St. Louis Beacon - Local theaters celebrate with holiday fare

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Local theaters celebrate with holiday fare

By Nancy Fowler Larson, Special to the Beacon

Posted 4:21 am Mon., 11.30.09

A crackling fire, melting snowflakes and surprise packages are just a few of the trappings of the holiday season. This magical time of year also brings unique opportunities to enjoy theater in St. Louis.

While the local onstage holiday choices are decidedly Christmas-y, many of them are hardly traditional fare. Some even include dinner and a who-done-it theme with a holiday twist.

'Black Nativity'

When: Now through Dec. 27
How much: $30.50-$43
Who: The Black Repertory Theatre
Where: Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square, 63108
Information: www.theblackrep.org

'A Christmas Killing'

When: Now through Dec. 31
How much: $45.95 includes dinner
Who: Bissell Mansion Dinner Theatre
Where: 4426 Randall Place, 63107
Information: www.bissellmansiontheatre.com

'A Dickens of a Killing'

When: Now through Jan. 2
How much: $48.95 includes dinner
Who: Lemp Mansion Dinner Theatre
Where: 3322 DeMenil Place, 63118
Information: www.lempmansion.com

'A Christmas Story'

When: Dec. 2-27
How much: $18-$58.50
Who: The Repertory of St. Louis
Where: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., 63119
Information: www.repstl.org

'An O. Henry Christmas'

When: Dec. 3-20
How much: $28
Who: Avalon Theatre
Where: ArtSpace at Crestwood Court, 109 Crestwood Plaza, 63126
Information: www.avalontheatre.org

'The Eight: Reindeer Monologues'

When: Dec. 4-19
How much: $25
Who: Hot City Theatre
Where: Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand, 63103
Information: www.hotcitytheatre.org

'A Christmas Carol'

When: Dec. 10-13
How much: $17-$35
Where: Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103
Information: www.fabulousfox.org

'Irving Berlin's White Christmas'

When: Dec. 15-27
How much: $30-$82
Where: Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand Blvd., 63103
Information: www.fabulousfox.org

'Bah! Humbug!'

When: Dec. 19-23
How much: $6
Who: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' Imaginary Theatre Company
Where: Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Rd., 63119
Information: www.repstl.org/itc/

Slightly Askew Holiday Readings

When: Dec. 21
How much: $20
Who: Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble
Where: The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Dr., 63105
Information: www.slightlyoff.org

Nancy Larson is a freelance writer who, among other things, writes regularly on theater. To reach her, contact Beacon features and commentary editor Donna Korando.

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Editors' Picks

Books
- The JCC is holding its used book sale Feb. 5-9 at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex, #2 Millstone Campus Dr. $10 for Feb. 5 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) only. Free Feb. 6-8 (10 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Feb. 9 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- "The Sense of an Ending" by Julian Barnes wins Man Booker prize: The 150-page book is a reflection of memory through the eyes of an ordinary man in his 60s. | Huffington Post
- Philip Levine will be new U.S. poet laureate: He is best known for his big-hearted, Whitmanesque poems about working-class Detroit. | New York Times
- Philip Roth awarded Man Booker International Prize for range and depth of his fiction: The decision prompted one of the three judges to resign in protest. | New York Times
Theater/Dance
- Avalon Theatre company presents "Love Letters" Feb. 16-19, featuring Erin Kelley and Larry Mabrey at 8 p.m. Feb. 16-18 and 3 p.m. Feb. 19. at 119 Crestwood Plaza. $15-$25.
- COCA Family Theatre Series presents "Twinkle Twonkle" (Tall Stories) Feb. 10-12. $14-$20. www.cocastl.org/FTS
- "One More Laugh," a comedy variety show, will be hitting the stage at Lemmons, 5800 Gravois on Tuesdays from 9-11 p.m. $1. For information, email the host, [email protected]
- "Book of Mormon" tops Tony field with 14 nominations: Another musical, "Scottsboro Boys," was nominated for 12 awards. | New York Times
Music
- The Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., is hosting a "Cdelebrate the Gospel" concert at 3 p.m. Feb. 12 with the The St. Alphonsus Liguori "Rock" Catholic Church choir. Included with admission ($4-$8 - free children 12 and under). Schoenberg Theater.
- Blues singer Etta James dies at age 73: Her assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last." | CNN
- Chamber Project Saint Louis presents "Very Open Rehearsal" at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Tavern of Fine Arts, 313 Belt Ave. Free
- Rob Hinkal (guitar, vocals) and Heather Lloyd (guitar, vocals, djembe) bring ilyAIMY (i love you And I Miss You) to the Focal Point, 2720 Sutton, at 8 p.m. June 18. $10 at the door 314-781-4200

Neighborhoods
- The Missouri Botanical Garden's Orchid Show will run from Jan. 28 through March 25. $5 in addition to regular garden admission. 4344 Shaw Blvd.
- "Run for the Chocolate" will take place Feb. 12 starting at 8 a.m. in downtown St. Louis. To find out more about this 5K run, go to downtownstl.org.
- The Missouri Botanical Garden is hosting Around the World Wine dinners on the third Friday of the month (Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 16) at 6:30 p.m. $58 a person, plus 18 percent tax and service. Reservations required: 314-577-0200.
- The Sam Fox School public lecture series presents Frank Barkow, architect, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in Steinberg Hall Auditorium.
Visual Arts
- The Pulitzer's senior curator and curatorial staff will share their ideas about the religious, artistic and historical contexts of the works displayed in the "Reflection of the Buddha" at 2 p.m. Feb. 13. Free. 3716 Washington Blvd.
- Craft Alliance in the Kranzberg Arts Center, 501 N. Grand, presents Studio Design: Contemporary Furniture Feb. 10 (reception 6-8 p.m.) through April 8.
- "Harry Bertoia, Forty Years of Drawing" will run from Jan. 26 to March 17 at Gallery 210 on UMSL's North Campus. (Reception with Bertoia's daughter willgo from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 26) Check website for regular hours.
- Balazx Kicsiny's "Killing Time" will be on exhibit at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, Washington University, from Jan. 27-April 16 (opening reception 7-9 p.m. Jan. 27). Kicsiny will also speak on his work at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in Steinberg Hall.
Movies/TV
- Billy Crystal back as host of Oscars: He will replace Eddie Murphy, who dropped out after producer Brett Ratner resigned as producer. | New York Times
- HBO leads the field with 104 Emmy nominations: Its remake of "Mildred Pierce" led all shows with 21 nominations. | LA Times
- "Gunsmoke" marshal James Arness dies at age 88: As Matt Dillon, he led the cast of the TV show that set the bar for Westerns and became one of the longest-running prime-time series in network TV history. | LA Times
- Oprah Winfrey ends 25-year run: TV host is not so much leaving a job as reinventing herself — again. | Christian Science Monitor

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