College Town. City Life.

Photo by Brian Paulette

UMKC Theatre, KCRep present ‘Antony and Cleopatra’

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: Antony and Cleopatra
As part of the OriginKC: New Works FestivalUMKC Theatre and KCRep present a workshop production of Antony and Cleopatra. This is a new, modern-language adaptation of Shakespeare’s story of two lovers torn between their passions for each other and their duties to their countries. The play is directed by Jason Bohon, adjunct instructor in Movement Performance at UMKC Theatre, and has an ensemble cast of eight.
Where:
Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 
Now through May 14
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 816-235-6106.

May 10 — 16

What: I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard
UMKC Theatre Professor Theodore Swetz and UMKC Theatre alumna Dina Thomas are the sole cast members of the Unicorn Theatre’s newest play, I’m Gonna Pray For You So Hard. The play is by Halley Feiffer and directed by Jeff Church. It’s about the complicated relationship between a competitive young actress and her famous playwright father, and the intrigues that go on behind the scenes in the production of new art within the New York City theater world. It’s a powerhouse drama with darkly funny and shocking insights into the minds of artists, addiction and the attempt to overcome a father’s legacy.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 14
UMKC Connection: Three UMKC Theatre graduates started Unicorn Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 816-531-PLAY (7529) x10.

What: Inside the Art Life of Adrienne Walker Hoard
Beyond her life as a professor at UMKC, Adrienne Walker Hoard, M.F.A., Ed.D., is an accomplished painter, photographer and jewelry maker. Her work will be on display at the Miller Nichols Library.
Where: Dean’s Gallery, Fourth Floor, Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 19
It’s free.

What: Elephant and Piggie’s “We are in a Play!”
When “bestus” friends Elephant and Piggie get together, anything is possible! They might get invited to a fancy costume party, learn a crazy new dance or decide to spend the day playing ping-pong in silly hats. Adapted by Mo Willems from his wildly popular book series, this lively musical features Gerald Elephant and Piggie and their delightfully nutty back-up singers, the Squirrelles, discovering the fun of being in a play – all the while encouraging the audience to join in for some interactive fun. The script and lyrics are by Mo Willems. The music is by Deborah Wicks La Puma.
Where: The Coterie, Crown Center, Suite 144, 2450 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 21
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded The Coterie.
Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Box Office at 816-474-6552.

What: The Dixie Swim Club
Five Southern women, whose friendships began many years ago on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands, kids and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other’s lives. The Dixie Swim Club focuses on 4 of those weekends and spans a period of 33 years.
Where: New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: 
Now through July 2
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates; the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences presented both honorary doctorates in 2012. For tickets and show times, visit the website.

What: Student Exhibition
The UMKC Gallery of Art announces the 2017 UMKC Student Art Exhibition. It features the work of 18 graduate and undergraduate artists. All currently enrolled students at UMKC were eligible to submit work across a variety of media including painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design and video.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Room 203, Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through July 27
It’s free. Free parking is available in the Cherry Street Parking Garage, levels 5 and 6.

What: Making History: Kansas City and the Rise of Gay Rights
Kansas City’s pivotal role in helping to launch the modern gay rights movement is the central story of a new exhibit built by faculty, students and staff at UMKC.
Where: Miller Nichols Library, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through Sept. 30
More information is available online at GLAMA.

What: Xiangyu Zhao, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Xiangyu Zhao, composer. Performance pieces include Zhao: Eight Songs of Li Yu; and Zhao: Landscapes of the Western Glory Land.
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 11 E. 40th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m., Thursday, May 11
It’s free.

What: Kim Abeyta, Senior Recital
This is a senior recital for Kim Abeyta, flute; with Dan Velicer, piano. Performance pieces include Telemann: Methodical Sonata in A Minor for Flute and Basso Continuo, TWV 41:a2; Schubert: From Sechs Lieder, arr. for Flute and Piano; Martin: Ballade for Flute and Piano; Loeb: Six Preludes: Studies on East Asian Pipes, Volume I, for solo piccolo; and Poulenc: Sonate for Flute and Piano.
Where: Diastole Scholars Center, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Thursday, May 11
It’s free.

What: Elaine Ng, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Elaine Ng, violin; with Cheung Lun Charles Tsui, piano; and Xueli Liu, piano. Performance pieces include Beethoven: Romance in F Major, Op. 50; Beethoven: Romance in G Major, Op. 40; Brahms: Sonata No. 3 in D Minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 108; Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56; and Prokofiev: Sonata No. 2 in D Major for Violin and Piano, Op. 94bis.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 11
It’s free.

What: Omari Abdul-Alim, Senior Recital
This is a senior recital for Omari Abdul-Alim, violin; with Dan Velicer, piano; Ashely Stanfield, viola; Jason West, cello; and John Livingston, piano. Performance pieces include Bach: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001; Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47; and Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25.
Where: Country Club United Methodist Church, 400 W. 57th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  2 p.m., Friday, May 12
It’s free.

What: Chun Hang Samuel Huang, Doctoral Recital
This is a doctoral recital for Chun Hang Samuel Huang, violin; with Xueli Liu, piano; and Cheung Lun Tsui, piano. Performance pieces include Ysaÿe: Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin, Op. 27, No. 2; Poulenc: Sonata pour Violon et Piano, FP 119; Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 23; Kreisler: Variations on a theme on Corelli in the style of Tartini; Kreisler: Caprice Viennois, Op. 2; Paradis: Sicilienne in E-flat Major; and De Falla/Kreisler: Danse espagnole.
Where: Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Rd., Fairway, Kan.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, May 12

What: Academy Studio Recital
Conservatory Community Music and Dance Academy students perform.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Noon, 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 14
It’s free.


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