St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of September 19, 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.

Albion Theatre presents Tom Stoppard’s translation of Gérald Sibleyras’s Heroes September 23 through October 9. “Set in 1959 three French World War I veterans in a military convalescent hospital make a bid for one last moment of freedom.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: albiontheatrestl.org.

The African Company Presents Richard III
Photo: Phillip Hamer

The Black Rep presents The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown 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

The Blue Strawberry presents Magical Mondays with comedy magic by Steve Corbitt and ventriloquist Keith Haddrill on Monday, September 19, at 7:30 pm, The Blue Strawberry is on North Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Blue Strawberry presents Ed Golterman in an evening of songs from Broadway and Great American Songbook standards on Saturday, September 24, at 3 pm. John Walsh in pianist and music director for the show. “Longtime denizen of the city, producer, publicist, director, singer, actor - and arts advocate, critic and gadfly - Ed Golterman comes back to his childhood neighborhood for a concert in the cozy confines of Blue Strawberry.” The Blue Strawberry is on North Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Chuck Lavazzi and Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and The Blue Strawberry present a Singers Open Mic on Tuesday, September 20, 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. Medium/up-tempo songs are encouraged but not required. 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 cabaret in St. Louis. "  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

Christ Memorial Productions presents the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm, through September 25.  A special sensory friendly performance will also take place on Thursday, September 22. Performances take place at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh Blvd.  For more information, visit CMPShows.org or call 314-631-0304.

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 Fabulous Fox presents the musical Ain’t Too Proud, the Life and Times of the Temptations opening on Tuesday, September 20, at 7:30 pm and running through October 2. “AIN'T TOO PROUD – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography, it’s a thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal during a decade of civil unrest in America. Set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” Ain’t Too Proud tells the unforgettable story of the legendary quintet that Billboard Magazine named the greatest R&B group of all time.” 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 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

The Bee Play
Photo: John Gitchoff

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 through September 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

New Line Theatre presents the musical Something Rotten Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, June September 22 through October 15 “It's 1595, and brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but they're stuck in the shadow of the Renaissance rock star Will Shakespeare. When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting, all at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. This smart, subversive musical comedy mashes up the crass commercialism of today’s Hollywood with the people and plays of Shakespeare’s London, to ask fascinating, funny questions about commercial success, popular success, artistic success, and personal success. And beneath the rapid-fire Shakespeare jokes, the show comically deconstructs itself and musical theatre as an art form, exploring what makes musicals tick and why we love them. The show was nominated for ten Tonys, nine Drama Desk Awards, and twelve Outer Critics Circle Awards.” .  Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center.For more information: http://www.newlinetheatre.com.

Prism Theatre Company presents Emerging Artists: Festival of New Works September 22 through October 1. "Prism Theatre Company's second annual Festival of New Works will focus on spotlighting the work of local emerging playwrights and artists, will feature staged readings of 6 new plays over the course of 2 weekends. Performed by a diverse cast of local actors, this festival will allow the featured playwrights the opportunity to further develop their work and receive audience feedback. We cannot wait to share these incredible, fresh stories with you! Each evening, there will be talkbacks with the playwrights, actors, directors, and artistic team at Prism so that the audiences can give their feedback to the playwrights and learn more about the process.”Performances take place at the High Low Café in Grand Center. For more information: https://www.prismtheatrecompany.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 presents Shakespeare’s comedy As You Like It Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, September 23 through October 2. “This pastoral comedy features Rosalind and her cousin Celia, who find safety and love in the Forest of Arden.” Performances take place at The Reim Theatre at 111 S. Geyer Road. in Kirkwood Park. For more information: www.stlshakespeare.org.

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespeare In The Streets presents Winds of Change by Deanna Jent Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm, 22-24. “Shakespeare in the Streets is an internationally recognized community engagement program will take place in the historic St. Louis immigrant neighborhood of Bevo Mill. After months of community listening and partnership with the St. Louis International Institute and Oasis International, there will be three free performances near the landmark intersection of Gravois Ave. and Morgan Ford Rd. on September 22, 23, and 24. Bevo’s rich history as a port of entry for so many immigrants since the city’s founding – from German settlers, to Bosnian refugees, to today’s Afghan families – will be explored with a large-scale Shakespeare adaptation featuring stories and performances from community members alongside professional artists.” For more information: stlshakes.org.

West End Players Guild presents Richard Greenberg’s The American Plan September 23 through October 3. “The American Plan, set mostly in the Catskills in the 1950s, is at first blush a quaint story of blossoming young love between Nick, a guest at a Catskills resort, and Lili, a pretty young woman who summers with her mother in their cabin across the lake.  Lili is emotionally frail and Nick seems to be the young man who can love her enough to help her heal.  But as the relationship deepens, something seems a little off.  Lili’s domineering mother is very wealthy.  Is her family wealth what has attracted the handsome Nick?  Or is it something more sinister?  The twists and turns keep coming, leading to a denouement that, although happy in its own way, is one you won’t see coming.  Nada Vaughn makes her WEPG directorial debut.” West End Players Guild this season will employ touchless ticketing, socially-distanced seating and indoor masking of all patrons and front-of-house staff and volunteers. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union in the Central West End. For more information: westendplayers.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.