St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of November 28, 2022

Now including both on-line and live events during the pandemic. To get your event listed here, send an email to chuck [at] kdhx.org Your event information should be in text format (i.e. not part of a graphic), but feel free to include publicity stills.

Roger Schmelzer

The Blue Strawberry presents An Evening of Heart and Soul with Roger Schmelzer on Saturday, December 3, at 7:30 pm. “Roger Schmelzer makes abundant use of America’s Songbook to convey a message of hope, kindness, and optimism that takes audiences on “a journey back to Old World New York Cabaret.” He is directed by the legendary Marilyn Maye. Musical Director is Jeffrey Harris, who accompanies Ms. Maye, and has also music directed for Jack Jones, Maureen McGovern and Lea Salonga.”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

First Run Theatre presents Bernice’s 70th Birthday by Nancy Gall-Clayton through December 4. “Bernice is an energetic widow facing her 70th birthday and looking forward to new adventures.  She wasn't counting on her workaholic daughter and estranged son coming for a visit. A funny, bittersweet play about family, life and going your own way.” Performances take place in the black box theatre in the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center. For more information: firstruntheatre.org.

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present A Dickens of a Killilng through January 27th, 2023. "Death is in the air as guests join Marilyn Monroe, Babe Ruth, Baaaaa Huuuumbug!!! Ebenezer Scrooge will be back to his old tricks and is bound to make a few enemies at this Christmas Party chock full of Charles Dicken's Characters. Just when Beep (The Minstrel) gets everyone in the Holiday Spirit, Scrooge barges in and starts talking about gruel. Geez, hope no one snuffs Scrooge out before he stops bellowing! Guests will dive into the fictious world of Charles Dickens and join Pip, Martha Cratchit, Oliver Twist, The Ghost of Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim and so many more in this cheerful murder mystery parody of a Holiday Classic. Whether you want to participate a little or a lot, you're sure to have a jolly good time, in jolly olde England, where there is sure to be "A Dickens of a Killing!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents It’s a Marvelous Life! Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, December 2 – 10. “From the people who brought you Jurassic Park: The Musical, The One-Hour Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, Glen Or Glenda, The One-Hour Valley Of The Dolls, Plan 9 From Outer Space, and The Ten Commandments: Live!: They said it couldn’t be done. (Who are “they”? We have no idea. But we’re about to prove them wrong!) Magic Smoking Monkey Theatre presents the onstage spectacle It’s a Marvelous Life! Original script by Rob McLemore and Jaysen Cryer, directed by Artistic Director Donna Northcott. Poor George Bailey…I mean Steve Rogers! All he ever wanted to do was build things and see the world and save Democracy from deviant warlord Thanos, evil trickster Loki, and the Nazis.”Performances take place at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in Kirkwood Park. For more information: https://www.stlshakespeare.org.

Jerry's Girls
Photo: Greg Lazerwitz

New Jewish Theatre presents Jerry’s Girls: The Jerry Herman Review Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, December 1-18. “The musical brings together composer/lyricist Jerry Herman’s “greatest hits” - from his many smash productions to some of his lesser well-known musicals. From Mame to Milk and Honey, Hello Dolly! To La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry’s Girls lovingly revisits the shows and their music. New Jewish Theatre’s production features an ensemble cast of five local female performers: Kelsey Bearman, Molly Burris, Christina Rios, Greta Rosenstock and Lisa Rosenstock. Burris is returning to New Jewish Theatre after appearing earlier this season in Dear Jack, Dear Louise. The rest of the cast will be performing at New Jewish Theatre for the first time.” Performances take place at the SFC Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information: jccstl.com.

A Christmas Carol

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the second annual production of Michael Wilson’s adaptation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol through December 30. “At long last, the ghosts of Ebenezer Scrooge’s past, present and future have caught up with him. Now London’s most infamous miser must face down his demons, reconcile the consequences of his choices and experience the power and joy of a miraculous redemption. This magical production will again be directed by Hana S. Sharif, Augustin Family Artistic Director at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and choreographed by Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Artistic Director at The Big Muddy Dance Company. The world of Charles Dickens’ will be brought to life by Tim Mackabee (Scenic Design), Dede Aytie (Costume Design), Seth Reiser (Lighting Design), and Hana S. Kim (Production Design). Chales Coles and Nathan Roberts provide the music and sound design, with musical direction by Tre’von Griffith.” Performances take on the main stage of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus.. For more information: www.repstl.org.

The St. Louis Actors’ Studio presents Forget Me Not written and directed by Kyle Marlett Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm, December 2-18. “Forget Me Not is the journey of one human figuring out what it means to be remembered. We’ve all experienced the feeling that there’s not enough time. We sometimes wonder what will happen after we’re gone, how will our stories be told, and how can we leave a lasting impact? Kyle asks all of these questions of himself and seeks to find the answers with you. Kyle Marlett is running out of time. All his life, he’s felt the overwhelming need to leave a mark on the world. It’s a lifelong pursuit that leads him to magic, this show, and this moment, right now. Prepare to witness stunning visuals, impossible illusions and raw storytelling as Kyle examines our time on earth and the connections between all of us. Why are we here? What do we leave behind?”  Performances take place at The Gaslight Theater on North Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: www.stlas.org.

Stray Dog Theatre presents Ride the Cyclone: The Musical Thursdays through Saturdays December 1-17. There are additional performances 8 PM Sunday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 14. “The lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell their story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. A funny, moving look at what makes life worth living.” 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.

Webster Conservatory presents Seminar by Theresa Rebeck Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, December 2-11. “In Seminar, a provocative comedy from Pulitzer Prize–nominee Theresa Rebeck, four aspiring young novelists sign up for private writing classes with Leonard, an international literary figure. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, alliances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon, and hearts are unmoored. The wordplay is not the only thing that turns vicious as innocence collides with experience in this biting comedy.” Performances take place in the Stage III Auditorium on the Webster University campus in Webster Groves. For more information: www.webster.edu

The Christians
Photo: Ellie Schwetye

West End Players Guild presents Lucas Hnath’s The Christians December 2-11. “The Christians examines what happens when Pastor Paul, the leader of an evangelical mega-church, announces to his congregation that he has come to doubt a core belief of Christian doctrine.  Pastor Paul expects this sermon to be controversial; he does not expect the reaction to the sermon to threaten the congregation’s destruction.  Playwright Hnath, the son of a minister who was raised in the Seventh Day Adventist church, presents the story with respect and sincerity.  As New York Times theatre critic Charles Isherwood noted, “none of the characters are depicted as being fanatical, hypocritical or lacking in intelligence, which is too often the case when pious Christians are depicted onstage.  Mr. Hnath grants his characters the dignity of sincere belief, even as his play raises probing questions about how and why religion can be a divisive, if not abusive, social force.”  Ellie Schwetye returns to WEPG to direct The Christians.” 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.

The Twelve Dates of Christmas

The Westport Playhouse presents writer/actor Mark Rodgers in Discover DaVinci and Michaelangelo—the Titans Experience on selected dates through December 30.  “Over 100 successfull Broadway shows, Includes an art installation and self-guided tour of DaVinci's models, artwork, and more...including our new unique theatrical 40' Video Wall!” The Westport Playhouse is in the Westport Plaza Business and Entertainment District. For more information: thewestportplayhouse.com.

The Westport Playhouse presents Jennifer Theby Quinn in The Twelve Dates of Christmas on selected dates through December 23.  “After seeing her fiance kiss another woman at the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary's life falls apart -- just in time for the holidays. Over the next year, she stumbles back into the dating world, where "romance" ranges from weird and creepy to absurd and comical. It seems nothing can help Mary's growing cynicism, until the charm and innocence of a five-year-old boy unexpectedly brings a new outlook on life and love. This heartwarming one-woman play offers a hilarious and modern alternative to the old standards of the holiday season”  The Westport Playhouse is in the Westport Plaza Business and Entertainment DistrictFor more information: thewestportplayhouse.com.

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.