Tag Archives: theatreworks usa

St. Louis Family Theatre Series at Florissant Civic Center

Experience nationally touring family theater productions at the Florissant Civic Center Theatre!

Tickets
Public performance tickets are $8 each.
Box office hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm
Call 314.921.5678
Email FCCT@FlorissantMO.com
Purchase tickets online
Single tickets go on sale 45 days prior to the opening of any production.

Location
Florissant Civic Center Theater
1 James J. Eagan Drive
Florissant, MO 63033


Photo: Theatreworks USA

DRAGONS LOVE TACOS & OTHER STORIES
FROM THEATREWORKS USA

Public Performances: November 19, 24, and 25, 2017 at 2 pm

Approximately 50 minutes in length.
Recommended for grades K through 5.

Theatreworks USA’s newest musical revue of beloved contemporary children’s books!

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin Dragons love all sorts of tacos—except spicy ones! When a boy throws his new dragon friends a spicy salsa taco party , red-hot trouble ensues.

Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein: It’s bedtime for the little red chicken. Papa is going to read her a story, but the chicken can’t help interrupting. Will the chicken ever get to sleep?

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds: A story about the creative spirit in all of us. Vashti can’t draw, but when her teacher says “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.” Vashti discovers she is an artist, after all.

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride by Kate DiCamillo, Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen: Mercy, a porcine wonder, and Mr. Watson go for a ride every Saturday in Mr. Watson’s automobile. But one Saturday, guess who winds up behind the wheel?

Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa School Days by Erica Silverman, painted by Betsy Lewin Yee: Haw! Cowgirl Kate and her loyal horse Cocoa are the perfect pair. They do everything together, until school is in session—and horses are not allowed!

Production and Cast Information


HENRY & MUDGE
FROM THEATREWORKS USA

Public performances: January 12, 2018 at 7:30 pm AND
January 13 and 14, 2018 at 2 pm

Approximately one-hour in length.
Recommended for grades Pre-K through 3.

Moving from the city to a new house in the country can be tough. Just ask Henry, who can’t find a playmate in his new neighborhood! Luckily, he’s got Mudge, a great big, 182-pound canine buddy, with whom he can share all kinds of adventures!

Henry discovers that having a pet is a big responsibility — they need to be fed, they need to be taken out for walks, and of course they need lots of love and playtime! And when the dog is as big as Mudge is, they also need good training. Henry teaches his new friend to sit, heel, and shake his hand, but rolling over is one trick Henry just can’t seem to teach Mudge, no matter how hard he tries.

When Henry’s cousin Annie comes for a visit, Mudge is so charmed by her that he finally rolls over at her command! Henry thinks Mudge must love Annie more than him, because the dog only does the trick for her. Very upset, Henry runs away into the cold dark woods to find adventures on his own. Mudge follow’s the boy’s scent into the forest — he really does love Henry and doesn’t want to be without him.

Will the two friends be reunited? Find out in this Theatreworks musical, based on the best-selling series of books by Cynthia Rylant.

Read the study guide for Henry & Mudge.


PINKALICIOUS THE MUSICAL
FROM VITAL THEATRE COMPANY, INC.

Public performances: February 4, 2018 at 2 pm;
February 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm; and February 10, 2018 at 2 pm

Approximate run time is 50 minutes.

Photo: Vital Theatre Company

 

Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toes – a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament.

Read the study guide for Pinkalicious the Musical.


CLEMENTINE
FROM BARTER THEATRE COMPANY

Public performances: March 4, 2018 at 2 pm;
March 9, 2018 at 7:30 pm; March 10, 2018 at 2 pm

Photo: Barter Theatre

Clementine is having a terrible week, but this spunky eight-year-old doesn’t let her daily visits to the principal’s office get her down! Come join America’s favorite curly-haired carrot-top as she navigates the hilarious waters of friendship, family, school, and mischief on an epic third grade adventure you’ll never forget.

Adapted by Catherine Bush with music and lyrics by Dax Dupuy.
?From the book by Sara Pennypacker, illustrated by Marla Freeze.
Published by Disney-Hyperion.

Read the study guide for Clementine.

Winter Performances for Families

Here are some wonderful live performances to see with your family this winter in St. Louis. Charlotte’s Web, MOMIX, Seussical, the St. Louis Symphony, and Peter Rabbit Tales are sure to entertain!

January 15-17, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents
Charlotte’s Web
A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

Theatreworks’ production of Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman–she will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Read more about the production on Theatreworks USA’s site.


 

January 29-30, 2016
Dance St. Louis presents
MOMIX in Alchemia
The Touhill Performing Arts Center
One University Boulevard, St. Louis
Tickets $28 to $55
Call 314.516.4949 or purchase online.

The irrepressible Moses Pendleton presents Alchemia, his new work for the dazzling dancer-illusionists of MOMIX. Just as he led audiences on a surreal journey through the four seasons in Botanica, Pendleton manipulates the four classic elements–earth, air, fire, and water–in Alchemia to produce a show about the art of alchemy, and the alchemy of art. A multimedia spectacle, Alchemia bursts with beauty, daredevil thrills and playful humor. It’s MOMIX at its most magical.


 

February 12-14, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents
Seussical the Musical
A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’s best-loved stories collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper! Adapted from the Broadway version, this adaptation especially for young audiences features thirteen actors and enhanced production values. Seussical is TheatreworksUSA’s biggest show ever.

The Cat in the Hat is the host and emcee (and all-around mischief-maker) in this romp through the Seuss classics. When the sweet, good-natured elephant Horton hears a small cry for help coming from a small speck of dust, he promises to rescue and guard it because “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

On that small speck of dust lives JoJo, an imaginative young Who. JoJo has astounding “thinks,” in which anything’s possible, but his parents believe this creativity is inappropriate for the son of the Mayor of Who-Ville.

Meanwhile, the one-feathered bird, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, desperately wants Horton to notice her. Maybe, she thinks, she just needs a more impressive tail. At the same time, the amazingly lazy Maysie La Bird connives, cajoles and convinces Horton to sit on her egg while she goes off on a spree.

Will the planet of Who survive? Will Horton pay attention to Gertrude? Will Maysie ever return for her egg? Dr. Seuss’s beloved classic characters find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure, in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous “think” ever save the day! Read more about Seussical the Musical.


 

tales_of_shakespeare

Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 3 pm
St. Louis Symphony presents
Tales of Shakespeare
Powell Hall
718 North Grand Boulevard
Tickets $8 to $19
Call 314.534.1700 or purchase online.

Take a journey through the eyes of a few of Shakespeare’s most adventurous characters. Magic and mischief will follow you as his exciting stories unfold before your eyes and ears. Through music and the ancient art of storytelling, children and families will connect with the language and themes of some of Shakespeare’s most popular plays in an immersive, theatrical celebration. Featuring Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and more.

 


March 11-13, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents
Peter Rabbit Tales
An Enchantment Theatre Company production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

“Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were – Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter….” These famous opening lines of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” have enchanted young audiences for over one hundred years with the exploits of a charming hero, who, going against his mother’s wishes, has adventures (and misadventures) in Mr. McGregor’s garden. Beatrix Potter created an instant classic with the little blue-coated rabbit who we recognize as both boy and rabbit, wild and civilized, and who has become an icon of childhood since he first hopped out of the pages of a story book and into children’s hearts. Enchantment Theatre Company is delighted to collaborate with Frederick Warne & Co. and Penguin Books UK to present the authorized theatrical version of Peter Rabbit™ Tales.

Meet Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, Beatrix Potter’s beloved characters, as they escape from Mr. McGregor, outfox Mr. Tod and rescue the Flopsy Bunnies from the disagreeable badger, Tommy Brock. When Benjamin’s children disappear, he goes to his cousin, Peter Rabbit, to help him find the bunnies. But Peter thinks he’s had quite enough of adventure, remembering his youthful escapades in Mr. McGregor’s garden. As the cousins reminisce about their past adventures, their friends – Squirrel Nutkin, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-duck and Mrs. Tittlemouse – gather to encourage Peter on this one last quest.

In celebration of Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday anniversary, Enchantment Theatre brings her captivating stories to life. Using fantastic masks, whimsical puppets, gorgeous scenery and original music, the magical, marvelous World of Beatrix Potter™ comes alive on stage.

Top Photo: Mark Garvin, Enchantment Theatre Company

Upcoming Performances for Kids

There are so many exciting live performances geared towards kids this Fall and Winter in St. Louis. Here are a few shows not to miss!

Note: Performances at the Florissant Civic Center are nationally touring productions, feature excellent artists, and are top rate experiences! Don’t be misled by the inexpensive ticket prices.

wunderland2October 2-11, 2015 (Limited ticket availability)
COCA presents
wUNDERland
Founders’ Theatre at COCA
524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis
Tickets $16 to $20
Call 314.725.6555 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

Fall down the rabbit hole with this original dance production, created and choreographed by Anthony “Redd” Williams, that puts a hip-hop spin on Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Experience the classic upside-down fantasy world through a whole new lens with dazzling costumes and cutting-edge choreography, led by the larger-than-life Mad Hatter and many more lovable, whimsical characters.


 

caps_for_saleOctober 9-11, 2015
Florissant Civic Center presents
Caps for Sale, the musical
An Adventure Theatre MTC production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

“Caps! Caps for sale! Fifty cents a cap!” The cap peddler wears a huge stack of caps, balanced carefully on top of his head. Brown caps, blue caps, gray caps, and red caps. When no one buys a cap, he takes a nap under a shady tree. But, when he wakes up, the caps are gone! Was it bears, pirates, one thousand thieves, or a band of merry mischievous monkeys? Read more about the production.


 

October 21-November 1, 2015
The Fabulous Fox presents
Roald Dahl’s
Matilda the Musical
The Fox Theatre
527 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis
Tickets $25 to $88
Call 314.534.1111 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

“Welcome to the deliriously amusing, heartwarming, head-spinning world of MATILDA THE MUSICAL. You won’t want to leave” says Bloomberg News. It’s Time Magazine’s #1 show of the year! Winner of 50 international awards, including four Tony Awards®, MATILDA THE MUSICAL is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, MATILDA continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages on Broadway and in London’s West End. The Wall Street Journal says, “The makers of MATILDA have done the impossible – triumphantly! It is smart, sweet, zany, and stupendous fun.”


 

hoot_and_howlOctober 25, 2015 at 3 pm
St. Louis Symphony presents
Hoot & Howl at Powell
Powell Hall
718 North Grand Boulevard
Tickets $8 to $19
Call 314.534.1700 or purchase online.

Celebrate Halloween with a spooktacular concert along with help from special guest, Luna the Bat. Luna will take you on a musical tour of all the wickedly wonderful animals that relish the night. Featuring Night on Bald Mountain from Fantasia and John Williams’ Hedwig’s Theme from the popular Harry Potter films. Presented in partnership with the Saint Louis Zoo.


 

CAM_Halloween2015October 31, 2015, 10 am to noon
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM) presents
Family Day Block Party
3750 Washington Boulevard
FREE
Recommended for ages 3–12.

Celebrate Halloween in Grand Center! CAM partners with the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Sheldon Art Galleries for a special Family Day Block Party. Costumes encouraged.

10:00 to 10:30 am
Kota project (Pulitzer Arts Foundation)
At the Pulitzer, discover the hidden histories of Kota reliquary guardian figures, produced in Central Africa between the 17th and 20th centuries, and play an interactive digital game in the Pulitzer’s exhibition Kota: Digital Excavations in African Art.

10:45 to 11:15 am
STL Improv Anywhere performance (CAM)
At CAM, enjoy face painting and help create a “Haunted Garden” mural made out of cardboard with artist Daniel Raedeke. STL Improv Anywhere will lead a performance, and the New Art in the Neighborhood high school art students will guide special art activities.

11:30 am to noon
Uncle Albert performance (Sheldon Art Galleries)
At the Sheldon Art Galleries, enjoy crafts from 10:00 am to noon and a performance by acoustic group Uncle Albert at 11:30 am.


November 14-15, 2015
COCA presents
Superman 2050
A Theater Unspeakable production
Founders’ Theatre at COCA
524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis
Tickets $14 to $18
Call 314.725.6555 or purchase online.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

Epic story, pocket-sized proportions—seven actors share one tiny platform (just 3-by-7 feet of space!) and upon it an original Superman tale unfolds. Set in a fictional 2050 Metropolis with a remarkable resemblance to Chicago, this Theater Unspeakable production highlights imaginative, resourceful cast members who use only their bodies and voices to create every prop, scene, sound effect, and character in a battle between Superman and Lex Luthor.


FlyGuy

November 22, 27, and 28, 2015
Florissant Civic Center presents
Fly Guy and Other Stories
A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $5.25
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

A new musical revue based on favorite children’s books. Book titles subject to change:  Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl by Tedd Arnold, Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig by Kate McMullan, Horace & Morris But Mostly Dolores by James Howe, Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes, Lilly’s Big Day by Kevin Henkes and Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. Read more about the production on Theatreworks USA’s site.


 

Photo by Rachel Brandt.
Photo by Rachel Brandt

December 19-23, 2015
Imaginary Theatre Company presents
The Elves and the Shoemaker
Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall High School
530 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves
Tickets $7
Call 314.968.4925.
Run time: Approximately 50 minutes.

When a kindly shoemaker gives his only remaining pair of shoes to a cold and hungry beggar woman, he finds his good deed rewarded in unexpected ways. The shoemaker is shocked by the appearance of magic elves who turn his simple shoe shop into a great success, thrilling customers with their special creations. Based on the tale by the Brothers Grimm, this beloved, warm-hearted story is perfect for the holiday season, reminding us that where we find kindness, generosity and hope, anything is possible.


 

Photo: Presentation licensed by Disney Music Publishing and Buena Vista Concerts, a division of ABC Inc. © All rights reserved
Photo: Presentation licensed by Disney Music Publishing and Buena Vista Concerts, a division of ABC Inc. © All rights reserved

January 2-3, 2016 
St. Louis Symphony presents
Ratatouille in Concert
Powell Hall
718 North Grand Boulevard
Tickets $35 to $65
Call 314.534.1700 or purchase online.

Savor the tale of a determined young rat with a cultivated palate who gets an unlikely chance to do what he dreams of most—cook in a French restaurant in Paris. In a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside down, he achieves his dream with his good pal Linguini. Bring the whole family to experience the Academy Award-winning film Ratatouille on the big screen while the beloved score by composer Michael Giacchino is performed live by the St. Louis Symphony. Learn more about the production. 


 

January 15-17, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents
Charlotte’s Web
A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

Theatreworks’ production of Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman–she will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship. Read more about the production on Theatreworks USA’s site.


 

January 29-30, 2016
Dance St. Louis presents
MOMIX in Alchemia
The Touhill Performing Arts Center
One University Boulevard, St. Louis
Tickets $28 to $55
Call 314.516.4949 or purchase online.

The irrepressible Moses Pendleton presents Alchemia, his new work for the dazzling dancer-illusionists of MOMIX. Just as he led audiences on a surreal journey through the four seasons in Botanica, Pendleton manipulates the four classic elements–earth, air, fire, and water–in Alchemia to produce a show about the art of alchemy, and the alchemy of art. A multimedia spectacle, Alchemia bursts with beauty, daredevil thrills and playful humor. It’s MOMIX at its most magical.


 

February 12-14, 2016
Florissant Civic Center presents
Seussical the Musical
A Theatreworks USA production
James J. Eagan Center
1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7
Call 314.921.5678.
Run time: Approximately one hour.

“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’s best-loved stories collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper! Adapted from the Broadway version, this adaptation especially for young audiences features thirteen actors and enhanced production values. Seussical is TheatreworksUSA’s biggest show ever.

The Cat in the Hat is the host and emcee (and all-around mischief-maker) in this romp through the Seuss classics. When the sweet, good-natured elephant Horton hears a small cry for help coming from a small speck of dust, he promises to rescue and guard it because “a person’s a person, no matter how small.”

On that small speck of dust lives JoJo, an imaginative young Who. JoJo has astounding “thinks,” in which anything’s possible, but his parents believe this creativity is inappropriate for the son of the Mayor of Who-Ville.

Meanwhile, the one-feathered bird, Miss Gertrude McFuzz, desperately wants Horton to notice her. Maybe, she thinks, she just needs a more impressive tail. At the same time, the amazingly lazy Maysie La Bird connives, cajoles and convinces Horton to sit on her egg while she goes off on a spree.

Will the planet of Who survive? Will Horton pay attention to Gertrude? Will Maysie ever return for her egg? Dr. Seuss’s beloved classic characters find themselves intertwined in an incredible crazy-quilt adventure, in which the power of imagination and the most miraculous “think” ever save the day! Read more about Seussical the Musical.

Photo at top: Joan Marcus for Theatreworks USA, Seussical

 

Upcoming Family Friendly Performances

Photo above: Scrap Arts Music, by Anneke Janissen.

Experience the magic of live theater with your family this Fall and Winter! Musicals, favorite books brought to the stage, acrobats, circus performers, a world famous symphony, truly unique percussionists, and more are ready to inspire and entertain you. Also be on the lookout for a vivid demonstration of what a whole lot of practice, perseverance, and passion can create.

OCTOBER 2014

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley
A Dallas Children’s Theater Company Production
October 10-12, 2014
Florissant Civic Center Theatre, 1 James J. Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7

Stanley Lambchop is your ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill ten-year-old: normal Mom and Dad, normal little brother, normal life. That’s just the problem… for Stanley, life is too normal. He wants to travel the world, do something amazing, something no one’s ever seen before. Careful what you wish for, Stanley! One night, the bulletin board on the wall above Stanley’s bed comes loose and falls right on top of Stanley. The next morning, Stanley Lambchop wakes up flat. Not just a little flat… really, REALLY flat! In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley, the ultimate exchange student, scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted, and canceled from Hollywood to France to Honolulu and beyond. And whether he’s thwarting a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, or “hanging ten” off the coast of Hawaii, Stanley is closing in on his goal of being a three-dimensional boy once more. Approximate run time is one hour.

NOVEMBER 2014

Stella, Queen of the Snow 
A Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia Production
November 22-23, 2014
COCA, 524 Trinity Avenue, St. Louis
Tickets $14 to $18

Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, creator of Guess How Much I Love You… (COCA, 2013) and Treasured Stories by Eric Carle (COCA, 2012), has joined forces with popular Stella and Sam author Marie-Louise Gay in a new stage adaption of the beloved storybook, designed especially for young children integrating imaginative puppetry and striking scenic effects. Stella, Queen of the Snow is a delightful romp in the snow with Stella and Sam as they discover the world of winter together. Approximate run time is one hour.

Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type
A Theatreworks USA Production
November 23-29, 2014
Florissant Civic Center Theatre, 1 James J. Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $5.25

“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. Approximate run time is one hour.

DECEMBER 2014

annie

Annie
National Touring Production
December 2-7, 2014
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
527 North Grand Boulevard, St. Louis
Tickets $25 to $75

Leapin’ Lizards! The world’s best-loved musical returns in time-honored form. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of Annie will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original. Featuring book and score by Tony Award®-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin, Annie includes such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” plus the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” Approximate run time is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

National Acrobats of China
Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 2 and 8 pm
Lindenwood J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts
2300 West Clay Street, Saint Charles
Tickets $29.50 to $59.50

The entire family is sure to enjoy this colorful and acrobatic adventure. Direct from Beijing, The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1951 and has been one of the most acclaimed acrobatic troupes in China. Over several generations, the company has developed many unique acrobatic acts like “Global Motorcycling,” “Kicking Bowls to Heads on High Unicycles,” “Russian Bars in Chinese Traditional Style,” “Chinese Poles in Shaolin Style,” “Diving through Moving Hoops,” “Aerial Bungee Tumblings,” and “Aerial Tissue Flowers.” These acts have been praised by Chinese and foreign audiences for decades. Approximate run time is two hours.

Bah! Humbug!
The Imaginary Theatre Company
of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
December 13-23, 2014
Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall High School
530 East Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves
Tickets $7 (Tickets go on sale October 1, 2014.)

Mr. Scrooge throws his TV remote at ghosts while Bob Cratchit works inside the ATM in this hilarious modern update of a beloved holiday classic. Travel with the three spirits on a journey through past, present, and future as old Ebenezer learns the joys of kindness and giving. Can Christmas be saved for the Cratchits? You’ll find out in this musical romp that is sure to put a smile on the “Scroogiest” of faces. Adapted from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Approximate run time is 45 minutes.

circusflora_slso

Circus Flora: A Winter Fable
St. Louis Symphony
December 13-14, 2014
Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard
Tickets $25 to $65

Circus Flora joins the St. Louis Symphony in high-wire holiday fun for the family. A Winter Fable is a classic fairy tale with an edge of romance and deceit. Circus Flora imagines a strange and wonderful world, in which the pairing of symphony and the circus arts is only the beginning of the magic you will experience. See your favorites including the gravity-defying Flying Wallendas and much, much, more. It’s Christmas, with a circus twist! Approximate run time is one hour and 50 minutes.

Pixar in Concert
St. Louis Symphony
December 27-28, 2014
Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard
Tickets $30 to $65

Watch as all your favorite characters come to life on the big screen as the St. Louis Symphony performs music from 14 Pixar films including Toy Story, Brave, Cars, Monsters, Inc., and more. Fun for both the young, and the young at heart! Steven Jarvi, conductor. Approximate run time is two hours.

JANUARY 2015
LillyLilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
An Omaha Theatre Company Production
January 16-18, 2015
Florissant Civic Center Theatre, 1 James J. Eagan Drive, Florissant
Tickets $7

Lilly loves everything about school, especially her cool teacher, Mr. Slinger. When he confiscates her prized possession, a purple plastic purse that plays music, joy turns to misery. Lilly, who is used to being the brightest and loudest mouse around, will also have to get used to sharing the spotlight with her new baby brother in this charming adaptation of Kevin Henkes’s award-winning children’s book. Gripped with anger after losing her purse, Lilly draws a mean portrait of Mr. Slinger and hides it in his book bag. When she gets her purse back and opens it outside of school, she finds a surprising note: “Today was a difficult day. Tomorrow will be better.” Suddenly wracked with guilt, Lilly sets out to make up with her teacher, but villainous bicycle-riding bullies, a spotlight-stealing baby brother, and the dreaded “uncooperative chair” will test our heroine’s resolve. Approximate run time is one hour.

StevenJarvi

The Science of Sound and the Art of Noise
St. Louis Symphony
Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 3 pm
Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard
Tickets $12 to $19

Maestro Steven Jarvi and a special guest will lead demonstrations of sound waves and sound creation in the various instruments of the orchestra. Featured works include Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus Overture, selections from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and more! Approximate run time is 45 minutes.

BARTÓK, Romanian Folk Dances
BEETHOVEN, The Creatures of Prometheus Overture
COPLAND, Fanfare for the Common Man
MENDELSSOHN, Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
BRITTEN, Playful Pizzicato from Simple Symphony
BEETHOVEN, Fourth Movement from Symphony No. 7 in A major

Photo: Conductor Steven Jarvi, by David Bickley.

munykids

The Muny Kids: Broadway Here I Come
Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11 am
Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Boulevard, St. Louis
Tickets $5 to $12

The talented Muny kids and teens take you on a musical journey to the “Great White Way” with favorite Broadway songs, old and new. The Muny is a St. Louis institution, bringing musical theater to life every summer for over 90 years. Approximate run time is one hour.

MARCH 2015

Scrap Arts Music 
Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 11 am
Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis
Tickets $12 

Take some old bike parts, shiny construction salvage, PVC pipes, and other recycled odds and ends. Add five hyperactive hipsters and a dozen drumsticks, and the result is a dizzying barrage of beats. Vancouver-based ensemble Scrap Arts Music bounces around on stage with a combination of gymnastic agility and percussive drive. They alternate between hitting, moving, and bowing their instruments. The choreography is intricate and eye-catching! Approximate run time is one hour.