Spinning Tree "Hello Again", Living Room "Hurlyburly" previews by Robert Trussell

“Hello Again,” an Obie-winning musical that premiered off Broadway in 1993. Spinning Tree Theatre gets sexy with its production of Michael John LaChiusa’s

more at the KC Star

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/05/06/4221491/feel-the-heat-spinning-tree-opens.html#storylink=cpy

KC Actors Theatre 2013-2014 Season preview by Bob Evans

Count on the classics of American theater to generate excitement, and when these classic plays come from icons of the theater world, expect something special. Everyone who follows theater knows the names of noted playwrights Inge and O’Neill so what could be better to kick off a season that two of their favorite plays?

more at examiner.com

Starlight Blue Star Awards preview by Bob Evans

Kansas City’s largest theater, Starlight Theatre, located in Swope Park and adjoining the KC Zoo announced its nominations for their Blue Star Awards, based on student performances and productions across the Kansas City Metro area, to be presented May 23 in a ceremony, free to the public at the Starlight Theatre.

more at examiner.com

Musical Theatre Heritage Parlor Series featuring Harold Arlen

The MTH Parlor Series is an intimate affair seating 15-17 patrons and is presented 6 times a year in the crossroads Arts District in Downtown, Kansas City. The Series is hosted by Nationally syndicated radio host, George Harter and highlights the work of a different composer at each event.

Theatre Lawrence closes doors on old building as it prepares to move

It must seem awfully strange to Mary Doveton to be moving into a building designed specifically for theater. Theatre Lawrence’s executive director has been adapting other facilities to her needs since helping found the organization in 1977. “We just rolled with the punches of whatever we had,” she says, reminiscing on 36 years of community theater productions.

more at lawrence.com

Unicorn "My Name is Asher Lev" extended run by Bob Evans

Because of sell-out crowds, great reviews, and spreading word of mouth, The Unicorn Theater in Kansas City extends its current show, My Name is Asher Lev for another week until May 19.

more at examiner.com

Quality Hill "You've Got a Friend" review by Kellie Houx

A standing ovation is the form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after an extraordinary performance of acclaim. The collaborative voices and musicians at Quality Hill Playhouse for the current show, You’ve Got a Friend: Music That Raised the Baby Boomers, deserved every round of applause and the standing ovations.

more at KC Studio

Topeka Civic Theatre "Next to Normal" preview by Bill Blankenship

Although it is as far as a Broadway musical can get from its historic feel-good fare, those who see Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy’s Studio Series production of “Next to Normal” should leave feeling better having explored a subject that touches far more lives than any of us care to admit — mental illness.

more at the Topeka Capital Journal

Blue Star Award nominees announced

Starlight Theatre, in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, are proud to announce the official nominations for the 2012-2013 Blue Star Awards! Make plans to attend the Blue Star Awards Ceremony taking place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2013.

more at Starlight Theatre

KC Repertory, Tony Nomination on "The Local Show"

HISTORY AT THE REP: The Kansas City Repertory Theater is nominated for a Tony award. It's a first for the 49 year old theater company. We're joined by the theater's producing director Jerry Genochio.

Encore Theatre "Tut, Tut, Tusy" preview by Sheila Davis

Encore Theatre’s latest production, “Tut, Tut, Tutsy,” opens Friday at the Sermon Center Powerhouse Theatre. A dinner theater will be held on Saturday evening, but reservations had to be made in advance. Virginia Hudson, who plays Mrs. Drayton, answered some questions about the play.

more at the Examiner

Unicorn "My Name is Asher Lev" review by Deborah Hirsch

Art is Asher Lev's passion, his language, his way of interacting with everything around him. He can't remember a time when he didn't paint or draw. But this need clashes with his ultra–Orthodox Jewish faith and upbringing. It's narishkeit (foolishness), time stolen from studying and serving God. And Asher's subject matter goes against his religious teachings — surely driven, he's told, by the Sitra Achra, the forces of evil.

more at the Pitch

Dana Joel Nicholson "Book of Mormon" interview by Bob Evans

You know the story of old Broadway, “Listen kid, you’re going out there as a kid, but your gonna come back a star,” or something like that from the hit musical 42nd Street, And, it really can happen just like that. For a local actor, it just may come to fruition sooner than later because he leaves this week to join the national Broadway tour of the hit, The Book of Mormon.

more at examiner.com

KC Repertory "Christmas Story" Tony nominations by Bob Evans

Everything’s up to date in Kansas City and that’s evidenced with the theater world as well and the myriad of offerings throughout the city, but the most noteworthy and successful recent triumphs, A Christmas Story, a world premier musical at the Rep now stands as a Tony Award nominated Best Musical.

more at examiner.com

Jerry Genochio "American Buffalo" interview with the KC Repertory

Playing April 19 - May 19 at our Copaken Stage in downtown Kansas City. A plot to steal a rare buffalo nickel pits three ambitious petty criminals against each other with powerful and tragic results. Featuring what would soon become known as 'Mamet-Speak', con men Don, Teach, and Bob unleash a 'poetic profanity' designed to cajole, intimidate and manipulate each other in this modern masterpiece.

Chestnut Fine Arts 2013-2014 Season preview by Bob Evans

The Chestnut Fine Arts Center, in Olathe, KS, again features a top line up of shows guaranteed to please its devoted fan base and snag a few more season ticket holders along the way because of their line-up of Memory Lane favorites and performers who know how to please audiences.

more at examiner.com

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre 2013-2014 Season preview by Bob Evans

One of Kansas City’s popular, yet small, theater venues, the Metropolitan Ensemble Theater, known for producing the classics and building loyal audiences each year as the theater continues to develop a loyal following, just recently announced their 2014 season with a list of plays guaranteed to please Kansas City patrons.

more at examiner.com

KC Repertory "Christmas Story" Tony nomination by Robert Trussell

For the first time in its 49-year history, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre is up for a Tony Award, the annual prize that recognizes the best plays and musicals on Broadway each season.

more at the KC Star

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/30/4210974/kc-reps-christmas-story-nominated.html#storylink=cpy

KC Repertory "American Buffalo" review by Frank Siraguso

The Rep’s production of David Mamet’s American Buffalo features a gorgeously dingy set where three actors combine fast-paced dialog with intensely crowded, frenetic action.

more at Infozine

Shawnee Mission East "Little Mermaid" preview by PVPoster

Those talented thespians at SM East have drawn plenty of attention for their big production this year. But their young peers at Indian Hills Middle School have impressive talent of their own.

more at the Prairie Village Post