St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of June 24, 2019

The Muny anticipates July 4th with the musical 1776 and Insight mines the French Revolution for comedy.

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The Muny presents the musical 1776 opening on Thursday, June 27, at 8:15 p.m. and running through July 3rd. "With the American Revolution underway, a nation's independence is ready to be claimed. The three-time Tony Award-winning 1776 sets ablaze the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence and illuminates the personalities, passions and compromises that created a nation. Featuring a telling score that includes “Sit Down, John,” “He Plays the Violin” and “Momma Look Sharp,” this Muny production will mesmerize, delight and inspire you." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents Shakespeare's As You Like It Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through June 30. "The theatrical and enchanting Shakespeare that you have come to expect from SIUE Summer Theater continues; this beloved romantic comedy moves from the magical Forest of Arden to the mysterious 1920's Ozark forests, complete with original, Old-Time Tunes. Our hero Rosalind, finding herself on the run from the evils of the city with her best friend Celia and her philosophical fool Touchstone, disguises herself as a young man and begins a journey of self-discovery. Falling in love and learning who you are by "acting the part" are the heart of this classic tale of romance and reconciliation." Performances take place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsville, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit siue.edu.

The Boy from Oz
Photo by Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical The Boy From Oz through June 30. "Dazzling and hilarious as the legendary Peter Allen himself, THE BOY FROM OZ follows the Australian singer-songwriter from his humble beginnings performing in backcountry pubs to his international stardom beside such Hollywood icons as Judy Garland and her daughter Liza Minnelli. " Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

The Caper on Aisle 6

Circus Flora presents its new show, The Caper on Aisle 6 through June 30 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center. "A trip to the grocery store is not usually the most exciting part of our day. But the market is a place of intrigue and excitement in "The Caper in Aisle 6." An ancient and powerful substance, long thought to be gone from the Earth, is found in the unlikeliest of places: aisle six of the local grocery store. What secrets does aisle six hold, and what adventures will it set in motion?" For more information: circusflora.org.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Center Stage on Tuesday, June 25, at 8 pm. "Rising opera stars from across the country step into the spotlight for one thrilling night of song. Cheer on the members of OTSL's nationally acclaimed young artist programs - normally seen in small roles and the season ensemble - as they perform some of opera's greatest hits and cherished rarities, accompanied onstage by members of the renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The future of opera is bright, indeed!" The performance takes place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 130 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. For more information: opera-stl.org call 314-961-0644.

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 Coronation of Poppea
Photo by Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Monteverdi's The Coronation of Poppea through June 28. "The fight for the throne is never dignified. Poppea will stop at nothing to become Empress, no matter who she has to blackmail, betray, or kill. And Emperor Nero, who is infatuated with Poppea, is not thinking with his head. Separately, they're bad enough. Together, they will turn Rome upside down. Sexy, bloodthirsty, and unapologetic, this opera is the best kind of political thriller." The opera runs approximately two hours and 50 minutes with one intermission and is performed in English with English supertitles. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus.  For more information: experienceopera.org call 314-961-0644.

The HIlton St. Louis Frontenac presents The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show through July 27. "Solve a hilarious crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!" For more information: https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/st-louis

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Disney's 101 Dalmatians, based on the animated film, through June 30. "Join the evil Cruella De Vil and her two klutzy henchmen as they try to steal a litter of the cutest puppies ever to hit jolly old London Town. But not to worry - this fur-raising adventure ends happily with plenty of puppy power to spare! " Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

Fire Shut Up In My Bones
Photo by Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Fire Shut Up In My Bones by Terence Blanchard and Kasi Lemmons, based on the memoir by columnist Charles Blow, through June 29. "One moment can change everything. When Charles discovers that his cousin has returned to his Louisiana hometown, he races home from college to confront his past. Memories and shadows surround Charles as he strives to move beyond a cycle of violence and forge a brave new path. Terence Blanchard, composer of OTSL's sold-out hit Champion, teams up with screenwriter Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou) for a haunting, powerful, and tender coming-of age story inspired by a memoir celebrated as "stunning" (Essence), "riveting" (Chicago Tribune), and "exquisite" (The New York Times)." The opera runs approximately two hours and 25 minutes with one intermission and is performed in English with English supertitles. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: opera-stl.org call 314-961-0644.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Flaming Saddles through July 28 The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

St. Louis Public Radio presents the Grand Center Theatre Crawl on Friday from 7-10 pm. and Saturday at from 2-5 and 7-10 pm, June 28 and 29, at various locations in the Grand Center Arts District. Join St. Louis Public Radio for the finest offerings of the bustling St. Louis theatre scene at the Grand Center Theatre Crawl. Rotate through venues in Grand Center to get free access to 24 local theatre groups in short performances." Featured theatre companies Equally Represented Arts, Insight Theatre Company, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Prison Performing Arts, R-S Theatrics, The Midnight Company, and West End Players Guild. For more information: stlpublicradio.org

The Q Collective presents the rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays at 8 and 10:30 pm through June 29. "The Q Collective is excited to present John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's groundbreaking, Obie-winning Off-Broadway musical Hedwig And The Angry Inch, in which the 'internationally ignored song stylist' Hedwig Schmidt, herself, tells us her wild life story, as a fourth-wall smashing East German rock 'n' roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation. This outrageous and unexpectedly powerful story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (née Hansel) in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy backed by the hard-rocking band The Angry Inch. It's a rocking ride, funny, touching, and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile." Performances take place at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in The Grove. For more information: eventbrite.com.

Indecent
Photo by Gerry Love

Max and Louie Productions presents Indecent Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm through June 30. "Winner of numerous awards including an acclaimed Tony-winning run on Broadway, "Indecent" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, is the true story of a groundbreaking scandalous play and the courageous artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it. " Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: maxandlouie.com.

The Muny presents the musical Kinky Boots opening on Wednesday, June 19, at 8:15 p.m. and running through June 25th. '"Step into a dream where glamour is extreme" with the U.S. regional premiere of the international smash-hit-musical Kinky Boots! Winner of six Tony Awards, the Olivier Award and the Grammy, this huge-hearted hit tells the story of a struggling British shoe factory that finds a surprising way to recreate themselves! Featuring 16 Grammy Award-winning original songs penned by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this sparkling, stiletto sensation will "lift you up!"' Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

The Marriage of Figaro
Photo by Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Mozart's comedy The Marriage of Figaro running through June 29. "Life at court is about to get complicated. The maid Susanna is determined to wed her fiancé, Figaro, while the Count is equally determined to add her to his list of conquests. But Susanna and Figaro won't allow one self-entitled nobleman to ruin their happy ending! They each hatch their own plots to teach their master a lesson. What follows is a whirlwind day of romantic intrigue, cunning schemes, and uproarious fun. One of Mozart's most beloved masterpieces, The Marriage of Figaro reminds us all that love will always prevail, and forgiveness is always within reach." The opera runs three hours and ten minutes with one intermission and is sung in English with English supertitles. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. For more information: opera-stl.org call 314-961-0644.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Muurder in Maaaybury! through July 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Broadway Fantasies presents Our Favorite Songs Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through June 30. " A wonderful 2 hours of song and dance entertainment supporting CORP County older residents program. Directed by Christy Simmons and Musical direction by Joe Dreyer." Performances take place at the Chesterfield Family YMCA, 16464 Burkhardt Place. For more information: broadwayfantasies.com.

Insight Theatre Company presents The Revolutionists by Lauren Gunderson Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, June 27 - July 14. "Four beautiful, badass women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters, and how we actually go about changing the world. It's a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold. " Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

Rigoletto
Photo by Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Verdi's Rigoletto running through June 30. "There is no purer love than that of a father for his daughter - and no more impossible task than protecting her from the world. Rigoletto is a bitter court jester who serves the Duke of Mantua, a lecherous womanizer. Together, they are despised throughout the city. But alone, Rigoletto is all tenderness when it comes to his innocent young daughter, Gilda. Little does he know that an ominous curse is about to take its toll. When the Duke seduces Gilda, only to then abandon her, the enraged father swears vengeance. Set to some of Verdi's most powerful music, this tale of innocence lost is wrenchingly poignant and all too human." The opera runs approximately two hours with one intermission and is performed in English with English supertitles. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. For more information: experienceopera.org call 314-961-0644.

Christ Memorial Productions presents The Selfish Giant Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:30 pm, June 28-30. "This narrated retelling of the endearing story of The Selfish Giant will feature physical arts including mime, dance, gymnastics and other circus arts and it will be set to powerful orchestration by Dan Goeller, an accomplished and published composer, as presented by a full, live orchestra. The vision for this presentation has been described as a beautiful synergy of story, symphony music and circus arts." Performances take place at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 South Lindbergh. For more information, visit CMPShows.org or call 314-631-0304.

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.