St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 14, 2013

[Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.]

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's ArtsZipper site.

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©Photo by Lon Brauer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents 4000 Miles January 16 through February 3. “Leo biked for a month from Seattle to New York, but it's a small Greenwich Village apartment where his real journey begins. Reeling from a tragedy, the rudderless twenty-something arrives at the doorstep of his 91 year-old grandmother Vera, an old lefty navigating the rough waters of aging. Together, these two outsiders find their way in one of this year's most touching new plays.” Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

The Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Almost, Maine January 18-27 at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

The Pub Theater Company presents Bye Bye Liver: The St. Louis Drinking Play, a comedic romp through the joys and pitfalls of The Gateway to the West's favorite pastime. Performances take place on Saturdays at 9 PM at Maggie O'Brien's, 2000 Market Street. For more information, you may call 314-827-4185, email stlouis at byebyeliver.com, or visit byebyeliver.com/stlouis.

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project presents its monthly Cabaret Open Mic Night on Wednesday, January 16, from 7 to 10 PM at the Tavern of Fine Arts. “Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by the inimitable Carol Schmidt on the baby grand.” The master of ceremonies is 88.1 KDHX senior performing arts critic Chuck Lavazzi. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. It's also recommend that you have your song memorized. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt at Waterman in the Central West End. There's free parking in the lot right across the street. For more information, visit tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com or call 314-367-7549.

Upstream Theater presents Café Chanson, a “ballet in song” created and directed by Broadway star and native St. Louisan Ken Page, Thursdays through Sundays, through January 27. The show “includes World War II period songs from some of France's most renowned singers and songwriters.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Circus Harmony presents Capriccio, A Vaudevillian Adventure, Saturdays at 2 and 7 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 19-27. “Capriccio features children from all corners of St. Louis. For this first time ever, this Circus Harmony production will include singing along with unicycling, juggling, wire walking and other feats of skill and daring.” Performances take place at City Museum, 701 N. 15th Street. For more information: circusharmony.brownpapertickets.com or call 314-436-7676.

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents Charlotte's Web January 18-20. Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit www.florissantmo.com.

Chesterfield Community Theatre presents the comedy The Commedia Cinderella Friday through Sunday, January 18-20. Performances take place at the West County YMCA, 16464 Burkhardt Place. For more information, call (636) 532-6515 Ext. 227.

First Run Theatre presents An Evening of Predicaments Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 PM,. The program consists of two one-act plays: All Makes Repaired by Gerry Mandel and The Predicament by Patrick Conroy. Performances take place in the Thomas Hunter Theatre at DeSmet Jesuit High School, 233 North New Ballas Road. For more information: firstruntheatre.com or call 314-352-5114.

St. Louis Actors Studio presents Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? January 18 through February 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “The tale of a married, middle-aged architect whose life crumbles when he falls in love with a goat, the play focuses on the limits of an ostensibly liberal society. Through showing this family in crisis, Albee challenges audience members to question their own morality in the face of other social taboos including infidelity, homosexuality, pedophilia, incest and, of course, bestiality.The play also features many language games and grammatical arguments in the middle of catastrophes and existential disputes between the characters.” For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Good People through January 27. “You can't keep a good woman down - unless that woman is from Southie, the gritty, blue-collar Boston neighborhood that Margie Walsh has always called home. Down on her luck and facing eviction, Margie turns to Mikey, an old fling who made good and secured himself a new life in the ritzy suburbs. But is he strong enough to face his humble beginnings and give Margie a hand? Laughter is never far from heartache in this poignant look at the "haves" and "have-nots".” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Metro Theatre Company and the The Edison Theatre at Washington University present the St. Louis premiere of Jackie and Me by Steven Dietz, adapted from the book by Dan Gutman, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM through January 27. There will also be special school matinees Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:00 AM. “An exciting play that illuminates Jackie Robinson's courage and dignity in the face of cruel racial prejudice, Jackie and Me will have you on the edge of your seat as we all root for the man who changed the face of the game.” Each performance will be immediately followed by a discussion exploring questions raised by the story. The play is recommended for adults and young people 10 and over. For more information, call the Edison Theatre Box Office at (314) 935-6543. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The COCA Theatre Company presents James and the Giant Peach Friday at 7 PM and Saturday at 2 and 7 PM, January 18 and 19. COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. “The Roald Dahl classic adventure story is performed by COCA's student theatre company, adapted by David Wood and directed by COCA's Josh Routh.” For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents the romantic comedy The Last Romance through January 20. Performances take place at the Robert G. Reim Theatre of the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road. For more information, ktg-onstage.org or 314-821-9956.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the Monsanto Artists-in-Training program recital, featuring  23 students from 19 area high schools, on Sunday, January 20, at 2 PM.  "Chosen through a highly competitive audition process, each student has engaged in weekly college-level vocal coaching since September from faculty at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Washington University, Webster University, and University of Missouri–St. Louis. The winter recital culminates a ten-day residency by renowned tenor Everett McCorvey, Director of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre." The free concert takes place at Graham Chapel, on the campus of Washington University.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Murder in Mayberry through April 27. . The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through April 30th. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's The Piano Lesson through February 3. “Depression-era Pittsburgh. A family strives to hold on to its history. The masterful Pulitzer Prize winner from one of American's greatest playwrights.” Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: Ryan Foizey

New Line Theatre Off Line presents Some Songs 'N' Sh!t: An Adult Cabaret starring Taylor Pietz, Zachary Allen Farmer, and Mike Dowdy, on Saturday, January 19, at 8 PM. The show is directed by Mike Dowdy, with Justin Smolik as music director and pianist. The performance takes place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.newlinetheatre.com or 314-534-1111.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the comedy thriller Stage Fright through January 20. Performances take place in the Guild theatre at Newport and Summit in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: theatreguildwg.org or call 314-962-0876.

Would you like to be on the radio? KDHX, 88.1 FM needs theatre reviewers. If you're 18 years or older, knowledgeable in this area, have practical theatre experience (acting, directing, writing, technical design, etc.), have good oral and written communications skills and would like to become one of our volunteer reviewers, send an email describing your experience and interests to chuck at kdhx.org. Please include a sample review of something you've seen recently.