St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of February 27, 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.

Winter Opera St. Louis presents Bizet's Carmen Friday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, March 3 and 5. Performances take place at The Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 425 S. Lindbergh. For more information, visit winteroperastl.org.

Disenchanted
Photo: Dahlia Katz

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents the satirical musical Disenchanted Tuesday through Sunday, February 28 - March 5. "Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. Who needs 'em?! Not Snow White and her posse of disenchanted princesses in the hilarious hit musical that's anything but Grimm. Forget the princesses you think you know-the original story book heroines have come back to life to set the record straight. After multiple sold-out runs nationwide, these royal renegades tossed off their tiaras to bring their hilariously subversive, not-for-the-kiddies musical to you - and what you thought about princesses will never be the same." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

St. Charles Community College presents the Ibsen's A Doll's House Wednesday through Sunday, March 1-5. “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 in the SCC Center Stage Theater in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building on the campus at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville, MO. For more information, call 636-922-8050 or visit stchas.edu.

because why not? theatre company presents premiere of Fat, a new play by Shannon Geier Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., March 3-11, as well at on Sunday, March 5, at 3 p.m. "Amy Prestly has a lot going for her: a career, a happy marriage, a beautiful child, wonderful friends. She is also overweight; a fact that is affecting not just Amy, but her relationships with everyone surrounding her. Fat explores the struggles that come with obesity and body image ideals, taking a realistic look at the societal messages communicated with regards to size and the challenges of balancing personal health with positive body image in a world where thin equals better." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information: www.becausewhynottheatre.org.

Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Max and Louie Productions presents the one-woman show Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill throughMarch 4. "It's March 1959 and at a small Philadelphia club, jazz and blues "phenom" Billie Holiday takes the stage for one of the last shows of her life. Playwright Lanie Robertson's Musical Drama allows us a penetrating look into the life and times of Billie "Lady Day" Holiday, as we listen to the profound legacy of her artistry-the music itself." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Cener, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit maxandlouie.com.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents Shakespeare's Macbeth and Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., March 3-5. "Shakespeare's bloody psychological thriller blends witchcraft, murder, madness, ghosts and an unbridled lust for power-into one boiling cauldron. Reflect on America's recently concluded Presidential election by experiencing Shakespeare at his most politically powerful. Depicting a world where “fair is foul, and foul is fair,” the playwright provides us no easy answers to the problem of evil; instead, he probes into the recesses of our subconscious drives, illuminating our essential humanity with rich poetry and unforgettable power. " The performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

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.

St. Louis University Theatre presents the drama Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson Thursday through Sunday, March 2-5. "When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn't allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women's probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman's place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women's ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications; Henrietta Leavitt and her female peers believe in both, and their dedication changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth." Performances take place in Xavier Hall, 3373 West Pine Mall. For more information, call 314-977-3327 or visit slu.edu/utheatre.

To Kill a Mockingbird
Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Christopher Sergel's stage adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird through 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.

Clayton Community Theatre presents Arthur Miller's drama A View from the Bridge Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 5. " Arthur Miller's gut-wrenching 1956 domestic tragedy tells about a family of Italian-Americans living in Red Hook, New York, who welcome illegal immigrant relatives into their home in the 1950s, a cruel era for immigrants. The exceptional quality of this play has long been established; it has never had more currency than now. We are thrilled to have Joe Hanrahan, one of the area's most established theatre artists, to direct our production." Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre. For more information, call 314-721-9228 or visit placeseveryone.org.

New Line Theatre presents the Kander and Ebb musical Zorba! Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, March 2-25. "ZORBA is a fearless, fiery, high-energy musical fable about living out loud, based on the famous 1946 novel Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis, its 1964 film adaptaion, and letters that Kander and Ebb found from the real-life Zorba. Originally conceived and directed in 1968 by the legendary Harold Prince, the musical opens in a rowdy bouzouki parlor in Greece where a group of locals has gathered to drink and tell stories. They introduce us to Zorba, the aging hedonist-philosopher dedicated to living life to the fullest, and his very emotional, tragic, but life-affirming encounter with a young man and with the love of a woman." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

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.