Steel Beam Theatre of St. Charles to livestream ‘Beatrix Potter’ show

Steel Beam Theatre in downtown St. Charles announces two more livestreaming benefit performances to raise funds for the 20-year-old, nonprofit theater.

The series continues the successful, but abbreviated, 19th season themed “Women of Steel,” and will feature monthly events until Jan. 31.

They star professional actors from the Chicago theater and education scene, who perform their one-person solo shows interpreting remarkable women of stage, film and literature. The livestreamed events are presented at 7 p.m. Sundays as one-night-only performances.

• Dec. 27 – “Meet Beatrix Potter” will be offered by Paddy Lynn. Beatrix Potter, the author of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and other stories, remains the number one best-selling children’s author of all time. Beatrix came from a wealthy, upper middle-class family and was reared by a governess for most of her early life. She was not allowed to play with other children, and, as a result, her pets (of which she had many) became her dearest companions. She developed a love for drawing and painting and used her pets as models. Her vivid imagination coupled with her unique artistic talent gave birth to the charming stories that have warmed hearts for generations.

• Jan. 31 – “Meet Jane Austen” will feature Debra Miller. Her program “Just Jane” presents Austen in the autumn of 1815, the most vibrant and hopeful time of her life, to explore the literary and personal life of one of the most beloved and intriguing novelists of any century.

Tickets cost $10 per performance and can be purchased by visiting www.steelbeamtheatre.com. Participants will receive a private online link prior to the performance, along with instructions for viewing. Internet access is required to access the shows. For more information, call 630-587-8521.

“This unique streaming format enables us to continue to provide theatrical entertainment to our community and to people who can access these online,” Marge Uhlarik-Boller, artistic director of Steel Beam Theatre, stated in a news release. “Due to the restrictions, the theater has been dark since March, and these artists have agreed to waive their usual fees so that any ticket revenue can be used to support the theater’s mission for a 20th season. We’re so proud and honored to have these amazing artists join us this year.”