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

Albion Theatre Company presents Molly Sweeny by Brian Friel March 15 through 31. “Blind since infancy, Molly is persuaded by her husband and a surgeon to undergo an operation to try to restore her sight. “What has she got to lose?” the men ask.  This powerful drama by one of Ireland’s greatest playwrights tells Molly’s story through monologues from the perspective of three characters: Molly, her husband Frank, and her surgeon Mr. Rice.” Performances take place in the Black Box Theatre at the Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: albiontheatrestl.org.

The Black Rep presents The Wedding Band by Alice Childress opening on Wednesday, March 13, and running through March 31.  “Carrying the subtitle “A Love/Hate Story in Black and White,” this is one of American drama’s most revealing tales of interracial love, addressing prejudice and ignorance in early 20th- century America. Set in the Deep South at the end of World War I during the flu epidemic, the play traces a devoted couple’s caustic confrontations with anti-miscegenation laws, family racism, community disapproval, and their own long-buried feelings.” Performances take place at the Berges Theatre at COCA in University City  For more information: www.theblackrep.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

Eileen Engel in Jacey's Jazz Joint

The Midnight Company presents Eileen Engel in Jacey’s Jazz Joint Wednesdays, March 13 and 27, at 7:30 pm. “Engel is Jacey.  You’re at her place, and she wants you to have the best time.  Jacey and her band will be performing some of the best songs you’ve ever heard, done in their inimitable Jacey’s Jazz style.  As the evening goes on, the songs will trigger memories, and Jacey will re-veal stories of where the money came from to open the joint (a guy named Johnny), how the thorny relationship with Johnny evolved, and the dangerous conclusion to their romantic journey.  The heartfelt songs Jacey sings echo the joy and pain of their love.” The show is written and directed by Joe Hanrahan with music direction by Colin Healy. Performances take place at the Blue Strawberry on North Boyle.  For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com

Sweet Potato Queens
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the musical Sweet Potato Queens through March 23. “Get ready for the outrageous, high-powered, Southern rock musical that tells the true story of "Boss Queen" Jill and her closest friends in Mississippi, and how they learn to grab life by the sequins, feathers and tiaras to live their lives out loud, on their own terms.” Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information: www.newlinetheatre.com

The Political Theatre Group presents A St. Paddy's Day Palooza Saturday at 8 pm Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday. “Act One contains popular Irish songs performed by Paul Kruta.  Paul is a regular performer of Irish music at Morrison's Irish Pub in Alton, IL. Set list includes rebel/patriot tunes and Irish drinking songs.  Act Two contains the Irish one-man play The Good Thief by Conor McPherson and performed by Anthoy Wininger.  A ruffian reveals the remorse and regret he feels after a botched job leads to murder, kidnapping, and finally a desperate flee that results in unfortunate casualties and imprisonment.  The show contains graphic language.” The show takes place at The Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle Ave. For more information:  tickets.gaslighttheater.net.

The St. Louis Writers Group presents a reading of David Hawley’s new one-act plays Elly and Hubert and Dad's Comfortable Dinner with His Family on  Monday, March 11, at 6:30 pm.  More information is available at the St. Louis Writers Group Facebook page.

The Servant's Last Serve

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the comedy The Servant’s Last Serve Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm through March 17.  “It is 1912, London. Due to a misdiagnosis from his incompetent doctor, wealthy Sir Winston Livingston believes he is going insane and does not have long to live. He summons his staff and opportunist niece from North Carolina for a formal reading of his will. Livingston Manor falls into chaos when Sir Winston announces he is willing the entire estate to his beloved cat, Master Fifi. Included in this announcement is the provision that should the cat predecease Winston the estate would be divided among the servants and his niece.” Performances take place at the Guild theatre at 517 Theatre Lane, at the corner of Newport and Summit in Webster Groves. For more information: www.webstergrovestheatreguild.com

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

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