St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 14, 2019

We have new shows this week from (among others) Circus Harmony, The Rep, Max and Louie, and Mariposa Productions, along with the monthly singers open mic at Sophie's, hosted by yours truly.

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Circus Harmony presents Accelerando - A Circus Spy Thriller Saturdays at 12 and 2 pm and Sundasy at 2 pm, January 19 - 27. "The annual show features Circus Harmony's flying children with all new acts including Chinese Pole and Hoop Diving, some coached by Circus Harmony graduates who are touring the world performing these acts with Cirque du Soleil and les 7 Doigts de la Main!" Performances take place at City Museum, downtown. For more information www.circusharmony.org/accelerando.

Alabama Story
Photo by John Gitchoff

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the drama Alabama Story running through January 27th. "A determined librarian and a segregationist senator face off over an innocent children’s book in 1959 Montgomery. Depicting the marriage of two rabbits – who happen to have different-colored fur – the story has Sen. E.W. Higgins calling for a book ban. But even as the pressure mounts, librarian Emily Wheelock Reed refuses to yield to censorship. Inspired by true events, Alabama Story is a stirring testament to free expression." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org,

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Bullets in the Bathtub through April 13. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Canfield Drive
Photo by Peter Spack

The Black Rep presents the world premiere of Canfield Drive running through January 27. "In this World Premiere production, two high-powered news reporters from across the aisle are thrown together during a ratings frenzy in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. As they untangle the real cause of Brown's death, they struggle to keep their own secrets out of the spotlight. Created from diverse interviews of people from around the corner and around the world, Canfield Drive shines a light of hope as it wrestles with the greatest questions of our age. Canfield Drive, written by Kristen Adele Calhoun and Michael Thomas Walker, is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation and Development Fund Project co-commissioned by 651 Arts in partnership with The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, and NPN." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: theblackrep.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 Family Theatre Series presents the Two Beans Productions presentation of Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm, January 19 and 20. " From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly fun to play with. And he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure. But what will Mum find when she comes home...?" 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.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents the thriller I'll Be Back Before Midnight through January 20. "The play centers on the experiences of Jan, a young wife who recovering from a nervous disorder. She and her husband rent a remote cabin from an odd farmer who delights in telling gruesome ghost stories. Then the husband's strange sister arrives, and all manner of frightening events occur. What happens to fragile Jan as bodies appear and disappear give this classic thriller its tremendously frightening impact." 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.

Debby Lennon

Max and Louie Productions presents Debby Lennon in the one-woman show Love, Linda January 17 - 27. "Linda Lee Thomas was the Southern beauty who married and was the driving force behind legendary song writer Cole Porter at the dawn of the roaring twenties. Though Cole Porter was gay, their companionship and love lasted through 35 years of marriage and a spectacular, glamour-filled life. With innovative jazz arrangements, the timeless music and lyrics of Cole Porter weave through “Love, Linda” examining the darker sides of their life, while also celebrating the deep love that blossomed through their unconventional relationship." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information: maxandlouie.com

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents The Marvelous Wonderettes Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, January 18-26. “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 will be held at the Highland Elementary School auditorium in Highland IL. For more information: www.hardroad.org.

Lina Koutrakos

Mariposa Artists presents a Master Teachers' Performance featuring Rick Jensen, Jeff Klitz, Charles Busch, and Lina Koutrakos on Thursday, January 17, at 8 pm. The show is part of the Gateway Performance Workshop for cabaret and musical theatre singers and takes place at the .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com.

The Chapel presents My Infinite Sadness: A New Play by Darrious Varner running through January 20th. "When left alone in one's own mind, who is it that you are really talking to? Step into the subconscious of a person suffering with Depression. See the ups and downs, the twists and turns, the aches and pains that are living with mental illness. Playwright Darrious Varner introduces you to a whole new view of Depression with My Infinite Sadness. By personifying Depression, giving it a face and a voice, he shows just how hard the struggle can be, even on good days. There will be a 30 minute talk back after each show." The Chapel is at 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through May 9. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Alton Little Theater presents the drama On Golden Pond Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, January 18-27. " The touching play takes place at a summer lake home and focuses on a daughter's turbulent relationship with her father and the trials of a loving couple in the twilight years of a long marriage. A testament to the power of love and family and redemption." Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Mariposa Artists presents a Participant Showcase on Sunday, January 20, at 3 pm. The show features 20 talented individuals from across the country attending the Gateway Performance Workshop for cabaret and musical theatre singers. Musical directors are Rick Jensen and Jeff Klitz. Co-Directors are Lina Koutrakos and Charles Busch. The performance takes place at the .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: metrotix.com

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Recipes for Ice, their monthly improv show, on Friday, January 18, at 8 and 10:30 pm at The Steamboat Room, 314 S. Clay in Kirkwood, MO. "Join Adam and his crew for an interactive night of fun and laughter. Beer, wine and food available from Kirkwood Station Brewery." For more information: ktg-onstage.org.

Chuck Lavazzi

The Cabaret Project presents its weekly Singers Open Mic Night on Wednesday, January 16, 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 and hosted by 88.1 KDHX's 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. The event takes place at Sophie's Artist Lounge on the second floor of the .ZACK performing arts space at 3226 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the St. Louis premiere of The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe January 16 - February 3. "Nine teenage girls prepare for battle on a soccer field. As they stretch and warm up together, the teammates' nonstop banter reveals how a collection of disparate personalities bonds to form a team. With its engrossing flow of dialogue and authentic characters, DeLappe's acclaimed new play distills the raw passion, confusion and wonder of adolescence into exhilarating theatre." Performances take place in the studio theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.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.