St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of October 1, 2018

This week includes a St. Louis premiere at New Jewish, a brace of musicals from Alpha, KTK and Webster University, and the return of the seasonal favorite Voices of Valhalla.

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L-R: Steve Brammeier and Steve Brammeier

Mariposa Productions presents Steve Brammeier in 68: Then and Now on Thursday, October 4, at 8 pm. "Join Steve Brammeier as he explores his journey from graduating Senior to (ahem) senior. The stories, the headlines, the music of '68; how that year shaped his life and possibly yours. As an alum of McCluer High School's class of '68, Steve will also turn “68” this year, as he approaches his 50th class reunion. 1968 was a monumental year in history. Looking back, who were you then? How did you relate to the historical, political, cultural and scientific events happening around you? Can you see a connection between then and now? All proceeds will help fund the Class of 1968 50th Reunion Year Gift. Rick Jensen is the music director for the show, which is directed by Lina Koutrakos The performance takes place at The Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Addams Family Affair through October 28. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Lindenwood University presents Arthur Miller's drama All My Sons October 6 - 13. "During the war Joe Keller and Steve Deever ran a machine shop which made airplane parts. Deever was sent to prison because the firm turned out defective parts, causing the deaths of many men. Keller went free and made a lot of money. The twin shadows of this catastrophe and the fact that the young Keller son was reported missing during the war dominate the action. The love affair of Chris Keller and Ann Deever, the bitterness of George Deever returned from the war to find his father in prison and his father's partner free, are all set in a structure of almost unbearable power. The climax showing the reaction of a son to his guilty father is fitting conclusion to a play electrifying in its intensity. A tremendously impressive drama that received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play." Performances take place in the Emerson Black Box Theatre at the Scheiegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information: lindenwood.edu/center.

Alpha Players present the musical Bells Are Ringing October 5 - 14. Performances take place at The Florissant Civic Center Theater, Parker Rd. at Waterford Dr. in Florissant, MO. For more information: alphaplayers.org, call 314-921-5678.

Linda Kennedy in Chef
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents Chef by Sabrina Mahfouz Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7 pm (except for October 14, which is at 2 pm), through October 14. "Upstream Theater is excited to host renowned Swiss director Marianne de Pury who will stage the US premiere of the award-winning CHEF by UK/Egyptian playwright and poet Sabrina Mahfouz-the gripping story of how one woman went from being a haute-cuisine head chef to a convicted inmate running a prison kitchen. Leading us through her world of mouth-watering dishes and heart-breaking memories, Chef questions our attitudes to food, prisoners, violence, love and hope." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

CSZ St. Louis presents The ComedySportz Show on Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. The show is "action-packed, interactive and hilarious comedy played as a sport. Two teams battle it out for points and your laughs! You choose the winners the teams provide the funny!" Performances take place on the second floor of the Sugar Cubed, 917 S Main St. in St Charles, Mo. For more information: www.cszstlouis.com.

St. Louis Community College at Meramec presents Arthur Miller's drama The Crucible Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 pm, October 3 - 7. 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.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Dead Like Me through November 3. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Clinton County Showcase presents the comedy/mystery Drop Dead Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, October 5 - 14. "An odd-ball cast of has-been actors revive their careers in 'Drop Dead!,' a potboiler murder mystery directed by 'Wonder Child of the Broadway Stage' Victor Le Pewe. At the dress rehearsal, the set falls, props break, and the producer and an actor are murdered. But the show must go on! During the opening night performance, the murders continue. The remaining thespians must save the show and their careers, solve the mystery, and stay alive for curtain call." Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents the classic musical The Fantasticks Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., February October 3 - 14. " Whimsical, poignant, and romantic, The Fantasticks is an allegorical story that focuses on two young lovers, their meddling fathers, and the journey we all must take through adolescent thrills, the growing pains of hurt and betrayal, the highs of passion, the challenges of distance, and the agonies of heartbreak to discover how to truly love. With the record for the longest American theatrical run, The Fantasticks is a gem of the American musical theatre." Performances take place in the Stage Three Auditorium on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

An Ha Lim in The Illusionists
Photo by Joan Marcus

The Fox Theatre presents The Illusionists-Live From Broadway, Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm, October 5 - 7. "Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, The Illusionists has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth." The Fox in at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Lillian Hellman's drama The Little Foxes Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through October 14. " Lillian Hellman's legendary play about greed and ambition. Set in Alabama in 1900, The Little Foxes follows Regina Giddens and her ruthless clan, including her sister-in-law Birdie, as they clash in often brutal ways in an effort to strike the deal of their lives. Far from a sentimental look at a bygone era, the play has a surprisingly timely resonance with important issues facing our country today.". Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. For more information call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

KTK Productions presents the musical Legally Blonde Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, October 5 - 14. "Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle geniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.” Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information: kurtainkall.org or call 314-351-8984.

Oklahoma!
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Stages St. Louis presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! through October 7. "Oh, what a beautiful musical! Rodgers and Hammerstein's timeless first collaboration was, in many ways, their most innovative. And while OKLAHOMA! completely changed the face of American musical theatre over seventy years ago, it remains as fresh and vital today as it was then with its loving celebration of the American spirit. A stunning blend of drama, music, and dance, the exhilarating Rodgers and Hammerstein score contains such classics as "People Will Say We're In Love," "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top," "Kansas City," "I Cain't Say No," and the pulsating title tune, "Oklahoma!" A gold standard that set the bar for all great musicals that came after it, OKLAHOMA! is unforgettable entertainment for the entire family!" 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.

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents One Funny Mother Wednesday through Sunday, October 3 - 7. "One Funny Mother stars comedian, former Miss New Jersey, and married mother of three, Dena Blizzard, in her hilarious solo comedy show about the trials and tribulations of motherhood and marriage. An outrageous and side splitting 80-minutes of sass that follows Dena on her hilarious journey through a day of cleaning as she prepares for her big “Girls Night Out.” Along the way she laments how her life and marriage have changed since becoming a mother of three, wrestling with the eternal question, “Have I gone crazy since having these kids?” The answer is a hysterical, “laugh 'til your face hurts” comedy that you won't want to miss." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents the first round of its Playwright Slam on Monday, October 1, at 6:30 pm. "Get ready for a night of fun impromptu theater. The order of scripts to be read will be chosen at random. Actors to read will be chosen at random. Each script will be given a five minute read, and rated by a panel of judges based upon audience reaction. The judges will select several plays to move on to round two which will be ten minutes of the same script, from which a winner will be chosen." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

Raging Skillet
Photo by Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Raging Skillet by Jacques Lemarre Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, October 4 - 21. New Jewish Theatre serves up the opening entrée to its 21st season with a tasty adaptation of celebrity Chef Rossi's autobiographical memoir, Raging Skillet - equal parts book launch, cooking demonstration, heaping helping of comedy and a side of Jewish mother guilt. When Rossi's Jewish mother discovers the microwave, home-cooked meals become a thing of the past. What starts as a rebellion against her Orthodox parents, chauvinism in the kitchen and the pressures of conformity ends with Rossi becoming New York's #1 punk-rock, Jewish, Lesbian caterer. This hilarious and heartfelt new comedy is based on her true-life story." 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.

This Random World
Photo by John Lamb

The West End Players Guild opens its 108th season with the St. Louis premiere of the comedy This Random World by Steven Dietz Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, October 4 - 7. "Only the audience knows that every character is connected to almost every other character is some way. Dietz's tale is one of continuous missed connections, a series of mostly funny and sometimes touching almost-interactions that would change the characters lives if they happened, which they don't." There will also be a show on Thursday, October 4, at 8 pm. 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.

50/Fifty Kitchen presents Tim, Carol, and Deborah, a cabaret evening with singers Tim Schall and Deborah Sharn and pianist Carol Schmidt on Tuesday, October 2, at 6:30 pm. Come and enjoy the music, wonderful food and drink. We'd love to see you there. 50/Fifty is the creation of Bob Madden. Bob loves food, music and bringing it all together for St. Louis to enjoy. Delicious, Healthy, Creative Food - The menu offers both vegetarian dishes and choices for meat lovers! Small plates, medium plates, large plates, desserts, full bar with great wines and local beers! 50/Fify Kitchen is at 3723 South Kingshighway. For more information: www.50-fiftykitchen.com

Valhalla Cemetery and The Hawthorne Players present Voices Of Valhalla: A Hayride Through History October 5 - 13. 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 Zombies of Penzance
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the world premiere of the rock musical The Zombies of Penzance, based on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through October 20. "New Line Theatre has shocked the music world by discovering a controversial, long-lost first draft by the legendary British team of librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, who together wrote fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896...In Gilbert and Sullivan's never-before seen original draft, dated December 1878 and titled The Zombies of Penzance (with the unwieldy subtitle, At Night Come the Flesh Eaters), Major-General Stanley is a retired zombie hunter, who doesn't want his daughters marrying the dreaded Zombies of Penzance, for obvious reasons." 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.

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.