St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of April 24, 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.

Act Two Theatre presents the comedy-mystery The Game’s Afoot Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, April 27 through May 6. “Breathtaking mystery and high hilarity in equal parts, this thriller tells the story of Broadway star William Gillette, who has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Then it’s up to Gillette himself, who just happens to think he’s Sherlock Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and laughter are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays. Winner of the 2012 Edgar® Award for Best Play from The Mystery Writers of America.” Performances take place at the St. Peters Cultural Center in St. Peters, MO. For more information: www.acttwotheatre.com

The Blue Strawberry presents presents Some Songs for You with Meghan Kirk and Ron McGowan on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 pm. “Let the world disappear for a while, as songbird Meghan Kirk and pianist Ron McGowan take you on a musical journey through some of the greatest songs ever written.”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Amanda McBroom

The Blue Strawberry presents singer/songwriter Amanda McBroom Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, April 26 and 27. “Amanda McBroom has been called ‘…the greatest cabaret performer of her generation, an urban poet who writes like an angel and has a voice to match’ by the NY Times. She first came to the attention music lovers when Bette Midler’s version of Amanda’s song ‘The Rose’ hit number one all over the world in 1979. In addition to Midler, her songs have been recorded by a wide variety of artists including Amy Poehler and Jack Black, Barry Manilow, Judy Collins, Barbara Cook, LeAnn Rimes, Anne Murray, Harry Belafonte, Betty Buckley, Stephanie Mills, The Manhattan Transfer, Donny Osmond, Kurt Cobain, Nana Mouskouri, Conway Twitty, the Chipmunks and the Baby Dinosaurs in Land Before Time (she wrote all the songs for 16 Universal Cartoon videos with longtime collaborator Michele Brourman).” McBroom appears with award-winning singer/songwriter Michele Brourman at the piano.  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Darius De Haas

The Cabaret Project and Jazz St. Louis present Darius de Haas in Day Dream: Variations on Strayhorn Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30, April 26 and 27. “Award winning singer/actor Darius de Haas (original production of Rent, Carousel, Kiss of The Spider Woman to name a few), pays tribute to a true pioneer and legend, Billy Strayhorn. Strayhorn wrote classics such as "Lush Life," "Take The A Train," "Satin Doll" and "Day Dream" and served as Duke Ellington's arranger, pianist and collaborator for some 30 years. Darius, a veteran of 6 Broadway shows currently provides the singing voice of Shy Baldwin on Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Performances take place at Jazz St. Louis, 3536 Washington Avenue in Grand Center.  For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

Circus Harmony presents Swashbuckle! Saturdays at 3 and 7 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through June 3rd. “Circus Harm!ony is back with their annual, full length, ticketed show. This year, it is an epic adventure with somersaulting, sword fighting, and circus.  The show features all-new acts co-created with Circus Harmony’s sensational staff and talented students. Swashbuckle! features a Pirate Queen, a sea witch, and a real parrot all after the same treasure. The show is presented in the circus ring at City Museum that Circus Harmony calls home. Acts include unicycling, contortion, minitrampoline, wire-walking and much more. Circus Harmony performs at the City Museum downtown. For more information: circusharmony.org

Wicked
Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fabulous Fox presents the Broadway musical Wicked through May 7.  ‘WICKED, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle.  Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”’ The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.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

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries through May 13. “Doug and Kayleen meet as eight-year-olds in the school infirmary. (He tried to ride his bike off the roof. She has a stomachache that her mother blames on “bad thoughts.”) Their lives intersect for the next three decades as they return to each other, alternately revealing and concealing their injuries — both physical and psychological — as they struggle with attraction, vulnerability,  and love.” Performances take place on the main stage at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: www.repstl.org.

St. Louis University Theatre presents Clue the Musical, directed by Carl Overlyi Jr., Thursday through Sunday, April 27-30. “The internationally popular game is now a fun-filled musical that brings the world’s best-known suspects to life and invites the audience to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, in which room, and with what weapon. The audience receives forms to help them deduce the solution from clues given throughout the fun-filled evening. Three audience members choose from cards representing the potential murderers, weapons and rooms; there are 216 possible solutions! Only one hard-nosed detective is qualified to unravel the merry mayhem. Comic antics, witty lyrics, and a beguiling score carry the investigation from room to room. Even after the culprit confesses, a surprise twist delights the audience. This colorful crowd-pleaser was devised by the authors of Murder at Rutherford House and other popular interactive entertainments.” Performances take place at the Xavier Hall Main Stage on the campus at 3733 West Pine Mall in Grand Center. For more information: www.slu.edu.

Finale
Photo: Mark Abels

West End Players Guild presents the world premiere of Vladimir Zelevinsky’s Finale, based on the life of legendary opera composer Gioachino Rossini, April 28 through May 7.  “It’s a brilliantly funny sex-farce; it’s also a movingly sad love story.  We meet two astonishingly gifted musical talents — Rossini and singer Isabella Colbran.   Their shared passion for music draws them into a passion for each other.”   West End Players Guild this season will employ touchless ticketing, and socially-distanced seating. 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.