St. Louis Theatre Digest: Week of February 17, 2025
Shows from The Improv Shop, First Run Theatre, Stray Dog Theatre, St. Louis Actors' Studio, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis & The Black Rep
ONE WEEK ONLY
The One Four Fives: An Improvised Musical at The Improv Shop
February 6-22, 2025
The Improv Shop, 3960 Chouteau Ave.
General Admission $15
It’s the opening (and err closing) night of a Broadway-style musical, completely made up on the spot. Based on an audience suggestion, The One Four Fives will create a one-of-a-kind musical filled with drama, comedy, and songs you’ll be humming all the way home. Searching for musicals in St. Louis? A night of comedy in St. Louis? Or a unique St. Louis theater experience? Look no further—this show delivers it all. Every performance is a brand new creation—the songs, the story, the music, and the choreography are all made up on the spot.
OPENING
Spectrum 2025: A Festival of Short Plays at First Run Theatre
February 21, March 2, 2025
The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Dr.
General Admission $25, Student $20
Seven very short plays by regional playwrights
Bell Bottoms Boos by Rita Winters (St. Louis, MO)
Girl and Goat by Dennis Fisher (Belleville, IL)
Just Coffee by Marella Sands (St. Louis, MO)
Points of Intersection by M.K. DeGenova (Ste. Genevieve, MO)
Put Me in Coach by Stuart A. Day (Lawrence, KS)
Silver Lining by Marjorie Williamson (St. Louis, MO)
Stranger Than Fiction by Marjorie Williamson (St. Louis, MO)
CLOSING
The Curious Savage at Stray Dog Theatre
February 6-22, 2025
Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee Ave.
General Admission $35, Senior/Student $30
Ethel Savage’s husband left her $10 million, which she intends to give to anyone who wishes to pursue their “foolish dreams.” Her stepchildren strongly object, and to prevent her from ruining their legacy, they have her committed to a sanitarium. Much to her surprise, Mrs. Savage finds a new family filled with kindness, loyalty, and unconditional love as she befriends the gentle residents of her newfound home. A warm, hilarious comedy about who are the so-called “normal people” who live among us.
Long Day’s Journey into Night at St. Louis Actors’ Studio
February 7-23, 2025
The Gaslight Theater, 358 N. Boyle Ave.
General Admission $62, Senior/Student $57
Directed by our friend and Tony Award-nominated actor/director Austin Pendleton, Long Day’s Journey into Night is widely regarded as O’Neill’s magnum opus and one of the great American plays of the 20th century. It premiered in Sweden in 1956 and then opened on Broadway in November 1956, winning the Tony Award for Best Play. O’Neill received the 1957 Pulitzer Prize for Drama posthumously for Long Day’s Journey into Night. The work is openly autobiographical in nature. The “long day” in the title refers to the setting of the play, which takes place during one single day.
CONTINUING
Clyde’s at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
February 5-March 2, 2025
Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, Webster University, 130 Edgar Rd.
$46-$103 by seating tier
From two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage comes the Tony-nominated play Clyde’s. In a small run-down sandwich joint, ex-cons endure Clyde’s fiery critiques and a scorching kitchen. Yet, when a mystic chef throws down the gauntlet—craft the ultimate sandwich—the team ignites with newfound zeal. Fueled by this savory challenge, they transform their past into a recipe for triumphant fresh starts. Join in this spirited culinary quest where second chances are as vibrant as the flavors sizzling in the pan!
Coconut Cake at The Black Rep
February 5-March 2, 2025
Hotchner Studio Theatre, Washington University, 6445 Forsyth Blvd.
General Admission $50, Senior/Military $45, 2/6 Preview $30, Wednesdays $20
Eddie Lee seeks companionship with his friends at the local McDonald’s, swapping stories for advice over coffee and games of chess. But what happens when a mysterious woman comes to town, offering visitors a tantalizing coconut cake along with another big secret? Life takes an interesting turn for all of them.
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This listing is for professional theatre productions in the St. Louis Metro, not a comprehensive listing of all theatrical performances in the Metro area. In particular, I only include companies with a website I can link to (not a third-party ticketing link) as this list is heavily used by those who avoid social media. The definition of “professional” is always subjective, but my usage means that at the very least most artists are paid something for regular season productions.
Inclusion in this listing is not necessarily an endorsement, nor is exclusion the opposite. I am especially not endorsing any production as safe to attend in light of COVID; please assess each company's precautions for yourself. If you'd like to know *exactly* what to see, well, I can't promise to deliver your favorite show ever, but if you give me some details on what you're looking for, I can personalize a recommendation.
If you have logistic questions about parking, accessibility, seating, etc., the producing company is probably your best bet, but if you'd like to ask me, I'll give it a try.