Arts Guide

‘Mean Girls’ comes to the Fox Theatre Feb. 15-27.

2022WINTER ARTS GUIDE

PHOTO: JENNY ANDERSON

THE 2022 WINTER ARTS GUIDE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF:

BY PATRICIA CORRIGAN | SPECIAL TO THE LIGHT

The weather outside may be frightful — or unseasonably delightful — but either way, the cultural heart of the St. Louis arts scene beats on through the winter months and well into spring. Music (all sorts), theater, dance, the visual arts and comedy all are part of the metropolitan area’s busy entertainment schedule over the next few months, and we’ll tell you where to get tickets. As spring flower aficionados, we’ll even alert you about how to find out what’s blooming when at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Wherever you go, before you head out, check with the venue regarding current COVID-19 protocols designed to keep everyone safe. Here are just some of the places to go, people to see (Elton John! Laura Benanti! Rob Schneider! Paula Poundstone!) and things to do.

JANUARY

It’s good to be king, although two characters in Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera “The Gondoliers” aren’t sure which of them may rightfully claim the crown. Winter Opera St. Louis reveals all in performances Jan. 15-16 at the

KIRKWOOD PERFORMING ARTS

CENTER. Tickets range from $35-$55; see winteroperastl.org/performances.

Back on stage at last, the New Jewish Theatre opens its season with Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” a rollicking reminiscence of the playwright’s experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows.” See it Jan. 20-Feb. 6 at the Jewish Community Center’s Wool Studio Theater in the STAENBERG FAMILY COMPLEX. Tickets for matinee or evening performances range from $54$62, available at bit.ly/3pQDsVA.

Spend “An Evening with Tony Winner Laura Benanti” at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at THE SHELDON. Benanti’s performance is a benefit for the Cabaret Project of St.

The New Jewish Theatre will open its season with Neil Simon’s ‘Laughter on the 23rd Floor.’ Above is a cast photo from NJT’s 2010 production of the play.

Louis. Tickets to the “gala” part are $200; individual concert tickets are $65. See bit. ly/32JOumQ.

Four actors deftly play more than 150 roles in “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced comedic thriller “packed with intrigue, international danger and old-fashioned romance.” See it Jan. 21-Feb. 13 at the REPERTORY THEATRE OF ST. LOUIS. For performance times and prices, see repstl.org/. performs each of three sections of Duke Ellington’s jazz suite “Black, Brown and Beige,” which will be interspersed with live monologues by three actors of the Black Rep. The music and spoken word sections will be paired with original choreography performed by the Big Muddy dancers as a visual representation of both celebration and struggle. See it Jan. 28-29 at THE GRANDEL THEATRE. Tickets, ranging from $25-$45, are available at bit. ly/3eLAlrB.

Dance St. Louis presents ‘Tango Argentina’ Feb. 5 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMI MUSIC LLC

FEBRUARY

Sensuous music and movement come together when Dance St. Louis brings Tango Argentina to the TOUHILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Feb. 5. Eight dancers and a quartet of musicians explore tango through choreography and improvised elements. Tickets range from $40 to $65 and are available at bit.ly/32RhAjT.

Children ages 5 and up (and their families) will enjoy Metro Theater Company’s production of “Last Stop on Market Street” on Feb. 6-27 at the GRANDEL THEATRE. The show is “a Motown/hip-hop musical adaptation” of the picture book, which was awarded a Newbery Medal. Tickets cost $20-$36; see bit.ly/31l8knI.

Gotta dance? You’ll want to see “Dancing with the Stars – Live Tour 2022” at 8 p.m. Feb. 9 at the STIFEL THEATRE. This new show features favorite performers from the TV series dancing the Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Salsa, Tango and more. Tickets cost $36.50$76.50. See bit.ly/348vLla.

We know their wrath and it isn’t nice. “Mean Girls,” the musical, comes to the FOX THEATRE Feb. 15-27. The story centers on a high school teen who moves to suburban Illinois from the African savanna, only to find that the popular girls at her school, better known as “The Plastics,” might be harder to tame than the wild animals back home. Tickets, ranging from $29 to $125, are available at the Fox box office as well as www.fabulousfox. com.

Have issues? So does Rob Schneider, standup comic, actor and “Saturday Night Live” veteran. For details, attend his “I Have Issues” show at 8 p.m. Feb. 18 at THE FACTORY in Chesterfield. Tickets range from $35-$59. See bit.ly/3sQwTnW.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra invites families to “Peter and the Wolf,” a “symphonic adventure” in Sergei Prokofiev’s beloved work in which each character in the musical fairy tale is represented by a different instrument. See it at 3 p.m. Feb. 20 at POWELL SYMPHONY HALL. Tickets range from $12-$19. Visit slso.org for tickets or more information.

Comedian and actor Rob Schneider visits The Factory in Chesterfield on Feb. 18.

More than 90 examples — including one rendered in oil on lapis lazuli — by 58 artists make up “Paintings on Stone: Science and the Sacred 1530–1800,” on display Feb. 20–May 15 at the ST. LOUIS ART MUSEUM. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $6 for children 6-12. For details, see bit. ly/3EPJJoW.

MARCH

Based on a novel from 1580 (no kidding!) and set to the music of the iconic 1980s all-girl rock band the Go-Go’s, “Head Over Heels,” a subversive love story, follows the escapades of a royal family who set out on a journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction. Along the way, they discover that the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their hearts, though not always in a way they expect. Produced by New Line Theatre at the MARCELLE THEATRE in Grand Center from March 3-26, tickets, from $20 to $30, are available by calling MetroTix at 314534-1111 or visiting the Fox Theatre box office or metrotix.com.

Gather up the kids (or grandkids) and head to the FOX THEATRE for a short run March 8-10 of “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” a musical based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book. Tickets cost $32-$90. For more information, go to fabulousfox.com/ events.

Blues musician Calvin Richardson will perform at the 14th annual Gateway Blues Festival at Stifel Theatre on March 19.

Also at the FOX THEATRE just days later, Ben Platt will perform at 8 p.m. March 16, singing songs from his new album “Reverie.” (Maybe you saw him in “Dear Evan Hansen?”) Platt is bringing along crooner Jake Wesley Rogers, who was born in Springfield, Mo. Tickets range from $49.50-$125. See fabulousfox.com.

The 14th annual Gateway Blues Festival

will fill the stage at 7 p.m. March 19 at the STIFEL THEATRE, featuring “a blues honor roll of performers and legends alike”

The Fox Theatre presents ‘Hamilton’ April 12-May 15. Pictured here is the 2018 Philip National Tour - Elijah Malcomb, Joseph Morales, Kyle Scatliff e, and Fergie L. Philippe.

PHOTO: JOAN MARCUS 2018

that will includes Tucka, Calvin Richardson, Pokey Bear, Chick Rodgers, Nellie Tiger Travis and Sir Charles Jones. Tickets range from $59-$125; see bit. ly/3sZrmeZ.

Finally, something old hippies can get excited about. Graham Nash, formerly of the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash (and sometimes Young), brings his songs and stories to THE PAGEANT in a rescheduled 2020 concert (thanks for nothing, COVID) at 8 p.m. March 23. Tickets are $42.50 and $52.50 and can be purchased at the venue’s box office or at the bit.ly/3pPcE8c.

In celebration of the power, we must survive challenging times. New Jewish Theatre presents “Every Brilliant Thing,” which will remind us all to practice gratitude. The play is onstage March 24-April 10 at the Jewish Community Center’s Wool Studio Theater in the STAENBERG FAMILY COMPLEX. Tickets for matinee or evening performances range from $54-$62, available at bit.ly/3pS668E.

Puccini’s music of love and betrayal soars in “Madama Butterfly,” presented by Winter Opera Saint Louis March 25 and 27 at the KIRKWOOD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. Tickets range from $35$55. See winteroperastl.org/ performances/.

Elton John will bring his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour to the ENTERPRISE CENTER at 8 p.m. March 30. Find tickets ranging from $263 to astronomical (verified resale tickets that can go for upwards of $2,000) at ticketmaster.com.

The MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN showcases spring flowers beautifully, and now’s the time to start checking missouribotanicalgarden.org for information on extended hours. Expect postings from late March through May to learn when to see cherry blossoms, magnolias, tulips and iris.

Graham Nash plays The Pageant on March 23.

APRIL

Comedian/actor and “SNL” alum David Spade goes to work at THE FACTORY on April 2, unleashing his unique brand of standup on his “Catch Me Inside” tour at 7 p.m. Tickets, starting at $45, are available at ticketmaster.com.

Continued on following page

G I L B E R T & S U L L I V A N

Sung in English with English supertitles Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 7:30pm Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 2:00pm

Kirkwood Performing Arts Center 210 E. Monroe Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122

Gary Moss Duke of Plaza-Toro Angela Christine Smith Duchess of Plaza-Toro Dario Salvi Conductor John Stephens Director

Don’t throw away your shot — see the national tour of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical “Hamilton” on April 12-May 15 at the FOX THEATRE. (Already seen it? OK, but is once really enough?) Tickets cost $70-$199. See fabulousfox.com/events for details.

Performing since age 11, Ana Vidović brings her special talent to THE ETHICAL SOCIETY at 8 p.m. April 16, presented by St. Louis Classical Guitar. Tickets cost $34-$39. More than 27 million people have watched the video of the international star posted at bit.ly/3mOR2qA — and you can be next.

Justin Bieber’s rescheduled (from July 2021) Justice Tour comes to the ENTERPRISE CENTER at 7:30 p.m. April 25 with special guests Jaden, Eddie Benjamin & ¿TÉO? Tickets start at $59.50 and go to $199.50. They can be gotten at bit.ly/3ERTy5J.

Soak up the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s concert “From the Sea to the Stars” on April 30-May 1 at POWELL

Single Tickets on Sale Now!

Join us for the best in jazz, folk, classical, world music and more in the perfect acoustics of The Sheldon!

Dianne Reeves

Flamenco Vivo DhakhaBrakha

Heather Headley

Watkins Family Hour Anita Jackson

and much more!

2021 – 2022 SEASON

Rosanne Cash

Drew & Ellie Holcomb

Femi Kuti

Visit TheSheldon.org or call MetroTix at 314.534.1111

SYMPHONY HALL, featuring the music of Jessie Montgomery, Claude Debussy and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Tickets range from $15-$93. For details, see slso. org.

Paula Poundstone, one of the country’s preeminent comedians, promises to bring laughter into your life when she performs at 8 p.m. April 30 at THE SHELDON. Tickets cost $40-$45. Read more at bit. ly/3zq13Qi.

MAY

The Black Rep presents “Jitney,” August Wilson’s first play in his 10-play cycle of 10 decades of history in Pittsburgh. Set in the 1970s in the midst of urban renewal the story follows a group of men who make a living driving makeshift gypsy cabs as they navigate love as fathers and sons, loss and hope and, ultimately, community. The production runs from May 11-29 at EDISON THEATRE on the campus of Washington University. Tickets are $50 with discounts for seniors and students. To purchase them and for more information, go to theblackrep.org.

The legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will display its signature country rock sounds at 6 p.m. May 21 at the outdoor CHESTERFIELD AMPHITHEATER. Tickets cost $35-$99. See bit.ly/3mS8Hhe.

“Carmen.” The title alone evokes memories of Georges Bizet’s marvelous score, and you can see the riveting love story play out May 21-June 25 at Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ production at the LORETTO HILTON CENTER. Tickets cost $$25-$135. See opera-stl.org/eventlistings.

It isn’t often that a highly anticipated show stops in St. Louis before heading to Broadway, but that’s the case with “The Karate Kid,” whose pre-Broadway debut kicks off the season at Stages St. Louis May 25 through June 26 at the

KIRKWOOD PERFORMING ARTS

CENTER. This new musical tells the story of Daniel LaRusso, who finds trouble with a group of cruel and harassing classmates. To defend himself, Daniel begins training with a reclusive handyman who just happens to be an expert martial artist. What he learns, though, is that fighting is done with the head and the heart, not the fists. More information about single tickets, which go on sale April 4, can be found at stagesstlouis.org.

You have seven (count ’em, seven) opportunities to hear the Manhattan Transfer perform May 25-29 at THE

HAROLD AND DOROTHY STEWARD

CENTER FOR JAZZ (formerly Jazz at the Bistro). The legendary quartet known for its pop and jazz hits has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards out of 20 nominations and has been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Tickets cost $10-$61. See bit.ly/3FS8zpo.

Amid musical performances and food booths, more than 60 artists will sell their work at the Schlafly Art Outside Festival, a three-day, family friendly event held May 27-29 at SCHLAFLY BOTTLEWORKS in Maplewood. Shop for appealing gifts for brides, grooms, grads and dads. For times and more information, see bit.ly/32Tv9PQ.

LEFT: Comedian Paula Poundstone performs at The Sheldon on April 30.

BELOW: Justin Bieber’s Justice Tour comes to Enterprise Center April 25.

DANCE ST. LOUIS brings its 14th annual Emerson Spring to Dance Festival 2022 to the TOUHILL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER on the campus of UMSL on May 27-29. Eighteen nationally renowned professional dance companies will perform over three days in the 1,500-seat Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall. Tickets will be available at MetroTix.com when they go on sale later this year.

Editor-In-Chief Ellen Futterman contributed some information to this story.

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