Entertainment

One of St. Louis’ First Tesla Cybertrucks Is an Attention Getter

Published

2 weeks ago

April 19, 2024

Chris LaBarge caused a minor commotion on the Hill Monday when he pulled up in front of the Digregorio’s Market in his new Tesla Cybertruck. Say what you will about Elon Musk’s car company, but there was no shortage of passersby coming up to LaBarge to admire the stainless steel, futuristic-looking electric pickup and ask him questions about it.

The Cybertruck weighs about 7,000 pounds and can go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds. It won a drag race against one Porsche while towing another. Nationwide, demand has way outstripped supply, and the vehicle has been slow to make its way to St. Louis. This perhaps explains the interest in LaBarge’s ride. He said it was his understanding he’s one of about six Cybertruck owners in the St. Louis area.

LaBarge was with his brother, Sweeney, and they had just picked up takeout from Milo’s when we asked him if his new set of wheels lived up to the hype.

This interview has been edited for brevity, clarity and to include maximum brotherly ribbing. click to enlarge RYAN KRULL Chris LaBarge, right, and brother Sweeney LaBarge.

I know there’s been a big back order for these trucks. When did you originally order yours?

November 22 of 2019.

Has it met expectations?

The vehicle has beat all expectations. It’s everything I thought it was. It’s wicked fast. It’s very quick.

Is this your first Tesla?My first.

What made you want the Cybertruck?

At this point, Sweeney LaBarge jumps in: “I can tell you the real reason is his cool factor since he was in high school has been dropping. He’s trying to get back to high school senior year!”

[laughing] That’s right. I peaked in high school.

Now you’re one of only six folks in the whole region with the Cybertruck.

Sweeney LaBarge says, “Friends keep calling him and saying, ‘Chris, are you on Highway 40? Are you in the Schnucks parking lot?’”

I don’t know if this is fit to print, but I heard you say something funny about how this hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in the chick magnet department?

I told my wife, “This is like a chick magnet.” And she says to me, “Until you roll your window down and they look and say, ‘Jesus Christ, my grandfather’s driving this thing!'”

That’s great.

That’s my wife keeping me on that even keel.

Source link

Entertainment

The Inheritance Part 2 Completes a Beautifully Crafted Epic

Published

9 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Natural Bridge

Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance Part 1 & Part 2 is a brilliant exploration of the legacy of AIDS on the lives and communal history of gay men. Last week, Tesseract Theatre Company stunned audiences with the beautifully connected and performed Part 1. This week, Director Stephen Peirick and an exceptional cast complete the story with a truly unforgettable and affecting Part 2, the St. Louis premiere of the heartfelt and moving conclusion.

The play opens with the supporting characters lovingly describing an old farmhouse in upstate New York. The house is owned by Walter, a recently deceased gay man, and was a gift of sorts from his longtime partner Henry. Since Walter’s death, Henry has been spending a lot of time with Eric Glass, and he asks Eric to marry him. Eric, still reeling from the loss of his apartment and a breakup with his fiancé Toby Darling, hesitates at first but later says yes. Unfortunately, a happy ending is not guaranteed as the self-destructive Toby crashes the wedding with Leo, a youthful sex worker who counts Henry among his clients. From this point, Part 2 thoughtfully unravels the relationships and lies, revealing each character’s truth and leading to a conclusion that is deeply affecting, painful and, somehow, resonant with love and hope.

Chris Kernan, as Eric Glass, and Tyson Cole, as Leo, are the center of this complex story, and their bond of friendship, though initially unlikely, is authentically derived and compelling. Both performers fully inhabit their character’s essential humanity and worth. Though they care deeply about each other, Henry and Eric’s relationship remains tenuous and ultimately untenable, particularly as Eric finally finds meaning and purpose in his life at Walter’s house. John Hey deftly moves through Henry’s guarded layers and the wall he’s built around his emotions. Henry eventually finds peace in a lovely coda at the end of the story that’s tender and emotionally cathartic.

Though featured less in Part 2, Gabriel Paul is mesmerizing as he reveals Toby’s confusion and inescapable suffering. Toby’s final scene is a moment of understated trauma that’s tremendously effective and well connected. Jacob Schmidt and Sean Seifert once again remind us of young Walter and Henry’s lasting love, filled with joy and affection, while Margery Handy and Nic Tayborn are heartbreaking as Margaret and the memory of her son Michael. Stephen Henley, Donald Kidd, Alex C. Moore, Kevin O’Brien, and Kelvin Urday complete the talented cast, and each has strong, memorable moments.

In addition to the evocative performances, superb direction from Peirick and excellent stage craft from lighting designer Tony Anselmo and sound designer Jacob Baxley ensure the audience remains fully engrossed in the compelling and realistically intertwined story.

While seeing Part 1 is not required to understand and enjoy Part 2, it is recommended. The two parts seamlessly flow into one another, and seeing the first provides greater understanding and appreciation for the second. The Inheritance is a theatrical triumph that reconciles and expertly integrates an era many would rather ignore or forget with the present state of gay men in America. More than that, it is an important reminder of the legacy and determined resilience of queer people and of their right to live openly and unashamed, to love who they love and to rightfully claim their space in the world.

The Inheritance Part 2 is written by Matthew Lopez and directed by Stephen Peirick. It is presented by Tesseract Theatre Company at the Marcelle (3310 Samuel Shepard Drive) through Sunday, May 5. Showtimes vary. Tickets are $25 or $40 for both parts at tesseracttheatre.com.

Source link

Entertainment

Saint Louis Zoo’s Brand New Baby Zebra Is Ready for Visits

Published

13 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Natural Bridge

Last month, on April 16, the Saint Louis Zoo (1 Government Drive, stlzoo.org) welcomed a female Grevy zebra foal — Roxie.

The adorable foal, who weighed 95.8 pounds at birth, was the first ever animal born at the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park, a safari park under development in north county.

“This is both a joyful and historic moment for WildCare Park,” said Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park Director Sabarras George in a statement. “We are thrilled to reach this milestone on the path to building a world-class safari park and conservation center here in St. Louis County.”

Gemma, Roxie’s mom, and Presley, her dad, were paired together at the Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan for endangered Grevy’s zebras, according to a press release. Seven-year-old Gemma was pregnant with Roxie when she moved from the Zoo to WildCare Park in September 2023. The two currently live in the Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center. Presley lives in the Red Rocks area of the zoo with the rest of the zebra herd.

“Gemma is a first-time mom and is doing everything right in caring for her newborn,” said General Curator at WildCare Park Martha Fischer in a statement. “Roxie follows her mom closely, is nursing well and has a lot of energy.”

To visit the sweet new baby, head over to the zoo this weekend. Its hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Source link

Entertainment

The World’s Largest Bounce House Will Be in Sauget Next Weekend

Published

17 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Natural Bridge

If you associate Sauget solely with strip clubs and heavy industry, prepare to be shook: Next weekend, the East Side town originally christened Monsanto, Illinois, is going to be crawling with kids.The Big Bounce America is setting up at the home of the Gateway Grizzlies, Grizzlies Ballpark Field (2301 Grizzlie Bear Boulevard, Sauget, Illinois), beginning Friday, May 10. Unlike last year’s lengthy residency in the Saint Louis Galleria parking lot, this stay lasts just one weekend, so plan accordingly.Big Bounce America includes seven inflatable attractions, including the self-proclaimed (but presumably verified?) World’s Largest Bounce House, which alone clocks in at 24,000 square feet. There’s also a “deep sea foam party inflatable” called OctoBlast, a 900-foot-long obstacle course, a “sports arena” and what promotional materials call a “space-themed wonderland.” Suffice it to say, that’s a lot of bouncing.Tickets start at $22 for toddlers, $35 for kids and $45 for adults. Full details at thebigbounceamerica.com.Note that hours don’t begin until noon, so by then all the party people should be long gone from Sauget’s usual attractions. Unless they decide to stick around a nice hungover bounce session.
Subscribe to Riverfront Times newsletters.Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

Source link