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: Fall Opera: Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi
The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance presents its fall opera, directed by Fenlon Lamb. Puccini’s one-act operas, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, depict divergent paths to heaven and hell. Suor Angelica tells the sad story of a nun who was sent to a convent as punishment for having an illegitimate child, featuring motherly love, pain guilt, and redemption. Gianni Schicchi is a farcical tale based on an episode from Dante’s The Divine Comedy about a greedy family trying to impersonate a dead relative and worm their way into his will. It features one of the most popular arias of all time, “O mio babbino caro.” Performance pieces include Puccini: Suor Angelica and Puccini: Gianni Schicchi.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Oct. 20 – 23
General public tickets are $12; UMKC faculty, staff and all students are free with UMKC or student ID. Tickets can be purchased from the Central Ticket Office.
Oct. 19 – 25
What: “O Beautiful”
UMKC Theatre presents the graduate production, “O Beautiful.” This production is written by Theresa Rebeck and co-directed by Stephanie Roberts and Theodore Swetz. This fiercely funny and disturbingly shocking story explores the lives of high school students, teachers and their families as they cope in a world of real personal problems and extreme ideologies.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Oct. 23
Tickets can be purchased from the Central Ticket Office.
What: The Nine Who Dared
In this uniquely interactive drama, audiences become citizens of 1957 Little Rock, Arkansas, to participate in a town hall meeting about one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement. It is three years since the Supreme Court ended segregation, and even though African American students are now legally allowed to enroll in traditionally white schools, they face daily harassment. After months of torment, one student fights back. Minnijean Brown’s act of defiance sets the stage for a thought-provoking theatre experience about the strength of character of the “Little Rock Nine.” This production is by Wendy Lement, Derek Nelson and Cliff Odle and directed by Jeff Church. After each performance of The Nine Who Dared, there is a “town hall” where the audience imagines it is in 1957 and advises the characters. Content note: The “N” word is used one time in the play, in an actual quote from one of the harassers as verified in the memoir, Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Oct. 21.
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.
What: Arterial Echoes: Three Generations of Creative Mentoring
This exhibition features seven UMKC Studio Art faculty alongside an artist who mentored them, as well as a student they have mentored.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, 5015 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Oct. 28
It’s free.
What: The Invisible Hand
The Invisible Hand is written by Ayad Akhtar and directed by Jerry Genochio. KC Rep audiences that last saw Akhtar’s acclaimed comedy The Who and The What in 2014 will now experience Akhtar’s internationally lauded political thriller. In The Invisible Hand, an American banker is taken hostage in Pakistan by captors seeking a ransom – but instead of capturing a high-level executive, they mistakenly take Nick Bright, a mid-level trader for whom his country and company will not negotiate. The three captors and their hostage strike a deal: Nick can save his own life if he can earn his ransom through stock market trades. This intense thriller reveals the complicated truth behind our simple perceptions of good versus evil and East vs. West, as we discover that the invisible hand that moves the global market is more easily manipulated than Nick’s captors believe.
Where: Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Nov. 13
Tickets are available online.
What: Have You Met Miss Jones
Legendary star of film and TV, Shirley Jones is joined by her son, Patrick Cassidy, for a world premiere event featuring stories, memories and songs from Shirley’s amazing career.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through Nov. 27
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: Bernard “Step Buddy” Anderson Exhibit
Jazz musician Bernard “Step Buddy” Anderson was an early innovator in multi-media presentations, combining slide shows with live musical performances. As an impressive amateur photographer, removed from the context of the multi-media shows, Anderson’s images provide a unique and often surrealistic viewpoint of the Kansas City landscape from the late 1970s.
Where: Special Collections Gallery, Third Floor, UMKC Libraries, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Dec. 9
It’s free.
What: The Way We Get By
After a hot night together, Beth and Doug wake up to the awkward afterglow of a complicated new reality. As they search for their clothes, they must decide if their passion can withstand the public fallout. Is love worth the risk? This sexy and surprising new work from playwright Neil LaBute will keep you guessing. WARNING: Steamy content and adult language. The production is directed by Darren Sextro.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Oct. 19 – Nov. 23
UMKC Connection: The Unicorn Theatre was started by three UMKC Theatre graduates. Ticket prices start at $27.50 and can be purchased online.
What: A Day of Dance Fundraiser
UMKC Conservatory dance students are offering A Day of Dance as a fundraiser. Participants pay a one-time ticket fee of $5 and can take classes all day. Many styles of dance will be offered including jazz, ballet, hip hop, tap and more.
Where: Studios 103, 108 and 128; James C. Olson Performing Arts Center; 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23
Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased from the Central Ticket Office.
What: Michelle Jurkiewicz, Master’s Recital
This is a master’s recital for Michelle Jurkiewicz, flute. Performance pieces include Devienne: Sonata in D Major for Flute and Keyboard; Cpe Bach: Sonata in A Minor for Solo Flute; Dutilleux: Sonatine for Flute and Piano; Takemitsu: Meguri (In memory of Isamu Noguchi); and Taffanel: Grande fantaisie sur des thémes de l’ opéra “Mignon.”
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 23
It’s free.
What: Leon Jordan & the Rise of Black Politics in Kansas City
A night of panels and Q&A exploring the life of Leon Jordan and his impact on current and future black politics in Kansas City. Leon Jordan was a well-known and highly respected politician and civil rights leader in Kansas City and Missouri. He has often been hailed as one of the most influential African Americans in Kansas City history.
Where: Miller Nichols Learning Center, Jeannette Nichols Forum, 800 E. 51st. St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24
This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested.