St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of June 10, 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

Woman in Mind
Photo: John Lamb

Albion Theatre Company presents Woman in Mind (December Bee) by Alan Ayckbourn through June 23. “Susan, a housewife who is married to a rather boring cleric, is knocked out by a garden rake.  She experiences hallucinations, imagining an ideal family, in contrast to her tedious, oppressive real life.  However, things begin to spiral out of control and become a nightmare.  Ayckbourn again shows his mastery of combining tremendous humor with poignancy as relationships collapse.” Performances take place in the Black Box Theatre at the Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: albiontheatrestl.org.

Xavier May

The Blue Strawberry presents Xavier May in A Night of Black Musical Theater on Thursday June 13, at 7:30 pm. “What do you get when you take a black kid who grew up listening to and singing along with all their parents favorite RnB/Soul artists, and give them some musical theatre training? Xavier May, that’s what you get! From Stephen Sondheim to Stevie Wonder, Xaviers got it all! Though St. Louis is their home, they’ve spent the last two years in Nashville studying in Belmont University’s Musical Theatre program. Now, they’re back and ready for their first show at the Blue Strawberry, and it’s going to be an evening you won’t want to miss! Get ready for a night full of fun, music, and friendship.”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle.  For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Circus Flora presents Marooned through June  23. “Inspired by the allure and mystery of a deserted island, “Marooned!” transports audiences into a world of adventure, discovery, and enchantment. Witness the resilience and ingenuity of our world-class acrobats and other circus performers as they navigate the challenges of the unknown, bringing to life a tale of survival, camaraderie, and the enduring spirit of the human heart. Will our circus castaways survive? Join us to find out!” Performances take place at The Big Top on Washington next to Powell Hall in Grand Center. For more information: circusflora.org.

The Gateway Men’s Chorus presents Journeys and Destinations on Saturday an 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm June 15 and 16. “The mystery and the magic of our lives is often in the roads we've traveled, the paths we've taken, and the sojourns that have led us to where we are today. Join GMC as we experience the journeys of our lives, the songs that shaped us as adults, and the long and winding path from past to present to the better world we hope to build. This feel-good concert will weave a spell upon your heart and touch upon the magic that lives within us all.” Performances take place at The Link Auditorium, 4504 Westminster Place in the Central West End. For more information: www.gmcstl.org.

We All Fall Down
Photo: Jon Gitchoff

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 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.

Dracula
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the musical Dracula, based on the book by Bram Stoker with music and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, 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. Run time is approximately two hours and forty minutes including intermission. For more information: opera-stl.org.

La Bohème
Photo: Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Puccini’s La Bohème 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. Run time is approximately two hours and thirty minutes including intermission. For more information: opera-stl.org.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Philip Glass’s Galileo Galilei opening on Saturday, June 15, at 7:30 pm and running through June 29. “Discover the captivating story of one of the greatest — and most courageous — scientists in history. Galileo’s unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge paved the way for groundbreaking scientific advancements, but also caused fierce conflicts with the Church he loved. This opera shines a light on Galileo’s steadfast spirit and reminds us of the enduring importance of intellectual curiosity. Today, Galileo’s story resonates more than ever, urging us to reevaluate our own beliefs, challenge the status quo, and stand firm in our convictions, no matter the consequences.” Performances are sung in English with projected English supertitles and take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University Campus. Run time is approximately ninety minutes with no intermission. For more information: opera-stl.org.

Julius Caesar
Photo: Eric Woolsey

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Handel’s Julius Caesar running through June 28. “Who said that passion and politics make for poor bedfellows? Experience Handel’s captivating love story of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, whose audacious affair rewrote the course of history. As sparks fly between these two rulers, love becomes a battlefield, and the most important conquest is that of the heart. But with pretenders to the throne lurking on all sides, desire can sometimes be a double-sided weapon.” 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.

Steel Magnolias
Photo: Phillip Hamer

Stages St. Louis presents the comedy Steel Magnolias through 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.

As You Like It
Photo: Phillip Hamer

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents the comedy As You Like It Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 pm 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.

The St. Louis Writers Group presents a reading of the play The Debate of God by Brad Slavik on  Monday, June 10, at 6:30 pm. “A Catholic priest, a Jew, a Muslim, and a Buddhist monk walk into the audience hall of the great Khan of the Mongol Empire. Sounds like the beginning of a joke but it was a real situation: in 1254 the Great Khan ordered a debate between Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. Thus is brought into the crucible all the differences and all the similarities of the three great religions. It brought its share of conflict, comedy, and intrigue. It also brings in three unlikely friendships and an unexpected ending. Sit back and relax and let the story teller, Yakob of Uzgen explain it all.” The reading takes place at the Schlafly Tap Room in Midtown.  More information is available at the St. Louis Writers Group Facebook page.

Ripcord
Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents David Lindsay-Abaire’s comedy Ripcord Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 through June 22, with an additional performance at 2 pm on Sunday June 16. “The Golden Girls meets The Odd Couple in this madcap comedy. When cantankerous Abby is forced to share her room in a retirement home with endlessly chipper Marilyn, a feud between the mismatched roommates results in a bet to determine who stays and who goes. Seemingly harmless at first, the two women quickly escalate into dangerous games of one-upmanship.” 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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