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 childhood dreams, small-town generosity and a deadly quest for eternal beauty.
That’s only the first act, though. Here’s your – extensive – fall guide to theater and performing arts in St. Louis.
Jump to:
September
Come From Away
September 18 to October 18
When 38 planes are unexpectedly grounded in Gander, Newfoundland, thousands of strangers find themselves far from home and dependent on the kindness of the small-town residents. Inspired by true stories, Come From Away celebrates generosity, resilience and human connection in the face of uncertainty. With a driving Celtic-inspired score and an ensemble cast playing dozens of roles, the uplifting musical is as funny as it is moving. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments, compassion can land where it’s needed most.
Clue
September 22 to October 4
A mansion. A murder. A mystery. In the stage production of Clue, even blackmail is on the menu. When six enigmatic guests assemble at Boddy Manor, they enter the ultimate whodunit, which will keep you guessing until the final twist. Our money is on Mrs. Peacock in the library with the wrench! See if we’re right at The Fabulous Fox this fall.
October
Alex Edelman’s Just for Us
October 1 to 18
In this production by The New Jewish Theatre, an anti-Semitic tweet leads comedian Alex Edelman to an unexpected place: a meeting of White Nationalists in Queens. As he comes face-to-face with the people behind the keyboards, Edelman’s story explores religion, cultural identity, assimilation, empathy and what it means to be confronted with hatred. Audiences can also expect the unexpected in Just for Us, including gorillas that speak sign language!
2 Pianos 4 Hands
October 7 to 25
Four hands. 176 keys. Boundless brilliance. 2 Pianos 4 Hands follows piano nerds Ted and Richard from childhood lessons to brutal competitions as they navigate pushy parents, eccentric teachers, soaring ambitions and the eternal question: How far can innate talent and sheer determination really take you? Staged by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, this riotous musical comedy brings classical favorites by Bach and Beethoven together with upbeat tunes by Billy Joel and Jerry Lee Lewis. Part coming-of-age story, part musical showdown, 2 Pianos 4 Hands is a hilarious, heartfelt journey through childhood dreams, relentless practice and the pursuit of greatness.
Giselle
October 9 to 11
Hauntingly beautiful and enduringly romantic, this 19th-century masterwork is both technically demanding and wildly emotional. Staged by the Saint Louis Ballet, Giselle brings together extraordinary music, choreography, costumes and sets to transport audiences to a magical world where spectral maidens, a vengeful queen and a peasant girl embody heartbreaking loss and triumphant forgiveness.
Death Becomes Her
October 13 to 25
People will do anything to look fabulous for all eternity, but actress Madeline Ashton and her best frenemy Helen Sharp go too far when they accept a secret potion from a mysterious woman. Savagely funny, according to Time Out, Death Becomes Her is a drop-dead gorgeous musical coming to The Fabulous Fox.
The Niceties
October 15 to 18
Set at a prestigious Northeastern university, a routine conference between Zoe, a Black scholar, and Janine, her tenured history professor, unravels into all-out intellectual warfare over Zoe’s thesis, which claims the American Revolution wouldn’t have been successful without slavery. What happens when legitimate critique and systemic bias present themselves simultaneously? How do we reconcile when the pursuit of being right becomes so entangled with race, history, institutions and public ideology that we stop seeing one another outside the argument? It’s all in The Niceties, presented by Soul Siren Playhouse at The Grandel.
Joshua’s Boots
October 21 to 24
A collaboration between Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Joshua’s Boots tells the story of a Black teenager who flees his home in search of new opportunities in the American West in 1878. Throughout the production, Joshua overcomes racial prejudice and other obstacles to become a cowboy, establishing a new life with his own land, his own name and his own legacy.
Saint Louis Dance Theatre Fall Series
October 24 and 25
Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s landmark lineup for its 2026-2027 season opens with a powerful trio of world premieres by renowned creatives. Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Saint Louis Dance Theatre artistic director and former dancer with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, molds various movement genres to create bold narratives that transform and inspire audiences. The weekend’s performances also include pieces from Rena Butler, a Princess Grace Award winner and Isadora Duncan Dance Award recipient who has been described as percussive and emotionally direct in her choreography, which spans the globe, and Keerati Jinakunwiphat, a Princess Grace Award winner and the first Asian woman commissioned by New York City Ballet who emphasizes connectivity – work built on relationships between dancers. The weekend serves as a world-class sampler of what is to come in Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s next chapter.
Boop! The Musical
October 27 to November 8
For almost a century, Betty Boop has won the hearts of fans with her trademark looks, voice and style. In Boop! The Musical, however, the classic character’s dream of one day off leads to a bright and bubbly adventure in New York City. The extravaganza is a heartfelt experience for the whole family.
November
Flyover Comedy Festival
November 11 to 15
Five days. 50 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, including David Cross, as well as regional standouts and rising locals, will fill venues from Stifel Theatre to Fitz’s and Delmar Hall to Blueberry Hill with laughter.
A Beautiful Noise
November 13 to 15
This exhilarating musical memoir follows a humble Brooklyn kid who became a chart-busting, show-stopping and award-winning American rock icon. Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise catalogues the classics, including “Sweet Caroline” and “Song Sung Blue.” Sing along to an encore of the former when the musical hits the stage at The Fabulous Fox.
STAGED
November 13 and 14
This fall at The Grandel, Karlovsky & Company Dance presents STAGED, a curated concert showcasing original works by both emerging and established choreographers. Furthering contemporary and experimental dance with a diverse array of performances, STAGED also features compelling original scores composed by local musician Tory Starbuck. Highlighting deep community collaboration, 16 guest artists from the St. Louis dance community will join the company’s resident dancers to form a fully integrated ensemble. Promising an evening of artistic innovation and creative dialogue, STAGED invites audiences to witness dance as a living, evolving art form that thrives on curiosity.
Ballet Hispánico New York
November 14
Explosive, infectious and, at times, playful, “Ballet Hispánico shows what it is to be Latino in the modern world,” according to the Financial Times. This fall, the New York-based company will captivate St. Louis audiences with performances honoring Latina women who are shaping the future of contemporary dance. Mujeres: Women in Motion showcases three powerful choreographic voices from across the Americas: Cassi Abranches, Stephanie Martinez and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.
Gen Horiuchi’s The Nutcracker
November 28 to December 23
Saint Louis Ballet’s magical annual production of The Nutcracker dazzles audiences with glorious dancing, resplendent costumes and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score! Under the direction and choreography of Gen Horiuchi, The Nutcracker comes to life with elegance, energy and wonder. Don’t miss the most heartwarming celebration of the season, which inspires awe and joy in all ages.
December
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
December 2 to 23
Based on the Paramount Pictures film, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is a must-have holiday experience for the whole family. The heartwarming musical makes the season merry and bright, as two army buddies-turned-entertainers team up with a singing sister act to save a snowless rural Vermont inn – discovering love along the way. Featuring a St. Louis-made production packed with showstopping numbers and iconic tunes, including the unforgettable title song, “White Christmas,” the show is a nostalgic, feel-good celebration that will wrap you in the holiday spirit.
She Loves Me
December 3 to 20
Based on Hungarian American playwright Miklós László’s play Parfumerie, She Loves Me is one of musical theater’s most charming romantic comedies. Intimate, warm and tender, it combines endearing innocence with a touch of old-world elegance. Fun fact: The original play inspired beloved films such as The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail.
Gaslight Dreams
December 18 and 19
Saint Louis Dance Theatre’s holiday tradition is set against the backdrop of the historic Gaslight Square entertainment district. Infused with jazz rhythms by Jazz St. Louis, the vibrant production transforms Tchaikovsky’s classic into a nightclub fantasy. Celebrating the musical genius of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, the production combines contemporary dance and live jazz to create a love story that’s distinctly St. Louis.
