St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of November 14, 2022

Now including both on-line and live events during the pandemic. 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.

Touch Baseball and
Tim Shegitz

The Blue Strawberry presents A Night of Comedy Improv and Magic with Touch Baseball and Tim Shegitz Monday at 7:00 pm, November 14. “Direct from the Improv Shop, Touch Baseball is two-person, comedy improv team featuring long-time St. Louis improvisers Ryan Myers and Ashley Rube. After playing together on numerous teams for over 3 years, Ryan and Ashley formed Touch Baseball at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic to find hope and distraction from the literal end of the world. Just back from headlining at House of Cards in Nashville, Tim Shegitz regularly performs at Hollywood’s Magic Castle and Las Vegas WonderGround. Timothy’s magic features mystery--wrapped around a story--with a comedy flair. " The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Chuck Lavazzi and Carol Schmidt

The Cabaret Project and The Blue Strawberry present a Singers Open Mic Tuesday, November 15, 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. Medium/up-tempo songs are encouraged but not required. 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 cabaret in St. Louis." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

Meghan Kirk

The Blue Strawberry presents Some Songs for You with singer Meghan Kirk and pianist Ron McGowan Wednesday at 7:00 pm, November 16. “Let the world disappear for a while, as song bird Meghan Kirk and pianist Ron McGowan take you on a musical journey through some of the greatest songs ever written." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Blue Strawberry presents Ben Jones: I Think We Should See Other People Saturday at 7:30 pm, November 19. “Ben Jones returns to Blue Strawberry with a funny, moving and deeply personal evening of classic standards, soaring showstoppers and modern hits, punctuated with raucous, side-splitting and devastatingly honest stories from his own love life. Serenading audiences with his 'extraordinary voice' (Night Life Exchange), Jones appears alongside his music director and collaborator, the legendary Ron Abel." The Blue Strawberry is at 364 N. Boyle. For more information: bluestrawberrystl.com.

The Lemp Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre and Jest Mysteries present A Dickens of a Killilng through January 27th, 2023. "Death is in the air as guests join Marilyn Monroe, Babe Ruth, Baaaaa Huuuumbug!!! Ebenezer Scrooge will be back to his old tricks and is bound to make a few enemies at this Christmas Party chock full of Charles Dicken's Characters. Just when Beep (The Minstrel) gets everyone in the Holiday Spirit, Scrooge barges in and starts talking about gruel. Geez, hope no one snuffs Scrooge out before he stops bellowing! Guests will dive into the fictious world of Charles Dickens and join Pip, Martha Cratchit, Oliver Twist, The Ghost of Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim and so many more in this cheerful murder mystery parody of a Holiday Classic. Whether you want to participate a little or a lot, you're sure to have a jolly good time, in jolly olde England, where there is sure to be "A Dickens of a Killing!" The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place in south city. For more information: www.lempmansion.com

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the second annual production of Michael Wilson’s adaptation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol November 18 through December 30. “At long last, the ghosts of Ebenezer Scrooge’s past, present and future have caught up with him. Now London’s most infamous miser must face down his demons, reconcile the consequences of his choices and experience the power and joy of a miraculous redemption. This magical production will again be directed by Hana S. Sharif, Augustin Family Artistic Director at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and choreographed by Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Artistic Director at The Big Muddy Dance Company. The world of Charles Dickens’ will be brought to life by Tim Mackabee (Scenic Design), Dede Aytie (Costume Design), Seth Reiser (Lighting Design), and Hana S. Kim (Production Design). Chales Coles and Nathan Roberts provide the music and sound design, with musical direction by Tre’von Griffith.” Performances take on the main stage of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus.. For more information: www.repstl.org.

St. Louis Community College at Forest Park presents Mike Bartlett's Contractions on Friday, November 18, Saturday November 19 at 7:30pm, and Sunday November 20 at 2:00pm. "Emma’s been seeing Darren. She thinks she’s in love. Her boss thinks she’s in breach of contract. In a series of cordial but increasingly tense conversations, the two dissect the differences between “sexual” and “romantic,” negotiate the nature of Emma’s interoffice relationship, and face the consequences of shrinking privacy and binding contracts." Performances take place in the Theater at the Bastian Center for the Performing Arts on the Forest Park Campus. All performances are free of charge. For more information: stlcc.edu.

St. Louis University Theatre presents Everybody, directed by guest artist Alicia Like, Thursday through Sunday, October November 17-20. “Everybody, a one-act play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, premiered Off-Broadway in 2017 at the Signature Theatre and was first published in 2018. It is a modern retelling of Everyman, the most well-known and anthologized example of a medieval morality play, which was adapted from a Dutch play by an anonymous 15th-century English writer. Morality plays first appeared in the 12th century, evolving from the Catholic Church’s cycle plays and liturgical dramas, which reenacted biblical scenes, and became popular in the late Middle Ages (15th/16th centuries). They began as religious allegories designed to teach the audience a moral lesson by representing abstract concepts and ideas as characters.” Performances take place at the Xavier Hall Main Stage on the campus at 3733 West Pine Mall in Grand Center. For more information: www.slu.edu.

Slaying Dragons presents Giving Mental Illness a Stage, the company’s 12th anniversary fund raiser, Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 1:30 pm, November 18-20. The mission of Slaying Dragons is to destroy the sitgma of mental illness through theatre. The event features performances from three of the company’s previous shows and takes place at the Center for Spiritual Living in St. Louis. For more information: www.slayingdragons.org.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents the musical Ordinary Days by Adam Gwon Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 4 pm, November 18-27. “Ordinary Days tells the story of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love, and cabs. Through a score of vibrant and memorable songs, their experiences ring startlingly true to life. Ordinary Days is an original musical for anyone who's ever struggled to appreciate the simple things in a complex place. With equal doses of humor and poignancy, it celebrates how 8.3 million individual stories combine in unexpected ways to make New York City such a unique and extraordinary home.” Performances take place at the .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Grand Center. For more information: www.tesseracttheatre.com.

The Good Ship St. Louis

Upstream Theater presents the world premiere of The Good Ship St. Louis, a new play by Philip Boehm with original music by Anthony Barilla, running through November 20. “On May 13, 1939, a ship left Hamburg flying the German Nazi flag and carrying over 900 Jewish refugees. They held valid visas for Cuba and most planned to emigrate to the United States. But when they reached Havana their documents were declared invalid, and the US declined to admit them. The ship returned to Europe, where the refugees were caught up in the tide of war and occupation. The ship was the MS St. Louis, and we are taking this voyage a starting point for a soulful examination of the basic human right to asylum by linking its story to the history of our city with the same name, known for welcoming refugees from the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s”. Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre, 3310 Samuel Shepard Dr. in Grand Center. For more information: upstreamtheater.org.

The Washington University Performing Arts Department presents The Dust Thursday and Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 and 8 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm, November 17-20. “Love and Mortality. Existence and Destruction. These are the tensions at play in Hsu Yen Ling’s ‘The Dust.’ The play presents a series of seemingly unrelated scenes unfolding at what the writer calls the “instant of explosion.” Explosion of a building? Of a city? Of individual lives? A mother meets an estranged son. A professional couple debate what they choose to know about how they will die. A surrogate mother imagines starting a new world with the birth father. The Dust presents fragments of lives hovering on the brink of annihilation, and yet, all these people are doing their very best to move beyond fear to live lives of authentic happiness. Annelise Finnegan’s translation gives Hsu’s beautiful work a clear theatrical voice. First produced in November of 2013 in Taiwan, this is the U.S. premiere of The Dust. Performances take place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatreon the Washington University Campus. For more information: pad.wustl.edu.

La Rondine
Photo: Rebecca Haas

The Westport Playhouse presents Disbelief, and Evening of Wonder and Laughter on Friday, November 11th, at 7:30 pm. “Spend the evening being amazed and amused by three mysterious and hilarious magicians. You'll leave the theatre smiling and wondering, "how did they do that?"”. The Westport Playhouse is in the Westport Plaza Business and Entertainment District. For more information: thewestportplayhouse.com.

Winter Opera presents Puccini’s La Rondine Friday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, November 18 and 20. “Inspired by Viennese Operetta, La Rondine by Giacomo Puccini tells the story of true love between the courtesan Magda and a young modest boy named Ruggero. As a kept woman of Rombaldo, Magda leads a comfortable life in Paris, but will she decide on a life of luxury or love? Enjoy the lush melodies of Puccini in this timeless love story.” Performances take place at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, 201 E. Monroe in Kirkwood, MO. For more information: https://www.winteroperastl.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.

Chuck's Choices for the weekend of September 27, 2019

New this week: the annual Hotchner festival.

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New This Week:

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This year's A.E. Hotchner playwrights
L-R: Elizabeth Brown, Kelly Minster, Sophie Tegnu

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents its annual A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Festival this weekend, showcasing three new plays by student playwrights. The Festival opens with You Don't Live Here Anymore by Elizabeth Brown on Friday, September 27, at 7:00 pm, continues with This House by Kelly Minster on Saturday, September 28, at 2 pm, and concludes with Mrs. Kelley's Igloo by Sophie Tegenu on Saturday, September 29, at 7 pm. All performances, which are free and open to the public, take place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, including play synopses, visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

My take: What are the next generation of playwrights up to? What are their concerns? Washington University gives us a yearly glilmpse into the future with the Hotchner festival. This year the focus is on out-of-kilter families and that leap of faith known as marriage. Maybe they're hits, maybe they're misses, but there's no way to know without showing up. And the price is certainly right!

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Held Over:

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Angels in America, Part 2
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches and Angels in America, Part 2: Perestroika running in alternating repertory with 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

My take: Angels in America: Gay Fantasia on National Themes (to quote its full title) is, effectively, an opera with no singing. It's a sweeping, unapologetically theatrical examination of some of the most basic of human ideas: love, death, loyalty, commitment, community and lots of other things that are usually capitalized when we discuss them. It's an epic tale told, as the best epics are, through the lives of a collection of flawed and fascinating characters. I saw Part 1 last weekend was sufficiently blown away by the quality of the Rep's production to recommend both parts without reservation. Yes, they're very long shows--Part 1 clocks in at around 3:15 with two intermissions and Part 2 (in the current revision, which dates from 2013) at around 3:30. Trust me, you'll never notice the length. Kushner's writing is so deft and this production so brilliantly acted and directed that the time flies like, well, an angel. I'd put this version of Angels right up there with the stunning production Stray Dog did in 2012, and that's high praise indeed.

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Man of La Mancha
Photo by ProPhotoSTL

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.

My take: Winner of five Tony awards and four Variety Poll of Drama Critics awards and with an impressive track record of 2,329 performances on Broadway, Man of La Mancha has remained enduringly popular since its first performance on the Great White Way in 1965. The Stages production demonstrates forcefully what that is the case. The drama, comedy, and (above all) the inspiring message about the importance of "achieving the impossible" by "attempting the absurd" (to cite the Miguel Unamuno quote that inspired Dale Wasserman to write the show in the first place) come through loud and clear. If you're a fan of this play, you won't want to miss this one. It's a polished and moving way to close their current season. And it's even performed in its original one act format, running right at two hours and feeling much shorter.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of March 25, 2019

New shows this week include the Rep's Ignite! festival, the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, and musicals at Webster Conservatory and Insight.

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The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Bullets in the Bathtub through April 13. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

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.

Daddy Long Legs
Photo by John Lamb

Insight Theatre Company presents the musical Daddy Long Legs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 pm, March 28 - April 14. "Based on the classic novel, which inspired the 1955 movie starring Fred Astaire, Daddy Long Legs is a beloved tale in the spirit of Jane Austen, The Brontë Sisters and "Downton Abbey." Daddy Long Legs features music and lyrics by Tony Award-nominated composer/lyricist, Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre), and Tony-winning librettist/director, John Caird (Les Misérables), and is a "rags-to-riches" tale of newfound love." Performances take place at the Marcelle Theatre in Grand Center. For more information, call 314-556-1293 or visit insighttheatrecompany.com.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents a staged reading of the play Frankenstein, adapted from the Mary Shelly novel by Eric Schmiedl, on Saturday, March 30, at 7:30 pm as part of the Ignite! new play festival. "What does it mean to be human? In 1783, the lives of four outsiders come crashing together: Victor, a brilliant young student, Elizabeth, the love of his life, Henry, his best friend, and the Creature - a force that can unite them, or tear them all to pieces. This new adaptation celebrates the insight, passion and youthful exuberance of Mary Shelley's seminal novel on the 200th anniversary of its publication." The reading takes place in the Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

Take Two Productions presents the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, March 29 and 30. " he Brothers Grimm hit the stage with Into the Woods, an epic, Tony-Award-winning fairytale with about wishes, family and the choices we make. Follow a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results." Performances take place at Tower Grove Baptist Church, 4257 Magnolia in the Shaw neighborhood. For more information, visit taketwoproductions.org

Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts presents The Little Prince by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, adapted from the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Friday at 7:30 pm and Saturday at 11 am, 2 pm, and 7:30 pm, March 29 and 30. "The Little Prince tells the story of a world-weary and disenchanted Aviator whose sputtering plane strands him in the Sahara Desert and a mysterious, regal "little man" who appears and asks him to "Please, sir, draw me a sheep." During their two weeks together in the desert, the Little Prince tells the Aviator about his adventures through the galaxy. The Little Prince talks to everyone he meets: a garden of roses, the Snake and a Fox who wishes to be tamed. From each he gains a unique insight which he shares with the Aviator: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly." "What is essential is invisible to the eye." Performances take place in the Stage III on the Webster University campus. For more information, www.webster.edu/conservatory/season or call 314-968-7128.

St. Charles Community College presents the musical Newsies opening Friday, March 22, at 7 pm and running through March 30. "This rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies," is a feel-good musical that speaks to us all. When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. This Disney film-turned-Tony-winning-Broadway hit inspires everyone to fight for what is right and to seize the day! Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message that is perfect for the whole family." Performances take place in the SCC Center Stage Theater in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building on the campus at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville, MO. For more information, call 636-922-8050 or visit stchas.edu.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Nursery Crimes through May 9. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

The Play the Goes Wrong
Photo: John Gitchoff

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the comedy The Play That Goes Wrong running through April 7. "Calamity, disaster, fiasco: whichever word you'd like to choose, the opening night performance of The Murder at Haversham Manor has gone decidedly wrong. A maelstrom of madcap madness ensues, complete with collapsing scenery, unconscious actors and a stage crew pushed to the brink. Will The Rep survive this train wreck of a play? Come find out!" Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org

Lion's Paw Theatre Company presents Plays on the Menu, a reading of the plays Rules of Comedy by Patricia Cotter and A Second of Pleasure by Neil LaButeon Monday and Tuesday, March 25 and 26, at noon at The Hearth Room at The Hawken House, 1155 South Rock Hill Road. The readings include lunch. For more information: lionspawtheatre.org.

The Midnight Company presents the comedy Popcorn Falls Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, March 28 - April 13. "The small town of Popcorn Falls is bankrupt. Its only tourist attraction, the Falls, has dried up, and it's about to be taken over by an unfeeling corporation who will turn the whole place into a sewage plant. There's only one chance to save the town - a dusty old grant that will give Popcorn Falls the money it needs if it will produce a play. (Which the town's future landlords demand be produced in one week.) The problem? There's no theatre in Popcorn Falls, there's never been a play seen there, and just a couple of its very eccentric citizens have ever been involved with anything resembling a play. It's up to Popcorn Falls' intrepid mayor and its Head Custodian ("Executive Custodian") to rally the town and lead its people in a heroic effort to prove that art can save the world. (Or at least a town.)" Performances take place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: midnightcompany.com

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents a staged reading of the play Quiz Out by Margot Connolly on Wednesday, March 27, at 7:30 pm as part of the Ignite! new play festival. "High school junior Harper and her best friend Hannah join their church's Bible Quiz team. The more time they spend together, the more they learn about themselves, their faith, their sexual identities, and the intense and occasionally claustrophobic world of Bible Quiz. A crazy, heartwarming comedy by an exciting new voice in the American theatre." The reading takes place in the Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: repstl.org.

Lindenwood University presents the rock musical The Rocky Horror Show Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday at 7 and 10 pm, and Saturday at 7:30 pm, March 27-30. "In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet, stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky." This dark comedy musical has several secrets up its sleeve, and things are not always as they appear." Performances take place at the Scheiegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. For more information: www.lindenwood.edu.

St. Louis Theater Circle critics in 2017

The St. Louis Theater Circle presents the St. Louis Theater Circle Awards on Monday, March 25, at 7 pm. The awards recognize outstanding achievement in locally produced professional theatre as judged by local theatre critics who are members of the Circle. Presenters will include KDHX's own Chuck Lavazzi. Live music will be provided by Joe Dreyer and Deborah Sharn. Llywelyn's Catering will offer a selection of snack boxes, desserts and drinks on a pay-as-you-go basis beginning at 6 pm. The ceremony takes place at the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information: www.brownpapertickets.com.

The St. Louis Writers' Group presents a reading of the play School Secrets by Patrick Anderson on Monday, March 25 at 6:30 pm. " As the new principal of his hometown high school, armed with innovative new ideas, programs, and a precocious 2nd grade friend, John Andrews finds himself struggling to make it all click. With pressure mounting from his superintendent, the school board, and reluctant old school teachers, John and his new social worker must fight to do what they know is right for their students. " The event takes place upstairs at Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney in Soulard. For more information: www.stlwritersgroup.com.

The Stifel Theatre presents the musical The Sound of Music Saturday, March 30, at 7:30 pm. "A brand new production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC is coming to St. Louis on March 30. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning Best Score, including "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Edelweiss" and the title song. " The Stifel Theatre is at 14th and Market downtown. For more information: stifeltheatre.com.

Time Stands Still
Photo by Eric Woolsey

New Jewish Theater presents Time Stands Still Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, March 28 - April 14. "Time Stands Still revolves around Sarah, a photojournalist who has returned from covering the Iraq war after being injured by a roadside bomb, and her reporter boyfriend James who is swamped by guilt after having left Sarah alone in Iraq. The two are trying to find happiness in a world that seems to have gone crazy. Theirs is a partnership based on telling the toughest stories, and together, making a difference. But when their own story takes a sudden turn, the adventurous couple confronts the prospect of a more conventional life. Can they stay together amidst unspoken betrayals and conflicting ideals? Playwright Margulies answers these questions, while leaving unanswered qualms regarding the way America deals with war and tragedy coverage." 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 Fabulous Fox Theatre presents the musical Waitress opening on Tuesday, March 26, at 7:30 pm and running through April 7. "Inspired by Adrienne Shelly's beloved film, WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna - a waitress and expert pie maker, Jenna dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town's new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life." The Fabulous Fox Theatre in on N. Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.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 September 24, 2018

This week includes season openers from (among others) New Line, West End Players, St. Louis Actors' Studio, Upstream, and New Jewish. So many opportunities to go see a play!

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The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Addams Family Affair through October 28. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com.

Alton Little Theater presents the musical Always, Patsy Cline Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, September 27 - 30. "The show is based on a true story about Cline's friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961 and continued correspondence with Cline until her death. This musical play includes many of Patsy's unforgettable hits such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams, and Walkin After Midnight. Starring Debbie Maneke as patsy Cline, Lee Cox as Louise Seger, and music by Steve Loucks and the Bodacious Bobcats." Performances take place at 2450 North Henry in Alton, IL. For more information, call 618.462.6562 or visit altonlittletheater.org.

Midnight Theatre Company presents two one-act plays by Mickle Maher: An Apology for the Course and Outcome of Certain Events Delivered by Doctor John Faustus and The Hunchback Variations Thursdays at 7 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 8 pm through September 29. Performances take place at The Monocle, 4510 Manchester in The Grove. For more information: midnightcompany.com.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents Arriving At by Ike Butler on Saturday, September 29, at 2 pm as part of The A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Festival. "I hate it when this happens. Stuck on a commuter train, no cell service, a couple is arguing, some dude has a suspicious package, the guy in leather looks like he just killed a cocker spaniel, the rich lady has to pee, and I'm fairly positive that the old fart in the corner lives here. And who the hell is humming Queen?" The performance takes place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

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), September 28 - 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.

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.

Darin: Bobby's Greatest Hits

The Playhouse at Westport Plaza presents Christopher Kale Jones in Darin: Bobby's Greatest Hits Wednesday through Sunday, September 26 - 30 "PBS retro-rocker and Jersey Boys star Christopher Kale Jones embodies the dazzling versatility of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bobby Darin. Jones won hearts nationwide starring as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys (San Francisco, Los Angeles, First National Tour), and as a founding member of PBS retro-rock sensation Under the Streetlamp. With a passionate voice and quiet charm, Jones tenderly recounts Darin's story of life lived in the spotlight and lost too soon. Theatre Mania raves, "Jones has the audience swooning until the final curtain." Songs include "Dream Lover," "Mack the Knife," and "Beyond the Sea." The Playhouse at Westport Plaza is at 635 West Port Plaza. For more information: www.playhouseatwestport.com.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents Dead Like Me through November 3. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com.

Evita
Photo by Eric Woolsey

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical Evita through September 30. "The incandescent Eva Perón's rise from poverty to power electrified the world - and made her an iconic political celebrity. Winner of seven Tony Awards, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's tour-de-force musical revels in the glamour, charisma and controversy that defined the First Lady of Argentina. With its unforgettable anthem "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and kaleidoscope of sights and sounds, Evita dazzles with pure passion." Performances take place on the mainstage at the Loretto-Hlton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO. For more information, call 314-968-4925 or visit repstl.org.

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley presents the drama The Exonerated September 27 - 30. Performances take place in the Fisher Theatre on the campus at 3400 Pershall Road. For more information, www.stlcc.edu/fv/ or call 314-644-5522.

The Monroe Actors Stage presents the musical The Flood Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:30 pm, September 27 - 30. 25 years ago tragedy happened in this small community of Monroe County and others around it near the Mississippi River valley. But out of the ashes was born something powerful and heart warming. A community of friends and neighbors moved to higher ground and rebuilt their town of "Meyerville" (Sound similar to Valmeyer?). As college students, the composer/writer team of Peter Mills and Cara Reichel visited this area in 1993 and interviewed many who experience the 1000 year flood that year. They created a beautiful script and music composition that clearly shows the heart of what brought this community back together." Performances take place in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents Florida by Lucas Marschke on Saturday, September 29, at 7 pm as part of The A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Festival. "The Brooksfield household is a bit dysfunctional, but that doesn't prevent them from making a family journey to Florida; neither does the blizzard, the prostitute, the drug dealers, the trigger-happy gas station attendant, or the avalanche of anxieties in a claustrophobic RV. The sunshine state is about as far away as a happy marriage in this hysterical and touching road trip." The performance takes place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

Slaying Dragons presents the drama A Hatful of Rain on Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29, at 7:30 pm. "Over fifty years ago, playwright Michael V. Grasso wrote about the devastating effects of opioid addiction in his award-winning play, A Hatful of Rain. It has not been performed in St. Louis since then. Today our society is facing a crisis of this kind of addiction, perhaps even greater than in the 1950's. Our youth are in danger of death from overdose or even suicide. Families are torn apart by the turmoil created by this illness." Performances take place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: eventbrite.com.

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Lillian Hellman's drama The Little Foxes Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm, September 28 - 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.

Love Never Dies

The Fox Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Love Never Dies: The Phantom Returns running through September 30. "The year is 1907. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera House and The Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York where he lives amongst the screaming joy rides and freak shows of Coney Island. In this new, electrically charged world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar, but he has never stopped yearning for his one true love and musical protégée, Christine Daaé. Now one of the world's finest sopranos, Christine accepts an invitation to travel from Paris to New York to perform at a renowned opera house. Christine's marriage to Raoul is suffering at the hands of his drinking and gambling and they desperately need the financial rewards that America can give them. In a final bid to win back Christine's love, The Phantom lures her, Raoul, and their young son Gustave, from Manhattan to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island - not knowing what is in store for them." The Fox is at 527 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

PNC Arts Alive and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis present Making A Scene: A St. Louis Theatre Expo on Saturday, September 29, from 9 am to 1:30 pm. "This celebration will unite more than a dozen local theatre companies at The Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts in Webster Groves for a wide range of family-friendly activities, demonstrations, discussions and pop-up performances. The free expo will provide behind-the-scenes insight into how local theatre companies bring productions to life on stages throughout the St. Louis area." All events take place the Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd. on the Webster University campus. For a complete list of events, visit www.repstl.org/events/detail/making-a-scene-a-st-louis-theatre-expo.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents Mama's Boy, a new play by Rob Urbinati, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 4 pm through September 30 "The riveting story of Lee Harvey Oswald and his complex relationship with his overbearing mother Marguerite, Mama's Boy follows Marguerite's reckless attempts to reunite her family, from Lee's return to the U.S. from Russia, through the assassination of Kennedy, to her son's own murder and her defense of his innocence in the months that follow. A fascinating examination of family dynamics and obsessive maternal devotion played out in the shadow of history. " Performances take place at The .ZACK, 3224 Locust in Midtown. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

St. Charles Community College presents the classic comedy My Three Angels Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, September 16 - 30. "The scene is French Guiana, a region where on Christmas day the temperature has graciously dropped to 104 degrees. A family whose roof is in desperate need of maintenance employs three convicts as roofers. On the way from France is an evil-minded cousin to oust the father of the family from his business and his cold-blooded nephew, who is jilting the father's daughter for an heiress. The three convicts-two of them murderers, the third a swindler-take the visitors on. All three have warm hearts and are passionate believers in true justice. Possessing every criminal art and penal grace, they set matters right and in doing so redeem themselves as real life angels to the grateful family. This play was also the basis for the 1955 film, "We're No Angels" which starred Humphrey Bogart in his only comedic movie role." Performances take place in the FAB Theater in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building on the campus at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville, MO. For more information, call 636-922-8050 or visit stchas.edu.

The Looking Glass Playhouse presents the musical Newsies Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm, September 27 - 30. "Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged "newsies." When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys' expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what's right! " Performances take place at 301 West St. Louis Street in Lebanon, Ill. For more information, visit www.lookingglassplayhouse.com.

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.

Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway

Jazz St. Louis and The Cabaret Project present Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway in Sibling Revelry on Wednesday at 7:30 pm and Thursday at 11 am and 7:30 pm, September 26 and 27. "The dynamic sibling duo of Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway have been thrilling audiences for decades. Both are Tony nominated performers and each has performed their solo shows for St. Louis audiences. This special duo show has not been seen in St. Louis for over 20 years and the Callaway's are reuniting for a series of encore performances of this award winning, celebrated sister act!. The two have performed Sibling Revelry on and off since 1995 at venues around the U.S., and it continues to draw critical acclaim. Don't miss these Tony nominated performers who are equally at home on the Broadway stage, concert hall and cabaret clubs." Performances take place at the Ferring Jazz Bistro on Washington just east of the Fox in Grand Center. For more information: thecabaretproject.org.

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.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents Tom and Grace by Scott Greenberg on Friday, September 28, at 7:00 pm as part of The A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Festival. "Thomas is in love. Grace is in love too. But love is a trick of the eye, a whisper in the ear; love is as unreliable as a cloudy-day shadow - or maybe it's just the ghost of those who we pray will love us back. If we reach out to touch it, it will probably giggle and disappear, but if we save it in a box, at least we'll know it's there." The performance takes place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

The Zombies of Penzance
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the world premiere of the rock musical The Zombies of Penzance, based on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, September 27 - October 20. "New Line Theatre has shocked the music world by discovering a controversial, long-lost first draft by the legendary British team of librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, who together wrote fourteen comic operas between 1871 and 1896...In Gilbert and Sullivan's never-before seen original draft, dated December 1878 and titled The Zombies of Penzance (with the unwieldy subtitle, At Night Come the Flesh Eaters), Major-General Stanley is a retired zombie hunter, who doesn't want his daughters marrying the dreaded Zombies of Penzance, for obvious reasons." 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.

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.