St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of September 5, 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 Black Rep presents The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown, opening on Wednesday, September 7th and running through September 25th.  “It’s 1821 in New York, and two productions of Shakespeare’s Richard III are vying for audiences. One is presented by the African Company of New York, a downtown theater known for its growing popularity with both Black and white audiences. A white theater owner is threatened by the success of his competition and will stop at nothing to shut them down. Learn what happens in this true story straight from American theater history.” Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: www.theblackrep.org

Marsh Cobb

The Blue Strawberry presents presents Marsh Cobb in In Sinatra’s Shadow: A Salute To The Great Crooners on Sunday, September 11, at 4 pm. “Join Marsh Cobb as he salutes the great crooners Tony Bennett, Nat “King” Cole, Jack Jones and more!” Joe Dreyer is pianist and music director for the show, which is directed by Christy Simmons. The show will also be available for live video streaming.The Blue Strawberry is on North Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Blue Strawberry presents Ken Haller’s The TV Show on Saturday, September 10, at 7:30 pm. “In this clever, funny and fast-paced show, Ken Haller is at the top of his game. TV has meant a lot to Ken, and his enthusiasm is infectious. He takes us through the songs of TV’s golden age. If you were around at the time, you’ll still be very surprised at how many of the songs - including all the lyrics – are burned into your memory. You’ll also hear fun facts about the actors, behind-the-scenes show gossip, even the jingles on the commercials. More than one famous songwriter and composer was intimately involved, and you’ll hear those stories too.” The Blue Strawberry is on North Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.
The Blue Strawberry presents a weekly open mic night Sundays at 7:30 pm. "Come and sing, play, speak or just listen and enjoy!" The Blue Strawberry in at 256 North Boyle in the Central West End. 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

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present Dead Like Me through October 29th. "Death is in the air as guests join Marilyn Monroe, Babe Ruth, Juliet and her Romeo, Nixon and other grizzly ghouls as they emerge from the Land of The Dead for the annual Brotherhood of Obituary Occupants Union Meeting (That’s BOO for short). Be sure to leave your pulse at home because everyone at this party is dead... even you! There are lots of shadowy characters at this fun, interactive murder mystery but none are as sneaky as P.T. Barnum himself. He’s always got some devious slimy trick up his translucent sleeves. Gee, hope nothing happens to him! But just in case it does... will you figure out who-dun-it? Or will all waggling fingers be pointing at you?"  The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

New Jewish Theatre presents the world premiere of The Bee Play by Elizabeth Savage Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, September 8-25. “The Bee Play is a story of what dreams, anxieties, hopes and forgiveness might look like in the 21st century. 18-year-old Carver Washington, a brilliant Black Bronx beekeeper, finds his only respite from caring for his little sister and his housebound grandmother by escaping to his oasis on his building’s roof. His rooftop visits from Devora, a kindred spirit fresh out of Yale and who is setting up a kibbutz in the neighborhood, lead them to share their dreams, anxieties and hopes during a time of colony collapse – both for bees and humans. With the city far below, Carver and Devora use their unique time together to explore their lives, actions and futures.” Performances take place at the SFC Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information: jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre

House of Joy
Photo: Eric Woolsey

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents House of Joy by Madhuri Shekar through September 18. “At first glance, The House of Joy is a dazzling utopia. But when a new guard joins the emperor’s army, she discovers it’s more prison than paradise. This genre-busting adventure fantasy is filled with stunning locales, electrifying combat, steamy romance and badass girl power.” Performances take place on the Emerson Main Stage at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: www.repstl.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

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents An Evening of One-Act Plays on Tuesday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m.  "This Tuesday we present a set of new one act (10-20 minute) plays by local playwrights on several themes. We are likely to need actors for this event so if you are an actor and would like to take part in a fun evening reading new material them come along. We also welcome new playwrights who have scripts that they would like to have read. If you do have a script then it would be best to get in touch first, as if there are a lot, we will push some to part two of this event on Tuesday 20th September. " The reading takes place at Big Daddy’s, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information, visit the St. Louis Writers' Group Facebook page.

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.