St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of December 17, 2018

This week is your last chance to see shows at most local theatres. It's also your opportunity to celebrate the season at the Cabaret Project's open mic.

---

Share on Google+:

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 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.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Imaginary Theatre Company presents the children's musical The Christmas Skates running through December 22. "The true spirit of the holiday season shines brightly in this new musical adaptation of Mary Griggs Van Voorhis's short story, “The Boy with the Box.” It's nearly Christmas, and Tom Reynolds is excited to show off his brand new skates - that is, until someone shows up with a newer, better pair. Meanwhile, across town, Harvey McGinnis is thrilled with the meager gifts he's managed to gather for his little sisters. Inspired by Harvey's kindness and spirit, Tom hatches a plan to give his new friend a holiday surprise to remember." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall High School, 530 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves. For more information: repstl.org.

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.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents End of the Year Party and Monologue Event on Monday, December 17 at 6:30 pm. " No booking required. Just bring an original monologue that is 90 seconds to five minutes long. Audience members and actors are always welcome too. Prepare to read it yourself, have an actor friend read it for you or one of the regulars can read it. The only very loose guideline is that your monologue should somehow be related to the winter/holiday season. It can be serious, funny, dramatic, tragic or just plain weird. Following last year's successful event we're hoping for an equally enjoyable evening. The emphasis is on fun before the group breaks for the winter." The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents Facing, a new play by Caitlin McCommis, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through December 23. "Wilda has modeled her life after that of her grandmother: to be fearless and adventure down the same dirt roads. When she's diagnosed with a debilitating illness, the vision of her future gets ripped away as she's welcomed to a club that she never asked to be a part of. But when another club member goes through a crisis, Wilda is forced to look her worst nightmare in the eye. " Performances take place at The .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Midtown. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

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.

Next Generation Theatre Company presents It's a Wonderful Life, based on the classic film, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 pm, December 21 - 23. "George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. After a huge loss, George is forced to face his own humanity and what things would have been like if he had never been born. NGTC will bring this family favorite to life right in front of your eyes!" 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 www.nextgenerationtheatre.company.

The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told
Photo by John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm through December 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.

Perfect Arrangement
Photo by Michael Young

R-S Theatrics presents Perfect Arrangement Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays a 7 pm through December 23. "Government employees Bob and Norma are given the job of rooting out 'sexual deviants' in the U.S. State Department during the Cold War. The only problem? Both are in sham marriages to hide their own homosexuality. Told in the style of a classic TV sitcom and set during the Lavender Scare that actually took place in the 1950's, Topher Payne's play asks how far you would go to protect yourself if it meant sacrificing others." Performances take place at black box theatre at The Marcelle, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr. in Grand Center. For more information: r-stheatrics.com.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer the Musical Saturday at 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm and Sunday at 1 and 5 pm, December 22 and 23. "Winner of over 100 international awards and seen by over 65 million people worldwide, Les Misérables is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. " The Fabulous Fox Theatre in on N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project presents the gala holiday edition of its monthly Singers Open Mic Night on Wednesday, December 19, from 7 to 10 pm. Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by pianist and music director Carol Schmidt. Your MC is KDHX Senior Performing Arts Critic Chuck Lavazzi. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. It's also recommend that you have your song memorized. Seasonal songs are strongly encouraged and there will be a Christmas carol sing-along. The event takes place at Sophie's Artist Lounge on the second floor of the .ZACK performing arts space at 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.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.