1. January 29 & 30 | Alchemia
In Alchemia, the dancers of MOMIX explore the idea of the four elements, using not just their bodies but also some wild stage sets, crazy costumes, and huge abstract props. January 29 & 30. Touhill Performing Arts Center, 1 University, 314-516-4949, touhill.org.
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2. January 8 | Patton Oswalt
“I’m tired. I had pizza for lunch and tacos for dinner. I need to change my life.” So went Patton Oswalt’s mea culpa when he canceled his September show at The Pageant. But good news, kids! He wasn’t kidding about rescheduling. January 8, 7:30 p.m. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, thepageant.com.
3. January 28–February 13 | Underneath the Lintel
What’s the mystery behind a library book—turned in 113 years after it was due? In Underneath the Lintel, a Dutch librarian travels the world to find out and reveals his astonishing story to his audience. January 28–February 13. New Jewish Theatre, Wool Studio Theatre, 2 Millstone Campus, 314-442-3283, newjewishtheatre.org.
4. January 16 | From the Canyons to the Stars
Never performed in St. Louis, Olivier Messiaen’s From the Canyons to the Stars… was inspired by a 1972 trip to Bryce Canyon. David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; the music’s enhanced with video projections by artist Deborah O’Grady. January 16, 8 p.m. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand, 314-534-1700, stlsymphony.org.
5. January 8–10 | Marvel Universe LIVE!
After rescheduling last year, Marvel Universe LIVE! finally hits town with its full-blown arena show, featuring martial arts, motorcycles, and pyrotechnics—and your favorite superheroes, of course. January 8–10, Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark, scottradecenter.com.
6. January 13–31 | Sunset Baby
This month, The Black Rep stages Dominique Morisseau’s Sunset Baby, in which a former black revolutionary and political prisoner mourns his late wife and struggles to make peace with his daughter. January 13–31, Edison Theatre, 6445 Forsyth, theblackrep.org.
7. January 31 | Wiener Dog Derby & Beggin’ Pet Parade
Even folks who aren’t fans of Mardi Gras proper love the Wiener Dog Derby and Beggin’ Pet Parade. Get ready to bust out the purple and green doggie fur dye and poodle skirts (that is, skirts made for poodles). Then, stick around Soulard for a concert from That 80s Band. January 31, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Soulard neighborhood, 314-771-5110, mardigrasinc.com.
8. January 19–31 | Newsies
St. Louis had its own newsies—impoverished kids who wandered the streets, selling papers for low pay. Disney’s Newsies is based on real events: the 1899 newsboys’ strike in New York City, in which a group of young boys challenged William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer’s exploitation of child labor. January 19–31. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, 314-534-1111, fabulousfox.com.
9. January 22–24 | Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend
Elmo, Grover, and Abby Cadabby have a new pal: Chamki, who’s traveled all the way from India. Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend celebrates friends and culture with lots of singing, dancing, and (of course) cookie sharing. January 22–24, Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market, 800-745-3000, peabodyoperahouse.com.
10. January 2 | Twelfth Afternoon
Some people do Jell-O shots in Soulard to usher in Mardi Gras. Others head to the Old Courthouse for a more old-school Twelfth Night—or, rather, Twelfth Afternoon, a 1766 afternoon ball with music by Dennis Stroughmatt et L’Esprit Creole, dance lessons, and king cake. January 2, noon–4 p.m., Old Courthouse rotunda, 877-982-1410, gatewayarch.com.
