Before March Madness takes too firm a hold…
Check out these excellent productions on Kansas City stages. It’s rare that we have so much good theater in town at one time.
WOMEN PLAYING HAMLET (now thru March 29 at the Unicorn)
Cynthia Levin and company bring the Bard into the 21st century with this hip tale of a 20-something actress taking on the role of the tragic Prince of Denmark. Katie Karel is the thwarted thespian, juggling this greatest of all roles with a splashy soap opportunity. Will she commit to her art of make a run for the bucks in LaLa Land. Helping guide her hand are Cathy Barnett and Kathleen Warfel— those grande dames of KC theater– and Meredith Wolfe, who chew the scenery in several hilarious roles. You don’t have to like Shakespeare, but it’s a kick if you know your bodkins from your “sleep no mores.”
BLACK PEARL SINGS (Just Off Broadway Theatre, now thru Sunday).
Spinning Tree Theatre has snagged local playwright Frank Higgins‘ piece about a musicologist trying to make her career on the back of a sharecropper prison inmate who REALLY knows the blues. Vanessa Severo and Nedra Dixon do some amazing work, under the skillful hand of director Walter Coppage.
ANGELS IN AMERICA (thru March 29 at the Copaken Stage in the H&R Block Building, Power & Light District downtown).
An American classic, ANGELS gets an impressive production–both parts– from KC Rep and world class director David Cromer. Claybourne Elder leads an impressive cast that includes local favs Mark Robbins and Peggy Friesen. And you can see both parts in one day– THAT is six hours you will never forget.
JITNEY (closes Sunday at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, 3614 Main)
August Wilson‘s decalogue of African- American history includes this heartfelt piece about urban renewal and the changes it wrought in 70s Pittsburgh, Wilson’s hometown. Wonderfully acted by some of KC’s best actors– and newest faces– JITNEY proves the MET is a theater company to watch.
So put down those brackets and go to the theater, while you still think you’re going to come out on that office pool.
