Anyone who says there is nothing to do in the summer in St. Louis must not live here. From cutting-edge theater performed indoors and out, to world-premiere opera to music of every genre to family-friendly festivals galore, the St. Louis region offers hot (and we do mean hot) fun for everyone between now and Labor Day weekend. What follows are some of the highlights. 

ST. LOUIS ACTORS’ STUDIO stages Harold Pinter’s play “The Homecoming” through June 8 at the Gaslight Theatre, 360 N. Boyle Avenue. Tickets are $25 to $30, available at 800-982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. 

STAGES ST. LOUIS performs a return engagement of “Always . . . Patsy Cline” through June 22 at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights. The country music icon is brought to life in this musical, which features many of Cline’s most beloved songs, performed by a live, six-person band. Tickets are $53-63. Stages’ Mainstage Season continues May 30 through June 29 with “They’re Playing Our Song,” a musical comedy based on the music and real-life love story of Academy-Award winning composer Marvin Hamlisch and Grammy-winning lyricist Carol Bayer Sager (Tony Award-winning author Neil Simon penned the book). Matinee and evening performances are offered Tuesdays through Saturdays, at Robert G. Reim Theatre in the Kirkwood Civic Center, 111 S. Geyer Road. Tickets are $38 to $60 at stagesstlouis.org or 314-821-2407. 

If you haven’t caught it already, SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL ST. LOUIS has performances of “Henry IV,” Parts 1 and 2 and “Henry V” at 8 p.m. on alternating nights through June 15 (no shows on Tuesdays, and both plays are presented on two Saturdays, June 7 and 14). Each show is preceded by the 90-minute Green Show (starting at 6:30 p.m.), which includes a quick version of the night’s play, tailored for children, as well as family-friendly entertainment and activities. It’s free and no tickets are required. For more information, visit sfstl.com/in-the-park or call 314-531-9800, ext. 101.

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NEW LINE THEATRE closes its 23nd season May 29 through June 21 with the regional premiere of the rock musical “Hands on a Hardbody,” with music by Phish frontman Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green (“Bring It On” and “High Fidelity”). This adult-content show takes place at the Washington University South Campus Theatre (formerly CBC High School), 6501 Clayton Road. Tickets are $7.50-$20. Call 314-534-1111 or go to newlinetheatre.com.

May 29 through June 22, CIRCUS FLORA draws on the history of chess as it brings the audience through the exotic worlds of ancient Persia and India in “The Pawn.” The one-ring circus’ performances take place in the air-conditioned Big Top Tent in Grand Center. Performances take place every day except Monday. “Little Top Wednesday” starts at 10 a.m., a special one-hour show for younger children. Tickets range from $12 to $48. For show times, call 314-289-4040 or visit circusflora.org.

OPERA THEATRE ST. LOUIS features the world premiere of “Twenty-Seven,” a new opera by Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek about the Lost Generation expatriate community in Paris in the 1920s, centering on the home shared by Gertrude Stein and her life partner, Alice B. Toklas, at 27 Rue de Fleurus. The work is performed in rotation with three other works, through June 29: a new Isaac Mizrahi-directed production of Mozart’s 1791 opus “The Magic Flute”; Gaetano Donizetti’s 1832 comedic opera “The Elixir of Love”; and Francis Poulenc’s 1956 work, “Dialogues of the Carmelites.” Opera Theatre performances take place at Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves. Tickets range from $25 to $134. For performance dates, call 314-961-0644 or see opera-stl.org.

 The Grammy Award-winning INDIGO GIRLS, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, make their Powell Hall debut, performing live with the St. Louis Symphony at 7:30 p.m. May 31. Tickers from $35 to $85 are available by calling 314-534-1700 or at stlsymphony.org.

The beat goes on when CHER visits Scottrade Center (1401 Clark Avenue) on June 4 as part of her “D2K” (Dressed to Kill) Tour — her first visit here since 2003. The tour mixes Cher’s repertoire of hits and new material from her latest release, “Closer to the Truth.” Cyndi Lauper opens the show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.50 to $105.50, available at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

The 21st annual WHITAKER MUSIC FESTIVAL presents free music concerts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays from June 4 to Aug. 6. Held at the Missouri Botanical Garden, the concerts are sponsored by the Garden and KDHX Radio. Visitors may bring picnic suppers in baskets or coolers. Food, beer, wine and sno-cones are also available for purchase. For details, see mobot.org/events/Whitaker.

The INNSBROOK INSTITUTE SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY AND MUSIC FESTIVAL presents numerous chamber music concerts June 5-14 under artistic director David Halen, concertmaster for St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The Innsbrook Resort is on Highway F in Warren County, about 45 minutes from St. Louis. Tickets cost $20-$30. For information about specific concerts go to innsbrookinstitute.org or call 636-928-3366, ext. 218.

Musical favorite “Oliver!” is next up at INSIGHT THEATRE COMPANY, withperformances June 5-22 at the Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall, 530 East Lockwood Avenue in Webster Groves. Tickets are $15 to $30 and available at brownpapertickets.com or 314-556-1293. Other Insight Theatre productions this summer include “Over the River and Through the Woods” from July 10-20; “The Wizard of Oz,” July 25-27 and “The Spitfire Grill” Aug. 21-31. 

The 11^th annual ART & AIR FESTIVAL features one-of-a-kind art, from more than 110 vendors, in historic Webster Groves. The free festival runs from 6-10 p.m. June 6, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 7 and noon to 5 p.m. June 8. Expect plenty of live music, children’s activities and food for purchase as well as the art. For more information, see wcaf.org/artandair.

ROD STEWART and SANTANA visit Scottrade Center on June 6 (tickets are $36.50 to $126.50), kicking off a summer of concerts by classic rock favorites. That includes several shows at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre: STYX and FOREIGNER the next night, June 7 (tickets are $19-$149); BOSTON and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS on June 20 ($19-$129); GOO GOO DOLLS, DAUGHTRY and PLAIN WHITE T’S on June 29 ($25-$95); JOURNEY and THE STEVE MILLER BAND on July 11 ($29.50-$151); ONE REPUBLIC on Aug. 2 ($25-$69); REO SPEEDWAGON and CHICAGO on Aug. 8 ($20 – $170); ZZ TOP AND JEFF BECK on Aug. 24 ($49-$125) and KISS and DEF LEPPARD on Aug. 28 ($29.50-$181). All tickets available at ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000.

 ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY will feature some of classical music’s best during “Bravo! An Evening of Classical Favorites” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 7. Works by Bizet, Tchaichovsky, Brahms, Dvorak and Gershwin will be led by conductor Steven Jarvi. Tickets are $25 to $55. For more information visit stlsymphony.org or call 314-534-1700. 

The 18^th annual JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, which runs from June 8 to 12, offers 15 Jewish-themed documentaries and full-length features from around the world. Among this year’s offerings are the Israeli documentary “Before the Revolution,” billed as a “real life ‘Argo’ thriller”; “Cupcakes,” a comedy about a group of Israeli friends whose impromptu cell phone video thrusts them into overnight celebrities; and “Last Dance,” a thriller about a Palestinian radical and his Holocaust survivor hostage. Films will be screened at Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema located on the upper level of Plaza Frontenac. Tickets are $8 to $15. For more information visit stljewishfilmfestival.org or call the ticket hotline at 314-442-3179. 

Two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Emmanuel is one of Australia’s most respected musicians. He comes to the SHELDON CONCERT HALL for two nights of music-making at 8 p.m. June 12-13. Tickets are $39.50 and available by calling 314-533-9900 or at sheldonconcerthall.org.

From June 12 to 28, STRAY DOG THEATRE performs “Love! Valour! Compassion!” by Terrance McNally. The Tony Award-winning play about eight gay friends spending summer weekends together at a vacation home in upstate New York, mixes a house-party comedy with serious questions about life and love. The play is intended for mature audiences and is held at Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee Avenue in south St. Louis. Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for students and seniors. Tickets online at straydogtheatre.org or 314-865-1995.

ACT INC. is presenting two plays in June, “Lend Me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig, from June 12-15 and 28-29 and “London Suite” by Neil Simon from June 19-22 and 26-27 at Lindenwood University’s J. Scheidegger Center, 2300 W. Clay Stree in St. Charles. Tickets are $20 and available at the Lindenwood University Box Office. Visit actincstl.com for more information.

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY will feature the music of some British rock legends on back-to-back nights in June: Guest conductor Brent Havens leads the symphony and a rock band in a night of music from The Who on the 13th, followed by music from the Rolling Stones on the 14th. Tickets are $35 to $65. On June 20, the 5 Browns — the highly acclaimed group with five siblings each on separate pianos — return to St. Louis for their first performance with the Symphony. Tickets are $30 to $60. Each show begins at 7:30 p.m.; for more information visit stlsymphony.org or call 314-534-1700. 

St. Louisans can get the latest “News from Lake Wobegon” when Garrison Keillor and crew come to the Fox Theatre for a live broadcast of “A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION” at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, June 14. Fans of the weekly radio show will enjoy the comedy, music and Keillor’s signature narration that they have come to love during the 40 years since the show’s 1974 debut. Guests will include the American roots music of St. Louis’ own  Pokey LaFarge and Missouri-native Joe Newberry. Tickets are $35 to $65 and available at 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com.

THE MUNY opens its 2014 season with “Billy Elliot the Musical” from June 16-22. Winner of 10 Tony Awards, the musical about a working-class British boy’s dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. The music is by Elton John and the lyrics and book are written by Lee Hall, who wrote the screenplay of the 2000 film on which the musical is based. Performances start at 8:15 p.m. Tickets range from $14 to $85, with a limited number of free seats available. Call 314-361-1900 or visit muny.org. 

Singer-songwriter RAY LAMONTAGNE is touring in support of his fifth album, Supernova,” an album produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. LaMontagne, who won a Grammy Award in 2010 for best contemporary folk album, will bring his blues-, soul- and rock-tinged folk music to the Fox Theatre for a concert at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, with openers Hamilton Leithauser and The Belle Brigade. Tickets are $39.50 to $59.50 and available at 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com.  The same night, MS. LAUREN HILL, who made a huge splash in the 1990s as a member of the Fugees, and with her multiple Grammy Award-winning 1998 solo album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” — which sold 12 million copies worldwide — performs at 9 p.m. at The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard. Tickets are $58-$68, available at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Another year, another princess. Last year, was Cinderella, this year, it’s “Disney’s Sleeping Beauty” from STAGES ST. LOUIS June 18 through June 29, with 11 a.m. matinees and two evening performances at the Skip Viragh Center for the Arts at Chaminade College Preparatory School, 425 South Lindbergh Boulevard. Tickets range from $22 to $26. See stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407. 

For five days of avant-garde performing arts events, check out the ST. LOU FRINGE FESTIVAL June 18-22 at five venues and two box office locations, all within walking distance of each other in Midtown. Tickets range from $5-12. For more information visit stloufringe.org.

Leave the kids at home for a British comedian and actor EDDIE IZZARD’s “force majeure” tour, at 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19 at the Fox Theatre. The comic’s stream-of-consciousness, often adult-themed humor has earned him high praise — a New York Times reviewer called him “the most brilliant stand-up comedian of his generation.” Tickets are $38 to $73; available at 314-534-1111 or metrotix.com.

The GESHER MUSIC FESTIVAL, under the auspices of the New Jewish Theatre, presents outstanding chamber music concerts at a variety of venues around town, including the Kranzberg Arts Center, Central Reform Congregation and the Wool Studio Theatre at the Jewish Community Center, from June 22-29. Tickets range from free to $40. For more information, call 314-442-3283 or brownpapertickets.com.

Folk-rock superstar JAMES TAYLOR returns to St. Louis with a June 24 performance at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. With 10 albums that charted on the Billboard top-10 (and that’s not including his Diamond-certified Greatest Hits album), Taylor has plenty of material to draw from. Tickets are $25-$99.50, available at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

“Tarzan” is second up in THE MUNY’sseason, with performances June 25-July 2. Based on Disney’s animated film about a shipwrecked boy raised in the jungle by gorillas, the musical features music and lyrics by Phil Collins. Performances start at 8:15 p.m. Tickets range from $14 to $85, with a limited number of free seats available. Call 314-361-1900 or visit muny.org. 

Grammy award-winning jazz icons the Yellowjackets and classical/jazz artists Bach to the Future headline the CHESTERFIELD WINE AND JAZZ FESTIVAL, a free event at the Chesterfield Amphitheater from 3-10 p.m. June 28, replete with a variety of wine and food, and fireworks. For more information, go to chesterfieldjazzfestival.com

The ST. LOUIS WIND SYMPHONY performs a concert in celebration of Independence Day, featuring patriotic songs, marches, light classics and show tunes. The concert starts at 3 p.m., June 29 at the Foundry Art Centre, 520 N. Main Center in St. Charles. Tickets are $8. Call 636-255-0270 or visit foundryartcentre.org for more information. 

FAIR ST. LOUIS finds itself in a new location this year, as part of the celebration of the city’s founding 250 years ago (oh, and also because construction is happening at the Arch grounds). In any case, this year’s entertainment lineup is dynamite with free performances by Thompson Square and the Band Perry July 3; Gavin DeGraw, Matt Nathanson, Mary Lambert and Bonnie Raitt, July 4; and En Vogue, the Neighbourhood and the Fray, July 5. Each night is capped with an amazing fireworks display. For more information and performance times, go to fairsaintlouis.org.

If you didn’t get your fill of music at Fair St. Louis, consider SARAH MCLACHLAN, who comes to the Fox Theatre 7:30 p.m. July 6 as she tours behind her new album “Shine.”  Tickets range from $36 to $101. Call 314-534-1111 for tickets or go to fabulousfox.com. Or wait another day and see JACKSON BROWNE at the Peabody Opera House at 7:30 p.m. July 7. Tickets range from $32-$96. Call 314-231-4445 or ticketmaster.com.

Winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” arrives at THE MUNY July 7-13. Set in Charleston’s fabled Catfish Row, it tells the story of the beautiful Bess as she struggles to break free from her scandalous past, and the only one who can rescue her is the courageous Porgy. The show starts at 8:15 p.m. at the theater in Forest Park. Tickets range from $14 to $85, with a limited number of free seats available. Call 314-361-1900 or see muny.org.

Looking for a little free music, food and film on a Friday night?  Then mosey on over to Art Hill for the St. Louis Art Museum’s OUTDOOR FILM SERIES Friday evenings in July. This year’s “Movies St. Louisans Love” theme features “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on July 11, “Funny Face” on July 18, “Field of Dreams” on July 25, and “Meet Me in St. Louis” on Aug. 1. Don’t forget to bring a blanket and some cold beer (alcoholic beverages are permitted). Films are free and begin at 9 p.m., with live music starting at 7, including the Brothers Lazaroff July 18, and food trucks on premises at 6 p.m.  ST. LOUIS SHAKESPEARE kicks off its 30^th season with the seminal Shakespeare play “Hamlet,” July 11-20 at 560 Music Center in University City. Tickets will run between $15 and $25. For more information, call 1-800-838-3006 or visit stlshakespeare.org

The St. Louis Actor’s Studio presents its annual NEIL LABUTE THEATER FESTIVAL July 11-Aug. 3. Finalists were chosen from over 250 submissions; a complete schedule of the winning productions and when they will be performed can be found at stlas.org. In addition, LaBute’s world premiere one-act, “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush,” will be presented nightly at the Gaslight Theatre, 360 N. Boyle Avenue, with an appearance from the playwright July 25. Call 314-458-2978 or visit stlas.org for more information. UNION AVENUE OPERA presents Verdi’s “La Traviata” at 8 p.m. July 11-12 & 18-19 at 733 North Union Boulevard. Tickets range from $30 to $52. Call 314-361-2881 or see unionavenueopera.org.

CINEMA ST. LOUIS’ St. Louis Filmmaker’s Showcase takes placeJuly 13-17 at the Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar Boulevard. The showcase screens works that were written, directed, edited or produced by St. Louis natives or those with strong local ties. The programs range from full-length fiction features and documentaries to multi-film compilations of fiction and documentary shorts. Many programs include post-screening Q&As with filmmakers. Tickets are $12. 314-289-4150 or cinemastlouis.org.

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky and they’re invading THE MUNY July 14-20 with “The Addams Family.” Charles Addams’ classic and beloved characters are traveling from Broadway to St. Louis to delight audiences with their music and their antics. The show starts at 8:15 p.m. at the theater in Forest Park. Tickets range from $14 to $85, with a limited number of free seats available. Call 314-361-1900 or see muny.org.

Big business translates into big laughs in this clever lampoon of life on the corporate ladder. A tune-filled comic gem that took Broadway by storm winning both the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” plays at STAGES ST. LOUIS from July 17-Aug. 18, with matinee and evening performances at the Robert G. Reim Theatre in the Kirkwood Civic Center at 111 S. Geyer Road. Tickets run from $41 to $57, with student/senior rush tickets day of show at $15. See stagesstlouis.org or call 314-821-2407. 

JACK WHITE pulls into the Fox Theatre at 7:30 p.m. July 20 for an evening of music and merriment. Tickets from $34.50 to $75 are available by calling 314-534-1111 for tickets or go to fabulousfox.com. Or if you’d rather the latest incarnation of “THE VOICE” tour comes to the Peabody Opera House that same night at 7:30, bringing this season’s winner Josh Kaufman and company. Tickets from $32.50 to $76 are available at 314-231-4445 or ticketmaster.com.

Based on the classic children’s books of Dr. Seuss and narrated by the mischievous Cat in the Hat, “Seussical,” the musical, makes its debut at THE MUNY July 22-28. The show, which tells the timeless story of being true to your word, not living in fear and the power of believing in yourself, starts at 8:15 p.m. at the theater in Forest Park. Tickets range from $15 to $85, with a limited number of free seats available. Call 314-361-1900 or see muny.org.

STRAY DOG THEATRE presents “Funny Girl,” July 23-Aug. 8 at its home at Tower Grove Abbey, 2348 Tennessee Avenue. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students/seniors; call  314-865-1995.

”Grease” is the word – and the show – when it opens at THE MUNY July 31-Aug. 8 and takes you back to a simpler time as “bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again. The show starts at 8:15 p.m. at the theater in Forest Park. Tickets range from $15 to $85, with a limited number of free seats available. Call 314-361-1900 or see muny.org.

MAX AND LOUIE PRODUCTIONS presents “Quills,” a sinfully theatrical, gothic burlesque about the battle of wills between the Marquis de Sade and the Abbe de Coulmier, one of his jailors at the insane asylum of Charenton. The show plays from July 31-Aug. 17atthe Jewish Community Center’s Arts and Education Center,

2 Millstone Campus Drive. Tickets range from $25-$30 and can be gotten by calling 314-795-8778 or at brownpapertickets.com.

Singer-songwriter-pianist TORI AMOS brings her “Unrepentant Geraldines” tour to the Peabody Opera House at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 1. Amos has sold more than 12 million albums since her debut album “Little Earthquakes” was released in 1992. Tickets are $36-$86, available at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

UNION AVENUE OPERA presents André Previn’s “A Streetcar Named Desire,” based on the Tennessee Williams play, at 8 p.m. Aug. 1-2 and Aug. 8-9. Next up is a reduced and adapted version of Richard Wagner’s “Siegfried” Aug. 22-23 and Aug. 28-29. Performances are at 733 North Union Boulevard. Tickets are $30 to $52. Call 314-361-2881 or visit unionavenueopera.org.

Pop music fans — particularly the younger ones — may be clamoring for tickets to one of three major acts visiting in August, all at Scottrade Center. The controversy-loving wild-child MILEY CYRUS will perform during her rescheduled concert (originally slated for April) on Aug. 10 (tickets are $19.50-$89.50). Next up, KATY PERRY brings her Prismatic World Tour on Aug. 17 (tickets are $26.50 – $125.50). On Aug. 27, British boy band One Direction performs ($27.50-$99.50). Tickets available at tickemaster.com or 800-745-3000.

“Hello Dolly” closes out the 2014 season of THE MUNY Aug. 11-17. This year, the classic musical about matchmaker Dolly Levi celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Broadway debut. The show starts at 8:15 p.m. at the theater in Forest Park. Tickets range from $14 to $85, with a limited number of free seats available. Call 314-361-1900 or visit muny.org.

The elements, as in EARTH, WIND & FIRE, storm the Peabody Opera House for an evening of classic favorites at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11 Tickets run from $40 to $140 and can be gotten by calling 314-231-4445 or ticketmaster.com.

The FESTIVAL OF THE LITTLE HILLS — or Fête des Petites Côtes — assembles crafters of all sorts at one of the Midwest’s largest craft fairs, held in St. Charles’ historic Main Street and Frontier Park. The festival runs Aug. 15-17 and includes more than 300 booths featuring   makers of jewelry, folk art, furniture, fine arts, clothing and fabric arts, candles and soaps and beyond. That’s not to mention food (both to consume on site and artisan foods to take home) and entertainment. Free admission. For more information visit festivalofthelittlehills.com or call 636-940-0095. 

ST. LOUIS SHAKESPEARE stages an adaptation of French playwright Pierre Corneille’s 1643 comic masterpiece “The Liar” Aug. 15-24 at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Avenue in University City. Tickets will run between $15 and $20, and will be available at brownpapertickets.com or at the theater box office starting one hour before each show. For more information call 314-361-5664 or visit stlshakespeare.org.

The world has countless adaptations and parodies of the classic 1818 horror novel “Frankenstein.” But where are the send-ups of the work’s fascinating author, Mary Shelley? SLIGHTLY ASKEW THEATRE ENSEMBLE has one for St. Louis this summer. “Mary Shelley Monster Show” offers a theatrical biography of the mysterious woman behind the monster that will be performed Wednesdays through Saturdays Aug. 20-30 at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive. For more information visit slightlyoff.org.

The 15^th Annual FESTIVAL OF NATIONS returns to Tower Grove Park with over 40 different ethnic food booths, non-stop dance and music, and an international bazaar for gifts. Each year the festival celebrates St. Louis’ diversity and internationalism, which St. Louisans often miss in the day-to-day grind of Midwest living. The festival takes place between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 23-24 near Grand Boulevard and Arsenal in Tower Grove Park. Admission is free. See festivalofnations.org for more information. 

And closing out the season over Labor Day weekend is the annual Japanese Festival at the MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN, which celebrates the history, culture and people of Japan, and is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Taiko drummers, sumo wrestlers, candlelit walks along the tea garden paths, bon odori dancing and an outstanding food selection have made this festival fun for the whole family. It goes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 30-31 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 1. Admission is $15, $10 for seniors, $5 for children 3-12 and Garden members. The Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Boulevard. Call 314-577-5100 for more information.