St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of August 24, 2015

[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 web site.

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Mustard Seed Theatre presents The Amish Project August 28 - September 13. "Reactions to a school shooting in an Amish community lead us to the crossroads of grief and grace." Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

The Randy Dandies presents Burlesque Bingo on Thursdays from 9 to 11 p.m. "As anyone who frequents the bingo parlors knows, the facade of genteel decorum drops once the first game is won. The first cry of "Bingo!" fires up the blood something fierce, and all bets are off from that point forward. Now, imagine what would happen if you throw semi-clad young women into the mix - Ok, now stop imagining. The Randy Dandies present Burlesque Bingo from 9pm to 11:30 pm on Thursdays, and and it promises all the thrills of cutthroat bingo, with the added titillation of local burlesque performers and specialty variety acts plus silly prizes." The show takes place at Meyer's Grove, 4510 Manchester in the Grove neighborhood. For more information: therandydandies.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents A Fistful Of Hollers through August 29. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Get "Hitched" To A Redneck Or Die through October 31. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Götterdämmerung
Photo: John Lamb

Union Avenue Opera presents Wagner's Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods) Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, August 28 and 29. "A suspenseful tale of courage and sacrifice, Wagner's tale of gods, mortals and giants draws to a close in Götterdämmerung - Twilight of the Gods. The heroic Siegfried gifts Brünnhilde with the ring as a token of their love, but they are soon caught up in events beyond their control. Brünnhilde steps forward to return the universe to its natural order in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice. Watch as the Rhine overflows, Valhalla burns, and the kingdom of the gods is destroyed." Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in German with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

Ignite Theatre Company presents Ignite the Night on Saturday, August 29, at 7 p.m. " Make history and light the fuse to help Ignite Theatre Company catch fire and support their mission of Service, performance, arts opportunities, real life experience, and kindness initiatives in St.Louis. Sip cocktails, sample hors d'oeuvres, bid on fabulous silent auction items and enjoy one-of-a-kind performances by cast members of Ignite's premiere production "Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr." The event takes place at Neo on Locust, 2801 Locust in midtown. For more information: ignitewithus.org.

One Flea Spare
Photo: Joey Rumpell

Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble presents One Flea Spare through August 29. "A wealthy couple is preparing to flee their home in plague-ravaged 17th Century London when a mysterious sailor and a young girl sneak into their boarded up house. Now, quarantined together for 28 days, the only thing these strangers fear more than the Plague is each other. Definitions of morality are up for grabs and survival takes many forms in this dark, fiercely intense and humorous play." Performances take place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: slightlyoff.org.

Gordon's Entertainment presents St. Louis Legends on Sunday, August 30, at 3 p.m. The show is a cabaret performance the pays tribute to some of the celebrated performers "who have graced the stages of St. Louis with songs, dance, musical compositions, poetry, [and] comedy". Narrated by Linda Kennedy, the show stars Joe Mancuso, Uvee Hayes, Davey Dave, Wendy L. Gordon, Jeanne Trevor, Tish Haynes Keys, J. Samuel Davis, and KDHX's own Deborah Sharn. The performance takes place at the James Egan Theatre in the Florissant Civic Center in Florissant, MO. For more information: florissantmo.thundertix.com or call 314-921-5678

Next Generation Theatre Company presents the musical Singin' in the Rain August 28 - September 5. "Hilarious situations, snappy dialogues and a hit-parade score of Hollywood standards make Singin' in the Rain the perfect entertainment for any fan of the golden age of movie musicals, so grab your tickets to come tap your toes and sing along in this splashy adaptation of the celebrated and beloved film." Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theater at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information: florissantmo.thundertix.com.

Spinning Into Butter

Insight Theatre Company presents Spinning Into Butter by Rebecca Gilman August 27 - September 13 "Set on a Vermont College campus, Spinning Into Butter explores racism in America today. The playwright presents ideas about race relations as we see a liberal dean of students, Sarah Daniels, investigate racist comments written to one of the college's few African American students. As a result, Sarah, along with other faculty members and students, explore their own personal ideas about racism leading to surprising discoveries and insights. Who is racist? This performance promises to spark lots of relevant discussion." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Wild Oats by James McLure Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through August 30. Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

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.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of January 9, 2015

As always, the choices are purely my personal opinion. Take with a grain (or a shaker) of salt.

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New This Week:

Tim Schall

The Kranzberg Arts Center presents A Cabaret Showcase Evening on Saturday, January 10, at 7 p.m. "Eight talented singers take the stage to perform individual cabaret sets created specifically for this evening! Starring Shirley Aschinger, Kevin Cherry, Elizabeth DeVoto, Linda Kennedy, Dan McGee, Charlene Reimann, Annie Sauerburger and Ben Watts. Tim Schall is the director and Carol Schmidt is the Music Director and pianist. For more information: kranzbergartscenter.org.

My take: This singers in this showcase are the students in Tim Schall's cabaret performance class. All of them have performance experience, some of it quite substantial. I have worked with most of them before, in a cabaret and theatre settings, and know them to be solid performers. I'll be there and I hope you will as well.

Leigha Stockton and Brock Birkner
in Urinetown

Next Generation Theatre Company presents the musical Urinetown Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10. " Winner of three TONY Awards, three Outer Critic's Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards, and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself! Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective of one of America's greatest art forms. In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!" Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theater at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information: florissantmo.thundertix.com

My take: Next Generation is a new group in town that describes itself as "a theatre company created specifically for young adults, providing the opportunity to perform, direct, choreograph and produce their own shows." Urinetown has the kind of energy and satirical edge that should work well for a young cast, and it takes on a serious subject—water and the way we take it for granted—in an entertaining way.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 5, 2015

[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 web site.

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The Kranzberg Arts Center presents A Cabaret Showcase Evening on Saturday, January 10, at 7 p.m. "Eight talented singers take the stage to perform individual cabaret sets created specifically for this evening! Starring Shirley Aschinger, Kevin Cherry, Elizabeth DeVoto, Linda Kennedy, Dan McGee, Charlene Reimann, Annie Sauerburger and Ben Watts.Tim Schall is the director and Carol Schmidt is the Music Director and pianist. For more information: kranzbergartscenter.org.

Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the drama Dinner With Friends by John Marguiles Friday through Sunday, December 5-7. 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.

Shannon Marie Sullivan and Richard Prioleau
in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
Photo: Lon Brauer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?, based on the classic film, January 7 - February 1. “A progressive couple's proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter arrives home bursting with excitement and an unexpected fiancé. Expectations and reality collide when questions of race, fear and cultural beliefs are staring them directly in the face. A new adaptation of the award-winning film explores family and acceptance and asks which has the greater hold on our hearts.” Performances take place on the mainstage at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

Slaying Dragons presents My River, My Valley by Ron Osborne Friday through Sunday, January 9-11, at The Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. For more information: mohistory.org.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Phantom of the Grand Ole Opery through April 26. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Archie Coleman and Curtis Lewis
in Stereo Heart

First Run Theatre presents the drama Stereo Heart by Mario Farwell Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 9-18. "This world premiere play is set in a rundown TV and Stereo repair shop in St. Louis. Theo and Sunny Freeman, a father and son team, run the shop and share an explosive secret. Theo has never been a pillar of society, and Sunny has served three stints in prison and is still on parole. While working on a Sony widescreen, Theo and Sunny discover a half-million dollar's worth of cocaine, and devise a scheme to sell the drugs. They soon learn that the drugs are the property of a drug kingpin named Three Thumb Hank. Georgette, the matriarch of the family, unaware of the intrigue unfolding in her household, sells a metal drum in which Theo stored the coke. When Theo and Sunny discover the drum has been sold, Sunny makes a desperate attempt to retrieve it. Three Thumb Hank returns and demands his merchandise. The family is thrown into chaos, secrets are revealed, and dreams are shattered resulting in tragic consequences." Performances take place at De Smet Jesuit High School Theatre, 233 N. New Ballas Rd. For more information, call (314) 352-5114 or visit www.firstruntheatre.com.

The Florissant Fine Arts Council presents Karen Knotts in Tied Up in Knotts on Sunday, January 11, at 2 PM at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker Road at Waterford Drive in Florissant, MO. "Tied Up in Knotts is a must-see for kids of the '50s, '60s, and '70s who grew up laughing at Don Knotts as Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show. It's a father-daughter story about growing up in a celebrity 'Diva' world with the love of Mayberry. Karen Knotts tells stories about her legendary comedian dad, Don Knotts." For more information, call (314) 352-5114 or visit www.firstruntheatre.com.

Next Generation Theatre Company presents the musical Urinetown Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10. " Winner of three TONY Awards, three Outer Critic's Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards, and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, bureaucracy, corporate mismanagement, municipal politics and musical theatre itself! Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective of one of America's greatest art forms. In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he's had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!" Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theater at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information: florissantmo.thundertix.com

G Arts Foundation presents VOICES: Sounds of America Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10, at 8 p.m. " Voices: Sounds of America, a montage of monologues and songs by Lauron Thompson and Tre'von Griffith, will wow the minds of all who see it. As an open letter to youth this production brings to life issues of race,self-esteem, identity and many more issues that plague our youth today. VOICES allows youth to enter into a new environment to create dialogue on issues they face today through fine arts." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.facebook.com/4thegarts

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.