She&Her "Urinetown" review by Lindsay Adams

The play “Urinetown’”s premise is based on the conceit that somewhere in the indeterminate future, there is a 20-year drought. To conserve the water, people are not allowed to have any private toilets. A company called UGC has taken over public toilets, calling them “public amenities,” and charge people ridiculous fees to urinate. They are in cahoots with the government and police, making urinating anywhere other than a public amenity illegal. As Penelope Pennywise, a rough and tumble woman who is in charge of Public Amenity #9, sings, “It is a privilege to pee.”

more at the University News

Unicorn "God of Carnage" review by Robert Trussell

There’s nothing novel about dramatic entertainment that argues that we’re all savages underneath our gossamer-thin façades of civilized behavior. But playwright Yasmina Reza toys with it in unpredictable ways in her short, volatile “God of Carnage.”

more at kansascity.com

"WaterFire" photos by Ekey and the Librarian

Although it is in its sixth year, this was the first time The Librarian and I had ever been to the arts and music event. Music, arts and more importantly FIRE!

more at Wednesday Weekly

Charlotte Street, James Mobberley review by DSM

The Charlotte Street Foundation’s annual Generative Performing Artist Awards Celebration at the H&R Block ‘City Stage Theater’ in Kansas City’s Union Station last night was really excellent. I especially enjoyed the part of the program honoring UMKC Conservatory composition faculty member James Mobberley, featuring two of his compositions.

more at Chamber Music Today

Music therapist Janalea Hoffman interview on "It's Our Community"

Janalea Hoffman: Music Therapist. Owner, Rhythmic Medicine.

"Kanza Art" short film by Stephen Locke

The Kinatic art of M.T. Liggett

Mullinville, Kansas

Soundtrack Moby Love Song

Precision Motion Control Systems for Film and Photography
http://puppyrail.com/

Tokyo String Quartet review by Timothy McDonald

It’s always a special occasion when the Tokyo String Quartet, one of the world’s premier chamber music ensembles, comes to town. A moderately sized yet fervent audience at the Folly Theater Friday night seemed to agree as the ensemble, presented by the Friends of Chamber Music, displayed an elegant and finely wrought sound.

more at kansascity.com

Coterie "Children of the Damned Corn" review by tragicomedy

Deliciously Corny

Rating: 4

Children of the Damned Corn

The Coterie Theatre

I was looking forward to this play ever since the Coterie announced this season's offerings.  Although poking fun at horror movies is not a unique idea, writer and director Ron McGee made the perfect choice in penning this script using iconic B-movies and memorable characters.

Set in the 1950's, sugary sweet couple Milt and Betty find themselves stranded in Gatlinville, Nebraska after a car accident.  The town, home to an old creamed corn factory, is deserted save a few surviving adults.  Crazed child leader Malaki has taken over the factory with his cult-like group, whose white haired, red-eyed followers aim to kill anyone that gets in their way.

If you're looking for a night of fun, the script alone will do you good.  Several nods to well-known fright films are peppered throughout the scenes and McGee's laugh factory of a show produces on-the-spot humor for both adults and children alike.  (Yes, even some jokes that only the adults will get.  We'll tell the children when they're older.)

Most of the lead actors, especially Pete Weber, Teisha M. Bankston, B.J. Allen, Martin Buchanan and Kimberely Queen, do a fine job in delivering the script's corny (couldn't help it) humor and campy melodrama.  Bankston and Buchnan especially won me over with their smart comedic timing and ability to connect with the audience.  McGee's large cast of child actors appeared to relish their roles.  Despite a few opening night hesitations with line delivery, entrances and exits, the kids provide excitement and movement to the play - they are what the audience looks forward to seeing on stage.  I would love to say more, but I won't spoil some of the fun for you.  Let me just add that the costumes (by Megan Turek) and highly anticipated massacre scenes are a delight.  Kudos to the playwright-director for orchestrating this ensemble (with two child casts!) into what became the highlight of my fall theatre experience.  Don't let the words "corny" and "campy" that I use in this review drive you away from seeing this spectacle.

McGee and Scott Hobart, co-set designers, did a marvelous job with constructing the corn factory.  It's just so much fun to look at – the child in me wanted to explore the set.  I also delighted in the sections of cornfields that the children moved around the stage.  Art Kent should also be mentioned for creating a spooky atmosphere with his lighting design.

"Children of the Damned Corn" will be performed through Oct. 30 at the Just Off Broadway Theatre.  Make sure to look up directions on the Coterie's web site instead of relying on your GPS.  (My GPS was confused.)  Children under 13 will not be admitted to the show.