St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of December 3, 2018

The December theatre rush continues with new shows from Stray Dog, the Fox, and R-S Theatrics along with cabaret at the Jazz Bistro and the Kranzberg Center.

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An Act of God
Photo by Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents the comedy An Act of God Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, through December 16. "A divine comedy! Delivering a new and improved set of Commandments, God's introduction of the revised laws is refreshingly positive, insisting on the separation of church and state and encouraging us to believe in ourselves, not some elderly white guy in the sky. The play is sinfully funny delivering new meaning to the phrase divine intervention and where God and his devoted angels answer some of the deepest questions that have plagued mankind since Creation. He's finally arrived to set the record straight…and He's not holding back! In God we trust." 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.

All is Calm
Photo by Ann K. Aurbach

Mustard Seed Theatre presents the a cappella musical All is Calm Thursdays through Sundays through December 16. "Join us in celebrating the power of peace in this acapella musical based on the true story of soldiers during World War I who for one night, put down their arms and played soccer instead of exchanging bullets." 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.

Clinton County Showcase presents the musical Annie Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, December 7 - 16. "With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations… and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt! She finds a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy." Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Away in a Basement

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents the musical Away in a Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas running through January 6. " 'Away in the Basement: A Church Basement Ladies Christmas' takes audiences back to 1959 on the day of the Sunday School Christmas Program. In the midst of holiday preparations and sprinklings of love in the air, the ladies in their witty, down-to-earth style are creating their own memories from Christmases past and present. Content to do things the way they have always been done, yet pondering new ideas, the reality of everyday life hits home as they plan the Sunday School Christmas Program. As the children rehearse in the sanctuary, several of the ladies are in the kitchen finishing up the treat bags filled with apples, peanuts and ribbon candy while the others put the final touches on the nativity pieces. As they mend old bathrobe costumes, discuss the politics of who's going to play the various roles, little do the ladies know what surprises are in store for them. Known for their hilarious antics and subtle charm, they are once again called upon to step in and save the day!" The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: www.playhouseatwestport.com.

The Stifel Theatre presents A Charlie Brown Christmas on Thursday, December 6, at 7 pm. "A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage is a fresh take on the timeless classic that gives the audience a completely new way of experiencing the storyline as portrayed by real actors who maintain the integrity and spirit of each Peanuts character." The Stifel Theatre is at 14th and Market downtown. For more information: stifeltheatre.com.

A Christmas Carol

The Fox Theatre presents The Nebraska Theatre Caravan's musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol Thursday and Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 1 and 6 PM, December 6 - 9. "A Christmas Carol features a spirited ensemble of 23 performers who bring Dickens' fable of redemption to life on a magical set created by noted designer James Othuse. A full array of timeless carols such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Away In a Manger” and “Here We Come A-Wassailing” are interwoven within the classic story of a tight-fisted, middle-class merchant Ebenezer Scrooge and all the beloved characters from Dickens' 1843 novel." The Fox is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents A Christmas Carol Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, December 6 - 9. Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Christmas Sleigh-Ing through December 29. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

A Christmas Story
Photo by Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents A Christmas Story, based on the movie by Jean Shepherd, through December 23. "Ralphie Parker's quest to get a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas returns to The Rep in all its heartwarming and hilarious glory. Filled with delightful holiday vignettes and endlessly quotable lines ("You'll shoot your eye out!"), this play is the perfect gift for the whole family to enjoy. See the classic movie brought to life on stage!" 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.

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.

Equally Represented Arts presents Doomsday Faust Wednesday through Saturday, December 5 - 8. " A postmodern collage that reimagines Marlowe's tragic hero as an ambitious businessman who strikes a deal with the devil to become the most magical and powerful leader on the world stage. However, Faustus' doomsday, as well as our own, is just on the horizon." Performances take place at Centene Center for the Arts 3547 Olive Street. For more information: .artful.ly

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents an Evening of One-Act Plays on Monday, December 3 at 6:30 pm. "You can submit your 10 to 15 minute play for inclusion to ryoung at papadocs.com, or simply join us as an audience member. Admission is free." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Harm for the Holidays through December 31. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

MSM Holiday Stop-Motion Extravaganza
Photo by Ron James

St. Louis Shakespeare's Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents The Holiday Stop-Motion Extravaganza Parody through December 8. "The Magic Smoking Monkeys are at it again! Join Rudolph, Santa, Hermey, Bumble, the Miser Bros and other wonderful misfits as they parody your favorite 1970s childhood holiday shows by Rankin/Bass. If youve ever had aspirations of becoming a dentist, this parody is for you! This parody includes: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town AND The Year Without Santa Claus. Polish up the sled and grab the kids!" Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission in University City. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com

The Kranzberg Arts Center presents Craig Pomranz in Love: It Takes Time Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, December 7 and 8. "Winner of the MAC Award for best male vocalist, St. Louis native Craig Pomranz has been called 'The BEST male singer...his four-octave voice is alternately affecting, powerful, and nuanced; one of the finest instruments in the city' by the New York Post." The Kranzberg Arts Center is at 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told

Stray Dog Theatre presents The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told Thursdays through Saturdays, December 6 - 22. There will also be a show at 8 pm on Wednesday, December 19. "First men on earth Adam and Steve and their lesbian friends Jane and Mabel decide to start civilization, despite the provocative challenges of procreation. They are led by the stage manager (who may be God) through the Garden of Eden, the Great Flood, a visit with a highly rambunctious Pharaoh, and finally, the birth of the Messiah. This outlandish comedy is a perfect alternative holiday treat!" Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

The Black Mirror Theatre presents Of Human Kindness - An Evening of Short Plays Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, December 6 - 16. "Disregarded lives. All true stories, true enough. A homeless man seeking meaning in life. Letters from Mom and Dad - advice on growing up Black in America. The unshakeable power of small acts of kindness in Ravensbruck, the Nazi concentration camp for women. Isabella 'Bomefree', Sojourner Truth, a Northern slave first sold at 9-years-old, destined to become one of America's strongest voices for equal treatment of all. People, the same as us, every breath, the same as our own. Lives shaped by simple acts of kindness, both given and received, each a link in a chain 'Of Human Kindness'." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

Shotspeare

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Shotspeare Thursdays through Saturdays through December 8. "Shotspeare is equal parts bacchanal and classical theater. Harkening back to the actual time of Shakespeare where audience members (groundlings) were boisterous and partook in the show. Think Drunk History meets The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, hosted by the Gazillionaires English major nephew." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Alton Little Theater presents the musical Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, December 7 - 16. "The Sanders Family are roles models of inspiration, humor and hope and the production energizes the audience to see a golden opportunity for growth with songs created from southern gospel, hymns, country and bluegrass favorites from the end/era of World War II." Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Jazz St. Louis and The Cabaret Project present Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch in Snowfall on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, December 5 and 6. "Two time Tony winner Christine Ebersole's chemistry with Grammy winning songwriter, singer, pianist Billy Stritch began when they performed in Broadway's 42nd Street. She's added many more stage and screen successes (War Paint, Grey Gardens, Wolf of Wall Street) and he's headlined famed Manhattan nightspots and performed with Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli and Marilyn Maye. Snowfall premiered in 2017 at Birdland and features Ebersole and Stritch's signature tight harmonies, lush vocals and swinging takes on beloved seasonal classics." Performances take place at the Ferring Jazz Bistro on Washington just east of the Fox in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents Chekov's The Three Sisters, as adapted by Sarah Ruhl, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through December 9. "Trapped in a provincial Russian town after the death of their father, three sisters lament the passing of better times and long for the excitement of Moscow. One of them has married a local teacher; another has become a teacher herself; the third has settled for a dull job in the local telegraph office. Their principal interest is focused on the officers of the local regiment, of which their father had been commandant, men who bring a sense of sophistication and the world outside to their suppressed existence. In the end the fateful pattern of their lives is made clear-their dreams will be denied but, despite all, there must always be hope, however futile, and the ways of the world are to be accepted, if not understood." Performances take place in the Emerson Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu or call 314-968-7128.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Tribes Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through December 16. "Billy was born deaf into a hearing family. He was raised inside its fiercely idiosyncratic and politically incorrect cocoon. He has adapted brilliantly to his family's unconventional ways, but they've never bothered to return the favor. It's not until he meets Sylvia, a young woman on the brink of deafness, that he finally understands what it means to be understood." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. For more information call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

Wonderland: Alice's Rock and Roll Adventure

Metro Theatre Company presents Wonderland: Alice's Rock and Roll Adventure through December 30th. "Part rock concert, part theater, all of your favorite characters as Metro Theater Company presents this new, wild and wondrous take on Lewis Carroll's beloved, poetic tale of self-actualization. A cast of actors/musicians plays an eclectic mix of everything from soul and rock to punk to ska as Alice chases through Wonderland in search of her own inner musical voice. A fun, hip, and refreshing fusion of music, theatre and poetry, Wonderland: Alice's Rock and Roll Adventure is the search for one's authentic self, asking how can you march to the beat of your own drummer when you're still writing the song? It places Alice in a strange, new world, where she conquers her fears and uses her musical skills to defeat the Jabberwock." The performance takes place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: metroplays.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.