St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of April 18, 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-mystery Any Number Can Die Wednesdays through Fridays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, April 20 through May 1. “A Comedy-Murder-Mystery with a hilarious tip-of-the-hat to the mystery plays of the Twenties complete with sliding panels, robed figures, wills being read at midnight, and more. Four ingenious murders take place in an island mansion as a pair of elderly detectives set to work on their first case. The ever-popular storm, the unexpected guests, the cryptic poem, and the missing fortune all add to the intricate and inventive mystery off which the laughs bounce.” Performances take place at the St. Peters Cultural Center in St. Peters, MO. For more information: https://www.acttwotheatre.com/

Marissa Mulder

The Blue Strawberry presents Marissa Mulder Sings John Prine on Thursday and Friday, April 21 and 22, at 7:30 pm. “Marissa Mulder is an award-winning cabaret singer who brings her love of singing and storytelling to the stage in New York City and beyond. Her show, Souvenirs: A Tribute to Songwriting Legend John Prine, will feature her take on some of Prine's most prolific songs; Hello In There, Illegal Smile, Sam Stone and more. "  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Chuck Lavazzi and Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and The Blue Strawberry present a Singers Open Mic on Tuesday, April 19, 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. 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 of cabaret in St. Louis. "  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: thecabaretproject.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 on most major platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, YouTube, and BandCamp. For more information: www.eratheatre.org

Hamilton
Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fabulous Fox presents the musical the musical Hamilton through May 15. “HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: 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

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, in conjunction with Cinema St. Louis and the Webster Film Festival, presents the Harvey Milk Film Festival Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23. The festival includes screenings of the films Milk and The Times of Harvey Milk as well as a panel discussion with OTSL director James Robinson and actor/director Ken Page moderated by Joshua Ray, a QFest St. Louis co-programmer and contributor to Cinema St. Louis’ film blog The Lens. For more information: opera-stl.org.

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

Slaying Dragons presents Crossing the Abyss on Sunday, April 24, at noon. “It's Christmastime for a family in Saint Louis, but the joy of the season is tempered by the realization that a grandparent has Alzheimer's.” The performance takes place at Center for Spiritual Living, 12875 Fee Fee Road. For more information: www.onthestage.tickets/show/slaying-dragons/loop-3244

Hand to God
Photo courtesy of St. Louis Actors’ Studio

The St. Louis Actors’ Studio presents Hand to God by Robert Askins Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through April 24. “After the death of his father, meek Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry, in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. HAND TO GOD explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us.” Performances take place at The Gaslight Theater on North Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: www.stlas.org

Triassic Parq
Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents Triassic Parq the Musical Thursdays through Saturdays through April 30. “Religion, identity, sex… and raptors! Triassic Parq is a raucous retelling of that famous dinosaur-themed film, this time seen from the dino’s point of view. Chaos is unleashed on their not-so-prehistoric world when one dinosaur in a clan of females spontaneously turns male!” 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

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents A Festival of One-Acts, Part 2 on Tuesday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m. The reading takes place at Big Daddy’s, 1000 Sidney in Soulard and on line via Facebook. For more information, visit the St. Louis Writers' Group Facebook page.

Webster Conservatory presents the musical Amélie Friday and Saturday, April 22 and 23, at 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 24, at 2 pm. “Based on the now iconic film, "Amélie" offers a fresh take on the beloved protagonist, an extraordinary young woman who lives quietly in the world but loudly in her mind. When a chance at love comes her way, Amélie realizes that to find happiness she will have to risk everything and say what is in her heart. Guest artist Wendy Renée Greenwood--a seasoned theatre educator, actor, director, stage manager, props designer, and playwright--directs.” Performances take place on the Browning Mainstage in the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus in Webster Groves. For more information: www.webster.edu/conservatory

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.