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Ask the Experts props + 9am-1pm Saturday, October 1 UMKC Solo & Small Firm Incubator, 4743 Troost accessories too! Non-profit Formation Workshop 6pm-8pm Thursday, November 17 Kansas City Artists Coalition, 201 Wyandotte . 1313 State Ave. Kansas City, have guns Kansas 66102 will rent. Phone: (913) 321-4867 Blog Notes www.kcstage.com/blog “Research: Art Works” Grants studies at UMKC. “Mastering the Screen- Grants are available in this new category play: Using Structure, Form and Imagery for research projects to analyze the value to Create a Successful Screenplay” is and impact of the arts in the US. Grants scheduled for November 19 from 12:30 generally range from $10,000 to $30,000 to 4:30 pm, and the workshop is $40 for and while they do not require matching members of the Writers Place, and $60 funds, applicants are expected to provide for nonmembers. More information can some cash or in-kind services in support be found at writersplace.org. of the project. The deadline is Nov 8. For cover [clockwise from left front]: Damian more information, go to www.nea.gov/ Grants for School Buses grants/apply/Research/index.html. Blake, David Towery, Jeff Bell, Alan The Big Yellow School Bus Grant provides Tilson, Tim Taylor, David Schlumer, Ron up to $500 to help schools meet the trans- Megee in center. Photographer: Bob Amphitheater For Sale portation costs of educational field trips Compton. Hair and Makeup: Andrew An amphitheater located in Camdenton, to arts institutions and activities in Mis- Chambers. Costumes: Jon Fulton Adams. Mo. is up for sale - on Craig’s List. Accord- souri that are funded by the Missouri Arts Space courtesy of The Unicorn Theatre. ing to the listing, the amphitheater is on Council. The grant meets a growing need 77 acres, with reserved seating for 10,500 to help schools fund student field trips to Top Billing patrons and lawn seating for 5,000. The full art museums and exhibits, music, dance, Spotlight on Ron Megee...... 2 Craig’s List classified can be found at http:// and theater performances, which are often kansascity.craigslist.org/reo/2489088334. eliminated due to the pressures of dwin- Starring html for more information. dling budgets. Funded by the Missouri Arts Leawood Stage Company Council, the program invites eligible K-12 Amphitheatre Fight...... 3 schools (public, private or charter) in Mis- Don’t Forget to Leave the Writers Place Screenplay Workshop souri to apply for up to a $500 grant to Ghost Light On...... 4 The Writers Place will be presenting a be used during the 2011-2012 school The New York Fringe Festival workshop designed for the beginner or year. For more information, visit http:// is Not for Sissies...... 5 intermediate screenwriter, hosted by Mitch kea.nu/macbus. R Brian, who teaches screenwriting and film Stand-Ins Auditions...... 16 Blog Notes...... 1 Calendar...... 8 Events...... 13 T HE WRITERS PLACE Film Clips...... 13 Performances...... 6 Cast of Characters Find your writing tribe at The Writers Place. Scott Bowling...... Webmaster Richard Buswell...... Managing Editor New Classes and Events in Kansas City! Bryan Colley...... Graphic Designer Angie Fiedler Sutton...... Associate Editor Visit us for: • Readings Tricia Kyler Bowling...... Subscriber Rep • Workshops Bryan Colley...... Blog Curator • Writing Groups Letters to the Editor...... [email protected] • Networking Events Want to write for KC Stage? • Write-Ins Read our submission guidelines at www.kcstage.com/contributors • Education Open to the public at: 3607 Pennsylvania • Kansas City, Missouri 64111 (816) 753-1090

KCVol. 13 • No.STAGE 12 • Issue 146 • Oct 2011 Stay informed about our events. [email protected] • 816-23-STAGE PO Box 410492 • Kansas City, Missouri 64141-0492 November Submission Deadline: October 10 Facebook: Like our page! www.kcstage.com © Copyright 2011 by KC Stage. All material contained in this pub- Twitter: Follow @kcwritersplace lication is the property of or licensed for use by KC Stage. Any use, duplication, or reproduction of any or all content of this publication is prohibited except with the express written permission of KC Stage or the original copyright holders. Printing by Alphagraphics.  www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 1

Continued on page PB Spotlight on Ron Megee by Angie Fiedler

“Actor, playwright, producer, and dandy.” So says You can also see a lot of inspiration in his creation of Ron Megee’s resume, and the various credits show this Late Night in his working with Gorilla Theatre and the wide variety (and inherent humor). Everything from Human Observation Lab in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. the various parodies/homages during the run of Late And then in 1997, with A Tribute to Alfred Hitchcock’s Night Theatre to being in The Laramie Project in 2001 to The Birds, Late Night Theatre was launched and lasted doing props for the Coterie’s production of The Wiz to for ten years. having what amounted to a cameo appearance in the “I did a couple of shows beforehand,” Megee says, Lyric Opera’s Daughter of the Regiment, Megee has done mentioning Valley of the Dolls specifically. “When I it all: and he couldn’t be happier about it. started getting the itch that maybe I could do this on “I have to do all of them,” he says when asked what my own and this style of theatre—well, not really on his favorite aspect of the performing arts is, “because as my own, it took a giant family—we jumped off the cliff I get burned or get tired of one thing, then I can I still together and did The Birds at Westport Coffee House.” keep my toe in the pool, as I like to call it, and still feed As to why Late Night ended up closing house, Megee my artistic side. I love the creative admits a good chunk of it was finan- process—I like working as a team. cials. “We were paying everybody, There’s something magical about a but the rent kept going up because bunch of people coming together to the Sprint Center was being built,” make a vision. It’s a drug—it feeds he says. But he also states that the my soul, and I’m not sure how else to finances were only part of it. “We describe it. [There’s] something about started taking ourselves too seri- it, you can have an audience of two or ously,” he says. “It was losing its fun eight thousand and there’s something factor. If it’s not feeding your soul or about that rush of being on stage.” if it’s draining you, you’ve got to step Megee was born in Olathe, Kan., away.” He also wanted to have Late but had moved to Anaheim, Cal., Night go out on a high note. where he lived until the age of 15. His But the Late Night style has far freshman year was in a small logging from died. Whether it’s the Unicorn’s town in Washington state, but then A Very Joan Crawford Christmas last his family moved to Blue Springs, December or the various Coterie at where he went to high school and Night productions he’s been involved got involved in theatre through City in, Megee still is doing shows in that Theatre of Independence. vein—including the current show at “I think the people that do not take the chance to do the Coterie, Children of the Damned Corn, which Megee community theatre are fools,” he says with a laugh. “You wrote and directed. learn so much in it. First off, you have to do everything, “This one is children that take over a town and kill and that’s really what real theatre is like. People that go with sickles,” he says with a seriousness that belies the to school and think that that’s how theatre is going to phrase. “Notice *I* don’t have any children,” he says be once you get out in the real world have a lot to learn. with a smile. “I’m fearful. Nor do I live by a cornfield. And community theatre, certainly, gives you the, well I’d Now, you might.” When I mention that I did grow up say give you the balls to do it, might as well just say it. in a farming community, he’s quick to ask me, “Did “It’s the best place to start. The moment you’re help- you wear little blond wigs?” ing get your own costumes and you’re building the set In all seriousness, Megee loves working with the and painting it and you have to perform that night, teens as part of the Coterie’s program, where he teaches that gives you the ‘oomph’—it helped me to do my a class, and in fact started getting them involved in own theatre.” Continued on page 15

2 KCSTAGE “Good theatre should spark debate, not applause.” ~ Anonymous Leawood Stage Company Amphitheatre Fight by Jamie Lin

Since 1998, the Leawood Stage Company has worked lowing in a letter to Mayor Dunn: “A buyer of a home with the City of Leawood and Leawood Parks and or property should research what is zoned and planned Recreation Department to present a variety of enter- for the area surrounding the land they are purchasing.” tainment, including an annual musical production. LSC The plans for the amphitheatre were in place prior to makes their home at Ironwoods, a public 70 acre park the three surrounding neighborhoods and were avail- where citizens can enjoy Prairie Oak Nature Center, The able for all potential buyers to read before deciding to Lodge at Ironwoods, a Challenge Course, the Oxford purchase a home adjacent to the park. Kathleen Marx, School House, four cabins, a shelter and playground, a member of the Bye Bye Birdie cast, also wrote a let- and a walking trail on top of the amphitheatre. ter to the mayor. “I am disappointed, to say the least, During this year’s production of Bye Bye Birdie, a to read some of the allegations that are being made conflict arose between the members of Leawood Stage about trash and lights and rehearsal times by people Company and residents living in a nearby housing devel- who seem to be nearby residents. We divide the cast opment called Steeplechase. The neighbors of the theatre into groups every night to clean up trash on all sides had made complaints in the past, but it wasn’t until of the stage. Cast/crew/staff/musicians are instructed this year that they decided to take some serious action. and the audience is asked to keep voices down and The residents of Steeplechase, led by a very con- headlights away from houses when leaving the park. cerned Kerry Phillips, brought numerous complaints We are acutely aware of the 11 pm curfew in the park against Leawood Stage Company and their use of the and work feverishly (but quietly) to get costumes and park adjacent to their neighborhood. The claims against props put away, orchestra chairs put away, and take LSC included that rehearsals carried late into the night care of the aforementioned trash. From the beginning when the park is supposed to be closed at 11 pm, and of our rehearsal time in the early summer throughout that the noise level and lights were enough to keep them the performances in July, we are continually asked to be awake at night. One rehearsal was interrupted at 10:30 respectful of park neighbors.” Despite the admonitions pm when the police were called. The officer informed of the cast and crew, Phillips commented on the NBC April Bishop, the managing director of LSC, that arrests Action News website with the following: “LSC DID would be made if everyone was not out of the park by practice beyond 10:30. On Monday and Tuesday, July 11 pm. They stated concerns that the theatre is a threat 10 and 11, the audience and stage lights were on until to the wildlife living in the park. It was also alleged at least midnight. I know because they point right at that patrons that attended the shows were parking on my bedroom.” Obviously, the cast and crew are wrong the residential streets and walking through their yards or Phillips is; both claims cannot be true. to get to the theatre and leaving excessive amounts of Azletine concluded her letter to the mayor by saying, trash in their wake. Due to these concerns, the residents “I am tired of listening to the baseless complaints of the of Steeplechase are asking for earlier start times and a neighbors. They chose their property without doing shortened performance schedule and are disputing the their homework. Now they are mad at themselves and plans to improve/expand the amphitheatre. They would fighting the continued development of the amphithe- prefer that the stage be removed completely and moved atre. This wonderful egg was there, before these noisy to new land, claiming that it decreases the values of chickens started speaking up and I do not feel they have their homes as well as the quality of their lives. It was any basis to complain. Finally, it bothers me that things also argued that their money should be spent on other have been halted because of a few baseless complaints. improvements within the city, though all money for the This is definitely a worthy program and I think it should amphitheatre has been privately funded. be continued. I think the many advantages overshadow Members of the Leawood Stage Company adamantly those complaining.” combated these claims with letters and phone calls to Phillips wanted to make it clear that she and the the mayor and city council members. Debbie Azletine other residents do not have a vendetta against LSC. (wife to council member James Azletine) stated the fol- Continued on page 16 www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 3 Don’t Forget to Leave the Ghost Light On compiled by Angie Fiedler

October is the time for spooky stories told around the entrances to the paint room – one from the dressing campfire, and so we asked subscribers and area arts room and one from the hallway by the bathrooms. I organizations for tales of local theatre ghosts. Here’s always use the entrance by the bathrooms. I’d gotten what we got back. my tool and went back upstairs. A couple of hours later I came back to the basement for more paint and when Justin White, Starlight Theatre’s operations director I got to the entrance of the paint room, there was a Probably all fully explainable, but for fun: Odd noises trashcan in the middle of it. I knew I didn’t put it there. at night; lights turning on after they’ve been turned off To do so, I would’ve had to have crossed the threshold, (or vice versa); nuts & bolts disappearing from seats, turned around, and put the trashcan in the entrance. The seemingly overnight. One night earlier this year, the doorway isn’t big enough to have navigated around a security guard was making his rounds. As he touched trashcan to enter or exit. At that point, I said aloud to the door handle to the stage, the PA inside turned on at the ghost “Ha ha. Very funny.” full volume, in a white noise/static roar. No explana- Sometime later as my stage manager and I were tion. Whenever anything odd or strange happens, or leaving for the night, she saw an apparition heading we don’t have a logical explanation, we just assume its down the spiral staircase. On another night, my light- “Col. Swope”. ing designer was standing by the spiral staircase and a little scrap of paper fluttered down the staircase opening Shane Rowse, American Heartland Theatre’s and as he looked to see what fell, he saw an apparition technical director swoosh down the staircase to the fallen piece of paper The door to the medicine cabinet that hangs on the wall as if to see what it was. between my office and the green room swings open During the run of Rabbit Hole, one of the actresses from time to time for no apparent reason. I’ve always had lost a costume piece. It was a spaghetti strap tank asserted that this was Jim nursing a hangover and look- top that she’d wear under her tops so she could make ing for an aspirin. (Per Tricia Kyler Bowling, KC Stage quick costume changes. She’d had it the performance staff member and marketing supervisor at AHT, “Jim” the night before, but it was missing. She thought maybe is AHT’s founder, Jim Assad, who passed away within she’d taken it home to wash. She came back the next the first couple of years AHT was open.) night still mystified by where her garment had gone. It wasn’t at home, it wasn’t in the car - it had just van- Shelly Stewart, Olathe Community Theatre ished. The next day, we’d had auditions and I was in the Association board member theater sitting in a seat for several hours as auditioners Those who have spent any time at Olathe Community came through. At the end of the day, I stood from the Theatre know they have a ghost. The building that seat to gather my things and noticed something stuck OCTA purchased in 1977 is more than 100 years old in the seat. It was the missing spaghetti strap tank top. and one of the oldest buildings in Olathe. It is believed There was no reason that it would’ve been in the audi- that the ghost is a former deacon of the church since ence. The actors either left by way of the front door or the building was originally the home of the Reformed came up the stairs in the back to exit, but there was no Presbyterian Church and was built in the late 1800s. reason to have had costumes in the house. I’d been in While the ghost’s activity level varies from show to and out of that seat all day and never noticed it. But show, he always remains mischievous, but not malevo- there it was – just where the ghost put it. lent. He likes to move things when you’re not looking. One night after a performance of The Glass Menagerie, Or adjust the sound or light levels. the set designer had joined the cast for some post-show I was directing Rabbit Hole in 2008 when I encountered drinks. The subject of the OCTA ghost came up. He the ghostly antics. I was in the theatre painstakingly was very quiet for a while and then said he, too, had painting a faux wood-grain floor. The paint room is in encountered the ghost. He had been in the paint room the basement, and I’d gone to get a tool. There are two Continued on page 14

“Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious 4 KCSTAGE is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things.” ~ Ray Bradbury The New York Fringe Festival is Not for Sissies! by Jeanne Beechwood

Having been selected to perform in New York twice murphy with our theatre for children, Martin City, Jr, I am well aware performing with the International New York tyson Fringe Festival is definitely not for sissies! Where else would 194 shows from around the world be selected to perform in l8 venues in two weeks? The application process for the NY Fringe begins six to eight months in advance and is sent to the judi- ciary committee. For 2011, we applied in 2010 and were selected on May 2 with our musical production There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed A Fly and Other Heroines Who Reach For The Sky! Only 4 theatres for children from around the world were picked and we were thrilled. The NY fringe race had begun, if it didn’t kill us first. There are 12 weeks of strict administrative deadlines material was supposed to include the certificate of flame that have to be met to perform in the New York Fringe. proofing for the state of New York. Lo and behold, we Any deadlines not met will disqualify you. Almost order the material and find that the certificate is for an immediately we began meeting deadlines. The first dead- OLD New York code. After hours of communications to line was due 5 days from the day we were selected. We Rosebrand, the NY Fringe Festival, and the New York had to send specifications of how much space our set City Fire Department, we learned the OLD code num- would take place on the stage. Keep in mind we have no ber is the same as the NEW code number. No one had idea of what our venue will be in New York. Also, we noted that yet. The funny thing is that we didn’t even had to totally re-design the show so it could travel by taking the dumb curtain because the venue we ended air. Important creative decisions had to be made in an up performing in had no fire proof way to hang it. instant and they had to be based in reality. I mean, can We found out July 15 we would be performing our a giant wooden goat really travel to NYC in a suitcase? show seven times for the first week of the Fringe at the Yes it can, if you design his head, legs, and tail to come Cherry Lane Theatre. The Cherry Lane Theatre is New off and be screwed back on. We also had several four York’s oldest Off-Broadway theatre. The Cherry Lane foot over -sized princess dolls. They had to be de-headed would be hosting 10 shows for the Fringe, including ours. and de-footed to fit in the suitcases, along with a life size All shows had to be able to unload their set in the Cherry pink snake and a wooden elephant head and trunk . . . Lane in 15 minutes, perform your show to the exact timing need I go on? Luckily, no screener in KC or NY pulled you turned into the Fringe, and strike everything in 15 us off the plane for traveling with suspicious materials. minutes so the next show could do the same. We spent This year, there was a new rule for the NY Fringe and about four days on this process. We took the completely it was set forth by the New York City codes. All set pieces re-designed set, costumes, and props and fit them into 6 had to be flame retardant and theatres had to present huge airline approved suitcases. They could only weigh a certificate of proof that the flame proofing met NYC 50 lbs each. I had the cast perform the show in my house, standards before they were allowed to enter the venue. in the theatre’s actor house, and four public performances We devoted 100 plus hours to this new requirement. To at our Metcalf space so we could practice the routine and fireproof our stage curtain (already fire-proofed for KC most importantly time ourselves. My theatre for children, codes) for NY codes, we would have to send it to a com- Martin City, Jr. tours year round with shows for children. pany in NY and pay them $400. I vetoed that idea. We I felt this helped us a lot with our prep for NYC. then finally found on the internet Rosebrand Theatrical We arrived August 10 in NYC. Our one and only Company out of New Jersey and purchased $80 worth of two-hour tech at the Cherry Lane wasn’t until August 11. fire retardant material to make a new stage curtain. This Continued on page 14 www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 5 Performances www.kcstage.com/performances The Barn Players, Inc.* “Pennsylvania 6-500”, “White Christmas” $10. The Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Sweet Charity by Cy Coleman, Dorothy (rated G). Directed by Brad Zimmerman. Blvd, Ste 144, (816) 474-6552, www. Fields, and Neil Simon: Nov 4-20: Featuring Julie Shaw, Jon Daugharthy, and coterietheatre.org 7:30 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun Leah Berry. $23, discounts for seniors, children, & groups. Chestnut Fine Arts The Outsiders by S.E Hinton: Sep 13- Charity Valentine is the eternal optimist. Oct 9: 10 am, 12 pm Tue-Fri; 2 pm While working at the seedy Fan-Dango Center, 234 N Chestnut St, (913) 764- 2121, chestnutfinearts.com Sat-Sun; 7 pm Fri ballroom, she is often taken advantage of It’s 1965 and Ponyboy Curtis belongs to and continually experiences bad relation- Jukebox & Bobby Socks: Sep 15-Oct 16: a lower-class group of Oklahoma youths ships. Finally, she seems to have met a 8 pm Thr-Sat; 3 pm Sat; 2 pm Sun who call themselves greasers. Walking decent fellow in Oscar. Trying to hide her Jukebox and Bobby Socks is a fun & home from a movie, Ponyboy is attacked true profession, she lies to him and tells delightful stroll back to the fabulous 50’s by a group of Socs, short for Socials, a her that she works in a bank. Soon, Oscar - the age of poodle skirts, soda fountains, rival gang that threaten to cut him. The asks Charity to marry him. Unfortunately, hula hoops, & innocence. This sock- Socs jump greasers like Ponyboy and his Oscar discovers Charity’s real profession hopping tribute features over a decade friend Johnny for fun. When Johnny kills and backs out of the marriage. Directed by of favorites including “My Boyfriend’s a Soc who was beating the two of them Eric Van Horn. $15; seniors $12; students Back”, “It’s My Party”, “Peggy Sue”, “Cha- up, the pair goes into hiding. As Pony’s $7; 10 or more $10. The Barn Players, pel of Love”, “Venus”, and many more! world crumbles, it teaches him that pain 6219 Martway St, (913) 432-9100, www. (rated G) Directed by Brad Zimmerman. feels the same whether a soc or a greaser. thebarnplayers.org Featuring Chelsea Anglemyer, Heather Adults: $15; youth, students, or seniors: Layher, Milan Naster, Celia Thompson, $10. The Coterie Theatre, 2450 Grand Central Standard Theatre and David Thompson. $23, discounts for Blvd, Ste 144, (816) 474-6552, www. A Steady Rain by Keith Huff: Oct 6-23: seniors, children, & groups. Chestnut Fine coterietheatre.org 7:30 pm Thr-Sat; 2 pm Sun Arts Theatre, 234 N Chestnut St, (913) Joey and Denny have been best friends 764-2121, chestnutfinearts.com Crossroads Theatre Company since kindergarten. Working together for Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry several years as policemen in Chicago, Corbin Theatre Company Finn by Roger Miller& William Haupt- they are practically family: Joey helps out That Darn Plot! by David Belke: man: Nov 4-13: 7 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun with Denny’s family; Denny keeps Joey Sep 29-Oct 8: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat Mark Twain’s timeless classic sweeps us away from the bottle. A domestic distur- Mark W. Transom, one of Canada’s great- down the mighty Mississippi as the irre- bance call takes a turn for the worse and est playwrights, is at the end of his rope. pressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a their friendship is put on the line. The In order to fulfill his contract to artistic slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of result is a difficult journey into a moral director and old friend Jo Harber, he has the Ohio River. Their adventures along the gray area where trust and loyalty struggle to create a play in one night or lose every- way are hilarious, suspenseful and heart- for survival against a sobering backdrop thing. Half asleep and half drunk, Transom warming. Huck is joined by Tom Sawyer, of pimps, prostitutes, and criminal low- starts putting theatrical personalities he their rowdy gang of pals and Huck’s lifes. Directed by Bob Paisley. Featuring knows into a simple comedy about putting drunken father. Propelled by an award win- Forrest Attaway and Scott Cordes. $30 on a play. Directed by Troy Millsap. $10. ning score from Roger Miller, the king of Fri-Sat, $25 Wed,Thu, Sun, $20 Students/ Corbin Theatre Company, 15 N. Water country music, this jaunty journey provides Seniors. Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, St, (816) 476-2705, www.corbintheatre. a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure 3614 Main Street, (816) 516-3159, www. org A Americana. Directed by Rachael Redler. cstkc.com A Adult $9, children age 10 and under $7. Crossroads Theatre Company, 7917 Main The Coterie Theatre St, (816) 931-8420, Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Seussical: Nov 1-Dec 31: 10 am Tue-Fri; A Tribute to the Big Bands: Nov 3- 2 pm Sat-Sun; 7 pm Fri; 12 pm Wed-Fri Dec 11: 8 pm Thr-Sat; 2 pm Sun The plots of Horton Hears a Who and Emporia State University Theatre A Tribute to the Big Bands is a trip back Horton Hatches the Egg are tunefully Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor to a WWII U.S.O. show! A full band takes interwoven in this widely celebrated and Dreamcoat by Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd the stage to give you favorite tunes from critically acclaimed celebration of Dr. Webber: Oct 13-16: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat; the 30’s and 40’s, along with your most Seuss. The Coterie was credited in the 2 pm, 2:30 pm Sun loved holiday melodies. Add 4 talented New York Times for originating this ver- About 30 years ago, composers Andrew vocalists, and you end up with a celebra- sion “for all ages” ... a true family classic! Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice were trying tion of American music! “In the Mood”, Adults: $15; youth, students, or seniors: to break into the music business. What

*Affiliate Organizations offer discounts to subscribers of KC Stage. Display your member- Content Guide: Unless otherwise noted, the subject matter of performances should ship card at the box office or mention it when ordering tickets over the phone. For a list be suitable for general audiences. Shows marked with A contain adult material that of discounts and other offers, visit www.kcstage.com. Don’t forget to rate or review the may not be appropriate for children under the age of 18. Shows marked C contain shows you see online! material that is specifically intended for children. Please note that these content markings are designated by the individual arts organizations, not by KC Stage.

“It is difficult to produce a television documentary that is both incisive and probing when every 6 KCSTAGE twelve minutes one is interrupted by twelve dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper.” ~ Rod Serling  Performances emerged from their efforts was a musical almost for granted, while he simultane- Journeyman Theatre Company piece retelling the biblical story of Joseph, ously plumbs the emotional depths of his Generation Why by Shudder: Sep 16- his father & his jealous brothers. This soon composers’ works. The resulting balance Oct 1: 7:30 pm Sat developed into Joseph And The Amazing equates to a brilliant pianism, producing The Man drafts a new generation of sex, Technicolor Dreamcoat. From the outset, it as well rounded and satisfying a per- drugs and rock and roll. Out of work, has been a family show aimed at children. formance as one could hope for.” Folly out of money and out on the street, an It’s basically a bedtime story, propelled by Theater, 300 W 12th St, (816) 415-5923, everyman and woman join with vagabonds a narrator who begins the story & then www.hjseries.org to wage war on old power, politics and helps move the action along. Directed Midori, Violinist: Oct 27: 7:30 pm Thr money. Searching for reason and change, by Jim Bartruff & Lindy Bartruff. Featuring they find only vultures and wolves, prepar- Jeremiah Devine, Amanda Devine, Noah Midori is one of the most dazzlingly gifted performers today, celebrated for a distin- ing them as heirs to a machine of greed Mefford, Sean McConville, Marah Mel- and chaos. Though the trenches are deep, vin, Kangwon Song, Cara Lohkamp, Kevin guished career on stage as well as for her community initiatives worldwide. Named the battlefield ancient and bloody, they Schultz, Brandon Jensen, Joshua Wallace, travel the path because someone must. Adam Small, Justin Petersen, Noble Ora- a Messenger of Peace by U.N. Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon in 2007, she has The same old story sings a whole new tune jiato, Casey McCabe, Joe Lauer, Jessica for Generation Why. Directed by Gregory Gaddis, Landon Noll, Ryan Scully, Daniel created a new model for young artists who seek to balance the joys and demands of Chafin. $15 general, $10 student. Just Reardon, Daniel Moore, Adam Helmer, Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Penn Valley Cassy Huff, Kayla Dugan, Huynhmy Phan, a performing career at the highest level. The iconic violinist will make her fourth Dr., (800) 494-TIXS, contact@journeyman Annie Rosenbrook, Amy Dunlap, Nata- theatre.com A lie King, and Trinity Standridge. $4-$15. appearance for the Series; her first recital Albert Taylor Hall, Plumb Hall, (620) 341- for the Series was in 1992. Folly Theater, 6378, www.emporia.edu/theatre 300 W 12th St, (816) 415-5923, www. Kansas City Ballet hjseries.org Tom Sawyer: Oct 14-23: 7:30 pm Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun Folly Theater Galway, Flutists: Nov 3: 7:30 pm Thr You will be touched by this timeless com- Folly Jazz Presents: Yellowbirds: ing of age story of young Tom’s struggles Oct 1: 8 pm Sat From Sir James Galway’s lips have come definitive treatments of classical repertoire between ‘being growed up’ and the pull Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St, (816) 842- of wild, untamed childhood. Accompanied 5500, www.follytheater.org and masterworks by Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart and also contemporary music by the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Folly Jazz Presents:Peter Nero: including new flute works commissioned by Ballet’s rendition of Tom Sawyer will trans- Nov 5: 8 pm Sat him and for him. “All performing musicians port children and adults alike, revisiting Tickets $35, $27, $18. Folly Theater, 300 aspire to the condition of James Galway: Tom’s adventures that have become part W 12th St, (816) 842-5500, www.folly- he has a technical mastery so complete of our Mid American myth and treasured theater.org that it makes everything look easy,” pro- heritage. $35-$99. Kauffman Center for claimed the Los Angeles Times. “No one the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, (816) in their right mind, or ear, could object 931-2232, www.kcballet.org Harriman-Jewell Series to such committed, insightful and lovable Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with performances.” Folly Theater, 300 W 12th Wynton Marsalis: Oct 1: 8 pm Sat Kansas City Repertory Theatre St, (816) 415-5923, www.hjseries.org Boasting 15 of the finest jazz players, the August: Osage County by Tracy Letts: perennial Series favorite, will play the Sep 16-Oct 9: 8 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sat- Series’ first presentation in the Kauffman Johnson County Community College Sun; 7 pm Sun, Tue-Thr; 3 pm Sat Center for the Performing Arts. “One rarely Equus by Peter Shaffer: Oct 7-16: This raucous, dark comedy won both hears this music played with such tech- 7:30 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sat-Sun Pulitzer and Tony awards for Best Play nical brilliance, stylistic authenticity and Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist, is con- in 2008. Set in modern-day Oklahoma, tonal sheen,” wrote Howard Reich of The fronted with Alan Strang, a boy who has the play spotlights multiple generations of Chicago Tribune. “Here were the throaty blinded six horses in a violent fit of pas- the Weston family. These complex char- reeds, percussive trumpet blasts, and vis- sion. This very passion is as foreign to acters have the uncanny ability to drive ceral sense of swing that have made the Dysart as the act itself. To the boy’s parents each other absolutely crazy. Brought back Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra the great- it is a hideous mystery; Alan has always together after the household patriarch est large jazz ensemble working today.” adored horses. To Dysart it is a psycho- mysteriously goes missing, what follows Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: logical puzzle that leads both doctor and is an alcohol-fueled, roller-coaster romp Helzberg Hall, 1601 Broadway St, (816) patient to a complex and disturbingly dra- through American values. Contains strong 415-5923, www.hjseries.org matic confrontation. Directed by Jim Lane. language and adult situations. Directed by All performances are free; no reservations; Eric Rosen. $20-60. Kansas City Repertory Marc-André Hamelin, Pianist: first come first seat. Bodker Black Box Theatre, Spencer Theatre in the UMKC Oct 15: 8 pm Sat Theatre, Carlsen Center, 12345 College Performing Arts Center, (816) 235-2700, Of Hamelin’s Series debut in 2010, critic Blvd, (913) 469-8500, www.jccc.edu/ www.KCRep.org A Don Dagenais wrote, “At this point in his theatredept A career Hamelin’s technical proficiency, while never far from the surface, is taken Continued on page 10 www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 7 KCSTAGE OCTOBER 2011 *Affiliate Theatre 26 MON 27 TUE 30 FRI 1 SAT 2 SUN At the End of Apathy • The Living Room August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory Generation Why • Journeyman Theatre Company Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Compania Flamenca Jose Porcel • Lied Center The Drowsy Chaperone • The Barn Players, Inc.* The Drowsy Chaperone • The Barn Players, Inc.* Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre The Drowsy Chaperone • The Barn Players, Inc.* Dying City • Relevance Productions Dying City • Relevance Productions Dying City • Relevance Productions Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Generation Why • Journeyman Theatre Company Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Generation Why • Journeyman Theatre Company Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Rules for Widows • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre 28 WED 29 THU Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre Rules for Widows • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Generation Why • Journeyman Theatre Company Dying City • Relevance Productions Rules for Widows • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre That Darn Plot! • Corbin Theatre Company Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train That Darn Plot! • Corbin Theatre Company Turandot • Lyric Opera of Kansas City Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Generation Why • Journeyman Theatre Company Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre Rules for Widows • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre That Darn Plot! • Corbin Theatre Company

3 MON 4 TUE 7 FRI 8 SAT 9 SUN Collected Stories • Martin Tanner Productions August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory Dying City • Relevance Productions Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant The Booby Trap • Rockhurst University* The Booby Trap • Rockhurst University* The Booby Trap • Rockhurst University* Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre Dying City • Relevance Productions Dying City • Relevance Productions Dying City • Relevance Productions Equus • Johnson County Community College Equus • Johnson County Community College Equus • Johnson County Community College Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre 5 WED 6 THU The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory August: Osage County • Kansas City Repertory A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Turandot • Lyric Opera of Kansas City Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant The Booby Trap • Rockhurst University* That Darn Plot! • Corbin Theatre Company That Darn Plot! • Corbin Theatre Company Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Dying City • Relevance Productions Turandot • Lyric Opera of Kansas City Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Turandot • Lyric Opera of Kansas City Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Outsiders • The Coterie Theatre A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre That Darn Plot! • Corbin Theatre Company

10 MON 11 TUE 14 FRI 15 SAT 16 SUN Dying City • Relevance Productions Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Equus • Johnson County Community College Equus • Johnson County Community College Equus • Johnson County Community College Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Fall Classic Concert • Lee’s Summit Symphony Emporia State University Emporia State University Orchestra Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • La Catrina Quartet • Lied Center Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Emporia State University Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse

Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* 12 WED 13 THU Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet Peter and the Wolf • Puppetry Arts Institute Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* Emporia State University Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre 10 MON 11 TUE 14 FRI 15 SAT 16 SUN Dying City • Relevance Productions Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Equus • Johnson County Community College Equus • Johnson County Community College Equus • Johnson County Community College Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Fall Classic Concert • Lee’s Summit Symphony Emporia State University Emporia State University Orchestra Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • La Catrina Quartet • Lied Center Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Emporia State University Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse

Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* 12 WED 13 THU Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet Peter and the Wolf • Puppetry Arts Institute Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* Emporia State University Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Jukebox & Bobby Socks • Chestnut Fine Arts Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Oklahoma! • University of Central Missouri Theatre* Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Shakespeare in Hollywood • University of Kansas of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre 17 MON 18 TUE 21 FRI 22 SAT 23 SUN Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Fame • Ruskin High School Theatre Fame • Ruskin High School Theatre A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre of China • Lied Center A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Tom Sawyer - A Ballet in 3 Acts • Kansas City Ballet Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation 19 WED 20 THU Twelve Angry Men • Olathe Community Theatre of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse Fame • Ruskin High School Theatre of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive Presentation Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre of Lovely Evidences • The Theatre Gym* Noel and Gertie • Quality Hill Playhouse The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre A Steady Rain • Central Standard Theatre The Year of Magical Thinking • Spinning Tree Theatre

24 MON 25 TUE 28 FRI 29 SAT 30 SUN The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Dracula • River City Community Players Dracula • River City Community Players Herbie Hancock • Lied Center Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant I Was the Voice of Democracy • University of Kansas The Intergalactic Nemesis • Lied Center Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Ribbit • University of Central Missouri Theatre* Ribbit • University of Central Missouri Theatre* 26 WED 27 THU The Rocky Horror Picture Show • Mid Life Players The Rocky Horror Picture Show • Mid Life Players AUDITIONS The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre The Comedy of Asses • UMKC Theatre OCT 2-3 • Resident Theatre Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! • The Mystery Train OCT 3-5 • City Theatre of Independence Move Over Mrs. Markham • New Theatre Restaurant OCT 16 • Corbin Theatre OCT 22-23, 26-29 • The Barn Players OCT 23-24 • The Mystery Train NOV 5-6 • Leawood Stage Company

*Affiliate Theatres offer discount tickets to subscribers of KC Stage. Display your membership card at the box office or mention it when ordering tickets over the phone. For a list of discounts and other offers, visit www.kcstage.com/affiliates. Don’t forget to rate the show you see online!  Performances continued from page 7

The History of Kisses: Oct 21-Nov 27: and inventive compositions have led entertaining audiences since its premiere. 8 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sat-Sun; 7 pm Sun, this 12-time Grammy Award-winner to With the aid of a quirky maid and unfor- Tue-Thr become a true musical icon. $40/$45 gettable melodies, the women’s fiancées A writer sequesters himself in an ocean- adult; $20/$22.50 student/youth. Lied pull off a hysterical scheme of disguise front motel to finish a collection of seaside Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, (785) and trickery that tests the dedication of stories, and soon finds that he has been 864-2787, lied.ku.edu their brides-to-be. Stage director Kristine drawn into the romantic and sexual McIntyre will return to the Lyric Opera goings-on around him. The multi-talented La Catrina Quartet: Oct 16: 2 pm Sun to direct a cast of emerging opera stars Cale is best known for his solo works Palo- Hailed by Yo-Yo Ma as a wonderful ambas- in an updated version of this comedy. mino and the Obie Award-winning Lillian, sador for music, the Quartet’s mission Season tickets: $135-$450; Individual which have been performed in New York is to perform string quartets from Latin tickets: $25-$150. Kauffman Center for and Chicago. Contains strong language American and Mexican composers. At the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, (816) and adult situations. Kansas City Reper- the Lied Center, La Catrina will perform 471-7344, www.kcopera.org tory Theatre (Scholars’ Forum and Signed an all-Latin American program including performance), Copaken Stage at 1 H&R works by Astor Piazzolla, Silvestre Revueltas Turandot by Giacomo Puccini: Oct 1-9: Block Way (13th & Walnut), (816) 235- and a new quartet by Roberto Sierra, com- 7:30 pm Fri-Sat, Wed; 2 pm Sun 2700, www.KCRep.org missioned for the ensemble by Symphony Turandot will feature the acclaimed Lise Space in New York City. Featuring Daniel Lindstrom and Grammy Award-winner Vega-Albela, Blake Espy, Jorge Martinez, Samuel Ramey singing Puccini’s final Lee’s Summit Symphony Orchestra and Cesar Bourguet. $21 adult; $5 masterpiece. A princess, scarred from Fall Classic Concert: Oct 15: sudent/youth. Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 her ancestor’s brutal death at the hand 7:30 pm Sat Stewart Dr, (785) 864-2787, lied.ku.edu of a foreign suitor, has gone to extreme Join the Lee’s Summit Symphony as we measures to protect herself. This year, begin our ninth season with the Fall Clas- The Intergalactic Nemesis: 12 princes have tried to win the hand of sic. Program includes “Overture to Don Oct 29: 7:30 pm Sat Princess Turandot by attempting to solve Giovanni” (Mozart), “Carmen Suite No. A graphic novel brought to life onstage, her riddles but all have met a fatal end. 1” (Bizet), and “Titan Symphony No. 1” The Intergalactic Nemesis is an experience Yet nothing will deter the Nameless Prince (Mahler). Pre-concert lecture at 6:30 by the entire family will enjoy. This period- from volunteering to face death to win her Dr. J. Steven Moore. Adults $12; stu- sci-fi-horror-suspense-comedy-romance heart. Season tickets: $135-$450; individ- dents (18 & under) $6 when purchased uses a combination of voice actors, ual tickets: $25-$150. Kauffman Center in advance. Bernard C. Campbell Per- sound effects and music with more than for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, forming Arts Center at Lee’s Summit High 1,250 projected, hand-drawn comic book (816) 471-7344, www.kcopera.org School, 400 SE Blue Pkwy, (816) 401- images to capture the audience’s imagina- 5251, www.lssymphony.org tion. $21 adult; $10 student/youth. Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, (785) Martin Tanner Productions 864-2787, lied.ku.edu Collected Stories by Donald Margulies: Lied Center of Kansas Oct 3: 7:30 pm Mon Anda Union: Nov 5: 7:30 pm Sat The National Acrobats of the People’s The conflict between the established artist Part Mongolian history lesson, part con- Republic of China: Oct 21: 7:30 pm Fri and the adulatory fan who becomes a pro- cert hall recital, AnDa Union’s powerful An astounding and mesmerizing experi- tégé, disciple, colleague and friend - and performances are a masterful reimagin- ence for the young and the young at heart finally threatening rival - is one of those ing of nearly forgotten styles of traditional begins the Lied Center’s China Festival. great topics. It resurfaces in Donald Mar- Mongol music. Harkening back to the This dramatic 35-member company per- gulies’s provocative play Collected Stories, days of Genghis Khan, this rich heritage forms feats of strength, skill and ability which confronts the prominent short-story of ancient music is intermingled with the in a balancing act of exhilaration and writer Ruth Steiner with her student turned modern influences of the disparate tribes risk. Taking the audience on an extraor- confidante turned competitor Lisa Mor- of both Inner and Outer Mongolia. The dinary journey of spectacle and wonder, rison. Directed by Richard Alan Nichols. musicians expertly play a wide variety of the National Acrobats perform high-flying Featuring Heidi Van and Nancy Marcy. traditional lutes, flutes and mouth harps, acrobatics, martial arts, gripping illusions Free. The Fishtank Performance Studio, singing in traditional and mystical vocal and enchanting traditional Chinese dance 1715 Wyandotte, (816) 308-7974, www. and music. Directed by Zhang Hong (Gen- forms. $21 adult; $5 - student/youth. Lied martintanner.com A Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, (785) eral Director), Sun Lili (Artistic Director). 864-2787, lied.ku.edu $25/$28 Adult; $10 Student/Youth. Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, (785) Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Herbie Hancock: Oct 30: 7:30 pm Sun 864-2787, lied.ku.edu Rules for Widows by Michael Ruth: Legendary jazz pianist, composer and Sep 8-Oct 2: 7:30 pm Sat; 2 pm Sun bandleader Herbie Hancock has been at Following her husband’s death, Iris uncov- the forefront of modern jazz, funk, and Lyric Opera of Kansas City ers secrets about the man she built her rhythm and blues music for more than 40 Così Fan Tutte by W.A. Mozart: life and family with. As the family gath- years. Credited with bringing jazz-fusion Nov 5-13: 7:30 pm Sat ers, Iris is in an emotional standoff with music into the mainstream, Hancock’s Mozart’s witty comedy about a pair of her overbearing sister Liddie, deals with eclectic and abundant collaborations sisters whose suitors give them 24 hours nagging questions of her thirty year old, to prove their undying affection has been

“A modern democracy is a tyranny whose borders are undefined; one discovers how far 10 KCSTAGE one can go only by traveling in a straight line until one is stopped.” ~ Norman Mailer  Performances

unemployed son Chuck and her daughter the box office at 913-649-7469 for more their own prejudices that may be influ- Erika, who has returned for the funeral with information. New Theatre Restaurant, encing how they feel. Directed by David her new girlfriend, Nif. Comedic and poi- 9229 Foster St, www.newtheatre.com A MartinAdults $15; seniors/students $12; gnant by turns, more secrets are unearthed, children <12 $10. Olathe Community this family repeatedly faces the question: Theater Assn, 500 E Loula St, (913) 782- “How much do you really want to know?” newEar* 2990, www.olathetheatre.org Concert 2: Strange Nonsense by Jeremy Directed by Karen Paisley. Featuring Jan Podgursky, Jay Batzner, Henri Lazarof, Rogge, Marilyn Lynch, Coleman Crenshaw, Kamran Ince, & Olga Neuwirth: Nov 5: Jessica Franz, and Katie Ligon. $30 Fri-Sat, Paul Mesner Puppets* 8 pm Sat Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman: Nov $25-Thur-Sun, $15student. Metropolitan New Music equals nonsense? Not at all! 2-27: 12 pm Thr-Fri; 2 pm Sat-Sun; Ensemble Theatre, 3604 Main St, (816) newEar invites you to experience our take 10 am Wed-Fri; 11 am Sat 569-3226, www.metkc.org A on “nonsense” - most decidedly more Big dogs, little dogs, yellow dogs, blue sense than non... are Jeremy Podgur- dogs. Dogs at work, dogs at play, dogs in Mid Life Players sky’s piano trio “Nonsense or Sorcery”, hats, dogs in cars! It’s an all out dog party The Rocky Horror Picture Show by Kamram Ince’s driving, Turkish-inspired in this colorful adaptation of P.D. Eastman’s Richard O’Brien: Oct 28-29: 8 pm Fri; “Strange Stone”, and Olga Neuwirth’s beloved book. Come and unleash your 10:30 pm, 7 pm Sat colorful and quirky “5 Daily Miniatures”. inner dog. Directed by Paul Mesner. $7 Come join us on this ‘strange journey’ as we celebrate Halloween weekend with

this cult classic live “in concert”! Please stewart no food or liquid in the theatre. Partici- pation Kits will be sold. Featuring Dan shelly Prather, Portia Bowers, Curt Knupp, Ruth Bigus, Becky Clark, Bridet Pfeiffer, Thomas Anderson, Michael Brown, Ray Zarr, Pete Barret, and Curtis Hogue, Jr. $8 general admission, $7 seniors. Alcott Arts Center, 180 S 18th St, [email protected] A

The Mystery Train Extra! Extra! Murder All About It! by Wendy Thompson: Sep 9-Oct 29: 6:30 pm Thr-Sat A shipment of valuable art is being sent in for the Colonel in 1896. The city is abuzz with excitement, until something ugly hap- pens - -murder! Will the press reveal the crime? Or is a cover-up in the headlines? The cast of Twelve Angry Men at the Olathe Community Theatre October 7-23. Directed by Wendy Thompson. $54-$64. The Golden Ox, 1600 Genessee, (816) Works by Jay Batzner and Henri Lazarof for children; $9 for adults. PMP Studio, 813-9654 A round out the program. Tickets thru CTO 1006 E Linwood Blvd, (816) 235-6222, at 816-235-6222. $20 ($15 student www.paulmesnerpuppets.org New Theatre Restaurant With ID). All Souls Unitarian Universalist Move Over Mrs. Markham by Ray Church, 4501 Walnut, (816) 235-6222, Cooney and John Chapman: Aug 31- www.newear.org Puppetry Arts Institute Wit & Whimsy Puppets Nov 6: 12 pm Sat-Sun, Wed; 6 pm Peter and the Wolf: Oct 15: 2 pm, Tue-Sun 11 am Sat In this chaotic comedy, it’s the trials, tribu- Olathe Community Theatre Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose: Puppeteer Emma McLean uses Robert lations and romantic misadventures of two Oct 7-23: 8 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun Leroy Smith’s beautiful marionettes in book publishers, their wives, an interior A Puerto Rican youth is on trial for murder. this delightful version of Sergei Prokofiev’s designer, a maid, a children’s book author, The twelve jurors retire to the jury room, classic tale Peter and the Wolf. This show a management consultant, and a tele- having been admonished that the defen- features the well known musical score, phone operator, as they all converge on dant is innocent until proven guilty beyond shadow puppets, and up-close interaction the same elegant apartment on the same a reasonable doubt. Eleven of the jurors with the marionettes! Showtimes are 11 warm summer evening. Directed by Den- vote for conviction, each for reasons of his am and 2 pm. Please call for reservations. nis D. Hennessy. Featuring Debra Bluford, or her own. The sole holdout is Juror 8. $5 per person regardless of age. Puppetry Dodie Brown, Jan Chapman, Todd Gear- The play follows the deliberation as Juror Arts Institute, 11025 E Winner Rd, (816) hart, Jim Korinke, Mandy Morris, Stuart 8 works to convince them all to reexamine 833-9777, www.hazelle.org Rider, Loretta Swit, and Dean Vivian. Call the facts of the case as well as some of Continued on page 12 www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 11  Performances continued from page 11 Quality Hill Playhouse its victims. The vampire is at last found to Spinning Tree Theatre Noel and Gertie: Sep 23-Oct 23: 8 pm be a certain Count Dracula, whose ghost co-production with The Living Room Sun-Sat ; 3 pm Sat-Sun; 1 pm Wed-Thr is at last laid to rest in a striking and novel The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence, two manner. The play is intended for all who Didion: Oct 12-23: 8 pm Wed-Sat; of the 20th century’s greatest stage per- love thrills in the theater. Directed by Nino 2 pm Sun, Wed sonalities, epitomized an era of style and Casini. Adults $10; 12 & under $5; 62+ KC premiere of Didion’s dramatic adap- elegance. This witty and moving show tells & groups 10+ $8 . Leavenworth Perform- tation of her award-winning, bestselling of their friendship through songs, sketches ing Arts Center, 500 Delaware St, (913) memoir. Intimate account of how a highly and scenes from their stage appearances. 682-7557, www.rccplv.com articulate woman endures an inestimable $29 adults; $26 seniors/students. Quality loss. In chronicling the year which begins Hill Playhouse, 303 W 10th St, (816) 421- Rockhurst University* with the sudden death of her husband 1700, www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com The Booby Trap by Ed Monk: Oct 6-9: and continues with the hope of survival 8 pm Thr-Fri; 2 pm Sat-Sun for their only daughter, Didion chronicles One-Act as part of a two show evening. her own evolution. First theatrical produc- Relevance Productions tion opened on Broadway in 2007 starring Dying City by Christopher Shinn: Modern warfare includes IED (Improvised Vanessa Redgrave. Peggy Friesen stars in Sep 22-Oct 10: 8 pm Thr-Mon Explosive Device) fears. One soldier sits to a tour de force, once-in-a-lifetime perfor- The time is July, 2005. A year after her have a rest and as he leans back on the mance. Directed by Michael Grayman. husband’s death in Iraq, Kelly, a young tree stump hears the pin engage. Directed Featuring Peggy Friesen. $25. The Living therapist, confronts his identical twin by LaTasha Bunting. $8-$10. Rockhurst Room, 1818 McGee, www.spinningtree- brother, who shows up at her apartment University Mabee Theater, 1100 Rockhurst theatre.com A unannounced. A Kansas City premiere, Rd, (816) 501-4040, www.rockhurst.edu/ Dying City is a staggering drama about academic/cfa/theatre/index.asp dealing with loss in our post 9/11 world. The Real Inspector Hound by Tom The Theatre Gym* “The finest new American play I’ve seen in Stoppard: Oct 6-9: 8 pm Thr-Fri; 2 pm Underneath the Lintel: An Impressive a long while.” – The New York Observer. Sat-Sun Presentation of Lovely Evidences by Directed by Trevor Belt. $15. Fishtank The critics are in the theatre. The mystery Glen Berger: Oct 5-23: 7:30 pm Fri- Performance Studio, 1715 Wyandotte, begins. It looks like a typical British Murder Mon, Wed; 8 pm Fri; 2 pm Sun relevanceproductions.com A Mystery, but .... Part of a two short play A librarian unpacks his lovely evidences evening. Directed by Lauren Hernandez. and gives a lecture about his travels. His $8-$10. Rockhurst University Mabee The- obsession to collect the fine on a library The Resident Theatre book returned after 123 years turns into Avenue Q by Jeff Marx, Robert Lopez, ater, 1100 Rockhurst Rd, (816) 501-4040, a blissfully ludicrous vision quest, outra- and Jeff Whitty: Nov 5-20: 7:30 pm www.rockhurst.edu/academic/cfa/theatre/ geously funny, madly literate .... The clues Sat; 2 pm Sun index.asp surface and mount, tease and taunt, and Winner of the Tony “triple crown” for Best reveal a mystery that transcends the ages. Musical, Best Score, and Best Book, Ave- Directed by Art Suskin. Featuring and Kevin nue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed Ruskin High School Theatre Fame by David De Silva, José Fernan- Fewell. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 with heart. Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud dez, Steve Margoshes, and Jacques Holmes Rd, (816) 235-6222, theatregym. musical that tells the timeless story of a Levy: Oct 20-22: 7 pm Thr-Sat com A recent college grad named Princeton who Set during the last years of New York City’s moves into a shabby New York apartment celebrated High School for the Performing all the way out on Avenue Q. There, he Arts on 46th Street (1980-1984), Fame UMKC Theatre meets many colorful types who help. Princ- is the bittersweet but ultimately inspiring The Comedy of Asses by Plautus: eton finally discovers his purpose in life! story of a diverse group of students as they Oct 21-30: 7:30 pm Sun-Sat ; 2 pm Directed by Mark Swezey. Call for ticket commit to four years of grueling artistic Sun prices. The Lewis and Shirley White The- and academic work. With candor, humor Hey You! Yes, you, there ... Come spend atre, 5801 W 115 St, (913) 327-8054, and insight, the show explores the issues an evening with the “Father of Com- www.jcckc.org A that confront many young people today: edy”, Titus Maccius Plautus as he turns issues of prejudice, identity, self-worth, the world upside down with this hilarious literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and tale of greed, debauchery, and supreme River City Community Players silliness. There’ll be singing, dancing, Dracula by Steven Dietz: Oct 28-Nov perseverance. Directed by Kelly Michale. pranks, and puns just for you. For it is 12: 8 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun; 11:59 pm $5. Ruskin High School Theater, 7000 E our pleasure to stage this “mature” mas- Sat 111th St, (816) 316-7382, www.ruski- terpiece for your enjoyment and delight. One of the great mystery thrillers. Lucy neagles.com The Comedy of Asses – a little touch of Seward, whose father is the doctor in naughty in the night. (2,200 years old and charge of an English sanitorium, has been still going strong.) Directed by Stephanie attacked by some mysterious illness. Dr. Roberts and Theodore Swetz. Adults $15, Van Helsing believes that the girl is the senior/student $10, groups of 10+ $8 victim of a vampire, a sort of ghost that each. Spencer Theatre, 4949 Cherry St, goes about at night sucking blood from (816) 235-6222, www.umkctheatre.org A

12 KCSTAGE “If you don’t change your beliefs, your life will be like this forever. Is that good news?” ~ W. Somerset Maugham  Performances Events Film Clips www.kcstage.com/events by Larry Levenson University of Central Missouri* Arts Council of Metropolitan KC MTV was looking in Kansas and Missouri Oklahoma!: Oct 12-16: 7:30 pm Wed- Arts Advocacy: Oct 28: 5:30 pm Fri for a Camera Person/Producer to record Sat; 2 pm Sun Advocacy Hour meetings are free and interviews. I have no word on shoot dates. Set in a Western Indian territory just after open to the public, so please be sure to The New York-based production company the turn of the century, the high-spirited invite your friends, family, and co-workers that produces Extreme Couponing was rivalry between the local farmers and cow- and enjoy complimentary appetizers and searching for a Production Assistant Intern boys provides the colorful background wine, network with fellow arts advocates, in Wichita. Shoot dates were in August. against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and stay up-to-date on the latest arts news and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out and events happening in and around the Imaginaria Films, a production company their love story. That they will succeed in Kansas City region. UMKC Student Union from Bogota, Colombia, was scheduled making a new life together we have no Theater, 5100 Cherry St, (816) 994-9245, to shoot a television commercial in Good- doubt, and that this new life will begin in www.artskc.org land, Kan. They were looking for crew a brand-new state provides the ultimate members and 3 Latin males over 30-years climax to the triumphant Oklahoma! old. Directed by Julie Mollenkamp. $15 gen- Kansas City Repertory Theatre Actors’ Forum - August: Osage County: Eric Stonestreet, star of Modern Family eral, $12 faculty and seniors, $7 students. Oct 2-4: 7 pm Tue; 2 pm Sun and a Kansas City, Kan., native, will play Highlander Theatre, University of Central Join us following the performance of “Fatty” Arbuckle in an HBO movie proj- Missouri, (660) 543-8811, www.ucmo. August: Osage County for our free Actors’ ect. Since Mr. Arbuckle grew up in Smith edu/theatre Forum. Hear the actors’ perspective on the Center, Kan., there are hopes we might Ribbit by Earl Sherburn: Oct 28-29: production and how they prepared for their see some production in Kansas. 7:30 pm Fri; 1 pm Sat role. You will even have the opportunity to A short drama/supernatural movie entitled The 2011 Theatre for Youth National Play- ask the actors your own questions. Kansas “Between the Lines” is scheduled to shoot writing Competition Award Winner. World City Repertory Theatre, Spencer Theatre in in Wichita at St. Francis Park. Shoot dates Premiere Children’s Show. Ribbit, tells the the UMKC Performing Arts Center, (816) are Oct 4 and 5 and the director is Day- tale of a young princess learning what true 235-1579, www.KCRep.org man Rayne. R love is all about in this musical mesh up Scholars’ Forum - August: Osage of the “Frog Prince” and Shrek. Directed County: Oct 1: 2 pm Sat by John Wilson. $4-$7. Hendricks Hall, Are you a filmmaker in the KC area and This is your opportunity to hear an “expert” University of Central Missouri, (660) 543- want to submit news about your production on the subject matter of the show after the 8811, www.ucmo.edu/theatre to KC Stage? E-mail Larry at llevenson@ 2 pm matinee. The post-show discussion kcstage.com before the 10th. is free! Kansas City Repertory Theatre, University of Kansas Theatre Spencer Theatre in the UMKC Perform- I Was the Voice of Democracy by Brian ing Arts Center, (816) 235-1579, www. Herrera: Oct 28: 7:30 pm Fri KCRep.org R University of New Mexico theatre profes- sor Brian Herrera’s autobiographical solo show is about how Brian, at 17-years- old, was thrust into the national spotlight after winning a scholarship contest. free. William Inge Memorial Theatre, Murphy Hall-University of Kansas, (785) 864- 3982, www.kutheatre.com Shakespeare in Hollywood by Ken Lud- wig: Oct 13-16: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat; 2:30 pm Sun Sporting a mix of historical reality and farce in a two-act hilarious comedy, this deliciously inventive play combines mis- chief, mayhem, and laughter into a fanciful but poignant and sophisticated story. It’s 1934 and Shakespeare’s most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, have magically materialized on the Warner Brothers set of Max Reinhardt’s film A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directed by Mechele Leon. $18 public, $17 seniors & KU employees, $10 students. Crafton-Preyer Theatre, Murphy Hall-University of Kansas, (785) 864- 3982, www.kutheatre.com R www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 13  Leave the Ghost Light On!  The New York Fringe is Not for Sissies! continued from page 4 continued from page 5 washing paint brushes. He’d been So we had to drag all our sets, cos- to do a story on all funding being standing at the sink for some time, tumes, and so forth to the Riverside cut for the arts in Kansas by Brown- and when he turned to leave, there Hotel where we would be living for back and include how it might was a large mop bucket in his path. the next days on the tenth floor. A affect the Martin City Melodrama He couldn’t leave without mov- “gypsy” limo guy approached me at & Vaudeville Co. and Martin City, ing the mop bucket, so he knew it La Guardia and said he would take Jr. performing in Overland Park. wasn’t there when he went to the all of us and our stuff by limo for Out of the hundreds of local paint sink, but it had moved into $80, which really was a good deal actors I have given a first profes- his path while he wasn’t looking. and we didn’t have to split up. It sional job to, several remain in He had shrugged it off as his mind was quite funny to arrive at our tiny professional theatre and are work- playing tricks on him until the sub- hotel on the upper west side in a big ing in New York. Cathy Simpson, ject was brought up and he realized white limo to perform in NY. Jeff Davolt, and Tyson Murphy all he had been witness to ghostly she- We saw the Cherry Lane for came by to see our show and visit. nanigans. the first time on August 11. It was It felt like Mr. Holland’s Opus. In the mid-1990s, director Geri beautiful and historical without a I met with a New Jersey composer Eicher was in the theatre painting doubt. Our tech went great and we and playwright who has written a the set – just her and her little dog. had a fabulous venue director who new musical based on the Marx The little dog suddenly jumped up, we communicated with all summer Brothers and their comedic antics on began growling and barking and and met for the first time at our tech. the radio. We had been in touch for staring at a point in the theatre – as Krystal, our venue gal, recently grad- months about the possibility of pro- if something or someone was there. uated from The New School with an ducing their show in KC. Jim came Then he stopped and went back to MFA in theatre and she was very to our show one afternoon and then his bed. Geri is reported to have said organized. We were allowed three we went out for lunch, It was great to to the ghost, “Well, I hope you like feet by three feet storage space at the discuss business in person and deal the color.” Cherry Lane. (Remember there were directly with the show’s creator. Ask anyone who has some his- 10 shows performing in one space.) After months of preparation and tory with OCTA, and you’ll find Anything that didn’t fit had to be work (while still having to run our they have their own ghost story. taken out of the venue everyday. theatre business here), our time with Some folks have reported being This meant we walked and carried a the 15th Annual International New downstairs in the building alone lot of things for the show, then got on York Fringe Festival was done. Hav- and hearing footsteps upstairs. the subway, changed trains, and then ing performed in the 10th Annual Or things in the booth have been reached the hotel street walked some International New York Fringe Fes- moved when no one has been up more and then took a tiny elevator tival and now their 15th, I hope to there. Yes, OCTA has had its share to the l0th floor to our rooms only to be selected to perform in their 20th. of critters – like the family of rac- do it again the next day. We all felt Perhaps by that time I can re-gain coons that had taken up residence like we were in great physical shape! enough mental and physical energy in the attic, or the occasional oppor- The New York families who to hopefully be selected again to be a tunistic squirrel. But there’s no attended our show seemed to really part of this amazing theatrical adven- question that sometimes there are enjoy themselves. Sometimes a Mid- ture again! Now you know a little of things that happen at OCTA that west sense of humor can be different the back story and why performing can’t be explained by the actions of than an East coast sense of humor. in the International New York Fringe a wayward animal or a distracted One night after our third show, an Festival is not for sissies! R human. It’s one of OCTA’s numer- NBC producer for the nightly news ous charms! R approached me when she heard we Jeanne Beechwood is the artistic were located in Kansas. She wants director of Martin City Melodrama.

14 KCSTAGE “The worlds a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed.” ~ Sean O’Casey  Spotlight on Ron Megee continued from page 2 more cutting edge pieces, including a full teen cast for and do things. I mean, there are times where Jon {Fulton the most recent production of Pink Floyd’s The Wall at Adams} and I will eat Top Ramen for a couple of weeks as The Living Room. long as we have dog food for our baby and you’re doing “I love kids—I think they’re great,” he says. “If my your art, I think that’s what matters. It’s interesting.” life was different, I would’ve had kids, but I’m too His biggest draw to being involved in the performing centered on myself and enjoy life, so and me and my arts is the inherent teamwork behind the act. In fact, husband have a schnoodle. So, that’s how I get my fill when asked how he goes about directing a play he is of kids is to get to work with teens. also in, it’s all about the people he is working with. “Teens are so much fun because it’s when your per- “One of the main things I always did,” Megee says, “is sonality’s really kicking in. And you can see the kids I surrounded myself with people I trust beyond belief, are going to have the passion for theatre, and the ones and I would always surround myself with people that I that are not that are just there to maybe break out of really believed in their opinions and their thoughts, and their shy mold. And you mesh them all together, and then we worked it as a team.” He continues, “I have a you get to see this bonding that many of us have lost great group of friends that include Jeff Church, Missy over the years—which is that weird like in two weeks Koonce, Corrie Van Ausdal: I would call in the big guns time, you could become best friends. And that’s what to sit out there and give notes to see the big picture.” theatre really is about. I think that’s why community He also is very aware of the audience and their reac- theatre is called community theatre—it’s the community tions. “I believe in the audience,” he says. “If a bit is coming together to put together art. There’s something working or something has happened and the audience beautiful about that. I think we forget about it in today’s loves it, you’ll try it one more time, and if they love it world, you know?” again, then by the third time, it’s in. And I’ll subtract Children of the Damned Corn is the latest in what is fast things that are not working. I’ve always been that way.” becoming a tradition of a Halloween-themed spoof at He also is a big proponent of working with a lot of dif- the Coterie. “It’s truly a Halloween horrorfest,” Megee ferent theatres. “I wish that while I was doing community says. “What I like about it is that it brings together teens theatre that I had volunteered more at other theatres,” he that usually might not do something with their parents, says, “because it’s easy to get into a bubble anywhere. I and there’s a common bond. One of my favorite things was in a bubble at Late Night. You can get into a bubble was—we had a teen boy and his mom did zombies one easily, and you forget that there are other things work- year together, and they actually re-bonded, she said. It ing around your bubble. So, that’s one of the reasons I’m was really interesting to watch. They went and got cos- working at many different places now: it just opens you tumes together, worked on it together, because there’s up, and you get to see theatre in different light.” classes in it on how to walk and stuff. It was really Megee believes it’s vital to the arts community for interesting to watch them re-bond, and she thanked us organizations to work together, and he also thinks that’s at the end. She was like, ‘Thank you. I get to rediscover the biggest hurdle Kansas City is facing. “I’m not even my son and what he’s like. And I get to watch him.’ It talking about the bigger theatre groups, I’m talking about broke down some walls, and I think that’s one of the the ones that start up,” he says. “It’s wonderful, and I’ve best things about that kind of experience.” been there where you feel you can do it on your own, but This again goes back to Megee’s philosophy of feeding the moment groups rally together and build the com- the soul. “Many years ago, I decided I would never do munity, the better off they are. When that happens, then anything for money. I decided that I would do it only you’re a group—it’s easier to achieve your goals.” R to make myself happy or that I was giving something to the world or to myself,” he says. “I find that I’m a lot The Coterie at Night production Children of the more relaxed now because of that. The moment I took Damned Corn, written and directed by Ron Megee, will out the money factor, I found money. I mean, I didn’t be at the Just Off Broadway space from Oct 13-30. For find it on the street, but I found ways to make money more information, go to www.coterietheatre.org. www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 15  Leawood Stage Company Amphitheatre Fight continued from page 3

“This isn’t about LSC having their point. Currently there is no way to guideline to be out of park by 11 play for two weeks. This is about limit the number of attendees as pm, but not under threat of citation a $7 million multi use building there are multiple ways to enter the if a reasonable effort is being made that will pave over a huge piece of bowl area. There is no evidence of to vacate the premises. Strike will green space in Leawood’s biggest cars parking north of the park. The not be permitted after the last show park. Do you think they will build park has adequate parking inside on Saturday; it must be moved to a $7 million amphitheatre and just the park for events. Some neighbors another day so that the park can still use it for LSC’s couple of weeks? can be seen walking into the park be vacated by 11 pm. The decision Would you live next door to a build- via the pathway connecting Steeple- on whether or not to continue with ing that generates noise? As a city chase and Ironwoods. The pathway the improvement plans has not been building, they exempt themselves was not originally planned by the made at this time. For more infor- from all noise control laws, or they city but was added at great expense mation on this story, as well as more just apply for a special use permit. at the request of the Steeplechase comments from LSC members and There are no controls and is no pro- HOA. If Phase III of the plans set Steeplechase residents, please visit tection for the families nearby.” The down in 1998 go through, noise and www.nbcactionnews.com. R modified plan for the amphitheatre light levels will be better contained has an estimated construction cost within the bowl area, landscaping Jamie Lin is a local actress and an of $5,079,68. Also, an acoustic engi- will provide further sound buffer- avid collector of all things Beauty neering study was taken in 2010. ing, there will be a tornado shelter and the Beast. City ordinance limits decibel levels for entire park use during danger- to 60 db. Ambient sound levels are ous, fast moving storms, and the shown to be about 45 db. Reading at crowd size will be controllable by Auditions www.kcstage.com/auditions the property lines were between 45 a single entry point and contained and 50 db, with the exception of the amphitheatre. The use of a hori- C The Barn Players, Inc.* bagpipes during Brigadoon. After the zontal track system instead of a Striking 12 / The Girl Who Was Plugged improvement to the amphitheatre traditional vertical fly system will In by Brendan Milburn, Rachel Sheinkin, Valerie Vigoda, Alan Menken, David even lower readings than currently provide better use of space, more Spencer, & Alan Brennert: Oct 26-29: seen are anticipated. floor space for other event users 6:30 pm Wed; 1 pm Sat Striking 12 is a contemporary re-telling There were a lot of rumors going and less cost in heating and cool- of “The Little Match Girl”, featuring an around about the amphitheatre and ing. A closeable door on the stage over-worked and under-inspired single guy future plans. Answers regarding will provide security (LSC has had who’s had enough of the holiday season. The Girl Who Was Plugged In: a homeless recent concerns have been nailed to hire security guards to prevent woman has her soul transplanted into the down so that there is no more con- vandalism and rent storage units to body of a gorgeous female android by a fusion. The following information lock up props and costumes.) There company which manufactures celebrities. Directed by Jason Coats. St. Pius School, was sent out to the Home Owners will be better handicapped parking 55th and Woodson, (913) 432-9100, Association for Camden Woods. The and amenities as well. www.thebarnplayers.org original park plans show an amphi- The issues were discussed at The 4th Annual 6 x 10 Ten-Minute theatre area with seating for nearly a Leawood City Council meeting Playwright Festival: Oct 22-23: 1 pm Sat-Sun 5,000; however, the new facility will on August 1 with 5 votes for the A collection of 6 original ten-minute plays accommodate a maximum of 1,500 amphitheatre plans and 3 against. by 6 different local playwrights directed by in the outdoor lawn seating bowl LSC will keep show start times at 8 6 different directors with 6 unique casts of actors. A great evening of original the- area. They are currently seeing audi- pm and they will still run Thursday atre at The Barn Players. October 22 and ences of this size or greater. When - Sunday then Thursday – Saturday. October 23 from 1 - 4 pm. Auditions are development of this venue is com- All performances will be required in an open call format. St. Pius School, 55th and Woodson, (913) 432-9100, plete there will be a limited access to end at 10:45 pm, with a strong www.thebarnplayers.org

“The only thing that really saddens me over my demise is that I shall not be here to read the 16 KCSTAGE nonsense that will be written about me and my works and my motives.” ~ Noel Coward A Academic E Equity  Auditions

C Community P Professional C City Theatre of Independence* gration, and mankind’s vulnerability in The Laramie Project and The Laramie A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee the face of nature. The story follows pas- Project: Ten Years Later by Moises Williams: Oct 3-5: 7 pm Wed; 6:30 pm sengers and crew members who actually Kaufman and members of Tectonic Mon-Tue existed and were aboard the Titanic back Theater project: Oct 2-3: 6:30 pm The play reveals the very depths the char- in 1912. Directed by Shelly Stewart. Audi- Mon; 4 pm Sun acter of Blanche du Bois, a woman whose tions for this concert style production will In October 1998, Matthew Shepard was life has been undermined by her romantic be Nov 5 & 6. Be prepared to sing 32 kidnapped, severely beaten and left to illusions, which lead her to reject - so far as bars from a musical of your choice. An die, tied to a fence on the outskirts of possible - the realities of life with which she accompanist will be provided. Bring your Laramie, Wyoming. Over the course of is faced & which she consistently ignores. music, photo, and resume. Oak Room, the next year, members of a theatre com- The pressure brought to bear upon her by Leawood City Hall, 4800 Town Center pany went to Laramie to conduct interviews her sister, with whom she goes to live with Drive, (913) 339-6700, www.leawood- with people of the town. From these inter- is intensified by the earthy and extremely stageco.org views they wrote the profoundly resonant “normal” husband of the latter, leads to play The Laramie Project, a chronicle of a revelation of her tragic self-delusion P the life of the town after the murder. Ten The Mystery Train years later, the same co-authors returned and, in the end, to madness. Directed The Fairy Princess DIE-aries by Wendy to Laramie, conducting further interviews. by Mary Deaver. Actors should prepare a Thompson: Oct 23-24: 5 pm Mon; 1 Directed by Mark Swezey. Auditions will be memorized dramatic monologue of their pm Sun an open call both days. Those auditioning choice (1 to 2 minutes length) and also be Selecting the Fairy Princess at Kline’s are asked to prepare a short monologue prepared to read scenes from the script. department stores is all sweetness and (dramatic or comedic). Please provide a Roles available for 6 men, 6 women (3 or light, until someone realizes it’s a job to headshot/resume if available. Cast size 4 minor roles): 12 total. Roger T. Sermon die for! Directed by Wendy Thompson. 4 males, 4 females. The same cast will Center, 201 N Dodgion St, (816) 461- Auditions will be held Oct 23 from 1 to perform both The Laramie Project & The 0826, www.citytheatreofindependence.org 5 pm; and Oct 24 from 5 to 9 pm. By Laramie Project: Ten Years Later. Age range appointment only. Seeking three women 20 years old through senior adults. Invited C to portray characters in an interactive Corbin Theatre Company callbacks are Oct 23 at 1pm. Performance murder-mystery comedy set on a train. The Hallelujah Girls by Jessie Jones, Dates are April 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, May Also seeking a conductor/stage man- Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten: Oct 16: 3, 5, 6. The Lewis and Shirley White The- ager - either male or female. Broadway 7 pm Sun atre, 5801 W 115 St, (913) 327-8074, Church, 39th Terrace & Broadway, (816) Hilarity abounds in this Dramatists Play Ser- www.jcckc.org vice, Inc., comedy when the feisty females 813-9654, [email protected] of Eden Falls, Ga., decide to shake up their The Who’s Tommy by Pete Townshend lives. The action in this rollicking Southern C and Des McAnuff: Oct 2-16: 1 pm Sun The Resident Theatre Peter Townshend’s tale of a young boy’s comedy takes place in SPA-DEE-DAH!, the Beau Jest by James Sherman: Oct 2-3: journey from pain to triumph is the most abandoned church-turned-day-spa where 6:30 pm Mon; 4 pm Sun electrifying evening of rock and roll ever this group of friends gathers every Friday Sarah Goldman is secretly dating a man to play in a theatre! After witnessing the afternoon. After the loss of a dear friend, who does not meet the approval of her accidental murder of his mother’s lover the women realize time is precious, and traditionally-minded parents. To please by his father, Tommy is traumatized into if they’re going to change their lives and them, she invents the perfect boyfriend: a catatonia, and as the boy grows, he has achieve their dreams, they have to get on nice Jewish doctor. When her parents want discovered to have an uncanny knack it now! Directed by Maggie Thomas. Audi- to meet him, Sarah hires an out of work for playing pinball, and when his mother tions will be held at 7 pm, Oct. 16. Parts actor to pretend to be her make-believe finally breaks through his catatonia, he include six women and two men. Auditions beau. This is a laugh out-loud romantic becomes an international pinball super- will be from prepared cuttings. Anyone comedy that broke records in its Chicago star. Directed by Mark Swezey. Auditions interested in assisting with the production premiere, followed by a two-and-a-half will be an open call both days. Please pre- may also attend or contact director. Corbin year New York run. Directed by Mark pare a song from another pop or rock style Theatre Company, 15 N Water St, (816) Swezey. Auditions will be an open call musical. Please provide: sheet music ... no 476-2705, www.corbintheatre.org both days. Those auditioning are asked CDs & no acappella auditions. Headshot/ to prepare a short monologue (dramatic resume (if available). Invited callbacks will C or comedic). Please provide a headshot/ Leawood Stage Company* be held on Oct 17 at 7 pm. Rehearsals resume if available. Cast size: 4 males, 2 Titanic by Peter Stone & Maury Yeston: will begin right after the first of the year. females. Age ranges 20 years old through Nov 5-6: 1 pm Sat-Sun Performance dates: Feb 11, 12, 16, 18, senior adults. Invited callbacks will take Titanic is based on the true story of the 19, 23, 25, 26. All evening performances place on Oct 9 at 4 pm. Performance great ship’s maiden voyage from departure are at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2 pm. The dates are: Dec 3, 4, 8, 10 & 11. The in Southhampton, England to the sinking Lewis and Shirley White Theatre, 5801 Lewis and Shirley White Theatre, 5801 W in the Atlantic by an iceberg. The show W 115 St, (913) 327-8074, www.jcckc. 115 St, (913) 327-8074, www.jcckc.org touches on issues such as class, immi- org R

www.kcstage.com OCTOBER 2011 17 KCSTAGE Presorted Standard PO Box 410492 U.S. Postage Paid Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri 641 64141-0492 Permit No. 2117

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Email: mKeCmbSerTAwwwG.kcstagEe.com Gift Subscription From: William Shakespeare Occasion: Card Expires: 11/01/09 Member Since April 2001 Member ID: 1-1234567890  Subscription Rates: $28 for 6 Months $48 for 1 Year $90 for 2 Years

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