Brand-new productions are taking the stage this month, including the Muny premiere of the ABBA-penned musical, “Chess,” as well as Midnight Company’s intimate retrospective of Judy Garland, a tribute concert celebrating the King of Pop, Moonstone Theatre’s hilarious season-finale production of “The Nerd” and more. Check out our list!
WHAT: CHESS
WHERE: The Muny
WHEN: 8:15 p.m., July 5 to 11
Before “Mamma Mia!,” the pop group ABBA teamed up with Tim Rice (“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Lion King,” “Evita”) to create “Chess,” a Cold War-inspired drama centered around the world chess championship. Mirroring the tensions between the U.S. and Russia in the 1980s, the story follows two chess grandmasters, an American and a Russian, as they compete for the world title – and for the same woman. The musical’s catchy pop-rock score, featuring the hit, “One Night in Bangkok,” became a worldwide smash following its concept album release in the mid-‘80s.
The Muny’s premiere, in partnership with the Saint Louis Chess Club and the World Chess Hall of Fame, stars Broadway’s Jessica Vosk, Jarrod Spector, John Riddle and Tony-nominated actress Taylor Louderman, a native of Bourbon, Missouri.
$19 to $120; Tickets via Metrotix
WHAT: THE NERD
WHERE: Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
WHEN: Various times, July 6 to 23
Moonstone Theatre Company conclude its second season with Larry Shue’s hilarious “The Nerd.” Set in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1979, a young architect named Willum Cubbert credits Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met, for saving his life in Vietnam. Willum has written to Rick, telling him that as long as he’s alive, “you will have somebody on earth who will do anything for you.”
Willum’s dilemma begins when Rick – who turns out to be a hopeless nerd – unexpectedly shows up at his apartment on the night of his birthday party. As Rick stays on and on, his continued presence among Willum and his friends leads to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating extreme measures – a dire development which, happily, is staved off by a surprising twist ending.
$15 to $40; Tickets via Metrotix
WHAT: THE YEARS
WHERE: The Chapel (6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton)
WHEN: Various times, July 13 to 29
Cindy Lou Johnson’s drama begins with a tumultuous day for two sets of cousins: Andrea and Eloise, and Isabelle and Andrew. It is Andrea’s wedding day and she and her sister, Eloise, are dealing with the recent death of their father, which was soon followed by their mother’s suicide. On the day of her wedding, Andrea is mugged on her way home. Instead of revealing what caused her black eye and cut lip, she tells Eloise and her cousins, Isabelle and Andrew, that her injuries were caused by a fall. Meanwhile, Eloise is coping with her husband’s betrayal and the end of their marriage. The story continues 13 years later and all of the cousins are forced to deal with the vagaries of life and death that the years deliver.
Under the direction of Midnight Company artistic director Joe Hanrahan, the production features Summer Baer and Alicen Moser as sisters Eloise and Andrea, and Ashley Bauman and Joey File as Isabelle and Andrew; Joseph Garner plays Bartholomew, the stranger who becomes involved in the cousins’ lives.
$20 to $25; Tickets via Metrotix
WHAT: WEST SIDE STORY
WHERE: The Muny
WHEN: 8:15 p.m., July 15 to 21
One of the greatest American musicals of all time returns to The Muny for its ninth production! “West Side Story” is a love story that transcends time. Tony and Maria find love amid tension between rival gangs the Sharks and the Jets. Loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the musical features classic songs such as “Maria,” “Tonight” and “I Feel Pretty.”
Rob Ruggiero directs, with choreography by Parker Esse. The cast includes Christian Douglas as Tony, Kanisha Feliciano as Maria, Jerusha Cavazos as Anita, Yurel Echezarreta as Bernardo and St. Louis’ own Ken Page as Doc. The company will also be joined by the Muny Teen ensemble.
$19 to $120; Tickets via Metrotix
WHAT: MICHAEL LIVE!
WHERE: Westport Plaza
WHEN: July 21 (2 and 7 p.m.), July 22 (2 and 7 p.m.)
Two of the most dynamic Michael Jackson tribute artists will sing, dance and moonwalk their way to your heart in this ultimate show celebrating the King of Pop. Corey Melton and Dylan Knight perform in Westport’s intimate setting with a live band, digital multimedia, a dance crew and a fantastic stage show to bring audiences the King of Pop’s greatest hits such as “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.”
$39.50; Tickets via Westport Playhouse
WHAT: YOU MADE ME LOVE YOU
WHERE: The Blue Strawberry
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., July 26, Aug. 2 and 9
Midnight Company’s cabaret theatre production, “You Made Me Love You,” is an intimate, very personal tribute to Judy Garland starring Jennelle Gilreath Owens. The title refers to the refrain sung to Clark Gable by a then-15-year-old Judy. Written and directed by Midnight artistic director Joe Hanrahan, the show will feature many of Garland’s greatest songs while telling her story and “honoring her talent, resilience and success.”
The production also features the “You Made Me Love You” band led by John and Lea Gerdes.
$20 to $25; Tickets via Blue Strawberry
