FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ellen McDonald 816.213.4355 [email protected]

FOR TICKETS: Box Office at 816.235.2700 or www.KCRep.org Kansas City Repertory Theatre Opens 2016-17 Season with Evita September 9 through October 2 at Spencer Theatre

Kansas City, MO (August 16, 2016) – Kansas City Repertory Theatre kicks off its 2016-2017 season with Evita, directed by KC Rep Artistic Director Eric Rosen. Travel back to the times of revered and controversial Argentine icon, Eva Perón. The Tony Award-winning rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice uses playful storytelling to explore serious social topics. This beloved, romantic rags-to-riches story of Evita’s life and charity work is a celebration of a leader’s connection with her citizens, exploring the role of women in politics and the power of populism.

Evita begins Sept. 9 and runs through Oct. 2, at KC Rep’s mainstage Spencer Theatre, located on the UMKC campus.

KC Rep, Kansas City’s premiere equity theater, has a reputation for energizing classic musicals with fresh infusions of perspective and creativity. “This production is about framing the conversation during this election year about who we are and what are we becoming,” says Rosen. “Evita is about a woman who came from nowhere and through her political will and

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Opens 2016-17 Season with EVITA Page 1 genius, brought about revolution still being felt today. This production could not be more timely as we watch American politics being redefined in historic measure.”

The ensemble cast, drawn from Kansas City and across the country, includes: Mariand Torres as Eva Perron, Keely Bierne as Chorus, Nick Duckhart as Juan Peron, Kimberly Immanuel as Chorus, Abdur Rahim Jackson as Chorus, Nikko Kimzin as Chorus, Tony Pulford as Chorus, Tim Scott as Magaldi, and Emily Shackelford as Mistress. The actor as Che Guervara will be announced shortly.

Press night is scheduled for Opening Night Friday, September 16. High-res rehearsal photos can be found here. Scenic design renderings can be found here. Appropriate for ages 13+.

Conversation Series Patrons are invited to attend FREE post-show forums to learn more from the artists and creative teams about the production.

Scholars’ Forum: Sat., Sept. 24, following the 2pm performance Actor’s Forum: Sun., Sept. 25, following the 2pm performance and Wed., Sept. 28, following the 7 pm performance

About the Artists

Eric Rosen (Director) was the founding Artistic Director of Chicago’s About Face Theatre (AFT) from 1995 to 2008, and is a writer, director and producer. Original projects include Venice (KC Rep, Center Theatre Group-LA, Public Theater-NYC, “Best Musical of 2010”–TIME Magazine); Wedding Play (Steppenwolf/AFT, Jefferson nomination); Winesburg, Ohio (Step- penwolf/AFT-Jeff Award, Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company—Barrymore Award, KC Rep); Clay (AFT, Lookingglass Theatre-Chicago, Center Theatre Group, KC Rep, Lincoln Center/CT3-Drama Desk Nomination, Jeff Award); and Undone, Whitman and Dream Boy (Jeff Award, several productions across the country). In addition to Venice, other KC Rep directing credits include: Clay; Winesburg, Ohio; world premiere of A Christmas Story, The Musical! (a hit musical on Broadway—three Tony nominations, including Best Musical); Cabaret; August: Osage County; The Whipping Man; Pippin; Death of a Salesman; Romeo and Juliet; and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Additional directing credits include productions at Lincoln Center, Center Theatre Group, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Alliance, Lookingglass, Chicago Shakespeare, Hartford Stage, 5th Avenue, Prince, Cincinnati, Melbourne (Australia) and workshops at Sundance, O’Neill, Playwrights Horizons, and the Public Theater. He has developed and produced over 40 world premieres, including Doug Wright’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning I am My Own Wife and work by Mary Zimmerman, Frank Galati, Stephen Flaherty, Moisés Kaufman, David Cale and The Civilians, among others. He holds a doctorate in performance studies from Northwestern University, has twice served as an NEA panelist, and

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Opens 2016-17 Season with EVITA Page 2 serves on the Board of Directors of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization of non-profit theatres.

Darrell Grand Moultrie (Choreographer) KC Rep: debut. Off Broadway: Invisible Thread (co-choreographer). Regional Choreography: Witness Uganda (American Repertory Theatre); multiple works for The Juilliard School, Colorado Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, BalletMet Columbus, Ailey 2, Sacramento Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dance, Tulsa Ballet, Richmond Ballet, and Smuin Ballet. Opera El Publico (Federico Lorca world premiere, Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain). Other: Grammy Award-winning recording artist Beyoncé selected Moultrie as one of her choreographers for her ‘Mrs. Carter Show’ world tour. Mr. Moultrie also has collaborated with Tony Award-winners Savion Glover and director Diane Paulus. Performer: Broadway: Hairspray, Billy Elliot (original cast). International: West Side Story (La Scala Opera House, Milan, Italy). Awards: Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Award. Upcoming: new works for Washington Ballet and NBA Ballet in Japan. Education: The Juilliard School. www.Darrellgrandmoultrie.com

Keely Beirne (Ensemble) KC Rep: debut. Regional: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, 42nd Street, Mary Poppins, and Phantom of the Opera at Pittsburgh CLO Hairspray (Merry-Go- Round Playhouse). National Tours: After Midnight, Smokey Joe’s Café (Brenda) and Memphis. Education: BA, Penn State University. Instagram @keel_b www.keelybeirne.com AEA Member

Fabiola Cabrera (Youth Ensemble) KC Rep: debut. Local: Big Fish (The Culture House at Kauffman Center); Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck); Sweeney Todd (Featured Ensemble); Harvey (Nurse Kelly); Anything Goes (The Culture House); Night at the Wax Museum (Ethel Lockhart) and the title role in Annie (Aubrey Bend Middle School). Film: We are the Night (Mia) directed by Judah Reilly. Faby is a native of Puerto Rico and a freshman at Blue Valley Southwest High School.

Mia Cabrera (Youth Ensemble) KC Rep: debut. Local: School of Rock (Madison, Music Theatre Kansas City); Big Fish (The Culture House at Kauffman Center); Seussical the Musical (Gertrude Mc Fuzz), The Little Mermaid (Windward, Stingray & Baby Swan), Alice in Wonderland Jr. (Queen of Hearts), Charlotte’s Web (Little Wilbur, Fairgoer & Townspeople), Shrek (The Culture House). Mia is 10 years old, a native of Puerto Rico, and attends Morse Elementary School.

Nick Duckart (Juan Peron) KC Rep: debut. Regional: Carmen: An Afro Jazz Musical (Directed by Moises Kaufman, Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo) and Evita (Olney Theatre Center); Cuba Libre (LaJolla Playhouse); Cuba Libre (Artists Rep); Evita (North Carolina Theatre, Raleigh); In the Heights, Godspell, Ragtime, First Date, Next to Normal,

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Joseph…Dreamcoat (Actors Playhouse, Miami); Man of La Mancha, Company, 110 in the Shade, Zorba! (Palm Beach Dramaworks); A View from the Bridge and Venus in Fur (Gulfshore Playhouse); Assassins (Zoetic Stage); Farragut North and Masked (GableStage, Miami). Television: Burn Notice and The Arrangement (USA Network). Awards: Carbonell Award for Best Actor in a Musical; Carbonell Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Education: BFA, University of Florida/New World School of the Arts. AEA Member

Kimberly Immanuel (Ensemble) KC Rep: debut. Off Broadway: The Fantasticks (Jerry Orbach Theatre). Regional: Waterfall (5th Avenue Theatre and Pasadena Playhouse); Miss Saigon, 42nd Street (Interlakes Theatre). Educational: Crazy for You, Love’s Labour’s Lost: The Musical, Lysistrata Jones (NYU Tisch). Education: BFA, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. www.KimberlyImmanuel.com AEA Member

Abdur-Rahim Jackson (Ensemble/Dance Captain) KC Rep: debut. Broadway: Soul Doctor (Circle in the Square Theater). Regional: Amazing Grace (Goodspeed Musical and Capital One Theater, Chicago). Film & TV: Annie, Black Nativity; Z-The Beginning of Everything (Amazon Prime), The Knick (Cinemax), Smash (NBC), Juilliard (American Masters). Dance Company: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Choreographer: L'Oreal and JCPenney Salons Hair- Fashion Shows, Orlando Ballet, Beyoncé Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show, "Crazy in Love" (LED Screen), Salt-N-Peppa (Lane Bryant Campaign), Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, (Co-Choreographer) Beyoncé "Halo" music video. Education: BFA, Juilliard. www.saagency.com/abdurrahimjackson AEA Member

Nikko Kimzin (Ensemble) KC Rep: debut. Broadway: West Side Story (Bernado, Engeman Theater). International Tours: West Side Story (Chino). Regional: Sister Act (Pablo), La Cage Aux Folles (Jacob) (North Shore Music Theatre); The Buddy Holly Story (Ritchie Valens, Casa Mañana); King and I (Lun Tha, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre); Anything Goes (Luke, Phoenix Theatre); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Riverside Theatre). Other credits: My Fairytale (U.S. Premiere), Into The Woods, Hairspray, [title of show]. Awards: Broadway World Award for Best Performance of a Leading Male as Bernardo in West Side Story. Mr. Kimzin is the Producing Director of Epoch Creative NYC www.epochcreativenyc.com. Education: BFA in Musical Theater, University of Arizona. www.nikkokimzin.com AEA Member

Julia Masterson (Youth Ensemble) KC Rep: A Christmas Carol. Local: School of Rock (Music Theatre Kansas City); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Theatre in the Park); Bells Are Ringing (Broadway at Baker. Julia is a freshman at Blue Valley Northwest High School, tumbles at Valley View Dance Studio and studies at the Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice.

Tony Pulford (Ensemble) KC Rep: debut. Local: Tomás and the Library Lady; A Charlie Brown Christmas; The Miracle Worker; Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat, Rudolph The Red-Nosed

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Reindeer: The Musical (The Coterie); West side Story (Spinning Tree Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar (Musical Theatre Heritage). Mr. Pulford as also an actor with The Coterie’s Dramatic Health Education Project. Education: BA in Theatre, Northwest Missouri State University.

Robin Robles (Youth Ensemble) KC Rep: debut. Local: Big Fish (The Culture House at Kauffman Center); High School Musical (Zeke Baylor); The Addams Family (Pugsley); Seussical the Musical (Mr. Mayor); The Little Mermaid (Flounder); Charlotte’s Web (Story Teller); Children’s Letter’s to God (Spy); The Wizard of Oz (Lollipop Guild); Annie (Olathe Christian School). Robin studied this summer with the Kansas City Lyric Opera, and is currently taking voice and choir at The Culture House.

Tim Scott (Magaldi, Ensemble) KC Rep: Hair: Retrospection Local: Aladdin, Footloose, The Sound of Music (Starlight Theatre); Hands on a Hardbody, Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, Tick, Tick... Boom! (Unicorn Theatre); The Addams Family (New Theatre), Evita, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Guys & Dolls, Brigadoon, The Pajama Game, The Fantasticks (Musical Theater Heritage); Seussical, Shrek, Lucky Duck, Ferdinand the Bull (The Coterie); It's a Wonderful Life, No Way to Treat a Lady, Are We There Yet? Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (American Heartland Theatre); Pete 'n' Keely, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) (Quality Hill Playhouse). Off-Broadway: Lucky Duck (New Victory Theatre). National Tour: Beauty & the Beast. Television: Correspondent KCTV-5, Better Kansas City. Affiliations: Producer/Director - Musical Monday and Tuesday, A Night on the Town Performance Series (Musical Theater Heritage). Mr. Scott is perhaps still most identified for his previous work as the award-winning Emcee for the Kansas City Royals. www.TimmyScott.com Twitter: @timscott411 Instagram: @timmyinkc AEA Member

Emily Shackelford (Mistress, Ensemble) KC Rep: The Fantasticks, Stillwater, Hair Retrospection, The Foreigner, Cabaret. Regional: Nunsense II, Quality Street, Secret Garden (Okoboji Summer Theatre). Local: By The Way Meet Vera Stark (Unicorn Theatre); A Year with Frog and Toad, Afflicted: Daughters of Salem, School House Rock Live, Seussical, Spring Awakening, The Wiz, Lucky Duck (including the New York production at New Victory Theatre), Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (The Coterie); Kiss Me Kate ,1776 (Musical Theater Heritage); Eating Raoul (EGADS! Theatre Company); Aladdin (Starlight at the Kauffman Center); Bingo! The Winning Musical (American Heartland Theatre); Pride and Prejudice (Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre); Death of Cupid (Written and Directed by Kyle Hatley, The Living Room Theatre) Education: BFA in Theatre Arts, Stephens College. Ms. Shackelford is a cast member of the Chicago sketch comedy group “Bevvy”. Instagram @emilyareti. AEA Member

Mariand Torres (Eva Peron) KC Rep: debut. International/National Tours: Prince of Broadway (Japan World Premiere/Directed by Harold Prince/ Susan Stroman); Wicked (Elphaba). Off Broadway: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Original Cast/ Cast Recording); School of Rock (Gramercy Theatre, World Premiere directed by Laurence Connor);

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The People Vs. Mona (Ground-up Productions). Regional: Spamalot (Connecticut Repertory Theatre); Giant (World Premiere, Signature Theatre); Murder Ballad (Actors’ Playhouse), among others. Workshops: Lempicka (Yale Repertory Theatre/dir. by Mark Wing-Davey); The Sting (directed by John Rando); Mortality Play (Yale Institute for Musical Theatre/dir. by Mark Brokaw); Like Water for Chocolate (Sundance Theatre Lab); Tina Girlstar (New York Stage and Film); numerous works with LAByrinth Theatre Company, among others. TV: Madam Secretary. Awards: Carbonell Award for Featured Actress in a Musical, Carbonell Award for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical. Education: BM in Musical Theatre, University of Miami. www.mariandtorres.com AEA Member

The design and production team includes Anthony T. Edwards (Music Director), Jack Magaw (Set Design), Jeffrey Cady (Lighting Design), Lindsay W. Davis (Costume Design), Alex Hawthorn (Sound Design) and Jason H. Thompson (Projections Design) Darrel Moultrie (Choreography), and Calyn P. Swain (Production Stage Manager).

Subscriptions and Tickets Tickets to Evita start at $30. For 2016-17 season subscription and ticket information, please contact the Box Office at 816.235.2700 or visit www.KCRep.org.

Gala 2017 Save the date for Saturday, May 20, 2017. Proceeds helped ensure that KC Rep can continue to create professional productions that garner regional and national acclaim and provide lifelong learning opportunities through our Education and Community Programs which benefit more than 10,000 Kansas City area students each year. For more information, please contact Amanda Middaugh at [email protected] or 816.235.1489.

About Kansas City Repertory Theatre Kansas City Repertory Theatre, one of the nation's oldest and most respected regional theaters, is the center of a great theatre town. KC Rep produces theatrical excellence, creating and sharing stories at the center of our nation’s creative crossroads. KC Rep’s mission is to advance the art form while cultivating passionate audiences, artists, and advocates to invest in our region’s creative future. We build community by connecting people through productions and outreach that educate, entertain, challenge and inspire. Lauded by The Wall Street Journal, TIME magazine, Variety and The Toronto Sun, KC Rep produces mainstage plays and special events at Spencer Theatre, where it serves as the professional theatre in residence at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), and Copaken Stage located in downtown Kansas City. KC Rep employs more than 250 professional artists, technicians and administrators, and serves more than 100,000 patrons and 12,000 school children annually. Kansas City Repertory Theatre is led by Artistic Director Eric Rosen and Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras.

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Social and Digital Media Receive daily updates by ‘Liking’ KCRep’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KCREP and follow KC Rep on Twitter at @KCRep or on YouTube by visiting https://www.youtube.com/user/kansascityrep. High resolution photos can be downloaded here. B-roll is available upon request.

2016-2017 Season At A Glance Kansas City Repertory Theatre Kansas City Repertory Theatre ticket office 816.235.2700 Purchase tickets online at www.kcrep.org.

Evita Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by Tim Rice Directed by Eric Rosen

Spencer Theatre September 9 – October 2, 2016

There’s no shortage of theatrics in U.S. politics but if you’re looking to escape the drama of our election year, come travel back to the times of Argentine political leader Eva Peron. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this rock opera explores the role of women in politics, the power of populism and the romantic rags-to-riches story of Evita’s life and charity work. Playful storytelling tempers the serious subject matter, turning this classic show into a celebration of one politician’s ability to connect with people and the issues that mattered most.

The Invisible Hand Kansas City premiere Written by Ayad Akhtar Directed by Jerry Genochio

Copaken Stage October 14 – November 13, 2016

Forget what you know about global terrorism and human nature, and prepare for a new perspective that’s equally frightening and enlightening. Like a game of chess, two captors and their American hostage maneuver through life in a holding cell, where the hostage tries to negotiate his way out using stock market secrets. This intense show reveals the complicated truth behind our simple perceptions of good versus evil, as we discover the invisible hand that moves the global market and shifts the power to those you least want to have it.

The Fabulous Fitches Kansas City premiere Book by Robert Cary & Benjamin Feldman Music by David Gursky

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Lyrics by Robert Cary Directed by Scott Schwartz

Spencer Theatre January 27 – February 19, 2017

KC Rep is proud to present the premiere of the largest theatrical production in our history. Laugh your way through this 1930s screwball musical comedy with a modern-day spin. A colorful cast of characters jockeys for position in the wealthy, glamorous but highly eccentric Fitch family, triggering a cavalcade of mishaps and mix-ups that explore gender roles, race, sexuality and relationships of every kind. Kansas City audiences will help shape this new Broadway bound musical and become forever part of its DNA. You are cordially invited to come be among the first to meet THE FABULOUS FITCHES!

Constellations Kansas City premiere Written by Nick Payne Directed by Eric Rosen Copaken Stage March 3 – April 2, 2017

If you could hit rewind on a relationship, you might discover the nuances of choice and destiny, and how the two intersect. This spellbinding, heartbreaking love story removes the boundaries of time and space, delving into the infinite possibilities of a couple’s relationship to reveal how the slightest change in conversation might send you down an entirely different path. The scene re- sets again and again, in a fascinating look at love and life from one parallel universe to the next.

A Raisin in the Sun Written by Lorraine Hansberry Co-Directed by Chip Miller and Marissa Wolf

Spencer Theatre March 24 – April 16, 2017

The classic story of the Younger family remains universally relevant and deeply relatable more than 60 years after it first hit Broadway. In pursuit of the American Dream, this dynamic African American family wrestles with the push to assimilate into a white Chicago neighborhood, and the pull of their cultural roots. These opposing forces both unite and divide the family, as each grapples with the social issues that challenge their identity – and the personal choices that will determine their future.

Origin KC New Works Festival Copaken Stage April 28 – May 28, 2017 Curated by Marissa Wolf, Director of New Works

What Would Crazy Horse Do?

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A World Premiere Written by Larissa FastHorse Director TBD

KC Rep proudly presents the world premiere of a new play by preeminent Native American writer Larissa FastHorse. Twin siblings, the last members of their tribe, have just lost their grandfather when the KKK comes knocking with hopes of forming an alliance to ensure the continuation of their race. A chilling look at the notion of racial purity, this story reveals the challenges contemporary Native Americans face when fighting extinction in a world that seems to have already forgotten they exist. The siblings attempt to find their voices in the outside world, while preserving the heritage that is now theirs alone to carry forward.

Man in Love A World Premiere Written by Christina Anderson Directed by Marissa Wolf

In a segregated Depression-era city, rent parties rage above, while men hungry for work and love roam the streets. A string of murders occurs but no one suspects the killer is the quiet, charming librarian, Paul Pare Jr. Reactions vary across the city, and as we watch the word spread from person to person, we wonder if the killer's violence will extend to those closest to him. Written by Kansas City native Christina Anderson the story examines a world where a criminal and his victims can get lost in the crowd.

KC REP’S GREAT HOLIDAY CLASSICS RETURN!

A Christmas Carol Based on the book by Charles Dickens Adapted by Barbara Field Directed by Jerry Genochio

Spencer Theatre November 18– December 24, 2016

Kansas City's favorite holiday tradition is back for its 36th season, presented in the magnificent new Spencer Theatre! A ripping good telling of the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the curmudgeonly businessman who requires the intervention of a few spectral guides to understand the true meaning of Christmas and life. Complete with lively musical numbers, ornate costumes, and dashing stagecraft, Dickens' classic tale of hope and redemption continues to remind us what's really worth celebrating - at the holidays, or any time!

The Santaland Diaries Written by David Sedaris Adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello Directed by Eric Rosen

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Copaken Stage December 8 - 24, 2016

David Sedaris’ hysterical tale of elfin’ woe is a hilarious send-up of his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf. Last year’s hit production returns, featuring a hilarious score of twisted holiday favorites against the twisted landscape of Sedaris’s unmatched wit. The Santaland Diaries skewers our sentimental love of all things Christmas—in a production that has become a beloved part of KC Rep’s annual celebration of the darker side of the holidays.

Subscriptions and Tickets 2016-17 season tickets start at $218. For subscription and ticket information for Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 2016-17 season, please contact the Box Office at 816.235.2700 or visit www.KCRep.org.

Season ticket holders receive many benefits including:

-Free ticket exchanges -Co-operative arts discount card good for special ticket discounts from local performing arts partners -Babysitter rebates for subscribers with young children -Special discounts at over 20 participating area restaurants- Check www.kcrep.org for a complete list of participating restaurants in the Plaza (near Spencer Theatre) or downtown (near Copaken Stage) -Monthly emails with exclusive insider info on upcoming events and special offers -20% off items at our lobby gift shop -Up to 15% off tickets for Holiday Shows or additional tickets to regular season shows -Free Parking at both theatres!

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Please direct all media inquiries to: [email protected]. For further information, please visit our Web site at www.kcrep.org. For Tickets: 816.235.2700 or www.kcrep.org.

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