spotlight on Felicia Londré $5 september 2012

www.kcstage.com Notes Auditions More Arts News at www.kcstage.com/blog www.kcstage.com/auditions Brent Kimmi Named Blue Springs City Theatre C Babes in Toyland: a Musical by Ruth Perry & Ann Smit: Development Director for KC Sep 24-25: 7 pm Mon-Tue Fringe Remember the wonderful Victor Herbert music? Remember The KC Fringe Festival has named Brent Kimmi the lyrics? “Toyland, toyland, little girl and boy land.” There are wonderful characters: Mary, Mary, Quite as its new development director. Brent has been Contrary; Jack and Jill; Little Miss Muffet; Wicked Uncle a volunteer for the festival since its inception in Barnaby who runs the toy shop and can turn children into 2004. In his eight years with the festival, he’s dolls and sell them for gold; and lovable Jane and Alan worked in almost every capacity of the event who are his next victims. The adaptation uses the original including artist liaison, planning, administrative music of Victor Herbert and much of Glen MacDonough’s support, and event execution. Brent has been libretto and lyrics. Directed by Mick McNabb. Blue Springs involved personally in theatre and the arts since Civic Center, 2000 NW Ashton Dr, (816) 228-5806, he was a child. He is currently a student at www.bluespringscitytheatre.com the University of Kansas earning a degree in communications studies. River City Community Players C A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody by Ron Bernas: Sep 17-18: 7 pm Mon-Tue Mid-America Emmy Awards in It’s New Year’s Eve and Julia and Matthew seem to have it all. Matthew plans to murder her by years’ end. While KC in September Julia dodges his devious murder attempts, the Perry friends The National Academy of Television Arts & and staff are dying off mysteriously. Matthew is successful Sciences (NATAS) Mid-America announced in murdering everyone but Julia. Enter Detective Plotnik, that The Weather Channel’s Mike Bettes will a Sam Spade type who suspects everyone, but not a clue. host the 36th Annual Emmy Awards Gala. Until he stumbles upon Julia and Butler Buttram in what he mistakenly perceives as a compromising situation. He For the first time, the Gala will be held in jumps to the conclusion she is the murderer. Directed by Kansas City. The 2012 Mid-America Emmy Jeff Adams. Cold readings from the script. Leavenworth Awards will be held Sept 22 at 6:30 pm at Performing Arts Center, 500 Delaware St, the Midland Theatre. The black-tie affair is (913) 651-0027, www.rccplv.com open to the public. A limited number of gala tickets are now on sale for $125, including Theatre Lawrence C dinner. They are exclusively available by calling The Sound of Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein: (314) 533-2993. The Mid-America chapter of Oct 1-2: 7 pm Mon-Tue NATAS includes television markets primarily in The world’s most beloved musical! When a high-spirited Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, and postulant serves as governess for the seven children of a surrounding DMAs. widowed naval Captain, her energy and joy capture the heart of the stern Captain. With a Nazi threat looming, the family’s narrow escape over the mountains to Switzerland MAC Seeks Arts Award on the eve of World War II provides one of the most thrilling and inspirational finales ever presented in the Nominations theatre. Performance dates: Nov 30, Dec 1, 2* 6, 7, 8, 9* The Missouri Arts Council is seeking nominees 13, 14, 15, 16* (*matinee). Directed by Terrance McKerrs. for their 2013 Missouri Arts Awards. Online Multiple Roles for men and women available. Roles for 7 nominations are due midnight, Sept 3. children available, from ages 5-18. Scripts are available Nominees must be current Missouri residents or now for a 3-day checkout. $10 deposit required. Theatre Lawrence, 1501 New Hampshire St, (785) 843-7469, a Missouri-based organization or community. www.theatrelawrence.com Nominees in the Philanthropic category may be a non-Missouri residents, but their A Academic E Equity philanthropy being honored must benefit a C Community P Professional nonprofit Missouri arts organization. The total contribution or body of work of the nominee and the effect this effort has produced on the cultural climate of the city, region and/or state of Missouri are the primary criteria utilized in the selection of the award recipients. Find out more at www.missouriartscouncil.org/page/94.

B KCSTAGE The Global Music Fest KC On Sept 8, the Global Music Fest KC will feature musicians from a spectrum of communities of Kansas City. It will be a Saturday of sonic diversity that will make the grassy playing field of St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School a musical playground for fans and families. The $20 ticket gets an adult and accompanied child into the Global Music Fest KC grounds at 40th Spotlight on & Walnut, as well as access to the children’s Felicia Londré area, seven music acts on the main stage, and 3 a chance to win a guitar from Big Dude’s Music The Kansas City Cover photo by Bob Compton City. Gates open at 10 am. Proceeds benefit The Pilgrim Center for The Arts. For more Renaissance information, visit www.globalmusicfestkc.com. Festival 5 Charlotte Street Fellows Announced Charlotte Street Foundation announced Notes 1 the selection of two Kansas City generative performing artists to receive unrestricted cash awards of $8,500 each in 2012. The 2012 Fellows are composer/musician Pat Auditions Alonzo Conway and theatre creator and B performer Heidi Van. They were selected by a panel of local and national performing arts professionals through a highly competitive 2 process, beginning with an open call for Calendar 10 applicants, and including in-person visits with 10 semi-finalists. A public performance of the work of this year’s Generative Performing Awards Fellows is planned for fall 2012. For Film Clips more information, visit www.charlottestreet.org. 13 4 MAC Annual Report Online The Missouri Arts Council’s annual report, Events 15 covering July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011, is available online at MAC’s website. The report shows how the Missouri Arts Council supports the state by increasing arts participation, Performances do growing Missouri’s economy, and strengthening 10 Missouri’s education using the arts. For more si information, go to www.missouriartscouncil.org la and click “News and Releases” under “About MAC”. R

Cast of Characters Scott Bowling...... Webmaster Tricia Kyler Bowling...... Subscriber Rep Richard Buswell...... Managing Editor Vol.KC 15 • No. 11stage • Issue 157 • September 2012 Bryan Colley...... Blog Curator [email protected] • (816) 23-STAGE Jamie Lin...... Editorial Assistant Angie Fiedler Sutton...... Associate Editor PO Box 410492 • Kansas City, Missouri 64141-0492 Cassandra Whitney...... Graphic Designer October Deadline: September 10 Letters to the Editor...... [email protected] www.kcstage.com © Copyright 2012 by KC Stage. All material contained in this pub- 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 september 2012 1 Bellydance: Connecting Cultures by Amy Jo Field

Bellydancing has a rich history, full of connections to many cultures. It also has a history with controversy, as evinced by the very word ‘bellydance’. . Many dancers who study Raqs Sharki, Middle Eastern dance, and all its modern incarnations, don’t use the term bellydance because it so often brings unwanted associations to the forefront. In past centuries, when many Europeans and Americans were accustomed to social dances where the body was held rigid and only footwork and stylized arm movements were used, bellydance’s abdominal, rib cage, and hip movements were unfamiliar and scandalous: the type of thing only seen in places of ill repute. No matter the dress of the dancer (and many were clothed head to foot), how traditional and artistic their art form, or how respectable the artists, Western audiences often assumed things about bellydance and its dancers because of their unique type of movements. From this beginning, bellydance got its nickname, highlighting a physical focal point, and immediately acquiring an association with titillation. In the early 20th century, Hollywood helped to popularize bellydance in the modern consciousness, although certainly not in a historically accurate way. Some dancers also realized the sex appeal of the art form and drew it farther away from its roots in order to profit (we’ve long known sex sells). Today, many artists who draw on influence from the Middle East and surrounding regions still work against popular perceptions of bellydance as a bit tawdry. Thanks to growing popularity in the past few decades, many people have been newly exposed to the art of bellydance and have gotten to see its true nature. I believe the dichotomy between bellydance’s reputation and its true nature comes down to something fairly simple. In order to make money, gain notoriety, or for any number of other reasons, some people tried to make bellydance about the viewer. The Western gaze, the male gaze, the shocked but fascinated gaze. But bellydance is not about the external; it’s about the internal. It’s done as ritual dance as celebration, it’s done in homes in the kitchen to have fun while cooking. It’s done, historically and currently, by men, women, children, the old and young. It is about a joy only accessible through a moment of mind and body unity, internal to the dancer. That’s not to say bellydance can’t be theatrical or compelling to watch. It depends on a dancer’s ability to take the audience with her on her journey: something all the best artists strive for. Bellydance has roots farther back than we have written history, so no one can say for sure where or why people began dancing in the ways that became what we today call bellydance. Many regions in the Middle East, northern Africa, and the Mediterranean share hitney

similar dance styles with an emphasis on pelvic and abdominal W movements. Its mostly agreed that whatever the other purposes ustin

of folkloric dance often are, bellydance in its myriad nascent forms D by was a celebration of life, focusing on the vital areas of the body, allowing our most powerful muscles to work, and bringing attention hotos to earthy, grounded, weighty movements. P Continued on page 7

From fairest creatures we desire increase, 2 KCSTAGE That thereby beauty’s rose might never die, bySpotlight Thomas Canfield on Felicia Hardison Londré

Kansas City is the home of a highly respected, world-renowned theatre opportunities. “One of my plays was Eugène Labiche’s The Italian historian, author, and educator whose encyclopedic knowledge of Straw Hat in French, and it was such a success that the theatre theatre - local, national, and international - is matched only by her department decided to do it on the main stage in English. Nobody palpable warmth, ardor, and enthusiasm for the subject. Felicia Londré, wanted to direct it after me, so I was the first graduate student in curators’ professor of theatre at UMKC, is one of the great treasures Wisconsin history to direct on the main stage,” she recalls. of the theatrical community, not only because of her eagerness to Prior to coming to Kansas City, Felicia spent six years as an share her vast expertise and genuine love of all things dramatic, but instructor at a University of Wisconsin branch campus. “That’s where also for her fascinating career that spans several decades. I learned how to teach,” she explains. Meanwhile, she directed, acted Unpretentiousness is a remarkably rare virtue in someone with in, and designed costumes for several plays, although her efforts went Felicia’s abundant honors and accolades. Because she does not largely unappreciated: “I was doing daring, avant-garde productions, boast of her impressive accomplishments, even those who know her the likes of which you would have seen in Paris in the 1920s, but intimately might not realize what an interesting and varied life she has nobody understood.” Three additional years heading a high-pressure, led. Born in Fort Lewis, Wash., she was a military brat who, along with experimental theatre program at the University of Texas ended in her two sisters, lived all over the United States and later spent three disappointment when she wasn’t awarded tenure. “I liked Dallas years in England. At the time of her birth, Felicia’s father, Col. Felix M. because there was a lot of theatre,” she says, “but I didn’t publish Hardison, had just begun a career in the Army Air Corps. Already an much. I was concentrating on all kinds of other stuff. I had a contract acknowledged war hero, he would go on to become Air Attaché to for my first book, but I didn’t get tenure. And of course, when you Sweden and play an integral role in founding the Swedish Air Force. don’t get tenure, it’s devastating. You feel as if the world is coming to An unconventional childhood led Felicia to take the road less an end.” travelled in her journey through higher education. Were she to write This tragedy was really a blessing in disguise for both Felicia her memoirs, Felicia jokes that they would be titled A Long, Slow and Kansas City. “Doesn’t fate work in mysterious ways? I think the Learning Curve, but her divergent path undoubtedly unlocked life’s saddest thing that ever happened to me was also the luckiest,” she great possibilities and formed her cosmopolitan perspective of theatre remarks. Determined to move on, she frantically applied for teaching as a universal art form that transcends cultural and disciplinary positions during the summer of 1978. “I saw this job at the University boundaries. Surprisingly, Felicia technically does not have a theatre of Missouri-Kansas City, and saw it had the Missouri Repertory Theatre degree. She holds a bachelor’s in French, with a minor in drama, from associated with it.” As fortune would have it - and unknown to her at the University of Montana. A thirst for knowledge led her to complete the time - she already had an advocate in John Ezell, who had been her degree a year early, whereupon she spent a year abroad studying her greatest mentor at the University of Wisconsin. Having worked French drama on a Fulbright scholarship. Felicia subsequently earned as a designer for the Missouri Rep, John (who later would become a master’s in romance languages, again minoring in drama, at the professor of scenic design at UMKC) recommended Felicia as a new University of Washington in Seattle. By this time, she knew in her hire. heart that she was destined for theatre and pursued this goal with Compared to the thriving metropolis of oil-rich Dallas, Kansas City characteristic energy and initiative. in the late seventies appeared to be a rather old-fashioned backwater. An integral part of Felicia’s transition into theatre was directing two Felicia’s first impression of UMKC was of “a sleepy little university in this plays, in French, at the Penthouse Theatre, the first theatre-in-the-round sleepy, little-big city.” But the grace and charm of Dr. Patricia McIlrath, in the US, located on the University of Washington campus. She was chair of UMKC theatre and founder of the Rep, immediately won Felicia then awarded a fellowship in international theatre at the University of over. “She was an amazing person who had built a professional theatre Wisconsin-Madison, where she completed a doctorate in speech. from the ground up, starting at zero in a city that hadn’t had much “I was getting my doctorate in theatre, but in those days, ‘theatre’ theatre for a very long time. She had done it virtually singlehandedly, was still a dirty word,” she explains. “It was called the ‘department of but she was never boastful. There was no ego about her. She was so speech’ because you didn’t say the word ‘theatre’ in higher education. outgoing, thoughtful, and other-people oriented. She was an instant Officially my Ph.D. is in speech, but all my courses were in theatre.” mentor and friend. She was so nice, helpful, wonderful, and loveable When there were no opportunities to direct in the University of to everyone - every actor at the Rep, every student, every faculty Wisconsin theatre program, Felicia arranged to direct a play in the French department; this led to two more productions and greater Continued on page 6 www.kcstage.com september 2012 3 The Music Beat: Don’t Ever Tick Off The Minstrel by Jeanne Jasperse

It was said in days of old to never make your court musician or traveling expenses for two months, (mainly in campgrounds near the festival minstrel angry. The reason being is that most of them were songwriters sites), etc. they had to be! Sometimes the song would not sing the praises of the Other music at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival always includes lord or lady, especially when they did not host the musician cordially Madrigalia Bar None, and a new show this year by Brian Leo, “The or give them a significant enough bag of coins for them to move on Tinker”. their way. Soon after, comic songs would be released and the general The royal court is showing off their singing skills as well, performing population would know exactly who the songs were about, to the a 30-minute piece, opera style, about the play or “scenario” that goes chagrin of the lord and/or lady. The same holds true today, even though on throughout the day between the royal court and other various royals we are traveling back into the Renaissance eras via modern times …. that are visiting Canterbury. Axel the Sot (aka Scott Hendricks) is one such traveling minstrel. He For more information on stage times and days, please contact the started doing Renaissance fairs more than 24 years ago. Axel is your Kansas City Renaissance Festival on their website or on Facebook. designated drunkard and like other “Rennies” (people who travel year Axel the Sot is also on Facebook. The Jolly Rogers can be reached at round doing these fairs) started off with the fair in his own home town, Jollyrogerskc.com. I have also heard a rumor that the Musical Blades the Waxahachie Texas Faire - also known as Scarborough. will be there the last three weekends.R Axel says you never know who is watching your show. It could be You can reach Jeanne Jasperse on Facebook or on kkfi.org. that a producer of another fair is in your audience watching and then offers you a spot at their own fair, and so the whole thing begins. From early spring to late fall and even sometimes in the winter, Renaissance festivals pop up all over the country, as climate permits, and takes all the Jolly Rogers. Kansas City Renaissance Festival. of us back into another time of life - back in the golden age, although Photo by Richard Sutton I have seen some curious Trekkies pretend they are using fairs as holographic decks. (It takes all kinds.) Axel has the unique spin with his character. When in character, anyone who works for the fair has to be in character whenever out in public, no exceptions! You can’t really tell if Axel is sober or not, he is that good! You can catch his shows at the Seafarer’s Beer Garden Stage doing his PG and PG-13 shows. (The bawdier the better in his case.) These shows are more in the morning, and then in the afternoon they are rated more in the R category for VERY raunchy. Little ones should be cautious. If they know what Axel is REALLY talking about, it’s the parent’s fault! This year, I would like to also settle on one of the Festival’s favorite groups, and they ARE local, the Jolly Rogers! Year after year, these guys manage to get better and better. They have several high-quality CDs for sale. (So does Axel.) Just stick around after the show and meet the boys. They have several lovely wenches with their group that would be more than happy to help with your purchase, and they might even get them all to autograph it for you! Jolly Rogers do both music and skits and save a show every day for stuff they haven’t done much lately. They will have a brand new CD coming this year. la si Both street and stage musicians as well as actors are paid a rather sol mi fa small stipend, and tips and CD and DVD sales are the main ways these re do performers make their money. They pay their own travel expenses, living si la

But as the riper should by time decease, 4 KCSTAGE His tender heir might bear his memory: The 2012 Renaissance Festival: A Talk with the Maestro by Angie Fiedler

Jim Stamburger has been with the Kansas City Renaissance The storyline for this year is the continuation of A Midsummer Festival for 32 of its 36 years. “I’m one of those people: I have really Night’s Dream, according to the Maestro. Titania and Oberon have done almost everything you can do out here,” he says - with just a been banished to the mortal world, and the fairies are searching bit of pride in his voice. “I started out in Shakespeare, and I have for them. This storyline includes the creation of an opera telling the pushed the Unicorn up the wire and now know that the Unicorn’s story of Oberon and Titania. holder is exactly 1 1/2 inches taller than I can reach and I have to This year’s fair will also have mermaids, which Stamberger says jump, I ran games and rides for a while, I was a shop person for a he chose without knowing how big they’ve become in pop culture little while, and I’ve always been hawking .... I think the only thing I lately. “I had no clue all the subculture with mermaids,” he says. haven’t done is cooked in the food booths.” “And of course, because we’re starting to advertise them, it’s all Stamburger’s nickname, Maestro, comes from one of his coming out of the woodwork. I have a group who called me and characters - the gypsy Maestro, which in turn is based on went, ‘Can we come out?’ Well, anyone’s welcome. ‘Oh, no - you Tommy dePaola’s Clown of God. “I’ve always seen myself as the have to understand: we’re mermaids, so we have to have special ringmaster, because I’m trying to direct the audience’s attention transportation.’ And I was like, ‘Sure! Everyone’s welcome!” In fact, over here, and when you’re getting bored then I’ve got something the two women he cast as mermaids were already contemplating over here. And that’s what the fair really is - this three-ring circus.” buying mermaid tails of their own. When he became the entertainment director (16 years now), he Another thing that has changed with Stamberger is not only the found out that the entertainment director at Scarborough Fair is number of actors, but also the amount of rehearsal. “In the olden also called the Maestro, and so it stuck. days when I first got here, we had two days of Academy and they .“I think names are really, really important to building your threw us on the streets,” he says with a laugh. “Now, I have a character,” Stamburger says. “I think the name has to say costume coordinator, I have teachers that go to Academy, and it’s something about your character as well. I choose, as the Papa much more difficult to get your costume okayed, get your character or the Maestro in a gypsy band would choose, the names of my okayed: they go through a jurying process. children, and they always are names that mean something that I “In terms of numbers, when I was doing the apprentice program, really want them to accomplish. I think words are powerful, and I which we now call the Canterbury Conservatory, there were think names are just as powerful.” probably 25 or 30 kids. Now there’s between 50 and 55. And you’d He goes on to explain how giving the actors names in the be surprised how many people fall out, because it’s a hard process, casting choice has helped. “Originally, I used to say, ‘You’re the and they have to work for it. The Conservatory is building villagers, blacksmith,’ so when you were cast, it was blacksmith - you got and they’re building them from the ground up. Our Lord Mayor to choose your own name and all of that. I said, ‘I think when I and wife have taken over that particular responsibility, which is very name them, they’ll hold fast to the casting longer.’ And the first appropriate to how things were then, because the Lord Mayor year I actually gave them all names on the cast list, it was the year would’ve been the leader of the villagers. So they meet with them we lost one person that season. It really did make a difference, every Wednesday night, and have done so all summer, and then because you feel like a real person and it’s a real role. It just wasn’t there will be a graduation the last Wednesday. We have a formal auditioning for king this year, they were auditioning for Henry VIII.” graduation with diplomas and I have an organist who plays ‘Pomp Stamberger admits that he included a more historical court and Circumstance’: I mean it’s really a graduation, because these this year in order to give teachers a legitimate justification for kids have worked really, really hard to get there, and so we make a bringing students out for field trips, but readily admits that historical big deal out of them.” accuracy is not his primary concern. “We try to be as period as Stamburger is always looking for people to add, both as actors possible,” he says with a smile, “although I never give up the fact and as musicians, and is quick to state it’s never too late to contact that I’m theatrically plausible and not historical reenactment. We him about participating. “Show off their creativity and don’t get have to tell our story in ways that the audience understands. bogged down by history,” he’s quick to state when asked for tips. “There are festivals that are set up to be looked at: they don’t “I have a lot of people who are so worried about the dialect and the interact much with the audience. It’s almost like a fourth wall. Our right words and getting the right information out, and all I’m really festival has a very interactive idea, and I want to reach out to you looking at is how creative you are and how fun you are. I can teach as an audience member and draw you in so that we can have you the rest. I can’t teach you to be spontaneous. I can’t teach conversation and dialogue, and I want you to walk away feeling like you to be fun and funny - those are the things that are God given, you met the milkmaid, or you met the king, or you met the beggar I can’t teach those things. I can give you dates, and I can give in the streets. And I want you to feel the pressure that you maybe you facts, and I can give you vocabulary, but I can’t give you that should’ve given him a penny.” spark. And I’ve watched people who I know are really, really, really, Over the years, Stamberger has ramped up that interaction - really talented not be successful in the audition because they were and has added things that have made it more appealing to repeat worried about the details.” attendees, primarily the themed weekends and the ongoing storyline. “It used to be the themed weekend was practically in name only,” he says. “Now, there are themed entertainers who come in, there’s themed activities, and the Pirate’s Cove area will completely change face every weekend to reflect the theme.” Continued on page 16 www.kcstage.com september 2012 5  Spotlight on Felicia Hardison Londré continued from page 3

member. She was instant inspiration to anyone whose life she came Beginning in 1990, Felicia transformed scholarly research on two in contact with.” books, Shakespeare Around the Globe: A Guide to Notable Postwar Dr. Mac’s unique talent for finding opportunities and nurturing Revivals (1986) and Shakespeare Companies and Festivals: An individual talent led her to create a dramaturgy position at the Rep, International Guide (1995) into opportunities to lobby for the creation and Felicia became one of the first full-time faculty members in the of a Shakespeare festival in Kansas City. Twenty-two years later, as nation to have an officially-designated affiliation with a professional honorary co-founder of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, she theatre. This position, which she held for 22 years, enabled Felicia still presents a show talk before the performances in Southmoreland to move beyond her academic theatre formation. Not only did she Park. An unabashed Oxfordian, Felicia admits that arriving at what learn the ropes of professional theatre, but the support and freedom many see as a radical conclusion on the authorship of the plays was Felicia was given allowed her to discover her true calling as a theatre the result of a reluctant process. “I was happy with the Shakespeare historian. we had. I didn’t want to hear about it. I liked the Stratford legend,” Today, Felicia’s distinguished credits include over 60 scholarly she says. articles, 25 journalistic publications, 100 book and theatre reviews, At the prodding of her husband, Felicia agreed to read Charlton and 14 books. She has written approximately 18 original plays, and Ogburn’s The Mysterious William Shakespeare, albeit with a highly translated 11 more from Russian, Spanish, and French. An ambassador skeptical mind. “I read the whole 800 pages and said, ‘This is worth of theatre throughout the world, Felicia has travelled, lectured, knowing about. There’s something here worth taking into consideration.’ conducted research, and attended conferences throughout Europe, It really shook up my ideas, but I wasn’t ready to commit.” She then as well as in Russia, Japan, and China. On one visit to Russia, she saw read a biography of Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. “It’s 26 plays in only 18 days! Every trip abroad has been an opportunity funny how you resist, you resist, you resist, and suddenly some trivial to bring the world of theatre back to Kansas City and to enrich the thing turns on a light bulb, and you say, ‘Okay, I give up. I accept.’ lives of her students. From then on, I was reading with a different point of view - more In 34 years at UMKC, Felicia has taught a vast array of theatre and open-minded, looking at all the possibilities, but trying not to be too interdisciplinary courses. Today, she instructs a rotation of courses locked in too early,” she says. in world theatre history, specializing in American, French, Russian, Felicia’s earnest desire to share the revelations and new meanings 19th-20th century theatre history, and dramaturgy. Her lectures are she was discovering in the plays met with a severe warning from her accompanied by slides - many taken during her world travels - that academic colleagues. “‘Don’t do this. You’ll ruin your career. None of bring theatre history to life. Whereas graduate students in most theatre your work will be taken seriously if you keep pursuing this’,” she recalls. programs are assigned a somber regimen of theory, Felicia’s students In the end, however, she had to be true to herself as a scholar and have the rare opportunity to read and discuss great plays. acknowledge the preponderance of evidence. “It was rather daring The extra effort Felicia puts into making a lasting impression on her that I came out of the closet as an Oxfordian!” she remarks. As a students is just one of many qualities that makes her so special. standard bearer for the cause, Felicia has been debating the authorship Students are often surprised to receive gracefully-penned “thank you” question since 1991. Each November in Kansas City, she presents cards for something they have done. Last spring, as a capstone a persuasive, meticulously-researched authorship lecture, which she to a French theatre history course, Felicia and her husband Venne, also has taken on the road across the US and to Beijing, Budapest, a French instructor at UMKC, held a French tea in their home. At Tokyo, and London. “How can any intelligent person not see?” she the suggestion of a student, the attendees costumed themselves asks passionately. “Once you do the homework, if you take the trouble, as their favorite figure from French theatre history. Felicia’s daughter, it’s so obvious.” Georgianna, a professional costume designer, created a costume for Felicia’s other books include studies of individual playwrights, such Felicia modeled on the legendary photograph of Sarah Bernhardt, as Tennessee Williams, Tom Stoppard, and Federico García Lorca; in the role of Hamlet, holding a skull. The Londrés also have a son, comprehensive histories of world and North American theatre; and Tristan, who is an administrator at Metropolitan Community College, a guide to dramaturgy. Her fifteenth book will be a history of French and six grandchildren. and American theatre artists in World War I. However, she considers The Enchanted Years of the Stage: Kansas City at the Crossroads of

Continued on page 14

But thou contracted to thine own bright eyes, 6 KCSTAGE Feed’st thy light’s flame with self-substantial fuel,  Bellydance continued from page 2

Today, bellydance has spread across the globe and is often fused with other dance styles that add new vocabulary and possibility. For instance, in America (and now elsewhere, too) bellydance is influenced by ballet and modern dance, adding a new airy dimension to its earthy movements. In all of its forms, bellydance can teach the artist trust in her body by familiarizing her with her abilities and then expanding them. Weaknesses are not hidden, but admitted and accepted. A healthy trust in sensuality can be built by an unspoken dialogue between body and mind. It is from this sensuality that bellydance draws its power, but that sensuality has often been misunderstood and exploited, often turned into something other than what it once was. Especially in modern times, we desperately need healthy sensuality rather than exploitation or shame, the dichotomy that confronts us daily. Bellydance can help to support that healthy dialogue between body and mind; whether pursued as a casual hobby or a more formal study. Whether we try to reclaim the word bellydance or call our art something else, it can be a powerful way to connect both with oneself and an ancient art form. R

You can see Amy Jo dancing with her dance troupe, Troupe Duende at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival September 1st and 22nd. You can also find her on Facebook.

Want some

bellydancein your life?

www.troupeduende.com hitney W ustin D by

hotos P www.kcstage.com september 2012 7 KCSTAGE september 2012 *Affiliate Theatre

27 MON 29 TUE 31 FRI 1 SAT 2 SUN Lawrence Opera Works! • Lawrence Opera Works Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant The Kitchen Witches • A.R.T.S., Inc. The Kitchen Witches • A.R.T.S., Inc. The Kitchen Witches • A.R.T.S., Inc. La Cage Aux Folles • Starlight Theatre Association The Real Inspector Hound • The Real Inspector Hound • The Real Inspector Hound • Kansas City Actors Theatre Kansas City Actors Theatre Kansas City Actors Theatre 28 WED Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant JTS Brown Show • The KC Improv Company Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant La Cage Aux Folles • Starlight Theatre Association 30 THU La Cage Aux Folles • Starlight Theatre Association Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant La Cage Aux Folles • Starlight Theatre Association The Kitchen Witches • A.R.T.S., Inc. La Cage Aux Folles • Starlight Theatre Association Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant La Cage Aux Folles • Starlight Theatre Association

3 MON 4 TUE 7 FRI 8 SAT 9 SUN NO PERFORMANCES The Real Inspector Hound • Little Women • City Theatre of Independence* Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: Hamet • Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: Hamet • Kansas City Actors Theatre The Real Inspector Hound • Alcott Arts Center* Alcott Arts Center* Painting Churches • Martin Tanner Productions* Kansas City Actors Theatre Little Women • City Theatre of Independence* Little Women • City Theatre of Independence* Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant KC Improv Festival 2012 • KC Improv Festival The Real Inspector Hound • The Real Inspector Hound • Free Outdoor Concert with Buckwheat Zydeco • Kansas City Actors Theatre Kansas City Actors Theatre Lied Center of Kansas KC Improv Festival 2012 • KC Improv Festival Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant 5 WED 6 THU Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Trouble on the Border at Watkin’s Mill • The Real Inspector Hound • Little Women • City Theatre of Independence* Divergent Dreams • Puppetry Arts Institute Kansas City Actors Theatre Pat Metheny Unity Band •Folly Theater newEar contemporary chamber ensemble* Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant The Real Inspector Hound • Kansas City Actors Theatre Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant

10 MON 11 TUE 14 FRI 15 SAT 16 SUN NO PERFORMANCES The Real Inspector Hound • Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: Hamet • Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: Hamet • Kansas City Actors Theatre Little Women • City Theatre of Independence* Alcott Arts Center* Alcott Arts Center* Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant The Real Inspector Hound • Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* Kansas City Actors Theatre Little Women • City Theatre of Independence* Little Women • City Theatre of Independence* KC Improv Festival 2012 • KC Improv Festival KC Improv Festival 2012 • KC Improv Festival Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Madama Butterfly • Lyric Opera of Kansas City Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant 12 WED 13 THU Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre The Real Inspector Hound • The Real Inspector Hound • Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Kansas City Actors Theatre Kansas City Actors Theatre The Education of Macoloco • University of Central Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre KC Improv Festival 2012 • KC Improv Festival Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Missouri Theatre & Dance Dept.* The Education of Macoloco • University of Central Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Missouri Theatre & Dance Dept.* Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* 10th Annual High School 24 Hour Plays • The Education of Macoloco • University of Central William Inge Center for the Arts* Missouri Theatre & Dance Dept.* 17 MON 18 TUE 21 FRI 22 SAT 23 SUN John Lithgow, Stories by Heart • Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Lied Center of Kansas Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* Madama Butterfly • Lyric Opera of Kansas City JTS Brown Show • The KC Improv Company Madama Butterfly • Lyric Opera of Kansas City Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre The Intergalactic Nemesis, Book 1: Target Earth • Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Lied Center of Kansas Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant 19 WED 20 THU Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre On the Sunny Side of the Street • Madama Butterfly • Lyric Opera of Kansas City Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre On the Sunny Side of the Street • Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Quality Hill Playhouse Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Quality Hill Playhouse Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* 9 to 5: The Musical • Theatre Lawrence Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* 9 to 5: The Musical • Theatre Lawrence Brer Rabbit • Puppetry Arts Institute The Miser • The Theatre Gym Bark, George • Paul Mesner Puppets* The Miser • The Theatre Gym The Miser • The Theatre Gym On the Sunny Side of the Street • Quality Hill Playhouse 9 to 5: The Musical • Theatre Lawrence The Miser • The Theatre Gym

24 MON 25 TUE 28 FRI 29 SAT 30 SUN On the Sunny Side of the Street • Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Blood Brothers • The Barn Players, Inc.* Quality Hill Playhouse Nellie McKay • Carlsen Center of JCCC JTS Brown Show • The KC Improv Company Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Ragamala Dance, Sacred Earth • Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Lied Center of Kansas Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Tom, Dick and Harry • Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Tom, Dick and Harry • Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre On the Sunny Side of the Street • 26 WED 27 THU The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs • On the Sunny Side of the Street • Quality Hill Playhouse Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Three Tall Women • Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Olathe South High School* Quality Hill Playhouse 9 to 5: The Musical • Theatre Lawrence Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Social Security • New Theatre Restaurant Tom, Dick and Harry • 9 to 5: The Musical • Theatre Lawrence The Miser • The Theatre Gym On the Sunny Side of the Street • The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs • Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre The Miser • The Theatre Gym Quality Hill Playhouse Olathe South High School* On the Sunny Side of the Street • On the Sunny Side of the Street • Quality Hill Playhouse Quality Hill Playhouse 9 to 5: The Musical • Theatre Lawrence 9 to 5: The Musical • Theatre Lawrence The Miser • The Theatre Gym The Miser • The Theatre Gym Kansas City Renaissance Festival • Photos by Richard Sutton AUDITIONS Babes in Toyland: a Musical • Blue Springs City Theatre* Sep 24-25: 7 pm Mon-Tue

A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody • River City Community Players Sep 17-18: 7 pm Mon-Tue

The Sound of Music • Theatre Lawrence Oct 1-2: 7 pm Mon-Tue

*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 www.kcstage.com/performances Alcott Arts Center*. Shakespeare in the Parking Lot: Hamlet The Barn Players, Inc.* Folly Theater by William Shakespeare Blood Brothers by Willy Russell Pat Metheny Unity Band Sep 8-16: 4 pm Sat-Sun Sep 14-30: 7:30 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun Sep 6: 8 pm Thr Blood Brothers is a haunting rags to Pat Metheny is a chance-taking performer The Alcott Arts Center is proud to present Shakespeare in the Parking Lot VI and their riches tragedy of our times. A woman with who has gained great popularity through first Shakespearian tragedy, Hamlet. Set in numerous children to support surrenders his recordings with the Pat Metheny Victorian times, the play follows Hamlet, one of her new born twins to the childless Group. His sound might be described as who is reeling from the death of his father, woman for whom she cleans house. The a fusion of folk-jazz and mood music, but the former king, and quick marriage of boys grow up streets apart, never learning he manages to be both accessible and his mother, Queen Gertrude, to his uncle the truth. They become firm friends and fall original, stretching the boundaries of jazz. (now king) Claudius. Upon seeing his in love with the same girl. One prospers Folly Theater, 300 W 12th St, father’s ghost and hearing the true story while the other falls on hard times. A (816) 842-5500, www.follytheater.org of his death, Hamlet plots revenge, while narrator warns that a price has to be paid for separating twins. Directed by madness, chaos, and death keep the court Kansas City Actors Theatre on their toes. Directed by Anna Jennings Eric Magnus. $18; seniors $15; students $10; 10 or more $12. The Barn Players, The Real Inspector Hound and Lindsay Adams. Featuring Amber by Tom Stoppard Finley, Chuck Smith, Coleman Crenshaw, 6219 Martway St, (913) 432-9100, www. thebarnplayers.org A Aug 31-Sep 14: 7:30 pm Tue-Sat; Frank Presler, Jeff Shehan, Jen Morris, John 3 pm Sat; 2 pm Sun Plunkett, Khalid Johnson, Lilyana Green, An absurd and funny take on the mystery Lonita Cook, Marie Abed, Megan Baker, Carlsen Center of JCCC genre from the highly acclaimed and Nate Shady, Sean Hill, Skylar Garcia, and Nellie McKay award-winning playwright, Tom Stoppard. Tyrell Gephardt. $5 and a non-perishable Sep 28: 8 pm Fri A Christie-esque murder mystery is food item. Alcott Arts Center Outdoor Her music is as tuneful and clever as the observed by a pair of theatre critics who Theatre, 180 S 18th St, (913) 233-ARTS, best of the Great American Songbook get pulled in to the action in a very real www.alcottartscenter.org – part cabaret, part sparkly pop – she’s way.... Directed by Mark Robbins. $15 done “Brecht on Broadway”, opened for - $35. H&R Block City Stage at Union A.R.T.S., Inc. Lou Reed at Carnegie Hall, sung Woody Station, 30 W Pershing Rd, The Kitchen Witches by Caroline Smith Allen movie songs at the Hollywood Bowl, (816) 235-6222, www.kcactors.org Aug 17-Sep 2: 6:30 pm Sat; 2 pm Sun performed on A Prairie Home Companion, duetted with Eartha Kitt and Triumph, The Isobel Lomax and Dolly Biddle are two KC Improv Festival cable-access cooking show hostesses who Insult Comic Dog, played Hilary Swank’s sister on the big screen, paid tribute The KC Improv Company have hated each other for over 30 years, KC Improv Festival 2012: ever since Larry Biddle dated one and to Doris Day, and released four wildly acclaimed albums of original music. $32. Sep 7-15: 8 pm Thr-Sat; 9 pm, 7 pm Fri married the other. When circumstances The KC Improv Festival, now in its 12th put them together on a TV show called Polsky Theatre, 12345 College Blvd, (913) 469-4445, www.jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter year, welcomes 17 improv troupes from KC The Kitchen Witches, the insults are and around the country. Paul F Tompkin flung harder than the food. Dolly’s long and Colin Hanks join top-rated podcasters suffering TV-producer son, Stephen, tries to City Theatre of Independence Superego; performers from Second City, keep them on track but it’s a losing battle. Little Women by Marion De Forest festival favorites BASSPROV, ImprovBoston, Directed by Carole Ries. Featuring Karen Sep 6-16: 8 pm Thr-Sat; 2 pm Sun and rappers Twinprov will also play. Portion Hastings, Jared Caudle, Carole Ries, and This play tells Louisa May Alcott’s classic of proceeds will benefit Gilda’s Club. Denise Butterfield. Dinner + show: $37; awakening tale in a simple and yet Full schedule online. $6-20. Off Center Non-dinner shows: $22. The Break Room, effective manner. Beautiful, amusing, Theatre, Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd, 911 S Kansas Ave, (785) 215-6633, and meaningful, this telling of the March (816) 678-8886, kcimprovfestival.com A www.breakroomdowntown.com sisters’ pivotal years on the verge of womanhood imparts cheer and hope for the goodness of mankind. Directed by Marcie Ramirez. $12 for non-musical or $14 for a musical. Roger T. Sermon Center, 201 N Dodgion St, (816) 325- 7367, www.citytheatreofindependence.org

*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.

Making a famine where abundance lies, 10 KCSTAGE Thy self thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel:  Performances

The Kick Stand-Up Show The Intergalactic Nemesis, Book 1: Sep 29: 10 pm Sat Target Earth: Sep 22: Martin Tanner Productions* The KC Improv Company invites six of Painting Churches by Tina Howe 3 pm Sat Sep 4: 7:30 pm Tue KC’s best stand-up comedians to perform The year is 1933. At the very moment “Beautifully written .... A theatrical family their best work. It’s the best. With headliner that Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Molly portrait that has the shimmer and depth of Brad Ellis, emcee Grasshopper, plus Marty Sloan and her intrepid assistant Timmy Renoir portraits.” - The New York Times; “A McIrvin, Scott Schaffer, Jeff Baker, and Wes Mendez find their story on international radiant, loving and zestfully humorous play Van Horn. Directed by Tim Marks, Rod pelt smuggling at a dead end, their contact ... distinctly Chekhovian. Howe captures Reyes. $10, $5 for students. The Kick is assassinated right before their eyes. Yes, the same edgy surface of false hilarity, Comedy Theater (at Westport Coffeehouse Molly and Timmy have stumbled upon the the same unutterable sadness beneath it, Theater), 4010 Pennsylvania, story of the century: an impending invasion A and the indomitable valor beneath both.” (913) 486-6861, www.kcimprov.com of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon. - Time. Directed by Herman Johansen. $28 adult; $15 student/youth. Lied Center Featuring Nancy Marcy, Richard Alan of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, (785) 864- Lied Center of Kansas Nichols, and Claudia Copping. Free. The 2787, lied.ku.edu (Suitable for Everyone) Outdoor Concert with Buckwheat Zydeco Kansas City Irish Center, 30 W Pershing Sep 7: 7 pm Fri Rd, Ste 700, (816) 474-3848, The Intergalactic Nemesis, Book 2: Led by the legendary bandleader, Stanley www.martintanner.com A “Buckwheat” Dural, Jr., the group will Robot Planet Rising play music from the Grammy Award- Sep 22: 7:30 pm Sat winning album, Lay Your Burden Down, The year is 1933. When the robot emissary Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre and songs spanning its 30-year career. Elbee-Dee-Oh disappears in deep space, Three Tall Women by Edward Albee This talented band has been nominated it’s up to Molly Sloan to rescue him. At Sep 12-30: 7:30 pm Wed-Sat; 2 pm Sun for five Grammy Awards in three different that same time, and unbeknownst to her, The three tall women of young, middle, and categories and received a Grammy Award her former fiancé Dr. Lawrence Webster old age are, in fact, all the same woman for Lay Your Burden Down, considered to has arrived on Robonovia, the Cerebretron (“everywoman”) at different stages of her be the most ambitious, deep and varied is malfunctioning, Timmy has only just life in this dynamic view of human frailty, recording of Buckwheat Zydeco’s career. begun to master his telekinetic powers, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Albee Free. Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart a sinister robot named Alphatron is up examines the pettiness and self-deception Dr, (785) 864-2787, lied.ku.edu to something terribly nefarious, and the in our lives and the frailty of the aging Soviet spy Natasha Zorokov has followed process, all told with characteristic Albee John Lithgow, Stories by Heart Dr. Webster through the Galactascope. wit in the context of the old woman’s life. Sep 17: 7:30 pm Mon $28 adult; $15 student/youth. Lied Center Directed by Linda Ade Brand. Featuring In Stories by Heart, actor John Lithgow of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, (785) 864- Marilyn Lynch, Celia Gannon, and Brianna offers a touching and humorous 2787, lied.ku.edu Marxen-McCollom. $30 Fri-Sat, $25 Thur- reflection on storytelling as the tie that Sun, $15 student. Metropolitan Ensemble binds humanity. Invoking memories of Theatre, 3604 Main St, (816) 569-3226, Lyric Opera of Kansas City www.metkc.org his father and his grandmother, Lithgow Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini traces his roots as an actor and storyteller, Sep 15-23: 7:30 pm Fri-Sat, interspersing his own story with two great Wed; 2 pm Sun stories that were read to him and his New Theatre Restaurant Puccini’s beautifully tragic Madama Social Security by Andrew Bergman siblings when they were children. $46 Butterfly is a story of the love, fidelity, adult; $24 student/youth. Lied Center of Aug 29-Nov 4: 12 pm Sat-Sun, and betrayal that occurs when two very Wed-Thr; 6 pm Tue-Sun Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, different cultures collide. A marriage (785) 864-2787, lied.ku.edu The ordered lives of a trendy New York contract has drastically different meanings art gallery owner and his wife are thrown to a U.S Navy lieutenant and his Japanese Ragamala Dance, Sacred Earth hilariously into chaos when her mother child-bride. When the nuptials result in a moves in. Directed by Dennis D. Hennessy. Sep 28: 7:30 pm Fri beloved child, the mother will do anything Featuring Barbara Eden, Joel Rooks, Cathy Ragamala Dance brings the sensibility of to protect her honor and her child’s future Barnett, Craig Benton, David Fritts, and mysticism and sanctity of the 2,000-year- as an American. Call for ticket prices. Cheryl Weaver. Call (913) 649-7469 for old Indian dance form, bharatanatyam, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, more information. New Theatre Restaurant, to the contemporary stage. By interfacing 1601 Broadway, (816) 471-7344, 9229 Foster St, www.newtheatre.com A choreography with live Indian music and www.kcopera.org the visual traditions of kolams and Warli paintings, Sacred Earth celebrates body and nature, and soul and earth. $28 adult; $15 student/youth. Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Dr, (785) 864-2787, lied. ku.edu

continued on page 12 www.kcstage.com september 2012 11  Performances continued from page 9 newEar contemporary chamber Puppetry Arts Institute Starlight Theatre Association ensemble* Woodland Puppets Brer Rabbit La Cage Aux Folles Divergent Dreams by Ingrid Stolzel, Joao Sep 22: 2 pm, 11 am Sat by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman Pedro Oliveira, Gilbert Galindo, Dylan Tales from the adventures of a true Aug 28-Sep 2: 8 pm Sat-Sun Schneider, Mark Snyder, Arthur Levering, American folk-hero Brer Rabbit! Four Georges is the suave owner of a glitzy Jonathan Pieslak stories of this loveable trickster, his drag club on the French Riviera. Partnered Sep 8: 8 pm Sat indomitable spirit and his irascible friends romantically with his high-strung star Opening Concert of newEar’s Twentieth are woven together in this half hour show. performer, Albin (who goes by the stage Anniversary Season! Directed by Steven Please call for reservations. Show times 11 name Zaza), the pair live a charmed D. Davis. Featuring Thomas Aber, Anne- am and 2 pm. Directed by Wayne Krefting. life - until Georges’ son, Jean-Michel, Marie Brown, Jan Faidley, Lawrence Figg, $5 per person regardless of age. Puppetry turns up engaged to the daughter of a Mark Lowry, Lyra Pherigo, and Robert Arts Institute, 11025 E Winner Rd, (816) conservative right-wing politician who’s Pherigo. $20 ($10 student With ID). All 833-9777, www.hazelle.org coming to dinner. $10 - $85. Starlight Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Theatre, 4600 Starlight Rd, (816) 363- Walnut, (816) 235-6222, www.newear.org Woodland Puppets 7827, www.kcstarlight.com The Reluctant Salamander Sep 22: 2 pm, 11 am Sat The Theatre Gym Olathe South High School* The Reluctant Salamander is Woodland The Miser by Molière, The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs Puppet’s slightly skewed spoof of Kenneth adapted by Stephen Bardell by Linda Daugherty Grahame’s classic story, “The Reluctant Sep 20-Oct 6: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat; 2 pm Sun Sep 27-28: 7:30 pm Thr-Fri Dragon”. Join Bil Bug, Solly Salamander, Directed by Art Suskin. Featuring Allan $8. Olathe South High School, and the rest of the Forest Floor Players in Boardman, Alan Tilson, Cathy Wood, 1640 E 151st St, (913) 780-7160, this tale of misunderstanding and good Devon Barnes, Andy Penn, Brian Huther, [email protected] intentions gone awry told with gentle good Mike Ott, Bianca Jordan, Greg Lane, humor. Showtimes 11 am and 2 pm. Spencer Lott, Dean Kinsey, and Elizabth Please call for reservations. Directed by Hill. $15-$25. The H&R Block City Stage Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre Wayne Krefting. $5 per person regardless at Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Tom, Dick and Harry by Ray Cooney and of age. Puppetry Arts Institute, 11025 E theatregym.org/ Michael Cooney Winner Rd, (816) 833-9777, www.hazelle. Sep 28-Oct 20: 6 pm Fri-Sat; 12 pm Sun org (Intended for Children) $30 to $32. Paradise Playhouse Dinner Theatre Lawrence Theatre, 101 Spring St, (816) 630-3333, Trouble on the Border at Watkin’s Mill 9 to 5: The Musical by Dolly Parton www.paradiseplayhouse.org A Sep 8: 2 pm Sat Sep 21-Oct 7: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat; We are very excited to invite you to 2:30 pm Sun Trouble on the Border, a marionette This is the hilarious story of friendship and Paul Mesner Puppets* revenge in the Rolodex era. 9 to 5: The Bark, George by Jules Feiffer performance depicting the impact Order Musical tells the story of three unlikely Sep 11-22: 10 am Tue-Sat Number Eleven had on a Missouri farming friends who conspire to take control of “Bark, George,” says George’s mother, family. Stick around after the show for their company and learn there’s nothing and George goes “Meow,” which definitely other events! The show is sponsored by they can’t do - even in a man’s world. isn’t right, because George is a dog. And Watkins Mill Association, performed by Outrageous, thought-provoking, and so is his mother, who repeats, “Bark, the Puppetry Arts Institute, and will be at even a little romantic, this musical is George.” And George goes, “Quack- the Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. about teaming up and taking care of quack.” What’s going on with George? Get your tickets today! Call for directions business ... it’s about getting credit and Find out in this fast, foolish and funny and additional information. Watkin’s Mill getting even. Directed by Doug Weaver. farce adapted for the puppet stage by Visitors Center, NE 161st St, $13.99-$21.99. Theatre Lawrence, 1501 Paul Mesner Puppets. Directed by Paul (816) 580-3387, www.hazelle.org New Hampshire St, (785) 843-7469, Mesner. $8 for children; $10 for adults. www.theatrelawrence.com PMP Studio, 1006 E Linwood Blvd, (816) Quality Hill Playhouse 235-6222, www.paulmesnerpuppets.org C On the Sunny Side of the Street Sep 21-Oct 21: 1 pm Thr; 8 pm University of Central Missouri Wed-Mon; 3 pm Sun Theatre & Dance Dept.* The American Economy may have been Armed Robbery for Dummies depressed in the 1930s, but American by Paul R. Roman music was anything but. Hard times Sep 13-15: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat produced timeless hits by George and Directed by Adam Hoffman. $1. Nickerson Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Dorothy Fields, Hall, BlackBox Theatre, University of Harold Arlen and more. Directed by J. Central Missouri, (660) 543-8811, Kent Barnhart. $32-Adults; $29-Seniors/ www.ucmo.edu/theatre A Students. Quality Hill Playhouse, 303 W

Photo by Umbrella Group Arts. 10th St, (816) 421-1700, www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com

Thou that art now the world’s fresh ornament, 12 KCSTAGE And only herald to the gaudy spring, Film Clips  Performances by Larry F. Levenson continued from page 12

Brio on the Plaza was the location chosen to shoot images of three models for Denim Chuck by Jack Larson Martin Tanner Productions* Couture. One of the models was Shawn Sep 13-15: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat The Bones of Butterflies Nishikawa who appeared on Make Me a Directed by Betsy Ripp. $1. Nickerson Hall, by Marcia Cebulska Supermodel (season 2). BlackBox Theatre, University of Central Oct 28: 3 pm Sun Missouri, (660) 543-8811, www.ucmo. The Weir by Conor McPherson Kevin Wilmott’s newest movie is gaining edu/theatre A Oct 2: 7:30 pm Tue funding. The working title of the feature movie is Jayhawkers. Go to The Pitch for the story: The Education of Macoloco Olathe Community Theatre http://tinyurl.com/d6jazlz. by Jen Silverman Association Sep 13-15: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat Much Ado About Nothing KC’s Brian Boye is putting together a Directed by Katie Replogle. $1. Nickerson by William Shakespeare documentary with Erin McGrane included in Hall, BlackBox Theatre, University of Oct 19-Nov 4: 8 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun the cast. Go here for a teaser: www.youtube. Central Missouri, (660) 543-8811, com/watch?v=abxnEIsgZ70. www.ucmo.edu/theatre A Puppetry Arts Institute Auditions were held at The Commercial Actor RLP Puppets Studio for a new Missouri Lottery commercial. Fun in the Pumpkin Patch William Inge Center for the Arts* Oct 27: 2 pm, 11 am Sat Extras were being sought for a University of 10th Annual High School 24 Hour Plays Sep 15: 8 pm Sat Missouri-Kansas City dilm faculty project. All Quality Hill Playhouse Creative energy as you’ve never seen: locations were in UMKC and Brookside areas Marilyn Maye: 40 dedicated high school drama of KC. Oct 26-Nov 4: students write, rehearse, and perform six 8 pm Fri-Sat, Tue-Wed; 1 pm Tue; Hallmark was busy shooting fall promotional 10-minute plays in just one day’s time: the 3 pm Sun photographs. performance itself is 90 minutes long. $ 5 adults, $2 students. William Inge Theatre, John Rensenhouse played a doctor on a video Spinning Tree Theatre 58 Road, (800) 842-6063, assignment at the Stageport Studio in KC where Master Class by Terrence McNally www.ingecenter.org/ the subject was cardiomyopathy. Oct 11-28: 8 pm Thr-Sat; 2 pm Sun KC moviemaker Jon Davis was gearing up to Coming In October: Theatre for Young America* shoot a short movie entitled, “Reunion”. He Blue Springs City Theatre* The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley was looking for either a cabin in the woods A Tomb with a View Oct 9-Nov 10: 12 pm Thr-Fri; 10 am or other secluded home. by Norman Robbins: Tue-Fri; 7 pm Fri; 2 pm Sat Kevin Willmott was scheduled to shoot a Oct 5-14: 7:30 pm Thr-Sat; 2 pm Sun “Patriot Party Rally” outside at the Lawrence, UMKC Theatre Carlsen Center of JCCC Kan., Public Library, one of the last scenes to The Lady from the Sea by Henrik Ibsen Academy of St. Martin in the Fields be shot for his film Destination Planet Negro. Oct 19-28: 7:30 pm Sun-Sat ; Chamber Ensemble He was looking for people to be part of a 2 pm Sun crowd scene. Oct 27: 8 pm Sat University of Central Missouri Top City Studios was scheduled to shoot a short Dr. John and The Blind Boys of Alabama Theatre & Dance Dept.* movie in August about bullying and teenage Oct 21: 7 pm Sun And We Will Share the Sky suicide. Shooting will take place in Topeka and The Capitol Steps presents On the by Donna Latham it is a non-union film. Record: Oct 20: 8 pm Fri-Sat Oct 26-27: 7:30 pm Fri; 1 pm Sat The National Circus of the People’s Lyn Elliot directed a movie titled Matched. It The Drowsy Chaperone by Bob Martin Republic of China: Oct 12: 8 pm Fri was shot at a variety of Kansas City locations. and Don McKellar: Commercials for Shawnee Mission Kia and Oct 3-7: 7:30 pm Wed-Sat; 2 pm Sun Happy Faces Entertainment LLC R Jenerous Deals were shot in KC. Cirque du Gay: Bigger, Longer & Uncut Tim Harvey needs extras for a film noir music Oct 19-21: 8 pm Fri-Sat; 2 pm Sun video to be shot in September in KC. It features 1940’s attire. Contact Tim on Facebook at JCCC, Department of Theatre www.facebook.com/timothy.harvey. BecauseHeCan by Arthur Kopit Oct 5-14: 7:30 pm Fri-Sat; The Art Institutes International - Kansas City was 2 pm Sat-Sun casting for a senior thesis project. R Lied Center of Kansas Are you a filmmaker in the KC area and want Here to Stay: The Gershwin Experience to submit news about your production to KC Oct 28: 2 pm Sun Stage? E-mail Larry at [email protected] Nnenna Freelon presents Lena, a before the 10th. Lovesome Thing: Oct 12: 7:30 pm Fri Inspector Hound Robert Belinić: Oct 21: 2 pm Sun Photo by Brian Paulette. So Percussion: Oct 18: 7:30 pm Thr www.kcstage.com september 2012 13  Spotlight on Felica Londré continued from page 6 stay

tuned American Theater, 1870-1930 (2007) as her most important work. for This award-winning book chronicles the lively, entertaining, rich history next of theatre in Kansas City’s golden age and is a must-read for anyone month interested in the glorious history of our city’s early theatre.

Research for this book led Felicia to found the Patricia McIlrath ’s spotlight Center for Mid-American Theatre, the only archive in the surrounding region devoted specifically to live local theatre. “My dream was to start an archive to preserve play programs, posters, and reviews,” she says. “What I really wanted to do was preserve everything about Kansas City theatre history.” The McIlrath Center is also a repository for photographs, clippings, albums, and recordings that might otherwise J be lost, since theatre is such an ephemeral medium. Both students on and researchers in the community use the collections, and Felicia W regularly fields inquiries from people seeking information on an array eimer of subjects. Regarding the current state of local theatre, Felicia is adamant about our need to produce more classic and contemporary foreign plays. She points out, for example, that Kansas City missed a once- Years of the Stage, which has recently dealt “a great body blow to the in-a-lifetime opportunity to mark the 100th birthday of Tennessee University of Missouri” and typifies this lowering of cultural standards. Williams last season by not producing any of his plays, and she is In late spring of 1962, the week before Felicia graduated from Montana even more vehement about the provinciality of our offerings. “There’s State University, she took a solitary night stroll to a group of glaciated a world of great contemporary drama out there, and Kansas City rocks positioned on the campus. That year, John Glenn had just doesn’t see it! Don’t we care what’s being written in France, and become the first person to orbit the earth. Sitting down, she peered up Spain, and Russia, and Germany, and England, and Australia?” she at the stars twinkling in the sky and experienced, “a feeling of endless asks. Disturbed also by the overall decline in excellence manifested potential and possibility in the life that lay mysteriously ahead of me,” in virtually all aspects of our culture, Felicia is outraged at the closing she recalls. “And yet I was completely aware of my insignificance as of the University of Missouri Press, the publisher of The Enchanted a mere speck in the cosmos of space and time. Complete serenity enveloped me as I contemplated the mysteries of past and future and the great infinity beyond our planet, and as I murmured to the stars about the unknown ways in which my dreams might play out.” Felicia would not return to the Montana campus until 36 years later, when she received the university’s Distinguished Alumna Award. Later that night, sitting in the exact same spot, she looked up at the stars and realized that John Glenn had just returned to outer space. “I still delight in the cosmic click telling me that all my world travels and experiences over the years had somehow taken me to just where I needed to be at precisely the right times,” she says. For both of them, divine providence had melded with trust in their own determination to be open to adventure, to enjoy the journey, and to offer something worthwhile to the world. R

Thomas Canfield, an instructor of theatre, English, and humanities, ompton C ob is writing a history of the Circle theatre (1962-67), Kansas City’s first B by professional resident theatre company. Photo

Within thine own bud buriest thy content, 14 KCSTAGE And, tender churl, mak’st waste in niggarding: Events www.kcstage.com/events

Arts Council of Metropolitan Theatre for Young America* Union Station Kansas City, Inc. Kansas City Drama Classes - Avila Titanic: The Artifacts Exhibition Aug 15-Oct 19: 9 am Mon-Fri Mar 3-Sep 3: 9:30 am Sat, Mon; 11 am Sun Arts Advocacy: Sep 27: 5:30 pm Thr Theatre for Young America offers regular On April 15, 1912, Titanic, the world’s largest Meetings are free and open to the public, so weekly fall semester classes on Saturday ship, sank, claiming more than 1,500 lives please be sure to invite your friends, family, and mornings in the Goppert Theater Complex at and shaking the world’s confidence in the co-workers. Enjoy complimentary appetizers Avila University, located at 11901 Wornall Rd infallibility of modern technology. The story of and wine, network with fellow art advocates in Kansas City, Mo. Eleven weekly one-hour the sinking is legendary; now experience the and stay up-to-date on the latest arts news classes from Sept 29 thru Dec 15. Enroll online wonder and tragedy of this ill-fated ship on in the Kansas City metropolitan region. or call. Enrollments accepted until Oct 20. a journey through Titanic history. Travel back Interested in hosting a future meeting or want Pre-K at 9:30 am; 1st-3rd at 9:30 am; 4th-6th in time with compelling stories, historically more information? Contact Erinn Faulconer, at 10:30 am; 7th-8th at 11:30 am; 9th-12th accurate room recreations, and more than 300 [email protected]. The Black Archives of at 11:30 am. Theatre for Young America, H authentic artifacts recovered on our research Mid-America , 1722 E 17th Ter, (816) 994- & R Block City Stage at Union Station, (816) expeditions since the Ship’s discovery. C Level 9245, www.artskc.org 460-2083, www.tya.org Exhibit Hall, Union Station, (816) 460-2026, www.unionstation.orgR ArtsKC 360: Sep 5: 12 pm Wed Drama Classes - Wonderscope Join us for a one-hour tour and be inspired Aug 15-Oct 16: 9 am Sun-Sat Inspector Hound by the stories of how the Arts Council of Photo by Brian Paulette Theatre for Young America offers regular weekly Metropolitan Kansas City is connecting, fall semester classes on Tuesday evenings at supporting, and transforming the arts in our Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas community! Visit the Charlotte Street artist City, located at 5700 King in Shawnee, studios and Mattie Rhodes Folk Art Museum, Kan. Eleven weekly one-hour classes from all while learning more about the Arts Council Sept 25 thru Dec 11. Enroll online or call. of Metropolitan Kansas City. Arts Council of Pre-K at 5 pm; 1st-3rd at 5 pm; 4th-6th at Metropolitan Kansas City, 906 Grand, Ste 10 6 pm; 7th-8th at 7 pm; 9th-12th at 7 pm. B, (816) 994-9220, www.artskc.org Will accept enrollments through Oct 16 (pro- rated). Theatre for Young America, H & R Block KC Improv Festival City Stage at Union Station, (816) 460-2083, Trust Us, This Is All Made Up www.tya.org Sep 2-9: 2 pm Sun At live improv shows, the audience is part of things - which is why it’s so hard to capture improv comedy on film. Trust Us, This Is Want All Made Up gets it right, and follows TJ Jagodowski (Sonic Guy, The Ice Harvest) and David Pasquesi (Groundhog Day, To Rome with Love) as they prepare for and perform a one- more hour show. Chicago Time Out calls them “two of the world’s finest practitioners” of improv. In partnership with CinemaKC. $5. Screenland Crown Center, Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd, (913) 486-6861, kcimprovfestival.com

KC Improv Festival 2012 Workshops KC Sep 8-15: 10 am, 1:30 pm Sat Learn improvisation and sketch comedy from Stage? the very best - including instructors who’ve performed and taught at the “temple of satire”, Chicago’s Second City. In its 12th year, the KC Improv Festival brings instructors from Chicago and beyond to teach improv-based classes on two Saturdays, Sept 8 and 15. A www. variety of sessions are designed for students at all skill levels, from curious bystanders to kcstage experienced performers. Kick Comedy Theater and ComedyCity, 4010 Pennsylvania Ave & .com Westport Flea Market, $8, (913) 486-6861, kcimprovfestival.com www.kcstage.com september 2012 15  Renaissance Festival continued from page 5

www.kcfaa.org Future plans for the Renaissance Festival involves a feasting hall that would be PRESENTS open year-round, giving the opportunity for performing in the winter as well as rehearsing out of the weather. He also wants to do more with the Pirate’s Cove area. Finally, he also wants to increase the community presence of the festival. “I know for me, that there are days that I just need to smile. I was having the worst day possible on Thursday, and just everything was coming unglued and nothing was working right. I went and spent the evening with the gypsy kids, and I danced and I clapped and I played my tambourine and we talked and laughed, and all of a sudden, I realized I became the gypsy Maestro, and I didn’t think about all the trouble I was having. I didn’t think about scheduling and being in budget and Call Folly Theater box o ce all of those things that I’ve been struggling at 816.474.4444 for tickets now! with all week, and it’s just - it’s really Official U.S. Tour Sponsor exciting to be able to take people out of MetLife Foundation their situation and get them to think about October 4 ~ 6, 2012 • Folly Theater something else and to smile and to laugh 816.471.6003 • www.kcfaa.org and to really enjoy themselves. “What I love about the Renaissance Festival is that when I say I work for the Renaissance Festival, almost every time someone says, ‘My neighbor worked there,’ or ‘My son worked there,’ or ‘I used to work there.’ You know?” he says. “Everybody has a contact at the festival. It’s one of those events that even if they haven’t worked there, everybody’s got a story to tell and everybody loves the Photos by Richard Sutton Festival, and that’s incredible.” R

The Kansas City Renaissance Festival runs weekends

Sept 1 - Oct 14 (including Labor Day and Columbus Day), and more information can be found at www.kcrenfest.com or by calling (913) 721-2110.

Pity the world, or else this glutton be, 16 KCSTAGE To eat the world’s due, by the grave and thee. Theme Weekends Silk Road September 1, 2, & 3 Belly dance lessons & competition, henna merchants Entertainers Highland Games Jason Divad: One Man Fire Circus September 8 & 9 in alphabetical order and John Mallery, Knives, Nails, and Kids Pipers, Scottish vendors, accurate as of printing Jolly Rogers Celtic dance groups Alcott Arts Center Performing an Joust Evolution excerpt from Hamlet Leavenworth Martial Arts Demo Pet Festival Andrew Acappella Lord Büdro, the Hypnotist September 15 & 16 Aspira Sonhador-Belly Dance Madrigalia Bar Nonne Dog show, pet costume contest, Axel the Sot Mark Williams the Harpist & dog agility contest Bawdily Harm Matty Stryker Plus longbow competition Bob the Incredible Juggler Mooncalf Magic Bristol Brass Neferet-Egyptian Dance Threads of Time Canterbury’s Pipers Raghsidad and Aalim Dance September 22 & 23 Clanna Eireanne Irish Dancers Raks al Hassana-Belly Dance Clanna Eireanne Irish dancers, Dr. Dumpe Robin Hood Swill Pond Show green beer, & steampunk Dubbagee Soul Fire Dancers Plus live action role play Fairy Tales and Hay Bales Steve Payton, King’s Magicians Gaelic Brass Terry Elton, King’s Magician Wine, Chocolate & Romance Glastonbury Revelers The King’s Falconers September 29 & 30 Gurukul-Indian Dance Tikvah Israeli Dancers - Traditional Dance Chocolate vendors, beer sampling, Gwyneth Whistlewood Tinker MacLea romance bandit, & roses Highland Games Tricks of the Light Highland High School Chamber Singers Troupe Duende-Belly Dance Pirate’s Ale Fest Highland High School Madrigal Singers Tulstin Troubadours October 6, 7, & 8 I.V. Presents... Vesper Pub crawl & talk like a pirate contest Irie Tribal - Belly Dance Washing Well Wenches Mystical Masquerade October 13 &14 Grape stomping & mask contest

Photo by Richard Sutton

www.kcstage.com september 2012 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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Did you know that subscribers get a nifty little discount card good for discounts at ALL kinds of places like ACT One of Kansas City The Barn Players, Inc. Blue Springs City Theatre Byrd Productions ComedyCity The Culture House Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City Peep Shows The Kansas City Renaissance Festival KC Fringe Festival KC Screenwriters Liberty Performing Arts Theatre LimeStone Pictures & Production Subscribe Today! Nritya, Inc. www.kcstage.com/affiliates Park University Theatre The Roving Imp Theater She&Her Productions for FULL listing StoneLion Puppet Theatre Theatre for Young America & MANY more. Prepared by MagCloud for KC Stage Magazine. Get more at kcstage.magcloud.com.