Chuck's Choices for the weekend of October 5, 2018

This week, the local premiere of a fringe festival hit, the return of a flashy magic show, and a classic indictment of greed and entitlement.

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Image credit: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Ben Whiteley conducts The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in A Celebration of Muny at 100 on Sunday, October 7, at 3 pm. Vocal soloists ustin Michael Austin, Daniel Berryman, Keith Boyer, Cree Carrico, Debby Lennon, Elizabeth Stanley, and Phil Touchette join the orchestra and chorus in paying tribute to the Muny during their centennial with an afternoon of beautiful songs and music from its first quarter century. The concert takes place at Powell Hall in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

My take: Strictly speaking, this isn't theatre, but it is an evening of musical theatre classics, and that's close enough for me. The SLSO promises selections from "Annie Get Your Gun" (Irving Berlin), "Girl Crazy" (George and Ira Gershwin), "Show Boat" (Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II), and "The Pirates of Penzance" (Gilbert and Sullivan; huzzah!), "Eileen" (Victor Herbert), "The Desert Song" (Sigmund Romberg), "Of Thee I Sing" (George and Ira Gershwin; the first American musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama) "The Student Prince" (Romberg again), and "Sweet Adeline" (Kern and Hammerstein). What's not to like? I'll be there!

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Linda Kennedy in Chef
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Upstream Theater presents Chef by Sabrina Mahfouz Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7 pm (except for October 14, which is at 2 pm), through October 14. "Upstream Theater is excited to host renowned Swiss director Marianne de Pury who will stage the US premiere of the award-winning CHEF by UK/Egyptian playwright and poet Sabrina Mahfouz-the gripping story of how one woman went from being a haute-cuisine head chef to a convicted inmate running a prison kitchen. Leading us through her world of mouth-watering dishes and heart-breaking memories, Chef questions our attitudes to food, prisoners, violence, love and hope." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

My take: The thing about one-character shows is that the one character had better be interesting and the one actor had better know how to capture and hold an audience's attention. There's no question that Linda Kennedy, the one actor in question, knows how to do that; as evidence, I would offer the great solo cabaret show she did back in 2015. And the play, as Richard Green notes in his rave review for Talking Broadway, "first toured fringe festivals in Scotland and Britain in 2014, scooping up multiple awards." So you can hardly go wrong, can you?

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An Ha Lim in The Illusionists
Photo by Joan Marcus

The Fox Theatre presents The Illusionists-Live From Broadway, Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm, October 5 - 7. "Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, The Illusionists has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth." The Fox in at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

b>My take: We caught this last month when it played Chicago and while the performance we saw was one magician short (Dan Sperry, "The Anti-Conjurer," was inexplicably absent), it was still an entertaining and sometimes amazing show. As I noted in my review for KDHX, many of the effects will be familiar to fans of stage magic, but they're all done very well, and some of the close-up effects are most impressive.

The Little Foxes
Photo by Patrick Huber

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Lillian Hellman's drama The Little Foxes Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm through October 14. "Lillian Hellman's legendary play about greed and ambition. Set in Alabama in 1900, The Little Foxes follows Regina Giddens and her ruthless clan, including her sister-in-law Birdie, as they clash in often brutal ways in an effort to strike the deal of their lives. Far from a sentimental look at a bygone era, the play has a surprisingly timely resonance with important issues facing our country today.". Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. For more information call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

My take: In a New York Times article published the day before the October 31, 1949, premiere of Regina, Mark Blitzstein's operatic treatment of Hellman's play, Leonard Bernstein observed that the principal characters were "ugly people engaged in ugly dealings with one another." That is, to say the last, an understatement. Hellman's blistering indictment of crony capitalism and unenlightened self-interest is, if anything, more relevant now than when it was written in 1939, as an appalling spectacle of shameless greed, unprincipled arrogance, moral bankruptcy, and overwhelming entitlement dominates the national political stage. The tragedy of The Little Foxes isn't just American, it's also America's.

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Oklahoma!
Photo by Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Stages St. Louis presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! through October 7. "Oh, what a beautiful musical! Rodgers and Hammerstein's timeless first collaboration was, in many ways, their most innovative. And while OKLAHOMA! completely changed the face of American musical theatre over seventy years ago, it remains as fresh and vital today as it was then with its loving celebration of the American spirit. A stunning blend of drama, music, and dance, the exhilarating Rodgers and Hammerstein score contains such classics as "People Will Say We're In Love," "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top," "Kansas City," "I Cain't Say No," and the pulsating title tune, "Oklahoma!" A gold standard that set the bar for all great musicals that came after it, OKLAHOMA! is unforgettable entertainment for the entire family!" Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

My take: History (or at least Wikipedia) tells us that when Lorenz Hart was approached by his then-partner Richard Rodgers to work on a musical stage version of the 1931 Theatre Guild flop Green Grow the Lilacs, he declined, shrugging off the story of farmers and cowboys in turn-of-the-century Oklahoma as corny and uninteresting. He had a point there—the corn really is "as high as an elephant's eye" at times—but even so Oklahoma! was a box office smash in 1943 (a record-breaking 2,212 performances), garnered rave reviews, and has remained a favorite of audiences and critics ever since. The Stages production, which I saw last night, is broad and even borderline cartoonish in spots, but executed so flawlessly and with such precision that it's impossible not to find it vastly entertaining. Performances are top drawer and the score is, of course, irresistible.

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This Random World
Photo by John Lamb

The West End Players Guild opens its 108th season with the St. Louis premiere of the comedy This Random World by Steven Dietz Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, September 28 - October 7. "Only the audience knows that every character is connected to almost every other character is some way. Dietz's tale is one of continuous missed connections, a series of mostly funny and sometimes touching almost-interactions that would change the characters lives if they happened, which they don't." There will also be a show on Thursday, October 4, at 8 pm. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org.

My take: As I noted in my KDHX review of the world premiere of this play at the Humana Festival, one of the great pleasures of the novels of Charles Dickens is the often comical way in which he arranges for characters from very disparate walks of life to be connected, often by wildly improbable coincidences. In This Random World, veteran comic playwright Steve Dietz stands that convention on its head. In Dietz's anti-Dickensian story, characters who are already related to each other, however tangentially, repeatedly miss making connections as a result of coincidences that are as unlikely and comical as anything the great British novelist ever dreamed up. I'm on the play reading committee at West End and was a strong proponent of including this inventive farce in our season. I think you'll enjoy it.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of February 23, 2018

As always, the choices are purely my personal opinion. Take with a grain (or a shaker) of salt.

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The International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 1, presents its annual Parade of Magic on Saturday, February 24, at 2 and 7 p.m. "Top professional magicians from all over the Midwest will converge on St. Louis to present TWO shows filled with fun, laughter and of course Magic! Nowhere else can you find such great entertainment for such an affordable price. Award winning magicians from the International Brotherhood of Magicians will be appearing and disappearing in a magical experience guaranteed to be unforgettable! A Great Family Event! You've seen them on TV and now you can see them Live!" Performances take place at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road. For more information: ibmring1.yapsody.com

My take: I got my start in showbiz as a magician, performing for kids shows and touring with a local variety show troupe. I'm no longer a member of the Society of American Magicians (the other big magic association, next to the IBM) but I'm still a sucker for a good magic show like this one. If you're looking for something that will be entertaining for the whole family, this is a good bet.

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The Cabaret Project and The Improv Shop present The Blue Velvet Lounge on Saturday, February 24, at 8 pm. "The Cabaret Project teams up with The Improv Shop to co-present their dynamic, fully improvised theater piece featuring live jazz standards - direct from the mythical Blue Velvet Lounge. Each performance features eight smart, funny improvisers who create the stories and sagas of the patrons of the Blue Velvet Lounge - on the spot. Surrounded by live jazz vocal standards, this character driven story is a different show each night it's performed. The Blue Velvet Lounge is a perfect evening out for lovers of cabaret and comedy. Food and drink available at the Improv Shop." The performance takes place at The Improv Shop, 3960 Chouteau in The Grove. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

My take: Cabaret shows are carefully planned, but so is a good improv show. Improvisation works best when there's some sort of structure to build on. So combining the two makes more sense than you might think, especially when the singer at the center of it all is local cabaret pro Tim Schall. I saw the show on February 10th and was impressed with the quick wit and inventiveness of the improv performers. Each improv segment is brief and the action shifts from one pair of actors to another quickly. Sometimes it relates directly to the song being sung, sometimes not, but it's always different.

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Bud, Not Buddy

Metro Theatre Company presents Bud, Not Buddy Fridays and Saturdays at 7 and Sundays at 2 pm through February 25. "Based on the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel, this play combines actors with a 13-piece jazz band performing an original score composed by five-time, Grammy-winning jazz artist Terence Blanchard to tell the story of a boy who finds a home and a passion for music." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center. For more information: metroplays.org.

My take: This original one-act play is a co-production with Jazz St. Louis and, according to Mark Bretz at Ladue News, it's "a sure-fire treat for theater patrons young and old as well as devotees of America's original musical art form." This is the first production on the USA since the play's premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C many years ago, which makes it quite a feather in the cap of Metro. The story it tells of life under American apartheid is one of which far too many people in this country seemed determine to write out of history.

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Menopause the Musical

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Menopause the Musical, "a celebration of women and The Change," through March 31. Four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing unmistakable similarities among one another, the cast jokes about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain and much more. The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

My take: This popular ensemble show has been around for a while now, having premiered in 2001 in Orlando, Florida, in a 76-seat theatre that once housed a perfume shop. It's last visit at the Westport Playhouse was ten years ago, and it seems to have lost none of it's comic shine. "Who will enjoy this," asks Ann Lemmons Pollack in a review of the show last year, "beyond women of what they call un age certain? People of both genders around them unless they have no sense of humor. That includes family, friends and co-workers. One of life's cruel jokes is that the menopause hits many households about the same time adolescence does. Here's something to tide us over." Since this is effectively a remounting of that same production, I think I'm on safe ground putting it on the hit list, as I did last January.

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Red Scare on Sunset
Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents the comedy Red Scare on Sunset Thursdays through Saturdays through February 24. "In 1950s Hollywood, film star Mary Dale finds the Red Menace invading her Beverly Hills backyard. When she discovers her husband has been lured into the local Communist Party by way of a Method acting class and there is a left wing plot to abolish the star system, Mary wages a private war to save her husband, country, and billing over the title. The McCarthy era is turned on its head in this outlandish take on a serious subject." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

My take: Actor, female impersonator, and playwright Charles Busch's plays include outrageous classics like Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Psycho Beach Party, and Die, Mommie, Die! as well as the more mainstream (but no less hilarious) Tale of the Allergist's Wife. "Red Scare on Sunset," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "provides a bevy of laughs about a subject that was anything but funny during its infamous heyday...It’s given a vivid and vivacious treatment by artistic director Gary Bell and his hard-charging cast, including an amazing star turn by Will Bonfiglio as fair Mary."

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of October 2, 2017

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Lindenwood University presents the musical Avenue Q Wednesday through Sunday, October 4 - 8. "This laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets, Avenue Q is a truly unique show that has quickly become a favorite for audiences everywhere."  The performances take place at The Lindenwood Theatre at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO.  For more information, call 636-949-4433 or visit www.lindenwood.edu/center.

The Fox Theatre presents the musical The Bodyguard, opening on Tuesday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m. and running through October 15th.  "Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A breathtakingly romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You."  The Fox in at 527 North Grand in Grand Center.  For more information: fabulousfox.com.

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Cardenio by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., October 6 - 15.  "Based on an episode from Miguel de Cervantes DON QUIXOTE and lost since 1612, Shakespeare's CARDENIO is set in 16th century Spain. Cardenio loves Luscinda, but before they can marry, he is called to Court to be the companion of Fernando, the Duke's wild younger son. Fernando is obsessed with a wealthy farmer's daughter, Dorotea, but he has a roving eye. St. Louis Shakespeare is proud to present the regional premiere of Shakespeare's lost tragicomic romance, rich with passion, disguise, madness and betrayal! " Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood.  For more information, call 314-361-56 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents The Feast through October 8. "Matt and Anna's relationship is going swimmingly, until the sewers under their apartment open up and begin to speak. Matt's paintings are getting stranger and every one he meets seems to know why. It could be about Anna, and it could be something much darker. An eerie comedy about what is real, what is not, and who knows the difference." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

St. Louis Community College at Meramec presents Lanford Wilson's drama Fifth of July, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2 p.m., October 4 - 8.  Set in a sprawling farmhouse in rural Missouri, home to Ken, a legless Vietnam veteran, and his lover, Jed, a horticulturist. Along with Ken’s Aunt, sister and niece, Ken and Jed are visited by Gwen and John—the former a hard-drinking, pill-popping heiress who aspires to be a rock star, the latter her wary-eyed husband and manager. All are old friends from college days, and former activists who agitated for what they hoped would be a better world. Their talk, as the play progresses, is sharp and funny and, in the final essence, deeply revealing of lost hopes and dreams and of the bitterness that must be fought back if one is to perceive the good that life can offer." Performances take place in the theatre on the campus at 11333 Big Bend Road.  For more information, stlcc.edu/MC or call 314-984-7500.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Girls in Boys Pants opening on Saturday, October 7, at 8 p.m. and running through October 15th.   The show is an exploration of gender identity through articles of clothing and media material. Performances take place in the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre on Wydown and Big Bend.  For more information: www.fontbonne.edu/academics/departments/fine-arts-department/theatre-productions.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents The Haunted Hunter through October 27. "The rumor is true! Word on the street? This place is Haunted! That's right! ...and lots of famous sleuths, detectives and ghost hunters from around the world will be there to catch a glimpse of our famous, (and elusive), ghost "Billy", (better known as "Billy, the Spook"). Gee! If someone gets "Whacked", we'll have plenty of detectives to solve the crime, won't we! Everyone plays a part! You could be "Sherlock Homes", "Miss Garble", or even "The Hardly Boys". Call today for tickets to this "hauntingly silly" dinner theater." The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Lizzie

Photo: Jill Ritten Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the rock musical Lizzie Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through October 21. "A prominent businessman and his wife are brutally axed to death in their home. Their daughter Lizzie Borden is the prime suspect. Lizzie's trial is a coast-to-coast media sensation, and her story becomes an American legend." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

Emery Entertainment presents The Naked Magicians on Thursday, October 5, at 8 p.m. "The Naked Magicians, the world’s naughtiest and funniest magic show strips away the top hats and capes to promise full-frontal illusions. Starring the clever and seductive Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne, two of Australia’s most famous magicians, The Naked Magicians combine magic and muscles with riotous laughs that take magic to a whole new level. “Good magicians don't need sleeves and great magicians don't need pants,” says Tyler."  The performance takes place at the Grandel Theatre across from Powell Hall in Grand Center.  For more information: nakedmagicians.com.

Hard Road Theatre Productions presents Neil Simon's comedy Plaza Suite October 6 - 14. Performances will be held at the Highland Elementary School Auditorium, 12760 Troxler Ave, Highland IL.  For more information: www.hardroad.org   

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Shotspeare Thursday through Saturday, October 5 - 7. "Shotspeare is equal parts bacchanal and classical theater. Harkening back to the actual time of Shakespeare where audience members (groundlings) were boisterous and partook in the show. Think Drunk History meets The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, hosted by the Gazillionaires English major nephew."  The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza.  For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Smoking Gun through October 29. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

South Pacific

Photo: Peter Wochniak, ProPhotoSTL

Stages St. Louis presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific through October 8. "One of the most powerful musicals of all time, this multi-award- winning classic from Rodgers and Hammerstein will sweep you away with its tale of love and loss in the SOUTH PACIFIC. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book by James Michener and featuring some of the finest music ever written for the American stage, SOUTH PACIFIC spins a dangerously romantic tale centered around young American soldiers and nurses stationed on a tropical naval base during the Second World War. Seeking respite from the battles around them, they find refuge in the two groups as romance blooms in this lush tropical paradise." Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

Stray Dog Theatre presents the rock musical Spring Awakening Thursdays through Saturdays, October 5 - 21. "Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. This landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock & roll that since its premiere has been exhilarating audiences like no other musical in years. A heart-rendering story that follows a group of teenage friends as they travel the fraught and rocky path of adolescence and find themselves along the way." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee.  For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Upstream Theater presents the St. Louis premiere of Sweet Revenge Fridays through Sundays, October 6 - 22.  "Considered the finest Polish comedy ever written, this 19th century verse drama uses Molière-like wit to poke fun of human follies. Upstream takes the hijinks to another level by presenting the play as performed by an actual amateur Polish immigrant theater from the 1930s. A sympathetic satire with a focus on tolerance." Performances take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center.  For more information, including show times: upstreamtheater.org.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents the musical [title of show] Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through October 8. "Jeff and Hunter, two self-confessed nobodies in New York, make a pact: They will write an original musical and submit it to a festival. The only catch? The deadline is in three weeks! They gather their friends, Susan and Heidi, and their trusted accompanist and set off. With the team assembled, Jeff and Hunter hit another roadblock-- what should they write about? Jeff and Hunter decide to follow the old saying, “write what you know,” and set off on a unique musical adventure: writing a musical about writing a musical. As the deadline looms, insecurities creep in and jealousies flare. Will the team succeed with their musical? Could it even win a Tony?! Frequently hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking, and thoroughly inspiring, [title of show] is a love story celebrating individuality and creativity." Performances take place on the Browning Mainstage Theatre at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

New Jewish Theater presents Tuesdays With Morrie October 4 - 22.   "In this adaptation of the dearly loved book by Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie explores the ever-deepening relationship of journalist Albom with his Brandeis University professor and mentor, Morrie Schwartz. 16 years after graduation from college, Mitch catches Morrie on a television news program and discovers he is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). What begins as a one-time visit to his former professor turns into a weekly pilgrimage where Mitch is schooled in life lessons and ultimately discovers the meaning of life." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur.  For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

Valhalla Cemetery and The Hawthorne Players present Voices Of Valhalla: A Hayride Through History October 6 - 14.  Hayrides through Valhalla Cemetery depart every fifteen minutes beginning at 6:30 each evening as members of the Hawthorne Players portray some of the noted locals buried in Valhalla.  Valhalla Cemetery is located at 7600 St. Charles Rock Road.  For more information, visit hawthorneplayers.com.

The Sheldon Concert Hall presents Zoe Vonder Haar and Friends: It's a Musical on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 3 and 4, at 10 a.m.  Zoe Vonder Haar is one of St. Louis’ most acclaimed musical theatre performers. She is joined by fellow local favorites Ben Nordstrom, John Flack, Alicia Like and Steve Neale for a fun-filled morning of Broadway favorites – from West Side Story to Dreamgirls and many more!" The performances take place at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3658 Washington in Grand Center.  For more information: sheldonconcerthall.org.

The West End Players Guild opens its 107th season with the drama A Walk in the Woods Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, October 6 - 8.  There will also be a show on Thursday, October 5, at 8 PM.  Lee Blessing’s tale of how superpower negotiations sometimes work – and often fail – was nominated for a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize." Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 North Union at Enright in the Central West End.  For more information, call 314-367-0025 or visit www.westendplayers.org. 

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

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's Events Calendar.

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.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of June 12, 2017

On Friday, June 16, 2017, at 7:30 pm That Uppity Theatre Company and R-S Theatrics, in association with Pride St. Louis, St. Charles Pride Festival, Missing Bolts Productions Inc., and NoPassport Theatre Alliance, will present several excerpts from After Orlando, a collection of short plays. These plays were specifically written and curated in response to the massacre at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016, that took the lives of 49 LGBTQ and allied people. The plays are roughly three to eight minutes in length. The performance takes at the Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: eventbrite.com.

The Cabaret Project and The Curtain Call Lounge at the Fox present the montly Broadway Open Mic Night on Thursday, June 15, from 8 to 11 p.m. Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by the pianist and music director Carol Schmidt. The special guest MC this month is Ken Haller. If you're planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. It's also recommend that you have your song memorized. The Curtain Call Lounge is next door to the Fabulous Fox in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The Black Rep presents a revival production of their original musical revue Crossin' Over through June 18. "From roots in Africa - from village to slave ship - through the middle passage - from auction block to plantation fields and up to the modern Civil Rights movement, CROSSIN' OVER tells its tale with traditional West African drumming, hymns, psalms and Gospel standards such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Precious Lord," and "We Shall Overcome," as well as contemporary gospel music today." Performances take place in the Emerson Performance Space on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University in midtown. For more information: theblackrep.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Death of a Blackheart through July 29. "Welcome aboard the largest, (and safest), cruise liner ever to sail the low seas. That's right. Welcome aboard the Gigantic! But wait! What do I hear? "Argggghhhhhhh!" Avast ye mateys and get yer gizzard ready to be robbed by the most famous pirate ever to pillage a maiden! Of course, we're talkin' Captain Jack Blackheart! He's the pirate that has cheated more people, emptied more pockets and pillaged more ladies than any politician. Gee. I hope no one kills him off. You'll meet lots of fun characters at this show. In fact audience members will get to play lots of fun characters in this show because it's "chock full" of "Fair Maidens", "Lost Boys", "Rival Pirates", and more. One thing is for sure. If you've ever wanted to stand up and shout out Arggggghhhh!...then "Death of a Blackheart" is the show for you!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents the world premiere of The Grapes of Wrath by Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie, based on the John Steinbeck novel, through June 25. "When the Dust Bowl sweeps across Oklahoma, the Joad family sets out for a new life in California. But the promised land isn't all it seems. In the face of countless obstacles, can the American dream survive? Both heartbreaking and uplifting, this acclaimed opera vividly captures all the beauty of John Steinbeck's best-selling novel." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

The Muny presents the rock musical Jesus Christ Superstar opening on Monday, June 12, at 8:15 p.m. and running through Sunday. "The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber phenomenon returns. Jesus Christ Superstar was an album that became a cultural phenomenon, then Broadway's first rock opera and remains a world-wide favorite. With classic songs like "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Heaven on Their Minds" and the title song, this bold and rocking retelling of the gospels will leave you singing nothing but heavenly praises." Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org .

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through July 2. "One of the most enduring shows of all time, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel's favorite son.‚Äù Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information: stagesstlouis.com

Theatre Lab and Theatre Macabre present The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin Mcdonagh Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., June 15 - 25. "Irish terrorist "Mad Padraic" cares about one thing, and one alone, and -- despite his title as the lieutenant of Inishmore's Irish National Liberation Army -- it's not his fight for Irish independence. It's his cat. When Padraic learns that his beloved cat, Wee Thomas, has been killed, Padraic rushes home, forgoing the nipple-excising he'd planned to do on a partly-tortured Belfast drug pusher. As Padraic plows through the town in pursuit of revenge, bodies to pile up in his wake. As fierce as he may be, however, Padriac's soft spot for Wee Thomas may be the weak spot the next aspiring Lieutenant of Inishmore needs to target." Performances take place in the black box theatre at the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: www.metrotix.com .

Madame Butterfly

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Puccini's Madame Butterfly through June 24. "A Japanese geisha. An American soldier. Their attraction is immediate, but their love story can't last. When their union results in a child, Cio-Cio-San is forced to do whatever it takes to protect her son's future. Set to breathtaking music, this timeless opera pays powerful, wrenching tribute to a mother's love." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Gateway Opera presents Mayhem a la Femme, a Celebration of Women ComposersFriday and Saturday, June 16 and 17, at 8:00 p.m. The program features music from Snow White Turns Sixty by Dale Trumbore, Cendrillon by Pauline Viadrot, and a Shell of a Trollby St. Louis native D. Jasper Sussman. Performances take place The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information: gatewayopera.org .

Stray Dog Theatre presents the world premiere of Monsters, by St. Louis playwright Stephen Peirick, Thursdays through Saturdays, throgh June 24. "Jeremy and Davis are brothers who have masterminded a plan to commit the perfect crime. When Davis' wife finds a distraught man tied up in their basement, the fool proof plan immediately begins to unravel. In this fast-paced comedy/thriller, impulsive decisions and poorly kept secrets have dire consequences." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

Emery Entertainment presents The Naked Magicians on Monday, June 12, at 8 p.m. "The Naked Magicians, the world's naughtiest and funniest magic show strips away the top hats and capes to promise full-frontal illusions. Starring the clever and seductive Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne, two of Australia's most famous magicians, The Naked Magicians combine magic and muscles with riotous laughs that take magic to a whole new level. "Good magicians don't need sleeves and great magicians don't need pants," says Tyler." The performance takes place at the Grandel Theatre across from Powell Hall in Grand Center. For more information: nakedmagicians.com .

Insight Theatre Company presents the musical Next to Normal through June 25. Next to Normal examines how one typical suburban family handles the slow retreat into manic depression the mother is battling. Critics call it "an emotional powerhouse" that explores "how a family deals with grief, weighs the ethics of psychiatry, as depicts family life in a suburban setting. It is presented with love, sympathy, and punch." Performances take place in the Heagney Theatre, 530 East Lockwood on the campus of Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com .

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Phantom of the Grand Old Opry through July 30. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Act Inc presents William Inge's drama Picnic Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m. June 16 - 18, and again on Friday at 8 Saturday at 2 p.m., June 23 and 24. "It's Labor day Weekend in small town America, and we are in the backyards of two middle-aged widows. Flo Owens lives there with her two teenage daughters, Madge and Millie, and a boarder, Rosemary, a spinster school teacher. Helen Potts lives next door with her elderly mother. And then a drifter, handsome charismatic Hal Carter appears, charming ladies young and old. Will 15 year old Millie grow a bit from her crush on Hal? Will Rosemary decide to seek more than weekend dates from her long time beau? And will 18 year old Madge ignore her wealthy suitor for bad boy Hal?" Performances take place in the Emerson Black Box Theatre at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information, visit actincstl.com.

Stages St. Louis Theatre for Young Audiences presents Seussical the Musical opening on Wednesday, June 14 at 11 a.m. and running through July 2nd. "Let your imagination run wild in this magical, musical extravaganza as you join the Cat in the Hat and enter the fantastical world of Doctor Seuss. SEUSSICAL lovingly brings to life your favorite Seussian characters including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Maizie La Bird, and the little boy with a big imagination - Jojo, who whisk you away from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Based on the internationally beloved children's books "Horton Hears A Who" and "Horton Hatches An Egg", SEUSSICAL boasts a triumphant score from Tony-winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and RAGTIME fame. Celebrate the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community in this not-to-be-missed musical treat for the young and young of heart!" Performances take place at the Playhouse at Westport Plaza. For more information: stagesstlouis.org.

New Line Theatre presents the Marvin Hammlisch musical Sweet Smell of Success, based on the 1957 film of the same name, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, through June 24. "It's New York, 1952. After dark. Welcome to Broadway, the glamour, power, and sleaze capital of the universe. J.J. Hunsecker rules it all with his daily gossip column in the New York Globe, syndicated to sixty million readers across America. J.J. has the goods on everyone, from the President to the latest starlet. And everyone feeds J.J.'s appetite for scandal, from J. Edgar Hoover and Senator Joseph McCarthy, down to a battalion of hungry press agents who attach their gossip to a client that J.J. might plug. When down-and-out press agent Sidney Falco tries to hitch his wagon to J.J., all while keeping secrets about his new client's relationship with J.J.'s sister, Sidney learns that you can become no one fast when J.J. turns on you." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information, visit newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

Circus Flora presents its new show, Time Flies, theough June 25 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center next to Powell Hall. "Imagine that you could travel through time. Would you go back to relive historic events? What if you could alter the course of your own life? Now imagine you had the grace, power, and beuty of an acrobat or aerialist. Circus Flora's all new production uses the timeless art of circus to explore the fabric of time." For more information: circusflora.org.

The Midnight Company presents Title and Deed Thursdays through Sundays at 8 p.m. through June 24. "Behold the newest nobody of the funniest century yet. He's almost Christ-like, from a distance, in terms of height and weight. Listen closely or drift off uncontrollably, as he speaks to you directly about the notion of home, about the notion of the world. All of it delivered with the authority that is the special province of the unsure and the un-homed, which is a word he made up accidentally. The running time, if he doesn't die or think of anything else, is roughly one hour." Performances take place at Avatar Studios, 2675 Scott Avenue, downtown. Downtown. For more information: brownpapertickets.com. 

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Mozart's Titus (La Clemenza di Tito) through June 24. "Politics turn lethal as a new emperor takes the throne of Rome, and the Capitol is set ablaze by an explosive mix of ambition, conspiracy, and romantic intrigue. With an assassin lurking in the shadows, can the world's most powerful city still be ruled with compassion? Experience this transcendent Mozart masterpiece, handpicked by conductor Stephen Lord for his final appearance as OTSL Music Director." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents The Trial by Philip Glass and Christopher Hampton, based on the novel by Kafka, through June 23. "It's strange enough that Josef K. spontaneously finds himself arrested on his 30th birthday ‚stranger still that no one seems able to explain why. He embarks on a year-long search for justice, encountering absurd characters and situations at every turn. Based on Franz Kafka's novel, this dark comedy comes to St. Louis after a sold-out run at London's Royal Opera House." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information: experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Twisted Improv on Friday, June 16, at 8 p.m. at The Steamboat Room, 314 S. Clay in Kirkwood, MO. "Join Adam and his crew for an interactive night of fun and laughter.Beer, wine and food available from Kirkwood Station Brewery." For more information: ktg-onstage.org .

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents the comedy/drama The Winter's Tale nightly except for Tuesdays, theough June 25. " Written in approximately 1610, The Winter's Tale is considered to be one of a group of Shakespeare's plays defined by their tragic undertones and simultaneous use of straightforward comic situations. Other plays that are grouped in this category include Measure for Measure, The Merchant of Venice, Troilus and Cressida, All's Well that Ends Well, and Timon of Athens." Beginning at 6:30 the Green Show presents pre-play entertainment a variety of local performers on multiple stages. The play begins at 8 p.m. Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org.

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

For information on events beyond this week, check out the searchable database at the Regional Arts Commission's Events Calendar.

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.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 27, 2017

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Lindenwood University presents the comedy Anton in Show Business March 30 - April 9. "This madcap comedy follows three actresses across the footlights, down the rabbit hole and into a strangely familiar Wonderland that looks a lot like American theatre… the resemblance is uncanny! As these women pursue their dream of performing Chekhov in Texas, they're whisked through a maelstrom of 'good ideas' that offer unique solutions to the Three Sister's need to have life's deeper purpose revealed. In the tradition of great backstage comedies, Anton in Show Business conveys the joys, pains and absurdities of 'putting on a play' at the turn of the century." The performances take place at The Lindenwood Theatre at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information, call 636-949-4433 or visit www.lindenwood.edu/center.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents A Big Easy Murder through April 30. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

The Comedy of Errors
Photo: Autumn Rinaldi

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., March 31 - April 9. Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7620 Michigan in the Carondelet neighborhood. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

Alton Little Theater presents the comedy/drama Driving Miss Daisy Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., through April 2. "In 1948 Atlanta, Daisy Werthan, a rich, sharp-tongued, Jewish, 72-year-old widow has just demolished another car. Her son Boolie informs her that he will from this point on be hiring a chauffeur for her. Thus begins the 25-year relationship between Daisy and Hoke Colburn, her driver. She regards him with disdain and he is not impressed with her patronizing tone and latent prejudice. But despite their differences, they grow closer and more dependent on each other over time. The once contentious relationship blossoms into a profound, life-altering friendship that transcends all the societal boundaries placed between them. An iconic tale of pride, changing times and the transformative power of friendship." Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Card magician An Ha Lim
Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fox Theatre presents The Illusionists-Live From Broadway, opening on Friday, March 31, and running through Sunday. "Full of hilarious magic tricks, death-defying stunts and acts of breathtaking wonder, The Illusionists has shattered box office records worldwide and thrilled audiences of all ages with a mind-blowing spectacular showcasing the jaw-dropping talents of seven of the most incredible illusionists on earth." The Fox in at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Take Two Productions the musical It Shoulda Been You through April 1. The show is "a mad-cap wedding celebration we know you won't want to miss! After all, who doesn't love a wedding? Especially one that includes a beautiful blushing bride, her uninvited and unrequited boyfriend, a groom with a secret, a sister with her own hidden agenda, and a pair of mothers from hell. This refreshingly modern romantic comedy has more than a few surprising twists in store as out comes the bride and groom in a wedding you are sure to remember." Performances take place at Southampton Presbyterian Church, 4716 Macklind. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org.

The Hawthorne Players present Love Letters March 31 - April 9. "Andy and Melissa, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends, whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. They continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years. Andy's last letter, written to Melissa's mother, makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years- physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.: The performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 921-5678 or visit hawthorneplayers.info.

Florissant Fine Arts Council presents Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, Live on Sunday, April 2, at 7 p.m. at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker Road at Waterford Drive in Florissant, MO. "This one-man fusion of theatre and stand-up is based on the New York Times #1 best-selling book of the last decade by John Gray. Moving swiftly through a series of vignettes, the show covers everything from dating and marriage to the bedroom. Sexy and fast-paced, this show is definitely for adults. It's a great recipe for a night out: a little storytelling blended with some comedy and a dash of sage wisdom from the book." For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit florissantmo.com.

Million Dollar Quartet

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the musical Million Dollar Quartet through April 9. “Million Dollar Quartet is the Tony® Award winning Broadway musical, inspired by the electrifying true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.” Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Murder at the Abbey through April 29. "Welcome to the world of Downton Abbey! A world full of aristocracy, old money but never anything as droll as murder! Congratulations! You've been invited to the dinner party held by the Earl of Grantham himself! Some would kill for the opportunity to meet the Crawley family. They'll all be there! The Earl, his beautiful wife and three daughters...not to mention all the other characters in, (and around), the Grantham house. That's right! All the family, staff and townsfolk will be there. You'll meet lots of fun characters...and you'll play as big, (or as small), of a part as you wish. Up to you. Hope nothing bad happens...but if it does...we might need you to help us figure it out? Or perhaps you're the killer?" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Muny Magic at the Sheldon presents Nicholas Rodriguez in My 70s Show Wednesday and Thursday, March 29 and 30, at 7:30 p.m. "My 70s Show will fuse all things you love and remember about the 1970s with the music of Broadway, Bossa Nova, Folk and of course Disco in a unique and intimate evening filled with charm, personality and soul!" Performances take place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: muny.org.

Never the Sinner
Photo: Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Never the Sinner through April 2. "Chicago, 1924. Clarence Darrow is defending Nathan Leopold Jr., age 18, and Robert Loeb, age 19, in the 'Crime of the Century.' The two had decided to commit the 'perfect murder,' just for the thrill of it. Considering themselves Nietzsche's übermensch (supermen), they concluded they were removed from the moral and social imperatives of the world. They brutally murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks but were quickly apprehended. Darrow's defense of them was an eloquent plea against capital punishment. This exquisite play asks what demons lurked in the minds of these two young men and the complex relationship between them. This is a love story set to themes of crime and punishment, the press, the times, humanism, Nietzsche's philosophy and the end of the jazz age." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents Next Fall Friday through Sunday, March 31 - April 2. “Adam and Luke are in a happy, committed relationship. They have been living together for years, despite some minor differences: Luke is a Christian and Adam is very much not. This leads to some debates, as well as to Luke keeping his relationship with Adam a secret from his family. Everything is running somewhat smoothly, until a sudden accident forces Adam to turn to Luke's family for support. This touching and funny play questions the limits of love and faith.” Performances take place in the Stage III Auditorium in Webster Hall on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

Dena Blizzard

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents One Funny Mother Thursday through Sunday, March 30 - April 2. "One Funny Mother stars comedian, former Miss New Jersey, and married mother of three, Dena Blizzard, in her hilarious solo comedy show about the trials and tribulations of motherhood and marriage. An outrageous and side splitting 80-minutes of sass that follows Dena on her hilarious journey through a day of cleaning as she prepares for her big “Girls Night Out.” Along the way she laments how her life and marriage have changed since becoming a mother of three, wrestling with the eternal question, “Have I gone crazy since having these kids?” The answer is a hysterical, “laugh 'til your face hurts” comedy that you won't want to miss." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.com.

Curtain's Up Theatre presents Pinocchio on Sunday, April2, at 2 p.m. "From the moment Pinocchio wrecks Mastroni's puppet show until he becomes a real boy for rescuing his father from the great fish, the excitement never abates in this charming adaptation. The Blue Fairy and her three wood elves introduce the story, set the scenes and work the magic as Pinocchio travels his road of misadventures. Pinocchio's 'growing' nose, Pleasure Isle, the Great Fish are all handled with fascinating simplicity." The performance takes place The Wildey Theatre is at252 North Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. For more information, visit curtainsuptheater.com.

The Black Rep presents the drama Seven Guitars by August Wilson March 29 - April 23. " Set in 1948 in the backyard of a Pittsburgh apartment house, Seven Guitars follows Floyd " Schoolboy" Barton's circle of friends and neighbors-the play's seven voices-as they spin a rich tale of the deck that's stacked against them, what they've lost and all they dream of. Part murder mystery, part memory play, Seven Guitars depicts the events leading up to the untimely death of Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton, a gifted blues guitarist. Released from jail after serving time for the crime of “worthlessness,” Floyd tries to retrieve his guitar and get to Chicago to make a record. He believes he is on the brink of a career breakthrough, but bad decisions and worse luck prevent him from leaving Pittsburgh. " Performances take place in the Emerson Performance Space on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University in midwotn. For more information: theblackrep.org.

Rebel and Misfits Productions presents Sex With Strangers Wednesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m., March 30 - April 15. “How far will you go to get what you want? Will you be the same person if you do? When twenty-something star sex blogger and memoirist Ethan tracks down his idol, the gifted but obscure novelist Olivia, he finds they crave what the other possesses. As attraction turns to sex, and they inch closer to getting what they want, both most confront the dark side of ambition and the trouble of reinventing oneself when the past is only a click away.” Performances take place at a private home in the Central West End at 4632 McPherson Avenue. All attendees in the play's small, intimate audience of 50 people, must be age 18+. For more information: www.anintimatetheatreproject.com.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company presents Silent Sky Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., March 31 - April 9, in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. "When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn't allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who calculates projects in “girl hours” and has no time for the women's probing theories. As Henrietta, in her free time, attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, she must also take measure of her life on Earth, trying to balance her dedication to science with family obligations and the possibility of love. The true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt explores a woman's place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women's ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Social progress, like scientific progress, can be hard to see when one is trapped among earthly complications; Henrietta Leavitt and her female peers believe in both, and their dedication changed the way we understand both the heavens and Earth." For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

Over Due Theatre presents musical Sister Act Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, March 31 - April 9. "Blessed with a rollicking new musical score from Alan Menken - the composer who brought us BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LITTLE MERMAID, NEWSIES, and ALADDIN - this divine comedy about a sassy, low-rent lounge singer forced to hide out from the mob in the last place anyone would ever look for her - a convent - recently became one of Broadway's smash hit musicals and continues to attract flocks of faithful followers wherever it goes thanks to its soulful chorus of swingin' sisters." Performances take place at the Olivette Community Center, 9723 Grandview Drive, in Olivette, MO. For more information, call 314-210-2959 or visit overduetheatrecompany.com.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents Son of Soil Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., March 30 - April 2. "America is sick. The rivers run with blood and the trees bend under human weight. Peak, Ohio is a town trapped by horrific traditions and Ruth has seen her share. In this lyrical vision, she must learn to love across boundaries and find solace in the world that remains." The performances take place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue

Alfresco Productions presents the comedy/drama Steel Magnolias through April 1. "The celebrated Southern classic of family and friendship, this is the story of a group of strong and beautiful women who cluster around Truvy's Beauty Parlow in a small Louisiana parish. The story centers on Shelby, who moves fro wedding to childbirth to medical complications with a love of live and a willingness to face its possibilities bravely with support from steely southern sisterhood." Performances take place at the Alfresco Art Center, 2401 Delmar in Granite City, IL. For more information: (618) 560-1947 or www.alfrescoproductions.org.

Dance St. Louis presents Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., March 31 and April 1. "Through a fusion of film, dance, and music, this dazzling international sensation takes audiences on a live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society. The production is a high energy celebration of new India's pop music, Bollywood culture, and deep traditions featuring colorful costumes, joyful dance, and thrilling live music." Performances take place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Missouri, St. Louis. For more information: dancestlouis.org.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of February 3, 2017

As always, the choices are purely my personal opinion. Take with a grain (or a shaker) of salt.

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New This Week:

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Intimate Apparel
Photo: Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Intimate Apparel through February 12. "New York, 1905, Esther, a black seamstress, lives in a boarding house where she sews intimate apparel for clients ranging from wealthy white patrons to prostitutes. As the other denizens of the boarding house marry and move away, Esther remains, lonely and longing. Through a mutual acquaintance, she begins to receive beautiful letters from a lonesome Caribbean man working on the Panama Canal. But Esther's heart seems to lie with the Hasidic shopkeeper from whom she buys cloth, and his heart with her, but the impossibility of the match is obvious to them both. The play offers poignant commentary on an era when the cut and color of one's dress-and of course, skin-determined whom one could and could not marry, even talk to in public." Performances take place in the Marvin and Harlene Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. For more information: www.newjewishtheatre.org or call 314-442-3283.

My take: Lynn Nottage's play has received plenty of praise since it was first performed in Baltimore in 2003. The subsequent New York production, for example, got the Outer Critics Circle award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play. The New Jewish Theatre production is getting its share praise as well. Ann Lemmons Pollack calls it a "remarkable evening of theatre." "Outstanding performances by the entire cast under Gary Barker’s meticulous and well-crafted direction," writes Mark Bretz at Ladue News, "make Intimate Apparel a rare beauty stitched from the finest theatrical cloth." Try it on this weekend.

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Rachel Tibbetts and Joe Hanrahan

The Midnight Company presents Little Thing, Big Thing Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. through February 11 " LITTLE THING, BIG THING tells the story of a nun, Sr. Martha, and an ex-con, Larry O'Donnell, who are thrown together in a desperate quest to safeguard film exposing deadly misdeeds of a powerful oil company. Chased by hired killers and corrupt cops, they risk their lives and head to Dublin to do the right thing, and deliver the film to the right hands. " Performances take place at Avatar Studios, 2675 Scott Avenue, downtown. Downtown. For more information: brownpapertickets.com.

My take: Joe Hanrahan's Midnight Company has mostly served as a platform for edgy one-man shows starring Mr. Hanrahan, but this time around it's a two-character show that is essentially, as Mark Bretz writes at Ladue News "a caper with heavy doses of wry comedy sprinkled along the way in the friendly if sometimes combative banter between the two main characters...Little Thing, Big Thing doesn’t attempt to be profound and that’s why it succeeds as much as it does. It’s a ripping good yarn told just right, one that will leave you in a light-hearted mood after the performance as you head toward the local pub for a pint or two to discuss." Sounds like a plan to me.
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The International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 1, presents its annual Parade of Magic on Saturday, February 4, at 2 and 7 p.m. "Top professional magicians from all over the Midwest will converge on St. Louis to present TWO shows filled with fun, laughter and of course Magic! Nowhere else can you find such great entertainment for such an affordable price. Award winning magicians from the International Brotherhood of Magicians will be appearing and disappearing in a magical experience guaranteed to be unforgettable! A Great Family Event! You've seen them on TV and now you can see them Live!" Performances take place at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road. For more information: ibmring1.yapsody.com/event/index/60249/the-parade-of-magic

My take: I got my start in showbiz as a magician, performing for kids shows and touring with a local variety show troupe. I'm no longer a member of the Society of American Magicians (the other big magic association, next to the IBM) but I'm still a sucker for a good magic show like this one. If you're looking for something that will be entertaining for the whole family, this is a good bet.

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Held Over:

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Menopause the Musical

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Menopause the Musical, "a celebration of women and The Change," through February 12. The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: westportstl.com.

My take: This popular ensemble show has been around for a while now, having premiered in 2001 in Orlando, Florida, in a 76-seat theatre that once housed a perfume shop. It's last visit at the Westport Playhouse was ten years ago, and it seems to have lost none of it's comic shine. "Who will enjoy this," asks Ann Lemmons Pollack in her blog, "beyond women of what they call un age certain? People of both genders around them unless they have no sense of humor. That includes family, friends and co-workers. One of life's cruel jokes is that the menopause hits many households about the same time adolescence does. Here's something to tide us over."

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Alan Ox

The Marcelle Theater presents Alan Ox in the original one-man musical There's an Alien in My Soup opening on Thursday, January 26, and running through February 4th. The show "breaches the UFO taboo by diving headfirst into it. No holds barred. Featuring 7 military personnel coming forward, forsaking their anonymity to share what really happened behind closed doors when 'they' came to visit Earth." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater in Grand Center, three blocks east of Powell Hall. For more information: metrotix.com.

My take: So far all I have seen of this show is one of the seven monologues and the song that goes with it—a British music hall pastiche titled "Call On the British"—but that was enough to spark my interest. The part was smartly acted by Mr. Ox and the song was a hoot. I won't get to see the show until the Friday night but the idea sounds appealing enough to merit inclusion here.  You can find out more by checking out my interview with Alan Ox.