UMKC’s weekly arts, sports and culture roundup
Each 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 give UMKC a vibrant campus life, and make UMKC an arts and culture powerhouse. The influence of UMKC-based and UMKC-trained alumni extends well beyond the campus’ edge, so their activities are listed here as well.
Featured Event:
What: Medea
UMKC Theatre undergraduate actors and MFA designers present a new production, Medea, adapted and directed by Joshua Kahan Brody. The play addresses the issue of the road to hell being paved with “if-onlys.” It’s easy to stand on the outside and judge. It’s easy to look in and say “what a monster, how could she?” But ordinary people do unthinkable things under the right, or wrong, circumstances. The artists lay bare the apparatus of cruelty and catharsis in this contemporary and condensed version of Medea, asking the question: When all is lost, what’s a woman to do? Medea is the timeless Greek tragedy of one woman’s struggle to take charge of her life in a male-dominated world.
Where: Room 116 of the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Feb. 26 – March 12
Tickets can be purchased from the Central Ticket Office online.
Feb. 24 – March 1
What: Over The Moon
In this hilarious comedy, two fading stars of the 1950s are playing a comedy and a drama in rotation in Buffalo, New York. On the brink of a disastrous split-up, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at regaining their stardom. One perfect performance is all they need. Unfortunately, everything that could go wrong does go wrong and no one on stage knows if they’re in the drama or the comedy.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through April 24
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates and both were presented with honorary doctorates by the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences in 2012.
What: Senior Dance Capstone Project Part 2
UMKC senior dancers present their choreography, featuring Mallory Fisher, Brooke McPheeters, Antone Townsend and Jeffrey O’Neil Teopaco Vitug. Performance pieces include The Phantom of the Opera (Vitug); Swallowing Late Septembers (Fisher); She’s Like the Wind (Alden); A.R.T (Townsend); Destruction (Vitug); This is How We Ache (Fisher); “Call Back” (Townsend); and Who (Am I) I Am (McPheeters).
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24
It’s free.
What: Tomás and the Library Lady
In this inspiring true tale of how reading and stories help us all escape, young Tomás Rivera and his family are migrant workers who pick farmers’ crops. It’s hard work. It’s even rougher for Tomás because the family moves constantly to find new crops. But one summer, Tomás visits the library. He discovers worlds filled with dinosaurs and tigers, and a great new friend. This play is from the book by Pat Mora, adapted by José Cruz González and directed by Shanara Gabrielle.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Feb. 25 – March 18
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
What: Volker Brass: UMKC Graduate Fellowship Brass Quintet
Volker Brass, the UMKC Conservatory Graduate Fellowship Brass Quintet, performs with Alex Caselman and Meagan A. Conley, trumpets; Clark Stewart, horn; Chris White, trombone; and Ryan Snell, tuba. Performance pieces include Arnold: Fantasy for Trombone, Op. 101; Russell: Abstracts No. 2 for Two Trumpets; Buyanovsky: Sonata for Solo Horn; Wilder, arr. Snell: Suite No. 1 for Tuba and Piano (“Effie Suite”); and Crespo: Suite Americana for Brass Quintet No. 1.
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25
It’s free.
What: Roof of the World
Both a spy adventure story and a drama of a British family caught in a political crisis, Roof is a sweeping romance that takes place on two continents during Queen Victoria’s rule. The action follows a young British explorer and an Indian spy in disguise as they travel into the uncharted territory of what is now Afghanistan. Their story unfolds amidst “The Great Game” — the race between England and Russia to map the Pamir Mountains to gain control of much of Asia of which they are both instrumental players. Daring escapes and fights, blossoming secret love and the transformation of a rich Victorian family put at odds with the British Empire will keep your heart racing until its final moments.
Where: Copagen Stage, 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Feb. 26 – March 27
Tickets are available from the Kansas City Repertory Theatre online or by calling 816-235-2700.
What: Senior Dance Capstone Project Part 3
Senior dancers present their choreography, featuring Abigail Hinrichs, Leah Korn, Holly Rae Lewis and Erilyn Wiltshire-Beer. Performance pieces include White Blank Page (Lustig); AWAITING (Lewis); ‘Enough’ (Anderson); To Some Transparent End (Hinrichs); Athena (Medina); HOME (Alvarez); Shine (Korn); In the Room with the Yellow; Wallpaper (Medina); and Beside the Point (Wiltshire-Beer).
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27
It’s free.
What: Saxophone Studio Recital
The recital features students from the saxophone studio of Zachary Shemon. Performance pieces include Bonneau: Caprice en forme de valse; Desenclos: Prélude, cadence, et finale; Piazzolla, arr. Isada/Sugawa: Selections from L’histoire du tango; DuboisS: Mvt. I from Concerto pour saxophone alto et orchestra; Lauba: Etude No. 17 for Alto Saxophone and Tape (“Clouds”); Corigliano, arr. Kelly: “Strobe” from Chiaroscuro; Levy: Above; and Landis: Swarm!!!
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 28
It’s free.
What: UMKC Women’s Softball vs Drake
Where: 3 & 2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 27
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Tickets start at $5. To purchase tickets, visit the website.
What: UMKC Men’s Basketball vs New Mexico State
Join UMKC men’s basketball as they celebrate the careers of current seniors with pre-game honoring. They’re calling on all ‘Roo fans to pack Municipal Auditorium as senior day will conclude the 2015-16 home season.
Where: Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:05 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission for all home games. Single tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online.
What: UMKC Women’s Tennis vs Oklahoma
Where: KC Racquet Club, 6501 Frontage Rd., Merriam, Kan.
When: 9 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 28
It’s free.
What: UMKC Women’s Softball vs Drake
Where: 3 & 2 Complex, 9600 Blue River Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 28
Current UMKC students receive free admission to all UMKC athletic events with ID. Tickets start at $5. To purchase tickets, visit the website.
What: University Singers
The University Singers perform under the direction of graduate conductor Jacob Funk and John McDonald. Performance pieces include Trad., arr Parker/Shaw: I Will Arise; Haydn: “Stimmt an die Saiten” (Awake the Harp) from DIe Schöpfung (The Creation), H. XXI:2; Brahms: Geistliches Lied, Op. 30; Brinsmead: A Soft Day; Anon., arr. Engelhardt: “Gaudete!” from Piae Cantiones; Barnum: The Stars Stand Up in the Air; Thompson: The Last Words of David; and Lutkin: The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 1
It’s free.
What: Karen Kushner, Faculty Recital
This is a faculty recital featuring Karen Kushner, piano, celebrating the 206th birthday of Frédéric Chopin. Performance pieces include Chopin: Mazurka No. 1 in G Major, Op. 50; Chopin: Mazurka No. 2 in A-flat Major, Op. 50; Chopin: Mazurka No. 3 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 50; Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60; Chopin: Waltz No. 2 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 64; Chopin: Waltz in A-flat Major, Op. 42 (“Grande valse”); Chopin: Polonaise-fantaisie in A-flat Major, Op. 61; Chopin: Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 55; Chopin: Mazurka No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 59; Chopin: Mazurka No. 2 in A-flat Major, Op. 59; Chopin: Mazurka No. 3 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 59; and Chopin: Polonaise in F-sharp Minor, Op. 44.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 1
It’s free.
What: “Exposures through Time”
This is a photography exhibit by Gregory Gutenko. View a retrospective of photographs from 1970 to 2013 by Dr. Gregory Gutenko, UMKC Associate Professor of Communication Studies. Although he has worked primarily with film and video, photography was his original medium of choice for the recognition of overlooked things and now, coming full circle, he returns to it.
Where: Link Gallery on the Ground Floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st. St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 1
It’s free.