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: Little Women
This is the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance Spring Opera. It is guest directed by Fenlon Lamb and guest conducted by Ward Holmquist. Little Women is based on the Louise May Alcott book about growing up in New England after the American Civil War.
Where: UMKC White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Center for Performing Arts, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: March 17-20, 7:30 p.m.
For tickets, contact the Central Ticket Office.

March 18-24

What: Unplugged Open Mic
Where: Student Union, Coffeehouse Stage, 5100 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 12 – 2 p.m.
It’s free.

What: HAIR: Retrospection
The Kansas City Repertory Theatre presents this concert documentary event. Directed by KC Rep’s Artistic Director Eric Rosen, the musical that defined a generation and brought rock music to the theatrical stage, HAIR: Retrospection captures the essence of the revolution and passion of the 1960s. In addition to its legendary score, this production will feature documentary interviews with original Broadway artists and continues KC Rep’s tradition of reimagining the classic musical. Book and lyrics are by Gerome Ragni and James Rado. Music is by Galt MacDermot. It is produced for the Broadway stage by Michael Butler and originally produced by the New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre. This production contains adult language and situations, and images of brief nudity. It is appropriate for ages 17 and older.
When: March 20 – April 12
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Center for Performing Arts, 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
For tickets and information, contact KC Rep.

What: Black Pearl Sings
UMKC Creative Writing MFA Program teacher Frank Higgins presents his play, “Black Pearl Sings!” at Spinning Tree Theatre.
Where: Spinning Tree Theatre, 3051 Penn Valley Dr., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 22
For tickets and information, call 816-569-5277 or visit Spinning Tree Theatre online.

What: Spring Exhibition Men’s Soccer vs Creighton
When: Saturday, March 21, 3 p.m.
Where: Durwood Stadium, UMKC Campus, 5080 Cherry S., Kansas City, Mo.
It’s free.

What: Women Playing Hamlet
A National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere by William Missouri Downs and directed by Cynthia Levin. Endearingly awkward, Jessica has just been cast as Hamlet and she’s freaking out. Armed with a snappy PowerPoint, a Hamlet handbag and text messages from Patrick Stewart, she dodges the slings and arrows of outrageous characters played by an all-female cast. It’s time for her to woman up or sell out when faced with the greatest role ever written.
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 29
For tickets and show times, visit the Women Playing Hamlet website. 

What: Angels in America
Angels in America is written by Tony Kushner and directed by David Cromer. The Kansas City Repertory Theatre production is a world-class revival of this modern classic. The most honored play in a generation, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Angels in America melds love, hate, religion and politics into a uniquely American epic. Sensitively reimagined, Angels in America changed the landscape of American theatre. This production is appropriate for ages 17 and up. It contains adult language, sexual content and nudity.
Where: Copaken Stage, 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through March 29
For ticket prices, show times and information, visit the KC Repertory Theatre website.

What: The Muñeca Project: An Exhibition by David Ford
For the last 35 years, David Ford has pursued an interest in Guatemalan culture. He first traveled there in the 1980s, during its civil war, as an observer for Amnesty International, bearing witness to the potential violence in the region. In 2009, while visiting the lakeside market town of Panajachel, an object caught Ford’s eye – a muñeca, or doll. Vendors use these plastic doll busts with braided hair to demonstrate the various styles of hair wraps marketed to tourists. The Muñeca Project incorporates econometrics into drawings, paintings and installations ultimately confronting issues of classical political economy and post-colonial theory.
Where: UMKC Gallery of Art, Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes St., Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through April 3.
It’s free. For information, visit the UMKC Gallery of Fine Arts website.

What: The New Theatre Restaurant presents, “Forever Plaid”
This internationally acclaimed musical revue tells the story of four young, eager, male singers who in 1950 meet their demise in a bus crash on the way to their first big concert. Every evening they return from Heaven to posthumously fulfill their dreams, to perform the concert that never was.
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster St., Overland Park, Kan.
When: Now through May 3
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.
For tickets and show times, visit the website.