sign in sign up
<<
Home , David Cromer, Our Town, Terry Teachout, The Skin of Our Teeth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ellen McDonald 816.444.0052 [email protected]

FOR TICKETS: Box Office at 816.235.2700 or www.KCRep.org.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre 50th Anniversary Opens with ’s ‘One of a Kind Theatrical Experience’ Includes a cast of 17 Kansas City Favorites, Including Charles Fugate, Peggy Friesen, Gary Neal Johnson and more

Kansas City, MO (August 12, 2014) — Kansas City Repertory Theatre will open its 50th anniversary celebration with the Kansas City premiere of David Cromer’s Our Town, an enduring American story which examines the everyday lives of an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century. Our Town, one of the greatest American plays written by , the three-time Pulitzer prize-winning playwright and novelist will be directed by David Cromer, MacArthur Foundation ‘genius’ grant recipient and director of KC Rep’s 2009 production of The Glass Menagerie which received national and local critical acclaim. This co-production with UMKC Theatre will feature redesigned seating at Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus. The show will run September 5 through 28th. High resolution photos can be found here .

The 2009 Off-Broadway revival of Our Town , which tells the story of teenagers George and Emily who fall in love, marry and live out their lives in 1901 Grover’s Corners, , ran for more than 600 performances, making it the longest-running production of the play in its history. In his glowing review of the production, ’s theatre critic Terry Teachout wrote: “You’ll never see a better Our Town – or anything else- as long as you live….I don’t use the word ‘genius’ casually, but David Cromer may fit the bill.”

KC Rep Opens 50th Anniversary Season with David Cromer’s Our Town Sept. 5- 28 at Spencer Theatre Page 1

“I am honored to welcome MacArthur "Genius" Fellow David Cromer back to KC Rep with this truly landmark production of one of the greatest and most influential American plays,” stated Eric Rosen, Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre. “David is known to our audience for his brilliant production of The Glass Menagerie in my first season. Now, to launch my seventh, and the company's 50th season, David brings the most celebrated production of Our Town to our town for its final US engagement. After playing for years off- Broadway, and in new productions in Los Angeles and , David is re-creating his intimate, inspiring, and revolutionary production with 17 of Kansas City's finest actors alongside four veterans of the production.” Rosen continued, “Great theater changes the world, and Thornton Wilder changed the way every subsequent playwright and audience member thought about what the theater can mean. David’s vision makes Our Town as fresh and original as the day it premiered, and has changed the way we understand this play -- not as a beloved chestnut but as a profound, life-changing examination of the beauty of living.”

About the Artists The cast includes Jeff Still as Stage Manager (KC Rep debut, August: Osage County on Broadway), Derrick Trumbly as George Gibbs (KC Rep debut, Our Town at Huntington Theatre, David Cromer, Director), Lindsey Paige Morton as Emily Webb (KC Rep debut, at Northlight Theatre), Craig Benton as Doc Gibbs (KC Rep’s August: Osage County), Stephanie Roberts as Mrs. Gibbs (KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol), Charles Fugate as Editor Webb (KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol, Cabaret), Kati Brazda as Mrs. Webb (KC Rep debut, A Moon for the Misbegotten on Broadway), Mariem Diaz as Rebecca Gibbs, Andrew Stout as Wally Webb (KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol, Carousel), Patrick Dulaney as Simon Stimson (KC Rep’s A Christmas Story, Into the Woods), Peggy Friesen as Mrs. Soames (KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol, The Syringa Tree), Todd Lanker as Howie Newsome (KC Rep’s Laramie Project Epilogue, The Glass Menagerie), Seth Macchi as Joe Crowell, Jr. (KC Rep debut, The Mistakes Madeline Made at The Living Room), Brian Huther as Si Crowell (KC Rep debut, The Mistakes Madeline Made at The Living Room), Logan Black as Professor Willard (KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol),Jerry Genochio as Constable Warren (KC Rep’s Producing Director, KC Rep acting debut), Gary Neal Johnson as Joe Stoddard (KC Rep’s A Christmas Carol, ), Jamie Dufault as Sam Craig (KC Rep’s Romeo and Juliet), Dick Brown as Farmer McCarty (KC Rep’s Imaginary Invalid, Our Town-1969), and Nicole Greenberg as Irma. Alisha Espinoza, Michael Thayer and Emily Phillips are Citizens.

David Cromer (Director) NY Credits Include: Women or Nothing at The Atlantic Theater Company, Really Really at MCC, on Broadway, When the Rain Stops Falling (2010 Lortel Award for Outstanding Direction) and Nikolai and the Others at Theater. at Williamstown Theatre Festival and the Writers Theatre in Chicago, as well as on Broadway and Orson’s Shadow at Barrow Street Theater. His production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town ran for 19 months Off Broadway and received the 2009 Lortel Awards for Direction and Outstanding Revival, as well as a 2009 for Direction. David's production of Our Town has also been produced at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica and The Huntington Theater Company in Boston. Our Town will be produced by the Almeida Theater in London later this year. His New York production of Adding Machine at the Minetta Lane garnered him 2008 Obie and KC Rep Opens 50th Anniversary Season with David Cromer’s Our Town Sept. 5- 28 at Spencer Theatre Page 2

Lortel Awards for Direction. Originally from Chicago, his credits there include and (Writers Theatre), Cherrywood, Mojo, and The Hot l Baltimore (Mary-Arrchie), Our Town, (The Hypocrites), The Cider House Rules (co-directed with Marc Grapey at Famous Door), (The Journeymen), The Dazzle, Orson’s Shadow and Golden Boy (Steppenwolf), among others. David is a 2010 recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship.

Thornton Wilder (playwright, 1897-1975) was an accomplished novelist and playwright whose works explore the connection between the commonplace and the cosmic dimensions of experience. He received Pulitzer Prizes for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Ray (1928) and his plays Our Town (1938) and (1943). His play was adapted into the record-breaking musical Hello, Dolly! He also wrote the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt. Three volumes of his letters have been published since his death, including The Selected Letters of Thornton Wilder. Mr. Wilder’s many honors include the National Book Award, the Gold Medal for Fiction, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the National Book Committee’s Medal for Literature. In 2012, HarperCollins has published Mr. Wilder’s first biography, Thornton Wilder: A Life, and The Library of America published the last of a three-volume collection devoted to his fiction and drama.

Scenic design by Stephen Dobay (Our Town at the Broad Street Theatre, A Loss of Roses at Arkansas Rep); costume design by Allison Siple (Our Town Off Broadway and at Hypocrites Theatre Company); lighting design by Heather Gilbert (Our Town Off Broadway and A Streetcar Named Desire at Williamstown Theatre Festival); Original music and music direction by Jonathan Mastro (Our Town Off Broadway and Paris Commune at ArtsEmerson); and assistant direction by Michael Padden (Our Town at the Broad Street Theatre and The House of Blue Leaves on Broadway). Complete biographies of the Our Town company can be found at here.

Our Town Performances September 5-28, 2014| Spencer Theatre | Written by Thornton Wilder | Directed by David Cromer | Co-production with UMKC Theatre Acclaimed Broadway director and MacArthur Fellow David Cromer presents his innovative and electrifying new production of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic calls David Cromer’s new version “wonderfully intimate…a highly rewarding production.” Appropriate for ages 9 and up.

Fri., Sept. 5 8:00 p.m. Sat., Sept. 6 8:00 p.m. Sun., Sept. 7 7:00 p.m. Tues., Sept. 9 7:00 p.m. Wed., Sept., 10 7:00 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 11 7:00 p.m. Fri., Sept. 12 8:00 p.m. Sat., Sept. 13 2 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sun., Sept. 14 2 p.m. Tues., Sept 16 7:00 p.m. Thurs. Sept. 18 7:00 p.m. KC Rep Opens 50th Anniversary Season with David Cromer’s Our Town Sept. 5- 28 at Spencer Theatre Page 3

Fri., Sept. 19 8:00 p.m. Sat., Sept., 20 2 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sun., Sept. 21 2 p.m. Wed., Sept. 24 7:00 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 25 7:00 p.m. Fri., Sept. 26 8:00 p.m. Sat., Sept. 27 3 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Sun., Sept. 28 2 p.m.

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

A Conversation with David Cromer August 18, 7:30pm at UMKC’s White Hall (inside James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, next to Spencer Theatre) RSVP to Box Office at 816-253-2700. KC Rep presents an exclusive event with acclaimed director David Cromer. Artistic Director Eric Rosen will moderate the discussion. Suggested donation of $20 at the door.

Meet the Creative Team: Sept. 10, following the 7 pm performance Scholars’ Forum: Sept. 20, following the 2pm performance Actor’s Forum: Sept. 21, following the 2pm performance and Sept. 24, following the 7 pm performance

Sponsors Sprint Foundation is the exclusive corporate sponsor of Our Town.

Our Town Heroes In honor of KC Rep’s 50th Anniversary, KC Rep will be honoring local heroes from the community. Our Town heroes can be from the greater Kansas City metropolitan area whose actions impact, inspire and influence our community. Nominations can be submitted online here and winners will be announced throughout the 2014-2015 season opening production, Our Town, running September 5 through the 28th. The deadline for submission is August 15, 2014.

Our Town Heroes will receive two tickets to an Our Town performance in the VIP Our Town Heroes seats, a special pre-show announcement and photograph on-stage, free concessions at the show, 50th Anniversary lapel pin and other benefits. and KSHB- TV 41 are proud media partners. KC Live Host Joel Nichols will be joining the selection committee as well.

Subscriptions and Tickets Tickets to Our Town range from $20 to $69. For season subscription and ticket information for Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 2014-15 season opening production of Our Town and the remainder of the 2014-15 season, please contact the Box Office at 816.235.2700 or visit www.KCRep.org.

KC Rep Opens 50th Anniversary Season with David Cromer’s Our Town Sept. 5- 28 at Spencer Theatre Page 4

About Kansas City Repertory Theatre Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Kansas City Repertory Theatre is one of the nation's oldest and most respected regional theaters. Lauded by The Wall Street Journal, TIME Magazine, Variety and the Toronto Sun, KC Rep produces main stage 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.

Social and Digital Media Receive daily updates by ‘Liking’ KCRep’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KCREP and follow KC Rep on 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.

50th Anniversary 2014-2015 Season At A Glance Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Kansas City Repertory Theatre ticket office 816.235.2700 Purchase tickets online at www.kcrep.org.

Our Town September 5-28, 2014| Spencer Theatre | Written by Thornton Wilder | Directed by David Cromer | Co-production with UMKC Theatre Acclaimed Broadway director and MacArthur Fellow David Cromer presents his innovative and electrifying new production of Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic The New York Times calls David Cromer’s new version “wonderfully intimate…a highly rewarding production.”

The Who and The What October 17- November 16, 2014 | Copaken Stage| Written by Ayad Akhtar | Directed by Eric Rosen From the 2013 Pulitzer Prize-winning director of , comes a passionate and searing look at a family divided by faith, bonded by love and searching for truth in contemporary America.

The Santaland Diaries December 6- December 24, 2014 | Copaken Stage | Written by David Sedaris | Directed by Eric Rosen America’s favorite irreverent elf Crumpet arrives in Kansas City! David Sedaris’ hysterical tale of elfin’ woe is a hilarious send-up of his brief, misguided career as a Macy’s elf.

A Christmas Carol November 21 - December 26, 2014 | Spencer Theatre | Written by Charles Dickens | Directed by Jerry Genochio 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.

An Iliad

KC Rep Opens 50th Anniversary Season with David Cromer’s Our Town Sept. 5- 28 at Spencer Theatre Page 5

January 23 – February 15, 2015 | Spencer Theatre | Written by Denis O’Hare & Lisa Peterson | Directed by Jerry Genochio This retelling of Homer’s epic poem illuminates an ancient classic by taking a harrowing look at the human cost of war. Kyle Hatley will star in the production, directed by Jerry Genochio. Obie-Award winners Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare (HBO’s True Blood) have created a spellbinding work of theatre that spans three millennia.

Angels in America February 20 – March 29, 2015 | Copaken Stage | Written by Tony Kushner | Directed by Gary Griffin A world-class revival of a modern classic. The most honored play in a generation, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the . Angels in America melds love, hate, religion and politics into a uniquely American epic. Part I, Millennium Approaches and Part II, Perestroika will be presented in rotating repertory at Copaken Stage.

HAIR March 20 – April 12, 2015 | Spencer Theatre | Book and Lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni | Music by Galt MacDermot | Directed by Eric Rosen The musical that defined a generation and brought rock music to the theatrical stage, HAIR captures the essence of the revolution and passion of the 1960s. In addition to its legendary score, this production will feature documentary interviews with original Broadway artists, and continues KC Rep’s tradition of re-imagining the classic musical.

Sticky Traps April 24- May 24, 2015 | Copaken Stage | Written by Nathan Louis Jackson | Directed by Kyle Hatley In a small town not far from Kansas City, a mother protects her son’s honor in a new play by KC Rep’s Playwright-in-Residence Nathan Louis Jackson. Her actions have unintended consequences that will test her whole family- and the power of their love- in the face of hate.

###

Please direct all media inquiries to: Ellen McDonald at 816.444.0052, 816.213.4355 (cell) or [email protected]. For further information, please visit our Web site at www.kcrep.org.

For Tickets: 816.235.2700 or www.kcrep.org.

KC Rep Opens 50th Anniversary Season with David Cromer’s Our Town Sept. 5- 28 at Spencer Theatre Page 6