Photo © Matthew Murphy
Joseph Rivera, Adriel Flete, Jeremey Adam Rey, Nancy Ticotin as Gloria Fajardo and Hector Maisonet, ON YOUR FEET!
On Your Feet! | November 7–19
Though most 21st-century musicals have taken their cues from movies, TV shows, graphic novels, and even earlier musicals, this one is a biography. It tells the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan: how they immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba, started their successful band Miami Sound Machine, rose to world stardom, and nearly lost everything. The show is directed by Kinky Boots' Jerry Mitchell, choreographed by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys), and, of course, the score is filled with the Estafans' own infectious hits. $35–$105. See website for dates and times. Fox Theatre, 527 N. Grand, fabulousfox.com.
Flyover Comedy Festival | November 9–12
St. Louis is rich with people who can make you laugh, and this weekend we’re being blitzed by comics from across the country. Both locals and visitors make up the inaugural Flyover Comedy Festival, a three-day comedy invasion happening in venues across The Grove. (Writer Melissa Meinzer recently talked to festival organizer Zachary Gzehoviak about who's performing and other details.) $10–$40. See website for performers, venues, dates, and times. The Grove neighborhood, flyovercomedyfest.com.
Lost + F(o)und | November 11
Perennial's annual party (now in its seventh year) has become a much-anticipated event. This year's party includes live music by The Loot Rock Gang, local beer and food, a pie-baking contest, and an upcycling challenge featuring projects by St. Louis designers and architecture firms, which will be auctioned off at the end of the night. $35, $40 at the door. Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust, perennialstl.org.
Kathleen Madigan | November 11
Before her success as a comic, Madigan grew up with six siblings in Florissant and attended McCluer North High School. After college, she found her footing in standup through open-mic nights at the Funny Bone in Westport Plaza. Madigan returns to her hometown November 11 for her Bothering Jesus Tour—and yes, her parents might attend. “I’m in a lot of trouble for booking this show during deer season,” she says with a laugh. “Well, I didn’t know. I wasn’t paying attention.” (SLM's Sarah Kloepple talked to Madigan in anticipation of this week's show.) $32. 8 p.m. Peabody Opera House, 1400 Market, peabodyoperahouse.com.
Wilco | November 13
Despite the silly title of the latest record, Schmilco, the mood of the music is reflective, softer, and sadder. "With the exception of 'Locator'—the only track here that channels Star Wars’ fuzzy, Jim O’Rourke-era flashbacks—Schmilco finds Wilco at their lightest and folksiest," Pitchfork wrote in its recent review. "'Cry All Day' hinges on a quiet anxiety – a little bit 'Dancing in the Dark,' a little bit 'Talent Show.' 'Someone to Lose' and 'Nope' each harbor a whimsical, bluesy edge; even the chaotic 'Common Sense' retains a laid-back groove through guitarist Nels Cline’s glorious, fret-tapping freak-out. Over a decade after Wilco tacked 12 minutes of dialtone noise onto a sparse piano ballad, their idiosyncrasies are now more discreetly embedded into their music—and they still do simple, twangy power-pop better than just about anyone." $40–$60. 8 p.m. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar, thepageant.com.
Check out SLM's calendar for other happenings, including Blues games, The Drums at The Ready Room, the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, Gregory Maguire at St. Louis County Library headquarters, Tchaikovsky 4 at Powell Hall, Tyler, The Creator at The Pageant, the St. Louis International Film Festival, and more.
