The Muny wants you to shuffle off to St. Louis next week when it opens its 91st summer season with "42nd Street" on the outdoor stage in Forest Park.
Filled with spectacular dance routines, this is the Broadway blockbuster that won the Tony Award for best musical when it opened in 1980 -- and again when it was revived in 2001. Boasting such standards as "Lullaby of Broadway," "We're in the Money" and "Shuffle Off to Buffalo," the cast here will feature the Muny debut of Tony nominee Robert Cuccioli along with Muny vet Shannon O'Bryan and St. Louis native Nikki Snelson.
Performances are at 8:15 p.m. Monday through June 21. The rest of the season will offer "Annie" June 22-30; "Meet Me in St. Louis" July 6-12; "Godspell" July 13-19; "The Music Man" July 20-26; "Camelot" July 27 to Aug. 2; and the Muny premiere of "Hairspray" Aug. 3-9.
Individual seats this year range from $9 to $66. Tickets can be purchased at all MetroTix locations, by phone at (314) 534-1111 or online at metrotix.com.
Granite City picnic
One of the area's biggest parish picnics of the summer revs up Friday night when St. Elizabeth's opens its weekend wingding in Granite City.
Each day, it's a different combo of taste treats and entertainment, starting with fish and Angel Heart on Friday night followed on Saturday by pigs 'n blankets and the one-two punch of Neon Cadillac from 12:30-4:30 p.m. and GTO -- Good Time Oldies -- from 7-midnight.
Then, on Sunday, stuff yourself at the family-style chicken dinner before enjoying the sounds of Buckshot from 12:30 to 4:30 and Sh-Boom from 6-10. There's also bingo each night and a washer tournament as well as $65 carnival ride wristbands good for the weekend now available at the parish office, 2300 Pontoon Road.
Waterloo doubleheader
Waterloo will turn into Monroe County's entertainment capital this coming week with not one but two big parties.
This weekend, Ss. Peter and Paul Church hosts its annual two-day picnic on the church grounds at 204 W. Mill St. They'll kick things off Friday night with a fish fry, quilt bingo and dancing to Dr. No and follow it up on Saturday with fried chicken, more bingo and music by ZB from 8 to midnight.
Then, on Tuesday, the town will show off its Old World heritage with its annual Porta Westfalica Festival on the courthouse square. Celebrating the Sister Cities ties between Waterloo and Porta Westfalica, Germany, the annual soiree will serve up plenty of beer, brats and oom-pah along with a parade at 6 p.m.
New Baden Jamboree
New June will be busting out big-time in New Baden this weekend during the town's annual two-day jamboree in the village park.
The action gets under way at 6 p.m. Friday with a night of festivities that will include an antique tractor pull at 7, music by Straight Six at 8 and fireworks at 9:15.
On Saturday, they'll be back at it early with a 5K run at 8 a.m. followed by an arm-wrestling tournament at 1 and a parade at 5. A 4x4 street truck pull at 7:30 will highlight the evening's activities along with dancing to When Pigs Fly. Beer stands will remain open until 1 a.m. both nights.
Advance ride tickets are on sale now at Faststop, Sunset Grille and Hodges Produce. To register for any of the main events, go to www.newbadenil.com or call 779-7457.
Okawville Heritage Days
Visitors will find more old memories than ever at the annual Heritage Days festival Saturday and Sunday in Okawvillle.
In addition to music, food and carriage rides, this year's celebration will boast the first-ever mass yard sale. So, the Frank Schlosser Museum Complex on Walnut Street will be brimming with more old treasures than usual when residents clean attics and basements of former prized possessions.
The rest of the two-day gala will include plenty of old favorites, including museum tours, crafters, a book fair and such tasty treats as homemade bread, butter ice cream and kettle corn. Entertainment will include bluegrass musicians, cloggers and more. Admission is free.
Concerts galore
The metro-east will be alive with the sound of music as three more summer concert series tune up for the season starting tonight.
In Belleville, the Tom Hansen Big Band will open the monthly Music in the Park programs at Ever & Anon Park at the corner of East Main and Mascoutah. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic supper for a free night of entertainment from 6-9 p.m.
In Swansea, Hudson & the Hoo Doo Cats will take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday in Schranz Memorial Park on Huntwood Park. Just bring a seat for the free Stars in the Park program.
And, on Sunday, the Collinsville Area Recreation District will try to get you on your feet and dancing to the Joey James Orchestra at 6:30 p.m. in Woodland Park.
That's not all. Teens and 'tweens will want to rock to the Battle of the Bands from 6-10 p.m. Friday at Splash City in Collinsville. Five bands will battle it out for the right to perform at WilloughbyStock July 3 at the Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve. Admission is $5.
In addition, the bells will toll for thee during free carillon concerts featuring nationally known artists at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Centralia Carillon Tower, 114 N. Elm. Or, make a run for the border when Los Compadres entertains at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Lovejoy Library at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; admission is $3-$5.
St. Mary's Picnic
St. Mary's Church in Belleville will be swingin' again Saturday night when it hosts its annual festival on the parish grounds.
Kick up your heels to 2nd Generation Swing from 7 p.m. to midnight -- after loading up on the scrumptious chicken dinner starting at 4. The night of family fun also will include bingo, a cake walk and a basket booth along with inflatables and plenty of games for the kids.
The church is at 1722 W. Main St.
'Greater Tuna'
A party skit that turned into a hilarious national sensation will open the 2009 Summer Showbiz season tonight at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Welcome to "Greater Tuna," where the Lions Club is too liberal and country legend Patsy Cline never dies. It's a comedic tour de force for two actors who play all the eccentric inhabitants of the third smallest town in Texas in this satire of life in rural America.
The town's origin dates back to a party skit that was inspired by a political cartoon. But despite the humble start, the play reportedly became the most-produced play in the United States in the mid-1980s. It was so popular, it spawned three sequels: "A Tuna Christmas," "Red, White and Tuna" and "Tuna Does Vegas."
They'll play it for laughs at 7:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday and June 19-20 and 2 p.m. Sunday and June 21 in the James Metcalf Theater. Tickets are $12-$15, and reservations can be made by calling 650-2774. The show is not recommended for children under 12.
Also on the Showbiz bill this summer: the Broadway smash "Bye Bye Birdie" June 24-28 and the children's favorite "Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka" July 15-19.
Maryville movie
The magic of Hollywood will light up Drost Park Friday night when Maryville opens its Movies in the Park series with a screening of "Jumanji."
Get ready for a night of hocus-pocus when Robin William, Bonnie Hunt and Kirsten Dunst star in this PG-rated 1995 film about an unusual board game that's full of make-believe and imagination.
It's the first of seven summer flicks in an expanded third summer season that's sure attract those looking for cheap entertainment close to home. Also on the schedule are such family-friendly features as "The Neverending Story," "Superman" and the original "Pink Panther."
They're all free -- as is the popcorn, water and Bobby's Frozen Custard. Just bring a lawn chair, blanket and bug spray to the Maryville Library parking lot for the 8:30 p.m. screenings. In case of rain, the movie will be shown Saturday night. For a complete schedule, go to www.vil.maryville.il.us.
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