The St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of January 13, 2020

The new theatrical year continues with new shows at the Rep Studio, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, and the Fox, along with new cabaret at the Blue Strawberry.

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Charles Glenn

The Blue Strawberry presents The After Party with singer Charles Glenn and his band on Saturday, January 18, at 8 pm. "The renowned Charles Glenn takes the Stage of Blue Strawberry with his band. Best known as the St. Louis Blues' longtime Anthem singer, Charles is an entertainer who draws upon his vast wealth of knowledge and training to create unforgettable musical experiences for his audiences. Charles creates a high energy show in the intimacy of Blue Strawberry. Charles has opened for Smokey Robinson, Huey Lewis and the News, and the Allman Brothers, and has worked with The Fifth Dimension. A special chance to hear Charles's big baritione in an acoustically impressive, intimate space - with food and drink, at tables and chairs." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Anna Blair

The Blue Strawberry presents Always...Anna Blair with singer Anna Blair Thursday, January 16, at 8 pm. "As a Patsy Cline impressionist, actor and singer, Anna Blair has entertained thousands. She sings Cline's beloved classics with her unique spin. "A stunning raconteur," Anna presents music and stories not as Ms. Cline but as herself, using her own experiences to sing the songs that have influenced and affected her over the past decade performing as Patsy Cline. Joining her onstage is Royal Robbins (Ravaged Hearts, Pavlov's Dog, Memories of Elvis) on piano and Michael Amoroso on guitar." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Gateway Men's Chorus presents Cabaret Risque: At The Speakeasy on Saturday, January 18, at 8 pm with a VIP Reception at 7 pm. "Travel back to the Roaring 20s as Gateway Men's Chorus presents an evening of sexy and sensual entertainment, handpicked by International Showgirl Lola Van Ella. With exotic burlesque performances, enticing silent auction items, and an incredible evening of saucy surprises, this is an event you can't afford to miss!" The event takes place at the Centene Center for the Arts in the Rialto Ballroom. For more information: www.gmcstl.org.

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents the Theatreworks USA production of Click, Clack, Moo Saturday, January 18 at 2 pm. "'Cows that type? Hens on strike! Whoever heard of such a thing!' Farmer Brown cries. When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declared the farm a tech-free zone. He takes her laptop in the cold barn with the shivering cows who use her computer to type messages requesting blankets. 'No way,' replies Farmer Brown. 'No blankets!' So the cows go on strike and the chickens join them in solidarity. No blankets? No milk! No eggs! Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals' demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in a hilariously moving musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin." 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.florissantmo.com

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.

Mark Saunders

The Blue Strawberry presents Everything's Fine: A Bear in Search of His Honey with singer Mark Saunders and pianist Stephen Eros on Friday, January 17, at 8 pm. "The world of online dating can be a tricky game to master. In a one-man cabaret, Mark Saunders will take you on a journey through the ups and downs, the goods and bads, and especially the tops and bottoms of his journey to find love. The evening will be full of laughter, heartbreak, and 100% true horror stories that will make us all feel better about ourselves. Come out, have a drink, and let's talk!" The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Circus Harmony presents Fluente: An Underseas Circus Adventure Saturdays at 2 and 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, January 18 - 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/

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

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the thriller Night Watch through January 19. "Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine's terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees still another body-this time a woman's-but by now the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanitarium for treatment. From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved-Elaine's old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga-all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax." Performances take place in the Guild theatre at Newport and Summit in Webster Groves, MO. For more information: theatreguildwg.org or call 314-962-0876.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Other Desert Cities opening on Friday, January 17, at 8 pm and running 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.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre presents Summer: The Donna Summer Musical opening on Wednesday, January 15, at 7:30 pm and running 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

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Thanksgiving Play, opening on Wednesday, January 15, and running 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.

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.

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.