St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of April 3, 2023

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.

The Black Rep, presents Dominique Morisseau's Skeleton Crew through April 16.  “The Great Recession threatens the future of one of the last auto stamping plants in Detroit, and with it—the future of those whose jobs are on the line. Each worker must grapple with how to move forward if the plant goes under. Skeleton Crew is the third of Dominique Morisseau's Detroit cycle trilogy” Performances take place at the Berges Theater at COCA in University City. For more information: www.theblackrep.org

Zi the Mentalist

The Blue Strawberry presents Zi the Mentalist on a double bill with Your Crazy Man improv on Monday, April 3 at 7 pm, at “Zi the Mentalist will take you on a journey where miracles and impossibilities happen right before your eyes! Can you trust your senses?  You may need to rethink your answer after experiencing Zi’s amazing mentalism. Since their initial meeting in improv class 5 years ago, Your Crazy Man improvisers Scott Leeker and Scott Weinberg have been inseparable as improv partners, constantly challenging each other to grow in the art form.”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Blue Strawberry presents a Singers Open Mic on Tuesday, April 4, from 7 to 9:30 pm. “Focusing on Pop, Standards old and new, Broadway and Musical Theater. But anything goes! Bring sheet music in your key.” Ken Haller is your host with Ron McGowan at the piano. The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Shana Farr

The Blue Strawberry presents Shana Farr in The Julie Andrews Songbook. “Missouri native, and now New York-based, soprano Shana Farr brings her show The Julie Andrews Songbook to St. Louis for the first time. She has performed this much acclaimed, 5-star reviewed concert all over the U.S. and in London, in both grand concert halls and great supper clubs. Inspired by the rich collection of lyrics and melodies that are synonymous with Julie Andrews, Shana weaves an evening of songs that represent not only great American standards by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, the Gershwin’s, and the Sherman Brothers, but also beautiful, lesser-known songs by Henry Mancini, Arthur Schwartz, Noel Coward, and Jimmy van Heusen.”   The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present Murder at the Abbey through May 6th. "Immerse yourself in a world full of aristocracy, old money a perhaps a touch of murder!  You’ve been invited to the dinner party held by the Earl of Grantham himself. Some would kill for the opportunity to meet the Crawley family.  They’ll all be there!  The Earl, his beautiful wife and three daughters…not to mention all your favorite characters in, and around, the Grantham house." The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

Max and Louie Productions presents What the Constitution Means to Me April 6 through 23.  “Playwright Heidi Schreck’s boundary-breaking play breathes new life into our Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans. Fifteen-year-old Heidi earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate competitions across the United States. In this endearingly funny, hopeful and achingly human new play, actor Michelle Hand brilliantly resurrects Schreck’s teenage and present self in order to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women in her family and the founding document that shaped their lives.”  Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center.  For more information: maxandlouie.com

Metro Theater Company presents Go, Dog. Go!, adapted by Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz from the book by P.D. Eastman through April 16. “Yellow Dog, Blue Dog, Red Dog and dogs of all colors, shapes, and sizes live in a magical world where dogs are king. See them work, play, eat, sing, dance, play musical instruments, swim, skate, ride bikes, drive cars, and go for a boat ride. They do it all! They snorkel. They howl at the moon. They ride a Ferris wheel. They celebrate their world with a big party in a tree. It’s like a pop-up book that comes to life – and never stops.” Performances take place at the Big Top in Grand Center. For more information: www.metroplays.org

Just One Look
Photo: The Midnight Company

The Midnight Company presents Just One Look by Joe Hanrahan, starring Kelly Howe as Linda Ronstadt through Friday April 14. “Linda Ronstadt ruled the pop charts and filled stadiums in the 70’s and 80’s. The reigning rock goddess of her era, she later took on light opera - Gilbert and Sullivan on Broadway - and The Great American Songbook with Nelson Riddle. Her involvement in social issues accelerated during her relationship with California Governor Jerry Brown, then running for President. But for Linda, it was always a search for the next great song. Kelly Howe will portray Linda Ronstadt and sing her sensational songs.” Performances take place at The Blue Strawberry, 356 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com

Murder on the Orient Express
Photo: Phillip Hamer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig through April 9. “It’s 1934, just after midnight, and a snowstorm has stopped the opulent Orient Express sleeper train in its tracks. A wealthy American businessman is discovered dead, and the brilliant and beautifully mustachioed Hercule Poirot must solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again.” Performances take place on the main stage at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: www.repstl.org

The St. Louis Theater Circle presents the eighth annual Awards Gala on Monday, April 3, at 8:30 pm. A cash bar will be open beginning at 6:30 pm. Nominees in more than 30 categories will vie for honors covering comedies, dramas, musicals and operas produced by local professional theater and opera companies in the calendar years 2022. Approximately 90 productions have been considered for nominations for this year’s event. This compares to roughly 120 productions normally considered in one year alone prior to the pandemic. Nationally recognized playwright, theater producer, and long-time advocate for the arts Joan Lipkin will be honored with a special award for lifetime achievement. The event takes place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. Visit the Theater Circle Facebook page for more information.

Into the Woods
Photo by John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents Sondheim’s Into the Woods Thursdays through Saturdays through April 22. There is an additional performance at 2 pm on April 16th.  “When fairy tales collide, familiar characters must brave the darkness of the woods in an effort to break a curse, conquer their fears, and find out if what they’ve always wished for is what they truly want. This Sondheim classic reminds us that life is an unpredictable journey and that no one is alone.” 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

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.