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

New shows this week include a creepy musical at Stray Dog, Shakespeare with a twist at St. Louis Shakespeare, and look at which might have happened after the final curtain of Ibsen's A Doll's House at the Rep.

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The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Addams Family Affair through October 28. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Lindenwood University presents Arthur Miller's drama All My Sons through October 13. "During the war Joe Keller and Steve Deever ran a machine shop which made airplane parts. Deever was sent to prison because the firm turned out defective parts, causing the deaths of many men. Keller went free and made a lot of money. The twin shadows of this catastrophe and the fact that the young Keller son was reported missing during the war dominate the action. The love affair of Chris Keller and Ann Deever, the bitterness of George Deever returned from the war to find his father in prison and his father's partner free, are all set in a structure of almost unbearable power. The climax showing the reaction of a son to his guilty father is fitting conclusion to a play electrifying in its intensity. A tremendously impressive drama that received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play." Performances take place in the Emerson Black Box Theatre at the Scheiegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information: lindenwood.edu/center.

Alpha Players present the musical Bells Are Ringing through October 14. Performances take place at The Florissant Civic Center Theater, Parker Rd. at Waterford Dr. in Florissant, MO. For more information: alphaplayers.org, call 314-921-5678.

The University of Missouri at St. Louis presents Chasing the White Rabbit Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, October 11 - 14. "15-year-old Alice, has recently lost her mother and the only thing that she feels that can save her is to go to a school far away from her hood. To go where the neighborhoods are well manicured and the school has resources and new books and good teachers. This is her dream. Is it a dream? After taking a prescription medication she falls deep into what she believes is the school she longs to go to. But all is not what it seems. Chasing the White Rabbit is a contemporary adaptation of Alice in Wonderland with a focus on the opioid epidemic that is currently ravaging our country." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: touhill.org.

Linda Kennedy in Chef
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents Chef by Sabrina Mahfouz Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7 pm (except for October 14, which is at 2 pm), through October 14. "Upstream Theater is excited to host renowned Swiss director Marianne de Pury who will stage the US premiere of the award-winning CHEF by UK/Egyptian playwright and poet Sabrina Mahfouz-the gripping story of how one woman went from being a haute-cuisine head chef to a convicted inmate running a prison kitchen. Leading us through her world of mouth-watering dishes and heart-breaking memories, Chef questions our attitudes to food, prisoners, violence, love and hope." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

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 Dead Like Me through November 3. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

A Doll's House, Part 2
Photo by Patrick Lanham

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents A Doll's House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath October 10 - November 4. "Hnath's audacious sequel, written more than 135 years after Henrik Ibsen's original, hit Broadway in 2017 like a sneak attack. Ibsen's familial drama remains a foundational piece of theatre, with a still-controversial ending in which a married woman chooses to walk out on her family. But Hnath took the themes and characters of that familiar classic and flipped them on their heads, imagining what would happen if protagonist Nora Helmer returned home 15 years after her dramatic exit." 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.

Clinton County Showcase presents the comedy/mystery Drop Dead Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through October 14. "An odd-ball cast of has-been actors revive their careers in 'Drop Dead!,' a potboiler murder mystery directed by 'Wonder Child of the Broadway Stage' Victor Le Pewe. At the dress rehearsal, the set falls, props break, and the producer and an actor are murdered. But the show must go on! During the opening night performance, the murders continue. The remaining thespians must save the show and their careers, solve the mystery, and stay alive for curtain call." Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

The Fine and Performing Arts University Theatre at Saint Louis University presesnts Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, October 11 - 14. "This reimagining of the Orpheus myth through the eyes of its heroine.with its dark humor, plot twists and visual effects offers a contemporary look at a classic love story. Directed by Tom Martin." Performances take place at The Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

Evil Dead: The Musical
Photo by Justin Been

Stray Dog Theatre presents the Evil Dead: The Musical Thursdays through Saturdays, October 11 - 27. There will also an 8 pm performance on Wednesday, October 24. "Third time's a scream (at long last)! Based on the 80s cult classic EVIL DEAD films, this hilariously campy show is bursting with more farce than a Monty Python skit. Five college kids take a trip to a remote cabin in the woods and encounter everything from ancient evil spirits to revenge-seeking Candarian demons. It's all ridiculous and wild, while the term “Fresh Blood!” takes on new meaning!" Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents the classic musical The Fantasticks Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through October 14. "Whimsical, poignant, and romantic, The Fantasticks is an allegorical story that focuses on two young lovers, their meddling fathers, and the journey we all must take through adolescent thrills, the growing pains of hurt and betrayal, the highs of passion, the challenges of distance, and the agonies of heartbreak to discover how to truly love. With the record for the longest American theatrical run, The Fantasticks is a gem of the American musical theatre." Performances take place in the Stage Three Auditorium on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

Omega D. Jones

The Monocle presents I'ma Name My Daughter "Cabaret": A Night of Sass, Soul, and Simple Joys featuring Omega D. Jones with Colin Healy on piano, on Friday, October 12, at 8 pm. "It's been a long time coming, but Omega Jones is finally making his cabaret debut! Born & raised in St. Louis, he has been performing all of his life. Most recently, one might have seen him as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar with Stray Dog Theatre, Molto in the world premiere of The Gringo: A New Musical at St. Lou Fringe, and as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime, for which he was honored with the award for Leading Actor in a Musical at this year's St. Louis Theatre Circle Awards." The Monocle in on Manchester in the Grove. For more information: eventbrite.com.

Clayton Community Theatre presents the drama The Laramie Project Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., October 11 - 21. "Based on the true story of the death of Matthew Shepard, the 21-year-old victim of an anti-gay hate crime in 1998 in Laramie, Wyoming, The Laramie Project unfolds through the words of people in Laramie who were interviewed by members of Tectonic Theater Company in the 18 months following Matthew Shepard's death, creating a portrait of the community and key individuals in the aftermath of the event and as the victim's killers were brought to trial and convicted." Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre. For more information, call 314-721-9228 or visit placeseveryone.org.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents The Last Days of Judas Iscariot Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, October 10 - 28. “In this irreverent exploration of the afterlife of Judas Iscariot, will sin or grief or grace prevail? This brutal dark comedy puts love and justice on trial. Adult language and situations, not appropriate for children.” 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.

The Little Foxes
Photo by Patrick Huber

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Lillian Hellman's drama The Little Foxes Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through October 14. " Lillian Hellman's legendary play about greed and ambition. Set in Alabama in 1900, The Little Foxes follows Regina Giddens and her ruthless clan, including her sister-in-law Birdie, as they clash in often brutal ways in an effort to strike the deal of their lives. Far from a sentimental look at a bygone era, the play has a surprisingly timely resonance with important issues facing our country today.". Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. For more information call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

KTK Productions presents the musical Legally Blonde Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through October 14. "Elle Woods appears to have it all. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law. Determined to get him back, Elle geniously charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors and her ex. With the support of some new friends, though, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.” Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information: kurtainkall.org or call 314-351-8984.

The Robert G. Reim Theatre presents Terry Barber in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on Saturday, October 13, at 3 and 7 pm. " Spend a memorable evening with one of the worlds most beloved musical theater composers, Andrew Lloyd Webber, interpreted by internationally acclaimed rare countertenor, Terry Barber. Barber breathes new life into hits from ten of Lloyd Webbers most beloved shows including Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera, Heaven On Their Minds from Jesus Christ Superstar, and Memory from Cats in addition to other selections from Evita, Sunset Boulevard, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Requiem, and more." The Robert G. Reim Theatre is in the Kirkwood Community Center at 111 S. Geyer Rd. in Kirkwood. For more information: terrybarber.com

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents the second round of its Playwright Slam on Monday, October 8, at 6:30 pm. "Get ready for a night of fun impromptu theater. The order of scripts to be read will be chosen at random. Actors to read will be chosen at random. Each script will be given a five minute read, and rated by a panel of judges based upon audience reaction. The judges will select several plays to move on to round two which will be ten minutes of the same script, from which a winner will be chosen." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Radium Girls Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, October 10 - 14. "In 1926 radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches were the latest rage - until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story and written with warmth and humor, Radium Girls is a fast-moving, highly theatrical ensemble piece that offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science." Performances take place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siue.edu.

Raging Skillet
Photo by Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Raging Skillet by Jacques Lemarre Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, through October 21. New Jewish Theatre serves up the opening entrée to its 21st season with a tasty adaptation of celebrity Chef Rossi's autobiographical memoir, Raging Skillet - equal parts book launch, cooking demonstration, heaping helping of comedy and a side of Jewish mother guilt. When Rossi's Jewish mother discovers the microwave, home-cooked meals become a thing of the past. What starts as a rebellion against her Orthodox parents, chauvinism in the kitchen and the pressures of conformity ends with Rossi becoming New York's #1 punk-rock, Jewish, Lesbian caterer. This hilarious and heartfelt new comedy is based on her true-life story." 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 Shakespeare presents Shakespeare's The Tempest October 12 - 21. "A story of shipwreck and magic, The Tempest begins on a ship caught in a violent storm with Alonso, the king of Naples, on board. On a nearby island, the exiled Duke of Milan, Prospero, tells his daughter, Miranda, that he has caused the storm with his magical powers. Prospero had been banished twelve years earlier when Prospero's brother, Antonio-also on the doomed ship-conspired with Alonso to become the duke instead. Prospero and Miranda are served by a spirit named Ariel and by Caliban, son of the island's previous inhabitant, the witch Sycorax." Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

Valhalla Cemetery and The Hawthorne Players present Voices Of Valhalla: A Hayride Through History through October 13. Hayrides through Valhalla Cemetery depart every fifteen minutes beginning at 6:30 each evening as members of the Hawthorne Players portray some of the noted locals buried in Valhalla. Valhalla Cemetery is located at 7600 St. Charles Rock Road. For more information, visit hawthorneplayers.com.

The Zombies of Penzance
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the world premiere of the rock musical The Zombies of Penzance, based on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through October 20. "New Line Theatre has shocked the music world by discovering a controversial, long-lost first draft by the legendary British team of librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, who together wrote fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896...In Gilbert and Sullivan's never-before seen original draft, dated December 1878 and titled The Zombies of Penzance (with the unwieldy subtitle, At Night Come the Flesh Eaters), Major-General Stanley is a retired zombie hunter, who doesn't want his daughters marrying the dreaded Zombies of Penzance, for obvious reasons." 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.