Someone left "Smokey Joe's Cafe", now running at Stages St. Louis, complaining that there was no story. Well, no, this is a revue. It showcases a fraction of the popular songs written by Stoller and Leiber that became the sound track for a generation, maybe two. It ran more than 2,000 performances in New York when it opened, and not all those folks weren't around when the songs of three decades were popular.
But still, it's more enjoyable if you remember them the first time around, to be sure. And this show is a lot of fun. I don't ever remember seeing a Stages audience more involved than on opening night.
The first act – and I'm the generation this show is aimed at – mixed the familiar and the unfamiliar, but it was where "Kansas City", pace Wilbur Harrison, showed up. The act ends with a three-parter beginning with "On Broadway", continues with "D.W. Washburn", and ends with a vigorous rendition of "Saved", belted by Keisha Gilles to the mostly-unrepentant Washburn, as sung here by Richard Crandle.
The second act really kicks things into high gear, with a couple of favorite songs from the Coasters, "Yakety Yak" and "Charlie Brown" with fine work from the pipes of Jason Samuel. Even early Elvis Presley songs appear, like "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock" and "Loving You".
Theater doesn't always have to offer emotional challenge. Some nights it's enough to just feel good. Stage St. Louis is doing that – and already some performances are sold out, and they've added an extra performance.
Smokey Joe's Cafe
through June 28
Stages St. Louis
Kirkwood Community Center
314-821-2407