St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 20, 2020

St. Louis theatre has it all this week: comedy (interactive and otherwise), drama, musicals, cabaret, and opera.

---

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.

Sara Shepherd

The Blue Strawberry presents Female on Fire - A Celebration of Female Singer/Songwriters with singer Sara Shepherd along with Scott Sheperd on piano and Dave Black on guitar on Saturday, January 25, at 8 pm. " Sara Sheperd most recently just finished her run in Beautiful- the Carole King musical on Broadway understudying Carole King, Genie Klein, and the roles of Betty and Marilyn. She was also a part of the Original Broadway Company and was the dance captain for the production. Other Broadway and National Tour credits include Cry-Baby, the musical and Legally Blonde, the musical. Favorite regional credits include Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (Drury Lane), Jo in Little Women (John W. Engeman Theatre), Nancy in Oliver! (Human Race). She is a proud CCM graduate and also earned a Presidential Scholar in the Arts award in 2004." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: www.bluestrawberrystl.com.

Winter Opera St. Louis presents Donizetti's comedy La Fille du Régiment Friday at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM, November 8 and 10. "Army life is all Marie, the régiment's canteen girl, knows after being abandoned as a baby and saved by the soldiers. She has fallen in love with prisoner-turned soldier Tonio, but after a chance encounter with her long-lost aunt, the Marquise of Berkenfield, Marie reluctantly leaves the régiment. Will Marie stay with the Marquise and live a life of luxury or will the regimental songs call her back to the soldier she loves?" Performances take place at The Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 425 S. Lindbergh. For more information, visit winteroperastl.org.

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents the interactive comedy Flanagan's Wake opening on Friday, January 24, at 7:30 pm and running through March 21. "The hit show from Chicago, Flanagan's Wake, is the hilarious interactive show that brings Flanagan's Irish family to St. Louis where they will memorialize his passing. Audiences participate in this comedic memorial with plenty o' pints, crazy sing-a-longs, telling of witty tales and mourn the passing of one of their own: Flanagan. Audiences will pay their respects to glowering Mother Flanagan and to poor grieving fiancée, Fiona Finn. Listen to a eulogy written by County Sligo's best-known writer, Mickey Finn, and tip a pint with Brian Ballybunion, himself a weaver of tales. You can cross yourself with the blessings from St. Gregory's parish priest, Father Damon Fitzgerald, or cross your fingers that local pagan Kathleen Mooney doesn't cast a spell on you. Mayor Martin O'Doul will preside over the proceedings with an iron hand (and a parched throat)." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Circus Harmony: Legato (2018)

Circus Harmony presents Fluente: An Underseas Circus Adventure Saturdays at 2 and 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through January 26. "This captivating show is an undersea circus adventure. All the acts are co-created with the amazing Circus Harmony students, staff and guest teaching artists - a number of whom are successful alumni. Like it's home, City Museum, this circus show is not just for children! While the age range of the performers is 8 to 21 years old, these young people perform professional level circus arts. That is why a number of them have gone on to perform with some of the most prestigious circus companies around the world! Fluente will feature new acts created especially for this production and new music from the Circus Harmony Band under the direction of Jeffrey Carter." Performances take place at City Museum, downtown. For more information: circusharmony.org/fluente/

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, January 23 - February 2. "When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn't the only thing on Monty's mind…. " Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

Vivre Theatre presents the musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder opening on Friday, January 24, at 7:30 pm and running through February 1. "When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he's eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D'Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn't the only thing on Monty's mind…. " Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center in Florissant, MO. For more information: www.facebook.com/events

The Blue Strawberry presents Bob Gerchen in Joe Cocker: Never Forget on Friday, January 24, at 8 pm. "Bob Gerchen finds the beauty, the grit, the soul and the pathos in the work of Joe Cocker, with a little help from a St. Louis Grown Blues Band. Bob sings Joe's hits, but also some songs you might not know. He tells the story of Joe's improbable rise and influence on American blues and soul (he got inside a lot of our souls), as well as on the life of the show's creator." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: www.bluestrawberrystl.com.

Madam
Photo by Caroline Guffey

Fly North Theatricals presents the new musical Madam through February 2. "ELIZA HAYCRAFT - She built an EMPIRE of brothels based on three simple rules. . . RESPECT, CONSENT, and PAY UP FRONT! In 1870 - she was the richest and most powerful woman in the City of St. Louis! But in 1870, Eliza Haycraft was dying. . . And the richest and most powerful men in the City of St. Louis. . . They were hellbent on taking it all away from her. With a score by STL-based composer Colin Healy (The Gringo, Forgottonia) described as 'power swing', fusing elements of modern pop and musical theatre with traditional St. Louis blues and swing revival, you can move-and-be-moved by this turbulent story about the right to be remembered, the meaning of love, and the power of 'no.'" Performances take place at the .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: https://flynorththeatricals.com/events.

Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles by Luis Alfaro through February 2. " The Greek tragedy Medea is reborn through the experiences of a young immigrant family living in modern day Los Angeles. Shrouded in evocative mysticism, this tale of love, loss and transformation pulses with an escalating sense of danger. In this fresh retelling, Medea and Jason grapple not only with their own star-crossed marriage, but with the weight of the sacrifices demanded in the battle between assimilation and tradition." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org

New Jewish Theater presents My Name is Asher Lev Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, January 23 - February 9. "My Name is Asher Lev follows the journey of a young Jewish painter torn between his Hassidic upbringing and his desperate need to fulfill his artistic promise. When his artistic genius threatens to destroy his relationship with his parents and community, young Asher realizes he must make a difficult choice between art and faith. This stirring adaptation of a modern classic presents a heartbreaking and triumphant vision of what it means to be an artist." 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.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Other Desert Cities through January 26. "Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history-a wound they don't want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it." 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.

Polkadots the Cool Kids Musical

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis's Imaginary Theatre Company presents the children's musical Polkadots The Cool Kids Musical opening on Saturday, January 25, with performances at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, and running on Saturdays only through February 2. "The “Squares Only” town of Rockaway turns upside down when Lily Polkadot arrives. As the first Polkadot in an all Square school, Lily faces an almost impossible task of gaining acceptance from her peers. From daily bullying to segregated drinking fountains, everything seems hopeless until Lily meets Sky, a shy Square boy whose curiosity for her different skin leads to an unexpected friendship. Inspired by the events of The Little Rock Nine, this musical serves as a colorful history lesson, reminding us that our differences make us awesome, not outcasts." Performances take place on the Mainstage at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus on January 25 and February 1, and at the Missouri History Museum on February 2. For more information: repstl.org.

The Blue Strawberry presents SilverPhreek: Three Part Harmonies of Curt Landes, Vince Martin, Al Oxenhandler on Thursday, January 23, at 8 pm. "SilverPhreek -Curt Landes, Vince Martin and Al Oxenhandler - are St. Louis-based musicians and singers. They come together on special occasions as "SilverPhreek" to do 3-part harmony and have fun. These guys bring a lot of experience to their game. Alan has written and performed his own 1 man musical stage play, and he has sung with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Curt has toured and performed with numerous talented musicians (including at least 4 members of the rock 'n' roll Hall of Fame). Vince is regularly asked to headline at blues festivals" The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: www.bluestrawberrystl.com.

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project presents its montly Singers Open Mic Night on Tuesday, January 21, 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.

Debbie Lennon in Songs for Nobodies
Photo by Dan Dan Donovan

Max and Louie Productions presents Songs for Nobodies, starring Debbie Lennon, Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm, January 23 - February 2. "This one-woman powerhouse performance, starring Debby Lennon, weaves the music of legendary divas Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, and Maria Callas throughout a mosaic of stories told by the everyday women who had unexpected life-changing encounters with these musical icons." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: maxandlouie.com

First Run Theatre presents the 2020 Spectrum One-Act Play Festival Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, January 24 - February 1. Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information, call (314) 352-5114 or visit www.firstruntheatre.com.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents Summer: The Donna Summer Musical through January 26. "She was a girl from Boston with a voice from heaven, who shot through the stars from gospel choir to dance floor diva. But what the world didn't know was how Donna Summer risked it all to break through barriers, becoming the icon of an era and the inspiration for every music diva who followed. With a score featuring more than 20 of Summer's classic hits including "Love to Love You Baby," "Bad Girls" and "Hot Stuff," this electric experience is a moving tribute to the voice of a generation." The Fabulous Fox Theatre in on N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

The Thanksgiving Play
Photo by Phil Hamer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Thanksgiving Play through February 9. "Four earnestly progressive theatre-makers want to create a politically correct Thanksgiving play that is historically accurate, avoids all possible stereotypes and doesn't offend anyone. Guess how long it takes for everything to fly off the rails? This wickedly hilarious satire hurtles into glorious chaos, skewering both its characters' pretensions and the traditional "Thanksgiving story."" Performances take place in the Studio Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

Two Trains Running
Photo by Phil Hamer

The Black Rep presents August Wilson's Two Trains Running through January 26. "In August Wilson's masterpiece, history unfolds around everyday lives against the backdrop of the civil rights movement. Long-time regulars gather at the local diner in Pittsburgh's Hill District to gossip, flirt and play the numbers. Now the owner must decide whether to let the city take over his building or sell it to a shrewd, local businessman. Part of Wilson's trailblazing American Century Cycle, Two Trains Running paints a compassionate and unforgettable portrait of ordinary people in the midst of transformation." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: theblackrep.org.

Wildfire
Photo by Claire Fairbanks

Upstream Theater presents Wildfire opening on Friday, January 24, at 8 pm and running through February 9. "Claudette, Claudia, Claudine, Carol, Callum, and Caroline have more in common than names that begin with C-they are haunted by a family history of childhood trauma, which unfolds across three generations-and then loops back … to the future. They do what they can to survive. Sometimes by baking cookies, sometimes by playing fantasy games, and sometimes by smashing a hammer into a TV. Highly absurd, terribly funny and beautifully constructed, WILDFIRE is a mix of ferocious black comedy and a humanistic worldview which recognizes that seemingly unremarkable lives can experience extraordinary fates." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.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.