St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of May 8, 2023

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The Black Rep presents the musical revue Eubie!  through May 21.  “Eubie! is a musical revue from the 1970s that taught Broadway audiences about Eubie Blake, a groundbreaking American musician and composer of the early 1900s. Blake helped break down racial barriers with his 1921 musical, Shuffle Along - the first Broadway musical written, directed by, and starring Black Americans. The show helped shape American musical theater as we know it today.” Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: www.theblackrep.org

The Blue Strawberry presents  Christian the Magician and ventriloquist Mike Coleman on Monday, May 8, at 7 pm. "Christian the Magician’s magic is like a rock opera! It combines exciting background music with great magic and Christian’s unique brand of comedy. Christian was the resident magician at the City Museum for 15 years, where he performed thousands of shows for thousands of families from around the world. Mike Coleman is a master comedy ventriloquist. Amazingly, his dummy can also sing! Mike has performed at the VP Fair, Six Flags, and many fairs and festivals." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Samantha Pauly

The Blue Strawberry presents Samantha Pauly from the original Broadway cast of Six: The Musical on Thursday and Friday, May 11 and 12, at 7:30 pm. “Best known for originating the role of Katherine Howard in Broadway’s SIX the Musical, and her captivating performance of Eva Peron in Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed revival of Evita on London’s West End, Samantha has carefully crafted an evening that reflects the last few years of her life.  Join her as she sings you through some career highlights, major life changes, and all the fun stuff in between.” The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Blue Strawberry presents the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University Musical Theatre Class of 2023 Senior Cabarets on Saturday, May 13, at 5 pm. The performance, which will also be available via live video stream, takes place at The Blue Strawberry, 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

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

Jesus Christ Superstar
Photo by Evan Zimmerman

The Fabulous Fox presents the Broadway musical Jesus Christ Superstar May 9 through 21. “Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production of the iconic musical phenomenon returns to the stage. Originally staged by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and helmed by the acclaimed director Timothy Sheader (Crazy for You, Into the Woods) and cutting-edge choreographer Drew McOnie (King Kong, Strictly Ballroom), this production won the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival garnering unprecedented reviews and accolades. Appealing to both theater audiences and concert music fans, this production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year while creating a modern, theatrical world that is uniquely fresh and inspiring.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com

First Run Theatre presents its 20th Birthday Fundraiser and Celebration on Monday, May 8, at 6 pm. The event includes an open wine and beer bar, hors  d'oeuvres, live music, and short selections of scenes from our the plays Crab Cakes by Joan Lipkin of St. Louis, MO and Forgive Thyself by John Busser of Avon, OH. The event takes place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information: firstruntheatre.org

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents the classic musical The Sound of Music May 12 through 21. “This final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision.” Performances take place at the Robert Reim Theatre in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: ktg-onstage.org

KTK Productions presents the musical Sister Act Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, May 12 through 21. “When lively lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier sees her mobster beau, Curtis, commit murder, she is relocated for her protection. Set up in the guise of a nun in a California convent, Deloris proceeds to upend the quiet lives of the resident sisters. In an effort to keep her out of trouble, they assign Deloris to the convent's choir, an ensemble that she soon turns into a vibrant and soulful act that gains widespread attention.” Performances take place at the Saint John The Baptist Gymnasium, 4200 Delor Street in south St. Louis. For more information: http://kurtainkall.org

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present Death of a Blackheart May 12 through August 26. "Ahoy matey! Join us for an exciting evening of murder, mystery and pirates at the best comedy dinner theater show in town. Don your favorite pirate gear and escape to the high seas for an adventure fraught with peril! What part will you play in this hilarious show full of fair maidens, lost boys, rival pirates and wenches? Whichever character you acquire, beware of that famous pirate Captain Jack Blackheart! Aye, he's a scurvy seadog if my eye ever seed one! Gee, I hope no one kills him off!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

The Midnight Company presents the one-actor show The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey by Celeste Lecesne through May 20. “Joe Hanrahan, Midnight’s Artistic Director, portrays a detective and other characters in a small New Jersey town as he unravels the story of THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY. Pelkey is a tenaciously optimistic and flamboyant fourteen-year-old boy who has gone missing.  A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, Leonard becomes an unexpected inspiration as the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind.  Alicen Moser directs. The New York Times said ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS “…leaves you beaming with joy…a superlative solo show."   And The New York Post called the show “…moving…intimate and affectionate, about the difference one person can make-and perhaps, with any luck, one show.” Performances take place at The Blue Strawberry, 356 N. Boyle. For more information: www.midnightcompany.com

Just One Look
Photo: The Midnight Company

The Midnight Company presents Just One Look by Joe Hanrahan, starring Kelly Howe as Linda Ronstadt, on Wednesday May 10th at 7:30 pm. “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, 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Opera Theatre presents The Road to Freedom on Friday, May 12, at 7:30 pm. “Join Opera Theatre for a special celebration of Black excellence and the 61st anniversary of the Freedom Riders...a story that affirms all that is possible when people from different backgrounds come together. This concert is curated by award-winning artist Damien Sneed who has worked with such luminaries as Aretha Franklin, Jessye Norman, Stevie Wonder, and many more. He is also the composer behind the new performing edition of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha, which makes its debut May 20.” The concert takes place at Third Baptist Church in Grand Center. Admission is free but reservations are recommended. For more information: opera-stl.org

Gruesome Playground Injuries
Photo: Phillip Hamer

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.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis’s Imaginary Theatre Company presents James and the Giant Peach and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane on a double bill on Saturday, May 13, at 11 am. James and the Giant Peach will also be performed by itself on Thursday, May 11, at 6:30 pm and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane on Saturday, May 13, at 1:30 pm.  Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: www.repstl.org

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis presents Something Spoken, a series of radio plays by Tennessee Williams, Saturdays at 4 pm through May 20. The plays are Case of the Crushed Petunias on May 13, and Sunburst on May 20. The plays are broadcast on Classic 107.3. For more information: twstl.org.

The Seven-Year Itch

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the comedy The Seven-Year Itch through May 13. “In the midst of a summer heat wave, New Yorker Richard Sherman ships his wife, Helen, and their son off to Maine for vacation. Left alone to work back in Manhattan, Richard encounters a gorgeous blonde model who has moved into the apartment upstairs, and becomes immediately infatuated. While pondering infidelity, Richard dreams of his beautiful new neighbor -- but will his fantasies about her become a reality?” Performances take place at the Guild theatre at 517 Theatre Lane, at the corner of Newport and Summit in Webster Groves. For more information: theatreguildwg.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.