St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of September 9, 2019

The fall season gets serious this week with a flood of new shows, including the 2019 edition of the Xfest experimental theater festival.

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Angels in America, Part 1
Photo by Peter Wochniak

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches running in alternating repertory with Angels in America, Part 2: Perestroika through October 4. "A towering epic that unveils new depths with each passing year, Tony Kushner's Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece arrives on The Rep's stage for the first time. The AIDS epidemic is the flashpoint in Kushner's swirling tapestry of American culture, myths and spirituality. Navigating this maelstrom are Prior Walter, whose prophetic visions lead him toward an uncertain destiny, Joe Pitt, a devout and painfully closeted Mormon, and Roy Cohn, a lawyer whose AIDS diagnosis forces him to face a lifetime of misdeeds. These twin plays' vision of a wounded and chaotic nation struggling toward redemption is more urgent than ever." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Angels in America, Part 2: Perestroika opening on Wednesday, September 11 and running in alternating repertory with Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches through October 4. "A towering epic that unveils new depths with each passing year, Tony Kushner's Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece arrives on The Rep's stage for the first time. The AIDS epidemic is the flashpoint in Kushner's swirling tapestry of American culture, myths and spirituality. Navigating this maelstrom are Prior Walter, whose prophetic visions lead him toward an uncertain destiny, Joe Pitt, a devout and painfully closeted Mormon, and Roy Cohn, a lawyer whose AIDS diagnosis forces him to face a lifetime of misdeeds. These twin plays' vision of a wounded and chaotic nation struggling toward redemption is more urgent than ever." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.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.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the new play The Debate of God by Brad Slavik on Monday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. "A Catholic priest, a Jew, a Muslim, and a Buddhist monk walk into the audience hall of the great Khan of the Mongol Empire. Sounds like the beginning of a joke but it was a real situation: in 1254 the Great Khan ordered a debate between Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. Thus is brought into the crucible all the differences and all the similarities of the three great religions. It brought its share of conflict, comedy, and intrigue. It also brings in three unlikely friendships and an unexpected ending. Sit back and relax and let the story teller Yakob of Uzgen explain it all." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sindey in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

The Black Rep presents the musical Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope running through September 22. "Garnering a Grammy and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope was the first musical revue in the history of Broadway to be written and directed by African American women, namely Micki Grant and Vinette Caroll which ran over 1,000 performances. With little dialogue between performances, its poignant social commentary is woven into an unbroken cycle of high-energy, feel-good song and dance numbers." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: theblackrep.org.

Alton Little Theater presents the comedy Happily Ever After by Mark Dunn running through September 15. " A family friendly farce with a Texas Twang and plot twists aplenty in the tradition of classic Kaufman and Hart!" Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618-462-6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Ernie De Silva in his one-man show Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11 as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame is a sea-green version of the blues! It's a one-man show that is like watching a bar fight go on between our lead character's demons, influences, and aspirations. It's a sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious journey filled with echoes of Shakespeare, Lightning Hopkins, Jack Kerouac, and your local Brooklyn New York archetypes and philosophers. It's raw, it's funny, it is universally human and it is above all intelligent! Heavy has enjoyed a myriad of successes both in the states and internationally. The show has enjoyed full productions in Los Angeles, New York, Scotland, London, Manchester and Amsterdam and has been met with both Statewide and international acclaim. " The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit www.siue.edu.

Slaying Dragons presents the Eugene O'Neill's Long Days Journey Into Night opening on Friday, September 13 at 7 pm and running through September 21. " Slaying Dragons focuses its fall performance this year on opioid and alcohol addiction. There is no greater play that expresses the heartbreak and devastation of these mental illnesses on a family than this play originally written by Eugene O'Neil. The setting of the play is the early 20th Century. Unfortunately, these addictions have become a greater tragedy as they take the lives of even more of our youth today. We have chosen to broaden the time period as well as other aspects of the play through our production to reach as many populations as possible. The story of the Tyrone family remains unchanged while its impact is more dramatic than ever. Following the show, there will be a panel of experts, along with the cast member, for group discussion." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: www.eventbrite.com.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Love at the River's Edge as its 2019 Shakespeare in the Streets production Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14, at 7 pm. "The world premiere play is based on Shakespeare's As You Like It and is the culmination of a year's work in Calhoun County, IL and North St. Louis County, MO. It is part of Shakespeare Festival's ongoing work to bridge the urban-rural divide and elevate the voices of Midwest artists and residents. Love at the River's Edge opens with one of Shakespeare's most famous lines, 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.' The players are Midwestern families and their journey of love, community and reconciliation will take audience members from Pagedale, MO to Calhoun County, IL, with the mighty Mississippi in a starring role. Each night, the audience will be transported between two locations: Act 1 Location - The intersection of Page and Ferguson by 24:1 Coffeehouse/Cafe. Act 2 Location - The Mississippi River at the Golden Eagle Ferry by Kinder's Restaurant." For more information: sfstl.com

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Man of La Mancha through October 6. "A romantic and inspiring musical adventure, MAN OF LA MANCHA tells the epic story of seventeenth-century author Miguel de Cervantes and his immortal literary creation Don Quixote." 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 Midnight Company presents the A Model for Matisse Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 and 7 pm, September 12-21. "The play presents the relatively little known and tender relationship between one of the twentieth century's greatest artists, Henri Matisse and Sister Jacques-Marie, who inspired him to create what he considered the masterpiece of his life's work - the revolutionary Chapel of the Rosary in the perched Mediterranean village of Vence in France." Performances take place at the .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: midnightcompany.com

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 running through September 15. "The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious “Stage Door Slasher”) assemble for a backer's audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy “angel.” The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people- all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem that follows when the infamous “slasher” makes his reappearance and strikes again." 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.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Manual Cinema production of No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 13 as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks brings to life the story of one of Chicago's most beloved figures. She was an icon, a poet laureate, and a Pulitzer Prize winner-but she was also a treasured educator and mentor to the countless writers and children who knew her as their very own “Miss Brooks.” Weaving together poetry, storytelling, sound design, original music, and striking visuals, No Blue Memories is an exploration of Brooks's beloved city and a story of how she navigated identity, craft, and politics over the course of one of the most remarkable careers in American literary history. The performance combines intricate paper puppetry, live actors working in shadow, and an original score for an unforgettable multi-media experience." The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit www.siue.edu.

The Monroe Actors Stage presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 pm, September 13-22. Performances take place in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

Brittani O'Connell

The Monocle presents Part of Me: A Cabaret With Brittani O'Connell Thursday, September 12, at 8 pm. From St. Louis to New York, there has been a lot to learn about life living in the city that never sleeps. Brittani O'Connell brings her solo cabaret Part of Me to audiences to celebrate her discovery, hard work, and growth throughout the journey to find peace with the here and now. Join Brittani for a night of living in the moment as she shares the most impactful music and stories of her life and career." The performance takes place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle on Manchester in The Grove. For more information: themonoclestl.com

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Lucky Plush production of Rink Life at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10 as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "In Rink Life, Lucky Plush brings its highly integrated approach to dance-theater into a communal space that nods to the visual aesthetics and social dynamics of 1970's roller rink culture, where relationships and storylines are as transient as the world that contains them. Rink Life's staging and choreography are built from the rink's spatial rules and social codes, and its script-turned-libretto-created from passing conversations, distant whispers, pop-song earworms, and found scripts-is entirely spoken and sung live. As the ensemble sings full-throatedly to score their experiences, they demonstrate through effort, risk, beauty, and failure that they-and we-are utterly dependent on one another." The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit www.siue.edu.

Shakespeare in Love
Photo by John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents Shakespeare in Love by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, through September 15. "Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block… the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse - Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will's greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will's love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Sherlock Holmes in "The Case Without a Clue" running through October 27 The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the YoungLiars production of Whammy! The Seven Secrets to a Sane Self at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 9 as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "The agony and the ecstasy of "self-help" get a delirious makeover in this madcap dance-theatre extravaganza. Part 1960s dance party and part Nietzschean nightmare, Whammy! prods and probes the American fever dream where Dr. Phil, Diazepam and daily affirmations crash headlong in sexual addiction, suicide and The Shirelles. WTF? Want to know the seven secrets to a sane self? You know you do! And there's only one way to find out! The show that started it all. Whammy! was the opening production of the inaugural Xfest. Ten years later the show (which has been presented in St. Louis, Columbus and NYC) returns - re-imagined and re-cast, featuring SIUE Theater Dance alums and faculty." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit www.siue.edu.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Wonderheads production of The Wilds at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "When Wendell discovers that both his wife and their beloved tree have vanished from the backyard, he must venture into The Wilds and face its mysteries to bring them home. Charming and profoundly moving, this wordless award-winning show features Wonderheads' signature masks along with dazzling puppetry, and moves its audiences to both laughter and tears. Wonderheads' work has been described as living animation; their masks come to life in a way that must be seen to be believed, and their stories reach profound, funny and heartwarming depths that you wouldn't think possible of masks and puppets." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit www.siue.edu.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love (No Biting) running through November 2. "Calling all Zombies! Tired of being judged for munching on the occasional brain? So you're not really "alive" anymore but you can still enjoy socializing with the living and enjoying a hilarious show together! Well, we've got the perfect show for you! Drama! Comedy! Looove! ...And, of course, Zombies! Don your best Living Dead Costume and choose to be a Zombie, or not (its up to you), but we do promise lots of fun for both the living and the undead! hey, Hey, HEY! No Biting!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

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.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of September 10, 2018

The autumn theatre season picks up speed with the annual Xfest at SIU-E and Japanese theatre at the Touhill, along with new shows from Ignite and Christ Memorial Productions.

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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.

Robert Dubac in The Book of Moron

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents The Book of Moron, opening on Thursday, September 13, and running through September 23. "Robert Dubac's newest Off-Broadway hit The Book Of Moron has been described as one of the most hilarious, intelligent and scorching satirical attacks on idiocracy since Mark Twain. Having been brainwashed by a culture that worships the Kardashians over character, delusion over truth, and selfies over self-effacement, Dubac begins his journey with a simple question: Who am I? What do I believe? What's the point? Okay, that's three questions but suffice to say, he has no answers. Just voices. Inner voices who come to life with precision and wit. One by one they pull him into a hysterical alternative universe of critical thought in search of the bigger picture. It's a head trip on a banana peel." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: westportstl.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Buffon Glass Menagerie at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11 as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Gentlemen callers beware: The Wingfields plume their nest with broken glass, twisted morals, and perverted minds. Each night a new audience member will get to play the role of Jim, the gentlemen caller. Tom, Amanda and Laura claim no responsibility for hurt feelings or offended sentiments. These deformed anti-clowns subversively take the piss out of everyone and everything. Why would anyone do this to an American Masterpiece!?!" The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Ignite Theatre Company the musical Bye Bye Birdie Thursday Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, September 13 - 16. "When the draft selects rock star Conrad Birdie (Noah Drake), his fans are devastated, but none more than struggling songwriter Albert Peterson (Aaron Drake), whose song Birdie was just about to record. Albert's longtime girlfriend, Rosie (Krista Hartmann), pushes Albert to write a new tune that Birdie will perform on television to a randomly selected fan. The scheme works, with young Ohio teenager Kim McAfee (Gabby Anderson) declared the winner, but no one has counted on the jealous wrath of her boyfriend." Performances take place at 3510 Giles Avenue in south St. Louis. For more information: ignitewithus.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.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents Lillian Hellman's drama The Children's Hour Fridays through Sundays through September 16. "Two women run a school for girls. After a malicious youngster starts a rumor about the two women, the rumor soon turns to scandal. As the young girl comes to understand the power she wields, she sticks by her story, which precipitates tragedy for the women. It is later discovered that the gossip was pure invention, but it is too late. Irreparable damage has been done." 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.

Crowns
Photo by Phillip Hamer

The Black Rep presents the musical Crowns through September 23. "Hats become a springboard for an exploration of black history and identity as seen through the eyes of a young black woman who has come down South to stay with her aunt after her brother is killed in Brooklyn. Hats are everywhere, in exquisite variety, and the characters use the hats to tell tales about everything from the etiquette of hats to their historical and contemporary social functions." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: theblackrep.org.

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.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents a performance by the Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre on Thursday, September 13, at 7:30 pm as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Drawing from the companies repertoire, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater presents an evening of short pieces including "Desire", "When Men", "Lambs," and the companies signature pieces, "Church of Nations" & "Heaven". "Deeply Rooted is the city's answer to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, yet with a profile very much its own… spiritual fervor, physical prowess, and sheer, unalloyed joy in movement." (Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun Times)" The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Eddie Poe at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 13, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Eddie Poe is a two-_person dark, musical, comedy created and performed by Katie Hartman and Nick Ryan, in collaboration with Mark Benzel. It is a stand-alone sequel to their award-winning, Off-Broadway show Edgar Allan. It follows a sixteen year old Edgar Allan Poe during his first year at the University of Virginia, as he attempts to distinguish himself among the scholarly elite… but he soon finds his old compulsions difficult to control on a campus filled with temptation. Eddie Poe is a dark, comedic riff on the mania, the addictions, and the society that haunted the life and work of America's first professional writer." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Evita
Photo by Eric Woolsey

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical Evita through September 30. "The incandescent Eva Perón's rise from poverty to power electrified the world - and made her an iconic political celebrity. Winner of seven Tony Awards, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's tour-de-force musical revels in the glamour, charisma and controversy that defined the First Lady of Argentina. With its unforgettable anthem "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and kaleidoscope of sights and sounds, Evita dazzles with pure passion." 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.

The UMSL International Studies Program presents Mischief And Mayhem: Japanese Kyogen Farce, on Saturday, September 15, at 8 pm. "Kyogen, "mad words" or "wild speech", a form of traditional Japanese comic theater, is presented by Prof. Laurence Kominz of Portland State University, and his student performers." The performance takes place at the Touhill Center on the UMSL Campus. For more information: touhill.org.

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.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, in conjunction with the SIUE Student Experimental Theatre Organization, presents One and Done, a 24-hour play festival. on Friday, September 15, at 7:30 pm as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Type/Caste at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "In Lagos, Nigeria, a young boy tries on his mother's wedding dress and discovers a liberating world of make-believe. His dreams of a dazzling theatrical career bring him to America, where he discovers that he'll first have to leap over obstacles placed by an industry that isn't always welcoming to applicants who are neither white nor straight. In his hilarious new solo show, San Francisco Mime Troupe and Beach Blanket Babylon veteran Rotimi Agbabiaka shape-shifts from character to character and uses monologue, song, dance, and drag to embody, explore, and expose the battles minority artists fight in the exclusive world of mainstream American theatre." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Christ Memorial Productions presents the musical The Wizard of Oz, based on the classic movie, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM, September 14 - 23. The adaptation was originally created by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Performances take place at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 South Lindbergh. For more information, visit CMPShows.org or call 314-631-0304.

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.

Review: Hallucinatory late Tennessee Williams gets a sterling production at the Tennessee Williams Festival

L-R: Kelley Weber, Julie Layton, Molly McCaskill

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Through May 21st, the Tennessee Williams Festival is presenting Will Mr. Merriweather Return from Memphis?, a wildly eccentric 1969 mélange of the playwright's trademark poetic realism, loopy surrealism, and hokey comedy. Written at a time when the playwright's health and fortunes were on the wane, the play looks like it would be leaden on a conventional stage, but in the highly unconventional setting of the 1890 Stockton House mansion just across the street from Powell Hall it's mostly great fun, inscrutable though it may be.

The story, such as it is, revolves around a familiar Williams trope: the woman waiting in vain for the return of her lover (the titular Mr. Merriweather) who may or may not be real. Louise longs for Mr. Merriweather to call or for his car to appear, while trying to deal with the sexual awakening of her daughter Gloria and the frequent visits of her chatty neighbor Nora and Nora's obsessions with the spirit world and lepers. Meanwhile, a collection of odd characters wanders in and out, including the ghosts of Van Gogh and Rimbaud and a wealthy dowager who has had her face lifted so many times that she now has to encase herself in wax.

Have I mentioned that Williams was having serious alcohol and drug issues at this point in his life?

So, yes, it's challenging and oddly disjointed material, but under Jef Awada's creative direction it somehow all comes together to make a kind of odd, non-linear sense. Running around 90 minutes in one continuous act, the action of the play moves back and forth among the three downstairs rooms and hallway of the mansion, with the actors leading the audience from one scene to the next often underscored by live banjo music.

One of the rooms in Stockton House

Much credit is due to the outstanding performances by the ensemble cast, especially Julie Layton as the increasingly distraught Louise and Molly McCaskill as Gloria, slowly awakening to her womanliness. Kelley Weber's Nora is a comic gem right up to the final scene, when her more tender side is revealed. Webster Conservatory student Jacob Fleiker makes a strong Festival debut as the Romantically Handsome Youth.

All the other roles are played by the versatile ensemble of Terry Meaddows, Sophia Brown, and Bob Harvey. They're often cast against physical gender, a tactic that might-but generally doesn't-come across as a simple gimmick. In one especially effective scene they play the Eumenides-the ancient Greek deities of vengeance-as a trio of Vaudeville Irish comics, knitting a web to ensnare the fates of the mortal characters. It's completely ridiculous and highly entertaining.

Will Mr. Merriweather Return from Memphis? is not a play you're likely to see very often, and certainly not in an innovative and polished production like this one, so it's well worth your time. Come early so you can walk around the first floor of Stockton House and admire the eclectic collection of furniture and paintings. The interior of the restored mansion is, in many ways, a key member of the cast, after all. Information on this and other Williams Festival events is available at the festival web site.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of September 12, 2016

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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.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents Am I Black Enough Yet?, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. through September 18. "Presented in skit comedy form, with titles of vignettes ranging from "Honorary Black Folk" to "Two Black Girls, One of Them White" to "International Slang Council", this play will get you laughing, but will also get you to thinking. Through the power of theatre the audience is transformed into an "all black" audience. The non-black audience members are now regular black audience members, while regular black audience members are now über-black, 'Shaft level black'. And with an all black audience anything can be talked about, mixed in to the conversation. Right?" Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and The Monocle present cabaret open mic night every Wednesday from 7 to 10 PM. "Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by the guest music director Carol Schmidt on the baby grand." The master of ceremonies is Tim Schall, along with Chuck Lavazzi, senior performing arts critic at 88.1 KDHX, and special guests. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. At least one of your two songs should be a medium-or up-tempo number. It's also recommend that you have your song memorized. The Monocle is at 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Fridays through Sundays through September 18. "In a plantation house, a family celebrates the sixty-fifth birthday of Big Daddy, as they sentimentally dub him. The mood is somber, despite the festivities, because a number of evils poison the gaiety: greed, sins of the past and desperate, clawing hopes for the future spar with one another as the knowledge that Big Daddy is dying slowly makes the rounds." 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.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents CSI: Bissell through October 30. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents The Coldharts performing Edgar Allan at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Eleven year old Edgar Allan has only one goal: to be the most remarkable boy at boarding school. He has only one obstacle: Edgar Allan. A manic lullaby inspired by the childhood and short stories of Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan is a two¬-person musical created and performed by Katie Hartman and Nick Ryan. It follows eleven year old Edgar Allan in his first year at Manor House School (the finest boarding school in all of England,) as he seeks to gain academic ascendancy over the student body. All goes to plan, until another boy named Edgar Allan arrives in class... which complicates his schemes of dominance. Edgar Allan is a dark, comedic riff on the childhood, the mania, and the insanity that haunted the life and work of America's first professional writer." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

The Presenters Dolan and the Emerald Room Cabaret present singer Tammy McCann in Ella Loves Gershwin on Saturday, September 17, at 8 p.m. "Nelson Riddle was at the peak of his arranging powers matched only by the exquisite, lilting voice of Ella Fitzgerald and together they created a masterful tribute to George and Ira Gershwin. Ella brought sophistication, taste and sheer musicality to the standards that she made her own. Come hear how Tammy McCann, one of today's premiere jazz stylists, brings her one of a kind voice to these classic love songs. Firmly rooted in the tradition of the great singers of the past, but with her own modern flair. Tammy McCann's sensitivity and her artistry are brilliantly on display as she conjures up a time when great singing was in the service of romance." The performance takes place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: themonoclestl.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Chicago Dance Crash presentation of Evil and Good at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 16, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Inspired by a growing demand for Chicago Dance Crash's street dance aesthetic, Evil & Good utilizes the company's signature blend of concert dance and hip-hop, offering a boiled down alternative to its summer annual movement play: sheer, pulse-raising dance. Evil & Good is choreographed and directed by Deahr with additional choreography by CDC Senior Company Kaitlin Webster and Culture Shock Chicago Artistic Director Christopher Courtney. Throwing CDC's movement capacity into overdrive, Deahr, Webster and Courtney team up to choreograph this explosive full-length conceptual piece featuring a hip-hop blend and is inspired by the world's constant struggle between its angels and demons." The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theatre on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Follies
Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Stephen Sondheim's musical Follies through October 2. “Featuring an all-star cast that includes three Tony nominees, Broadway stars and local favorites, Follies is the biggest Rep production in more than a decade. Join us for our 50th anniversary season opener as we present a breathtaking rendition of this Stephen Sondheim classic!” 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.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company presents the Stephen Sondheim musical A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., September 16 - 25, in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

The Fox Theatre presents the musical A Gentleman's Guide To Love And Murder opening Tuesday, September 13, and running through September 25. "Coming direct from New York, where a most gentlemanly NPR critic said he'd “Never laughed so hard at a Broadway musical," Gentleman's Guide tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by - you guessed it - eliminating the eight pesky relatives (all played by one fearless man) who stand in his way. All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress (she's after more than just love), his fiancée (she's his cousin but who's keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance... and be done in time for tea." The Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

KTK Productions presents the musical Gypsy September 16 - 25. "Gypsy tells the story of the dreams and efforts of one hungry, powerhouse of a woman to get her two daughters into show business. Gypsy is loosely based on the 1957 memoir of famous striptease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, entitled Gypsy: Memoirs of America's Most Celebrated Stripper. The memoir and the musical focus on the story of Gypsy Rose Lee's mother, Rose, and earned Rose a place in the theatrical and literary canon as the quintessential, archetypal 'Stage Mother.'" Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information: kurtainkall.org or call 314-351-8984.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the contemporary chamber ensemble Alarm Will Sound performing Donnacha Dennehy's opera The Hunger on Saturday, September 17, at 8 PM. “Underdog history comes to life through new music and old Irish songs in composer Donnacha Dennehy's opera about the Great Famine of 1845-52, rooted in Asenath Nicholson's harrowing first-person account in Annals of the Famine in Ireland. Featuring acclaimed ensemble Alarm Will Sound and celebrated Irish folk singer Iarla Lionáird, The Hunger imagines soprano Katherine Manley as Nicholson and Lionáird as the voice of the voiceless, with instrumentalists integrated into the staging.” The performance takes place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri at St. Louis campus. For more information: touhill.org.

Love? Actually...
Photo: Michael Young

R-S Theatrics presents Love? Actually..., an evening of three one-act musicals, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. through September 18. Performances take place at The Westport Playhouse, 635 Westport Plaza. For more information: r-stheatrics.com.

The Touhill Performing Arts Center presents Miriam Makeba: Mama Africa The Musical Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., September 15 - 18. "The North American premiere of Miriam Makeba: Mama Africa the Musical will open September 15th at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in St. Louis. The production tells the story of activist and Grammy award-winning musician Miriam Makeba, outlining her role in bringing down apartheid, her varied musical career, betrayals, failed marriages and death of her only daughter while in exile. Set in Africa, the USA and Belgium, this musical is an inspirational and universal story that will appeal to multi-generational audiences worldwide. The story is set to tapestry of Miriam Makeba's solo penned works, lending and rendering a spiritual experience as the story unfolds and concludes, a rare and uncommon listening opportunity for those who know and love the work of Miriam Makeba. For those discovering Miriam Makeba an inspiring journey to the soul of this great woman is to be found forever touching one." The Touhill Performing Arts Center is on the University of Missouri St. Louis campus. For more information: touhill.org.

The Black Rep presents the drama Miss Julie, Clarissa And John through September 25. "Inspired by August Strindberg's groundbreaking 1888 naturalistic drama Miss Julie, Mark Clayton Southers relocates the action from Sweden to a Reconstruction-era Virginia plantation.The dangerous attraction between the landowner's daughter and his top servant takes on new shades as its taboo nature expands from crossing boundaries of social class to also encompass racial lines. The situation is heightened further by Southers' extensive development of the third onstage character from Strindberg's play, who in this searing version becomes central to the conflict through her identity as the mulatto daughter of a slave woman. The result of the Midwest premiere production is an intense struggle that illuminates cultural dynamics of two key moments in U.S. history: then and now." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: theblackrep.org

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the Equally Represented Arts presentation of R+J: A Telephone Play - or - Don't Drink the Milk at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "R + J: A Telephone Play is the performance of six new plays created through the context of a game of telephone. Telephone (also known as “don't drink the milk”) is a game in which one person whispers a message to another person. The message is passed through a line of people until the last player announces the message to the entire group. The original message for this particular game of telephone is the last scene of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. We created an audio recording of this scene and sent it to the first playwright in the line. The playwright listened to the recording and wrote what he/she heard in the form of a play. Then, we sent an audio recording of this new play to the next playwright in the line, and so on..." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Remember Me as its Shakespeare in the Streets 2016 production nightly at 8 PM, Friday through Sunday, September 16 - 18. "Local beer, donuts, bowling and the Bard will all come together as Shakespeare in the Streets heads to Maplewood. This year's production, Remember Me, will feature a mash-up of Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Macbeth, with a little Romeo & Juliet thrown in." The production will feature the combined talents of professional actors performing alongside local residents and students. Performances take place in the streets of Mapelwood, MO. For more information: sfstl.com

Christ Memorial Productions presents Seussical the Musical Fridasy and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM, September 16 - 25. "Seussical is a fun and popular musical that combines elements of several of the most popular works of Dr. Seuss with focus on the central theme: 'A person's a person no matter how small'." Performances take place at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 South Lindbergh. For more information, visit CMPShows.org or call 314-631-0304.

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Sister Act through October 9. "There's a real reason to rejoice this season for everybody's favorite nun, Deloris Van Cartier, is coming to STAGES to stir up her special brand of habit-forming fun! Join the happy multitudes who have made SISTER ACT one of Hollywood's favorite film comedies and enjoy all the fun, laughter, and irresistible music that packed pews all over America in this STAGES premiere event. Blessed with a rollicking new musical score from Alan Menken - the composer who brought us BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LITTLE MERMAID, NEWSIES, and ALADDIN - this divine comedy about a sassy, low-rent lounge singer forced to hide out from the mob in the last place anyone would ever look for her - a convent - recently became one of Broadway's smash hit musicals and continues to attract flocks of faithful followers wherever it goes thanks to its soulful chorus of swingin' sisters." Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

Alton Little Theater presents Steel Magnolias Thursdays through Sundays, September 16 - 25. "The celebrated Southern classic of family and friendship, this is the story of a group of strong and beautiful women who cluster around Truvy's Beauty Parlow in a small Louisiana parish. The story centers on Shelby, who moves fro wedding to childbirth to medical complications with a love of live and a willingness to face its possibilities bravely with support from steely southern sisterhood." Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Twisted Improv on Friday, September 16, at 8 p.m. at The Steamboat Room, 314 S. Clay in Kirkwood, MO. "Join Adam and his crew for an interactive night of fun and laughter.Beer, wine and food available from Kirkwood Station Brewery." For more information: ktg-onstage.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love through October 28. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Seattle's theatre simple presentation of A Zombie Odyssey at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14, as part of Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Our hero, Brian Smith, embarks on an epic quest to reunite with his wife after his "demise". This intensely physical theatrical experience questions, "What is human, and what makes a monster?" while playing between humor and horror in this zombie radiodrama/physical theater mashup. Love zombies? It's got all the fights, sex, gore, and nerd references you crave. Hate zombies? Come anyway! This risky, highly-physical show serves up helpings of drama, humor, horror, and humanity-examining philosophy." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siuexfest.com.

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