St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of December 4, 2023

What's on St.Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out

Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt

The Blue Strawberry presents a David Giuntoli in A Swingin’ Holiday Soirée on Thursday December 7 at 7:30 pm. “David Giuntoli invites you to "A Swinging' Holiday Soirée" at Blue Strawberry alongside musical director Carol Schmidt on piano, Ben Coan on bass and one or two surprise performers! Featuring songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Michael Feinstein and others.” The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Blue Strawberry presents a holiday edition of Sunday Standard Time with Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt on Sunday December 10 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. “Join Tim Schall (vocals) and Carol Schmidt (piano) along with special guests Lavonne Byers and Mark Saunders in the lounge for a casual, classy Sunday evening of jazz standards, a little sophisticated pop and a dash of classic Broadway, along with some seasonal favorites.”   The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Cherokee Street Theatre presents The Goonies Live Holiday Show through December 9. “A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate's long-lost treasure. Prepare to celebrate the 1980s classic as a live-action laugh-out-loud holiday parody.” Performances take place upstairs at The Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee. For more information: https://www.cherokeestreettheatercompany.com

Christmas with C.S. Lewis

Emery Entertainment presents Christmas with C.S. Lewis starring Gregory Williams Welsch December 7-17. "In the early years of his young adult life C. S. Lewis believed the story of Christ’s birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J R R Tolkien. Although both men loved mythology in general, Tolkien was convinced that the Jesus myth was the one true myth. That was the start of Lewis’ journey from Atheism to Christianity. From that point on, Christmas, for Lewis, took on an entirely different meaning. Here we find him at his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve hosting a group of Americans who are Christmassing in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections which stimulates a whole range of emotions – curiosity, laughter, gladness and even some tears. Above all, they will discover how that encounter with Tolkien forever changed his Christmas celebrations." Performances take place at the Westport Playhouse in Westport Plaza. For more information: www.aneveningwithcslewis.com.

The Greatest Show on Earth
Photo courtesy of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey

Enterprise Center presents Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey: The Greatest Show on Earth Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10. “Bringing to life an arena spectacle at unbelievable scale, The Greatest Show On Earth will debut stunning feats of real human achievement, musical performances blended with aerial artistry, modern comedy, and never-before-seen acts on highwire, trapeze, bicycles, and more. The reimagined American icon will captivate families through a multi-platform, 360-degree experience that brings fans into the action, creating real connections between audiences and performers from all over the world.” Performances take place at the Enterprise Center downtown. For more information: https://ringling.com

ERA Theatre presents Never Let Go: a one-woman Titanic Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 pm, December 7 through 16. “Twenty-four years ago, Rose 'Dawson' miraculously survived the sinking of the Titanic. But her lover, Jack Dawson, did not, and she is not over it. Despite her grief, she's pursuing her dream of becoming an Academy Award-nominated actress. In this production, Rose pitches the idea of turning her story into a work of theatre, or even a motion picture, to an audience of potential producers and investors. She shifts seamlessly from past and present, often without warning, and artistically, and maybe somewhat insanely, blurs the distinction between reality and imagination. Join us for the maiden voyage of your life and never let go!” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center. For more information: www.metrotix.com.

Cirque de Soliel's 'Twas the Night Before...
Photo: Michael Last

The Fabulous Fox presents Cirque de Soleil’s ‘Twas the Night Before… through December 10. “‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show, based on the classic poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas” by Clement Clarke Moore. Memorable lines from this cherished classic inspired Cirque’s story about a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. A festive flurry of love and cheer created especially for families, ‘Twas the Night Before… features thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters - and a soundtrack including holiday classics re-invented by Cirque du Soleil. The show was conceived and is directed by Cirque du Soleil Senior Artistic Director James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com

First Run Theatre presents Leannán Sidhe Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through December 3.   “Leannán Sidhe is Irish Gaelic for "fairy lover."  Our play is centered around Mya, a writer who lives in her dreams.  In her world the full moon is constantly out, it's always summer, and the dashing British actor Vincent Thane is her lover.  But is Vincent real, another fantasy, or some of both?  A funny and moving play about how dangerous it can be to achieve your dreams.” Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center in Grand Center. For more information: firstruntheatre.org.

Fly North Theatricals presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee December 8-17. “Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, about an eclectic group of six pre-pubescents who are vying for the spelling championship of a lifetime, has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor.  While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake.  Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion!  At least the losers get a juice box.” Performances take place at the Greenfinch Theater & Dive, 2525 S. Jefferson. For more information: flynorthmusic.com.

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present Harm for the Hoidays  through January 13, 2024. "This may look like a festive Holiday Party for a family-owned, candle-making business but there is danger lurking beneath the mistletoe! Slimy characters, sneaky thieves, blackmailers, cheats and liars prowl around every corner and you oughta know since you’re one of them!  They’re malicious conspiring reveals the true nature of Harm Enterprises…organized crime (shhh…don’t tell Grandpa!)  But the shortest fuse in the room belongs to Hector Harm, he’s the grinchiest of the Harm siblings and he’s got one of his beady little eyes on old Grandma Harm’s Job.  Hope he doesn’t snuff her out before her time!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

Into the Woods
Photo: John Gitchoff

New Jewish Theatre presents Sondheim’s Into the Woods Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, November 30 through December 17. “What happens after happily ever after? Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical revisits all your favorite fairy tale characters including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood as they work to make their wishes come true, only to realize that sometimes getting what you want isn’t all you dreamed it would be. This Tony-Award winning musical adventure is at turns delightful and haunting, but always enchanting.” Performances take place at the SFC Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information: jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre

Jesus and Johnny Appleweed's Holy Rollin'
Family Christmas
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the world premiere of the rock musical Jesus & Johnny Appleweed's Holy Rollin' Family Christmas, with book, music, and lyrics by Scott Miller, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm through December 16. “Poor Harry Goodson learns his lessons the hard way, as he’s visited overnight by his dead twin brother, Jesus Christ, Sandra Dee, and Johnny Appleweed, and he finally learns what his family already knows, that the answer to all his problems is marijuana! A wacky companion piece to the unintentionally hilarious 1936 scare film Reefer Madness, this new musical is a crazy mashup of A Christmas Carol, Reefer Madness, and 1950s musical comedy, a tongue-in-cheek response to the War on Drugs and the Culture Wars, a comic look at what a little pot and a little truth can do to a normal, average, Midwestern, American family at mid-century, just as America plunges into the chaos of the 1960s.” .  Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. For more information: http://www.newlinetheatre.com

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play through December 23. “Engage your imagination in the world of vintage radio broadcasting as you rediscover the magic of the holiday season with It's A Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play. Experience the Golden Age of Radio through this classic holiday film reimaged as a live radio performance. Bear witness to this timeliness holiday story that explores the life of George Bailey, a compassionate and selfless man, standing on the brink of despair, when an angel named Clarence is sent down to Earth to teach George the power of kindness, the importance of family and friends, and the realization that each life, no matter how ordinary it may seem, is truly wonderful.” Performances take on the main stage of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus.. For more information: www.repstl.org.

Barrymore
Photo: Patrick Huber

St. Louis Actors’ Studio presents Barrymore by William Luce through December 10.  “Stalwart St. Louis actor John Contini returns to the STLAS stage to reprise the role in which Christopher Plummer won a Tony for his portrayal of John Barrymore. Each act begins with a stunning entrance onto a stage that the legendary actor has rented to prepare for a comeback performance of Richard III. Barrymore jokes with the audience, spars with an offstage prompter, reminisces about better times, and does delicious imitations of his siblings Lionel and Ethel.” Performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 360 N. Boyle. For more information: stlas.org.

The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents the Q Brothers Christmas Carol through December 23. “In this laugh-out-loud hip-hop remix of Dickens’ classic tale, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Hip-Hop Past, Present, and Future. As Scrooge is shown the path of rhythm and redemption, will he throw off his selfish chains and get down to the beat? Q Brothers Christmas Carol mixes everything from reggae to rock, taking this beloved tale of love, forgiveness, and Christmas spirit to the next level. Best enjoyed by ages 12 & up.” Performances take place at the National Blues Museum downtown. For more information: https://stlshakes.org/production/carol.

The St. Louis Writers Group presents a reading of the new play The Glory of the Yankee Navy by Stephen Clark on Tuesday, December 5, at 6:30 pm.“On Beacon Hill in the heart of Yankee Boston, the Farnsworth family has a crisis when Elliot wants to sail off and follow the whales.” The reading takes place upstairs at Big Daddy’s in Soulard. For more information, visit the St. Louis Writers Group Facebook page.  

Stray Dog Theatre presents the Christopher Durang comedy Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All to You Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 through December 16, with an additional performance at 2 pm on Sunday December 10. “Sister Mary Ignatius has happily been teaching children about the glories of Catholicism and the perils of sin and hellfire for years at her church. What’s a good shepherd to do when it is revealed that members of her flock have strayed far from the path of righteousness? The results are surprising, yet absolutely hilarious. Sister Mary examines the sharp truths about  human nature and religion.” Performances take place at Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee in Tower Grove East. For more information: www.straydogtheatre.org.

West End Players presents Walter Cronkite is Dead through December 10. “A fierce thunderstorm has shut down airports up and down the East Coast. Two women, who appear to have nothing in common, are stuck in a waiting area at Reagan National Airport. Patty is a chatty southerner—a blue-collar woman from a red state—who is almost physically unable to tolerate silence. Margaret is a Washingtonian, reserved, educated, liberal and not interested in sharing her thoughts, or her table, with Patty. Forced together for a long night in a public place, the two strangers have no choice but to share a bottle of wine and begin to talk…and to listen. Their conversation is funny, difficult, deeply revealing and astonishingly frank. Patty and Margaret share details of their lives that lead them to a place of kinship neither of them could have imagined. Yes, Walter Cronkite is dead, but his wisdom and compassion lives on in this insightful comedy about what might be possible if people from opposite sides of the political aisle would stop shouting and take even one night to listen.” 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.

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