Summer is officially here, and with it comes a whole new season of arts festivals, outdoor theater, concerts, and other festivities. Whether you're looking to pack up a picnic and chairs and camp out for an evening of Shakespeare or head inside for some cool A/C and cooler art, there's an exciting event that will fit the bill.
WORKS IN PROGRESS
Don't miss these shows already on view.
Correspondences Towards the Living Object
Through July 24 | Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
Conversations about cultural appropriation and Westernization frame Gala Porras-Kim’s exhibition Correspondences Towards the Living Object. The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis will host the new body of work, in which Porras-Kim evaluates how various artworks made their way into the West—whether those pieces were looted, stolen, or sold. Her first major survey exhibition in the Midwest includes drawings, sculpture, text pieces, and various artifacts. Event patrons will also be able to hear directly from Porras-Kim during her artist talk on March 26, when she’ll dive deeper into the exhibit.
Hélio Oiticica. Penetrável Macaléia, 1978. Edition of 5. © Hélio Oiticica. Courtesy Lisson Gallery.
Through July 31 | Pulitzer Arts Foundation
The idea that public action is vital for transforming society forms the basis of the Pulitzer Arts Foundation’s new exhibit, Assembly Required. The exhibition features nine different artists and collectives who share this conviction. The selected works are responses to distinct social and political moments, ranging from the 1950s to the present day. This interactive exhibit invites viewers to imagine the world from new and varied perspectives.
Painting Creole St. Louis: Artist Anna Maria von Phul
Through January 8, 2023 | Missouri History Museum
This companion exhibition to Hattie Felton’s new book, More Than Ordinary, showcases the work of Missouri’s first-known woman artist, Anna Maria von Phul. This exhibit will display the complete catalog of von Phul’s known body of work for the first time. The artist vividly documented the Missouri Territory’s landscape, fashion, society, and—most notably—the Creole population of early St. Louis. The book and exhibition are windows into the life of a groundbreaking artist and provide a glimpse of everyday life in pre-statehood Missouri.
Courtesy of Missouri Historical Society Collections
“I look forward to any live theatrical event as we approach a new season —theater, opera, music, or dance. No matter, as long as we can once again gather safely with performers back to work in full force. These last two years have proven the resiliency of performing artists—and the dear patience of our audiences. Here’s to spring!”
—Carrie Houk, Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
JUNE
Courtesy of Welcome to Night Vale
Welcome to Night Vale: The Haunting of Night Vale
June 20 | The Pageant
The creative minds of Jeffery Cranor and Joseph Fink are behind this genre-bending fiction podcast that started a decade ago. The podcast is set in the desolate, fictional town of Night Vale and is framed as a local radio show that reports on all of the puzzling, bizarre, and out-of-the-ordinary events that happen there. Be transported to this exciting, unsettling town—and all of the mystery it holds—at The Pageant.
June 1–26 | Shakespeare Glen
One of Shakespeare’s most popular and enduring comedies is coming to Forest Park. Gather the whole family for this free summertime tradition and follow the sharp-tongued Beatrice and Benedick as emotional battles and drama take over their circle of friends and family in Messina.
Through June 26 | Kirkwood Performing Arts Center
STAGES executive producer Jack Lane has a vision for St. Louis to be a new “tryout town” for Broadway shows, and that begins with this brand-new show based on Robert Mark Kamen’s 1984 hit film. Featuring a “Japanese-infused pop-rock score” and a book by Kamen, it was written prior to the pandemic and workshopped in New York. But when COVID-19 delayed Broadway debuts, the creative team turned to STAGES. Now, St. Louis audiences can be the very first to see Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi take the stage.
June 2–25 | The Marcelle
Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis’ Urinetown is a snarky show about an extreme 20-year drought that has forced the town to ban the use of private toilets in a last-ditch effort to save water. The townspeople must use public, pay-per-use facilities, so there is no such thing as a “free pee.” Set in 2027, Urinetown uses capitalism, bureaucracy, and the legal system as some of its focal points—and main punching bags. Its outlandish humor and jokes are guaranteed to make you ugly laugh.
Courtesy of Webster Arts Fair
June 3–5 | The Grounds of Eden Theological Seminary
Sponsored by the nonprofit organization Webster Arts, The Webster Arts Fair is held each year on the first weekend of June. It’s filled with one-of-a-kind, high-quality work from artists from all over the region, family-fun activities, and round-the-clock musical acts—so no boredom here. For those who plan to make a whole day of wandering the booths and performances, locally sourced food options will be available.
June 5–24 | Loretto-Hilton Center
The world premiere of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis' Awakenings, based on the true story of Dr. Oliver Sacks, takes place this June at the Loretto-Hilton Center. When a mystifying sleeping illness called encephalitis lethargica forces thousands of people into a motionless and inaudible state for more than 40 years, Oliver Sacks, a bright and promising doctor, uncovers a cure that heals his patients. But then the patients are faced with a new challenge: adjusting to the modern world.
Ashleyliane Dance Company’s Unseen
June 4 & 5 | The Grandel
Unseen seeks to cultivate deeper, more profound conversations. Specifically, it zeroes in people who are typically marginalized and underserved, such as immigrants, people with disabilities, and women. Through the striking and telling art form of dance, Unseen unveils how the hardships of bigotry, corruption, oversight, and conflict impact lives.
“I am often asked if I miss life in the orchestra. My answer has been consistent: What I miss most is sitting on the stage of Powell Hall in the middle of the orchestra playing a Mahler symphony. So I am very much looking forward to Stéphane Denève leading the SLSO in the Mahler 1st Symphony in May.”
—Marc Gordon, Chamber Music Society of St. Louis
More to see in June
- June 1–19: Disney’s The Lion King, Fox Theatre
- June 3: REO Speedwagon and Styx with Loverboy, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- June 13–19: Chicago, The Muny
- June 14: Amos Lee, The Pageant
- June 18: Chicago + Brian Wilson, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- June 22-28: Camelot, The Muny
- June 24: Sebastian Maniscalo, Fox Theatre
JULY
Courtesy of Cinema St. Louis
July 14-21
The annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase shines a light on the region’s cinematic delights, including films that were produced, directed, or written by local residents and works by filmmakers who have local connections but are based elsewhere. The event is orchestrated by nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, which also hosts the annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival, and select Showcase films are chosen each year for inclusion in SLIFF.
July 1–23 | .ZACK
Assassins, winner of five Tony Awards, recounts the stories of nine people who have either murdered or attempted to murder the president of the United States. The show is styled as a one-act and combines elements from both musicals and revues. Written by John Weidman, a former Sesame Street staffer, and beloved composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, whom we lost in 2021, Assassins has been called “perhaps the most controversial musical ever written.”
July 16–22 | The Muny
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is making its Muny debut as the fourth show of its 104th season, after being postponed in 2021. Featuring music and lyrics from Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd tells the tale of an ex-barber who returns to 19th-century London to exact revenge on the judge who framed him and harmed his wife.
July 8–31 | The Gaslight Theater
Named after the playwright, screenwriter, and film director Neil LaBute, this annual festival is hosted by the St. Louis Actors’ Studio, and LaBute himself leads the creative team. The Tony Award–nominated playwright is known for his plays Reasons to Be Pretty, The Shape of Things, and Fat Pig, as well as his films In the Company of Men and Some Velvet Morning, among others. LaBute and his team will choose up to eight professional one-act plays to be performed. High school students are also encouraged to submit their one-act plays for a chance to have their work staged at the festival.
July 22–24 | Catherine B. Berges Theatre
Roald Dahl’s 1988 classic Matilda is coming to St. Louis this June with a musical twist. From the start, it’s clear that young Matilda Wormwood doesn’t quite fit in—she has strange yet exceptional powers. Faced with abusive and all-around awful parents, she utilizes her passion for storytelling and reading to escape. At Crunchem Hall Elementary School, Miss Trunchbull, the school’s principal, chastises students who don’t adhere to her harsh rules. But Matilda, with the help of gracious teacher Miss Honey, learns to love her rare abilities—and how to stand up to the crummy adults in her life.
“This spring, I’m really looking forward to the Contemporary Art Museum’s 2022 Gala, DIVE IN. CAM is our Grand Center neighbor, and their events are always both fun and cleverly tied to an artist they’re exhibiting. This one is inspired by the poolside glamour images of artist Martine Gutierrez. Glamour, fun, and art—sounds pretty good to me!”
—Peter Palermo, The Sheldon
More to see in July
- July 1: Santana + Earth, Wind & Fire, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- July 5: Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard, Busch Stadium
- July 5–13: Mary Poppins, The Muny
- July 22: RuPaul’s Drag Race, Fox Theatre
- July 24: 5 Seconds of Summer, Saint Louis Music Park
- July 25–31: Legally Blonde: The Musical, The Muny
- July 29: Goo Goo Dolls, Saint Louis Music Park
- July 30: Backstreet Boys, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
AUGUST
Benjamin Butler, Autumn Forest, 2016. Oil on linen. 19 5/8 x 27 ½ inches. Courtesy of Klaus Von Nichtsagend Gallery, New York.
August 27–December 11 | Laumeier Sculpture Park
Laumeier Sculpture Park is spending 2022 exploring the ways that art and nature contribute to health and wellness, and that includes their fall exhibition, Forest Through the Trees. Works by several artists, all inspired by the beauty and power of trees, will give visitors an array of subjects and stories to consider as they observe these interpretations of one of our greatest resources.
Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis
August 18–28
The celebrated Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis returns with a main stage production of The Rose Tattoo—Williams’ story of a reclusive Italian-American widow in Mississippi—directed by David Kaplan. This summer’s festival hones in on Tennessee Williams and Italy; it will feature one-acts, panels, social events, and other attractions at The Big Top in Grand Center and on The Hill.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
August 4–20 | Stray Dog Theatre
A diverse group of sixth-graders showcases much more than their spelling abilities in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Six unassuming tweens vie for the spelling bee title while sharing their hopes, struggles, and passions. This comedic musical, staged by Stray Dog Theatre, is intended for mature audiences.
August 19–21 | Historic Main Street St. Charles
Put on by nonprofit Fete Des Petite Cotes, this annual arts and crafts fair is named in honor of the settlement French-Canadian explorer Louis Blanchette founded in 1769, now known as St. Charles. Browse the work of more than 300 vendors (and grab some great bites) as you stroll Main Street during the three-day fete.
Courtesy of St. Lou Fringe
August 21–22
Independent artists from the St. Louis area are getting their fair share of the spotlight with the St. Lou Fringe Festival. As an organization that champions individuality, STLFRINGE will host the festival’s 11th iteration. The event maintains the same goal as in previous years—to inspire and educate audiences while connecting them with local artists.
“I’m looking forward to [the Saint Louis Art Museum’s] presentation of Afronauts, a film by Ghanaian-born artist Nuotama Frances Bodomo. I admittedly don’t know Bodomo’s work but am completely intrigued by this film’s blending of fact and fiction, simultaneously exploring the little-known Zambian 1960s space program with fantastical Afrofuturism.”
—Lauren Ross, Laumeier Sculpture Park
More to see in August
- August 3–9: The Color Purple, The Muny
- August 10: Dispatch and OAR, Saint Louis Music Park
- August 12: Zac Brown Band, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- August 12: Hanson, The Pageant
- August 12–18: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Muny
- August 19: Keith Urban, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- August 21: Alicia Keys, Saint Louis Music Park
- August 28: “Weird Al” Yankovic, Chesterfield Amphitheater
- August 28: Jack White, Saint Louis Music Park
