This Is Relaxing?

Burt Hines, recovering nicely from his second heart attack, and his daughter Josie are ensconced in their Poconos vacation home; this, the summer of 1953, is the last one they'll spend here. But instead of wrapping themselves in bittersweet memories, they're both rather hopeful. Dick's anticipating the arrival of his ex-wife, whom he still loves, and Josie is expecting her temperamental fiancé, Ken, to show up with his buddy Ray in tow. Josie's got the hots for Ray, so maybe she's hopeful for the wrong reasons. Taking care of all of these people is Clemma, the Hines' housekeeper, whose own husband abandoned her seven years ago — he's also scheduled to visit. That's a load of people with a lot of hidden agendas, all crammed into one little cabin. But Proposals is a Neil Simon play, so they'll work it out in one-liner-heavy, comic fashion. St. Louis Actors Studio opens its season of "Love and Honor" with Simon's Proposals; performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday (October 2 through 18) at the Gaslight Theater (358 North Boyle Avenue; 314-458-2978 or www.stlas.org). Tickets are $18 to $25.
Thursdays-Sundays. Starts: Oct. 2. Continues through Oct. 18, 2009