Chuck's Choices for the weekend of April 27, 2015

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:

The Age of Bees

Tesseract Theatre Company presents The Age of Bees through April 28. "It's the year 2098. The bees are gone and the world struggles to keep up with the resulting ecological and economic changes. In the midst of this, we meet Mel, a young woman who has found sanctuary on an agricultural compound, where there's food and safety. She works alongside other girls, also orphans or castoffs. Sarah and Zed, who run the farm, hope that their next child will be a boy; Sarah is at the end of her fertility, however, and, to her dismay, Mel stands next in line to carry children for Zed. Into this uncertain sanctuary steps Jonathan, an independent field researcher who collects samples of plants to forestall additional ecological devastation. Meeting Mel provides a glimmer of other kinds of scientific riches on this compound, and he is determined to take her with him. Zed's history of violence makes any escape a dangerous proposition. Still, there's the hope that something new can grow, that something good can come from the ruined world they struggle to make theirs." Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

My take: "Tesseract Theatre continues to demonstrate a commitment to finding not simply new plays," writes Tina Farmer in her review for KDHX, "but new plays that tackle contemporary issues with inventive and imaginative plots and well-informed, yet natural, dialogue...Playwright Palmquist takes a dark look into the future with this environmentally conscious, sweetly romantic play. These themes resonate deeply throughout and feel fully realized and genuinely formed." Tesseract is once again taking chances with a disturbing but important subject, and that kind of daring warrants a shout-out here.

Art
Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis Actors' Studio presents Yasmina Reza's comedy Art through May 3 at the Gaslight Theatre, 358 North Boyle. "How much would you pay for a white painting? Would it matter who the painter was? Would it be art? One of Marc's best friends, Serge, has just bought a very expensive painting. It's about five feet by four, all white with white diagonal lines. To Marc, the painting is a joke, but Serge insists Marc doesn't have the proper standard to judge the work. Another friend, Ivan, though burdened by his own problems, allows himself to be pulled into this disagreement. Eager to please, Ivan tells Serge he likes the painting. Lines are drawn and these old friends square off over the canvas, using it as an excuse to relentlessly batter one another over various failures. As their arguments become less theoretical and more personal, they border on destroying their friendships. At the breaking point, Serge hands Marc a felt tip pen and dares him: “Go on.” This is where the friendship is finally tested, and the aftermath of action, and its reaction, affirms the power of those bonds." For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org.

My take: Playwright Reza seems to specialize in scripts about Men Behaving Badly. Art is probably her best known and most popular play, and it looks like STLAS is doing well by it. The Snoop's Theatre Thoughts blog says that "the cast here is uniformly excellent, working together well and portraying a convincing combative friendship," while over at KDHX Tina Farmer says "[the] dialogue is crisp and artfully crafted, with lots of interesting turns but no real surprises. It's delightful to listen to the conversations of the three characters, Marc, Serge and Yvan, even though none of them are particularly sympathetic or more than marginally likable. John Pierson, Drew Battles and Larry Dell comfortably inhabit their characters and skillfully glide through dialogue that is at times complex and tongue twisting."

An Invitation Out
Photo: John Lamb

Mustard Seed Theatre presents An Invitation Out by Shaulee Cook through May 3. "In this world-premiere comedy of manners, a young man searches for “truth” while living in virtual reality and explores the “reality” of life offline." 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: Mustard Seed specializes in plays that deal with difficult ethical issues. In this case, they've chosen to take on the question of identity in a virtual world where a screen name might mean everything or nothing, and they're doing it in a way that pays homage to Oscar Wilde. In his review for KDHX, Robert Nickles says the plays characters "must make choices about identity within the confines of complex social expectations. Like any comedy of manners, the script hides profound truths behind the silliness and superficiality of human conventions. This visually stunning production combines fun and philosophy to produce a thoroughly entertaining social critique." At stltoday.com, Judy Newmark says the show is "is big in every way: the size of its cast, the characters’ outlandish costumes, the generous imagination that playwright Shualee Cook poured into her vision of a neo-Victorian future."

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Shake 38, a city wide performance festival in which all 38 of Shakespeare's plays are performed by 38 different groups in a variety of neighborhoods and locations. Performances take place Wednesday through Sunday, April 22-26. For a complete schedule: sfstl.com.

My take: For sheer variety, it's hard to beat Shake 38, the Shakespeare Festival's annual city-wide celebration of The Bard on the week of his birthday. Events include Macbeth at Clayton Community Theatre, a concert version of Verdi's Falstaff at Tavern of Fine Arts, Miss Crump of the Loo (A Modern Adaptation of Timon of Athens) at the Centene Center, Goin' Ham-Lit in the Hood, An Adaptation of Hamlet at the St. Louis City Juvenile Detention Center, Student2Student: Measure4Measure at St. Louis University, and Henry VIII: Lose Your Head: A SHAKE 38 Signature Event, St. Lou Fringe Shindig, and Gateway Burners Recompression Party Extravaganza! at the Cherokee Arts Center. For a complete list (because, trust me, there's a lot more): www.sfstl.com/in-the-streets/shake-38.

St. Louis theatre calendar for the week of November 17, 2014

[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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Mustard Seed Theatre presents the a cappella musical All is Calm Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 and 5 PM through December 14. “Join us in celebrating the power of peace in this acapella musical based on the true story of soldiers during World War I who for one night, put down their arms and played soccer instead of exchanging bullets.” 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.

Curtain's Up Theatre presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever on Sunday, November 23 at 2 and 7 p.m.. " The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie; they steal lunches, smoke cigars, and terrorize their classmates. After learning, if you go to Sunday school, you can get all the candy and treats you want. They decide this Sunday school thing isn’t such a bad idea! No one was prepared when this outlaw family invades church one Sunday just in time to take over the annual Christmas pageant play. None of the Herdmans had ever heard the Christmas Story before." The performances take place at theWildey Theatre, 252 North Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. For more information, visit the web site.

The Performing Arts Department at Washington University presents the musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson through November 23. "Join us for a wild romp through the life of Andrew Jackson told in an in-your-face indie rock style. This 2010 Drama Desk Award winner for “Outstanding Book of a Musical” and Outer Critic’s Circle Award winner for “Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical,” with a bloody, bloody, sassy sense of humor, will rock the Hotchner Studio! This production contains adult language and situations and is for mature audiences." The performances take place in the Hotchner Studio Theater in the Mallinckrodt Student Center on the Washington University campus. For more information, call 314-935-6543 or visit pad.artsci.wustl.edu.

The West End Players Guild continues their 104th season with Boom Town Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, November 20-23. There will also be a show on Thursday, November 20, at 8 PM. “From the prolific pen of movie and TV star Jeff Daniels, author of more than a dozen plays, comes Boom Town. Angela Tompkins has a husband, a failing convenience store and a dream of running off to Chicago with her lover, the local banker. In an explosive story that mixes small-town politics, love and betrayal, Angela must face reality when her husband discovers the truth.” 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 Cabaret Project presents the cabaret open mic night on Wednesday, November 19, from 7 to 10 PM at the Tavern of Fine Arts. “Drop by and enjoy a night of great music from St. Louis cabaret artists, backed up by the inimitable Carol Schmidt on the baby grand. The special guest master of ceremonies will be Tim Schall. If you’re planning to sing, be prepared to do one or two songs and bring music, preferably in your key. We’d also recommend that you have your song memorized. The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt at Waterman in the Central West End. There’s free parking in the lot right across the street. For more information, visit the cabaret project web site or call 314-367-7549.

The Monroe Actors Stage Company presents Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Anthony Palermo, through November 23 in the Historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Waterloo, Illinois. For more information, visit www.masctheatre.org or call 618-939-7469.

The Presenters Dolan present Christopher Limber: Riffs in a Set of 10 on Thursday, November 20, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Riffs in a Set of 10" is a hip and hot blend of Jazz and poetic interludes recalling the sizzling after-midnight club scene of the 1940's. Homage and affection is paid in joyous, tuneful reflections of the greats: Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Mel Torme, Duke Ellington and Billy Holiday among others. Rhythmical illusion comes alive, setting the scene for 10 classic Jazz numbers rendered faithfully by an ensemble of musicians and St. Louis Cabaret favorites. Featuring Rose Fischer,Michele Isam, Joe Dreyer and David Torretta." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information, visit the web site.

The St. Louis Family Theatre Series presents Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type November 23, 28 and 29 at 2 p.m. ""Cows that type? Hens on strike! Whoever heard of such a thing!" Farmer Brown cries. When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declared the farm a "tech-free zone." He confiscates her laptop in the cold barn along with the shivering cows who use her computer to type messages requesting blankets. “No way," replies Farmer Brown. "No blankets!” So the cows go on strike and the chickens join them in solidarity. No blankets: no milk, no eggs! Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals' demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in a hilariously "mooooo-ving" new musical about negotiation and compromise, Based on the Caldecott Honor book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin." Performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 314-921-5678 or visit www.florissantmo.com.

St. Louis Community College at Forest Park presents Encounters November 21-23. Performances take place in the Bastian Theatre on the campus at 5600 Oakland. For more information, call 314-644-9100.

The Presenters Dolan present Lara Teeter: Lucky to Be Me on Saturday, November 22, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. " Join Lara Teeter as he reprises his sold out show (after taking taking it to NY's 54 Below from its debut in St. Louis last spring), in which he shares his journey as artist, teacher, husband and dad. Claimed by both our town and Broadway (a Tony Nominee) as one of its own, Lara Teeter shows us just how fresh the songbook is in a master song and dance man's hands. And feet." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information, visit the web site.

Mariposa Artists presents Robert Breig in Making Evert Moment Count: The Music of Peter Allen on Friday, November 21, at 8 p.m. The show is directed by Lina Koutrakos and features Rick Jensen on piano. " After two sold-out performances, Robert Breig is delighted to bring back "Making Every Moment Count - The Music of Peter Allen" on Friday, November 21st 8PM at The Kranzberg Arts Center. And with Rick Jensen as music director and arranger of songs, this show gives us more than just a glimpse of Peter Allen's life in story and song....to Oz and beyond!" The performance takes place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: brownpapertickets.com.

The Presenters Dolan present Meghan Kirk: The Story Goes On on Friday, November 21, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "The beautifully talented Meghan Kirk has recently moved back to St. Louis from Los Angeles, where she performed regularly at The Gardenia. Her new show, crafted for this performance, is about the songs that have followed her throughout her life. Did you ever have a song pop into your head at a pivotal moment? A song that provided direction, that answered a question? That helped get you through? A song that you might not have thought about for years? These are the songs that make up your life soundtrack." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information, visit the web site.

St. Charles Community College presents Miracle on South Division Street November 19-23. Performances take place 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 Fox Theatre presents Motown, the Musical Tuesdays through Sundays, November 18-30. "It began as one man's story… became everyone's music… and is now Broadway's musical. MOTOWN The Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story behind the music in the record-breaking smash hit MOTOWN The Musical!" The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information, visit the web site.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Murder on 34th Street through December. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Mariposa Artists presents Beverly Brennan in A Night With Day on Saturday, November 22, at 8 p.m. The show is directed by Lina Koutrakos and features Rick Jensen on piano. "Beverly Brennan is back on her sentimental journey in "A Night With Day" on Saturday, November 22nd 8PM, paying tribute to one of her idols, the incomparable Doris Day. The show will feature songs from Doris Day's big band days, her movies and musicals, and her amazing recording career. Bev will also share stories about Doris's life, which has been far from a bed of daisies! With Rick Jensen at the piano - it's magic!" The performance takes place at the Kranzberg Center, 501 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: brownpapertickets.com.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents Orders by Kevin Ferguson through November 23. "Orders sees Maggie, a young college student, having to make a decision that effects both her relationship to her boyfriend Troy as well as to God. Maggie loves God. Maggie loves Troy. Troy loves Maggie. Troy loves his country. Hearts get pulled when orders get in the way of their relationship. Both must choose what orders to follow." Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

St. Louis University Theatre presents She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen through November 23. Performances take place in Xavier Hall, 3373 West Pine Mall. For more information, call (314) 977-2998 or visit www.slu.edu/theatre.

The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University presents the musical Spring Awakening Wednesday through Sunday, November 19-23. "Based off of the play of the same name by Frank Wedekind, “Spring Awakening” is centered around the lives of young teenagers as they find themselves transitioning through a confusing, yet arousing sexual awakening." Performances take place on the mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center on the Webster University campus. For more information, visit the web site or call 314-968-7128.

The Boo Cat Club presents Tennessee Williams' Stairs to the Roof through November 23. "Benjamin Murphy stages a one-man rebellion against the clock, the monotony of an eight-to-five job and the dehumanizing forces of an increasing mechanized and commercial society. Ben takes us on a series of fantastic adventures that culminate in an escape from the mundane...taking us up his stairs to the roof to a better, more Utopian world." The Boo Cat Club is at 812 Union in the Central West End. For more information: brownpapertickets.com. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

COCA presents the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia production of Stella, Queen of the Snow Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23. “Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia returns to tell the story of Stella, Queen of the Snow where Stella and Sam spend the day playing in the snow and discover the world of winter together. Recommended for ages 3 and up.” COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit the web site.

St. Louis Community College at Meramec presents Wooed and Viewed and Romance in A Flat Wednesday through Sunday, November 19-23. Performances take place in the theatre on the campus at 11333 Big Bend Road. For more information, call 314-984-7500.

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 May 26, 2014

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 ArtsZipper site.

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Photo: Peter Wochniak

Stages St. Louis presents the musical Always..Patsy Cline through June 22. "Jacqueline Petroccia and Zoe Vonder Haar star in the return engagement of the show critics called 'exceptional, must see entertainment.' The touching and true story of Country music legend Patsy Cline and her friendship with Texas housewife Louise Seger returns to STAGES this spring. Combining down home country humor, heartache and 27 of Patsy Cline's unforgettable hits such as 'Crazy,' 'Walkin' After Midnight,' and 'Sweet Dreams,' Always... Patsy Cline endures as a piece of genuine Americana." Performances take place at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza. For more information, visit stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents The Dapper Flappers through July 27. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Donizetti's comedy The Elixir of Love in rotating repertory with three other operas May 31-June 25. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

Photo: Jill Ritter Lindberg

New Line Theatre presents the St. Louis premiere of the musical Hands on a Hardbody Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, May 29 - June 21. "This unique new musical is based on the acclaimed 1997 documentary of the same name, about an annual contest at a Texas truck dealership, where ten hard-luck Texans compete for a new hardbody truck. A new lease on life is so close each of them can touch it, and now for once, their fate is in their hands. Under a scorching sun, over the next 144 hours they will laugh, cry and push their bodies and minds to the limits, as they fight to keep at least one hand on a brand new truck. The contestant with the most nerve and endurance will drive away with the American Dream." Performances take place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre, 6501 Clayton Road. For more information: newlinetheatre.com or call 314-534-1111.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry IV nightly except for Tuesdays through June 14. Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, written as two separate plays, have been edited to fit into one evening. Beginning May 25, the production alternates with performances of Henry V. “Audience members can expect a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience this season,” said Rick Dildine, Artistic and Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St.Louis. “Many theaters around the world have performed these plays in consecutive seasons; however, we are performing them at the same time with the same cast on the same set.” Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org and don't forget to check out my interview with the directors. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis presents Henry V nightly except for Tuesdays through June 15. Beginning May 26, the production alternates with performances of Henry IV. Performances take place in Shakespeare Glen next to the Art Museum in Forest Park. Curtain time is 8 PM. For more information, visit shakespearefestivalstlouis.org and don't forget to check out my interview with the directors. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: John Lamb

St. Louis Actors' Studio continues its seventh season, themed Sins of the Father, with Pinter's The Homecoming through June 8. " In an old and slightly seedy house in North London there lives a family of men: Max, the aging, crude patriarch, his ineffectual brother Sam and two of Max's three sons, both unmarried- Lenny, a small-time pimp and Joey, who dreams of success as a boxer. Into this sinister abode comes the eldest son Teddy, now a successful professor of philosophy in America. After six years abroad, Teddy brings his wife Ruth, to meet the family for the first time. In the style that became a trademark, Pinter creates mounting tension, with insidiously bizarre accusations and proposals by the men to Ruth, The Homecoming gives way to an ominous game of cat and mice." Performances take place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information, call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: Ken Howard

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Mozart's The Magic Flute in rotating repertory with three other operas through June 28. Performances take place at the Loretto-Hilton Center at 135 Edgar Road on the Webster University campus. "Mozart’s most enchanting masterpiece returns in an all-new production, directed and designed by fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi. In this fantastic fairy tale, a prince goes on a quest to rescue a beautiful princess. His  companion, a bird catcher, hopes to snare true love. But in the end, it’s revealed that no one’s magic is ever quite as it seems." All performances are sung in English with projected English text. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.  Read my preview article! Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents Music, Courage, and Belief in Dialogues of the Carmelites. "Based on a true story of Carmelite nuns during the French Revolution, Dialogues of the Carmelites challenges modern understandings of faith and courage, asking audiences to contemplate the true meaning of sacrifice. Guest speaker Dr. Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Society of the Sacred Heart, will lead off the conversation with reflections on this true story, joined on the panel by conductor Ward Stare, director Robin Guarino, and soprano Christine Brewer." It's part of their Spotlight on Opera, a series of four insightful dialogues exploring the ideas in each season's opera, and it takes place on Monday, June 2, at 7:30 PM at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road. For more information, you may visit experienceopera.org or call 314-961-0644.

New Jewish Theater presents Old Jews Telling Jokes through June 1. “Think you've heard them all before? Think again! If you've ever had a mother, visited a doctor or walked into a bar with a priest, a rabbi and a frog, OLD JEWS TELLING JOKES will sit in the dark, give you a second opinion and ask you where you got that. You'll laugh til you plotz. It is a kosher pickle barrel full of laughs! Straight from NY, this is the first independent production.; recommended for mature audiences.” 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Circus Flora presents its new show, The Pawn, May 29 through June 22 under the air-conditioned, red-and-white, big top tent in Grand Center next to Powell Hall. " Drawing from the history of chess, this mythic tale is steeped in the rich sights, sounds and mystique of ancient Persia and India. The audience will journey to an exotic world where myth and intellect collide, and the stone city surrenders to the desert's ever shifting sands. Follow the Pawn on his journey through curious creatures and intrigues: knights mounted on steed, bishops zigzagging across colored squares, chess pieces flying through the air. In this world, the chess pieces do not wait to be moved. They have their own adventures to play out under the big top. For more information, visit circusflora.org.

Stages St. Louis presents the musical They're Playing Our Song May 30 - June 29. "Meet Vernon, a neurotic, witty composer and Sonia, a wacky, free spirited lyricist who form an unlikely partnership to write the next great love song. A rocky and hilarious start leaves them struggling to find their creative harmony - and romance was definitely not what they were expecting! But a series of unlikely events lead to a match made in musical comedy heaven. They're Playing Our Song is inspired by the real life love story of Academy Award-winning composer, Marvin Hamlisch (The Way We Were, The Sting) and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Carole Bayer Sager (“That's What Friends Are For”, “Nobody Does It Better” ). Topping off the jazzy score is a laugh-a-minute book by America's leading funny man, Tony Award Winner Neil Simon (Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple). A sweet and sophisticated musical romp, They're Playing Our Song will have you singing along from curtain up to curtain down!" 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.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents This is Nowhere by Caitlin McCommis Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM, through June 1 "Annie has built her life around travel and adventure, but it takes an unexpected turn when she's diagnosed with a debilitating chronic illness. She's ready to settle down, but when an old friend and fellow-wanderer returns to tell her about his recent adventures, she finds herself yearning for a past life and faces a tough choice: to fight against the illness or to fight for herself?" Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission on Delmar, across from the Pageant. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

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 April 7, 2014

Updated Tuesday, April 8

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 ArtsZipper site.

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Maryland Heights Community Theatre presents the Alice @ Wonderland Thursday and Sunday, April 10 and 13, at the Maryland Heights Centre, 2344 McKelvey Road. For more information, call 314-738-2599.

Lindenwood University presents Anna Karenina by Helen Edmonson, based on the novel by Tolstoy. Performances take place Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, April 10-13, in the black box theatre at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles, MO. "Anna Karenina, wife of Alexei Karenin, falls in love with Count Vronsky. When her husband refuses a divorce, the lovers run off together to Venice to escape the disapproval of Russian high society. But Vronsky is lured back to the old country by an offer of reinstatement in the military, and Anna must follow. There her tragic affair begins to unravel, in tandem with Anna's frail psyche. This classic story of love and betrayal isn't to be missed!" For more information, call 636-949-4433 or visit lindenwood.edu/center.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents its Bullets in the Bathtub through April 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

Stray Dog Theatre presents Kander and Ebb's musical Cabaret Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM through April 19. "The popular musical, based on British writer Christopher Isherwood’s semiautobiographical short novel Goodbye to Berlin, explores the decadence and seamy underbelly of 1930s Germany where beguiling, self-destructive chanteuse Sally Bowles lives with no thought for tomorrow. As the growing power of the Nazi’s Third Reich secretly begins to take hold, everything is thrown into disarray." Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Kirkwood Theatre Guild presents A Drama Studio Showcase on Thursday, April 10. The performance takes 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.

Clinton County Showcase presents the drama Doubt through April 13 Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

Mustard Seed Theatre presents Falling, written and directed by Deanna Jent. "Fresh from its off-Broadway run, Falling returns with the original St. Louis cast. The New York Post writes: "This heartfelt and nuanced family drama is shot through with dark humor. Falling soars!" While Falling explores hard truths within a family dealing specifically with autism, the story is really about loving someone who is hard to love." Performances take place April 11 - May 4 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.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Flaming Saddles through April 27. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

The Presenters Dolan present Taylor Pietz in If I Only Had a Brain on Thursday, April 10, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "People always see the perfectly put-together 'performer' side of me, but rarely do they see the unpolished and awkward side," says Taylor. "But tonight's the night. With songs highlighting the stumbles, falls, and life lessons of a perfectly imperfect artist." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

The Department of Theatre, Dance, and Media Arts at the University of Missouri at St. Louis presents The Laramie Project Thursday through Sunday, April 10-13. Performances take place at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on the UMSL campus. For more information, visit touhill.org or call 314-516-4949.

The Hawthorne Players present Laughter on the 23rd Floor Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, through April 13. The performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 921-5678 or visit hawthorneplayers.com.

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off through April 13. “Disasters abound as a frantic, sleep-deprived touring company of actors rehearses and performs their fictional farce, Nothing On. Too many doors, too many sardines and not near enough time combine to create a riotously funny situation on and off stage for both cast and crew. Michael Frayn's intricately crafted mayhem is hailed as one of the greatest comedies ever written.” 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Photo: Joan Marcus

The Fox Theatre presents the musical Once April 8-20. "Winner of eight 2012 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, ONCE is a truly original Broadway experience. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who's about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, ONCE draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It's an unforgettable story about going for your dreams... not living in fear... and the power of music to connect all of us. " The Fox Theatre is at 517 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com

St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley Theater Department presents Thornton Wilder's Our Town April 11-19. Performances take place in the Fisher Theatre on the campus at 3400 Pershall Road. For more information, call 314-644-5522.

Tesseract Theatre Company presents Taylor Gruenhoh's A Path Far From Here Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM, through April 13. "Things get a bit awkward when, after meeting Lisa on a sex website, Mark accidently gets trapped in an apartment with three women and a drag queen. With ecstacy and alcohol in his system Mark tries to understand the way the world moves around him. Lisa's mystery of a husband is possibly on his way, Anne was just fired for sleeping with her boss' brother, Flora was bitten at work today, and Cooper just wants to keep everyone calm, collected, and relatively unhurt. Injurious sex, misguided love, and experimental governmental drugs force this night off the rails. Each show will be preceded by a ten-minute curtain opener play, The Missouri Horror, by David Crespy." Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission on Delmar, across from the Pageant. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents cabaret singer Christy Simmons along with special guest vocalist Rosemary Watts in Playin' With the Boys on Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30 PM. Accompanying Ms. Simmons will be pianist and music director Joe Dreyer along with Dave Troncoso on bass and Clancy Newell on drums. Admission is free but "donations will be greatfully accepted." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in Debaliviere Place. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Photo: John Lamb

The West End Players Guild continues their 103rd season with Kate Fodor's Rx by Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, through April 13. “If there was a drug that could make your dreary job an exciting daily adventure, would you take it? If you did, would it make your life better or worse? And who would dream up such a thing in the first place? Answers to all those questions - liberally laced with laughter - will be found in Rx, the satirical romantic comedy by 2013 Guggenheim playwriting fellow Kate Fodor. The show takes a hilarious look at life, love and Big Pharma.” 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

The Presenters Dolan present Storm Large and Her Four-Piece Band in Taken by Storm: Songs of Seduction and Obsession on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. " A great singer, killer beauty and funny, fleshy truth teller, Storm has many lives. 1) She is a rock siren. 2) She fronts Pink Martini, a sophisticated pop symphony that tours all over the world. 3) She triumphed ("Sensational," said the NY Times) in a recent Brecht/Weil show at Carnegie Hall with Leonard Slatkin. 4) Best Selling Memoirist. She does it all supremely well. Very lucky to have her in St. Louis for the first time. Not to be missed. Definitely new key. With songs by Elvis Costello, Cole Porter, Willie Nelson, Cheap Trick, Olivia Newton-John and Storm Large." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

The Black Rep presents Wole Soyinka's The Trials of Brother Jero April 9 - 27. Performances take place at the Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University. For more information: theblackrep.org

Metro Theater Company presents Unsorted by Wesley Middleton Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13, at noon. “Clothes are the characters in a playful world where everyone must be sorted, according to the bully-boss known as 'Jacket.' Separate and divided? No way! These mixety characters want to hang out with each other. Distinctly separate categories make no more sense to the clothes than they do in our world. But Jacket is in charge. The sorting must be done...or else!” Performances take place at Wydown Middle School's new theater in Clayton. For more information: metrotheatercompany.org

Family Musical Theater presents Victor/Victoria Thursday and Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, through April 13, at the Ivory Theatre, 7622 Michigan. For more information, visit familymusical.org or call 314-571-9579.

Over Due Theatre presents the Kaufman and Hart's You Can't Take it With You Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, through April 13. Performances take place at the Olivette Community Center, 9723 Grandview Drive, in Olivette, MO. For more information, call 314-210-2959 or visit overduetheatrecompany.com.

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 31, 2014

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 ArtsZipper site.

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Lindenwood University's J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts presents the musical The Addams Family on Sunday April 6 at 8 PM. The Scheidegger Center is on the Lindenwood campus in St Charles MO. For more information, visit lindenwood.edu/center.

The Lemp Mansion Comedy-Mystery Dinner Theater presents its Bullets in the Bathtub through April 27. The Lemp Mansion is at 3322 DeMenil Place. For more information: lempmansion.com

Stray Dog Theatre presents Kander and Ebb's musical Cabaret Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM April 3-19. Performances take place at The Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee. For more information, visit straydogtheatre.org or call 314-865-1995.

The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University presents A Devised Piece April 4-6. “From Punch Drunk's Sleep No More to The Public Theater's Under the Radar festival, devised theatre is taking New York and the contemporary theatre in an exciting new direction. It seeks to create performances through experimentation, collaboration, and innovation. Devised theatre can emerge from a dream, a newspaper article, a poem, or anything that inspire its creator or creators to make a dynamic theatrical event. In this Conservatory first, students actors and designers will collaborate to create a piece of theatre from scratch." Performances take place at the Stage III Auditorium in Webster Hall. For more information: www.webster.edu/fine-arts/departments/conservatory/index.html or call 314-968-7128

Clinton County Showcase presents the drama Doubt April 4-13 Performances take place at the Avon Theater, 525 North 2nd Street Breese IL. For more information, visit ccshowcase.com.

The Bissell Mansion Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre presents Flaming Saddles through April 27. The Bissell Mansion is at 4426 Randall Place. For more information: bissellmansiontheatre.com

Edison Theatre Ovations! Presents the “live-action graphic novel” Intergalactic Nemesis Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5, at 8 PM. Performances take place in the Edison Theatre on the Washington University campus. For more information, call (314) 935-6543 or visit edison.wustl.edu.

The Presenters Dolan present Katie McGrath: Love in the Desert: Romance in the Age of Scarcity on Friday, April 4, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. "Nobody's better at love gone bad than Katie, who asks, "In our world economy, scarcity is the problem of having seemingly unlimited human wants and needs in a world of limited resources. But this issue is also alive and well in matters of love. Why is it then, as we age and the prospective romance population shrinks, we become needier yet more demanding than ever?" The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

The Hawthorne Players present Laughter on the 23rd Floor Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, April 4-13. The performances take place at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre at Parker and Waterford in Florissant, MO. For more information, call 921-5678 or visit hawthorneplayers.com.

The Presenters Dolan present Morgan A. Faulkner: I Got it All From My Mom on Thursday, April 3, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. " Following her sold-out debut at New York's The Duplex, and an encore performance in Sante Fe, Morgan is thrilled to premier her One-Woman Show 'I Got It All From My Mom' here in the great state of her birth! One daughter's discovery there is humor in heartbreak, strength in weakness, and that ice cream conquers all." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

Photo: Jerry Naunheim, Jr.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off through April 13. “Disasters abound as a frantic, sleep-deprived touring company of actors rehearses and performs their fictional farce, Nothing On. Too many doors, too many sardines and not near enough time combine to create a riotously funny situation on and off stage for both cast and crew. Michael Frayn's intricately crafted mayhem is hailed as one of the greatest comedies ever written.” 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

Gateway Opera presents Menotti's The Old Maid And The Thief at 7:30 PM Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5, at The Chapel Venue, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information: www.katereimann.com/oldmaid

Tesseract Theatre Company presents Taylor Gruenhoh's A Path Far From Here Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM, April 4-13. "Things get a bit awkward when, after meeting Lisa on a sex website, Mark accidently gets trapped in an apartment with three women and a drag queen. With ecstacy and alcohol in his system Mark tries to understand the way the world moves around him. Lisa's mystery of a husband is possibly on his way, Anne was just fired for sleeping with her boss' brother, Flora was bitten at work today, and Cooper just wants to keep everyone calm, collected, and relatively unhurt. Injurious sex, misguided love, and experimental governmental drugs force this night off the rails. Each show will be preceded by a ten-minute curtain opener play, The Missouri Horror, by David Crespy." Performances take place at the Regional Arts Commission on Delmar, across from the Pageant. For more information: tesseracttheatre.org.

Photo: John Lamb

New Jewish Theater presents Arthur Miller's The Price through April 16. “Everything has a price. In one of the most emotional pieces that Arthur Miller ever wrote, two estranged brothers reunite for one day to sort and sell their deceased father's "furniture," before the building is torn down. The brothers are forced to deal with the price of decisions made in their shared past.” 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. Read the 88.1 KDHX review!

St. Louis Shakespeare presents Romeo and Juliet through April 6. Performances take place in the Thomas Hunter Theatre at DeSmet Jesuit High School, 233 N New Ballas Road. For more information, call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

Photo: John Lamb

The West End Players Guild continues their 103rd season with Kate Fodor's Rx by Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, April 4-13. There will also be a show on Thursday, April 10, at 8 PM. “If there was a drug that could make your dreary job an exciting daily adventure, would you take it? If you did, would it make your life better or worse? And who would dream up such a thing in the first place? Answers to all those questions - liberally laced with laughter - will be found in Rx, the satirical romantic comedy by 2013 Guggenheim playwriting fellow Kate Fodor. The show takes a hilarious look at life, love and Big Pharma.” 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 COCA Theatre Company presents Tales, an original devised play told through physical theatre and circus and directed by Josh Routh. Performances are Friday through Sunday, April 4-6. COCA is at 524 Trinity in University City. For more information, call (314) 725-6555 or visit www.cocastl.org.

The Presenters Dolan present Todd and Kelly Decker in They Can't Take That Away from Me: Songs and Stories of Ira Gershwin on Saturday, April 5, at 8 PM as part of the Gaslight Cabaret Festival. " The Gershwin brothers - George (music) and Ira (lyrics) - remade popular music in the 1920s and 1930s, writing songs for Broadway shows and Hollywood films that have stood the test of time. In their own time, these sons of Jewish immigrants helped define what the word "jazz" meant and charted a meteoric path to international stardom before George's untimely death at age thirty-eight. This show revisits the Gershwins' greatest songs - "The Man I Love," "Summertime," "I Got Rhythm," "S'Wonderful," the list goes on and on - and explores just what makes a Gershwin tune so irresistible." The performance takes place at the Gaslight Theater, 358 North Boyle. For more information: gaslightcabaretfestival.com.

Family Musical Theater presents Victor/Victoria Thursday and Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 2 PM, April 4-13, at the Ivory Theatre, 7622 Michigan. For more information, visit familymusical.org or call 314-571-9579.

Over Due Theatre presents the Kaufman and Hart's You Can't Take it With You Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM, April 4-13. Performances take place at the Olivette Community Center, 9723 Grandview Drive, in Olivette, MO. For more information, call 314-210-2959 or visit overduetheatrecompany.com.

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.

TPTBT (The Place to Be Tonight): Wednesday, May 22

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Who: Tesseract Theatre Company
What: You Won't See Me
Where: The Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar
When: Tonight through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 4 PM
Why: "Mal has had an adventurous life, witnessing first hand the rise of the greatest band in rock n’ roll history. What should have been a life of happiness and fulfillment has turned into one of loneliness and abandonment. Now John, a young writer, has come to help Mal write his memoir, but Mal’s reluctancy to bring up old memories makes things get a bit out of hand. But isn’t that the way everything turns out when The Beatles are involved?" The play is by company playwright in residence Caitlin McCommis. Tesseract's mission is "to emphasize the diversity and significance of multiracial casting in the regional theatre spectrum of the Midwest through the art of ensemble performance and the ability to mix new writings from a company of local playwrights with existing works from the national canon." That's admirable, and local playwrights need all the encouragement they can get.

TPTBT (The Place to Be Tonight): Friday, March 15th

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Samantha Macher

Who: The Tesseract Theatre Company
What: To The New Girl From The Former Mrs._______: Sound Advice for My Husband's Wife or Mistress by Samantha Macher
Where: The Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar (across the street from The Pageant)
When: Tonight at 8 through March 24
Why: From the company web site: “Ten different women, from all walks of life, giving advice to the 'other woman' on the proper 'care' of their former mates.” You've got to admit that it's a provocative idea and, of course, local professional theatre companies producing local premieres is always a good thing. Performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 4 PM, March 13-24. Prior commitments are going to prevent me from seeing this, but that's no reason for you to miss it. Visit www.tesseracttheatre.org for more info or email contact at tesseracttheatre.org.

Samantha Macher, FYI, is a Playwright-in-Residence at Sky Pilot Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Her play The Arctic Circle was a Reva Shiner Comedy Award Finalist and a Dolce Revolution Playwriting Contest finalist, and was produced in Manhattan in affiliation with Playwright’s Horizons.