St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of May 30, 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.

Kill Bill vol. 1 and 2 Live Parody

Cherokee Street Theatre Company presents Kill Bill Vol 1 And 2 Live Parody Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, June 3-18. “An assassin wakes from a coma after her jealous former lover Bill attempts to murder her on her wedding day. Fueled by revenge, she vows to get even with every person who contributed to the loss of her unborn child, her entire wedding party, and four years of her life. Cherokee Street Theater Co. style. After each Kill Bill performance (except the 6/17) there will be live music, full bar until 12 am.” Performances take place at 3407 S. Jefferson in the Benton Park West neighborhood. For more information: www.cherokeestreettheatercompany.com.

Member of the Wedding
Photo: John Lamb

Clayton Community Theatre presents Carson McCullers’s Member of the Wedding Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, June 2-12. “This 1950 play, adapted by the author from a 1946 novel, has been described as a “very funny, very dark” story on themes of racial and sexual identity and “why people exclude others and what happens when they do.” Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road, in Clayton. For more information: www.placeseveryone.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

The Lion King

The Fabulous Fox presents the musical The Lion King opening on Wednesday, June 1, at 7:30 pm and running through June 18. “Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before.  And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to the Fabulous Fox Theatre. More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.” 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 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

Beverly Brennan

Mariposa Artists presents Beverly Brennan: Girl Singer on Friday, June 3, at 8 pm. Guest singers are Angela Nicholson and Dionna Raedeke with musicians Nick Schlueter on piano and Ric Vice on bass. The performance takes place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander in Clayton. For more information: beverlybrennan.brownpapertickets.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

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the world premiere of Awakenings by Tobias Picker, with a libretto by Aryeh Lev Stollmann based on the book by Oliver Sacks, opening on Sunday, June 5, at 7:30 pm and running through June 24. “Awakenings is a moving story of memories, loss, and life rediscovered. For more than forty years, thousands succumbed to a mysterious sleeping sickness, rendering them as immobile and voiceless as living statues. Decades later, a brilliant young doctor discovered a revolutionary treatment to bring his patients back to life…but with the challenge of finding their place in a now-unfamiliar world” 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.

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.

The Magic Flute
Photo: Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Mozart’s The Magic Flute  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

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents the comedy Much Ado About Nothing June 1-26. “Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and enduring comedies. The central characters, Beatrice and Benedick, are thorny, intelligent, witty and hopelessly bad at love. A battle royale ensues in a hilarious attempt to resist their overpowering mutual attraction that makes Much Ado such a timeless story of romance, suspicion and restoration.” Performances take place nightly at 8 pm except for Mondays at Shakespeare Glenn next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information: stlshakes.org.

Stages St. Louis presents The Karate Kid: The Musical through 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.

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.