Thursday, September 28, 2017

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of October 2, 2017

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Lindenwood University presents the musical Avenue Q Wednesday through Sunday, October 4 - 8. "This laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets, Avenue Q is a truly unique show that has quickly become a favorite for audiences everywhere."  The performances take place at The Lindenwood Theatre at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO.  For more information, call 636-949-4433 or visit www.lindenwood.edu/center.

The Fox Theatre presents the musical The Bodyguard, opening on Tuesday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m. and running through October 15th.  "Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You."  The Fox in at 527 North Grand in Grand Center.  For more information: fabulousfox.com.

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Cardenio by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., October 6 - 15.  "Based on an episode from Miguel de Cervantes DON QUIXOTE and lost since 1612, Shakespeare's CARDENIO is set in 16th century Spain. Cardenio loves Luscinda, but before they can marry, he is called to Court to be the companion of Fernando, the Duke's wild younger son. Fernando is obsessed with a wealthy farmer's daughter, Dorotea, but he has a roving eye. St. Louis Shakespeare is proud to present the regional premiere of Shakespeare's lost tragicomic romance, rich with passion, disguise, madness and betrayal! " Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood.  For more information, call 314-361-56 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents The Feast through October 8. "Matt and Anna's relationship is going swimmingly, until the sewers under their apartment open up and begin to speak. Matt's paintings are getting stranger and every one he meets seems to know why. It could be about Anna, and it could be something much darker. An eerie comedy about what is real, what is not, and who knows the difference." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

St. Louis Community College at Meramec presents Lanford Wilson's drama Fifth of July, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m., October 4 - 8.  Set in a sprawling farmhouse in rural Missouri, home to Ken, a legless Vietnam veteran, and his lover, Jed, a horticulturist. Along with Ken’s Aunt, sister and niece, Ken and Jed are visited by Gwen and John—the former a hard-drinking, pill-popping heiress who aspires to be a rock star, the latter her wary-eyed husband and manager. All are old friends from college days, and former activists who agitated for what they hoped would be a better world. Their talk, as the play progresses, is sharp and funny and, in the final essence, deeply revealing of lost hopes and dreams and of the bitterness that must be fought back if one is to perceive the good that life can offer." Performances take place in the theatre on the campus at 11333 Big Bend Road.  For more information, stlcc.edu/MC or call 314-984-7500.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Girls in Boys Pants opening on Saturday, October 7, at 8 p.m. and running through October 15th.   The show is an exploration of gender identity through articles of clothing and media material. Performances take place in the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre on Wydown and Big Bend.  For more information: www.fontbonne.edu/academics/departments/fine-arts-department/theatre-productions.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents The Haunted Hunter through October 27. "The rumor is true! Word on the street? This place is Haunted! That's right! ...and lots of famous sleuths, detectives and ghost hunters from around the world will be there to catch a glimpse of our famous, (and elusive), ghost "Billy", (better known as "Billy, the Spook"). Gee! If someone gets "Whacked", we'll have plenty of detectives to solve the crime, won't we! Everyone plays a part! You could be "Sherlock Homes", "Miss Garble", or even "The Hardly Boys". Call today for tickets to this "hauntingly silly" dinner theater." The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Lizzie
Photo: Jill Ritten Lindberg
New Line Theatre presents the rock musical Lizzie Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through October 21. "A prominent businessman and his wife are brutally axed to death in their home. Their daughter Lizzie Borden is the prime suspect. Lizzie's trial is a coast-to-coast media sensation, and her story becomes an American legend." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

Emery Entertainment presents The Naked Magicians on Thursday, October 5, at 8 p.m. "The Naked Magicians, the world’s naughtiest and funniest magic show strips away the top hats and capes to promise full-frontal illusions. Starring the clever and seductive Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne, two of Australia’s most famous magicians, The Naked Magicians combine magic and muscles with riotous laughs that take magic to a whole new level. “Good magicians don't need sleeves and great magicians don't need pants,” says Tyler."  The performance takes place at the Grandel Theatre across from Powell Hall in Grand Center.  For more information: nakedmagicians.com.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents Neil Simon's comedy Plaza Suite October 6 - 14. Performances will be held at the Highland Elementary School Auditorium, 12760 Troxler Ave, Highland IL.  For more information: www.hardroad.org   

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Shotspeare Thursday through Saturday, October 5 - 7. "Shotspeare is equal parts bacchanal and classical theater. Harkening back to the actual time of Shakespeare where audience members (groundlings) were boisterous and partook in the show. Think Drunk History meets The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, hosted by the Gazillionaires English major nephew."  The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza.  For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Smoking Gun through October 29. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

South Pacific
Photo: Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL
Stages St. Louis presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific through October 8. "One of the most powerful musicals of all time, this multi-award- winning classic from Rodgers and Hammerstein will sweep you away with its tale of love and loss in the SOUTH PACIFIC. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book by James Michener and featuring some of the finest music ever written for the American stage, SOUTH PACIFIC spins a dangerously romantic tale centered around young American soldiers and nurses stationed on a tropical naval base during the Second World War. Seeking respite from the battles around them, they find refuge in the two groups as romance blooms in this lush tropical paradise." Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

Stray Dog Theatre presents the rock musical Spring Awakening Thursdays through Saturdays, October 5 - 21. "Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. This landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock & roll that since its premiere has been exhilarating audiences like no other musical in years. A heart-rendering story that follows a group of teenage friends as they travel the fraught and rocky path of adolescence and find themselves along the way." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee.  For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Upstream Theater presents the St. Louis premiere of Sweet Revenge Fridays through Sundays, October 6 - 22.  "Considered the finest Polish comedy ever written, this 19th century verse drama uses Molière-like wit to poke fun of human follies. Upstream takes the hijinks to another level by presenting the play as performed by an actual amateur Polish immigrant theater from the 1930s. A sympathetic satire with a focus on tolerance." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center.  For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents the musical [title of show] Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through October 8. "Jeff and Hunter, two self-confessed nobodies in New York, make a pact: They will write an original musical and submit it to a festival. The only catch? The deadline is in three weeks! They gather their friends, Susan and Heidi, and their trusted accompanist and set off. With the team assembled, Jeff and Hunter hit another roadblock-- what should they write about? Jeff and Hunter decide to follow the old saying, “write what you know,” and set off on a unique musical adventure: writing a musical about writing a musical. As the deadline looms, insecurities creep in and jealousies flare. Will the team succeed with their musical? Could it even win a Tony?! Frequently hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking, and thoroughly inspiring, [title of show] is a love story celebrating individuality and creativity." Performances take place on the Browning Mainstage Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.


New Jewish Theater presents Tuesdays With Morrie October 4 - 22.   "In this adaptation of the dearly loved book by Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie explores the ever-deepening relationship of journalist Albom with his Brandeis University professor and mentor, Morrie Schwartz. 16 years after graduation from college, Mitch catches Morrie on a television news program and discovers he is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). What begins as a one-time visit to his former professor turns into a weekly pilgrimage where Mitch is schooled in life lessons and ultimately discovers the meaning of life." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur.  For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

Valhalla Cemetery and The Hawthorne Players present Voices Of Valhalla: A Hayride Through History October 6 - 14.  Hayrides through Valhalla Cemetery depart every fifteen minutes beginning at 6:30 each evening as members of the Hawthorne Players portray some of the noted locals buried in Valhalla.  Valhalla Cemetery is located at 7600 St. Charles Rock Road.  For more information, visit hawthorneplayers.com.

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Zoe Vonder Haar and Friends: It's a Musical on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 3 and 4, at 10 a.m.  Zoe Vonder Haar is one of St. Louis’ most acclaimed musical theatre performers. She is joined by fellow local favorites Ben Nordstrom, John Flack, Alicia Like and Steve Neale for a fun-filled morning of Broadway favorites – from West Side Story to Dreamgirls and many more!" The performances take place at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3658 Washington in Grand Center.  For more information: sheldonconcerthall.org.

The West End Players Guild opens its 107th season with the drama A Walk in the Woods Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, October 6 - 8.  There will also be a show on Thursday, October 5, at 8 PM.  Lee Blessing’s tale of how superpower negotiations sometimes work – and often fail – was nominated for a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize." Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End.  For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org

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 Events Calendar.
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.

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