KC Rep produces revised interpretation of ‘A Christmas Carol’
By Bob Evans A newly crafted production of Kansas City’s favorite holiday play, “A Christmas Carol,” by Kansas City Repertory Theatre opened to a full house on the UMKC campus on Nov. 25 with major changes that reflect the language and flavor of Charles Dickens’ original book. Give credit to Artistic Director, Eric Rosen, for re-tooling the script to add more of Dickens’ text and demeanor in a darker, more ghostly version of the...
Frightfully funny, ‘Addams Family’ lurches into Just Off Broadway Theatre
By Bob Evans Sing with me: Da-da-da-dum-(snap, snap) Da-da-da-dum-(snap, snap) da-da-da-dum, da-da-da-dum, da-da-da-dum,(snap, snap). “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky; they’re altogether ookie–The Addams Family.” Everyone knows the opening song to the 1960s TV shot, The Addams Family, so what would be the only way to begin the evenings festivities than to repeat that classic ditty that everyone knows and...
‘Waitress’ serves deep dished fun to Music Hall audiences
By Bob Evans Get ready for fulfilling overindulgence of sugar, butter, flour and all the inner workings of fresh made pies, created and baked daily, for the Joe’s Pie Diner crowd, as Broadway Across America rollers into town for a one week stop at Kansas City’s Music Hall Theatre as part of Theater League’s Broadway Series, opening Nov. 14. “Brought to life by a groundbreaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit...
Obscure Shakespeare play succeeds at KC’s Metropolitan
By Bob Evans Not many know of Shakespeare’s “Cymbeline” and even fewer have read or seen the five-act play, but forget about that and take the plunge to actually see and hear The Bard’s seldom produced play at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre in midtown, Kansas City, Missouri. Karen Paisley, known for taking risks with material, selected the seldom produced play and brings it to life in an avaunt guard style that will keep the audience’s...
Charlie Brown and friends bring Christmas joy to Coterie crowd
By Bob Evans For years, the classic TV cartoon, A Charlie Brown Christmas delights young and old alike annually when the show airs, and even though it’s well-received and loved by generations, nothing compares to the live action version of the classic that opened Friday, Nov. 10 at The Coterie Theatre inside Kansas City’s Crown Center. A capacity crowd welcomed the play for the second time in Coterie history, with the first successful...