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by Bonnie Riverdahl
Vacation is pretty much synonymous with escape. And what’s a better escape than watching actors bring stories to life on stage — the magical world of theatre.
But if you love live theatre and think you can’t afford the ticket prices, think again! Along with “the big guys” — The Fox, Muny, Opera Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The New Jewish Theatre, Stages, The Black Rep, and others — St. Louis offers a treasure trove of community theatre organizations, all devoted to first-rate entertainment — all affordable.
One of these groups, The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves is the oldest community theatre group west of the Mississippi. Founded in 1926, TGWG has delighted a loyal and growing audience in a variety of settings, from Webster Groves High School to its current home in a former printing company at 517 Theatre Lane.
In 1936, an aspiring young playwright submitted a one-act play for consideration. His name was Tennessee Williams and his play — originally produced by the Guild as The Glass Tower — evolved into The Glass Menagerie. Williams became one of America’s most celebrated playwrights, creating a rich repertoire of award-winning work, including A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Suddenly Last Summer, and Night of the Iguana.
As with most local groups, TGWG consists of a network of volunteer actors, directors, set designers and workers — and other upfront and behind-the-scenes people: a board of directors; play selection, publicity, fund-raising and group ticket sales committees; and others. Each TGWG season features five productions — usually a mix of drama, comedy and mystery — along with an optional summer musical. The group’s next production is June Groom. For details, call (314) 962-0876.
Just a short distance away is another well-established amateur company, the Kirkwood Theatre Guild, which made its debut with a presentation of an English comedy — Tillie of Bloomsbury — on June 9, 1931. The group’s finances were tight in those early Depression years since there were no membership fees and no money to cover publicity or organize ticket sales. The director — who was supposed to earn a small salary — was sometimes paid with sacks of potatoes.
In 1933, 12 committed founders took bold steps: they elected H. Edmund Mack, Jr., as their president. He decided to charge a membership fee, procure patrons for $10 each and raise money through a series of benefit performances. Mack’s ideas worked — within a year and a half, KTG had 229 paid members and six patrons.
The Kirkwood Theatre Guild, too, had a gypsy-like beginning, moving from the Legion Hall to Kirkwood High, North Junior High and finally, in 1967, the new Robert G. Reim Theatre in the Kirkwood Community Center. The first show in this 400-seat facility was Sunday in New York; the 2007-08 season boasted four productions, including Pippin this May. The upcoming 2008-09 line-up features There Goes the Bride in October, followed by The Cemetery Club, Dial M for Murder and Damn Yankees. For more information, call (314) 821-9956.
Newer, but no less enthusiastic, the Clayton Community Theatre was launched in 1998 to provide a vehicle for all members of the community to be part of producing top-quality theatrical entertainment. Between 1998 and 2005, CCT presented 21 plays on the Clayton High School stage — among them Plaza Suite, Our Town, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Crucible.
In fall 2006, CCT began operating in a 210-seat theatre on the campus of Concordia Seminary, which — though it’s now known as the Washington University South Campus — is an independent entity and not part of the Washington University Performing Arts Center. CCT offers a three-production season; the 2008 roster began with Measure for Measure in February, and includes The Miracle Worker scheduled for July 18 – August 3, and Black Comedy/White Liars, November 7–23. Call (314) 721-9228 for details.
Founded in 1999, Bravo Theatre Group is a not-for-profit organization devoted to creating quality musical theatre to benefit local charities. Since its debut, Bravo has produced 10 shows raising more than $30,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis and Make-A-Wish Foundations, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Spinal Bifida Association and others.
Bravo Theatre Group doesn’t have a permanent home, but stages its productions in various venues, including local high schools. This summer’s musical is A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, August 28–31, at the Florissant Community Center.
Among other active local theatre organizations are: West End Players Guild, (314) 367-0025; Black Cat, Off the Cuff Productions and Piwacket Theatre for Children — all in Maplewood, (314) 963-8800; Stray Dog Theatre, (314) 865-1995; and more! (Your community may also have a group not listed here; your chamber of commerce might be able to provide you with information.)
Add to all these, several dinner theatres, college and university productions and the very successful, free Shakespeare Festival in Forest Park. It’s clear that St. Louis offers a wealth of excellent, economical theatrical possibilities. So if your dream vacation is a theatre junket, could be that there’s no place like home!
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