St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 7, 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.

The Blue Strawberry presents a Singers Open Mic Night with host Ken Haller and pianist Ron McGowan on Tuesday, March 8, from 7 to 9:30 pm. “Musicals, Standards new and established, Cabaret and Pop. First Tuesday of every month (unless we change a date here and there!). Bring music in your key. "  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.

Katie McGrath and Ron Jackson

The Blue Strawberry presents the Ron Jackson Trio with special guest Katie McGrath on Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 pm. “World renowned seven-string jazz guitarist Ron Jackson has been featured at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and Winter Jazzfest. He has released eight albums, beginning the chart-topping "Guitar Thing" (1991).  “Flubby Dubby” (2008) was recorded live with his Hammond Organ trio. His most recent release, the Jazzweek Top 100 album, "Standards And Other Songs" (2019) was his first as a leader on seven-string, incorporating traditional standards and the jazz reimagining of radio-friendly pop songs, like Drake’s “Passionfruit”.   He has studied under the tutelage of Pat Martino, Barry Harris, Melvin Sparks, Mike Stern, and the seven-string master, the late Bucky Pizzarelli. Jackson's influences include George Benson, Pat Metheny, Jimmy Page, and Jimi Hendrix."   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.

The Blue Strawberry presents Anna Blair in A Little Less Conversation - A Tribute to Elvis on Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 pm. “A Little Less Conversation is a collection of Country, Rock n’ Roll, Gospel and even Blues that have been recorded by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.  Join us for an evening of fun, heartfelt songs featuring Anna Blair and The Alley Cats. The Alley Cats band was formed during 2020 when everything was shut down.  A group of bored musicians wanting to make music opened a garage door and invited the neighborhood to wear masks, bring lawn chairs, socially distance and enjoy!."   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.

Eden Espinoza

The Blue Strawberry presents Broadway’s Eden Espinosa on Sunday at 7:30 March 13. “Broadway Powerhouse Eden Espinosa will share an intimate evening of Broadway, pop and rock, including some songs she’s never before sung publicly, and off-the-cuff stories. She is even going to take requests for part of the show, so get ready! Eden Espinosa is most recognized for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway and in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Other credits include originating the title character in Brooklyn the Musical, Flora in Flora the Red Menace, and Maureen in the closing company of RENT on Broadway. Eden is fresh off the Broadway National Touring production of Falsettos in which she played Trina."  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

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The Fabulous Fox presents the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tuesday through Thursday, March 8-10.  “Willy Wonka is opening his marvelous and mysterious chocolate factory...to a lucky few. That includes Charlie Bucket, whose bland life is about to burst with color and confection beyond his wildest dreams. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing joyride through a world of pure imagination. Now's your chance to experience the wonders of Wonka like never before. Get ready for Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator, and more, more, more at this everlasting showstopper!” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.fabulousfox.com

Riverdance

The Fabulous Fox presents Riverdance – The 25th Anniversary Show Friday through Sunday, March 11-13.  “Twenty five years on, renowned composer Bill Whelan brings this mesmerizing soundtrack back to life, completely revitalized for the first time since those original orchestral recordings. Producer Moya Doherty and Director John McColgan have produced an amazing new 25th Anniversary production with innovative and spectacular lighting, projection, staging and costume design, and an all-new finale number which will blow audiences away.  Immerse yourself in the extraordinary power and grace of music and dance – beloved by fans of all ages.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.fabulousfox.com

First Run Theatre presents Spectrum 2022: A Festival of Short Plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2 pm through March 13. Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton, MO. For more information: firstruntheatre.org   

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Calendar Girls March 11-20. “After the death of her best friend’s husband from cancer, spirited Yorkshire housewife Chris Harper hatches a scheme to raise money for a memorial to him. Utilizing a tradition from the Woman’s Institute association, Chris encourages Annie and their friends to create a calendar – with the novel detail of using the middle-aged women of their village as nude models. Based on the true story of eleven women who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund.” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center at 210 E. Monroe Avenue in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: www.ktg-onstage.org

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

Head Over Heels
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the musical Head Over Heels through March 26. “Head Over Heels is the bold, sexy new musical comedy from the visionaries that rocked Broadway with American Idiot, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Avenue Q and Spring Awakening. Conceived by Jeff Whitty, with an original book by Whitty, adapted by James Magruder, originally directed by Michael Mayer, based on a novel from 1580 (not kidding!) and set to the music of the iconic 1980s all-girl rock band The Go-Go's, this subversive, high-octane, laugh-out-loud love story includes hit songs like, “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” “Heaven is a Place on Earth” and “Mad About You.” The wild story follows the escapades of a royal family who set out on a journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction -- only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts. . . though not always in the way they expect. . . and in their willingness to let go of rigid tradition and change with the times.” Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive. For more information: newlinetheatre.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 Lou Fringe and  Aurora Nova present White Rabbit, Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour starring Libby Pedersen on Sunday, March 13, at 2:00 pm at the Historic Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust. "With no rehearsals, no director, a different actor each night, and a script waiting in a sealed envelope on stage, internationally acclaimed White Rabbit Red Rabbit, by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour, is an audacious theatrical experiment and a potent reminder of the transgressive and transformative power of theatre. Forbidden to leave his native Iran, Soleimanpour wrote a play which travelled the world in his place. The audience joins each different performer on a journey into the unknown, stumbling upon the personal and profound, the limits of liberty, and ultimately where theatre can take you. For more information: www.stlfringe.org

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents Aaron Sorkin’s drama A Few Good Men March 11-22. “Military lawyers at a court-martial uncover a high-level conspiracy in the course of defending their clients, two US Marines accused of murder” Performances take place at 517 Theatre Lane at the corner of Newport and Summit in Webster Groves. For more information: the Theatre Guild Facebook event page.

The Washington University Performing Arts Department presents the musical Rent Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm March 4-6. Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University Campus. For more information: pad.wustl.edu.

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.