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: UMKC Women’s Tennis vs Kansas State
Where: Carriage Club, 5301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 3 p.m., Saturday, March 26
It’s free.
March 23 – 29
What: Spring Opera: Britten’s The Turn of the Screw (Conservatory Artist Series)
The UMKC Opera Theatre presents Benjamin Britten’s enigmatic and chilling chamber opera The Turn of the Screw based on the Henry James novel. It tells the tale of good versus evil, natural versus the supernatural, possession and exorcism, all of which follow the trials and tribulations of a new Governess at Bly House. Tensions mount as she gets to know the inner workings of the house and those living within. This tautly constructed opera tightens and closes in with astonishing dramatic and musical power, creating the overwhelming feeling of intense claustrophobia. The opera is directed by Fenlon Lamb and guest conducted by John Baril.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., March 22 – 25
Tickets: $12 general public; UMKC faculty, staff, and all students are free with UMKC or student ID. Tickets can be purchased online.
What: The Whale
The Whale takes place in a small town in Idaho. Written by Samuel D. Hunter and directed by Sidonie Garrett, the play is about a six hundred pound man who sits alone devouring junk food. Determined to reconnect with his long estranged daughter, he discovers a spitfire teen with an acerbic tongue. Savagely funny and deeply touching, this first production of Hunter’s work in Kansas City will show beauty in the unexpected.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 27
UMKC Connection: The Unicorn Theatre was started by three UMKC Theatre graduates. Ticket prices start at $27.50 and can be purchased online.
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. 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:Now through March 27
Tickets are available from the Kansas City Repertory Theatre online or by calling 816-235-2700.
What: The Fantasticks
This is a funny and captivating musical journey that tells the triumphant story of two young lovers, their meddling fathers and the wall that divides them. With its memorable soundtrack that has touched generations of musical theatre audiences, this timeless classic will be brought to new life on KC Rep’s Spencer stage. It’s the longest-running musical in Off-Broadway history for a reason. This is theatre magic in its purest form, with clever props, snappy dialogue, plot twists and the mesmerizing performances of a stunningly talented cast. The delightful drama starts as a tale about a boy and a girl whose fathers lovingly hatch a plan to bring them together. But when the sly El Gallo steps in to assist, the young lovers experience the harsh realities of life before wising up to the world and fully realizing their love. A small cast never made such a big impression. It is directed by Jerry Genochio. The music is by Harvey Schmidt and the book and lyrics are by Tom Jones.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 10
Tickets are available from the Kansas City Repertory Theatre online or by calling 816-235-2700.
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: “Exposures through Time”
UMKC Libraries presents the exhibition, “Exposures through Time.” This is a photography exhibit that features a retrospective of photographs from 1970 to 2013 by Dr. Gregory Gutenko, UMKC associate professor of communication studies. Although Gutenko 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 photography.
Where: Link Gallery, Ground Floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 30
It’s free.
What: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils: Records of Earth’s Story
Rocks, minerals and fossils are windows into the past and are used to reveal the events and changes in the Earth over the past 4.6 billion years. They also provide resources essential to civilization, and display beauty in color and form in myriad ways. Dr. James B. Murowchick is an associate professor in the UMKC Department of Geosciences. He has carefully curated an array of rocks, minerals, fossils and natural resources from his personal collection and beyond just for the UMKC community. These are the materials beneath our feet, and we welcome you to experience them up close.
Where: Dean’s Gallery, Fourth Floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 30
It’s free.
What: Where the Wild Things Are
This acclaimed adaptation of Sendak’s beloved classic is an intimate guided interactive play experience. The audience helps transform Max’s bedroom into a forest, then become Max’s benevolent monster friends and are encouraged to “let the Wild Rumpus begin!” After Max is ultimately crowned ruler, the audience also helps bring him safely home. PreK – second grades receive Adventure Tickets, which offer floor seating and audience participation with Max! Third grade and older will be seated in the main audience. This performance is based on the book by Maurice Sendak and directed by Kim Selody. Presentation House Theatre is the artistic director. It was originally adapted for the stage by TAG Theatre Glasgow, Scotland.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 7
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
What: Ezgi Karakus, Lecture-Recital
This is a doctoral lecture-recital for Ezgi Karakus, cello. The Topic is “Ahmed Adnan Saygun’s Partita for Solo Cello: a history of Saygun’s legacy as demonstrated in his partita.” The performance piece is Saygun: Partita for Solo Cello, Op. 31.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, March 25
It’s free.
What: Alt. Lecture KC
Adrian Switzer and Eddie Villanueva present Alt. Lecture KC. Alt. Lecture KC is a nomadic educational platform that pairs a local aesthetic producer with someone from outside the city in unique presentations and dialogue. Alt. Lecture KC began in 2013 within the Charlotte Street Foundation’s Urban Culture Project, and is currently in partnership with the UMKC Art and Art History Department.
Where: Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, 4420 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, March 25. The reception is at 5 p.m. and the lecture at 6 p.m.
It’s free.
What: Shupei Wang, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Shupei Wang, violin; with Xiangyu Zhao, piano; and Daniel Yung, cello. Performance pieces include Prokofiev: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in D Major, Op. 94a; Ysaye: Sonata for Violin No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 27 (“Ballade”); and Shostakovich: Trio for Piano and Strings No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67.
Where: Diastole, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 25
It’s free.
What: Madeline Tarantelli, horn (Lecture-Recital)
This is a doctoral lecture-recital for Madeline Tarantelli, horn. The topic is “Routine for Brass Players: The Benefits of Group Warm-Up.”
Where: UMKC Student Union Theater, 5100 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Noon, Saturday, March 26
It’s free.