The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis News

The Arts and Education Council (A&E), the St. Louis region's United Arts Fund, recently announced that Edward Jones has donated more than $766,700 this year in support of arts and arts education organizations throughout the 16-county, bi-state area. The majority of the funds were raised through Workplace Giving Campaigns at Edward Jones' corporate headquarters and 371 branch locations.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the fascinating play Opus by Michael Hollinger and directed by Brendon Fox. This unique play will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, January 8-February 2, 2014.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Other Desert Cities. A riveting new play by Pulitzer Prize nominee and creator of TV's hit drama Brothers & Sisters, Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities was named the Outstanding Play by the Outer Critics Circle and called 'the best new play on Broadway' by The New York Times. Jackson Gay returns to direct this new production after helming the Alley Theatre's productions of August: Osage County, Red andIntelligence-Slave.

Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2013-2014 season with SHOW BOAT, based on the novel by Edna Ferber, music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. This winner of the 1994 Tony Award for best revival features a score of timeless classics, including 'Ol' Man River, 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Make Believe.' Previews will be held tonight, November 12 - 14 and the show will run from November 15 - December 29. Opening night will be held on Friday, November 15 at 8pm.

I can't say that I've ever read much of Agatha Christie's work, I'm more inclined toward the convoluted and pulpy prose of Raymond Chandler myself. But, there's no denying the staying power of her play, THE MOUSETRAP, which is still running in Britain since its opening in 1952. It's become an institution, and has influenced countless writers with its mix of quirky characters and deliberately misleading red herrings. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting this classic mystery in a splendidly performed production, and it's a perfect holiday treat that engages and entertains.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the famous and fun whodunit play The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This classic mystery will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, today, December 4-29, 2013.

TheaterWorks will present the holiday World Premiere Christmas on the Rocks -- an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by multiple nationally known playwrights. These darkly humorous stories run tonight, December 3 through 22, 2013.

Holiday cheer will abound at Cleveland Play House (CPH) with an all-new production of the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Story running from tonight, Nov. 29th - Dec. 22nd in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.

The Clarence Brown Theatre holiday tradition of the timeless Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol' returns tonight, November 27 through December 22 on the Clarence Brown Theatre mainstage.

The Imaginary Theatre Company, the young audiences touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, will present The Velveteen Rabbit this holiday season. Based on Margery Williams' famed literary classic, adapted by playwright Kim Esop Wylie and with music and lyrics by Joe Dreyer, this 45-minute performance, suitable for all ages, is a musical that that celebrates the rewards of loyalty and the wonderful, surprising power of love.

PICT Theatre's final production of the season is the Pittsburgh premiere of Paul Giovanni's The Crucifer of Blood, a Sherlock Holmes adventure featuring characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Matt Torney directs. David Whalen returns to reprise the role of Sherlock Holmes since his 2011 turn as the master detective. Also returning from the 2011 production is Daryll Heysham as Inspector Lestrade. Justin R. G. Holcomb makes his PICT debut as Dr. Watson.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep) presents the famous and fun whodunit play The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie and directed by Paul Mason Barnes. This classic mystery will be performed on the Browning Mainstage of the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, 130 Edgar Road (on the campus of Webster University), Webster Groves, December 4-29, 2013.

STAGES ST. LOUIS has announced, after unprecedented demand, Always... Patsy Cline will return to St. Louis April 22 - June 15, 2014 to The Playhouse at Westport Plaza. Always... Patsy Cline was originally produced by STAGES during its record-breaking 27th Season, which resulted in two added performances and record-breaking attendance. Nightly, the audiences stopped the show with thunderous applause for numbers like 'Crazy,' 'Lovesick Blues,' and 'Your Cheating Heart.'

Holiday cheer will abound at Cleveland Play House (CPH) with an all-new production of the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Story running from Nov. 29th - Dec. 22nd in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. In honor of the 30th anniversary of the unforgettable film, CPH enthusiastically breathes new life into this classic story about Ralphie and his ultimate Christmas wish. Having delighted audiences for 30 years on both the big and small screens, this incredible production is brought to vivid life on stage for Northeast Ohio audiences. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by calling (216) 241-6000 or online at www.clevelandplayhouse.com. CPH is pleased to have University Hospitals as the Presenting Sponsor of A Christmas Story, along with Benesch, Nordson and FirstMerit as Supporting Sponsors.

TheaterWorks will present the holiday World Premiere Christmas on the Rocks -- an offbeat collection of twisted holiday tales by multiple nationally known playwrights. These darkly humorous stories run December 3 through 22, 2013.

Set in 1939, when Poland was falling to the Nazi's and Britain was being pulled into what would become World War II, playwright Mark St. Germain's engaging work FREUD'S LAST SESSION is a fascinating look at the historic meeting between two very different minds. Impeccably acted and directed, this Studio Theatre presentation by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a brilliant 75 minute piece that enlightens and entertains. This is absolute must-see theatre.

The Clarence Brown Theatre holiday tradition of the timeless Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" returns November 27 through December 22 on the Clarence Brown Theatre mainstage.

With the Broadway Fall season in full swing, and a constant need for replacements, there is a solid group of performers making their Broadway debuts this Fall. Meet all of Broadway's newest stars below!

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting a modern masterpiece with their soaring production of FLY. The acting is excellent, the direction is sharply focused, and the technical achievements are spectacular. I'm probably going to run out of superlatives before I finish this review, so bear with me as I gush on about one of the most amazing examples of 'action' theatre that I've had the privilege to witness. FLY is a theatrical experience that pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II in a most remarkable way, and it's an absolute must-see event.

Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company announce the upcoming Atlanta Premiere of David Mamet's Race directed by John Dillon. Race will run from February 25 - March 23, 2014 at Fulton County's Southwest Arts Center located at 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA 30331.