St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 18, 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 Eric Woolsey

The Imaginary Theatre Company and the Missouri History Museum present Annie Oakley March 21 through 30. “ Yee Haw! In 1800s America, a woman doesn't have much of a shot at fame, but that won't stop Annie Oakley. Delighting thousands with her talent as a sharp shooter in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, the "Little Sure Shot" dazzles the likes of President Cleveland and Queen Victoria, while showing everyone exactly what a woman is capable of. Follow Annie's adventures in this rootin' tootin' trip through American history as she lifts her family from poverty with her skill and shows everyone that she's 'just as good as any man.'” Performances take place at The Missouri History Museum in Foreset Park. For more information: mohistory.org

St. Louis Shakespeare presents As You Like It through March 24. Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

The Alpha Players of Florissant present the Noel Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit through March 24 at The Florissant Civic Center Theater, Parker Rd. at Waterford Dr. in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678.

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.

The Bistro at Grand Center presents A Cabaret Evening featuring Shirely Aschinger, Kevin Cherry, Kari Donovan, Erica Perlow and Charlene Reimann with music direction by Carol Schmidt on Saturday, March 23, at 8 PM. ”This original evening of songs - some you will know, some that will be new to you - will entertain and touch you.” Tim Schall directs. The Bistro is at 3536 Washington Blvd in Grand Center. For more information: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/351510.

Al Fischer

The Cabaret Project and 88.1 KDHX present a monthly Cabaret Open Mic Night on Wednesday, March 20, from 7 to 10 PM at the Tavern of Fine Arts. The master of ceremonies is 88.1 KDHX senior performing arts critic Chuck Lavazzi and the special guest music director this month is Al Fischer. 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.

Peabody Opera House presents A Chorus Line Thursday through Sunday, March 21-23. For more information, visit peabodyoperahouse.com or call 314-622-5420.

Alton Little Theater presents Clue, the Musical March 15-24 at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

St. Louis Actors Studio presents the world premiere of Day Of The Dog by Daniel Damiano through March 24 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “A South Florida couple obtains the services of a somewhat enigmatic Canine Relations Specialist in order to curb the violent behavior of their dog Carrot, but gradually learn that a dog is merely a reflection of the people who house him.” For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Double Indemnity, based on James M. Cain's 1930s noir thriller, through April 7. “Is it possible to commit the perfect crime? The beautiful and seductive Phillis Nirlinger is willing to try. Aided by smitten insurance agent Walter Huff, Phyllis sets out to murder her husband and collect on a giant insurance claim. Caught in the femme fatale's sinister web of guilt and betrayal, Huff finds himself on a deadly journey that may be more than he bargained for.” 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.

The Florissant Fine Arts Council presents the State Theatre of Georgia production of the musical Eleanor: Her Secret Journey on Wednesday, March 20, at 8 PM at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker Road at Waterford Drive in Florissant, MO. “Starring M*A*S*H actress Loretta Swit, Eleanor: Her Secret Journey is an engaging and educational theatrical event, following the years after World War I, as recalled by Mrs. Roosevelt looking back from 1945. From the producers of FDR (2010-11 Applause/Applause season), it's an incredibly personalized, intimate portrait of the historic woman and the many challenges that surrounded her. Her canny and clear-eyed intelligence helped her evolve from an ugly duckling into a powerful woman whose greater beauty emerged from the warmth and compassion she brought to issues of war, peace and human rights.” For more information, call 314-921-5678.

Washington University Performing Arts Department presents "If I Were You" and Other Elvis Presley Songs by Leah Barsanti, winner of the A. E. Hotchner Playwriting Competition, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM, March 21-24. “Bret has a secret, and his plucky little sister Sadie is determined to spy on him to learn the truth. She follows him to a clandestine club house, unravels the mystery, and learns what happens when an Elvis impersonator actually becomes 'The King.'” Performances take place in the Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call (314) 935-5858.

Union Avenue Opera presents La Vie de Bohème on Saturday, March 24, at 7 PM. It's an evening of dinner, drinks, and entertainment by UAO artists and takes place at Dressel's Pub, 419 N. Euclid in the Central West End. For more information: unionavenueopera.org.

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents Joe Orton's Loot through March 24. Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents staged reading of Love In The Time Of Cholera by Caridad Svich; based on the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, on Saturday March 23, at 3:00 PM as part of the Ignite! New Play Festival. “Based on the award-winning novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and written by Obie Award-winning dramatist Caridad Svich, this lyrical, imagistic play charts the profound love story between a feverishly romantic man and a sensual, passionate woman, and 50-plus years of their unusual, magical story of love. A play with music written in Spanish, this is the debut of its English language translation.” The reading takes place at the Sally S. Levy Opera Center, 210 Hazel in Webster Groves. For more information, visit repstl.org.

Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the musical Next to Normal Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through March 23. "From the composer of High Fidelity comes the most adult, most mature rock musical to hit Broadway in decades, an unrelentingly intense, brutally honest – and often, darkly funny – story about a bipolar woman and the family that grapples with her illness, all set to a hard driving rock and roll score that explodes with raw, searing emotion. Rolling Stone called it 'the best new musical of the season – by a mile.'” Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. For more information, call 314-534-1111. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

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

Spotlight Theatre presents Passion Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, throuh March 23. “Passion is the story of Christ's last days. Adapted from the Bible by Pamela Reckamp, the production features sacred music, stylized movement, and incorporates the audience into the telling of 'the greatest story ever told.'" Performances take place at The Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 425 S. Lindbergh. For more information: www.itickets.com/events/300229.html or 314-412-6848.

The St. Louis Theater Circle presents the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards on Monday, March 18, at 7 PM. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in locally produced professional theatre as judged by local theatre critics who are members of the Circle. The ceremony is preceded by an optional buffet dinner at 5:30 PM from With Love Catering and takes place at the Florissant Civic Center Theater. Tickets for both the ceremony and the buffet are available at the door. Music for the ceremony will be provided by pianist and Webster University faculty member Carol Schmidt.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Department of Theater and Dance presents Tennessee William's Suddenly Last Summer through March 24 in the Dunham Hall theater on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents a staged reading of Tamarack House by Michael Dowling on Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 PM as part of the Ignite! New Play Festival. “A big, old boarding house sits on a beautiful spot of land in a small New England town, but its days are numbered as housing developments encroach. The house is rundown and beat up but has hidden potential, not unlike the discarded misfits who live there. Caught in the whirlpool of a fleeting American dream, they struggle to hold onto the house that defines them. They've got to figure out what to do, and quick. A funny, quirky and moving story by an exciting new American voice.” The reading takes place at the Sally S. Levy Opera Center, 210 Hazel in Webster Groves. For more information, visit repstl.org.

Samantha Macher

The Tesseract Theatre Company presents To The New Girl From The Former Mrs._______: Sound Advice for My Husband's Wife or Mistress by Samantha Macher. “Ten different women, from all walks of life, giving advice to the "other woman" on the proper "care" of their former mates.” Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 4 PM. Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar (across the street from The Pageant). Visit www.tesseracttheatre.org for more info or email contact at tesseracttheatre.org.

©Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Venus in Fur through March 24. “Vanda is determined to land the lead in Venus in Fur, a new play based on a classic erotic novel. Her emotionally charged audition for the playwright/director unexpectedly becomes an electrifying and dangerous game of cat and mouse that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex.” 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Fox Theatre presents the drama War Horse March 13-24. The Fox Theatre is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. "This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that is currently playing to packed houses in London, New York and Toronto. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride." For more information: fabulousfox.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Black Rep presents The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez March 20-April 13. “Just after the Civil War in Virginia during Passover, a wounded Confederate Officer returns to a ruined plantation to find only two former slaves to care for him. With a new and different social order, the three men must wrestle with the ties that bind them together and the secrets they share. A test of humanity and their Jewish faith.” Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. For more information, visit theblackrep.org or call 314-534-3810.

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.