Frank Higgins "Gunplay" interview by Robert Trussell

The dream of most writers — novelists, screenwriters, playwrights — is to create a work that remains relevant. Frank Higgins, a Kansas City-based playwright, has achieved that — although the continued relevance of a play he wrote more than 20 years ago is a little depressing.

more at the KC Star

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/26/4204534/kc-playwright-frank-higgins-gunplay.html?utm_source=feedly#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/26/4204534/kc-playwright-frank-higgins-gunplay.html?utm_source=feedly#storylink=cpy

Ingrid Stölzel, Park University interview by Julie Denesha

The new director of the International Center for Music at Park University says the young musicians who study in the program often arrive with the same dream.

more at KCUR

Lied Center 20th anniversary by Sara Shepherd

In the not-so-distant past, Deb Kraushaar had to hire off-duty school buses to transport elegantly dressed patrons of the arts up the hill from parking lots by Allen Fieldhouse to performances at Hoch Auditorium. For shows she couldn’t schedule in Hoch after it burned — and there were many — Kraushaar, secretary of Kansas University’s Concert Series, juggled churches and other venues across town, and even Topeka. Not to mention stage equipment rentals. In 1993, things changed in a huge way.

more at lawrence.com

Rare silent film highlights Native Americans

A movie nine decades in the making will see its 21st-century premiere on Saturday in Larned. The rare silent movie made in 1920 features a cast of more than 300 Kiowa and Comanche people.

more at the KC Star

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/21/4195279/rare-1920-film-featuring-300-comanche.html?utm_source=feedly#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/21/4195279/rare-1920-film-featuring-300-comanche.html?utm_source=feedly#storylink=cpy

Denyce Graves visits the Mutual Musicians Foundation

It closes at sunrise.  So let’s place the start of the day, last Saturday, at noon. Maybe twelve-fifteen. That’s about when Denyce arrived.

more at kcjazzlark

Historic Film Row district Orion Building torn down

The Orion Building at 118 West 17th Street, in the Crossroads, is now a pile of rubble. The building was part of the city's historic Film Row District, a group of buildings in which movie studios used to store films and distribute them to area theaters.

Heather Laird, Dennis Fallon, Film Commission of Greater KC interview by Michelle Davidson

The Film Commission of Greater Kansas City is hosting a Production Industry Meet Up to discuss bringing more major films, like Winter's Bone and Up in the Air, to Missouri. Heather Laird talks to us about how the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City is trying to increase Missouri tax credits to bring even more major films to the state.

more at KC Live

Nelson-Atkins Electromediascope ends with "The End"

During the past two decades, Electromediascope has exhibited the works of more than 350 artists from 53 different countries of origin. The three-season, annual program featuring contemporary film, video, new media, sound and performance art at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will close its two-decade run with the final three-evening program at the museum on April 12, 19 and 26, appropriately titled The End. Electromediascope is co-curated by Patrick Clancy and Gwen Widmer.

more at the Midtown KC Post

Milton Morris a link to KC's jazz past

One of his favorite stories was of New Year’s Eve, 1932. He paid Kansas City vice squad members $10 each to raid his club at 12:30 and 3:30 a.m., to clear the joint out and turn the crowd.

more at kcjazzlark

"Heart and Soul" performed by the cast of "Carousel"

How many cast members of Carousel does it take to play Heart & Soul? Come see them (and many more!) in Carousel at KC Rep presented by The Living Room ending April 6.

Coterie Theatre rebranding by Robert Trussell

Founded in 1979 by Judith Yeckel and Vicky Lee, the nationally recognized company has grown from a no-budget storefront operation in Crown Center Shops to one of Kansas City’s established companies, providing employment to scores of actors and other theater artists each year and attracting tens of thousands of viewers during a typical season.

more at kasnascity.com

Starlight Theatre tour by Michelle Davidson and Michael Mackie

STARLIGHT PKG

Kauffman Center in the snow

Even though I already have probably a thousand photos involving the Kauffman Center, I had about none with snow, and someone has expressed interest in licensing some snow/KPAC pics, so I grabbed a few in case.

more at Eric Bowers Photoblog

KC Repertory "Carousel" review by brave_one

Refreshing and Creative Rating: 4


CAROUSEL
Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Walking through the backstage area to our seats was interesting enough apart from my eagerness to see this show, partnered creatively by KC Rep and the Living Room. Older theatre patrons were looking around, curious to see the other side of the theatre, which made me smile.

Being both part of the audience and somewhat part of the show was intimate and exciting all at the same time. The light bulb effect was the perfect touch to this mostly bare stage, and the timing of this effect was seamless.

I would have known Steven Eubank was credited for the choreography without looking at the program: energetic, whimsical and anything but standard.

Although Rusty Sneary does a fine job portraying a rough-around-the-edges Billy, and Molly Denninghoff a strong and confident Julie, it was Liz Clark Golson that really stood apart from the rest of the cast. Yes, the character of Carrie is simply that: a "character," but Golson's energy and expert comic timing were outstanding. Also, Nick Uthoff is memorable as Jigger, with an excellent comic scene between he and Golson.

Lastly, kudos to the ensemble for keeping their energy up throughout this lengthy show!

A few constructive criticisms: 1) The opening scene for Act 2 (That Was a Real Nice Clambake) simply did not match the rest of the production. It was too sex-heavy and seemed out of place. 2) Mrs. Mullin's character was wearing a dress that looked like a current-day fashion you could pick up at Target, and showed way too much skin. 3) There is a scene where the ensemble enters from behind the audience with a sudden loud noise/yell that made everyone jump - maybe a little bit much with the age of some of the patrons - don't want a medical emergency.

Overall, a unique and refreshing take on a classic piece of musical theatre in a setting like none other, and a talented and energetic cast that will leave you wanting more. Bravo to Kyle Hatley, KC Rep and The Living Room for a job very well done!

Tatsuya Nakatani, Walnut Place Laundromat performance by Dave Michael

Amazing percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani playing at the Walnut Place Laundromat in Kansas City, MO.

Phtotos at Rocket Grants

Nakatani, a creative percussionist originally from Osaka, Japan, has been residing in the USA since 1994. Currently based in Easton, PA he has released over sixty recordings in the USA and Europe and has performed countless solo percussion concerts through intensive touring since the late 1990s. He has collaborated with hundreds of other artists internationally and presented master classes, workshops and lectures across the USA and around the world.
For more information visit his website: hhproduction.org/TATSUYA_NAKATANI_WORKS.html

This concert was part of "Byproduct: The Laundromat" a program organized by Sean Starowitz to cultivate a deeper understanding of socially engaged art practice in Kansas City. The program will bring together both local and national practitioners from the field to collaboratively discuss and challenge the notion of art spaces, community programming, and the role of the audience, all while utilizing a laundromat as its main venue. The project is financed by a Rocket Grant through the Charlotte Street Foundation in Kansas City, MO and the KU Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence, KS, with funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
More information available here: rocketgrants.org/rocket-grants-projects/the-projects-2012-2013/byproduct-laundromat/

Tatsuya Nakatani, Walnut Street Laundromat performances by Steve Paul

Improvisational percussionist

Another section from his improv at the Walnut Street Laundromat.

Another clip from laundromat recital.

  Never seen this before: Nakatani blows through cymbal opening on top of drum head, a primal wail.

Robert Trussell surveys small theatre companies

Theater companies come in two sizes: Big and small.  And these days Kansas City has more small professional theater companies than ever before.

more at kansascity.com

Is there enough audience for all this theater?

Too much theater? That question hovers as a result of the dramatic growth of professional productions of plays and musicals in recent years. Is there enough audience to fill all the available theater seats in Kansas City? Nobody can provide a definitive answer, but the consensus seems to be that so far the potential audience has kept pace with the proliferation of theatrical entertainment.

more at kansascity.com

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/03/15/4120881/can-kc-theater-companies-fill.html#storylink=cpy

"Handcraft KC: Adventure Indoors Woodworking" short documentary by Scout Visual

Adventure Woodworking creates unique, high-quality furniture using locally reclaimed materials. This profile reveals the philosophy and story behind the company. Visit adventurewoodworking.com to find out more about this awesome Kansas City company. Handcraft KC is a series of short films that offer a glimpse into the lives and passions of Kansas City artisans. Featuring craftspeople that have resurrected often lost art forms and production methods, these films both educate and inspire viewers about the revival of handcrafted goods in KC.

"Tri State Tank" industrial short by Joseph Pollock

Tri State Tank is a leader in the assembly of Propane Trucks, Refined Fuel Trucks, Vacuum Trucks and Lube Trucks.