UMKC’s arts and culture roundup
Every week, the University of Missouri-Kansas City offers an array of on-campus activities. It’s nothing new. UMKC has a long legacy of hosting countless culturally enriching events. These activities are part of what has made UMKC an arts and culture powerhouse. The influence of UMKC-based and UMKC-trained artists extends well beyond the campus’ edge, so their activities are listed here as well.
Featured Event: “A Christmas Carol”
For many Kansas Citians, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” isn’t just a play. It’s a holiday tradition.
More than one-half million audience members have enjoyed Charles Dickens’ literary classic since the Rep began producing the holiday favorite in 1981. It runs now through December 26.
Dickens’ ageless story about the ghostly experiences of the hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge delivers a message of hope, love and redemption.
The 32nd annual production of “A Christmas Carol”is directed by the Rep’s Associate Artistic Director Kyle Hatley. Gary Neal Johnson is a UMKC alumnus who has played the role of Scrooge for eleven years.
The large-scale production of “A Christmas Carol” employs a cast of 69 Kansas City actors, designers and production professionals, including 14 members of Actors’ Equity Association (the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States), UMKC faculty, graduate students in the UMKC Professional Actor Training Program, and children and young performers from the metropolitan area.
What:“A Christmas Carol.” Complete with lively musical numbers, ornate costuming and dashing stagecraft, Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption continues to remind us what’s really worth celebrating.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Room 326, 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: November 16 through December 26.
UMKC Connection: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at UMKC.
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Friday, November 23 – Thursday, November 29
What:“Look Attractive.” The UMKC Gallery of Art presents a curated exhibition that features work from seven national and international artists who address the subject of attraction.
Where: 204 Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Exhibit runs through January 14.
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What:Family Day: 1920’s Style. The Toy and Miniature Museum’s Family Day will include an interactive jazz program, and the opening of an Art Deco Jewelry Store.
Where: Toy and Miniature Museum, 5235 Oak Street,
Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, November 23, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Get more details.
What:Graduate Fellowship Woodwind Quintet.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Thursday, November 29, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free. Get more details.
What:“On Display: Exploring Body Image,” a multi-media, group invitational exhibition. The selected works explore the broad concept of “body image” through a variety of methods – urging viewers to rethink personal perceptions.
Where: Greenlease Gallery at Rockhurst University, 1100 Rockhurst Rd, Kansas City, Mo.
When: The exhibit will run through December 1.
UMKC Connection: UMKC Studio Art BA student Jason Carron’s work is included in the exhibit.
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What:“Dwell(ing).”The artists in this show were simply given the title, “Dwell(ing).”
Where: The Beggars Table Church and Gallery, 2010 Baltimore Ave.,Kansas City, Mo.
When: The exhibit will run through December 31.
UMKC Connection: Art BA alum Christopher Clark’s work is included in the exhibit.
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What:The Blue Gallery presents Rich Bowman’s “Passages,” Stephen Dinsmore’s “New Paintings” and Sarah Williams’ “Homeward.”
Where: The Blue Gallery, 118 Southwest Boulevard,
Kansas City, Mo.
When: Exhibition runs through December 3.
UMKC Connection: Kelly Kuhn, co-owner of the Blue Gallery, is a UMKC graduate.
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What:The New Theatre Restaurant’s “The Game’s Afoot,” features Marion Ross, best known for her role in “Happy Days.”
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Ks.
When: Now through January 20.
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates and both were presented this year with honorary doctorates by the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences.
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What:The Coterie Theatre presents “Shrek the Musical,” based on the DreamWorks film.
Where: 2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Performances began December 30.
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
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What:Beetoven’s “Pastoral.” Acclaimed guest conductor Osmo Vänskä, music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, opens with one of his specialties: Jean Sibelius’ tone poem En saga. Lise de la Salle makes her Kansas City Symphony debut with Prokofiev’s dazzling First Piano Concerto.
When: Friday, November 23, 8 p.m.
Where: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.
UMKC Connection: The Kansas City Symphony was founded by faculty member Karl Krueger in 1933.
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