The fall season gets serious this week with a flood of new shows, including the 2019 edition of the Xfest experimental theater festival.
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Angels in America, Part 1
Photo by Peter Wochniak |
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents
Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches running in alternating repertory with
Angels in America, Part 2: Perestroika through October 4. "A towering epic that unveils new depths with each passing year, Tony Kushner's Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece arrives on The Rep's stage for the first time. The AIDS epidemic is the flashpoint in Kushner's swirling tapestry of American culture, myths and spirituality. Navigating this maelstrom are Prior Walter, whose prophetic visions lead him toward an uncertain destiny, Joe Pitt, a devout and painfully closeted Mormon, and Roy Cohn, a lawyer whose AIDS diagnosis forces him to face a lifetime of misdeeds. These twin plays' vision of a wounded and chaotic nation struggling toward redemption is more urgent than ever." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information:
repstl.org
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents
Angels in America, Part 2: Perestroika opening on Wednesday, September 11 and running in alternating repertory with
Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches through October 4. "A towering epic that unveils new depths with each passing year, Tony Kushner's Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece arrives on The Rep's stage for the first time. The AIDS epidemic is the flashpoint in Kushner's swirling tapestry of American culture, myths and spirituality. Navigating this maelstrom are Prior Walter, whose prophetic visions lead him toward an uncertain destiny, Joe Pitt, a devout and painfully closeted Mormon, and Roy Cohn, a lawyer whose AIDS diagnosis forces him to face a lifetime of misdeeds. These twin plays' vision of a wounded and chaotic nation struggling toward redemption is more urgent than ever." Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information:
repstl.org
CSZ St. Louis presents
The ComedySportz Show on Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. The show is "action-packed, interactive and hilarious comedy played as a sport. Two teams battle it out for points and your laughs! You choose the winners the teams provide the funny!" Performances take place on the second floor of the Sugar Cubed, 917 S Main St. in St Charles, Mo. For more information:
www.cszstlouis.com.
The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the new play
The Debate of God by Brad Slavik on Monday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m. "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 event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sindey in Soulard. For more information:
www.stlwritersgroup.com.
The Black Rep presents the musical
Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope running through September 22. "Garnering a Grammy and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical,
Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope was the first musical revue in the history of Broadway to be written and directed by African American women, namely Micki Grant and Vinette Caroll which ran over 1,000 performances. With little dialogue between performances, its poignant social commentary is woven into an unbroken cycle of high-energy, feel-good song and dance numbers." Performances take place at the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information:
theblackrep.org.
Alton Little Theater presents the comedy
Happily Ever After by Mark Dunn running through September 15. " A family friendly farce with a Texas Twang and plot twists aplenty in the tradition of classic Kaufman and Hart!" Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618-462-6562 or visit
altonlittletheater.org.
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the
Ernie De Silva in his one-man show
Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11 as part of
Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "Heavy Like the Weight of a Flame is a sea-green version of the blues! It's a one-man show that is like watching a bar fight go on between our lead character's demons, influences, and aspirations. It's a sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious journey filled with echoes of Shakespeare, Lightning Hopkins, Jack Kerouac, and your local Brooklyn New York archetypes and philosophers. It's raw, it's funny, it is universally human and it is above all intelligent! Heavy has enjoyed a myriad of successes both in the states and internationally. The show has enjoyed full productions in Los Angeles, New York, Scotland, London, Manchester and Amsterdam and has been met with both Statewide and international acclaim. " The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit
www.siue.edu.
Slaying Dragons presents the Eugene O'Neill's
Long Days Journey Into Night opening on Friday, September 13 at 7 pm and running through September 21. " Slaying Dragons focuses its fall performance this year on opioid and alcohol addiction. There is no greater play that expresses the heartbreak and devastation of these mental illnesses on a family than this play originally written by Eugene O'Neil. The setting of the play is the early 20th Century. Unfortunately, these addictions have become a greater tragedy as they take the lives of even more of our youth today. We have chosen to broaden the time period as well as other aspects of the play through our production to reach as many populations as possible. The story of the Tyrone family remains unchanged while its impact is more dramatic than ever. Following the show, there will be a panel of experts, along with the cast member, for group discussion." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information:
www.eventbrite.com.
Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents
Love at the River's Edge as its 2019
Shakespeare in the Streets production Friday and Saturday, September 13 and 14, at 7 pm. "The world premiere play is based on Shakespeare's As You Like It and is the culmination of a year's work in Calhoun County, IL and North St. Louis County, MO. It is part of Shakespeare Festival's ongoing work to bridge the urban-rural divide and elevate the voices of Midwest artists and residents. Love at the River's Edge opens with one of Shakespeare's most famous lines, 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players.' The players are Midwestern families and their journey of love, community and reconciliation will take audience members from Pagedale, MO to Calhoun County, IL, with the mighty Mississippi in a starring role. Each night, the audience will be transported between two locations: Act 1 Location - The intersection of Page and Ferguson by 24:1 Coffeehouse/Cafe. Act 2 Location - The Mississippi River at the Golden Eagle Ferry by Kinder's Restaurant." For more information:
sfstl.com
Stages St. Louis presents the musical
Man of La Mancha through October 6. "A romantic and inspiring musical adventure, MAN OF LA MANCHA tells the epic story of seventeenth-century author Miguel de Cervantes and his immortal literary creation Don Quixote." 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.
The Midnight Company presents the
A Model for Matisse Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 and 7 pm, September 12-21. "The play presents the relatively little known and tender relationship between one of the twentieth century's greatest artists, Henri Matisse and Sister Jacques-Marie, who inspired him to create what he considered the masterpiece of his life's work - the revolutionary Chapel of the Rosary in the perched Mediterranean village of Vence in France." Performances take place at the .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information:
midnightcompany.com
The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 running through September 15. "The creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop (in which three chorus girls were murdered by the mysterious “Stage Door Slasher”) assemble for a backer's audition of their new show at the Westchester estate of a wealthy “angel.” The house is replete with sliding panels, secret passageways and a German maid who is apparently four different people- all of which figure diabolically in the comic mayhem that follows when the infamous “slasher” makes his reappearance and strikes again." Performances take place in the Guild theatre at Newport and Summit in Webster Groves, MO. For more information:
theatreguildwg.org or call 314-962-0876.
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the
Manual Cinema production of
No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 13 as part of
Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks brings to life the story of one of Chicago's most beloved figures. She was an icon, a poet laureate, and a Pulitzer Prize winner-but she was also a treasured educator and mentor to the countless writers and children who knew her as their very own “Miss Brooks.” Weaving together poetry, storytelling, sound design, original music, and striking visuals, No Blue Memories is an exploration of Brooks's beloved city and a story of how she navigated identity, craft, and politics over the course of one of the most remarkable careers in American literary history. The performance combines intricate paper puppetry, live actors working in shadow, and an original score for an unforgettable multi-media experience." The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit
www.siue.edu.
The Monroe Actors Stage presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's
Oklahoma Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 pm, September 13-22. Performances take place in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. For more information, visit
www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.
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| Brittani O'Connell |
The Monocle presents
Part of Me: A Cabaret With Brittani O'Connell Thursday, September 12, at 8 pm. From St. Louis to New York, there has been a lot to learn about life living in the city that never sleeps. Brittani O'Connell brings her solo cabaret Part of Me to audiences to celebrate her discovery, hard work, and growth throughout the journey to find peace with the here and now. Join Brittani for a night of living in the moment as she shares the most impactful music and stories of her life and career." The performance takes place in the Emerald Room at The Monocle on Manchester in The Grove. For more information:
themonoclestl.com
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the
Lucky Plush production of
Rink Life at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10 as part of
Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "In Rink Life, Lucky Plush brings its highly integrated approach to dance-theater into a communal space that nods to the visual aesthetics and social dynamics of 1970's roller rink culture, where relationships and storylines are as transient as the world that contains them. Rink Life's staging and choreography are built from the rink's spatial rules and social codes, and its script-turned-libretto-created from passing conversations, distant whispers, pop-song earworms, and found scripts-is entirely spoken and sung live. As the ensemble sings full-throatedly to score their experiences, they demonstrate through effort, risk, beauty, and failure that they-and we-are utterly dependent on one another." The performance takes place in the Dunham Hall Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit
www.siue.edu.
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Shakespeare in Love
Photo by John Lamb |
Insight Theatre Company presents
Shakespeare in Love by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, through September 15. "Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block… the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse - Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will's greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will's love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece." Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit
insighttheatrecompany.com.
The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents
Sherlock Holmes in "The Case Without a Clue" running through October 27 The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information:
bissellmansiontheatre.com
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the
YoungLiars production of
Whammy! The Seven Secrets to a Sane Self at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 9 as part of
Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "The agony and the ecstasy of "self-help" get a delirious makeover in this madcap dance-theatre extravaganza. Part 1960s dance party and part Nietzschean nightmare, Whammy! prods and probes the American fever dream where Dr. Phil, Diazepam and daily affirmations crash headlong in sexual addiction, suicide and The Shirelles. WTF? Want to know the seven secrets to a sane self? You know you do! And there's only one way to find out! The show that started it all. Whammy! was the opening production of the inaugural Xfest. Ten years later the show (which has been presented in St. Louis, Columbus and NYC) returns - re-imagined and re-cast, featuring SIUE Theater Dance alums and faculty." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit
www.siue.edu.
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville presents the
Wonderheads production of
The Wilds at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 as part of
Xfest: 4 Days of Experimental Theater. "When Wendell discovers that both his wife and their beloved tree have vanished from the backyard, he must venture into The Wilds and face its mysteries to bring them home. Charming and profoundly moving, this wordless award-winning show features Wonderheads' signature masks along with dazzling puppetry, and moves its audiences to both laughter and tears. Wonderheads' work has been described as living animation; their masks come to life in a way that must be seen to be believed, and their stories reach profound, funny and heartwarming depths that you wouldn't think possible of masks and puppets." The performance takes place in the Metcalf Theater on the campus in Edwardsvile, IL. For more information, call 618-650-2774 or visit
www.siue.edu.
The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents
Zombie Love (No Biting) running through November 2. "Calling all Zombies! Tired of being judged for munching on the occasional brain? So you're not really "alive" anymore but you can still enjoy socializing with the living and enjoying a hilarious show together! Well, we've got the perfect show for you! Drama! Comedy! Looove! ...And, of course, Zombies! Don your best Living Dead Costume and choose to be a Zombie, or not (its up to you), but we do promise lots of fun for both the living and the undead! hey, Hey, HEY! No Biting!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information:
lempmansion.com.
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.
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