UMKC’s weekly 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: “Burnt by the Sun”

UMKC Theatre completes its 2012-2013 season with a Chekhov-like adaptation of a feature film, “Burnt by the Sun.” Directed by Tom Mardikes, “Burnt by the Sun” will preview May 3-7, open May 8, and run selected dates through May 12 at Studio 116, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.

This production opens like the familiar work of Chekhov and then turns into a production hit by violence so sudden and so shocking it echoes the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Russian/French movie, which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film, is adapted for the stage by Peter Flannery.

“The 1994 Academy Award-winning film set in the USSR in 1936 plays like a Russian version of Fellini’s wonderful film Amacord, a mid-1930’s reflection upon life in an Italian coastal town under Mussolini’s fascist regime.” Mardikes said. ““Burnt by the Sun” however, goes worse than medieval– it goes totally Stalinist at the end. The whole effect is intensified in Flannery’s stage adaptation of the film.”

Cast and Artistic Team
The main roles in “Burnt by the Sun” are played by:

Jessica Biernacki Jensen (Maroussia) is a graduate acting student. Most recently she appeared as Letta in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of “Death of a Salesman.”

Logan Black (Kotov) is a graduate student. UMKC productions include “The Lady from the Sea,” “Eat This! KC Chews on the Politics of Food,”  “A Winter’s Tale,”  “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” and “Cymbeline.”

Vincent Wagner (Mitia) is a graduate acting student.  UMKC productions include “Eat This! KC Chews on the Politics of Food,” “The Lady from the Sea,” “The Winter’s Tale,”  “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” and “Cymbeline.”

Tom Mardikes directed the 2008 Kansas City Actors Theatre production of “Taking Sides” featuring Gary Holcombe and Mark Robbins, and he co-directed the 2008 UMKC Theatre undergraduate production of “Nadya” with Johnnie Wolfe.  He has worked as a sound designer since 1981on over 250 professional productions nation-wide. He has been head of graduate sound design training at UMKC since 1986, and the chair of the UMKC Theatre since 2001. Mardikes co-founded Kansas City Actors Theatre in 2005 as an artist-led, artist-driven small professional theatre company.

What: UMKC Theatre presents “Burnt by the Sun.” This production opens like the familiar work of Chekhov and then turns into a stunning production hit by violence so sudden and so shocking it echoes the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Where: Studio 116, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: May 3-12.
Single ticket prices are: Adult, $15; Senior (60+), $10; Non-UMKC Student, $10; UMKC Faculty/Staff, $10; UMKC Student, $6. Industry Night is Monday, May 6; tickets are $10.  For tickets, call the Central Ticket Office at (816) 235-6222 or purchase online at www.umkctheatre.org (additional fees apply with online ticket purchase).

Friday, May 3 – Thursday, May 9

What: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents “American Buffalo.” Winner of the Obie Award and New York Drama Critic’s Best Play Award, American Buffalo tells the story of Don, Teach and Bob’s struggle to get ahead. Centering on a scheme to recover a buffalo nickel recently sold from Don’s Resale Shop, the three discover realities about business, leadership and ethics, all told from the petty theft view of the pursuit of the American Dream.
Where: Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 19.
Get more details.

What: “Srimary Ptructures” is Justin Beachler’s first solo exhibition at Dolphin Gallery. A painter and conceptual artist based in Kansas City, Mo., Beachler’s work has recently been shown at such Kansas City gallery spaces as Fokl, Spray Booth Gallery and The Base Gallery.
Where: Dolphin Gallery 1600 Liberty St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Exhibit runs through May 11.
UMKC Connection: Beachler is a graduate of UMKC’s Art and Art History program.
 Get more details.

What: A master’s recital with Xin Jing, flute; Dan Velicer, piano.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Friday, May 3.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A master class with cellist Eric Kim, professor of music (cello) at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.
Where: James C. Performing Arts Center, Room 125, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 4.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A senior recital with Jena Wight, trumpet; Tate C. Addis, piano; Alyssa Murray, piano; Dominique Sanders, bass; and Ryan J. Lee, drums.
Where: Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A doctoral lecture-recital with Seungwon Lee, soprano; Richard Williams, piano.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Saturday, May 4.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A senior recital with Emily Botts, soprano, and Lee D. Thompson.
Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 4041 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A master’s recital with Kurtis Shoemake, baritone; Natalia Rivera, piano.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A doctoral recital with Li-Hsin Chen, piano; Shih-Han Pan, violin; and Mei-Chun Chen, viola.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: Violin professor Benny Kim presents a spring concert.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m., Sunday, May 5.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A senior recital with Jana Hutsler, mezzo soprano; Li-Hsin Chen, piano.
Where: Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E 55th St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2:30 p.m., Sunday, May 5.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: An undergraduate recital with Alyssa Bell, viola; Bridget Clonts, piano; and Jonathan Eddy and Marissa Carlson, violins.
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1700 Westport Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Sunday, May 5.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A joint undergraduate recital with Evelyn Wouters, soprano; Chris Carbin, bass; Matthew Siegel, piano and Alana Bruner, flute.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When:  5 p.m., Sunday, May 5.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A master’s recital with Noah McNair, double bass; Jonathan Young, piano; Shih-Han Pan and Terris Roberts, violins; Kevan Clarkston, viola; and Jeff Millen, cello.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Sunday, May 5.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: The Conservatory concludes its 2012–13 Conservatory Artist Series. Join Robert Olson as he conducts the Conservatory Orchestra. The orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, one of the most widely recognized choral symphonies in the Western canon, Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and Conservatory student Filip Lazovski, winner of the inaugural Chancellor’s Concerto Competition, will perform Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14 with the Conservatory Orchestra.
Where: Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 6.
Get more details.

What: A senior recital with Joshua Zornes, percussion; Evan Maslak, vibraphone.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 7.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A doctoral recital with Aurelien Bastien Boccard, piano; Abby Lloyd, clarinet; and James Mitchell, cello.
Where: Diastole, 2501 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 7.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A doctoral recital with Jessica Diana Salley, soprano; Natalia Rivera, piano; Brian Werner, narrator; and Yu Jiang, piano.
Where: Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, Kan.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 7.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A junior recital with Kevan Clarkston, viola; Bridget Clonts, piano; and James Westbrook, clarinet.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 7.
Get more details.

What:  A master’s recital with Shih-Han Pan, violin; Wan-Ju Ho and Jonathan Young, pianists.
Where: Grant Hall, Room 122, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m.,Wednesday, May 8.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: A master’s recital with Richard Jeric, piano.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 5 p.m., Thursday, May 9.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: Conservatory Saxophone Quartets. Saxophone students of all levels perform in quartets, directed by Tim Timmons.
Where: Grant Hall, Room 122, 5227 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: An artist certificate recital with Katie Howard, flute; Tate C. Addis, piano
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: UMKC’s Gallery of Art presents the UMKC Student Exhibition. All currently enrolled students at UMKC were eligible to submit work across a variety of media, include painting, photography, printmaking, graphic design, and video. The exhibition features pieces by 29 artists.
Where: Fine Arts Building, Room 203, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Through May 17.
It’s free. Get more details.

What: The Coterie Theatre presents “Bud, Not Buddy.” Bud’s momma never told him who his father was, but leaves a clue leading him to a roadhouse band. This comic ‘Oliver Twist’ story follows Bud “not Buddy” Caldwell as he solves this jazz-era mystery set in the Midwest.
Where: 2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through May 19.
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
Get more details.

What: “Weekend Comedy,” starring Cindy Williams of “Laverne and Shirley,” features two couples who rent the same Catskills cabin for the same weekend by mistake.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When: Through June 16.
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.
Get more details.

What: The Blue Gallery presents Alyssa Monks’ “Presence.”
Where: The Blue Gallery, 118 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Exhibition runs through June 3.
UMKC Connection: Kelly Kuhn, co-owner of the Blue Gallery, is a UMKC graduate.
Get more details.