St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 22, 2018

Black Anthology

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Black Anthology presents 1:05 on Friday and Saturday at 7 pm, January 26 and 27. The show is a performance that is written, choreographed, directed, and produced entirely by Washington University undergraduates and takes place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: blackanthology.wustl.edu

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., January 25 - February 4. " A.J. kicked British butt, shafted the Indians and smacked down the Spaniards, all in the name of these United States - who cares if he didn't have permission? Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson creators, Michael Friedman (Love's Labour's Lost, The Fortress of Solitude) and Alex Timbers (Love's Labour's Lost, Peter and the Starcatcher), cook up an alternate universe (and draw parallels to today's political/populist landscape) with their musical about the seventh U.S. president. Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson follows America's seventh president from his early days as a child on the wild frontier to his controversial reign in the White House." Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

The Cabaret Project and The Improv Shop present The Blue Velvet Lounge Saturday, January 27, at 8 pm. There are also performances on February 10 and 24. "The Cabaret Project teams up with The Improv Shop to co-present their dynamic, fully improvised theater piece featuring live jazz standards - direct from the mythical Blue Velvet Lounge. Each performance features eight smart, funny improvisers who create the stories and sagas of the patrons of the Blue Velvet Lounge - on the spot. Surrounded by live jazz vocal standards, this character driven story is a different show each night it's performed. The Blue Velvet Lounge is a perfect evening out for lovers of cabaret and comedy. Food and drink available at the Improv Shop." The performance takes place at The Improv Shop, 3960 Chouteau in The Grove. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents the jukebox musical Breaking Up is Hard to Do Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm through January 27. "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do is an original jukebox musical featuring 18 Neil Sedaka songs, including "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do", "Where the Boys Are", "Sweet Sixteen", "Calendar Girl", "Stupid Cupid", and "Love Will Keep Us Together." Set during Labor Day weekend in 1960, the show follows two friends, Lois and Marge, who travel to a resort, Esther's Paradise, in the Catskill mountains to help Marge overcome a recent breakup. While there, romance flourishes in the most unusual places and a visitor from Dick Clark's American Bandstand might just save Esther's Paradise from financial ruin." Performances will be held at the Highland School Kennal, 12760 Troxler Ave, in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.org.

The Kranzberg Arts Center presents Grammy and Emmy Award-winning pianist and songwriter John McDaniel and cabaret star Barb Jungr in Come Together, an Evening of Music by The Beatles, on Saturday, January 27, at 7 and 9 pm. "In this exciting and critically-acclaimed collaboration, two giants of cabaret from both sides of the Atlantic, the extraordinary and award winning vocalist and performer, London's Barb Jungr and St. Louis born John McDaniel, himself a Grammy and Emmy award winning arranger and pianist, investigate The Beatles song catalogue in their own unique and inimitable fashion. Barb and John celebrate Paul, John, George and Ringo with brand new, breathtaking, inspiring and often unexpected arrangements! This concert is their St. Louis debut together." Performances take place in the cabaret room at the Kranzberg, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

CSZ St. Louis presents The ComedySportz Show on Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. The show is "action-packed, interactive and hilarious comedy played as a sport. Two teams battle it out for points and your laughs! You choose the winners the teams provide the funny!" Performances take place on the second floor of the Sugar Cubed, 917 S Main St. in St Charles, Mo. For more information: www.cszstlouis.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents The Comic Book Killer through April 14. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Faceless
Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Faceless through February 4. "Two young women face off in a courtroom, locked in a battle of wills and theologies. Susie Glenn, 18, is on trial. Radicalized online into planning acts of terrorism, she's zealously committed to her cause. Her prosecutor, Claire Fathi, is a Harvard-educated Muslim woman who lives the faith that Susie professes to understand. Their edgy exchanges create a propulsive, escalating tension that makes this brilliantly topical play a true legal thriller." Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents the comedy/drama Good People through January 28. "Welcome to Southie, a Boston neighborhood where a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo, where this month's paycheck covers last month's bills, and where Margie Walsh has just been let go from yet another job. Facing eviction and scrambling to catch a break, she thinks an old fling who's made it out of Southie might be her ticket to a fresh start. But is this apparently self-made man secure enough to face his humble beginnings? Margie is about to risk what little she has left to find out. With his signature humorous glow, Lindsay-Abaire explores the struggles and unshakeable hopes that come with having next to nothing." 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.

The How and the Why

New Jewish Theater presents The How and the Why January 24 - February 11. "In Sarah Treem's smart and provocative play about science, family and survival of the fittest, evolution and emotion collide as two women of different generations struggle to come together both on a professional and on a personal level. The play explores many areas of struggle for women, especially in the field of scientific research: the fierce competition among scientists for recognition of their discoveries; the struggles in the academic world for prestigious positions and grant funding: and female attitudes about sex, relationships, men, motherhood and families." 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.

Gateway Center for Performing Arts' Youth Theatre Company opens its 2017-2018 Mainstage Season with the musical A Little Princess Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at 2 and 7 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm, January 26 - 28. Based on the classic story by Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess has music by award-winning composer Andrew Lippa and lyricist Brian Crawley. "Separated from her father and the openhearted Africans who have helped him raise her, young Sara Crewe is sent to boarding school in London. When things go badly for her there, her imaginative powers come to the rescue - helping to transform a drab institution into a place of magic and mystery. As the girl wins the affection of the other boarders, she draws the ire of Miss Minchin, the dour headmistress, who forces Sara to work as a maid when her father is reported dead and his fortune is seized. Sara counters all of Miss Minchin's best efforts to degrade her, all the while maintaining the grace and virtue of a little princess. Performances take place at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, 3125 South Kingshighway in south city. For more information: www.gcpastl.org/tickets.

The Marvelous Wonderettes
Photo: Eric Woolsey

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Marvelous Wonderettes through January 28. "The pop doesn't stop in this smash hit musical! A high school prom in 1958 and a 10-year reunion in 1968 provide the backdrop for some of the biggest hits of both decades, performed by an irrepressible quartet of young women. Featuring a stacked playlist that includes "Mr. Sandman," "It's in His Kiss," "Respect," "Son of a Preacher Man" and "Lollipop," it's a joyous snapshot of a musical era." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Mayhem in Mayberry through April. "Welcome to the 10th annual Mayberry-fest. Everyone is looking forward to the highlight of this event - the Miss Mayberry contest. YOU and Sheriff Andy Trailer will judge the contestants (chosen from the audience) on beauty, poise, cookin' skills and a new category this year - Hog callin'. Will the next Miss Mayberry be the vivacious Dazey Doof from Hazzard County? Or the beautiful hillbilly, Elly May Klumpett? Or will it be the lovely Lois Lame from Smallville? Don't county out the charming Paris Hoosier from Hoosierville. She's the main reason the train stops at Petticoat Junction! Sheriff Andy, Deputy Blarney and Aint Bee invite you to join the fun and the mayhem in Mayberry cause it won't be the same without y'all." The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Menopause the Musical

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Menopause the Musical, "a celebration of women and The Change," through March 31. Four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing unmistakable similarities among one another, the cast jokes about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain and much more. The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Winter Opera St. Louis presents Bizet's Les Pecheurs De Perles (The Pearl Fishers) Friday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, January 26 and 28. 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.

The Fox Theatre presents the musical School of Rock, running through January 28. "Based on the hit film, this hilarious new musical follows Dewey Finn, a wannabe rock star posing as a substitute teacher who turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. This high-octane smash features 14 new songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, all the original songs from the movie and musical theater's first-ever kids rock band playing their instruments live on stage." The Fox is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

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.