St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of May 23, 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 Alpha Players present Tom Sawyer Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, through May 29. “Refresh your memory of what it means to be a kid and introduce your kids and grandkids to a classic Missouri tale. What a great way to kick off the summer! All the familiar characters are here – Tom, Huck, Aunt Polly, Becky Thatcher and Injun Joe. Watch as Tom learns the lessons of childhood whether “painting” a fence, getting in trouble in school with the strict Mr. Dobbins, courting Becky Thatcher or glimpsing the murder of Doc Robinson in the graveyard. It’s a classic! Masks are required by the Alpha Players and socially distanced seating will be in place.” Performances take place in the James J. Eagen Center in Florissant. For more information: florissantmo.thundertix.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

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present The Comic Book Killer through August 27. "Calling all superheros and villains! There’s trouble afoot for you both! Evil Doctor Weevil is back and he’s trying to erase your very existence! The time has come to join forces against true evil and restore balance to the comic universe. But who will be the hero or heroes and rid this plain of Evil Dr. Weevil forever? Could it be you? Quick…to the Prius! Dawn your cape and spandex and meet us the famously haunted Lemp Mansion for a mystery like no other! Here I come to save the daaaaaay!!!!"  The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

In My Granny's Garden
Photo: Jennifer A. Lynn

Metro Theater Company presents In My Granny’s Garden live at multiple locations in the bi-state area through June 26 and streaming on line June 1 through 26. “Inspired by the children’s book by acclaimed playwright and New York Times bestselling author Pearl Cleage and her husband, writer and director Zaron W. Burnett Jr., In My Granny’s Garden invites the youngest audiences to explore the glory of growing your own food. Watch a tiny seed become a field of corn, green beans, collard greens, and bright red tomatoes. Step into a visual feast inspired by world renowned artist Radcliffe Bailey’s original paintings, and discover the one superpower that fuels Granny’s garden. The play promises to leave the very young nourished in body and soul. In My Granny's Garden was commissioned by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information: www.metroplays.org

Carmen
Photo: Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Bizet’s Carmen through June 25. “Free, rebellious, and beautiful, Carmen is the most desired woman in town. Every man wants her, and every woman envies her. Sparks fly when Carmen meets the young soldier Don José, and they quickly begin a passionate affair. José is ready to sacrifice everything for Carmen: his reputation, his career, even his family. But when Carmen leaves José for the handsome bullfighter Escamillo, a tangled web of lust, obsession, and jealousy play out to fatal effect.” Opera Theatre requires proof of vaccination and strongly recommends that guests wear a mask during indoor events. Performances are sung in English with projected English supertitles and take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University Campus. For more information: opera-stl.org.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Mozart’s The Magic Flute opening on Saturday, May 28, and 7:30 pm and running through June 26. “No trial or challenge is too great for true love. Prince Tamino is on a high-paced adventure to save the princess Pamina from the clutches of the evil Sarastro. But he’s not alone — his loyal bird-catching friend Papageno, two magical instruments, and three benevolent spirits are ready to help him overcome every obstacle. A whimsical and timeless story that features some of Mozart’s most beloved music, The Magic Flute is a favorite for all ages!” Opera Theatre requires proof of vaccination and strongly recommends that guests wear a mask during indoor events. Performances are sung in English with projected English supertitles and take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University Campus. 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

Stages St. Louis presents The Karate Kid: The Musical May 25-June 26. “For generations, audiences have cheered the 1984 blockbuster, THE KARATE KID. Now this iconic story comes to the stage as a thrilling and inventive new musical. Inspired by the real-life story of screenwriter Robert Kamen, creator of the original franchise, THE KARATE KID tells the story of Daniel LaRusso, who finds trouble with a group of cruel and harassing classmates. To defend himself, Daniel begins training with a reclusive handyman – who just happens to be an expert martial artist. What he learns, though, is that fighting is done with the head and the heart, not the fists. THE KARATE KID features music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini (“Smash”) and choreography from award-winning duo Keone and Mari Madrid with direction by Amon Miyamoto (Pacific Overtures).” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

Jitney

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company continues its in-person 45th Anniversary season with Jitney by August Wilson, through May 29. "Jitney is the eighth play in August Wilson’s ten-play Century Cycle which examines every decade of the 20th century and chronicles Black American history through the lens of The Hill District of Pittsburgh. Set  in 1977, Jitney takes on the devastating impacts of rapid urban renewal. As the city begins to shut down businesses - including the jitney cab station - to make way for new buildings, we meet five gypsy cab drivers as they struggle to survive." For more information: www.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.