St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of August 14, 2023

What's on St. Louis theater and cabaret stages this coming week. Please leave a comment if anything was wrong or got left out

Seth Sikes and Nicholas King

The Blue Strawberry presents Seth Sikes and Nicolas King: The New Belters on Friday August 18 at 7:30 pm. “Nicolas King and Seth Sikes, two of New York’s most popular young nightclub entertainers, join forces for an evening you won’t want to miss. The swinging American Songbook is the specialty of these performers. They will pay tribute to the show-stopping stars who paved the way for modern day entertainers, such as Sammy Davis Jr., Anthony Newley, Eydie Gormé, Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Barbra Streisand and more! Nicolas and Seth will carry the torch from these legendary performers and the great songwriters who wrote so many of their hits.” The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Tim Schall

The Blue Strawberry presents Sunday Standard Time with Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt on Sunday August 20 from 6:30 to 9:00pm. “Join Tim Schall (vocals) and Carol Schmidt (piano) in the lounge for a casual, classy Sunday evening of jazz standards, a little sophisticated pop and a dash of classic Broadway. Tim is no stranger to the theater and concert stages of St. Louis, Chicago and New York's Lincoln Center. Carol has a rich history of entertaining St. Louis audiences as musician and singer. Together they will help you wind down your weekend with timeless music and a lot of irreverent dry humor.” The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Christ Memorial Productions presents the musical Disney’s Freaky Friday Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm, through August 20.  Performances take place at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh Blvd.  For more information, visit CMPShows.org or call 314-631-0304.

First Run Theatre presents Wayward by Eric Berg through August 11 20. “You won't want to miss this beautiful and moving new play by Eric Berg.  Based on real stories of women in the 1960's homes for wayward girls, Berg weaves a tale that will transport and touch your heart.” Performances take place in the black box theatre in the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center. For more information: firstruntheatre.org

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present Death of a Blackheart through August 26. "Ahoy matey! Join us for an exciting evening of murder, mystery and pirates at the best comedy dinner theater show in town. Don your favorite pirate gear and escape to the high seas for an adventure fraught with peril! What part will you play in this hilarious show full of fair maidens, lost boys, rival pirates and wenches? Whichever character you acquire, beware of that famous pirate Captain Jack Blackheart! Aye, he's a scurvy seadog if my eye ever seed one! Gee, I hope no one kills him off!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

You Made Me Love You

The Midnight Company presents You Made Me Love You: A Tribute to Judy Garland starring Jennelle Gilreath Owens through September 14. The show is written by Joe Hanrahan with a band headed by John and Lea Gerdes.  Performances take place at The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. .For more information: midnightcompany.com

The Midnight Company presents Just One Look by Joe Hanrahan, starring Kelly Howe as Linda Ronstadt, on selected Wednesdays through August 30 at 7:30 pm. “Linda Ronstadt ruled the pop charts and filled stadiums in the 70’s and 80’s. The reigning rock goddess of her era, she later took on light opera - Gilbert and Sullivan on Broadway - and The Great American Songbook with Nelson Riddle. Her involvement in social issues accelerated during her relationship with California Governor Jerry Brown, then running for President. But for Linda, it was always a search for the next great song. Kelly Howe will portray Linda Ronstadt and sing her sensational songs.” Performances continue at The Blue Strawberry, 356 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Muny presents Sister Act August 14 - 20 at 8:15 pm.  “Based on the smash hit film, Sister Act is a heavenly musical comedy that proves nothing can stand in the way of sisterhood! Disco diva Deloris dreams of fame and fortune, but is she prepared for the way she receives it? Songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, including “Take Me to Heaven,” “Fabulous, Baby!,” and “Raise Your Voice,” this score is sure to raise your spirits. The grand finale to the Muny season promises to be divine!”  Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

SATE presents This Palpable Gross Play: A Kind-of Midsummer Night’s Dream August 16 through September 2.  Adapted by Ellie Schwetye and directed by Lucille Cashion, the play re-tells Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream imagining if the Mechanicals were rehearsing a play about star-crossed lovers: Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius. Meanwhile, Puck, Titania, and Oberon use whatever - and whoever - around them to work out their feud, turning a story from one we think we all know into This Palpable Gross Play. Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: satestl.org

Clue
Photo: Phillip Hamer

Stages St. Louis presents Clue through August 20. “Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, CLUE is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The play begins on a dark and stormy night at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Sip soup with Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard, and a host of other classic oddballs as you unravel this whodunnit. CLUE is laugh-a-minute, high-octane fun for the entire family!” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: stagesstlouis.org

The STL Fringe Festival takes place August 14 through 20 with over two dozen acts at various locations in Grand Center.  For information on shows, performance schedules, and tickets: www.stlfringe.org

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s TourCo on presents free performances of The Merry Wives Of Windsor Tuesdays through Sundays at 6:30 pm, through August 27.  “This is a condensed 90-minute adaptation performed by six actors in a 90’s sitcom style, adapted and directed by Suki Peters.” Performance take place at local parks; see https://stlshakes.org/plan-your-visit/ for details.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the play The Huddled Masses Part 3 - The Jap by Brad Slavik on Tuesday, August 15, at 6:30 pm. "Ryoko “Rose” Tanaka is Issei, first generation Japanese-American and it’s 1944. She is living in an interment camp in Arizona while her husband is fighting in Europe.She is pregnant and the camp doctor, Major Joe Rosenstein, has a severe resentment against all Japanese." The reading takes place upstairs at Big Daddy’s in Soulard. For more information, visit the St. Louis Writers' Group Facebook page.

Godspell
Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents the Stephen Schwartz musical Godspell Thursdays through Saturdays through 26. “Prepare ye for the timeless tale of friendship, loyalty, and adoration! Godspell uses song, dance, and storytelling to retell the passion and parables of the gospels. This reimagined theatrical celebration brings messages of kindness, tolerance, and love to life.” Performances take place at Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee in Tower Grove East. Tickets are only offered in physically distanced groups of two or four. For more information: www.straydogtheatre.org

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis presents Something Spoken: Tennessee Williams on the Air, a series of one act plays by Tennessee Williams, Saturdays at 3:30 pm through August 26. The plays are Something Unspoken, The Case of the Crushed Petunias, Sunburst, and The Magic Tower. The plays are broadcast on Classic 107.3. For more information: twstl.org.

Tesseract Theatre presents the musical Kinky Boots August 17 through 27.  “Kinky Boots is the big-hearted musical extravaganza that won six Tonys including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre album and London’s Olivier Award for Best Musical. Kinky Boots features a joyous, Tony-winning score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and a hilarious, uplifting book by four-time Tony winner, Harvey Fierstein.” Performances take place at the Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. For more information: www.tesseracttheatre.com

Union Avenue Opera presents Ragtime by Flaherty and Ahrens Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, August 18 through 26. “Scored with the syncopated rhythms of a hopeful new age, Ragtime effectively weaves together three distinctly American tales: from the Jewish immigrant searching for a better life for his daughter, to the stifled upper-class wife yearning for something more, to the daring young Harlem musician with the determination to empower change. Social and racial conflicts rise to the surface as the lives of the characters become intertwined. United by their courage, compassion and belief in the promise of the future, together they confront history’s timeless contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, and hope and despair. The Tony-winning score is just as diverse as the melting pot of America itself, from the ragtime rhythms of Tin Pan Alley to the klezmer of the Lower East Side, with waltzes, banjo tunes, period parlor songs and expansive anthems throughout. Ragtime is an impassioned, jubilant, and timeless tribute to the American Dream.” Performances are sung in English with projected English supertitles and take place at Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information: unionavenueopera.org

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

To get your event listed here, send an email to chuck at kdhx.org Your event information should be in text format (i.e. not part of a graphic), but feel free to include publicity stills.

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 August 15, 2022

Now including both on-line and live events during the pandemic. Your event information should be in text format (i.e. not part of a graphic), but feel free to include publicity stills. To get your event listed here, send an email to calendar [at] stageleft.org.

Carole J. Bufford

The Blue Strawberry presents Carole J. Bufford in Vintage Pop on Thursday, August 18, at 7:30 pm. “Vintage Pop travels by decade, from the 1920s to the 1980s, exploring how the style and sound of pop music developed over the years. With exciting, fresh takes on these multi-generational songs, expect an evening of powerhouse vocals, fun stories behind the music, and Bufford’s inimitable delivery of songs you love and perhaps a few new discoveries. Featuring music originally made famous by Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, Louis Armstrong, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Animals, The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sting, Tina Turner, and more!”  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. The show is also available via streaming video. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Blue Strawberry presents Jason Gotay, the star of The Muny's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, on Saturday, August 20, at 7:30 pm. “ Immediately following his run as Joseph in the MUNY’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jason is excited to make his Blue Strawberry debut! Join this St. Louis MUNY favorite as he performs songs and shares stories from his career on Broadway and beyond. ” The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle in the Central West End. The show is also available via streaming video. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and The Blue Strawberry present a Singers Open Mic on Tuesday, August 16th, from 7 to 9:30 pm. “Chuck Lavazzi is your host, with pianist and music director Carol Schmidt. If you plan to sing bring sheet music or a chart in your own key, and perform your favorite Broadway, pop, or jazz tunes. Or you can just relax, have a drink and dinner or a snack, and enjoy the music. No admission or cover, but there is always a tip jar! All proceeds go to The Cabaret Project, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to promoting, developing, and sustaining the art of cabaret in St. Louis."  The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

ERA Theatre presents the radio play SHE by Nancy Bell with music by Joe Taylor and Lyrics by Nancy Bell via on-demand streaming  "SHE controls the radio station of the fascist regime in power. SHE's also the star of the broadcast. Her recording studio abounds with music and oysters. But in the nearby government camps full of misfits and would-be revolutionaries, only torture and starvation is thick on the ground. Tonight, however, SHE's realm feels different. The bombs sound closer. Time moves faster. But SHE will finish her radio show, and it will be her finest. If executing every number in the broadcast means some people need to die, so be it; it is a small sacrifice. The citizens need her and she will not let them down." SHE is available on most major platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, YouTube, and BandCamp. For more information: www.eratheatre.org

First Run Theatre presents Locked Ward by Amy Crider Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, through August 21. "When the body of a nurse is found late at night in a psychiatric ward, the patients realize they’re all suspects.They must hold themselves together to investigate the mystery as they yearn for connection and normalcy." Performances take place in the black box theatre in the Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center. For more information: firstruntheatre.org

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present The Comic Book Killer through August 27. "Calling all superheros and villains! There’s trouble afoot for you both! Evil Doctor Weevil is back and he’s trying to erase your very existence! The time has come to join forces against true evil and restore balance to the comic universe. But who will be the hero or heroes and rid this plain of Evil Dr. Weevil forever? Could it be you? Quick…to the Prius! Dawn your cape and spandex and meet us the famously haunted Lemp Mansion for a mystery like no other! Here I come to save the daaaaaay!!!!"  The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Photo: Julie A. Merkles

The Muny presents the musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through August 18 at 8:15 pm.  “Originally written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber as a children’s oratorio, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has, in time, expanded to become one of the most beloved shows ever. The story of Jacob, his 12 sons, and the amazing Technicolor adventures of Joseph features a multi-colored score of favorites including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Go, Go, Go Joseph” and “Close Every Door.” The first Muny production in a decade, audiences are guaranteed a night of big Muny family joy – with, of course, a megamix!” Performances take place on the Muny's outdoor stage in Forest Park. For more information: muny.org.

R-S Theatrics presents While the Ghostlight Burns, a virtual discussion series featuring R-S Artistic Director Sarah Lynne Holt in conversation with St. Louis theatre artists, Mondays at 7 pm.  Conversations will be archived at the R-S Theatrics YouTube channel. For more information: r-stheatrics.com/while-the-ghostlight-burns.html

SATE presents The Brontë Sisters House Party by Courtney Bailey Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, August 17-27. “Originally commissioned by St. Louis Shakespeare Festival as part of the Confluence Writers Project 2021 cohort, Brontë Sister House Party will receive its world-premiere production by SATE.  The Brontë sisters of Victorian literary fame (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne) are trapped in a purgatorial time loop where they must throw a fabulous house party every night for eternity. Only when they reach The Point of Celebratory Reverence, the highest point of celebration that a party can achieve, will they be released. An absurd, feminist revisionist tribute to all the women artists who’ve created under pressure and still had it in them to throw a good party.” The Chapel, 6238 Alexander in Clayton. For more information: http://satestl.org/

Lillian Brown's
The Oreo Complex at
The St. Lou Fringe

The St. Lou Fringe Festival presents performances of music, theatre, cabaret, comedy, and poetry by over two dozen local and national artists Tuesday through Friday evening and all day Saturday and Sunday, August 16 through 21. Fringe festival events take place at various locations in Midtown and Grand Center. For more information: stlfringe.org.

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Photo: Phillip Hamer

St. Louis Shakespeare Festival presents free outdoor performances of a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream at area parks nightly at 6:30 pm through August 27. “The Festival’s 20-year-old touring program returns for the second time as the free and outdoor public park tour, TOURCO, throughout Missouri and Illinois with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production will be directed by Tre’von Griffith, St. Louis/NYC-based theater artist, composer and founder of WerQfest also known as Tre-G, and featuring costumes by acclaimed local fashion designer Brandin Vaughn. This 90-minute highly musical afro-futurist adaptation will play in 24 different locations starting on opening night at Kiener Plaza in the heart of downtown St. Louis.” For more information: stlshakes.org.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the comedy American Goth Hicks by David Hawley on Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 p.m.  "In rural Missouri the American Gothic Hotel  is open, but trade is poor. Young widow Astrid has been running the place, with the help of dedicated (though inept) handyman Bill, but daughter Anna, fresh from business school has an idea to boost trade - pretend the place is haunted by the ghost of bootlegger Harry the hatchet, and invite a ghost hunting TV program to visit.  Free advertising! But the arrival of art thief Sid and his dimwitted sidekick Willy (disguised as priests), closely followed by a couple of barely competent policemen, on the trail of the stolen painting, complicates things, and the sudden arrival of a slightly deranged ghost enthusiast, doesn't help." The reading takes place at Big Daddy’s, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information, visit the St. Louis Writers' Group Facebook page.

In the Heights
Photo: Phillip Hamer

Stages St. Louis presents Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights through August 21. “IN THE HEIGHTS, the Tony Award Winning Best Musical from the creator of HAMILTON, tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggle can be deciding which traditions to take with you, and which ones to leave behind.” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: stagesstlouis.org

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Photo: John Lamb

Stray Dog Theatre presents the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Thursdays through Saturdays through August 20. There are additional performances at 2 pm Sunday, August 14 and 8 pm Wednesday, August 17. “An eclectic group of sixth-graders vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. In hilarious, touching, and catchy songs, each speller reveals their hopes, struggles, and passions as they make their way through the competition. The “Bee” will have you falling in love with its “perspicacious,” “jocular,” and “effervescent” spellers.” Performances take place at Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee in Tower Grove East. Tickets are only offered in physically distanced groups of two or four. For more information: www.straydogtheatre.org

The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis presents The Rose Tattoo Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm, August 18 through 28. “The Rose Tattoo is a tale of love, death, and resilience in a downtrodden but hopeful 1940’s immigrant Italian community on the American Gulf Coast. Introducing the theme of an Italian circus, Director David Kaplan’s take on Williams’ classic features aerialists, animals, singers and musicians. He surrounds Serafina with a dozen circus performers – including a ringmaster, a strongman, aerialists, and clowns – who perform the full text of the play.” Performances take place at The Big Top in Grand Center. For more information on this and other festival events: www.twstl.org

A Little Night Music
Photo: Ron Lindsey

Union Avenue Opera presents Sondheim’s A Little Night Music Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, August 19 through 27. “A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around the glamorous actress Desirée Armfeldt and the two married men who love her: a lawyer by the name of Frederik Egerman and Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. Both men—as well as their jealous wives—agree to join Desirée at her family’s estate for a scandalous “Weekend in the Country” under the watchful eyes of the wry family matriarch and harmonizing Greek chorus. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler, it is no wonder A Little Night Music won the Tony Award for Best Musical. From the romance of the night waltzes to the hauntingly beautiful “Send in the Clowns,” Sondheim’s sweeping score is infused with humor and warmth weaving together musical theatre and operetta seamlessly in this tantalizing tale.” Performances are sung in English with projected English supertitles and take place at Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. For more information: unionavenueopera.org

Mark Rodgers in
Discover DaVinci and Michaelangelo

The Westport Playhouse presents writer/actor Mark Rodgers in Discover DaVinci and Michaelangelo—the Titans Experience Fridays and Saturdays at 7 pm and Sundays at 2 pm through August 28th.  “Over 100 successful Broadway shows, Includes an art installation and self-guided tour of DaVinci's models, artwork, and more...including our new unique theatrical 40' Video Wall!” The show marks the reopening of the Playhouse after extensive renovation. The Westport Playhouse is in the Westport Plaza Business and Entertainment District. For more information: thewestportplayhouse.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.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 13, 2017

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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.

Cabaret
Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fox Theatre presents the Kander and Ebb musical Cabaret running through March 19th. "In this multi award-winning musical, a young, naïve American writer arrives in 1930s Berlin and is swept away by the decadent pleasures of the sexy, seedy world that is the Cabaret. At the center of it all is the beguiling Sally Bowles, who takes the stage every night. Inside the Kit Kat Klub life is beautiful, but outside the world is about to change." The Fox in at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves presents the comedy The Death and Life of Sneaky Fitch Friday through Sunday, March 17-19. "To the ambitious little town of Gopher Gulch, Sneaky Fitch is a nuisance. When he falls ill there is a sigh of relief, and when he apparently dies (thanks to some suspicious "medicine" administered by the departing Doc Burch) there are few tears. But when Sneaky rises from his coffin the picture changes, for no one dares confront a man who has come back from the dead." 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.

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron? Tuesdays through Sundays through March 26. "On a quest to answer the age old question, 'What do women want?' Robert Dubac seamlessly transforms himself into five hysterical boneheads who each offer sidesplitting advice on how to straddle the gender gap - all while drinking a beer. THE MALE INTELLECT nudges the battle of the sexes towards a humorous détente with everyone lovingly elbowing each other in the end with laughter and recognition." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: playhouseatwestport.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.

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.

The Royale
Photo: Lon Brauer

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents The Royale through March 26. "The brutal rhythm of boxing underscores this brilliantly stylized drama. Rising black prizefighter Jay "The Sport" Jackson dominates his opponents, but the harsh social realities of the early 1900s force him to fight twice as hard to earn recognition outside of the ring. Loosely based on iconic fighter Jack Johnson, The Royale brings us ringside to one man's quest for victory against all odds." Performances take place in the studio theater at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents the Playdate Theatre production Tales of Shakespeare: Found at Sea on Saturday, March 18, at 2 p.m. "When a young girl named Marnie can't sleep, she and her father turn to the works of Shakespeare to weather the storm outside, as well as the tempest brewing between her parents--her father is moving out. Using selections form A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Pericles, Marnie's bedroom is transformed into Shakespeare's worlds, from a magical fairy kingdom to epic seascapes (and pirates!). In this fun and adventurous theatrical experience, Marnie and her father illustrate the enduring importance of family bonds that cannot be broken. Recommended for grades 2-5." The performance takes place in the auditorium at the Central Library, 1301 Olive downtown. For more information: slpl.bibliocommons.com/events.

Alpha Players present the drama To Kill a Mockingbird, based on the book by Harper Lee, through March 19. "Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a beloved tale that still resonates today. Scout Finch is growing up in Depression-era Alabama, where poverty and prejudice dominate daily life. With the guidance of her wise father, Atticus, the rebellious Scout discovers her own path, learning the power of empathy and the struggle for justice." Performances take place at The Florissant Civic Center Theater, Parker Rd. at Waterford Dr. in Florissant, MO. For more information: alphaplayers.org, call 314-921-5678.

The Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Twisted Improv on Friday, March 17, 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.

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike through March 19. "Stuck in their family home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live a quiet existence until their lives are thrown into comic upheaval with the arrival of their B-list celebrity sister, Masha, and her 20-something boy toy, Spike. Add to that a soothsaying housekeeper, a star struck young neighbor and a rather odd costume party, and the stage is set for mayhem and hilarity in this present-day homage to Chekhov. Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play." Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution through March 19. "Leonard Vole, a young, naive married man has developed a close relationship with Emily French, a wealthy, elderly woman…so it's no surprise that when she is found murdered and he is named the beneficiary of her considerable estate that he becomes the chief suspect in the case. His beautiful wife, Romain, can prove his innocence giving him an alibi and Leonard's lawyers are confident that her testimony will result in his acquittal. To their surprise she arrives as a witness for the prosecution at the trial. For even more drama, add a mysterious woman, startling new evidence, and a surprise ending." Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre of the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road. For more information, call 314-821-9956 or visit ktg-onstage.org.

The University of Missouri at St. Louis presents the musical The Wiz, based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., March 16-19. "The Wiz tells the story of Dorothy and the adventures of Oz through a modern lens. It is mysterious, opulent, and fanciful set to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, hip hop, soul, and contemporary music" The performances take place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the UMSL campus. For more information, touhill.org.

Zorba!
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the Kander and Ebb musical Zorba! Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through March 25. "ZORBA is a fearless, fiery, high-energy musical fable about living out loud, based on the famous 1946 novel Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis, its 1964 film adaptaion, and letters that Kander and Ebb found from the real-life Zorba. Originally conceived and directed in 1968 by the legendary Harold Prince, the musical opens in a rowdy bouzouki parlor in Greece where a group of locals has gathered to drink and tell stories. They introduce us to Zorba, the aging hedonist-philosopher dedicated to living life to the fullest, and his very emotional, tragic, but life-affirming encounter with a young man and with the love of a woman." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theater, 3310 Samuel Shepard Drive, three blocks east of Grand, in Grand Center. For more information: newlinetheatre.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.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of August 26, 2016

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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Doubt
Photo: John Lamb

Union Avenue Opera presents Douglas J. Cuomo's opera Doubt, based on the play by John Patrick Shanley, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM, August 26 and 27. "Father Flynn enjoys a secure appointment and popularity in the community until Sister James suspects him of carrying on an improper relationship with the school's first African-American student. Sister Aloysius, the school's authoritarian principal, sets out to remove Flynn. Gender politics, race relations and the role of the church, questions about personal responsibility, doubt, right and wrong are all brought to bear here. So much in Doubt is about what is left unsaid and continually running beneath the surface." The production stars famed soprano Christine Brewer as Sister James, a role she created at the opera's 2013 premiere. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in English with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

My take: As I write in my review for KDHX, I'm not convinced that the operatic adaptation by composer Douglas J. Cuomo and playwright John Patrick Shanley of the latter's 2004 play Doubt: A Parable and its 2008 film version is all the persuasive, but Union Avenue makes an extremely good case for it with a top-notch production, featuring impressive performances in all of the major roles. It brings their season to a very strong close.

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Kindertransport
Photo: John Lamb

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Kindertransport, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., through September 4. “During 1938-39, almost ten thousand children, mostly Jewish, were sent from families at risk in Nazi occupied Germany to safety in Britain. Samuel's play explores the lives of mothers and daughters torn apart and brought together by this “Kindertransport.” ” Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

My take: The road to hell, says the cliche, is paved with good intentions. The intentions behind the British Movement for the Care of Children seemed good enough; it tried to save children from the horrors of Nazi concentration camps. But the emotional scars were significant, and they're all on display in the Diane Samuels's script, based on recollections of actual kindertransport children. "Director Deanna Jent has taken the raw emotions laid out by the playwright and spilled them out over two acts," writes Steve Allen at his Stage Door STL blog, "each encompassing less than an hour each. The lives affected are often hard to watch but Jent’s powerful lead brings us a story that we won’t soon forget."

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Held Over:

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Inherit the Wind
Photo: John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents the drama Inherit the Wind through August 28. "Bert Cates a 1920's schoolteacher is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead creationism. Rachel Brown who is Cates girlfriend is also the daughter of Reverend Brown is torn between the opposing beliefs held by Cates and her father and her love for both of them." 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.

My take: This classic portrayal of the struggle between science and superstition ought to be a museum piece, but the resurgence of radical fundamentalism has created a new wave of attacks on science in our public schools, making this script sadly relevant again. "In a political season," writes Tina Farmer at KDHX, "a play like Inherit the Wind, running through August 28, 2016 at Insight Theatre Company, serves to remind us that our vote often has ramifications that extend well beyond a politician's name or party affiliation. Our response to the challenges that face our country impacts society on every level, including the education of future generations. This stirring production presents a fresh, engaging, and well-performed case for education, helmed by two of our most persuasive stage veterans."

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The St. Lou Fringe Festival runs through Saturday at several venues in the Grand Center area including the Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand) and TheStage at KDHX. Performances include traditional theater, dance, music, comedy, circus arts, performance art, cabaret, and burlesque, with acts from St. Louis and around the country. "This year's festival will coincide with Grand Center's new arts event Music at The Intersection and will include both new and familiar programming. 2016 will see the premiere of microtheater (short performances for an audience of no more than 9 patrons in an intimate, immersive setting), spin rooms (post show talk backs an workshops), Voices Unleashed (A number of festival slots are reserved for producers who are underrepresented in mainstream theatrical settings based on ethnicity, gender identity, language, dialect, age, physical ability, BMI, or other barrier), and an incubator program (a specialized collaborative showcase setting with more support for emergent artists). Past favorite programs like Fringe Family and the Artica sculpture garden will again enliven Strauss Park." For a complete schedule, visit stlfringe.comstlfringe.com.

My take: I've been an enthusiastic supporter of the St. Lou Fringe since its scrappy beginnings in June of 2012. Four years later, the Fringe is a major player on the local cultural scene and is attracting attention nation-wide. If you've never "fringed," you have missed an awful lot of unusual—and often unique—entertainment. And this year, with the festival expanded to two weekends, there's no excuse not to check it out.

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Tell Me On a Sunday
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Tell Me on a Sunday Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through August 27. "This pop-rock song cycle follows a young English woman newly arrived in New York, brimming with optimism, and her journey through America and the perils of ill-advised romance. As she seeks out success and love, she weaves her way through the maze of New York and Hollywood social life, and through her own anxieties, frustrations, and heartaches, and she begins to wonder whether there are better choices to be made." 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.

My take: Tell Me On a Sunday may be one of the least-known of Andrew Lloyd Webber's many musicals, right down there with the impressive Aspects of Love. As a one-woman show, it's also one of the most modest. It's by no means ALWs best work and, in fact, the composer himself later turned it into the first act of his full-length musical Song and Dance, but is has some fine music, including the lovely "Unexpected Song", and star Sarah Porter has gotten lots of praise for her performance.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of August 15, 2016

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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.

Bat Boy

Stray Dog Theatre presents Bat Boy: the Musical Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, through August 20. “This offbeat comedy/horror musical is a big-hearted satire about prejudice. As ripped from a bizarre tabloid headline and set in a tiny West Virginia town, a strange, deformed boy is found alone in a cave. Once the “bat boy” is brought to light, dark - and hilarious - secrets emerge, shaking the community to its core. A clever, playful pop/rock score highlights the show's delirious take on American eccentricities._For MATURE AUDIENCES: In an effort to keep the selection of shows engaging and dynamic, this production may not be appropriate for all ages." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents CSI: Bissell through October 30. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Union Avenue Opera presents Douglas J. Cuomo's opera Doubt, based on the play by John Patrick Shanley, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM, August 19 - 27. "Father Flynn enjoys a secure appointment and popularity in the community until Sister James suspects him of carrying on an improper relationship with the school's first African-American student. Sister Aloysius, the school's authoritarian principal, sets out to remove Flynn. Gender politics, race relations and the role of the church, questions about personal responsibility, doubt, right and wrong are all brought to bear here. So much in Doubt is about what is left unsaid and continually running beneath the surface." The production stars famed soprano Christine Brewer as Sister James, a role she created at the opera's 2013 premiere. Performances take place at the Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union at Enright in the Central West End. The opera is sung in English with projected English text. For more information, visit unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

The Drowsy Chaperone
Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical satire The Drowsy Chaperone through August 21. "With its laugh-a-minute script and one show-stopping song and dance number after another, it's easy to see why THE DROWSY CHAPERONE won the most Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway in 2006, including Best Book and Score. It all begins when a die-hard musical theatre fan decides to play his favorite cast album in his small brownstone apartment - a 1928 smash hit musical called "The Drowsy Chaperone." The show magically bursts to life before him as audiences are instantly transported to an earlier time and place and immersed in the glamorous and hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with gangsters, mistaken identities, an off-course aviatrix, and an uplifting ride to the rafters. " Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

The Gesher Music Festival presents The Great (Jewish) American Songbook on Sunday, August 21, at 3 p.m. in the Wool Theatre at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. "Rodgers and Hammerstein, George and Ira Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Leonard Bernstein -- these are just a few of the many composers and lyricists most famous for their contributions to the Great American Songbook. Join us for a celebration of this classic American music, so much of which was created by Jewish artists! From Broadway and the cabarets to classical chamber music, this program is filled with known and beloved tunes as well as lesser-known yet incredible American musical gems." For more information: www.geshermusicfestival.org.

Inherit the Wind
Photo: Robbie Love

Insight Theatre Company presents the drama Inherit the Wind through August 28. "Bert Cates a 1920's schoolteacher is put on trial for violating the Butler Act, a state law that prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution instead creationism. Rachel Brown who is Cates girlfriend is also the daughter of Reverend Brown is torn between the opposing beliefs held by Cates and her father and her love for both of them." 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.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Kindertransport, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., August 19 - September 4. “During 1938-39, almost ten thousand children, mostly Jewish, were sent from families at risk in Nazi occupied Germany to safety in Britain. Samuel's play explores the lives of mothers and daughters torn apart and brought together by this “Kindertransport.” ” Performances take place at the Fontbonne Fine Arts Theatre, 6800 Wydown Blvd. For more information, call (314) 719-8060 or visit the web site at www.mustardseedtheatre.com.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation present Love's Labor, opening Friday, August 19, at 7:30 p.m. and running through Sunday, August 21. "Shakespeare Festival St. Louis partners with the Pulitzer to create a combined visual and performing arts event drawing inspiration from the exhibitions on view to explore themes of domesticity and “the everyday.” Entitled Love's Labor, the interactive performance for four actors and one violinist unfolds throughout the Pulitzer's galleries, following the story of a contemporary relationship and questioning what makes and breaks a home. Love's Labor is conceived, written, and directed by Shakespeare Festival Associate Artistic Director Bruce Longworth. The performances are free to attend, but tickets are required." The performances take place at The Pulitzer Arts Foundation, 3716 Washington in Grand Center. For more information: pulitzerarts.org.

The Emerald Room Cabaret at The Monocle resents Amy Armstrong in Mama's Big Ones, a musical tribute to Mama Cass Elliot of The Mamas and the Papas, Friday at 8 p.m., August 19. "Amy is the complete package - an exceptionally fine singer and dead-on comedienne, the total pro who is fresh and compelling and funny every night. Now she is bringing us her Mama Cass show, developed and honed on her tour of Mexican resort clubs this winter. Mama's Big Ones (the title of Cass's first solo album) takes us through her life and work. Though far from all, a big part of Cass's professional life was The Mamas and The Papas, whose California Dreamin' defined a sound for a generation. The performances take place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: www.buzzonstage.com/st-louis.

Mary Shelley Monster Show

Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble presents Mary Shelley Monster Show by Nick Otten Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., August 17 - 20. "SATE will remount its original play, Mary Shelley Monster Show, by Nick Otten. Mary Shelley: the impulsive teen in a runaway love triangle, the precocious novelist, the daughter of revolutionaries, the lover and wife of philosopher-poet. Mary Shelley: the grieving mother, the martyr-widow, the hack writer. Mary Shelley: the monster and monster's mother. Was Mary Shelley's most famous novel, “Frankenstein” really an autobiography? Is she the creator or the creature? " Performances take place at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: slightlyoff.org.

The St. Lou Fringe Festival opens on Friday, August 19, and runs through August 27 at several venues in the Grand Center area including the Kranzberg Arts Center (501 N. Grand) and TheStage at KDHX. Performances include traditional theater, dance, music, comedy, circus arts, performance art, cabaret, and burlesque, with acts from St. Louis and around the country. "This year's festival will coincide with Grand Center's new arts event Music at The Intersection and will include both new and familiar programming. 2016 will see the premiere of microtheater (short performances for an audience of no more than 9 patrons in an intimate, immersive setting), spin rooms (post show talk backs an workshops), Voices Unleashed (A number of festival slots are reserved for producers who are underrepresented in mainstream theatrical settings based on ethnicity, gender identity, language, dialect, age, physical ability, BMI, or other barrier), and an incubator program (a specialized collaborative showcase setting with more support for emergent artists). Past favorite programs like Fringe Family and the Artica sculpture garden will again enliven Strauss Park." For a complete schedule, visit stlfringe.comstlfringe.com.

Tell Me On a Sunday
Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Tell Me on a Sunday Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through August 27. "This pop-rock song cycle follows a young English woman newly arrived in New York, brimming with optimism, and her journey through America and the perils of ill-advised romance. As she seeks out success and love, she weaves her way through the maze of New York and Hollywood social life, and through her own anxieties, frustrations, and heartaches, and she begins to wonder whether there are better choices to be made." 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.

Next Generation Theatre Company presents the musical West Side Story Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m., August 19-27. "Pulled directly from the pages of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the musical takes place on New York's West Side in the mid-1950s amidst widespread racial and social tension. The show begins as a war is building between two rival gangs fighting over the same piece of turf: born and bred New York boys, The Jets, and Puerto Rican immigrants The Sharks. In the midst of the battlefield are two young romantics, good-boy Tony, a Jet ready to leave the gang life behind, and wide-eyed Maria, the sister of Sharks leader, Bernardo. When Tony and Maria unexpectedly meet and fall for one another, tension between the rival groups only escalates, leading to a bloody and senseless rumble that costs both sides young lives. In spite of the violence, the true story at the core of the show is two lovers trying to find a way to be together-and whether either can survive when hate and ignorance are unwilling to yield." Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theater at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information: florissantmo.thundertix.com

Kelsey Bearman

The Emerald Room Cabaret presents singer Kelsey Bearman in Whatever I Want to Be on Saturday, August 20, at 8 p.m. "Kelsey offers her fresh, fun take on this wonderfully crazy journey we call “life,” as she playfully explores life's paradoxes, from falling in love to breaking up, from facing fears to embracing life's mysteries. The show includes classic golden-age favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein as well as selections by contemporary musical theatre composers such as Heisler and Goldrich and Michael John LaChiusa. Engaging and hysterically edgy, “Whatever I Want It To Be” embraces life and the opportunity to make each moment whatever we want it to be." The performance takes place in The Emerald Room at The Monocle Bar, 4510 Manchester in The Grove neighborhood. For more information: themonoclestl.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Zombie Love through October 28. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

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 July 18, 2016

[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 web site.

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The St. Lou Fringe presents Act Your Pants Off, a special benefit performance for the Fringe, on Tuesday, July 19, beginning at 7 PM. " The stakes - and waistlines - have never been higher. St Lou Fringe pairs up with local Actor's Equity Association professional actors to offer you the very best talent in St Louis, in the most relentless setting. Top St Louis talent put themselves and their craft to the test as our city's strongest actors face off in challenges the likes of which they've never seen, fighting for audience approval - and fighting to keep their belts buckled! And you thought auditions were a beast." The event takes place at Off Broadway, 3511 Lemp. For more information: stlfringe.com

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Bullets in the Bathtub through July 30. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: mansion.com

Stages St. Louis presents the musical satire The Drowsy Chaperone July 22 - August 21. "With its laugh-a-minute script and one show-stopping song and dance number after another, it's easy to see why THE DROWSY CHAPERONE won the most Tony Awards of any musical on Broadway in 2006, including Best Book and Score. It all begins when a die-hard musical theatre fan decides to play his favorite cast album in his small brownstone apartment - a 1928 smash hit musical called "The Drowsy Chaperone." The show magically bursts to life before him as audiences are instantly transported to an earlier time and place and immersed in the glamorous and hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her uproarious wedding day, complete with gangsters, mistaken identities, an off-course aviatrix, and an uplifting ride to the rafters. " Performances take place in the Robert G. Reim Theatre at the Kirkwood Community Center, 111 South Geyer Road in Kirkwood. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407.

Alton Little Theater presents Fame the Musical, based on the Hollywood movie, Thursdays through Sundays, July 22 - 31. "The Broadway Musical FAME is a sequel to the beloved film of the same name. Great Dance numbers and Inspirational Ballads become part of the tale when students at a Performing Arts Academy in New York City get down to work on "making it" in Show Business. The Cast of Twenty-Five (plus) performers ages 14 -24 will embrace the energy and dedication needed to actually find "fame". Under the direction of Kevin Frakes and Sue Parton Stanard (with choreography by Khristina Bemis), the Summer showcase production (ONLY SIX SHOWS) will have audience members ready to dance and reclaim their own big dreams! Local Musical Theater Professionals will be featured as "Instructors" at the Academy, making for summer ENTERTAINMENT not to be missed!" Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

The Cabaret Project presents First Stage: The St. Louis Cabaret Conference High School Showcase on Tuesday, July 19, at 8 p.m. as part of the 2016 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "Join Broadway's Karen Mason, American Idol's Peisha McPhee and St. Louis Cabaret Conference's Tim Schall and Carol Schmidt as they present to you the new, young voices of cabaret. These talented young people will have just worked with the above faculty on the art and craft of song performance. And tonight they will celebrate what they have learned with a special showcase performance of their budding talents. As the saying goes "There's a lot of talent out there" and this evening singers at the first stages of their careers prove it." The performance takes place at The Stage @ KDHX in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

Tont DeSare

The Cabaret Project presents singer/pianist Tony DeSare and his Trio in From Sinatra to Prince on Friday, July 22, at 8 p.m. as part of the 2016 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "Named a Rising Star Male Vocalist in Downbeat magazine, DeSare brings his youthful, contemporary flair to the masterful Sinatra style standards of the past and offers sophisticated takes on pop classics such as the late genius Prince's Kiss- throwing in some of his own top notch originals along the way. DeSare has three top ten Billboard jazz albums under his belt and has headlined in prestigious venues such as New York's 54 Below and Carnegie Hall, along with major performing arts centers and numerous symphony orchestras throughout North America and abroad. Tony DeSare and his trio offer St. Louis audiences a fresh take on old school class that swings, swoons and gets your feet stompin'!" The performance takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

Grey Gardens
Photo: Dan Donovan

Max and Louie Productions presents the musical Grey Gardens through July 30. "Not since Mama Rose and Gypsy has there been a mother/daughter act as hilarious, as heartbreaking and as utterly unforgettable as "Big" Edith and "Little" Edie Beale - Jackie Kennedy's most outrageous relatives - in the acclaimed musical smash Grey Gardens! From the grandeur of an East Hampton high society party in 1941 to the sensational tabloid headlines that rocked the Kennedy clan in 1973, Grey Gardens is scandalously entertaining. Step into the world of Grey Gardens and see the other side of Camelot." Performances take place at the Wool Studio Theatre at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For more information, visit maxandlouie.com.

Jon and Jen
Photo: David Sanford

Insight Theatre Company presents the musical Jon and Jen through July 31. "This is the story of Jen and her relationships with the two Johns of her life: her younger brother, who was killed in Vietnam, and his namesake, her son who is trying to find his way in a confusing world. Jen and her younger brother John are growing up in the ever-changing world of mid-century America. As the country becomes divided over the war in Vietnam, so does the family, and battle lines are drawn between the once-close siblings. When John is killed in Vietnam, Jen is left to reconcile her memory of their fractured relationship along with his namesake, her son who is trying to find his way in a confusing world." 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.

Family Musical Theater presents the Disney's The Little Mermaid running through July 24. Performances take place at the Ivory Theatre, 7622 Michigan. For more information, visit familymusicaltheater.org or call 314-571-9579.

The Muny presents the musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of ABBA, opening on Thursday, July 21, and running nightly at 8:15 pm through July 28 in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. "After 14 years and nearly 6,000 performances on Broadway, the phenomenal worldwide megahit Mamma Mia! arrives at The Muny like a breath of fresh island air. Prepare to be swept into the contagious excitement of 22 memorable ABBA hits, including "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me" and "The Winner Takes It All." You haven't seen Mamma Mia! in its full splendor until you've seen it under the stars at The Muny." For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

Marilyn Maye

The Cabaret Project presents Marilyn Maye and Ann Hampton Callaway with pianists Billy Stritch and Tedd Firth on Thursday, July 21, at 8 p.m. as part of the 2016 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "When the legendary Marvelous Marilyn Maye performs its with one of her two favorite musical collaborators at the keys - the celebrated Billy Stritch or the award winning Tedd Firth. The St. Louis Cabaret Festival thought why not put both Stritch and Firth on stage and give them each a baby grand to play? And just when you thought it couldn't get any better we decided to add their friend and St. Louis' favorite divaliscious diva herself Ann Hampton Callaway to the party. Two Divas and Two Pianos on one stage! Don't miss this joyous, jazzy, spectacular cabaret event created specifically for St. Louis Cabaret Festival audiences." The performance takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

 St. Louis Actors' Studio presents the Neil LaBute New Theater Festival, Part 2 July 22 - 31 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. The festival features professional, new and previously unproduced one-act plays 45 minutes or less in length, chosen from submissions to the festival over the previous year. The plays in Part 2 are "Life Model" by Neil LaBute, "American Outlaws" by Adam Seidel, "Blue Balls" by Willie Johnson, and "Show of Affection" by Laurence Klavan. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through July 31. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Theatre Nuevo presents Orgullo: A Pride of One Acts through July 24. Orgullo (Spanish for "pride") will feature bilingual scripts from playwrights nationwide, focusing on the themes of Latin pride and identity. Original work from national playwrights like Tlaloc Rivas, José Casas, Alvaro Saar Rios and more will be featured in the lineup of one act plays. Performances take place at the 1900 Park Creative Space in Lafayette Square. For more information: www.theatrenuevo.com.

Faith Prince and Jason Graae

The Cabaret Project presents Faith Prince and Jason Graae in The Prince and the Showboy Wednesday, July 20, at 8 p.m. as part of the 2016 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "Tony Award winner Faith Prince unites with her long time friend and L.A. Drama Critics Circle winner Jason Graae for a night of belly laughs and great music. Combing showbiz chutzpah, great vocal chops and incomparable comedic gifts, these celebrated veterans of a combined 17 Broadway shows deliver on the promise of an evening that keeps you smiling long after you leave." The performance takes place at the Sheldon Concert Hall in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The Cabaret Project presents The St. Louis Cabaret Conference Closing Night Showcase and Celebration on Sunday, July 24, at 7 p.m. as part of the 2016 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "The newly remolded Jazz at the Bistro is the perfect supper club! Dinner seating or just drinks and appetizers start at 6 pm. And at 7 p.m. its time for the core group of talented singers of the St. Louis Cabaret Conference to show audiences why they've come from all over the country to be mentored by the Conference's renowned faculty. Join us for this closing night showcase and stick around for the post show party that starts up as soon as the last bow is taken. Party noshes are on us!" The performance takes place at Jazz at the Bistro, across from The Fox in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The Cabaret Project presents The St. Louis Cabaret Conference Professional Track Showcase on Saturday, July 23, at 8 p.m. as part of the 2016 St. Louis Cabaret Festival. "Mentored by Marilyn Maye, Faith Prince, Tedd Firth and Billy Stritch, as well as other members of the prestigious St. Louis Cabaret Conference Faculty, these singers take to the stage to show you why they are on the right track! The St. Louis Cabaret Conference presents these select singers in there own showcase of mini cabaret sets to show so you can see why they are ready to take their talents and ambitions and make their mark in the cabaret world - if they haven't already." The performance takes place at The Stage @ KDHX in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

The Midnight Company presents Will Eno's THOMPAIN (based on nothing) Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., July 22 - August 6. Performances take place at Herbie's Vintage72, 405 N. Euclid in the Central West End, It will be a 10-year anniversary revival production for Midnight, with Artistic Director Joe Hanrahan once again the performer, and Larry Dell once again directing. "Nearly indescribable, THOMPAIN was described thus by the NYTimes: 'A surreal meditation on the empty promises life makes, the way experience never lives up to the weird and awesome fact of being...but also, in its odd, bewitching beauty an affirmation of life's worth...a small masterpiece.' Actor Joe Hanrahan calls it 'Existential Stand-Up,' while director Larry Dell describes it as 'Stand-Up Tragedy.'" Tickets will be on sale later in the spring at brownpapertickets.com.

Take Two Productions presents the rock musical Xanadu July 22-30. "Xanadu follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time - the first ROLLER DISCO! (Hey, it's 1980!) But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds." Performances take place at Bayless High School Auditorium, 4532 Weber Road in South County. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org.

Young Frankenstein

The Muny presents the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein running nightly at 8:15 pm through July 19 in the outdoor theatre in Forest Park. "The gang's all here: Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Igor and the horse-frightening Frau Blücher - together again in scenic Transylvania to reanimate a monster. Only the deranged mind of Mel Brooks could have inspired such lunacy. As Mel's 1974 movie comedy classic comes to bawdy, musical life onstage, you too will feel like "Puttin' on the Ritz" as you revel in a madcap evening of mad scientists, yodeling lab assistants ... everything you need for one hilarious Muny night!" For more information, visit muny.org or call 314-361-1900.

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.