St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of February 6, 2017

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The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Big Easy Murder through April 30. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts presents The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia in Brown Bear, Brown Bear And Other Treasured Stories on Saturday, February 11, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.. " An imaginative blend of puppetry and striking scenic effects bring to life children's storybook favorites by Eric Carle, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me." The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts is at 701 College Rd., at Alton St. on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, IL. For more information: www.thehett.com

A Doll's House
Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents Ibsen's drama A Doll's House through February 18. “Nora Helmer once committed forgery in order to save the life of her authoritarian husband, Torvald. Years later she is being blackmailed, living in fear and shame of what might destroy Torvald's career. When the truth is revealed, Nora is shocked to learn where she really stands in her husband's esteem. Henrik Ibsen's world_renowned drama contains perhaps the most scandalous theatrical climax in all of 19th century drama." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents An Evening With Judy Collins on Friday, February 10, at 8 p.m. "With a career spanning over five decades, Judy Collins has recorded over 50 albums and numerous top ten hits, earned five Grammy nominations and achieved gold and platinum record status. Best known for her interpretations of songs such as “Send in the Clowns” and Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now,” Collins is as creatively vigorous as ever, continually writing, touring and inspiring new generations of songwriters." The performance takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3658 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: sheldonconcerthall.org.

The West End Players Guild continues their 106th season with The Ice Fishing Play Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, February 10 - 29. There will also be a show on Thursday, February 26, at 8 PM. Described as “Joel and Ethan Coen meet Samuel Beckett,” The Ice Fishing Play is written by story teller and NPR radio broadcaster Kevin Kling, dubbed the "Minnesota Story Laureate." Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org.

Act Two Theatre presents the musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change February 10-19. "This celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as 'the relationship.' Act I explores the journey from dating and waiting to love and marriage, while Act II reveals the agonies and triumphs of in-laws and newborns, trips in the family car and pick-up techniques of the geriatric set. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, 'Say, what are you doing Saturday night?'" Performances take place in the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre at 1 St Peters Centre Blvd, St. Peters, MO 63376. For more information: act2theater.com.

Intimate Apparel
Photo: Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Intimate Apparel through February 12. "New York, 1905, Esther, a black seamstress, lives in a boarding house where she sews intimate apparel for clients ranging from wealthy white patrons to prostitutes. As the other denizens of the boarding house marry and move away, Esther remains, lonely and longing. Through a mutual acquaintance, she begins to receive beautiful letters from a lonesome Caribbean man working on the Panama Canal. But Esther's heart seems to lie with the Hasidic shopkeeper from whom she buys cloth, and his heart with her, but the impossibility of the match is obvious to them both. The play offers poignant commentary on an era when the cut and color of one's dress-and of course, skin-determined whom one could and could not marry, even talk to in public." 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.

Clinton County Showcase presents Ken Ludwig's farce Lend Me a Tenor February 10-19. "World-renowned tenor Tito Merelli has signed on to play Otello at a Cleveland opera company in the fall of 1934. He arrives late and, through a set of crazy circumstances, passes out after mixing wine with a huge dose of tranquilizers. Believing that the divo is dead, the excitable opera manager taps his hapless assistant, an aspiring singer named Max, to suit up as the Moor and replace Merelli. Meanwhile, the tenor's jealous wife, his ambitious female co-star, Max's young girlfriend and the flirtatious head of the opera guild are on the scene fighting-sometimes literally-for the star's attention. Nominated for a Tony Award in Best Play and a Lawrence Olivier Award for Comedy of the Year, this farce is sure to bring you lots of laughter and entertainment." Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Little Thing, Big Thing

The Midnight Company presents Little Thing, Big Thing Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. through February 11 " LITTLE THING, BIG THING tells the story of a nun, Sr. Martha, and an ex-con, Larry O'Donnell, who are thrown together in a desperate quest to safeguard film exposing deadly misdeeds of a powerful oil company. Chased by hired killers and corrupt cops, they risk their lives and head to Dublin to do the right thing, and deliver the film to the right hands. " Performances take place at Avatar Studios, 2675 Scott Avenue, downtown. Downtown. For more information: brownpapertickets.com.

Lunar New Year Festival (LNYF) presents a program in honor of the Lunar New Year Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., February 10 and 11. "Through a great variety of exciting performances of acting, dancing, and music, people of all backgrounds can enjoy and celebrate the New Year together. LNYF seeks to leave a prolonged impact upon its viewers through our skit and philanthropy. In the skit, we seek to demonstrate important issues that Asian Americans deal with on a daily basis." The performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: edison.wustl.edu.

Menopause the Musical

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Menopause the Musical, "a celebration of women and The Change," through February 12. The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: westportstl.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Murder at the Abbey through April 29. "Welcome to the world of Downton Abbey! A world full of aristocracy, old money but never anything as droll as murder! Congratulations! You've been invited to the dinner party held by the Earl of Grantham himself! Some would kill for the opportunity to meet the Crawley family. They'll all be there! The Earl, his beautiful wife and three daughters...not to mention all the other characters in, (and around), the Grantham house. That's right! All the family, staff and townsfolk will be there. You'll meet lots of fun characters...and you'll play as big, (or as small), of a part as you wish. Up to you. Hope nothing bad happens...but if it does...we might need you to help us figure it out? Or perhaps you're the killer?" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Cocktails and Curtain Calls presents One Last Job by Patrick Conroy through February 8. "The 1970's and 1980's were a turbulent time in Irish History. The Irish Republican Army (IRA), a paramilitary organization seeking civil rights for its people and the reunification of Ireland defended their areas against the occupying British Forces. This fictitious story tells of the chance encounter of a young British Soldier and a recently retired IRA operative. Their personal struggles, their lives and the lives of their families quickly become entangled and entwined. This play attempts to describe the thoughts and actions of people caught up in roles not entirely of their choosing. In war, there are no easy answers and lives are forever changed." Performances will take place at McGurk's Irish Pub in Soulard. For more information: eventbrite.com.

O'Fallon TheatreWorks presents the comedy Peter and the Starcatcher at the O'Fallon Municipal Centre auditorium through February 12. "Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). A wildly theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's best-selling novels, the play was conceived for the stage by directors Roger Rees and Alex Timbers and written by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love." The O'Fallon Municipal Centre is located at 100 North Main Street in O'Fallon, MO. For more information, visit www.ofallon.mo.us or call 636-379-5606.

Something Rotten
Photo: Jeremy Daniel

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Something Rotten February 7-19. "Set in 1595, this hilarious smash tells the story of Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who are desperate to write a hit play. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world's very first MUSICAL!" The Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

The Florissant Fine Arts Council presents the State Theatre of Georgia production of the musical Route 66 on Saturday, February 11, at 8 p.m. at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker Road at Waterford Drive in Florissant, MO. "A rip-roaring, pedal-to-the-medal road trip down memory lane featuring hits such as Dead Man's Curve, King of the Road, Little Old Lady from Pasadena, Six Days on the Road, GTO, Fun, Fun, Fun, I Get Around and of course, Route 66. Four snappy young pump jockeys take the audience to various stops along the historic "Mother Raod," where a menagerie of characters sing and dance to timeless pop and country tunes. The '50s music in this show is energizing and fun for all ages. From the jazzy pop of Chicago, the two-stepping hoedown of Texas and the beach-bumming car jams of California - this show has it all. This is the road trip of a lifetime with solid harmonies, dazzling quick-changes, flashy dance numbers and hilarious comedic timing. 'Get your kicks...on Route 66'." For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit florissantmo.com.

To Kill a Mockingbird

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Christopher Sergel's stage adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird February 8 - March 5. "Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a beloved tale that still resonates today. Scout Finch is growing up in Depression-era Alabama, where poverty and prejudice dominate daily life. With the guidance of her wise father, Atticus, the rebellious Scout discovers her own path, learning the power of empathy and the struggle for justice." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents To the New Girl, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. through February 12. "This entertaining evening consists of 10 monologues from various women scorned who directly address their exes' new wives and lovers. “To the New Girl”, a ten-woman show focusing on resilient, and sometimes vengeful, broken hearts." Performances take place at The .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Midtown. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company presents the comedy Vanya And Sonia And Masha And Spike, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through February 12, in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. "Stuck in their family home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live a quiet existence until their lives are thrown into comic upheaval with the arrival of their B-list celebrity sister, Masha, and her 20-something boy toy, Spike. Add to that a soothsaying housekeeper, a star struck young neighbor and a rather odd costume party, and the stage is set for mayhem and hilarity in this present-day homage to Chekhov. Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play.” For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

The Stages Performing Arts Academy's Triple Threat Teens Ensemble presents the Midwest premiere of The Theory of Relativity Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5:30 p.m., February 10-12. Proceeds from the show will fund an educational trip to New York, where they will study, perform, and experience Broadway theatre. Performances take place at at the Kent Center for Theatre Arts in Chesterfield. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Neil Labute's The Way We Get By February 10 - 26. "Meet Beth and Doug, two people who have no problems getting dates with their partners of choice. After a drunken party and a hot night, they wake up to a blurry morning where the rules of attraction, sex, and society are waiting for them before their first cup of coffee. It's very awkward-and it also leads the pair to ponder how much they really know about each other, and how much they really care about what other people think." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Yasmina's Necklace
Photo: John Lamb

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Yasmina's Necklace Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through February 12. “Fresh from its sold-out world premiere in Chicago, Yasmina's Necklace is an unlikely romance between Yasmina, a recent immigrant from Iraq and Abdul Samee, who wants to change his name to Sam and turn his back on his Iraqi and Puerto Rican heritage.” 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.

Upstream Theater presents the US premiere of The Year of the Bicycle Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through February 12. "Joanna Evans' award-winning play tells the story of Amelia and Andile who befriended each other over a garden when they were eight. Many years later, now grown up but estranged, they fall into a concussion at the exact same moment and meet once again in each other's mind. A witty and poignant examination of childhood, memory and South Africa's born-free generation. Skipping from frolicky lightness to the dark borders of loneliness, this US premiere shows people reaching across walls that separate: race and class, innocence and guilt, playfulness and fear, yesterday and today." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

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.