St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of February 26, 2024

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 Alpha Players present  Prelude to a Kiss by Craig Lucas Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sunday (March 3 only) at 2 pm through March 3. “Snuggle up for a “late” Valentine’s Day with this modern fairy tale about the enduring power of love! It’s a romantic fantasy about newlyweds Peter and Rita. At their wedding a mysterious elderly man congratulates Rita with a kiss and by a quirky twist of fate, the kiss causes them to switch souls. Rita finds herself living in the old man’s body and the old man in hers. To complicate matters, the old man is dying. Peter must think fast to reverse the spell and regain his bride. Advisory: Contains some adult themes and language.” Performances take place in the James J. Eagen Center in Florissant. For more information: www.alphaplayers.org

Fly
Photo: Keshon Campbell

The Black Rep presents Fly by Joseph L. Edwards through March 10.  “Premiering off-Broadway in 1997, this one-person dramatic comedy received three AUDELCO awards for excellence in Black theatre and has had a limited tour in the years since. The story centers around an African American man who believes he will receive the power to fly on the night of a special celestial event. As he prepares for the event on a Brooklyn rooftop, he shares the comic, dramatic and tragic experiences that have pushed him to the edge of reality.” Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: www.theblackrep.org.

Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt

The Blue Strawberry presents Sunday Standard Time with Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt on Sunday March 3 from at 6 pm. “Join Tim Schall (vocals) and Carol Schmidt (piano) in the lounge for a casual, classy Sunday evening of jazz standards, a little sophisticated pop and a dash of classic Broadway. Tim is no stranger to the theater and concert stages of St. Louis, Chicago and New York's Lincoln Center. Carol has a rich history of entertaining St. Louis audiences as musician and singer. Together they will help you wind down your weekend with timeless music and a lot of irreverent dry humor.”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Fabulous Fox presents the Stephen Sondheim’s Company opening on Tuesday, February 27, at 7:30 pm and running through Sunday, March 20. “Helmed by three-time Tony Award-winning director Marianne Elliott (War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Angels in America) this revelatory new production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s groundbreaking musical comedy is boldly sophisticated, deeply insightful and downright hilarious.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

First Run Theatre presents the Spectrum 2024 Short Play Festival, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, March 1 through 10. The program consists of seven new one-act plays by local playwrights:  Your New Bob by  Eric Pfeffinger, Va-Va-Victorious by Kim E. Ruyle, Give Thanks by Dan Zeliner, Wait 10 Minutes and Fare to Middlin’ by Marilyn Zerlak, Unrequited Love by Emily Golden, and We Going to Mercy by Emil Clausing. Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information: firstruntheatre.org.

KTK Productions presents Love and Money by A.R. Gurney Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, March 1 through 10. “Determined to donate almost everything she owns before her life of grace and privilege ends, wealthy widow Cornelia Cunningham’s plan hits a snag when an ambitious and ingratiating young man arrives to claim his alleged inheritance. Residency One playwright A.R. Gurney paints an incisive and hysterical portrait of the trials of class, family, legacy and race in this world premiere comedy” Performances take place at the Saint John the Baptist Gymnasium, 4200 Delor Street in south St. Louis. For more information: kurtainkall.org

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present A Fistful of Hollars  through May 4. "Gun slingers, dance hall girls, cowboys, gold diggers, cowboy boots and ten-gallon-hats will abound. Rowdy cowboys will duel to the death as the crooked sheriff watches with glee. But none of these characters are as dangerous as Nasty Nate, he’s the orneriest gun in the west and word is that he’s going to be stirring up trouble at the Lemp Mansion. " The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

The St. Louis University Theatre Department and Prison Performing Arts present Dreaming of Lear: A Devised Work Based on Shakespeare’s King Lear directed by Lucy Cashion. “Dreaming of Lear is a multi-media reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s tragedy filtered through the unconscious. It is a work of devised theatre in which participating artists reconstruct the play based on dreams while listening to King Lear's recordings. The production the audience experiences consists of recorded interviews with the ensemble of dreamers, fragments of Shakespeare's King Lear, and the realization of the ensemble’s dreams on stage. Dreaming of Lear is created in collaboration with Prison Performing Arts’ Alumni Company.” Performances are Thursday through Saturdays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm, February 29 through March 3 at the Kranzberg Black Box Theatre at Olive and North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: hwww.slu.edu.

The Winter's Tale
Photo: Danny Reise

The Washington University Performing Arts Department presents Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm through March 3. “Once upon a time . . . King Leontes of Sicilia accused his childhood friend King Polixenes of Bohemia of seducing his wife. His jealousy was groundless and preposterous, and yet no one could dissuade him from it. Even when the “Oracle” confirmed his wife Hermione’s innocence, he rejected the truth and pushed his entire kingdom into further turmoil. Ultimately, Leontes lost everything -- wife, family, and all those who loved him. Years passed . . . and a new generation moved the world beyond the imperious behavior of delusional men. Geography shifted, magic became possible, and a world formerly driven by rage was re-envisioned to one where reconciliation and understanding prevail.”  Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University Campus. For more information: pad.wustl.edu.

Winter Opera presents Victor Herbert’s operetta Naughty Marietta Friday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, March 1 and 3. “The operetta is set in colonial-era New Orleans and follows the adventures of a spirited young woman named Marietta, a French princess who disguises herself as a servant to escape an arranged marriage. Naughty Marietta is known for its delightful melodies, lively dances, and comedic situations, blending light opera and romantic comedy into an entertaining and tuneful operetta.” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, 201 E. Monroe in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: www.winteroperastl.org.

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

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