St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of December 1, 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 events web site.

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The Theatre Lab and the Players Project present the 24 Hour Play Festival on Saturday, December 6. “We welcome new people to the roster (including Greg Fenner, Em Piro, Anna Skidis, Matt Pentecost, Larissa White and more!) SIX original works instead of five! Members of The Improv Shop will be performing an improv bit to cap off the night! Emcee'd by The Improv Shop's very own Pat Niday!!” The performance takes place at Webster High School, 100 Selma in Webster Groves. For more information: brownpapertickets.com.

The cast of "All is Calm"

Mustard Seed Theatre presents the musical All is Calm Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 and 5 PM through December 14. “Join us in celebrating the power of peace in this acapella musical based on the true story of soldiers during World War I who for one night, put down their arms and played soccer instead of exchanging bullets.” 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.

Alton Little Theater presents the musical Always...Patsy Cline Thursday through Sunday, December 4-7, at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Annie Tuesday through Sunday, December 2-7. The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com

Susie Wall as
Dr. Ruth

New Jewish Theater presents Becoming Dr. Ruth December 4-21. “There's more to famed sex therapist, Dr. Ruth Westheimer than meets the eye. Known from her career as a pioneering media sex therapist, Dr. Ruth has spoken frankly about sexual matters since her 1980 radio program. Few, however, know the incredible journey that preceded the fame. From her time as a youth fleeing from the Nazis in the Kindertransport, joining the Haganah, coming to America, marrying three times, we learn that there is much more to the 4'7" matronly therapist than meets the eye. Join her on this humourous, hope-filled journey filled with the honesty and the life affirming spirit of the girl who became "Dr. Ruth."” 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.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Noel Coward's comedy Blithe Spirit December 5-21 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. “The smash comedy hit of the London and Broadway stages, this classic from the playwright of Private Lives offers up fussy, cantakerous novelist Charles Condomine, re-married but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by a visiting “happy medium”, one Madame Arcati. As the (worldly and un-) personalities clash, Charles' current wife Ruth is accidentally killed, “passes over”, joins Elvira and the two “blithe spirits” haunt the hapless.” For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

"Cannibal the Musical"

Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents Trey Parker's Cannibal the Musical through December 6. "Created in the style of the 1950’s movie musical Oklahoma!, Cannibal follows the life of Alferd Packer, the man who lead an ill-fated party of men to Colorado Territory during the winter of 1873-74. Alferd was the lone survivor of this trip and was later put on trial for murdering and eating his party. Along the journey to Colorado Territory, Packer loses his beloved horse, Liane, and encounters trappers, snowmen, ninjas, sheep, Indians, aliens and a cyclops, all in an effort to find her." Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7622 Michigan. For more information: cannibal-stl.com.

Clinton County Showcase presents Christmas Belles December 5-14. “A church Christmas program spins hilariously out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.” Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Lindenwood University's J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts presents A Christmas Carol Tuesday through Saturday, December 2-7, at 7:30 PM in the Bezemes Family Theater. The Scheidegger Center is on the Lindenwood campus in St Charles MO. For more information, visit lindenwood.edu/center.

R-S Theatrics presents Courtney Baron's seriocomedy Eat Your Heart Out December 5-14. “A childless couple desperate to adopt become surprisingly involved in the life of their social worker and her daughter.” Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information: r-stheatrics.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the one-act plays Far and Away and A Number by Caryl Churchill Tuesday through Sunday, December 2-7. “Far and Away is a story about a dystopian future where civilization has slipped backwards into an Orwellian barbarism. A Number addresses the concept we hold of ourselves about being unique and individualistic. But how would we feel if we discovered that there was more than one of us? And maybe, we were not the original!” The performances take place on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774.

"The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical"

Stray Dog Theatre presents The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM December 4-20. “In this sequel to the original show [the runaway hit of 2013 at Stray Dog Theatre], Betty, Lin and Pickles jingle all the way with some new neighbors in Florida's Armadillo Acres Mobile Home Park. All is calm and bright with holiday beer until the local Scrooge is stricken by a freak bout of amnesia, putting neighborly love to the test. Just as much cat-fightin', sun-worshippin', chair-throwin' as the first, but with tinsel and Keg Nog to boot!” Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents its Harm for the Holidays December 5-27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents Noel Coward's comedy Hay Fever Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, December 3 through 14. Performances take place in the Stage III Auditorium on the Webster University campus. Fore more information, call 314-968-7128.

Theatre Guild of Webster Groves Youth Theatre presents Is It Time Yet? 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.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Murder on 34th Street through December. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

"A Raisin in the Sun"
Photo: Stewart Goldstein

The Black Rep presents Lorraine Hansberry's drama A Raisin in the Sun through December 21. Performances take place at the Emerson Performance Center at Harris-Stowe State University in midtown. For more information: theblackrep.org

HotCity Theatre presents the world premiere of Reality by Lia Romeo December 5-20. “What happens after the cameras stop rolling on TV's LOOKING FOR LOVE? It's amazingly funny how "happily ever after" can quickly turn into "Hell hath no fury..." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit www.hotcitytheatre.org or call 314-289-4063.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Ring of Fire: the Music of Johnny Cash December 3-28. “Featuring a company of multi-talented performers and over 30 hits from his iconic songbook, this spirited musical takes you on a journey through the life and career of The Man in Black. Exploring love, faith, struggle and success, songs such as “A Boy Named Sue,” “Daddy Sang Bass,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Jackson” and “I Walk the Line” tell the story of Johnny Cash in a salute to this unique American legend.” 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.

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.