The Birds

The Birds is running at the Albion Theatre from October 16 through November 1, 2026. It's Conor McPherson's stage adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier short story that inspired Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film, and it's more of a psychological thriller than a creature feature. The story is set in a near future where massive flocks of birds launch coordinated, lethal attacks on humanity. Two strangers—Diane, a cynical and affluent novelist, and Nat, who's clearly unsettled—take refuge in an isolated, abandoned farmhouse in New England. Their fragile bond starts to fray when a young, enigmatic woman named Julia arrives, and her presence brings out a deep-seated paranoia as the thin veneer of civilization begins to crack. Garner plays Tierney, a gun-toting mad farmer who lives across the lake from the three refugees.

Robert Ashton directs the production, which runs 90 minutes across 16 short scenes. It's a technical show, leaning on nearly 700 sound, lighting, and projection cues, with scenic design by Rob Lippert. If you're familiar with the Hitchcock movie, this is a different animal—it's less about the birds themselves and more about the people trapped inside with each other.

Performances are on Thursdays, October 22 and 29 at 7:30 PM; Fridays and Saturdays, October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31 at 7:30 PM; and Sundays, October 18, 25 and November 1 at 2:00 PM. The show is at the Kranzberg Black Box Theater, part of the Kranzberg Arts Center at 501 N. Grand Blvd in St. Louis.

Tickets are $34 in advance through Metrotix, plus $5.25 in Metrotix fees and a $1 facility fee; students pay $24 plus $3.75 in Metrotix fees and a $1 facility fee. At the door, it's $34 plus a $1 Kranzberg facility fee, or $24 plus a $1 facility fee for students. If you can make a Thursday, industry nights are $15 at the door.