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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

One of Kansas City’s best kept secrets, UMKC Theatre, will present a diverse range of theatre this 2010–11 season, introduce design-your-own ticket packages, and launch Industry Nights at Monday performances. Dynamic co-productions are scheduled with the Coterie Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, KC Repertory Theatre, and – for the first time – an American masterpiece with Kansas City Actors Theatre at the World War I Museum located at the Liberty Memorial. 

“This year, we feature three graduate productions on campus, as well as continuing ‘The City Is Our Campus’ theme by also presenting five exciting co-productions with professional theatres in the city,” said Tom Mardikes, Chair of UMKC Theatre. “UMKC Theatre continues to be ‘ Kansas City ’s Best Kept Secret,’ but now the secret is OUT! Make sure to attend this season of enchanting, riveting productions—to uncover the secret for yourself—come see what you’ve been missing!”

New this season, theatre goers may design their own ticket package choosing the productions, dates and times that best fit their schedule from any of the MFA and Undergraduate shows at UMKC Theatre. Four show options are available at affordable prices (see the Ticket Information section for options and prices).

Traditionally on Monday nights the stage is “dark” with no performances. However this year, UMKC Theatre is introducing “Industry Nights” on Mondays so that theatre professionals and others will have the opportunity to see UMKC Theatre shows. Tickets are $10 each for all UMKC Monday night campus shows and are open to the general public.

MFA Productions:

“Miss Julie”
The battle over power, love and lust will be played out in the season opener, “Miss Julie.” Adapted by Craig Lucas and directed by Carla Noack, this 19^th-century production takes place at a midsummer night’s annual party for the servants at a grand estate. Miss Julie and her servant engage in a dangerous dance of desire, intimacy and betrayal in Lucas’s new adaptation of Strindberg’s classic drama. The production will preview Oct. 2–7; open formally Oct. 8 and run through Oct. 24.

“The King Stag”
A powerful magician, a good king, an evil prime minister, heart-sick lovers, and silly servants—all frolic in Carlo Gozzi’s 18^th-century fairy tale, “The King Stag.”  Written in the style of commedia dell’arte, this fanciful story is set in the forest of Roncislappe in the kingdom of Serendip , where deceit, lies, magic, murder, betrayal and loyalty all share the stage in the pursuit of true love.  Directed by Stephanie Roberts and Theodore Swetz, “King Stag” will preview Oct. 23–28 and run Oct. 29–31 at the Helen F. Spencer Theatre , Olson PAC.

“They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” (New Original Work)
This is a world-premier adaptation of an American classic story for UMKC Theatre by Emmy-award-winning writer Ron Hutchinson. “They Shoot Horses Don’t They?” depicts the craze of marathon dance competitions that sweeps through 1930s Los Angeles, where the unemployed and desperate dance for weeks, and sometimes till death, to win money and fame.  This is recession-era reality TV, only better. Directed by Barry Kyle, the production previews April 23–28, 2011 and runs April 29–May 1.

Undergraduate Productions:
“Black Comedy/The White Liars”
Peter Shaffer, of Equus fame, composes a delightful duo of one-act comedies. The White Liars takes us to the den of Baroness Sophie Lemberg, a seaside fortuneteller, to delve the depths of identity and self-deception. Brindsley Miller, in Black Comedy, must face a world thrown into chaos when a power outage threatens his carefully balanced romantic, social, and professional life. Black Comedy/The White Liars leads a myriad of colorful characters through a series of mistakes, mistrusts and misdirections in a not-to-be-missed theatrical event.  Preview – Oct. 19–22; Runs Oct. 23–30.

“The Shape of Things”
The Shape of Things is a chilling look at how far we are willing to go for love and for art: how far for the right look, the right clothes, the right weight, the right girlfriend, the right TV camera in the bedroom. How far is too far? Not appropriate for children under 13. Preview – Feb. 16–18; Runs Feb. 19–26.

Co-Productions:
UMKC Theatre will undertake five major co-productions this season with four distinguished Kansas City theatre groups.

“Distracted” Co-produced with the Unicorn Theatre
This production will preview Nov. 23, 24, and 26 (no performance on Thanksgiving Day); formally opens Nov.27 and runs through Dec. 12.

“Oh! What a Lovely War” Co-produced with Kansas City Actors Theatre at the National World War I Museum
This production will preview Feb. 11–16, 2011, open Feb. 17 and run through 27. There will be two 10 a.m. matinee performances for schools and special groups: Feb. 18 and 25. Please call (816) 784-1926 for more group information.

“The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza” Co-produced with the Coterie Theatre
This production runs March 4–6, 2011 at the Coterie Theatre, Crown Center .

“Ruined” Co-produced with the Unicorn Theatre
This production will preview April 13–15, 2011; formally opens April 16 and runs through May 1, 2011.

“A Christmas Carol” Co-produced with KC Repertory Theatre
It previews Nov 19–27, 2010; opens Nov 28 and runs through Dec 26, 2010. This production is not included in the UMKC Theatre season ticket “Add On” package. For tickets, please contact the KC Rep Box Office at 816-235-2700.

 For tickets call 816- 235-6222 or online at www.umkc.edu/theatre 

UMKC Theatre has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top graduate theatre training programs in the country. The program trains a select group of highly talented actors, designers, stage managers and dramaturges for careers in the performing arts. Graduates from the UMKC program are invited to the most prestigious New York competitions and auditions to exhibit their work and secure positions with national and international performing companies. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA).

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.  UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a three-part mission: visual and performing arts, health sciences, and urban engagement. UMKC has been designated as Missouri ’s Campus for the Arts. More information is available online at www.umkc.edu/theatre/.