St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of May 27, 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

Timbuktu!
Photo by Keshon Campbell

The Black Rep presents the musical Timbuktu!, based on the Broadway classic Kismet, through June 9.  “Opulent beyond man’s dreams, travelers died crossing the Sahara in search of Timbuktu! Set against this exotic locale is the story of the Poet; his beautiful daughter, Marsinah; an evil Wazir of Police; his restless Wife of Wives, Lundanda; and The Mania of Mali, Bobo. While wandering incognito, Bobo meets Marsinah and instantly falls in love. Still, the twisted twine of fate must unravel in many thrilling and exciting ways before the two lovers can finally tie the knot.” Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information: www.theblackrep.org.

Caitlin Cook

The Blue Strawberry presents Caitlin Cook in The Writing On The Stall: A One Woman Bathroom Graffiti Musical on Saturday and Sunday June 1 and 2, at 7:00 pm. “Confessional, immersive, and uproariously funny, this one-of-a-kind show—literally set in a dive bar bathroom—transforms graffiti scrawled all over the stalls into the lyrics of her original songs and trail markers along the journey she takes us upon. Through these irreverent, poignant, and often obscene messages, Cook reckons with our shared humanity and what we owe each other. May include: slingshotted panties, milk pistols, and a cowboy dick (complete, with spurs!).”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Encore Theatre Group presents Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Moor of Venice through June 9. “Othello tells the story of a valiant Moorish general, Othello, who falls victim to the manipulations of a cunning villain. Themes of race, prejudice, and the devastating power of jealousy unfold in a way that feels shockingly contemporary. The play serves as a mirror to our society, reflecting the struggles for acceptance and equal footing that many people of color still face.” Performances take place at 2607 Patomac in the Marine Villa neighborhood. For more information: www.encorestl.org.

MJ: The Musical
Photo: Matthew Murphy

The Fabulous Fox presents MJ: The Musical May 28 through June 9. “Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.” The Fabulous Fox is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

New Jewish Theatre presents We All Fall Down by Lila Rose Kaplan Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 4 and 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, May 30 through June 16. “Linda and Saul Stein still live in the Westchester home where they raised their two beautiful daughters. But when Saul unexpectedly retires, Linda summons the family to celebrate Passover for the first time in decades. Linda tends slightly toward the theatrical (okay, a lot), and their family has never been particularly religious (okay, not at all). So their comic attempts to bring the Seder to life go from riotous to heart-wrenching.  Can this family come together, or will an age-old tradition tear them apart?” Performances take place at the SFC Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information: jccstl.com.

New Line Theatre presents the musical Dracula, based on the book by Bram Stoker with music and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, May 30 through June 22. “Broadway songwriter Frank Wildhorn (Bonnie & Clyde, Wonderland, Jekyll & Hyde) delivers his most epic score for this riveting, fast-paced, Gothic rock opera, faithful to the iconic novel but with some unexpected twists and turns. As much a tragic love story as a thriller, this terrifying and passionate retelling of the famous story dives deep into the powerful, shattering emotions of these characters and these complicated relationships, as only musical theatre can. For Dracula, Wildhorn reunites with his Bonnie & Clyde lyricist Don Black, for one of the wildest and most emotional rides you’ve had in the theatre in a long time.” Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information: https://www.newlinetheatre.com.

The Barber of Seville
Photo: Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Rossini’s The Barber of Seville through June 29. “Take a romp through a world of high notes, hijinks, and hair-raising escapades with Rossini’s comedic masterpiece. The razor-sharp barber Figaro may be a master mischief-maker, but his favorite role is that of matchmaker. When he meets Count Almaviva, a dashing but naïve young nobleman, he promises to help Almaviva win the heart of the beautiful Rosina. A comedy of mistaken identities, cunning disguises, and laugh-out-loud antics ensues as the love-struck Almaviva attempts to outwit Rosina’s guardian.” Performances are sung in English with projected English supertitles and take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University Campus. For more information: opera-stl.org.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Puccini’s La Bohème opening on Saturday, June 1, at 7:30 pm and running through June 30. “Ignite your senses and surrender to the intoxicating allure of young love. Set against the backdrop of Paris, a group of bohemian artists find solace and comradery in their shared dreams. In their frosty attic, a chance encounter ignites a romance between the seamstress Mimì and the poet Rodolfo. Their love flourishes in winter’s chill…yet as winter gives way to spring, the realities of the world begin to cast a shadow over their idyllic affair. In the face of adversity, Mimì and Rodolfo must confront the painful truth that like the seasons, some love affairs must come to an end.” Performances are sung in English with projected English supertitles and take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University Campus. For more information: opera-stl.org.

Stages St. Louis presents the comedy Steel Magnolias May 31 – June 30. “Take a trip south to the town of Chinquapin, Louisiana and join the ladies at Truvy’s Salon in Steel Magnolias. Here anyone who’s anyone not only comes to get their hair cut and styled, but also leaves with free advice…whether asked for or not. Along with her eager assistant Annelle, Truvy pampers a collection of clients with both style and gossip: M’Lynn and her soon-to-be-married daughter Shelby, the wisecracking and crotchety Ouiser, and the well-to-do Clairee. Together these touching, heartfelt, outspoken, and hilarious ladies forge friendships as strong as steel that help them through both the good times and the bad.” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

The STL Fringe Festival presents ShimmySTL: The Surprising History of Bellydance in St. Louis on Saturday, May 25, at 7:30 pm. “This spellbinding show blends documentary with dance performances to unveil the deep connections between our Midwestern city and a beautiful dance form from Middle East.” The performance takes place at the Kranzberg Arts Center at Grand and Olive in Grand Center. For more information: www.stlfringe.org.

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents the comedy As You Like It Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 pm May 29 through June 23. “In this spontaneous romp, the brilliant and resourceful heroine, Rosalind, and her friends, exiled from the confines of city life to the Forest of Arden, are free to explore new identities, friendships, and (of course) love. Nancy Bell’s production is romantic, lusty, funny and full of heart and longing for a sweeter life. Featuring live music and new songs from St. Louis indie singer-songwriter Beth Bombara, with a lavish gilded age setting.” Performances take place nightly at 8 pm except for Mondays at Shakespeare Glenn next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information: stlshakes.org.

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

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