Edition: St. Louis Hosts U.S. Figure Skating Championships
St. Louis Music & Theatre Scene
Author: Cheryl Hughley
Glitz, Glamour and All That Jazz!
St. Louis boasts
a mecca of musical entertainment. From the extravagant performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre (314-534-1111, 527 N. Grand, M4;B6) to the world-renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (314-534-1700, 718 N. Grand, M4;B6) at Powell SymphonyHall, there is something for everyone in our grand town. Additionally, the stellar casts at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (314-968-4925, 130 Edgar Rd., M4;E1) and the St. Louis Black Repertory Company (314-534-3810, 634 N. Grand, M4;B6) always delight audiences with a wide selection of musicals and other critically acclaimed performances.
A place where the legendary talents of trumpeters Miles Davis and Clark Terry began their careers, St. Louis is also a hotspot for some of the hippest international jazz acts in the world today. Centrally located in the Grand Center Arts and Entertainment District (M4;B6), jazz fans can enjoy dinner and drinks in a sophisticated atmosphere at Jazz at the Bistro (314-531-1012, 3536 Washington Ave., M4;B6). Candlelit tables, attentive staff and fine dining are combined with America's favorite art form to make the perfect evening for everyone. A recent addition to the music scene, Finale (314-863-8631, 8025 Bonhomme, M8;E2) offers live jazz in an intimate setting in the Clayton neighborhood. For those preferring a larger theatre, the Roberts Orpheum Theatre (314-588-0388, 416 N. 9th, M2;B4), the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center (314-516-4949, UM-St. Louis, M4;B6) and The Sheldon Concert Hall (314-533-9900, 3658 Washington Ave., M4;B6) host a generous selection of jazz and other phenomenal music acts.
The trendy and arts-oriented tourist will find recreation, fun and adventure in The Loop (M4;A2) in University City. Colorful street musicians sometimes entertain the crowds, while the many choices of international cuisine and an eclectic selection of art shops provide ample opportunities to spend a leisurely afternoon or a romantic night. Spend your evening with a sampling of the different styles of musical talent at restaurants like Brandt's Market and Cafe (314-727-3663, 6525 Delmar, M4;A3) and Blueberry Hill (314-727-0880, 6504 Delmar, M4;A3). Fans of all ages can also catch a diverse mixture of national performances from Marc Cohn to Willie Nelson at the nearby Pageant Theatre (314-726-6161, 6161 Delmar, M4;A3) as well.
What would a trip to St. Louis be without a visit to historic Laclede's Landing (M2;A5) and surrounding areas in downtown St. Louis? The Big Bang (314-241-2264, 807 N. 2nd, M2;A5) offers music and fun with dueling pianists, bands, and lots of audience participation. A hotspot for the blues, BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups (314-426-5222, 700 S. Broadway, M2;D4) presents year-round entertainment in a former hotel with a checkered past. Self-proclaimed as the "Home of Live Blues Seven Nights a Week," Beale on Broadway (314-621-7880, 701 S. Broadway, M2;D4) is the place to sample the music of the mighty Mississippi. Several other nightclubs and bars offer live music and dancing for those who long for the nightlife. No matter what your musical pleasure, St. Louis is the place to be.
What do some of the famed venues of St. Louis have to say about the 2005-2006 season?
The Fabulous Fox
Location: 527 North Grand Boulevard Tickets: Metrotix (314-534-1111, or toll free 1-800-293-5949
"St. Louis is fortunate to be one of the first cities on the national tour of the new hit musical Wicked which is currently sold out in Chicago and on Broadway. It will play the Fox in November and is a must-see event with elaborate sets, dazzling costumes and an extraordinarily talented cast. The Fox Theatre is known for providing the best in live entertainment. From the Andy Williams Christmas Show in December to The Phantom of the Opera in June, the Fox truly does offer something for everyone." (Mike Issacson, Vice President for Programming)
Jazz at the Bistro
Location: 3536 Washington Avenue Tickets: Metrotix (314)534-1111 or toll free 1-800-293-5949
"This season will mark our 10th anniversary and we are pleased to present what we think is our greatest season ever. Along with Jazz at the Bistro favorites like John Pizzarelli, Ahmad Jamal, Ann Hampton Callaway and Arturo Sandoval we are featuring a number of artists making their Jazz at the Bistro debut. We wanted to bring in as many artists as we could to help us celebrate this milestone, so we have a few shows that feature a combination of artists you will only see at our venue. These include our tribute to St. Louis jazz disc jockey Leo Chears, featuring Joey DeFrancesco, Marlena Shaw and Houston Person, and Cyrus Chestnut with special guest vocalist, Carla Cook. We hope that everyone will come down and be part of the celebration." (Gene Dobbs Bradford, Executive Director)
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Location: Browning Mainstage/Emerson Studio Theatre - Loretto Hilton Center (130 Edgar Road, Webster Groves) Off-Ramp series - Grandel Theatre (3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis) Tickets: (314) 968-4925
"The Rep is celebrating its 39th season, but even though we're 'pushing 40', we're still growing. In addition to six shows on our Mainstage and three shows in the intimate Studio Theatre in Webster Groves, we're thrilled to be opening our new Off-Ramp series with three St. Louis premieres at the Grandel Theatre in the heart of Grand Center. We've got something for everyone, from one of the funniest musicals ever written with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to the compelling Pulitzer and Tony-winning drama I Am My Own Wife, from the zany antics of the Reduced Shakespeare Company in their new show Completely Hollywood (abridged) to Richard Greenberg's highly-acclaimed story of baseball and life, Take Me Out. It's going to be a great year!" (Brad L. Graham, Public Relations Manager)
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Location: 718 North Grand Boulevard Tickets: (314) 534-1700
"The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra begins its 126th season under the direction of American-born conductor David Robertson, who is in his first season with the United States' second oldest orchestra. He leads an orchestra which has won six Grammy Awards and has been nominated 56 times. The Symphony season runs from September to May and features 65 subscription concerts and additional special event concerts each season. This season features four performances in the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City." (Jeff Trammel, Director of Communications)
The Fox Theatre
527 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63103
An exotic, restored venue from the days of the grand movie houses.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
718 N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103
This world-renowned orchestra performs in the elegant Powell Symphony Hall.
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
130 Edgar Rd., St. Louis, MO 63119
One of St. Louis's leading professional theatre companies. The Rep presents musicals, comedies, and dramas, contemporary and classic, on two stages in the Loretto-Hilton Center (Season runs September-April). In addition, they offer three shows at The Grandel Theatre in Grand Center (Season runs September-December).
