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