As significant parts of our culture, theater and performing arts dazzle audiences while promoting growth, learning and social change, offering new perspectives on life, encouraging empathy, developing community connections and reminding us that we’re not alone.
In an increasingly virtual and impersonal world, shared experiences such as live performances are more important, more impactful and more powerful than ever.
This season, stages across St. Louis will tell stories of a shipwrecked boy’s survival on a wild lifeboat, a teenage songwriter’s rise from obscurity to stardom and a Roaring Twenties romp with laughs from start to finish.
That’s only the first act, though. Here’s your – extensive – fall guide to theater and performing arts in St. Louis.
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September
Raisin
September 3 to 21
Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s – Mama Lena dreams of a new life in a better neighborhood, but her family members have their own ideas. Jazz, gospel and pop make for a musical treat in this Tony Award-winning adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun, presented by The Black Rep.
The Cottage
September 3 to 28
From the playwright who took Clue from screen to stage, The Cottage is a Roaring Twenties romp that will have you laughing from start to finish. Set in an English cottage in 1923, a woman decides to expose her latest affair to both her husband and her lover’s wife. As secrets unravel and passions collide, the meaning of love, identity and marriage are all thrown into question and served in a way only the British can serve it – with tea. With shocking plot twists, scandalous reveals and razor-sharp humor, The Cottage is a deliciously funny hit comedy where no one’s secrets are safe. The production is presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, which aims to bridge gaps between people with expertly crafted theatrical experiences that are equal parts joyful and inspirational.
The Wanderers
September 11 to 28
Two marriages have seemingly little in common: Esther and Schmuli are Orthodox Jews navigating strictly defined rules and roles, while Sophie and Abe are secular and free to make their own choices; however, both couples are growing apart as they strive to balance their individual identities with the families they’ve created. As Esther tests the boundaries of her personal freedom, Abe falls into a correspondence with a movie star that will shake the foundations of his marriage and career. Presented by the New Jewish Theatre in St. Louis, Anna Ziegler’s funny, moving and thoughtful play The Wanderers asks if following one’s truth is worth it, no matter the cost.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Forest Park Concert
September 17
At this annual concert in Forest Park, you can experience the sounds of the Grammy Award-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra under the stars. Find a spot on Art Hill, sit back and enjoy the music, from classical tunes to modern scores. The event also includes fare from local food trucks for purchase and a stunning firework show.
Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour
September 19
As one of today’s premier stand-up comedians, Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest beginnings performing in a Las Vegas coffeehouse. Drawing inspiration from his colorful family, Koy’s uniquely relatable comedy connects people of all kinds, translating into sold-out arenas around the world. See his latest tour, Just Being Koy, at Stifel Theatre this fall.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
September 19 to October 19
Follow the incredible journey of Carole King, from her humble beginnings as a teenage songwriter to her rise as a chart-topping music legend. Presented by STAGES St. Louis, Beautiful celebrates King’s remarkable career and personal resilience, featuring iconic hits such as “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got a Friend” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Through a story of passion, heartbreak and triumph, experience the unforgettable moments that shaped her life and her music. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her songs, this musical is a joyous tribute to one of the most beloved voices in American music history.
Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival
September 20
More than 20 years ago, a small but passionate group of neighbors organized the first Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival simply because they wanted to throw a great party in their historic downtown. Today, the award-winning festival is one of the most family-friendly music festivals in the world. Offering nonstop jazz and blues on two stages, the free event showcases St. Louis’ most talented performers – plus, irresistible area restaurants and unique small businesses. Street entertainers also amuse spectators with balloons, juggling and face-painting. Everyone is invited to the party, where people from one to 100 get on their feet and shake their groove thing in the streets!
Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing Celebration
September 20 and 27
Mary Meachum and her husband, Reverend John Berry Meachum, were staunch abolitionists who dedicated their lives to educating and freeing enslaved people. On the night of May 21, 1855, Mary attempted to help a small group of enslaved people cross the Mississippi River, from St. Louis to Illinois, where slavery was outlawed. At least five enslaved people were caught, and Mary was arrested and charged in criminal court for assisting the “fugitives.” In 2001, the National Park Service recognized the site of the escape – which is now included in the Mississippi River Greenway – as part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Every year, Great Rivers Greenway celebrates the Mary Meachum Freedom Crossing with a reenactment at the site. This year’s two-part event will tell the stories of the people who Mary tried to help, promoting a theme of unconditional freedom. The free community event also includes food, drinks, children’s activities, local artists and makers, live music from various eras and skits that showcase historical scenes from Black communities in St. Louis.
Ben Schwartz and Friends: 2025 Improv Tour
September 21
More than a comedy show, Ben Schwartz’s lightning-fast wit and talented improv partners make for an unforgettable evening of unscripted bliss. Whether you’re a longtime fan or simply looking for a night out with loved ones, this event at Stifel Theatre promises nonstop laughs and spontaneous magic.
October
Life of Pi
October 7 to 19
Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world-class puppetry and mind-bending stagecraft, Life of Pi is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation. “An exhilarating evening of theater,” according to The Wall Street Journal, the Broadway play is based on the novel of the same name that has sold more than 15 million copies, becoming a worldwide phenomenon. After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four wild companions – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Join the breathtaking journey and see how the tale unfolds when Life of Pi comes to The Fabulous Fox.
The Woman in Black
October 8 to 26
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis presents a story that refuses to stay buried. Arthur Kipps has carried a dreadful secret for years. Determined to confront his darkest memories, he hires a young actor to help bring his nightmare to life and finally put it to rest. As rehearsals unfold, though, something sinister stirs in the shadows. A haunting stage adaptation of Susan Hill’s ghost story, The Woman in Black pulls audiences into the mystery of Eel Marsh House, where shadows stretch long, voices whisper in the wind and an inescapable terror lurks just out of sight. Once you see her, there’s no turning back. Join us – if you dare.
Kathleen Madigan: The Day Drinking Tour
October 11
St. Louis native Kathleen Madigan is one of the few female comedians to tour more than 250 days a year, selling out marquee theaters across the country. When asked how she came up with The Day Drinking Tour – coming to Stifel Theatre this fall – Madigan said, “I’m a big fan of day drinking. No crowds, cheap drinks, home by 4 p.m. for a solid nap and, by 5 p.m., it’s as if nothing happened.” She encourages audience members to indulge in the pastime on Oct. 11 – because if you follow her rules, you’ll still make it to her show!
Saint Louis Ballet Fall Series
October 11 and 12
In its fall series, Saint Louis Ballet presents an extraordinary triple bill celebrating musical brilliance, choreographic innovation and stylistic range. From the jazzy exuberance of Take Five…More or Less by Broadway legend Susan Stroman to the striking modernism and classical depth of George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments and the elegant precision of his Divertimento No. 15 set to Mozart’s luminous score, this program offers a dynamic journey through rhythm, emotion and the timeless beauty of ballet.
Circus of Life
October 24 to 26
Counterpublic, a St. Louis-based triennial exhibition reimagining the possibilities of art in public life, will present its inaugural convening, Circus of Life, at The Big Top in the Grand Center Arts District. Free and open to the public, the festival will bring artists, performers, poets, curators, organizers, activists and educators together for an epic celebration. Over three days, Circus of Life will offer alternate ways of gathering via shared experience, reflecting a desire to reconnect art and life. Inspired by the history of the circus – which, in addition to comprising a diverse array of entertainment, serves as a space for creative expression where all are welcome – Circus of Life will present work by individuals and collectives that are committed to challenging the most ingrained of our assumptions, asking us to expand our imaginations to envision living otherwise. On the circus grounds, artists of all stripes will perform and host booths of fun, reflection and exchange that have been created specifically with the current socio-political moment in mind, offering challenges and questions for the public to consider. Serving as a site where pleasure meets rowdiness, joy meets skepticism and indulgence meets experimentation, Circus of Life will be a space to make meaning together.
November
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Live at the Pulitzer
November 4
Experience bold chamber music by modern-day composers at this elegant evening event. The pieces in the concert are selected in response to exhibitions on view at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and performed within the museum galleries by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
The Notebook
November 4 to 16
Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs,” according to Entertainment Weekly, The Notebook is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love, complete with music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson.
Flyover Comedy Festival
November 13 to 16
Four days. Forty events. More than 150 comedians. The Flyover Comedy Festival is an annual comedy invasion of St. Louis featuring stand-up comedy showcases; improvisation workshops and performances; and sketch and storytelling shows. This year, national headliners, regional standouts and rising locals will fill venues from Stifel Theatre to The Sheldon and City Winery to Tropical Liqueurs with laughter.
Saint Louis Dance Theatre Fall Series
November 14 to 16
Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s season of love languages opens with a new work by Belgian Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Internationally acclaimed for her diverse artistry encompassing dance, theater, opera and film, Lopez Ochoa is one of the most versatile creatives of our time. With more than 100 works created for 81 dance companies worldwide, she has an edge for what dance can and should be. The fall series will also feature a world premiere by artistic director Kirven Douthit-Boyd and additional work from the Saint Louis Dance Theatre repertoire.
Anjelah Johnson-Reyes: The Family Reunion Tour
November 15
With six comedy specials streaming on various platforms, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is one of the most successful stand-up comedians today. Recently, she also launched Funjelah, a podcast in which Johnson-Reyes and her guests recount the things for which they’re grateful and deep dive into how gratitude affects their lives. This fall, the California native of Mexican and Native American descent will bring The Family Reunion Tour to The Pageant, which anchors the Delmar Loop.
Les Misérables
November 18 to 23
Les Misérables makes a triumphant return to The Fabulous Fox in November, and thanks to brilliant new staging, it’s been hailed as “Les Mis for the 21st century” by the Huffington Post. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption, making for a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. The magnificent score includes “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more. Seen by more than 130 million people in 53 countries, 438 cities and 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.
Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
November 20 to December 7
Strap on your deerstalker cap – the play’s afoot! Comedic genius Ken Ludwig has transformed Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure, which the New Jewish Theatre will stage in St. Louis. In the production, the male heirs of the Baskerville line are being knocked off one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms the newest heir. The intrepid investigators must escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the killer in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.
The Wiz
November 25 to December 7
In a brand-new Broadway tour, The Wiz returns to the stage of The Fabulous Fox. Called “an eye-popping, high-intensity revival” by the Chicago Sun-Times, the groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz follows Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world. Complete with powerhouse performances, stunning choreography and visionary sets, the dynamite infusion of ballet, jazz and modern pop, soul, gospel and rock brings a whole new groove to easing on down the road.
