St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 8, 2018

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The Cabaret Project and The Improv Shop present The Blue Velvet Lounge Saturday, January 13, at 8 pm. There are also performances on January 27, and 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.

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.

Fences
Photo: USI Media

The Black Rep presents the August Wilson's Fences through January 14. "This sensational drama starred James Earl Jones on Broadway in 1987 as Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro Baseball League who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburg. Excluded as a black man from the major leagues during his prime, Troy's bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son, who now wants his own chance to play ball. " Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: theblackrep.org.

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents the Theatreworks production of the children's musical Henry and Mudge, based on the books by Cynthia Rylant, Friday at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm, January 12 - 14. "Moving from the city to a new house in the country can be tough. Just ask Henry, who can't find a playmate in his new neighborhood! Luckily, he's got Mudge, a great big, 182-pound canine buddy, with whom he can share all kinds of adventures!" Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit florissantmo.com

Cocktails and Curtain Calls presents In the Shadow of the Glen by John Millington Synge opening on Monday, January 8 at 8 pm and running through January 21st. "In The Shadow of the Glen, Dan Burke is convinced that his wife, Nora is playing away so he fakes his own death, waits for proof and scuppers her plans. However Nora leaves with her head held high on the arm of a not so perfect stranger." Performances take place in the Patriot Room at McGurks Irish Pub, 1200 Russell in Soulard. For more information: eventbrite.com or call (314) 249-7488

Peabody Opera House presents the musical Kinky Boots Saturday at 3 and 8 pm and Sunday at 1:30 pm, January 13 and 14. "Kinky Boots is Broadway's huge-hearted, high-heeled hit! With songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS takes you from a gentlemen's shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father's expectations and continue the family business of Price and Son. With the factory's future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos." The Peabody Opera House is at 14th and Market, downtown. For more information: peabodyoperahouse.com.

Circus Harmony presents Legato Saturdays at 2 and 7 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 13 - 21. The show is "a look at circus thru the decades from 1920-2010." Performances take place at City Museum, 701 N. 15th Street. Show admission is free with museum admission. For more information: circusharmony.org.

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.

JPEK Creativeworks presents The Meeting Thursday and Friday and 8 pm, Saturday at 3 and 8 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm, January 11 – 14. "Fascinating and dramatically compelling, this eloquent play depicts the supposed meeting of two of the most important men of modern time: Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Differing in their philosophies, but alike in their mutual respect, the two men debate their varying approaches to the same grave social problems." Performances take place at The .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Midtown. For more information: https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/jpek-theatre-the-meeting.

Menopause the Musical

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Menopause the Musical, "a celebration of women and The Change," January 9 - 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.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents Steve Martin's comedy Picasso at the Lapin Agile Fridays through Sundaysthrough January 14. "This long running Off-Broadway absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian cafe in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism. In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as these two geniuses muse on the century's achievements and prospects as well as other fanciful topics with infectious dizziness. Bystanders, including Picasso' agent, the bartender and his mistress, Picasso's date, an elderly philosopher, Charles Dabernow Schmendimen and an idiot inventor introduce additional flourishes of humor. The final surprise patron to join the merriment at the Lapin Agile is a charismatic dark haired singer time warped in from a later era." 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.

First Run Theatre presents Skeletons in the Closet, an evening of one-act plays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 12 - 21. The plays are Swept Away by David Hawley and Bird's Nest by Daniel Weshelesky. Performances take place in the Thomas Hunter Theatre at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information, call (314) 352-5114 or visit www.firstruntheatre.com.

New Line Theatre presents a pubic reading of Scott Miller's new rock musical The Zombies of Penzance, based on Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirantes of Penzance, on Monday, January 8, at 8 pm. The reading takes 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.