UMKC’s weekly arts, sports 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 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: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”

The Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” directed by the Rep’s Artistic Director Eric Rosen, is running through April 6 at the Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center.

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is a co-production with Center Stage in Baltimore, where it will run April 16-May 25.

“Chekhov famously opined that his brooding, angst-filled plays were comedies, and Durang has shown the world that Chekhov was right,” Rosen said. “Pulling characters from famous Chekhov plays and placing them in a contemporary crumbling family manse is absurd — and Durang is a master of the form.”

The cast includes Tom Aulino (Vanya), who recently directed the Rep’s hit production of “The Mystery of Irma Vep” and acted in Annie Baker’s “Circle Mirror Transformation;” Barbara Walsh (Sonia), a Tony Award nominee for “Falsettos” who is appearing for the first time at the Rep; Mary Beth Fisher (Masha) who starred in the Rep’s production of Tom Stoppard’s “Indian Ink;” Zach Andrews (Spike) who just completed his Rep appearance in “Romeo and Juliet;” Emily Peterson (Nina), a veteran of several seasons of “A Christmas Carol” at the Rep; and Vanessa Severo (Cassandra) whose KC Rep productions include “August: Osage County,” “Cabaret” and “A Christmas Carol.”

What: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Vanya and his sister Sonia live the quiet life at the farmhouse where they grew up. But their sister Masha escaped many years ago to become a famous movie star. When Masha returns unannounced with her twenty-something boyfriend Spike, so begins an unforgettable weekend of rivalry, regret and hilarious racket.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 6.
Get more information on the Kansas City Repertory Theatre website.

Friday, March 28 – Thursday, April 3

What: Civil Rights Film and Scholars Series: “Freedom Riders.” The third film in a series of four nationally acclaimed films that connect the stories of the civil rights movement. These films were selected and shared to spark public conversations about the changing meaning of freedom and equality in U.S. history. Discussion leader: Veronica Nana Wilson-Tagoe, visiting professor in the UMKC Black Studies Program.
Where: Miller Nichols Learning Center, Jeannette Nichols Forum, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 2-4 p.m., Sunday, March 30.
It’s free. Learn more on the UMKC calendar.

What: Conservatory Concert Jazz Band and 11 O’Clock Jazz Band performs, directed by Bobby Watson and Dan Thomas.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 31.
Learn more on the UMKC calendar.

What: The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Harvey,” a comedy by Mary Chase.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through April 6.
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates and both were presented in 2012 with honorary doctorates by the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences.
Get more information on the New Theatre website.

What: UMKC’s Gallery of Art is currently featuring Jorge García Almodóvar’s “en bloc.” Almodóvar’s work is driven by his belief in simplicity of expression.
When: The exhibit will run through April 11.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, 204 Fine Arts Building, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Get more information through UMKC’s press release.

What: From Whiteboard to Boardroom: The EyeVerify Story. Three key figures in the company’s rise are coming together to tell their story in a free public forum.
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 2.
Where: Miller Nichols Learning Center, Room 451, 800 E. 51st St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Get more information in UMKC’s press release.

What: Conservatory Wind Ensemble performs.
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 2.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
Get more information on UMKC’s calendar.

What: “The Five Obstructions” film screening. This is part of the Communication Studies Department’s Movies about Making Movies film series. Tickets are free for UMKC students, faculty, and staff with UMKC ID. All others $5.
When: 7-9 p.m., Thursday, April 3.
Where: Tivoli Cinemas, 4050 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
Get more information through UMKC’s press release.

What: Design Speaks: John English. English was influenced and inspired by his early experiences in Connecticut where he was raised in the company of New York’s most talented illustrators, including his father, internationally recognized illustrator Mark English. This is a part of the Art and Art History Department’s 2013-2014 Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series.
When: 4 p.m., Monday, March 31.
Where: Fine Arts Building, Room 106, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free. Get more information on the Art and Art History website.