St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of May 12, 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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Alpha Players present the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee May 16-25 at The Florissant Civic Center Theater, Parker Rd. at Waterford Dr. in Florissant, MO. For more information: alphaplayers.org or, call 314-921-5678.

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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Aphrodisiacs and the Placebo Effect: The Elixir of Love. "Food and drink have long been thought to awaken dormant desires and inspire passion. Led off with remarks by guest speaker Catherine Neville of Feast Magazine, this program will explore the evolving legend of aphrodisiacs, the allure of fine food and drink, and the role that a false aphrodisiac plays in helping the hero in The Elixir of Love find happiness. Additional panelists include conductor and OTSL music director Stephen Lord, and director Jose Maria Condemi." It's part of their Spotlight on Opera, a series of four insightful dialogues exploring the ideas in each season's opera, and it takes place on Monday, May 12, at 7:30 PM at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Act Two Theatre presents August: Osage County through May 18 in the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre at 1 St Peters Centre Blvd, St. Peters, MO 63376. " A vanished father, a pill-popping mother and three sisters harboring shady little secrets. When the large Weston family unexpectedly reunites after Dad disappears, their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you've got a major new play that unflinchingly - and uproariously - exposes the dark side of the Midwestern family." For more information: act2theater.com.

slightlyoff.org

Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble presents the comedy Bachelorette by Leslye Headland Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8, May 14- 17. "Ten years out of high school, four friends convene in a luxurious bridal suite the night before a wedding. Fueled by jealousy and resentment, the girls embark on a night of debauchery that goes from playfully wasted to devastatingly destructive. Bachelorette is a wicked black comedy about female friendship and growing up in an age of excess." Performances take place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: slightlyoff.org.

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

Stray Dog Theatre presents the Flappers and Follies Soiree on Saturday, May 17, featuring cocktails, music, and performances from the company's productions of The Wizard of Oz, and Cabaret, as well as a sneak preview of Funny Girl, followed by the evening's Live Auction. The evening will conclude with dancing under the starts to the music of Sarah Jane and the Blue Notes. The event takes place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry IV nightly except for Tuesdays, May 15 through June 14. Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, written as two separate plays, have been edited to fit into one evening. Beginning May 25, the production alternates with performances of Henry V. “Audience members can expect a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience this season,” said Rick Dildine, Artistic and Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St.Louis. “Many theaters around the world haveperformed these plays in consecutive seasons; however, we are performing them at the same time with the same cast on the same set.” Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents John Guare's dark comedy The House of Blue Leaves through May 18. 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 Looking Glass Playhouse presents Monty Python's Spamalot throiugh May 18. Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

Dramatic License Productions presents the comedy The Nerd through May 18. "A birthday dinner with a client, his family, and a few good friends, turns into a visit to “crazy town” when eccentric and odd Rick Steadman shows up for an impromptu visit. Willum and friends find themselves in a fix as they try everything to get rid of the strange fellow who apparently doesn’t know the meaning of the phrase, “The party’s over!” What’s a host to do? Surprises are revealed and comedy is the first and last course of the evening in Larry Shue’s crazy farce starring some of St. Louis’ best actors and directed by Kevin Kline Award-winner, John Contini." 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

New Jewish Theater presents Old Jews Telling Jokes through June 1. “Think you've heard them all before? Think again! If you've ever had a mother, visited a doctor or walked into a bar with a priest, a rabbi and a frog, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will sit in the dark, give you a second opinion and ask you where you got that. You'll laugh til you plotz. It is a kosher pickle barrel full of laughes! Straight from NY, this is the first independent production.; recommended for mature audiences.” 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Brass Rail Players present On Golden Pond Tuesday through Sunday, May 15-18. The performances take place at The Turkey Hill Grange, 1375 Illinois Rte. 15 in Belleville, IL. For more information, visit brassrailplayers.org.

Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents The One-Hour Twilight Zone Thursday at 7:30 PM and Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 10:30 PM, May 15 - 17. The featured episodes are "To Serve Man" and "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet." There will also be a special guest appearance by The Superfriends. Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. For more information: www.stlshakespeare.org/magicsmokingmonkey.htm

OnSite Theatre Company presents Prayer for the Gun Bug by Carter Lewis Fridays at 9 PM, Saturdays at 4 and 9 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM, May 16-25. “A Prayer for the Gun Bug is a sidelong glance at a world in hysteria. Carter W. Lewis's three short plays expose the world to be an overpopulated sardine can, crammed to the gills with incensed spiritual fanatics, most of whom are annoyed, confused and stockpiling weapons. So why are we laughing so hard?” Performances take place at Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant, 3210 S. Grand Blvd. For more information: www.OnSiteTheatre.org.

Photo: Cylla von Tiedemann

The Fox Theatre presents a new musical version of The Wizard of Oz by Andrew Lloyd Webber Tuesday through Sunday, May 13-18. "“We’re off to see the most magical adventure of them all!" Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic, totally reconceived for the stage. Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber." The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com

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.