St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of April 28, 2014

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 ArtsZipper site.

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Theatre Lab in coalition with Todd Schaefer's Players Project Theatre Company present The 24 Hour Play Festival, Round 2. All plays are written in 7 days. The setting, director, and actors are all (literally) drawn from a hat and are given 24 hours to rehearse and memorize for the performance on Saturday, May 3, at 8 PM. The performance takes place at Webster High School, 100 Selma Ave. in Webster Groves. For more information: 24hourplayfestround2.brownpapertickets.com or call 314-599-3309.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents the musical 9 to 5 Thursday [May 9 only] through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday [May 4 only] at 2 PM, May 2-11. Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre of the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road. For more information, call 314-821-9956 or visit ktg-onstage.org.

Francis Howell High School's Limelight Theatre presents David Ives's All in the Timing Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday (April 30, May 1 and 2) at 7:30 PM. Performances take place at the Francis Howell Central High School Auditorium in St. Charles. For more information: facebook.com/FHHSvikings.

Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Always..Patsy Cline through June 22. "Jacqueline Petroccia and Zoe Vonder Haar star in the return engagement of the show critics called 'exceptional, must see entertainment.' The touching and true story of Country music legend Patsy Cline and her friendship with Texas housewife Louise Seger returns to STAGES this spring. Combining down home country humor, heartache and 27 of Patsy Cline’s unforgettable hits such as 'Crazy,' 'Walkin’ After Midnight,' and 'Sweet Dreams,' Always... Patsy Cline endures as a piece of genuine Americana." Performances take place at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

The Gateway Men's Chorus presents Cabaret Risque III on Saturday, May 3, at 8 PM. Featured performers are Bob Becherer, Robert Breig, Alice Kinsella, Chuck Lavazzi, Kay Martin Love, Donna Weinsting, and Jeffrey M. Wright. Ken Haller is master of ceremonies for the event, with music direction by Al Fischer. Procedes benefit the Gateway Men's Choruis. The show takes place Rialto Ballroom on the fourth floor of the Centene Center for the Arts, 3547 Olive in Grand Center. For more information: gmcstl.org.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents The Dapper Flappers May 2 through July 27. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Falling, written and directed by Deanna Jent. "Fresh from its off-Broadway run, Falling returns with the original St. Louis cast. The New York Post writes: "This heartfelt and nuanced family drama is shot through with dark humor. Falling soars!" While Falling explores hard truths within a family dealing specifically with autism, the story is really about loving someone who is hard to love." Performances take place through May 4 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Alton Little Theater presents Hallelujah Girls Thursdays through Sundays, May 1-11, at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. "Hilarity abounds when the feisty females of Eden Falls, Georgia, decide to shake up their lives. The action in this rollicking Southern comedy by the authors of Southern Hospitality takes place in SPA-DEE-DAH!, the abandoned church-turned-day-spa where this group of friends gathers every Friday afternoon. After the loss of a dear friend, the women realize time is precious; and if they're going to change their lives and achieve their dreams, they have to do it now! But Sugar Lee, their high-spirited, determined leader, has her hands full keeping the women motivated. The comic tension mounts when a sexy ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly, a marriage proposal comes from an unlikely suitor, and Sugar Lee's archrival vows she'll stop at nothing to steal the spa away from her. By the time the women rally together to overcome these obstacles and launch their new, improved lives, you've got a side-splitting, joyful comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout 'Hallelujah!'" For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Photo: Daniel Brodie

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat April 29-May 11. "One of the most enduring shows of all time, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel's favorite son. The first collaboration of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera, Cats) and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King) JOSEPH blends pop, country and rock into an uplifting, technicolored story of biblical proportions. 'JOSEPH is still the wittiest of Lloyd Webber's extravaganzas' declares the Orlando Sentinel." The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

KTK Productions presents the comedy Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig through May 4. Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information, call 314-351-8984.

COCA presents the Terrapin Puppet Theatre production of Love Saturday at 2 and 5 PM and Sunday at 1 and 4 PM, May 3 and 4. “With a big storm brewing, Oslo's mum says he can only take a few things, or 'love luggage,' to safety. So, Oslo sets out to help his neighbors find their “'ove luggage,' too! This heartfelt and entertaining story is brought to life by Australia's Terrapin Puppet Theatre with traditional and digital puppets, live action and stunning music. Recommended for ages 5 and up.” COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

Mainstreet Musicals presents staged readings of three new musicals on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, in the Orthwein Hall at the Muny, 1 Theatre Drive in Forest Park. The musicals are Merton Of The Movies by Doug Katsaros and Donald Brenner (6 PM Saturday and 3 PM Sunday), Pride and Prejudice by Lindsay Warren Baker and Amanda Jacobs (3 PM Saturday and noon Sunday), and Under Fire by Barry Harman and Grant Sturiale (noon Saturday and 6 PM Sunday). For more information: www.mainstreetfestivals.org/stlouis.htm.

Equally Represented Arts presents Make Hamlet through May 3. "This experimental, theatrical production re-envisions Shakespeare's iconic play. It uses the plays inherent meta-theatricality to explore its theme of fractured identity. Shakespeare's tragic text, ERA's ensemble-driven ideals, and the ritual of performance collide as six actors Make Hamlet." Performances take place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: equallyrepresentedarts.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Medea
Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis University Theatre presents Euripides's Medea adapted by Robinson Jeffers through May 4. Performances take place in Xavier Hall, 3373 West Pine Mall. For more information, call (314) 977-2998 or visit www.slu.edu/theatre.

Dramatic License Productions presents the comedy The Nerd May 1-18. Performances take place at Dramatic License Theatre located at the upper level of Chesterfield Mall (near Sears and across from Houlihan's Restaurant). For more information, call 636-220-7012 or visit dramaticlicenseproductions.org.

On Wednesday, April 30, Opera Theatre of St. Louis docents will discuss the upcoming season, which includes the return of some influential directors as well as an Opera Theatre debut (Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites) and the world premiere of Twenty-Seven by Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek. The discussion takes place at 10 AM at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information: jccstl.com.

Clayton Community Theatre presents Agatha Christie's The Unexpected Guest Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, through May 4. Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre. For more information, call 314-721-9228 or visit placeseveryone.org.

Curtain's Up Theatre presents Willy Wonka on May 1-4. "Join Willy Wonka as he offers a personally guided tour of his wonderful chocolate factory to five lucky winners. Music Theater International is removing this show - after June of this year, no one will be able to perform it - making our production one of the last chances for you to see the story come to life on stage!" The performances take place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the SIU-Edwardsville campus. For more information, visit curtainsuptheater.com.

Upstream Theater presents Windmill Baby by David Milroy through May 11. “Winner of the prestigious Patrick White Award, Windmill Baby is an enthralling show about an aging Aboriginal woman named MayMay, who returns briefly to the cattle station where she lived years ago in order to take care of some 'unfinished business.' With warmth, wit, and great heart she tells a story of many layers: Of Black Australians in the service of White Australia. Of unexpected romance and sudden ruination. Of overcoming heartbreak and -most wonderfully of all-of abiding love.“ Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.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.