are also Sunday matinees (2 PM) on July 14 and July 21. Tickets are $25 each ($20 for Thursday shows) and can be purchased at MetroTix.com. | Rob Von Nordheim
