Saturday, December 12, 2009

Theatre for Young America Offers Gift Certificates for Classes

PRESS RELEASE

Theatre for Young America is a gift that keeps on giving!

Do you have an aspiring young actor in the family?  Or just someone who loves seeing fantastic stories played out before his or her eyes?

Theatre for Young America is the perfect holiday or birthday gift because a TYA Gift Certificate can be fashioned to fit the recipient's interests and your budget.

Give the gift of a fall semester, spring semester, or full year of drama instruction at either our Avila University location in Kansas City, Missouri, or our Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City location in Shawnee, Kansas.  Classes are available for young people from 3.5 years of age through 12th grade.

Or buy a single performance to one of our plays at Union Station, or season ticket (3 or more plays) for the young person in your life.

Have you thought about purchasing an outreach workshop for a girl scout, boy scout, or youth organization? Or purchasing an enrollment to one of our summer 4-day workshops, weekly Saturday classes, or our two-week all day summer camp?

However you design your gift certificate, your child or teen will be delighted.

Call Theatre for Young America at 816-460-2083 for all the details and to order now!

Theatre for Young America is a professional theater company, which primarily employs local actors, many of whom are members of Actors Equity Association.

Theatre for Young America, Inc., is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.  Gifts are tax deductible.

Ann Spivak Writes About Performing in "The Nutcracker"


Clara had a problem.The young girl, the star in “The Nutcracker,” got her hair stuck in the carriage and knocked off her crown. No dancer would want to repeat that mistake.

more at kansascity.com

Billie Mahoney Interview by Ann Spivak



Local dance legend Billie Mahoney recently celebrated her 82nd birthday at the Blue Room, tap dancing with Lonnie McFadden.

more at kansascity.com

Christopher Durang Interview by Robert Trussell




Christopher Durang, who has been writing challenging, serious and comical plays since the 1970s, now looks back and sees that he chose his artistic path at an age long before most people know what to do with their lives. He just can’t say why.

more at kansascity.com

"How the Symphony Saved Christmas" Review by Robert Trussell



"I'll be the first to admit that's tough to resist full-blown symphonic arrangements of traditional holiday music. And so "How the Symphony Saved Christmas," a revamped version of the Kansas City Symphony's annual holiday show, had me as soon as the orchestra launched into Leroy Anderson's Christmas Festival, a multi-hued medley of secular and sacred tunes."

more at kansascity.com

"Little House on the Prairie" reviewed by TheatreDiva

The following review has been posted to kcstage.com.

Little House on the Prairie
The Coterie Theatre
Rating: 4 of 5

Review: It IS a Wonderful Life

The following review has been posted to kcstage.com.


It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
by American Heartland Theatre
Reviewed by: wong@kc.rr.com
Rating: 5

I very much enjoyed the production last night! I was hesitant when I learned it was a "radio play", but it came out excellent. Zuzu did great for a 6 year old. The sound effects were incredible. The most amazing thing was when George Bailey and Pa were having a discussion and it was Tim Scott doing both sides. His voice was right on the money for both characters, almost as if it was a recording from the movie. Thanks for getting me in the Christmas spirit and a very Merry Christmas to you all!

See the Performance Listing
Read the Review Online



Friday, December 11, 2009

Brian McTavish Reviews "Wicked"



There’s a great deal of talent on display in “Wicked,” which had Thursday’s large audience at the Music Hall clapping and laughing and likely later buzzing to friends about what a good show it was to clap and laugh at. Indeed, a commercial success.

But unless you’re a major fan of the “Wizard of Oz” or a 12-year-old girl – honestly, both would be best – the nationally touring Broadway musical may strike you as more turgid than terrific.

more at KC Confidential