St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of December 11, 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

The Blue Strawberry presents Jonathan Karrant in A Christmas Wish on Thursday December 14 at 7:30 pm. “Renowned singer Jonathan Karrant brings you a delightful evening celebrating some of the most beloved holiday songs of all time. Jonathan will be performing some song selections from the album and sharing some of his favorite Christmas memories. Jonathan doesn't cover songs, he uncovers them. The evening will leave you filled with the holiday spirit!  Jonathan will be joined on stage by some of St. Louis' most talented musicians including pianist Adam Maness, bassist Bob DeBoo and drummer Kaleb Kirby.”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Christmas with C.S. Lewis

Emery Entertainment presents Christmas with C.S. Lewis starring Gregory Williams Welsch through December 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.

Never Let Go: a one-woman Titanic

ERA Theatre presents Never Let Go: a one-woman Titanic Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 pm through December 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.

Disney's Aladdin
Photo: Deen Van Meer

The Fabulous Fox presents Disney’s Aladdin Tuesday through Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm, pm December 12 through 17. “From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of ALADDIN, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: https://fabulousfox.com

Fly North Theatricals presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee through December 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 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

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Photo: Jon Gitchoff

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.

Q Brothers Christmas Carol
Photo: Philip Hamer

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 Christmas Party and Farewell to Big Daddy’s on Tuesday, December 12, at 6:30 pm. “Fun! Frolics! Food! Raffles! Prizes! Your Host for the evening : Jen Kerner. All previous actors, readers, writers and audience are especially invited to our final night in Soulard before we move in the New Year.” The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy’s in Soulard. For more information, visit the St. Louis Writers Group Facebook page.  

Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All to You
Photo: John Lamb

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.

Looking for auditions and other artistic opportunities? Check out the St. Louis Auditions site.

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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.