What's
on St. Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please
leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out
The Alpha Players present
Charlotte’s Web,
adapted by Joseph Robinette from the book by E.B. White, May 17
through 26. “A classic for the entire family! A perfect show for the
young and the young-at-heart. All the enchanting characters are
here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who wants to avoid the
butcher; Fern, a young girl who understands animals; Templeton, the
gluttonous rat; and most of all, Charlotte, the spider, who proves
to be a true friend and a good writer. This beautiful, charming play
about friendship will surely warm your heart.” Performances take
place in the James J. Eagen Center in Florissant. For more
information:
www.alphaplayers.org.
The Black Rep presents the musical
Timbuktu!,
based on the Broadway classic
Kismet, opening on
Wednesday, May 15, and running through June 9. “Opulent
beyond man’s dreams, travelers died crossing the Sahara in search of
Timbuktu! Set against this exotic locale is the story of the Poet;
his beautiful daughter, Marsinah; an evil Wazir of Police; his
restless Wife of Wives, Lundanda; and The Mania of Mali, Bobo. While
wandering incognito, Bobo meets Marsinah and instantly falls in
love. Still, the twisted twine of fate must unravel in many
thrilling and exciting ways before the two lovers can finally tie
the knot.” Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the
Washington University campus. For more information:
www.theblackrep.org.
|
Laka |
The Blue Strawberry Laka in
I'm Every Woman:
Whitney Houston Tribute on Friday May 17, at 7:30 pm.
“Laka traces Whitney Houston’s journey from the earliest Billboard
#1 albums to her last chart toppers, with excursions to the deeper
cuts and the popular soundtracks Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale.
Laka tells the artist’s story the way it happened - from peak to
peak to peak, and the tragic descent.” For more information:
bluestrawberrystl.com
The Blue Strawberry presents
Sunday Standard Time
with
Tim Schall and
Joe Dreyer on Sunday May 19 at 6
pm. “Join Tim Schall (vocals) and Joe Dreyer (piano) in the lounge
for a casual, classy Sunday evening of jazz standards, a little
sophisticated pop and a dash of classic Broadway. Tim is no stranger
to the theater and concert stages of St. Louis, Chicago and New
York's Lincoln Center. Joe has a rich history of entertaining St.
Louis audiences as musician and singer. Together they will help you
wind down your weekend with timeless music and a lot of irreverent
dry humor.” The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more
information:
bluestrawberrystl.com
Call to Conscience Interactive Theater for Social Change presents
Social Justice Shorts, at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 4 and
7:30 pm, and Sunday at 4 pm, May 17 through 19. “Social Justice
Shorts is a one-act play festival featuring thought-provoking new
narratives centered around themes such as racial equality,
reproductive rights, poverty, gun violence, transgender rights, and
more.” Performances take place in the Greenfinch Theatre and Dive on
South Jefferson. For more information:
acalltoconscience.org.
Encore Theatre Group presents Shakespeare’s
The
Tragedy of Othello, Moor of Venice May 16 through June
9. “Othello tells the story of a valiant Moorish general, Othello,
who falls victim to the manipulations of a cunning villain. Themes
of race, prejudice, and the devastating power of jealousy unfold in
a way that feels shockingly contemporary. The play serves as a
mirror to our society, reflecting the struggles for acceptance and
equal footing that many people of color still face.” Performances
take place at 2607 Patomac in the Marine Villa neighborhood. For
more information:
www.encorestl.org.
|
The
Drunkard |
KTK Productions presents the musical
The Drunkard
with music and lyrics by Barry Manilow Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30
pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through May 19. “Mary Wilson and her widowed
mother are in dire straights. When it comes to their attention that
the cottage they are renting is to be sold, Mary appears before the
handsome new owner, Edward, hoping to request his mercy. Edward had
already been informed of the debacle by the villainous lawyer,
Cribbs, who has set about to destroy the Wilson family. Edward had
already determined that the Wilson family was not to be forced from
their home. After laying eyes on Mary, Edward is immediately in
love, and the wedding is set; Cribbs' plan has been thwarted. He'll
have to implement a new plan just as devious, involving the wicked
devil's beverage... alcohol!” Performances take place at the Saint
John the Baptist Gymnasium, 4200 Delor Street in south St. Louis.
For more information:
kurtainkall.org
|
Spirits
to Enforce
Photo: Joey Rumpell |
The Midnight Company will present Mickle Maher’s
Spirits
to
Enforce Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm through May
18. “They’ve finally imprisoned their arch nemesis, Professor
Cannibal, and are keeping the City safe from fanged, venomous,
ambulatory whales. And now the Fathom City Enforcers have
taken residence in a secret submarine, and are undertaking the most
critical work of their crimefighting mission - fundraising.
Their Plan? They’re getting ready to present a Superheroic
benefit performance of THE TEMPEST. Infused with comic book
lore, chorale arrangements and text from Shakespeare’s masterpiece,
SPIRITS TO ENFORCE is an utterly unique theatrical trip.”
Performances take place at The Kranzberg Black Box theatre in Grand
Center. Ticket information is available at
www.metrotix.com
The Midnight Company presents a return engagement of
Just
One
Look by Joe Hanrahan, starring Kelly Howe as Linda
Ronstadt, on Wednesday May 15 at 7:30 pm. “Linda Ronstadt
ruled the pop charts and filled stadiums in the 70’s and 80’s. The
reigning rock goddess of her era, she later took on light opera -
Gilbert and Sullivan on Broadway - and The Great American Songbook
with Nelson Riddle. Her involvement in social issues accelerated
during her relationship with California Governor Jerry Brown, then
running for President. But for Linda, it was always a search for the
next great song. Kelly Howe will portray Linda Ronstadt and sing her
sensational songs.” Performances take place at The Blue Strawberry,
356 N. Boyle. For more information:
bluestrawberrystl.com
|
Paula Poundstone |
The Sheldon Concert Hall presents comic, author, actress, and
podcaster
Paula Poundstone on Friday, May 17, at 8 pm.
“Paula Poundstone is a standup comedian, author, and podcaster. She
regularly plays theaters across the country, hosts a weekly podcast,
Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone (the comedy podcast), and
is a regular panelist on NPR’s
Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me.”
The show takes place in the auditorium of The Sheldon in Grand
Center. For more information:
www.thesheldon.org
The St. Louis Writers Group presents a reading of the new
play
Tatyana by Shahnaz Ahmed on Monday, May
13, at 6:30 pm. “When a call from a hospital interrupts a
conversation between a father and his teenage son, the past will be
explored and secrets will be revealed.” The reading takes place at
the Schlafly Tap Room in Midtown. More information is
available at
the St. Louis Writers Group
Facebook page.
|
Amy Jo Jackson |
The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis presents
Amy Jo Jackson and music director
Brian Nash in the world premiere of
Grande Dames: A Celebration of the Diva Wednesday and Thursday, May 15 and 16, at 7:30 pm. “This cabaret will feature an eclectic array of divas of the stage and screen (both real and fictional) like Fanny Brice, Norma Desmond, Stevie Nicks, Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, and more!” Performances take place in the Curtain Call Lounge at The Fabulous Fox in Grand Center. For more information:
www.twstl.org. And check out
my video interview with Amy Jo Jackson on Chuck's Culture Channel!
Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out
the
St.
Louis Auditions site.
To
get your event listed here, send an email to chuck at kdhx.org
Your event information should be in text format (i.e. not part of
a graphic), but feel free to include publicity stills.
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.