Maplewood-Based Theater Company Loses Venue, Forges Ahead

R-S Theatrics, a theater company based out of a 100-square foot apartment about a block from Stone Spiral Coffee & Curios, in Maplewood, is into its third season despite having lost Black Cat Theatre as a venue when it closed several months ago.

Patch ran into Christina Rios, the “R” in R-S, at Stone Spiral recently. She’s the artistic director of the company. She was five when she had her first theater gig and has been singing opera professionally since she's been 18.

Rios said everything the company produces is a St. Louis premier, which makes it hard, because like a lot of places, audiences want to know what they’re going to see first.

“There is a certain leap of faith aspect,” Rios said. “It’s a theater experience and an adrenaline high. You never know what you’re going to get.”

The company is just finishing its first of three main stage productions, The Cherry Sisters Revisited, about five sisters from rural Iowa with a vaudeville act that’s so bad its good. That’s the point of the play.

The Cherry Sisters Revisited runs through June 16 at the Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive, in Clayton.

R-S Theatrics is also returning for its second year with the St. Lou Fringe Festival with This Is a Play* at the Furbar Lounge, 3108 Locust Street, St. Louis. It runs June 20, 22 and 23. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.stlfringe.com.