Edition: St. Louis Celebrates the Holidays
The Music & Theater Scene
Author: Judy Kupsky
The best of this season's plays, musicals, and concerts.
The St. Louis theater and concert scene is hot with award-winning artists and shows during the cold winter months. There is something to please everyone, from dance music of the baroque and classical era at The Sheldon Concert Hall, to Edward Scissorhands at The Fox Theater. All of the venues below have many more concerts and shows than are listed here. For a complete schedule, view their websites or call the phone numbers provided.
The Reperatory Theater of St. Louis (314-968-4925, Edgar Road), located on the campus of Webster University, is the site of St. Louis's premier regional theater group. It's a big theater, but feels as intimate as a living room with no seat more than 20 rows from the stage. The Steinbeck callic Of Mice and Men appears through November 5, followed by The Musical of Musicals-The Musical! appearing November 29 - Decemeber 29. The New Year begins with George Bernard Shaw's Heartbreak House, a moving and comic masterpiece set on the eve of World War I in cultured Europe, showing January 3 - 28. The Rep's provocative Off-Ramp Series, performed at Grandel Theatre (3610 Grandel Square), may appeal to those who enjoy more edgy or experimental productions. This year's series includes Shakespeare's R&J through November 5, and Urinetown: The Musical, November 15 - December 10.
Do you like to be part of the acting company you're watching? If so, check out The Bissell Mansion Restaurant and Dinner Theater (314-533-9830, 4426 Randall Place). Dinner and murder mystery shows are every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and every Sunday at 2 p.m. the November and December show is A Christmas Killing-The Murder of Ebenezer Scrooge. Showing January through April is Go With the Wind. Being part of the cast is optional...But you may not want to pass upu the chance to be a murder mystery star!
A trip to St. Louis is always made more memorable with a visit to the fabulous Fox Theater (314-535-1700, 531 N. Grand). The Fox is an opulently restored 1920s theater in which you may want to enjoy Monty Python's Spamalot, showing October 31 - November 26. The 2005 Tony Award winner The Light in the Piazza is showing January 30 - February 11, and beginning on February 27 the story made famous by Johnny Depp, Edward Scissorhands, will run through March 11. Special performances of A Christmas Carol, Cats, Mamma Mia!, Stomp, and Doubt, are also showing at the Fox Theater.
The world-renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is back for its 127th season. David Roberston has been at the helm for a year, and has stunned audiences with his energetic and novel approach to conducting. Powell Symphony Hall (314-534-1700, 718 N. Grand Blvd.) is the beautiful concert hall that resonates with the symphony's high caliber performances. Roberston will conduct "Higher Realms," the concert series eatured on November 18-19, with the heavenly theme of Rachmaninoff's Vespers, Messiaen's L'Assension, Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1, and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms. The whole family will enjoy the Holiday Concerts, December 15-17, when Powell Symphony Hall becomes a holiday palace and joyful sounds of the season are played by the symphony. January 12 and 13 find us contemplating "Peace and Pleasure" which includes two pieces by Mendelssohn and Features Heidi Harris as the solo violinist.
If dance is what you crave, don't miss a couple of stand-outs featured by Dance St. Louis. On February 9-10, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble will visit St. Louis at the Touhill Performing Arts Center (314-516-4949, UM-St. Louis). This Budapest troupe uses authentic Eastern European folk dances and costumes. Just in time for Mardi gras, see Dance Brazil, February 23-25. Dance Brazil has the rhythms of Samba, the movementss of Capoeira and a dash of modern dance.
Have you ever experienced a cabaret show? How about one that's housed with an outstanding restaurant in a glorious neighborhood? Savor (314-531-0220, 4356 Lindell) is a Central West End restaurant located in an historic mansion. But what makes this restaurant stand alone is its intimate Flim Flam Theatre, specializing in cabaret shows. On November 8-11 Flim Flam is featuring Mary Cleere Haran who sings standards from Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Lorenz Hart and Johnny Mercer. On November 15-18 catch Maude Maggart, Fiona Apple's big sis, who is known as "the hottest young thing in cabaret."
For a varied group of musical concerts, visit The Sheldon Concert Hall (314-533-9900, 3648 Washington Blvd.). The atmosphere is cozy and the accoustics are some of the best in St. Louis. Noteworthy concerts for this season include George Winston on November 11; Christmas with the Aaron Neville Quintet, December 6; jazz pianist Peter Martini with his Trio and guest Erin Bode, January 27; and the Brubeck Brothers Quartet on February 24.
Why not combine some sight-seeing with an unforgettable musical experience at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (314-373-8200, 4431 Lindell)? Built in 1907, its unique design combines Romanesque architecture on the exterior and a wondrous Byzantine style inside. It contains the largest mosaic collection in the world, created by 20 different artists and convering 83,000 square feet. St. Louis Cathedral Concerts presents the Vienna Choir Boys on November 9 and 10. If it's the spirit of the season you're looking for, be sure to take in Christmas at the Cathedral on December 10. Other organ and vocal concerts follow in January and February. For tickets, call 314-533-7662.
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).
Bissell Mansion Dinner Theatre
4426 Randall Pl., St. Louis, MO 63107
Interactive murder mystery served with a four course dinner in St. Louis's oldest home. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets $36.95-$40.95. Reservations required.>
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.
Dance St. Louis
527 N. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63103
Dance St. Louis brings the world's best dance to the city.
Touhill Performing Arts Center
1 University Blvd., University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63121
Located on the campus of the University of Missouri - St. Louis, this structure, designed by architect I.M. Pei, hosts world-famous performers as well as local favorites.
Savor
4356 Lindell, St. Louis, MO 63108
Tasteful cuisine from around the world in a grand mansion that has been restored.
The Sheldon Concert Hall
3658 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108
With a reputation for perfect acoustics, the Sheldon is a much-appreciated concert venue and art gallery that has been bringing the finest of both to St. Louis for over a decade.
