"Unreal Housewives of KC" Doubles Anyone? episoide

Mamie Parris "9 to 5" interview by Dugan Arnett

She’s a globe-trotting national presence who was recently tapped by Dolly Parton to star in the post-Broadway tour of “9 to 5: The Musical.” Last week the show came through Kansas City, which brought New York-based actress Mamie Parris home to the city where she developed her acting chops as a 14-year-old member of the “Heart of America Shakespeare Festival.”

more at kansascity.com

Sons of Brazil photos by kcjazzlark

I think we take them for granted, because they’ve always been here. After all, just how many jazz groups stay together for 20 years? And how many jazz bands in Kansas City can claim to have performed Brazilian jazz every week since their inception two decades ago? How many hold a twice monthly gig at a premiere jazz club? How many celebrated their anniversary June 6th at that jazz club? Just one: Sons of Brazil.

more at kcjazzlark

Conductor Steve Jarvi discusses "Barber of Seville" while driving

Conductor, Steven Jarvi talks about Rossini's Barber of Seville as he travels to begin a musical summer at Ashlawn Opera Festival.

Independent Filmmakers "One Night Stand" short films round 3

Short film made for the 2011 IFC KC One Night Stand Competition

2011 IFCKC One Night Stand entry. Team Live Badass (all rookie team)

Here is the AWARD WINNING...one night stand/10 hour cut of the film, "Hindsight in Death." This short-film has been called a "parody of The Departed." Look for the "Director's Cut" coming soon to InfluenceFilms.com Special thanks to all the cast/crew that helped bring this to life in only ten hours!

This is our entry into the IFCKC's One Night Stand, a write-shoot-edit, 10-hour film competition. Mandatory elements that had to be appear in the film were: 1) Theme - black vs. white; 2) The line of dialogue - You're trying to seduce me, aren't you; 3) Prop - a pen. A myriad of tech issues prevented the screening of the film during the festival, but it is presented here. As regards the production, the first shot was in the can at noon and production wrapped at a quarter past three. All in all, it was fun.

New Theatre "Dreamcoat" preview by Robert Trussell

And so it came to pass that the time was nigh for a multitude to fill the stage with music. Summer is here, friends and neighbors, and we know one thing that almost always means: a big, pull-out-the-stops musical at the New Theatre in Overland Park.

more at kansascity.com

Designer Jim Lane interview by Joe Henderson

After more than a decade of designing and building sets for the Kansas City Shakespeare Festival, Jim Lane says this is his last year.

more at kansascity.com

KC Symphony violinist Kristin Velicer discusses Helzberg Hall

The Kansas City Symphony announces our fifth of ten videos in the Helzberg Hall series. In this video, Assistant Principal 2nd Violinist Kristin Velicer explains why she is so excited to perform in Helzberg Hall at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Mark Raumaker "9 to 5" interview by Traci Angel

As a little boy, Blue Springs native Mark Raumaker dreamed of coming home in the spotlight — as the Kansas City Royals’ third baseman. Instead, he returned to perform for a different crowd.

more at kansascity.com

Laura Spencer speculates on Kansas City's "quantum leap"

A recent editorial in The Kansas City Star focused on the city’s place among other destinations when it comes to sports facilities, from the new Livestrong Sporting Park to Arrowhead Stadium. The Star stated that the “metropolitan area now has an enormous variety of large, medium and smaller buildings that offer truly world-class entertainment options.”

more at KCUR

Jim Mobberley, Kyle Hatley interviews with Steve Walker

After 10 years of bestowing cash awards on visual artists, the Charlotte Street Foundation began in 2008 to recognize performing artists who’d put their stamp on Kansas City’s arts community. 

listen at KCUR

Alvin Ailey receives $25K for AileyCamp

In these cash-strapped times, arts organizations need all the help they can get. The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey recently received a much-needed assist from the National Endowment for the Arts, which has awarded a grant of $25,000 to benefit AileyCamp and AileyCamp the Group.

more at kansascity.com

Shakespeare Festival "MacBeth" review by Grace Suh

You're living your everyday, nobody life, resigned and unsatisfied in equal measure. Nothing is close to the way you dreamed it would be, but mostly things are OK. Mostly.

more at The Pitch

Puppeteer Spencer Lott interview with Brianne Pfannenstiel

Lott toured with his own puppet company, Squiggle Puppet Productions, and joined Paul Mesner Puppets earlier this year.

more at Ink

Barbershop Harmony convention a boon to local economy

Downtown Kansas City will be filled with four-part harmony next week when the international convention of the Barbershop Harmony Society lands in its founding city, cueing an estimated economic benefit to the tune of $7.2 million.

more at the Kansas City Business Journal

Coterie "The Wiz" preview

"The Wiz" is showing at the Coterie Theatre, at Kansas City's Crown Center, until August 7, 2011. Tickets available at http://www.coterietheatre.org.

KCPT calls on budding filmmakers for electricity ideas

Create a storyboard that shines a light on the importance of electricity and win a chance to transform your bright idea into a spot on KCPT! Contest deadline is August 1st. More information at kcpt.org. Brought to you by the Electric League of Missouri and Kansas and KCPT.

KSMO focuses on local content

If you were to happen across “CinemaKC” while channel-flipping — pretty unlikely given when it airs, but whatever — chances are you’d stop on it, because it looks like nothing else on television.

more at kansascity.com

Baritone Partrick Lynch performance

Patrick Lynch, senior recital, baritone

Busker Festival dealing with Kansas budget cut

Organizers of Lawrence’s Busker Festival are feeling the effects of Gov. Sam Brownback’s decision to eliminate funding for the state’s arts commission.
The decision left a $3,500 hole in the budget for the festival, said Richard Renner, a Lawrence artist and the event’s organizer.

more at the Lawrence Journal World

Theatre League visits the Kauffman Center

Burlesque Downtown Underground "USO Show" promo

Your All-American sexy, multi-talented favorite burlesquers are bringing you a classy, summer swing'n 40's structured show dedicated to the Good 'Ole Boys! "A USO SHOW!" is a Burlesque Downtown Underground original theatrical production of a USO themed show, preview and fund raiser show for "A Rumble in the City...BOYlesque vs. Burlesque Downtown Underground" at this year's Kansas City Fringe Festival! So, grab your gal (and guy!) come down to Crosstown Station and kick off the summer "jump, jive and wail" style with the patriotic sweethearts of BDU! July 1st & 2nd, 2011 10PM at Crosstown Station, 1522 McGee St., Kansas City, MO.

Brian Stanton "Blank" interview by Sylvia Maria Gross

Growing up in Overland Park, Brian Stanton always knew he was adopted. And like many adoptees, he wanted to know something about his birth parents. 

listen at KC Currents

KC Symphony percussionist Christopher McLaurin describes Helzberg Hall

The Kansas City Symphony is pleased to announce the fourth video of our Helzberg Hall Series. Within these 10 videos, various Symphony musicians, audience members, and our Music Director Michael Stern talk about the excitement surrounding the Symphony\'s debut at the beautiful new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts this September. In this video principal percussionist Christopher McLauren shares with us the inside of the hall when it was still under construction.

Independent Filmmakers Coalition "One Night Stand" coverage by Ben Palosaari

The panty lines need to stay out of the shot. This is the consensus formed on the set of One Day Like This, a short film being made for the Independent Film Coalition of Kansas City's 11th annual One Night Stand competition.

more at The Pitch

International Institute for Young Musicians preview by Paul Koepp

The Kansas University School of Music is raising the curtain on another summer of dazzling piano playing as it hosts the International Institute for Young Musicians.

more at the Lawrence Journal World

Kim Martin-Cotten "MacBeth" interview by Robert Trussell

For anyone who has observed the local theater scene for years, it’s easy to think of Kim Martin-Cotten as a hometown girl.

more at kansascity.com

Coterie "The Wiz" review by Robert Trussell

Every now and then you see a stage show that qualifies as an event, which usually means a production that's so unique and imaginative that it's in a class by itself. And I realized at some point during the opening-night performance of "The Wiz" that I was watching just such a production.

more at kansascity.com

Starlight "9 to 5" promo videos

Quality Hill "Closer than Ever" by Robert Trussell

Humor, class and artistry pretty much define the Quality Hill Playhouse production of “Closer Than Ever,” a collection of musical vignettes by composer David Shire and lyricist Richard Maltby Jr.

more at kansascity.com

Gant Sisters biography by Peter Barrett

This video was produced by Peter Barrett Communications to commemorate the Gant Sisters and their "Music in Miniature" program. www.PeterBarrett.com.

Evan Luskin interview on "The Local Show"

Evan Luskin has announced that he is retiring as general director of the Lyric Opera...just as the company prepares to move to its new performance space at the Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts. Luskin, the Company's general director since 1998, will be retiring on June 30, 2012. Mr. Luskin's retirement will come at the conclusion of the Lyric's first year of residence in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which will open this fall.

Filmmaker Bruce Branit interview on "The Local Show"

Branit creates visual effects for major motion pictures, television and advertisements for his company, Branit FX, in the Crossroads Arts District. He opened his business in 2004 after working in Hollywood for 10 years, but Kansas City is his home and he wanted to come back here to raise a family. Branit grew up in Johnson County, graduated from Shawnee Mission East and earned an industrial design degree from the University of Kansas. Randy Mason sits down with Branit to discuss the world of Hollywood special effects.

Kansas Arts Commission's first meeting post-veto

The Kansas Arts Commission is preparing for its first meeting since Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed its budget and made Kansas the first state to eliminate its arts funding.

more at the Lawrence Journal World

Backstage at the Kauffman Center

On Wednesday, June 8 – the Kansas City Symphony rehearsed in the Muriel Kauffman Theatre’s orchestra pit.  For 2 ½ hours, several Lyric Opera, Kansas City Ballet, and Kansas City Symphony staff members wandered the theatre, listening to every note played and assessed how it sounded from different seats.  We learned as much about the theatre as we could before we load in Turandot in September.  Here is my Top Ten List of things learned:

more at the Lyric Opera

More IFC "One Night Stand" short films

IFCKC 2011 One Night Stand entry submitted by Claudia Copping (actress,singer). David Gilmore (camera, composer, co-editor), and James Schweers (writer, director, co-editor). Placed third.

One Day Like This - One Night Stand 2011

more at The Pitch

UMKC Conservatory "Conservatory Artists Series" season

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance is pleased to announce its Conservatory Artist Series at the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, giving students an unequaled opportunity. More than 300 Conservatory students from dance, jazz, winds, choral, and orchestra will perform in the Kauffman’s inaugural year, giving these students an unparalleled opportunity to experience this state of the art new hall.

more at the Kauffman Center

Bolender Center opening ceremony

Kansas City Ballet’s new home, the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity, will open to the public on August 26th 2011 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 in the morning at 500 Pershing Avenue.

more at KC Studio

KU Theatre "Dirty Work at the Crossroads" preview by Sarah Aylward

In celebration of the Kansas Sesquicentennial, the University of Kansas Theatre Department presents a melodramatic production of “Dirty Work at the Crossroads,” or “Tempted, Tried and True.” Directed by Kansas City resident Kip Niven, the production will include sing-a-long performances during intermissions led by Niven and other production crew.

more at lawrence.com

Jeff Church "The Wiz" interview by Steve Walker

For the Coterie Theatre, summer is the season to experiment with musical formulas and actors' chemistry in what they call the Lab for New Family Musicals. In essence, musical composers entrust the Coterie with condensing their familiar two-act shows into shorter one-act versions more suitable to theaters for young audiences - like its version of "The Wiz."

listen at KCUR

Footprints Foreign Film Festival preview by Eric Melin

Lawrence residents will get a rare opportunity to see some of the major classics in foreign film on the big screen during the Footprints Summer Foreign Film Festival at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.

more at lawrence.com

Theatre camps perform in Topeka

A University of Kansas alumnus’ musical twist on a classic tale and some not-quite Shakespeare in the park are among the plays and musicals being staged in Gage Park as the first session of Helen Hocker Center for the Performing Arts theater camps ends.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Starlight Theatre "9 to 5" cast greetings

Coterie "Twisted TV" summer camp

Student created TV segments for summer camp.

Topeka Opera tribute to "Opera is My Hobby" host James Seaver

The Topeka Opera Society Concert Association will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Marvin Auditorium of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th, to present a tribute  to James Seaver, the University of Kansas professor who from 1952 until his death in March was host of the weekly radio program, "Opera is My Hobby," on Kansas Public Radio.

Mitch Brian and Jason Heck discuss Shakespeare films

From Henry V to Richard III, filmmakers have transformed staged plays to the silver screen. Today the DVD Gurus, Mitch Brian and Jason Heck, discuss their favorite Shakespeare movies.

 

more at Up to Date (mp3 link)

"Best of the TallGrass Film Festival" preview

That may sound like a mouthful, or be an eyeful – but it needs to be clarified that this long-respected Wichita based festival has been showcasing regional filmmakers since its origins. It’s only natural that they should have collected an amazing array of short films in their array. All Kansas Citians might not always have the luxury of visiting Wichita for the festival, but Saturday provides a rare opportunity to see these exciting films as they are brought to our doorstep, showing for the first time ever as a package, at the Screenland Crown Center theaters.

more at CinemaKC

"Jazz in the Woods" preview by Joe Klopus

It’s easy to take a good thing for granted. Jazz in the Woods, the annual gathering of smooth-jazz, blues and pop artists that has become one of the biggest jazz events of the whole year, is an example.

more at kansascity.com

Independent Filmmakers Coalition "One Night Stand" short films

Kind of FIlms and SHANTRIM! entertainment's entry for the 2011 One Night Stand Competition. We were honored to receive the 1st place judges award, the audience choice award, and tie for the captain's award.

A short film by "Seat of the Pants Pictures" (Joe and Kathryn Gauer & Will Rogers). Here is our team's submission for the 2011 One-Night-Stand. The theme that was chosen the morning of was "Black & White vs Color", the phrase was "You're trying to seduce me aren't you?", and the object was a pen (in this case, a magic marker). What happens when an unprepared friend takes the Silent Film Drinking Game Challenge? Let's just say he has some strange dreams that cause him to run amok around town. Enjoy our new-fangled picture-show! Bully!

William Brown "The Wiz" interview by Robert Trussell

Yet “The Wiz,” which began performances this week at the Coterie Theatre, was actually a collaboration between white and black artists. Playwright William F. Brown, who wrote the book for “The Wiz,” was white. Smalls was black. Together they wrote a classic that, according to Brown, may be revived on Broadway next year.

more at kansascity.com

Westport Center for the Arts "Lincoln and Douglass" preview by Robert Trussell

Westport Center for the Arts will stage a new historical play about two towering figures in the history of civil rights, featuring respected actors Robert Gibby Brand and Walter Coppage.

more at kansascity.com

Bobby Watson performing at the Bob James Jazz Festival

Headline performer Bobby Watson plays sax at the first Bob James Jazz Festival Saturday, May 21, at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo. He was backed by Clarence Smith, James Albright and Danny Embrey. Later in the show, Marshall drummer Jay Buck joined the band. The event was a partnership between MVC and Marshall Cultural Council and received the blessing of jazz piano great Bob James, who sent a video introduction of Mr. Watson.

Ogrot "That's Science" episode 10

That's Science episode 10, Grade A Crazy! Ten steps pass Mad Scientist! Who wants to go do a line of science with us?

Quality Hill "Closer Than Ever" review by Alexia Lang

A musical revue conceived by Steven Scott Smith and featuring songs by Richard Maltby, Jr. (lyrics) and David Shire (who wrote the music for “Baby” and “Big”), it’s a fun, serious, playful, exaggerated, understated display of life presented through song.

more at The Vignette

Starlight Theatre "9 to 5" review by StageSavvy

Surprisingly sweet

Rating: 4

9 to 5: The Musical

Starlight Theatre Association

You can also read this review (with groovy formatting and photo) at my blog: http://angiefsutton.wordpress.com/.

There are many words I would use to describe "9 to 5", the movie that the musical at Starlight is based on. Funny, biting, even edgy when you consider when it was made. But sweet is not one of them. And that's just the start of where I was happily surprised with the production of "9 to 5: The Musical".

Being a regular reviewer, I have the distinction of seeing far more shows than I would normally - many of them shows I wouldn't necessarily go to see otherwise. While I wasn't not wanting to see "9 to 5", I also went in with very little expectations (and knowledge) of what I was going to see. I knew Dolly Parton had written the remaining songs, and I knew it was based on the movie (that I hadn't seen in so long, I couldn't remember that it was Jane Fonda who rounded out the main trio), and I had heard a couple of the songs on my internet Broadway radio station I listen to, but other than that, I wasn't very familiar with the show.

I went in dreading what I got out of "The Wedding Singer" musical: another show that was intentionally dated that was based on a movie. But where The Wedding Singer fails (in my mind), 9 to 5 succeeds. My biggest issue with "The Wedding Singer" was that the songs they wrote for the show are nothing like the two Adam Sandler songs from the movie they kept in, meaning when those two songs happen, it's jarring.

Parton, however, is a consummate songwriter, as I should've remembered, and almost every song feels like it belongs in the show and fits in with the title song. "One of the Boys", the Act II opening, was the only one that felt weak and didn't belong - making it a rough start, while the quatro "The Dance of Death", "Cowgirl's Revenge", "Potion Notion", and "Joy to the Girls" went a little too fast from number to number, and "Shine Like the Sun" (the Act I ending) was hard to understand the lyrics to, but that may have been more a circumstance of outdoor theatre and less the song itself.

The other songs, for the most part, were either sweet or funny (and sometimes both) - especially "I Might", "Backwoods Barbie" (which was obviously written by Parton from the heart), and the horribly awesome "Heart to Hart" (where Kristine Zbornik, as Roz, uses every bit of comic timing to make this song frackin' hilarious).

Keeping the show in the '70s makes perfect sense - there's no way this show could be made today. "Here for You", the song sung by Joseph Mahowald (as Franklin Hart) that is one big sexual harassment suit waiting to happen, only works because it's a refuge in audacity - it's so outrageous, it's absurd. And my compliments to the costumer (loved the fro especially), set design, and most especially the props for KEEPING it in the 70s (the prop/set piece of the copier is so awesomely dated, it's smexy (smart & sexy) - and where in the heck did they find a Tab for the ladies to drink?)

Diana DeGarmo, as Doralee Rhodes, did a fairly close impersonation of young Dolly (Dolly Parton, via video screen, introduces the show and characters - and when she gets to Doralee, she says, "She's ... well, you know who she is," so it's definitely intentional). And she has what I think is the best joke: as the three women get stoned, Mamie Parris (Judy Bernly) looks at her breasts, and asks, "Are these real?" (A question, no doubt, Parton gets asked more times than she cares to admit), to which DeGarmo says, "As real as the hair on my head!" It reminded me that Parton, from everything I've read and heard, is what she seems - a 'good ol' girl' who is the first to make fun of herself.

Mahowald does a good job playing the "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot", happily camping it out and playing the role as if it was Dabney Coleman (who played the role in the movie) as portrayed by Bruce Campbell. (In fact, if they ever did a movie version of the musical, I'd love to see Bruce Campbell in this role!)

Dee Hoty, as Violet Newstead, holds the show together, and does a good job of making the role her own, especially considering her character was the most serious one - having the core of the moral land on her shoulders.

Finally, kudos to Paris's Bernley - she's the one character that truly goes through a transformation in the show, and her songs and acting show it. She's shy and nervous at the beginning, stuttering her way through the early "I Just Might" - becoming a powerhouse of confidence in the penultimate "Get Out and Stay Out" - all I can say is 'wow'.

The tech was, as I'm starting to get used to at Starlight, hit and miss, with sound issues during a couple of songs. (Although I have to give them props - literally - for using an actual starter pistol and blanks for the gun.)

Going in with no expectations, I was happily impressed with "9 to 5" - to the point where I wouldn't say no to adding the soundtrack to my collection one of these days. If you're looking for a fun escape from the literal 9 to 5 world, "9 to 5: The Musical" is a funny show that is just that: an escape.

"9 to 5: The Musical" is playing at Starlight Theatre until June 26, and more information can be found at www.kcstarlight.com.

read the review at KC Stage

"Day 26" short film by Jason Hunt

A follow up to last year's DAY 15.

Gay & Lesbian Film Festival preview by Robert Butler

Get your tickets and gird your loins. GayFest is upon us. That’s the Gay & Lesbian Film Festival of Kansas City, for the uninitiated, and it gets underway Friday, June 24 at the Tivoli Theatre in Westport. I’ve been able to pre-screen several of this year’s titles; what follows is one guy’s picks of the best of the fest.

more at Butler's Cinema Scene

Starlight "9 to 5" review by Robert Trussell

The touring production of “9 to 5: The Musical” delivers just what you would expect: some good laughs and some nice tunes by Dolly Parton.

more at kansascity.com

"Khaaaaan! the Musical" cast recording released

The original cast recording of Khaaaaan! the Musical is available for download at online music stores everywhere — including Amazon and iTunes. You can also order a compact disc at Amazon on Demand. Khaaaaan! the Musical was the best-attended show of the 2010 Kansas City Fringe Festival. The recording features the vocal talents of Jay Coombes, Kevin Albert, Bob Grove, Steven Eubank, and Amy Hurrelbrink. The music is by Tim Gillespie and Michelle Cotton, with lyrics by Bryan Colley, Tara Varney, and Michelle Cotton. It was recorded and mixed by Howie at Mr. Furious Records.

download a free track (for a limited time only) at Jupiter Kansas


[Note: your humble blogger produced this album.] 

American Heartland "39 Steps" review by UCSD/UMKC

39 Steps

Rating: 3

The 39 Steps

American Heartland Theatre

I had no preconceived notions about this play, having avoided the reviews and the program notes. I enjoyed the film and the recent PBS remake, so I was looking forward to this production. I was very surprised. The script is superficial and the acting is workmanlike. That said, there were moments when I chuckled and appreciated some physical bits. But there's no substance to the piece.  The director and actors are to be praised for putting a lot of energy into this production, and the set and costumes are lovely (as to be expected from a Heartland show), but I was left wanting more.

read the review at KC Stage

Actor Rob Riggle interview by Dugan Arnett

Back before he was popping up in Will Ferrell movies and overseeing the tasering of Zack Galifianakis’ face, Rob Riggle would spin records at a little diner over near Interstate 435 and Metcalf.

more at Ink

Season ticket holder Connie Stella interview with the Kauffman Center

The Kansas City Symphony is pleased to share our second video in the Helzberg Hall series. In this series of 10 videos, Symphony musicians, audience members, and our Music Director Michael Stern discuss their excitement surrounding the Symphony's debut this September at the beautiful new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

AMC Town Center lowers prices, drops reserved seating

Perhaps customer feedback about the cost of movie tickets finally worked at one AMC theater. Prices at the Town Center in Leawood will drop $2 starting July 22, when the location ends its reserved-seating policy.

more at kansascity.com

Local jazz CD reviews by kcjazzlark

I first met Millie Edwards some fifteen years ago, when her husband and I worked at the same ad agency. He was an art director and I was the production manager. Then she was working days and singing nights, often with Everett DeVan. Today she’s best known as a Wild Woman, singing with Myra Taylor, Geneva Price and Lori Tucker as one of the Wild Women of KC, a jazz favorite.

John Sibelius interview by Brianne Pfannenstiel

John Sebelius, Lawrence artist, fashion designer, filmmaker and son of former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, has always seen a connection between his art and his political upbringing. He just never expected to see it evolve into a film about American motorcycle culture.

more at Ink

Locals appear on "Expedition Impossible"

For the Fuller sisters of Overland Park, what started out as a quest to get on “The Bachelor” ended up in the middle of the Sahara Desert, looking up at a ridiculously steep sand dune.

more at kansascity.com

Shakespeare Festival "MacBeth" cast and crew interviews

Composer Greg Mackender, Prairie Village, created music for Heart of America Shakespeare Festival for all but one season. The veteran composer said his goal this year was to capture foreboding themes.

more at the Overland Park Sun

Brian Stanton "Blank" interview by Bev Chapman

A play about to debut in Kansas City focuses on one man's discoveries about his origins.

more at KMBC

Richard Carrothers, Dennis Hennessy host Nonprofit Connect Patrons' Party

Richard Carrothers and Dennis Hennessy, who shared the 2009 Business Philanthropist of the Year Award for the New Theatre Restaurant, served as the honorary co-chairmen of Nonprofit Connect‘s 27th Annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon.  They were the hosts of the Patrons’ Party, which was held at Dogwood, their 40-acre nature reserve in Lenexa, on May 9th.  The Luncheon took place on May 13th at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel.  Heather and Jean-Paul Wong were the Luncheon chairmen.

more at The Independent

Dolly Parton "9 to 5" interview by Robert Trussell

When you read a Dolly Parton interview, the one thing you don’t get is how she sounds. The songwriter, Broadway composer, recording artist and country-music legend is now in her 60s, but her glamorous big-hair image and hourglass figure seem eerily frozen in time. And when she has something to say, there’s still an unaffected little girl who does a lot of the talking.

more at kansascity.com

Lyceum Theatre "Damn Yankees" preview by Jill Renae Hicks

The sentiment toward the New York Yankees has remained eerily the same over time, so maybe that’s why “Damn Yankees” is still an oft-performed classic after more than 50 years. The Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, a not-for-profit organization that culls talent from across the country, presents the comical tale of a man who sells his soul to the devil, “Mr. Applegate,” for his beloved underdog team, the Washington Senators, to beat the “damn Yankees” in the World Series. But it might come at the price of his wife and family. Quin Gresham directs the Lyceum’s adaptation, which began yesterday and runs through next Sunday.

more at the Columbia Daily Tribune

KC Symphony, Stefan Jackiw review by Timothy McDonald

It was the end of an era. With a wistful acknowledgement of the past and a confident nod to the future, the Kansas City Symphony bid a fond farewell to its longtime home at the Lyric Theatre on Saturday night. While the Lyric has certainly posed its acoustical limitations and frustrations, it has, after all, been the orchestra’s home for several decades.

more at kansascity.com