St. Louis Stage Capsules

The Bomb-itty of Errors The Bomb-itty of Errors is neither a cultural statement on the importance of rap nor a sociological effort to make hip-hop acceptable to the Shakespeare crowd, or vice versa. Bomb-itty is gravitas-free, concerned only with being entertaining — and oh, how it succeeds. Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors double-twin sets — Antipholus and Dromio squared — stumble through a series of mistaken identities as they attempt to achieve fame as rappers. Whip-smart in its execution, rife with in-jokes for hip-hop heads and Shakespearean scholars and ruthless in its conflation of both sources, it's a 90-minute party for fans of inventive and original musical comedy. Presented by the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis through December 9 at the Grandel Theatre, 3610 Grandel Square. Tickets are $18 to $45 (rush seats available for students and seniors, $8 and $10, respectively, 30 minutes before showtime). Call 314-968-4925 or visit www.repstl.org. — Paul Friswold

Permanent Collection The plot of Thomas Gibbons' new drama concerns the behind-the-scenes maneuverings at a private art foundation whose recently appointed director — who happens to be black — sets about to initiate changes sure to upset the status quo. With that conflict is in place, drama takes a back seat to discourse as the adversaries hash over matters of race and identity. Viewers who prefer character-driven plays to those in which the actors resemble members of a debate team might find that all this verbiage is less than theatrical. Through December 2 at the ArtLoft Theatre, 1529 Washington Avenue. Tickets are $20 ($15 for students and seniors). Call 314-289-4063 or visit www.hotcitytheatre.org.— Dennis Brown

Remnant Remnant is a Christmas play set in a post-apocalyptic America where the people speak a corrupted version of English, are periodically beset by nomadic warrior raiders and believe a successfully performed Christmas Eve ritual could re-ignite a renaissance of the human spirit. Oh, and the guest of honor is one of those warrior raiders! But nestled among the ever-present violence, the insular fear and the mindless adherence to tradition, there's a spark of hope — and if you think you know to which world the preceding refers, you're going to be surprised and perhaps humbled by Remnant. Through December 2 at the Fontbonne University Fine Arts Center Theatre, 6800 Wydown Boulevard, Clayton. Tickets are $20 ($15 for students and seniors). ­Visit www.mustardseedtheatre.com or call 314-719-8060. (PF)

Sister's Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi's Gold and Every Christmas Story Ever Told. Reviewed in this issue.