St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of November 8, 2021

Now including both on-line and live events during the pandemic. Your event information should be in text format (i.e. not part of a graphic), but feel free to include publicity stills. To get your event listed here, send an email to calendar [at] stageleft.org.

Act Two Theatre presents Noël Coward’s comedy Blithe Spirit through November 14. “The fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, re-married but haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, the clever and insistent Elvira who is called up by a visiting “happy medium,” one Madame Arcati. As the worldly and un-personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed, “passes over,” joins Elvira, and the two “blithe spirits” haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity.” Performances take place at the St. Peters Community and Arts Center in St. Peters, MO. For more information: www.acttwotheatre.com.

Jessica Vosk

The Blue Strawberry presents Jessica Vosk Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm, November 11-13. " One of the most popular Elphaba’s of all time on Broadway, and the star of Wicked's national tour, Jessica Vosk made her Broadway debut in the 2014 production of The Bridges of Madison County before going on to appear in the original Broadway cast of Finding Neverland, and as Fruma Sarah in the 2015 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. At Blue Strawberry, one of Broadway’s biggest voices pays homage to Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughan and other legends, as well as to composers Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz and Burt Bacharach—artists whom she credits with writing musical scores ‘like maps for my life.’ Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Music Director and Piano"  The Blue Strawberry is operating under a "COVID careful" arrangement with mandatory vaccination and masking. The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Marilyn Maye

The Cabaret Project and Jazz St. Louis present Marilyn Maye in Here’s to Life Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30, November 10 and 11. “An established St. Louis favorite, there almost isn’t a need to bring up Maye's historic recordings on the RCA label, her 76 appearances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (he called her “super singer"), or the fact that she was one of Ella Fitzgerald’s favorite singers. Currently, she counts Harry Connick, Jr, Jon Batiste, and Wynton Marsalis among her fans. Don’t miss her first St. Louis show in a year and a half as she sings her classic arrangements of timeless songs – including her signature song Here’s To Life - played by a quintet of her favorite musicians.” Performances take place at Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Avenue in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretprojecdt.org.

Cats Cradle Theatre presents The Last Days of Judas Iscariot Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 pm, November 11-31 and 18-20, and Sunday, November 14, at 2;30 pm. "Set in a space between heaven and hell, THE LAT DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT tells the story of a court case over the ultimate fate of Judas Iscariot. In this courtroom drama of epic proportions, lawyers call for the testimonies of historic witnesses who share imagined memories, religious ramblings, and philosophical arguments. The results of this trial ask both the characters and the audience to reconsider what they thought they knew about forgiveness, faith, despair, and the humanity inside not only one of history’s most famous villains, but ourselves. While this play cross-examines the gospels, posing complex moral and spiritual questions about divine justice, and human failures of virtue – it’s not a play about religion. It’s an examination of the intersection of humanity, grace, and justice and what it means to be good to each other, and ourselves in this world." Performances take place at Jefferson Avenue Mission at 2241 S. Jefferson. For more information: www.catscradletheatre.com.

Circus Harmony in St. Louis and Circus Circuli in Stuttgart, St. Louis's German sister city, present Sister City Circus, on Circus Harmony’s YouTube page.  "Through a series of online meetings, workshops, and classes the two troupes created 6 different circus acts and then filmed them at iconic architectural locations in each of their cities." This and many other Circus Harmony videos are available at the Circus Harmony YouTube channel.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Photo by John Lamb

Clayton Community Theatre presents August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through November 14. “This Tony-nominated 1982 classic drama deals with issues of race, art, religion and the historic exploitation of black recording artists by white producers.” Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Rd. For more information: www.placeseveryone.org.

COCA presents a COCAWrites Workshop production of Kaleidoscope Crown, by Ashleigh Akilah Rucker on Saturday, November 13th, at 7:30 pm. It’s “the story of a young girl who awakes with a shocking new ability: with every new feeling her hair is catapulted into multicolor tresses. Her new development throws the uniformity and peace of her small traditional village into disarray. Rucker draws inspiration from the art and traditions of the African Diaspora bringing the culture to the forefront of this new work.” COCA is at 6880 Washington in University City, MO. For more information: www.cocastl.org.

ERA Theatre presents the radio play SHE by Nancy Bell with music by Joe Taylor and Lyrics by Nancy Bell via on-demand streaming  "SHE controls the radio station of the fascist regime in power. SHE's also the star of the broadcast. Her recording studio abounds with music and oysters. But in the nearby government camps full of misfits and would-be revolutionaries, only torture and starvation is thick on the ground. Tonight, however, SHE's realm feels different. The bombs sound closer. Time moves faster. But SHE will finish her radio show, and it will be her finest. If executing every number in the broadcast means some people need to die, so be it; it is a small sacrifice. The citizens need her and she will not let them down." SHE is available for digital purchase via bandcamp at eratheatre.bandcamp.com. For more information: www.eratheatre.org

Fly North Theatricals presents A Year With Frog and Toad Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through November 14. “Waking from hibernation in the Spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make believe... all charm, A Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons.” Performances take place at The Marcelle Theatre, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr. in Grand Center. For more information: www.flynorthmusic.com.

The Hawthorne Players present the musical The Marvelous Wonderettes Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm, November 12-14. ”This smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts!  In Act Two, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their ten-year reunion.  This delightful show features over 30 classic '50s and '60s hits that are bound to leave you smiling!” Performances take place in the Florissant Civic Center Theatre in Florissant, MO. For more information: http://www.hawthorneplayers.info.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents the Kaufman and Hart comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner November 12-21. “While on a speaking tour in Ohio, opinionated and arrogant radio personality Sheridan Whiteside injures himself slipping on ice and becomes an unexpected houseguest for a prominent area family. Whiteside proceeds to make brash proclamations and offer his unsolicited advice to the family members. When a romance begins between Whiteside’s assistant and a local reporter, he interferes with that as well!”  Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Kirkwood. For more information: www.ktg-onstage.org.

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present The Christmas Killer through January 8. "Join classic Christmas characters like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolf, Grandma and Santa’s Elves for the annual Misfit Toys Banquet event hosted by Chatty Cathy herself.  It’s going to be a great party so long as the wrong element doesn’t show up.  We’re talking about that slimy, no good, rotten, Ricky Stitch of course.  Why, I wouldn’t touch him with a 39 ½ foot pole!  Gee, sure hope he doesn’t try to ruin Christmas…again.  If he does, I’m sure someone will show him who makes the candy canes around here! But how will we figure out whodunnit…was it you?" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

Looking Glass Playhouse presents the comedy Lend Me a Tenor Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, November 11-21. “On a very important night for the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, Tito Mirelli, the world-famous Italian tenor, is set to perform the starring role in Otello. Henry Saunders — General Manager of the company — is beyond stressed about everything turning out right, and insists that his assistant, Max — a nervous, young fellow and secret tenor extraordinaire — watch over Tito’s every move to ensure smooth sailing. After a huge fight with his fiery, Italian wife Maria, Tito receives a double dose of tranquilizers through a series of mishaps. Throw in Diana, an ambitious, female co-star; Maggie, Max’s giddy girlfriend; Julia, a flirty head of the opera guild; and a meddling bellhop fighting for Tito’s attention. Together, you have a recipe for comedic disaster. Max navigates the company through one catastrophe after the next — an angry wife, a presumed death, crazy costumes, secret sex romps, and loads and loads of slamming doors and mistaken identities — and, ultimately, takes on the role of Otello to great effect. Together, Max and Saunders find a way to save the Opera Company’s big night in grand, farcical fashion.” Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, IL. For more information: lookingglassplayhouse.com.

Monroe Actors Stage Company presents the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm, November 12-21. “Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. “It’s alive!” he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.” Performances take place at the Capitol Theatre in Waterloo, IL. For more information: www.masctheatre.org.

Moonstone Theatre Company presents Moonstone Connections, a series of in-depth interviews with arts leaders by company founder Sharon Hunter. The latest episode features John O’Brien, who currently serves as Director of Programming for The Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, where he is responsible for programming the U.S. Bank Broadway Series.  New episodes air the third Tuesday of each month; see linktr.ee/moonstoneconnections for more information.

Jake's Women
Photo by John Gitchoff

Moonstone Theatre Company presents Neil Simon’s Jake’s Women Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 PM through November 21.  “This warm and poignant comedy from America’s premier comic playwright makes another hilarious foray into the world of modern relationships. Jake, a novelist who is more successful with fiction than with life, faces a marital crisis by daydreaming about the women in his life. The wildly comic and sometimes moving flashbacks played in his mind are interrupted by visitations from actual females. Jake’s women include a revered first wife who was killed years earlier in an accident, his daughter who is recalled as a child but is now a young woman, his boisterous and bossy sister, an opinionated analyst, his current wife who is leaving Jake for another man, and a prospective third wife.” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center studio theatre in Kirkwood. For more information: moonstonetheatrecompany.com.

R-S Theatrics presents While the Ghostlight Burns, a virtual discussion series featuring R-S Artistic Director Sarah Lynne Holt in conversation with St. Louis theatre artists, Mondays at 7 pm.  Conversations will be archived at the R-S Theatrics YouTube channel. For more information: r-stheatrics.com/while-the-ghostlight-burns.html

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the play Kreischer by Dennis Fisher Tuesday, Novmber 9, at 6:30 pm. “Fred Kreischer and his girlfriend have a memorable romantic evening at Jone's Cemetery.”  The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information, visit the St. Louis Writers' Group Facebook page.

SATE, in collaboration with COCA and Prison Performing Arts, presents Project Verse: Creativity in the Time of Quarantine. Project Verse presents two new plays: Quatrains in Quarantine by e.k. doolin and Dream On, Black Girl:Reflections in Quarantine by Maxine du Maine. The performances are streamed free of charge on SATE’s website and Facebook page. For more information: slightlyoff.org.

SATE also offers streaming performances of the shows originally scheduled for live 2020 productions: The Mary Shelley Monster Show, As You Like It (produced for SHAKE20, Project Verse, and Classic Mystery Game. The shows are available on their YouTube channel.

Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents The Desperate Hours through November 14. Performances take place at 517 Theatre Lane at the corner of Newport and Summit in Webster Groves. For more information, visit The Theatre Guild's Facebook page.

Union Avenue Opera presents Home is Calling on Friday, November 12, at 7:30 pm. "Join us for an intimate evening of grand opera on the Union Avenue Opera stage as we welcome back Brooklyn Snow (The Heroines in Les contes d'Hoffmann and Cunegonde in Candide) and Melody Wilson (Fenena in Nabucco and Mrs. Miller in Doubt) to help us announce our 28th Festival Season. We'll also hear from local UAO alumni artists Anthony Heinemann, Jacob Lassetter, Debby Lennon, Leann Schuering, and Nancy Mayo on piano, as we present preview selections from next summer's operas and celebrate our return home to Union Avenue Christian Church." The event takes place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information: unionavenueopera.secure.force.com.

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.