From a Shakespearean comedy to an operatic masterpiece to a musical tribute to the King of Pop, this summer’s theatre season is heating up.
WHAT: TIMBUKTU!
WHERE: Edison Theatre
WHEN: Various dates and times, May 17 to June 9
The St. Louis Black Repertory Company presents “Timbuktu!” under the direction of company founder Ron Himes. Set against the exotic locale is the tale of the Poet; his daughter, Marsinah; an evil Wazir of Police; his restless wife Lundanda; and the Mania of Mali, Bobo. While wandering incognito, Bobo meets Marsinah and instantly falls in love. But fate has its way of unraveling, leading to many thrilling and exciting moments before the two lovers can finally tie the knot. The musical revival is based on the Broadway musical, “Kismet,” starring Eartha Kitt, which garnered multiple Tony and Drama Desk nominations in 1978.
$45 to $50; theblackrep.org
WHAT: THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
WHERE: Loretto-Hilton Center
WHEN: Various dates and times, May 25 to June 29
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis kicks off its 2024 Festival Season with Rossini’s comedic masterpiece – a romp through a world of high notes, hijinks and hair-raising escapades. When razor-sharp barber Figaro meets Count Almaviva, he promises to help the young, naïve nobleman win the heart of beautiful Rosina. As the lovestruck Almaviva attempts to outwit Rosina’s guardian, a symphony of laughter and love ensues, complete with mistaken identities, cunning disguises and plenty of mischief.
$15 to $143; opera-stl.org
WHAT: MJ THE MUSICAL
WHERE: Fox Theatre
WHEN: Various times. May 28 to June 9 (except Mondays)
You’ll wanna be startin’ somethin’ with the St. Louis premiere of “MJ the Musical,” the four-time Tony Award winner about the one of the greatest entertainers of all time. The smash-hit musical, created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, revolves around the making of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. “MJ” features more than 25 of the music legend’s greatest hits, such as “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” and “I’ll Be There.”
$49 to $179; fabulousfox.com
WHAT: AS YOU LIKE IT
WHERE: Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park
WHEN: 8 p.m., May 29 to June 23 (except Mondays)
This summer’s St. Louis Shakespeare Festival production, “As You Like It,” will take place amid a lush Gilded Age setting with plenty of romantic whimsy and lively music. The show, under the direction of Shakespeare Festival veteran Nancy Bell and featuring music by local singer-songwriter Beth Bombara, features an extraordinary company, many of whom with ties to St. Louis. Written and first performed more than 400 years ago, Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece follows the story of Rosalind and her friends, who’ve been exiled to the forest, as they explore new identities, friendships and, of course, love.
Free (limited number of reserved seating available from $20 to $300); stlshakes.org
WHAT: WE ALL FALL DOWN
WHERE: The J’s Wool Studio Theatre
WHEN: Various times, May 30 to June 16
Lila Rose Kaplan’s comedy, “We All Fall Down,” makes its St. Louis debut on the New Jewish Theatre stage. Starring longtime New Jewish Theatre collaborator Alan Knoll and Mindy Shaw as Saul and Linda Stein, the story illustrates the joys and heartaches of growing older, growing up and growing to understand the value of tradition. Follow and laugh – and cry – along as Linda, the brilliant but dramatic matriarch, decides to bring her secular family together for their first-ever Passover seder.
$27 to $58; newjewishtheatre.org
