St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of February 14, 2022

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 the comedy Arsenic and Old Lace Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through February 20. “We meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously acceptable roomers; the antics of their brother who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt; and the activities of the other brother. The hero, Mortimer Brewster, is a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, murderous family and local police in Brooklyn, New York, as he debates whether to go through with his recent promise to marry the woman he loves, Elaine Harper, who lives next door and is the daughter of the local minister.” Performances take place at the St. Peters Cultural Center in St. Peters, MO. For more information: www.acttwotheatre.com

Chuck Lavazzi and Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and The Blue Strawberry present a Singers Open Mic on Tuesday, February 15, from 7 to 9:30 pm. “Chuck Lavazzi is your host, with pianist and music director Carol Schmidt. If you plan to sing bring sheet music or a chart in your own key, and perform your favorite Broadway, pop, or jazz tunes. This month, off-center love songs are strongly encouraged but not required. Or you can just relax, have a drink and dinner or a snack, and enjoy the music. No admission or cover, but there is always a tip jar! All proceeds go to The Cabaret Project, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to promoting, developing, and sustaining the art cabaret in St. Louis."   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.

Annie Sauerberger

The Blue Strawberry presents Annie Sauerburger in Brick by Brick on Saturday at 7:30 February 19th. " Pay attention to that woman behind the curtain: she’s going places! (hint: she’s not in Kansas anymore). Annie Sauerburger, accompanied and directed by Ron McGowan, will take you on a musical journey that reflects upon where she’s been, takes stock of where she is, and paves her way towards an uncertain future full of wonders more incredible than she can possibly imagine - and terrors to freeze her soul, accompanied by her faithful companion and the love and support of the people she’s gathered along the way. In short, it’s a cabaret about the precious things in life that are worth fighting for."  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.

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 on most major platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, YouTube, and BandCamp. For more information: www.eratheatre.org

Mean Girls
Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fabulous Fox presents the musical Mean Girls, opening on Tuesday, February 14, at 7:30 pm and running through February 27.  “Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: https://www.fabulousfox.com

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present Bullets in the Bathtub J through May 7. "Mob bosses, flappers, bootleggers and crooked cops will abound as event attendees are transported back in time to Trixie's speakeasy right in the heart of the roaring 20's. There will be plenty of rowdy characters at this fun, interactive event but none so dangerous as Harry "Bullets" Hyde. He’s the boss of the bosses and he is not too keen on "The Familys" taking over his territory. Parts will be passed out at the door and guests can participate as much or as little as they would like too. Some might be famous gangsters of the past, others may dodge the cops as they bootleg over state lines and a few might even be fun, flirty flappers. When a group like this gets together, it’s almost inevitable that somebody ends up "sleeping with the fishes." The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

Last Stop of Market Street
Photo: Jennifer A. Lin

Metro Theater Company presents Last Stop on Market Street through February 27. “Get ready for a heart-thumpin’, toe-tappin’ joy ride in this Motown/hip-hop musical adaptation of New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning picture book Last Stop on Market Street! CJ is reluctantly staying with his Nana, in a world considerably different from the one he’s used to, always plugged in to his phone and tablet. Guided by his veritable force-of-nature Nana, CJ travels a little closer to his roots and sees that things are not always what they seem. With a spectacular, spirited score by Motown legend Lamont Dozier and his son Paris Ray Dozier, you might find yourself dancing in your seat as you enjoy this vibrant story about connecting to your community. “ Performances take place at the Grandel Theater in Grand Center and also via video stream beginning February 11. For more information: www.metroplays.org/marketstreet

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 Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents St. Louis premiere of Stick Fly by Lydia Diamond through March 6. “The LeVay family’s annual summer vacation to Martha’s Vineyard is thrown into a state of disarray by long-standing tensions, sibling rivalries and a drunken game of Scrabble. This Outer Critics Circle Nominee for Outstanding New Broadway Play explores class, race and generational dynamics through the eyes of a modern African-American family.” Performances take place on the Berges Mainstage Theatre at COCA in University City. For more information: www.repstl.org.

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company continues its 45th Anniversary Season with Fireflies, by Donja R. Love. The production runs through February 27. “Directed by Atlanta-based actor and director Andrea Frye, and featuring Zahria Moore and Eric Conners, the courageous work takes an intimate approach to exploring personal aspects of the Civil Rights Movement. Set in the Jim Crow South, Fireflies tells the story of Olivia, the inspiring speechwriter and force behind her charismatic husband Charles and his freedom movement. When four little girls are bombed in a church, the couple’s relationship is thrown into jeopardy as Olivia begins to believe ‘this world ain’t no place to raise a colored child’." This intimate performance allows viewers to experience the powerful drama from Olivia’s female-led perspective.” Performances take place at the Hotchner Studio Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: www.theblackrep.org

St. Louis Shakespeare presents William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet through February 20, including a special school matinee at 10 am on February 18. “When is love more keenly felt than by the young? How can love breach the boundaries of feudal animosity and politics? Shakespeare’s most iconic love story unravels the mysteries of these questions and more. Set in a climate of families at odds with each other, youthful passion leads to ardor, conflict, homicide, revenge, suicide, and bereavement. The Bard takes us on a journey through the many hearts of society, reflecting both past and present. What can we learn to instruct the future?” Performances take place at the Reim Auditorium at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 S Geyer Rd, in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: https://www.stlshakespeare.org

Stray Dog Theatre presents David Lindsay-Abaire’s Good People Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm through February 26, with an additional performance on Sunday, February 20, at 2 pm. “Margie Walsh just lost her job, is now facing eviction, and can’t seem to catch a break.  When a successful ex-boyfriend from her past moves back to town, Margie hopes he may have the ticket she needs to turn her life around. Will Margie risk what little she has left to find out?” Performances take place at Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee in Tower Grove East. Tickets are only offered in physically distanced groups of two or four. For more information: www.straydogtheatre.org

Hillary and Clinton
Photo: Mark Abels

West End Players Guild presents Lucas Hnath’s Hillary and Clinton through February 20. “Set in a budget motel room on a wintry night in early 2008, it’s the story of a woman who looks destined to be the first female president of the United States.  But, she’s having trouble getting her campaign off the ground and her husband, himself an ex-President, isn’t helping much.  You may think you know these people and what’s going to happen but, as playwright Hnath says, you don’t.  Is his story historical fact, historical fantasy, or something in-between?” West End Players Guild this season will employ touchless ticketing, socially-distanced seating and indoor masking of all patrons and front-of-house staff and volunteers. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union in the Central West End. For more information: westendplayers.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.

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