Classical,
Baker's Bach, Mass in B Minor magnificent
A sizeable audience assembled Tuesday evening, March 31st at Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral to hear the William Baker Festival Singers perform Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental B Minor Mass. It was the crowning glory of a month of magnificent musical offerings in Kansas City that ranged from a passionate Trout Quintet by the Quartet Accorda to the Academy of Ancient Music's superlative complete Brandenburg Concertos, from the dazzling soprano of Mary Dunleavy in Lyric Opera's La Traviata to the farewell concert of the Guarneri Quartet paired with the Johannes Quartet in Mendelssohn's Octet.
One might wonder how a local semi-professional choir of about 50 members could even hope to be included in that short list of extraordinary performances, but the answer is simple: the B Minor Mass is the masterpiece compendium of prolific Bach's astoundingly profound body of works, acknowledged to be one of the most difficult works to perform, and the Baker Festival Singers rendered it with great beauty and depth in a setting deserving of its performance.
From the opening bars of the 'Kyrie,' Baker achieved with the choir a full, transparent choral blend that sparkled in the high range of the sopranos, and was gloriously grounded by some of the best choral bass singing imaginable. The chamber orchestra, many of whom are on the roster of the Kansas City Symphony, supported and enhanced the choir, and added impressive glitter in the high range by trumpeters Philip Clark and Keith Benjamin, and a driving virtuoso bass continuo by contrabassist, Jeffrey Kail. The vibrant, rich ensemble was complemented skillfully by organist, Dr. O. Wayne Smith. Soloists Jennifer White, soprano and Charles Martinez, tenor, who appeared as soloists in the William Baker Summer Singers' performance of the Beethoven 9th Symphony last August, returned to contribute their talents to this outstanding performance, as well.
Particularly moving was the sublime entry of the choir in the 'Qui tollis peccata mundi,' where the altos were matched in somber timbre by the sopranos. Baker led the ensemble seamlessly into the 'Qui sedes' following, in what was one of the most effective sections of the 'Missa' section. Suspensions built one upon another in near whispers of 'misere nobis' in transcendent tonal painting of the Latin text for 'have mercy upon us'. It was there that the audience was introduced to stand-out soloist, mezzo-soprano, Kristee Haney, whose seemingly effortless agility in scaling Bach's vocal demands was exceptional. Haney's clear, steady tone rang with strength and perfect intonation the night long, and even in the lower register her projection remained powerful and beautiful to hear. A graduate of UMKC, Haney is currently earning a Master of Music degree from the University of Kansas in opera performance.
Horn soloist, Kelly Cornell, third horn player with the Kansas City Symphony, provided another of the highlights of the evening in the number following. Performed on a modern double horn, Cornell stood to play the extended horn solo that comes almost an hour into the work. Her ringing tone bounced beautifully throughout the cathedral space to the accompaniment of Kail on double bass and bassoonists, Brent Fillmer and Jodie Lin.
The work concluded with an ennobling 'Dona nobis pacem' crowned by the trumpets to bring the work to its close, and the audience to its feet with heart-felt appreciation.
REVIEW:
William Baker Festival Singers & Ochestra
Dr. William O. Baker, Conductor
Bach's Mass in B Minor, BWV 232
with Dr. O. Wayne Smith, organ, Sarah Burke and Jennifer White, soprano,
Kristee Haney, mezzo-soprano, Charles Martinez, tenor, Joshua Lawlor, bass
Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 7:30 pm
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
www.festivalsingers.org
Fiona's List for April 6 - 12
Last week I was amazed by the 14 concert opportunities at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. This week I'm raving about their 15 concerts and all but two of them have free admission! The offerings this week include cello, clarinet, flute and oboe duo, jazz band, piano concerto with chamber orchestra, saxophone, solo tuba, euphonium, and cello, soprano, string quartet, violin and more.
This week I've "narrowed down" my personal favorites of the week to three concerts - and THIS week, they are all on different days, so you can attend them ALL! On Tuesday the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is performing on the Harriman-Jewell series with a star-studded cast (see the calendar for the program and names of the stars). On Friday the fabulous Karen Kushner will perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major with the UMKC Conservatory's Chamber Orchestra. Finally Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., you can hear the fabulous Benny Kim in his annual Easter Sunday Chamber Music Concert that will include the Death and the Maiden String Quartet of Franz Schubert.
The list of events also includes an 'interesting venue of the week' - students of Tom Stein's tuba/euphonium studio and members of Carter Enyeart's cello studio will present a concert on Wednesday at Pi and Coffee on East 18th St. The concert is free, but there will be pie, coffee and artwork for sale.
No matter what the weather, I hope you will take advantage of the wonderful concerts that are available to you in the KCMetropolis this week.
We at KCMetropolis.org are thrilled to announce some exciting new changes with our website. Beginning Wednesday, April 15, this e-blast will go out on Wednesdays, rather than Mondays and will cover 12 days of events. With generous corporate and individual donations (thank you dear supporters!) we will unveil a new KCMetropolis.org editorial site on April 29. And then in Mid-May, we will launch a new calendar that will be much easier and clearer to navigate. In the meantime, keep sending your events to me. Watch for more information over the next few weeks. To read the press release, click here.
Fiona HIGHLY recommends another list of events for families, friends, educators and neighbors of children 10 and under. Miss Jackie's April list includes Jazz Storytelling, KCPT reads (where everyone from newborn to 8 yrs old receives a brand new book free), Easter egg hunts and free pony rides, a Teddy Bear Picnic, Read to a Dog and more. To receive her monthly list, send an email to: missjackielists@gmail.com.
Until next Monday morning,
Fiona
Film,
FILM REVIEW: Gomorra opens the eyes, but dulls the senses
You know it's a bad day when you go to the nearest salon to get a nice tan and manicure and suddenly you are whacked by someone you thought was your friend or ally. Of course that kind of day seems to be commonplace in Naples, Italy, the setting for the Italian mob drama Gomorra.
Inspired by the 2006 bestseller of the same title, Gomorra is a bleak, oppressive, sometimes bloody look into the all-too real world of organized crime where it's all about three things - to kill, to score, and to make money.
The story takes place in the impoverished projects of Naples where the crime syndicate known as the Camorra, whose roots there can be traced back to the 19th century, has a hand in every illegal enterprise imaginable and the cops are seemingly impotent to stop them.
Gomorra follows five storylines - a young boy who delivers groceries but looks up to those who carry guns; two out-of-control friends who hate Colombians and quote Scarface; a garment maker who goes for some easy cash to help the Chinese start their own textile factory and pays a high price for globalizing; an executive who profits from illegally dumping toxic waste, which troubles his young protégé; and a man trapped in a thankless job that requires him to collect money from project residents for the Camorra.
Recipient of the Grand Prize at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Gamorra is a complex look into an organization that inspired a best-selling novel by author Roberto Saviano. Saviano, who was given a 24-hour police escort by the Italian government after receiving death threats from the Camorra, claimed in 2006, when he was 28, that 3,600 people had been murdered since his birth.
While Gamorra is supposed to be a meaningful snapshot of what is happening in Naples, it is too scattershot to have much of a deep impact. Five different storylines with characters that never intersect with one another might work in a novel format, but not in a cinematic one. There is a complete lack of depth with all of the major characters which equals a lack of meaningful emotional connection to them.
Overall, the film could have used a lot more dirt to really punctuate the real brutality of the Camorra. Gamorra is eye-opening in some respects but it fails to really shock the system or to be truly memorable, as say 2002's City of God was.
After watching Gomorra, you may want to visit Greece instead if you want a nice Mediterranean tan or manicure.
On a letter grade scale from A being excellent to F for failing, Gomorra receives a B-.
Gomorra is rated R and has a running time of 135 minutes.
Now Showing
Glenwood Arts
9575 Metcalf, Overland Park
Visit www.fineartsgroup.com or call 913-642-4404 for more information.
KC Events this week and beyond
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Theatre ,
American Idol Ain’t Misbehavin’
Ain't Misbehavin'" is a Big League Productions Tour, starring American Idol winner, Ruben Studdard. The show was conceived and directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. with the help of Murray Horwitz ."Misbehavin'" is essentially a musical revue showcasing Thomas "Fats" Waller, a 1920s-era Jazz pianist, composer and entertainer.
The first thing I noticed, and must mention, was the set. Perfection. Designed by John Lee Beatty, it was reminiscent of an ornate jazz club. There were lighted arches dominating the stage, highlighting the jazz band upstage center. The detailed piano was down front with a period-style light for the talented David Alan Bunn, the piano player and music director. Café tables and round cushioned benches completed the look.
But that wasn't all. With the help of the tremendous lighting design by Pat Collins, new elements were revealed throughout the show. For example, the musicians were revealed when the upstage curtain was lit from behind. Also, the lighted arches had many different details that only appeared during certain numbers. My favorite lighting effect was when the performers were silhouetted on the back curtain, upside-down, during "The Viper's Drag".
The show format was a bit strange at first. There were 15 songs in the first act, one right after the other, and 17 in the second act. I enjoyed the second act more, either because I liked the songs better, or because I was finally used to the format. Several times there was a small scene to set up a song, but there were few to no speaking lines.
Ruben Studdard is a star. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge American Idol fan, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but he was fabulous. His voice is smooth, and very expressive. He has wonderful stage presence, his dancing was good, and he seemed to be having a lot of fun. My favorite song Ruben sang was an Ada Benson and Fred Fisher song called "Your Feet's Too Big".
Frenchie Davis, another American Idol contestant who just completed a run in "Rent" on Boradway, was another favorite. She has some very good comic bits and a killer voice. She sang the high-energy "Cash for Your Trash" and the 1929 jazz standard "Mean to Me", which nearly brought down the house.
Patrice Covington was lovely, and very energetic. In each song she found a different character to play, so she was also interesting to watch. She really got the show started by singing "Squeeze Me", which was an audience favorite. Arthur W. Marks was a great dancer and his voice complemented the other singers very well. I was disappointed he only got one solo song, "The Viper's Drag". Trenyce Cobbins rounded out the cast with energy and versatility. She did a wonderful job with "Keepin' out of Mischief Now".
The costumes, recreated by Gail Baldoni, were fine. Studdard wore a pin-striped suit, which looked very sharp. Arthur had a three-piece suit, and the ladies had on lovely dresses. I thought the costume color choices for the first act were strange. But the hats and dresses for the second act were very nice. I especially liked Frenchie's purple dress, which was very flattering.
A word of warning, the choreography was often suggestive, and I could tell some of the patrons in the theatre were uncomfortable. This is not a show for the kids.
I'll be honest, after the show I went home and bought some of the songs on iTunes, because they were so good they were stuck in my head. If you are looking for a relaxing night of good vocals and jazz music, this is the show for you.
REVIEW:
Lied Center at KU
"Ain't Misbehavin'"
7:30pm, April 4, 2009
Lied Center, KU Campus, Lawrence, KS
www.lied.ku.edu
Classical,
Hope springs eternal: The Kansas City Symphony with Emanuel Ax
Behind the Maestro's podium, the lid of the enormous Steinway grand piano was wide open, like a treasure box full of gold. When viewing a pianist in concert, the seats located within view of the keyboard are highly desirable and the effect is like being on a ship where all of the people are sitting port side. My seat was in the lofty crow's nest.
Teaming up with the Symphony for this Classical Series concert was the piano virtuoso, Emanuel Ax. Ax looks like an elder statesman whose wisdom and experience would come in handy when advising world leaders. He is stocky with distinguished grey hair and when he smiles, you can't help but smile back. He is a musical ambassador of sorts, travelling the globe performing, teaching and recording. His influence has shaped the field.
The Brahms Concerto No.1 in D Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op.15 was well programmed and well played, but it lacked luster. As the second performance a three night run, the energy seemed to flag. The strings slowly led the orchestra into the piece with broad strokes only to be derailed by a slightly out of tune trill at a key moment. Outstanding contributions were made by the horns and the double reeds as they periodically provided a single pure note that colored the piece.
When Ax played it was exquisite. At sixty years of age, he plays with a sensible passion. Although he rubs his hands from time to time between sections, he is still amazingly nimble. The ascending and descending trilling run at the end of the second movement was seamless. Dynamically sensitive, he controls every aspect of his touch.
The Concerto is a good example of the emotional rollercoaster that was 19th Century Romantic style. Like the old joke about Kansas weather, if you don't like it...wait a minute, young Brahms balanced nostalgia and angst until the final movement when he wove the themes together in an elaborate rondo. The Symphony was deft and able and supported the soloist with consideration and care.
Mr. Ax graciously returned to the stage after an appreciative ovation, to perform one of the gem-like Schubert Impromptus.
Beethoven's 6th Symphony, The Pastorale, written as the softer sequel of the bombastic fifth symphony, is synonymous with springtime. Birds sing, people frolic and thunderstorms roll across verdant fields.
Seeing the orchestra in action is the key to a fresh understanding of this piece. Watching Stern employ a range of motions to speak to the Symphony is fascinating and watching the soloists insert their instrumental voices puts a face on the orchestra. The lively woodwind trio of bird song pops up here and there as does the talented bassoonist. Hearing it live is so much better than listening to a recording.
Even though the seats near the ceiling were hot and cramped and a sense of vertigo was setting in, the Kansas City Symphony is still worth its weight in gold. I don't blame the few patrons who had to leave after the second movement of the Beethoven; they stuck it out as long as they could.
Hopes for the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts are running high. The KC Symphony is working hard to deserve the new space, and they do deserve it. After 27 seasons in the uncomfortable and acoustically challenged Lyric Theater, the audience deserves it too.
REVIEW:
Kansas City Symphony with Emanuel Ax
Friday, April 3 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 4 at 8:00 p.m. (Reviewed)
Sunday, April 5 at 2:00 p.m.
Lyric Theatre, 10th and Central, Downtown Kansas City, MO
www.kcsymphony.org
Classical,
Taking care of business: The Calder Quartet
The Calder Quartet arrived in white shirts, black suit coats and skinny ties. Instead of briefcases, they carry string instruments, each from a different performance period. They are prompt, attentive and sticklers for detail. Just the sort of ensemble any presenter would be proud to hire.
Their job is to turn audiences on to 20th and 21 century string quartet music and they don’t take it lightly. Where some touring groups will slough off a performance or two in some out of the way place like Lawrence, Kansas, this ensemble seems to understand that if they let down any audience, they let down the composers, many of whom are close friends - and then everyone would lose. They are dedicated and loyal to their field.
The program presented Thursday April 2nd at the Lied Center in Lawrence, was entitled American Masterpieces-Chamber Music. Selling chamber music in the vacuous Lied Center is tough. There isn’t a sense of intimacy, but with the intensity of the selections they chose, a little space wasn’t a bad thing.
Composer Terry Reilly’s pieces opened and closed the evening beginning with the Mythic Bird Waltz he wrote in 1983. According to the liner notes, he had been inspired by his studies in Hindu music and utilized sitar techniques and raga. The opening bars were long chords that crushed and crunched harmonically. The fast sections dodged and wove like a fast paced car chase. Aside from the first violinist’s solo imitating a Khayal, the Hindustani vocal genre, the Indian sounds weren’t obvious to my ear. Living in a global economy, Americans are used to imports. As exotic as India is, the musical material doesn’t sounds as fresh today as it might have sounded in the early 1980’s but with the success of the film, Slumdog Millionaire, audiences can appreciate this piece in a new way.
The visceral Christopher Rouse piece, String Quartet No. 1 written in 1982 was particularly exciting. The second violinist and spokesman, Andrew Bulbrook describes Rouse as a close personal friend of the group who wrote the piece just after his girlfriend dumped him. Knowing that bit of trivia, made the piece come completely alive. Touted as a 17-minute scream of rage, it was like being inside the brain of a man in turmoil. Rouse makes it sound like the strings are shouting expletives. The music is overloaded and confused and the ostinato underlay feels like a pacing heartbeat: one can almost hear the blood surging through veins and agitated breathing. Toward the end the rage dies and gives way to the feeling of complete emotional exhaustion. The healing could begin. It was spectacular.
How the Quartet had any energy left to perform the last piece in the first half is a mystery. The Quartet for Strings No. 4 by Ben Johnston is a great example of a composer taking a well loved folksong, like Amazing Grace, and through an “ill-tempered” (as intentionally opposed to “well-tempered”)series of variations, twists the audiences ear: hard. The piece opens with a very “out of tune” statement of the theme in four parts. Instead of sounding foreign, it hits a good old American homerun reminding me of the Sacred Harp Shape note singers. The subsequent variations utilize compositional techniques from the ages. Renaissance polyphony is followed by a fugue leading into a “flight of the bumblebee” variation ending with a Pagannini-esk violin solo dripping with rubato.
The final composition of the night was the multi-movement work by Terry Reilly called Cadenza on the Night Plain. It was written for the members of the Kronos Quartet and weaves the story of the forced American Indian migration with virtuosic solos from each of the members. The cadenza’s didn’t work for me. According to the notes, they were written with the personalities of the Kronos members in mind. The gentlemen in the Calder Quartet, thereby, had to channel the Krono’s spirits to really embody the solos and they didn’t. If Terry Reilly were to write new cadenzas for the Calder Quartet, the piece would be more authentic to the original concept.
The Calder Quartet works hard and plays hard. They have a cerebral approach that challenges listeners to expand. There are great chamber pieces being written every year by talented unknown composers. I hope the Calder Quartet continues to extract new material that enlarges the scope of the American musical mind.
REVIEW:
Lied Center at University of Kansas
Calder Quartet
Thursday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Lied Center
19th and Iowa Streets, Lawrence, KS
www.lied.ku.edu
City Voices,
Vocal Column for March 30 - April 12
After a frantic March for choral music in our area, we finish off the month with one of the great masterworks in the genre. Then we cool off as area ensembles begin preparing for end-of-the-season events. The offerings here are relatively few, but highly interesting and exciting.
The William Baker Festival Singers
Mass In B Minor
By Johann Sebastian Bach
Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 pm
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
13th and Broadway, Downtown Kansas City, MO
Bach's Mass in B Minor is widely considered one of the top if not the absolute crowning achievements in western music history. Due to the work's scope and difficulty, this work has not been performed in Kansas City for a very long time. Don't miss this one time opportunity to experience Bach at the height of his powers. Orchestra members are drawn from the Kansas City Symphony.
For tickets call 913-403-9223 or visit www.festivalsingers.org for more information.
University of Kansas Department of Music and Dance
Oread Singers
Wednesday, April 4 at 7:30 pm
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center
Lawrence, KS
Conductor Abby Musgrove and the Oread Singers present a night of Math and Music with choral songs based on the mysterious and fascinating "Golden Ratio." Choral compositions of many styles and spanning over 1200 years will be presented, as well as a basic introduction to the Golden Ratio and Fibonacci Sequence in music, nature, art, and architecture. The concert is free to the public.
For more information, email oreadsingers@gmail.com.
Country Club Christian Church
Requiem
by Maurice Duruflé
Friday, April 10 at 7:00 pm
Country Club Christian Church
6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO
The Chancel Choir at Country Club Christian Church will be performing Duruflé's Requiem as part of their Good Friday service. They will be performing the 1961 orchestration, consisting of strings, harp, timpani, trumpets, and organ.
For more information, visit www.ccckc.org or call 816-333-4917.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City Chorale
Saturday, April 11at 5:30 pm
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO
As part of the Mary Atkins Lecture Series, the Kansas City Chorale will present an Easter concert in
Kirkwood hall.
For tickets call 816-751-1178 or online at www.nelson-atkins.org.
Dance Around the City,
Dance Column for April 6 - 22
UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Spring Dance Concert
Friday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO
The Spring Dance Concert is a wonderful opportunity to see up-and-coming young dancers performing original and professional works. This year's annual Spring Dance Concert features faculty, guest, and invited student choreography. One of the featured pieces is a collaboration between dance faculty member, Rodni Williams, and Poet/Writer/Artist, Bonnie Tolson. Always entertaining and creative, this inexpensive annual concert would be a bargain at any price.
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.conservatory.umkc.edu.
Harriman-Jewell Series
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m.
Folly Theater
12 th and Central Streets, Downtown Kansas City, MO
This eclectic ballet company features a sophisticated repertoire that features well-known choreographers. This concert will feature Sweet Fields, choreographed by Twyla Tharp, and set to the hymns of William Billings, and The Sacred Harp. The other two compositions are commissioned works specifically for the the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, including Red Sweet, choreographed by Jorma Elo to music by Vivaldi, and Noir Blanc, which was conceived by Moses Pendleton. This concert will be a treat for ballet and dance-lovers alike.
For tickets call 816-415-5025 or online at www.harriman-jewell.org
Kacico
The Song and Dance Project
Saturday, April 18 at 3:00 p.m.
Leopold Gallery in Brookside
Sunday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Asbury United Methodist Church
Sunday, April 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Garden City Bank, Lee's Summit
This innovative local Modern Dance company always presents experimental and engaging works. This concert presents a captivating combination of live song and dance featuring live Musicians Laura Lisbeth, Karim Memi, Dave Patmore, Erik Karlsson, and Rick Malsick and Kacico choreographers Michelle Diane Brown, Shandi Miller, Lindsay Spilker Tate, Kathryn Cowan, Allison Kaut, and Holly Noel Harmison.
For ticket information call 816-569-5206 or online at www.kacicodance.org
City Stage,
Theatre Column for March 30 - April 12
NOW PLAYING...
The New Theatre Restaurant
Hats! The Musical
Book & Lyrics By Marcia Milgrom & Tony Dodge
Runs February 4 through April 12
9229 Foster, Overland Park, KS.
It is often said that 30 is the new 20, 40 is the new 30, and 50 is the new 40, but regardless of your age, the number of your years is still measured by the actual years you've been alive. Hats! The Musical is New Theatre's newest production to rise from the floors and celebrates life once you hit the big FIVE - ZERO.
Written by Grammy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winning songwriters, and inspired by the Red Hat Society, this fun filled, laugh till you tinkle show will make anyone who is, knows or plans to be 50 roll on the floor in hysterics. Chicago Tribune said "This fast paced, funny musical revue flat out makes you feel great! It beats the support hose off the musical MENOPAUSE!" Joyce Dewit (Three's Company fame) stars as a woman who is "49.9999" years old and edging on the brink of 50. Dreading this unavoidable turn of events a group of women help her discover that with friends, fierce attitude and ferocious vigor anyone can surpass anything. This musical is for any woman of every age and the men who love them.
For tickets call 913-649-SHOW or online at www.newtheatre.com
Theatre for Young America (TYA)
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Runs March 3 through April 17
Union Station's City Stage
30 West Pershing Road
From the TYA website: "Back by popular demand: a faithful stage version of the popular books by Kevin Henkes, including Chester's Way; Julius, Baby of the World, and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. This play appeals to the very youngest play¬goer with an endearing young heroine, Lilly, who likes purple, plastic purses, shiny quarters, movie star sunglasses and her teacher. More than anything Lilly wants to grow up to be a teacher herself."
One More Thing: This place connects well with lessons in etiquette, consequences of actions, self-esteem, friendship, familial relationships, humor and careers. This play will be enjoyed by pre-school aged children and up.
For tickets call 816-460-2020 or online at www.tya.org
American Heartland Theatre (AHT)
Backwards In High Heels: The Ginger Musical
Conceived and developed by Lynette Barkley & Christopher McGovern
Book/Original Songs/Arrangements by Christopher McGovern
A Kansas City Premiere
Runs March 6 through April 19
Crown Center - 3rd Level
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO
Ranking #14 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars, Ginger Rogers became one of America's most famous singer/dancer actresses ever to set foot on a Hollywood sound stage. Working in the film industry for over 50 years, Rogers completed a total of 73 films, holds an Academy Award and helped revolutionize the movie musical genre with Fred Astaire in over ten cinematic projects. Rogers died at the age of 83 on April 25, 1995 in Rancho Mirage, California.
In this Kansas City premiere, American Heartland Theatre presents her life in the biographical-review Backwards In High Heels, originally opening in Florida 2007. From AHT's website: "The evening starts with young Ginger realizing her destiny as she taps her heart out to the tune 'Tame These Feet.' We follow Ginger's life, including her relationships with her mother, her husbands and the graceful Fred Astaire, as well as her glorious Oscar-winning moment. The evening glides and swirls through such memorable standards as 'Fascinating Rhythm,' 'Change Partners,' 'Embraceable You,' 'A Fine Romance' and 'We're in the Money.' A wonderful tribute, a wonderful evening of music and dance!"
For tickets call 816-842-9999 or online at www.ahtkc.com.
Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Winesburg, Ohio
Book & Lyrics by Eric Rosen
Music & Additional Lyrics by Ben Sussman
Runs March 13 through April 5
Spencer Theatre
4949 Cherry Street, on UMKC Campus, Kansas City, MO
Sherwood Anderson wrote 22 short stories that became the classic novel Winesburg, Ohio. Published in 1919, Anderson's stories center on the character of George Willard and the inhabitants of Winesburg. There is some confusion about which town the author was writing about. Anderson was born and raised in Clyde, OH, and has claimed that the stories and characters are based on the people of his childhood home. However, it should be noted that Winesburg is also a true town in Ohio.
The stories explore loneliness and frustration is small-town America. Anderson paints the people of Winesburg as having the inability to express their deepest thoughts and dreams. George Willard, a writer, is sought after by everyone in Winesburg so their story could be written down and given some meaning and understanding.
From The Reps website: "George Willard is just 18 when the musical begins, full of hopes of a great life as an artist, but because of his ailing mother, he can only dream of escaping Winesburg for the big city. One by one, George encounters the citizens of Winesburg, and begins to learn that secret histories and deep hidden passions are lurking just beneath the surface. At once hilarious, heartbreaking, and triumphant, Winesburg, Ohio is one of the most original new musicals to come along this decade, and a homage to one of the greatest works of 20th century literature."
Eric Rosen - The Rep's artistic director - wrote and created Winesburg, Ohio, with Jessica Thebus - associate artist at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and artistic associate of About Face Theatre - and won the Jefferson Joseph Award for Best New Work and the Barrymore Award for Best Musical.
One More Thing: On The Rep's website you can here a clip from the show!
For tickets call 816-235-2700 or online at www.kcrep.org
The Barn Players
Barefoot in the Park
By Neil Simon
Runs March 27 through April 5
6219 Martway; Misison, KS
One of Neil Simons longest running plays having played at the Biltmore Theatre for 1530 performance, this play included Robert Redford, Elizabeth Ashley and even Tony Roberts and Joan van Ark later on in the run. With only two previews, this play opened on October 23, 1963. Mike Nichols, a close friend of Simon's, directed this first out of five Neil Simon plays and won a Tony award for Best Director of a Play.
Centering on a newlywed couple - Corie and Paul Bratter - making house in a downtown-Manhattan walk-up, the two are finding the new married life a challenge as they face structural problems with their apartment, a strange neighbor and Corie's very motherly mother.
A not-so-successful attempt to revive the play occurred on February 16, 2006 with Patrick Wilson and Amanda Peet as the new couple. After 26 previews and 109 performances this revival could not revive its popularity from the 1960's. It will be interesting to see how The Barn Players will play out this classic Neil Simon comedy.
For tickets call 913-432-9100 or online at www.thebarnplayers.org
Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre
Galileo
by Bertolt Brecht
Directed by Bob Paisley
Runs April 2 - 19
METspace
3614 Main Street, Kansa City, MO
The third in MET's Galileo Project - Placing Science Center Stage, Brecht's play deals with the latter half of Galileo Galilei's life, the great Italian Baroque natural philosopher who was persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church for his scientific theories and discoveries. Brecht - who has influenced many modern theatre practitioners like Dario Fo, Peter Brook and Tony Kushner to name a few - wrote two versions of this play the frist between 1937-39; the second "American version" between 1945-47. The "American version" premiered at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles on July 30, 1947 and was co-directed by Brecht himself.
From MET's website: "The time is of the emergence of the age of reason when Galileo was teaching young students the incredible account of how the earth moves around the sun, rather than the other way around. His heretical announcement, that both the moon and Jupiter only reflect the sun's light, is brought to the attention of the church and Galileo is summoned to the Vatican. His friends abandon him and his appeal to the Pope is intercepted by the inquisitor. Galileo recants, but even while imprisoned continues his writings surreptitiously."
For tickets call 816-569-3226 or online at www.metkc.org
Kansas City Repertory Theatre
The Borderland
By Jim Grimsley
Directed by Kyle Hatley
Runs April 3 - 26
Copaken Stage
One H&R Block Way (corner of 13th & Walnut), Kansas City, MO
It's a dark and stormy night in Atlanta. Gordon and Helen live in their huge house next to the shack of their dirt poor neighbors, Jake, Eleanor and their five children. Helen, like some well-to-do women, finds it necessary to take an interest in Eleanor while Gordon insists that everyone should be left alone; especially the poor. Suddenly, a nock at the door. It's Eleanor. She's running from her abusive husband, Jake, who then begins an evening of terror. "With spine-tingling intensity, Grimsley's exciting new play explores the uneasy borders that exist between men and women, rich and poor, and urban and rural."
For tickets call 816-235-2700 or online at www.kcrep.org
Martin Tanner Productions
My Name is Rachel Corrie
Adapted by Alan Rickman & Katherine Viner
Featuring Katie Gilchrist
Runs Through April 12
Unicorn Theatre's Jerome Stage
3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
Some plays are hard to explain, so from their own words:
"On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, a twenty-three-year-old American, was crushed to death by an Israeli Army bulldozer in Gaza as she was trying to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian home. MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE is a one-woman play composed from Rachel's own journals, letters and emails-creating a portrait of a young woman who left her home and school in Olympia, Washington, to work as an activist in the heart of Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the three sold-out London runs since its Royal Court premiere, the piece has been surrounded by both controversy and impassioned proponents, and has raised an unprecedented call to support political work and the difficult discourse it creates.
Rachel Corrie is not a saint, nor the devil. She was an energetic and passionate young woman who, from a very young age, saw pain in the world and wanted to heal it. She lived with the dreams, desires, fears, hopes, love and anger that we all experience."
For tickets go online to www.martintanner.com or www.unicorntheatre.org.
ON GOING...
Coterie Theatre at Night
The Breakfast Club
Directed by Ron McGee
Open ended run every Monday night
Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, MO
A resurrection of the defining 1980's "Brat Pack" movie is being played out on stage as Ron McGee directs The Breakfast Club. More then a cult classic, this play - adapted from the original 1985 film - takes us on a retro-journey of five teenage strangers forced to live out a Saturday detention. Souls are revealed, love sparks, and reality sets in as this play not only reminds us of how times in America once were but how everything stays the same. It should be noted that this production is not suited for those under 16 or 17 years of age.
One More Thing: Stay after the play and hangout with the cast on stage, drink coffee, and listen to 80's music.
Another Thing: Visit www.youtube.com/user/anthonyalexanderpro to watch interviews of the cast and learn about their research of the characters they are portraying.
For tickets call 816-474-6552 or online www.coterietheatre.org
OPENING SOON...
The Coterie Theatre
Roald Dahl's The Witches
Adapted by David Wood
Directed by Missy Koonce
Runs April 14 - May 17
Crown Center - Lower level
2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO
From The Coterie: "The Grand High Witch has a monstrous plan. Her fellow crones will take over all candy shops and make poisonous candy that transforms children into mice! Luckily, a brave young boy has overheard this terrible plot. With the help of his grandma, who knows something about witches, he will try to stop The Grand High Witch, but time is running out! Roald Dahl reveals the whole ghastly truth about these horrible creatures!"
One More Thing: Do you want to know more about Roald Dahl? Visit his website www.roalddahl.com.
For tickets call 816-474-6552 or online at www.coterietheatre.org
Quality Hill Playhouse
How Did I End Up Here?
By J. Kent Barnhart
Runs April 15 - May 3
303 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, MO
In their own words:
"A one-man cabaret revue featuring J. Kent Barnhart. Find out how the Raytown boy who asked for a tuxedo for his fifth birthday became the producer of Kansas City's most intimate theatre. Featuring songs by Cole Porter, P.D.Q. Bach, New York cabaret writers and more, plus Barnhart's trademark witty stories. Barnhart also will reprise his performance of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'..."
For tickets call 816-421-1700 or online at www.qualityhillplayhouse.com
Unicorn Theatre
Bare
Written by Jon Hartmere & Damon Intrabartolo
Directed by Jeff Church
Runs April 24 - May 17
3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
In their words:
"Bare, a merge of Spring Awakening and The Dead Poets Society, explores the pleasures and pains of high school seniors at a co-ed Catholic boarding school. Each of them questions where they are in their lives while trying to uphold the standards of their families and the Church. Answers are sought in the confessional, the stage, a rave and a well-locked dorm room."
One More Thing: Unicorn Theatre has partnered with six local University programs for this production to intern on stage, back stage and in the marketing department. The schools are: UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, UMKC Theatre, Park University, Avila University, University of Kansas and University of Central Missouri.
For tickets call 816-531-7529 or online at www.unicorntheatre.org
Minds Eye Theatre
Hair
Book & Lyris by James Rado and Gerome Ragni
Music by Galt MacDermot
Runs April 24 - May 9
Just Off Broadway Theatre
3051 Central, Penn Valley Park, Kansas City, MO
This rock-musical is a product of the hippie counter-culture and sexual revolution of the 1960's. Many of its songs became the cry and anthem of the Anti-Vietnam War Movement and peace rallies held during that time. With its use of profanity, illegal drug use and sexuality as well as its infamous nude scene, Hair was the show that brought along the paradigm shift for the Broadway musical. It first opened off-Broadway at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre in 1967, moved to a discothèque, and then transferred to Broadway's Biltmore Theatre in 1968. Hair ran for an astounding 1,750 performances and then captured another 1,997 performances in London. There have been many performances, recordings and film adaptations of this hip-rock musical. A revival has been scheduled to open on March 31, 2009 in Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre after its brilliant run last summer in New York's Central Park. Minds Eye Theatre will join Boston University on Broadway, The Winthrop Playmaker in Winthrop, MA and Theatre Le Trianon in Paris as being one of four companies to produce this cult-classic.
For tickets call 816-721-2792 or online www.mindseyetheatrekc.com
Local Arts News,
American Heartland Theatre announces 2009-2010 season
American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center has announced its 2009-2010 Season, celebrating the theatre's 23rd season of productions. AHT continues its tradition of providing variety in live theatre by showcasing 3 Kansas City Premieres, 2 AHT favorites and Tony award winning musical in its upcoming season. Productions include I'll Be Back Before Midnight; It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play; Glorious!; I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change; The Dixie Swim Club and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This season's productions will feature local and out-of-state performers. For more information on the theatre, visit www.ahtkc.com.
I'll Be Back Before Midnight
September 11, 2009 - October 25, 2009
Written by Peter Colley
Somewhere between Agatha Christie and a Hitchcock thriller, this mystery has the audience laughing out loud one moment and gasping in horror the next. Jan, who's recovering from a nervous breakdown, and her husband, Greg, rent a remote cabin where she can recuperate. Soon Jan finds herself tormented by strange sounds in the night and visions of a vengeful ghost. Is she having another breakdown? Is someone trying to drive her mad? What happens to this fragile wife as bodies appear and disappear? A first rate thriller and a wonderfully spooky ghost story.
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
November 5, 2009 - December 27, 2009
Adapted by Joe Landry from the screenplay by Frank Capra
The "On the Air" light flickers on and the magic begins. Experience the captivating story of George Bailey as a live radio broadcast, set in the Manhattan studios of radio station WBFR on Christmas Eve, 1946. This heart-tugging drama brings a new dimension to the film classic, yet still captures all the sweetness and joy of the original. Featuring seasonal musical selections by the company and radio sound effects by AHT favorite Kenny Remmert, this is a most welcome holiday treat, guaranteed to put a lump in your throat and a smile in your heart. This holiday classic for the whole family makes its Kansas City debut at AHT -- don't miss it!
GLORIOUS! - The true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the worst singer in the world
January 8, 2010 - February 21, 2010
Written by Peter Quilter
A charming musical based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, an eager but hopelessly inept American soprano, who built a whole career out of unintentionally butchering beautiful music. From opera arias to English folk songs, she gathered fans in the process and actually sold out Carnegie Hall. At the pinnacle of her improbable fame, in the mid-1940s, she even charmed real artists like Cole Porter, who may have admired her chutzpah as much as they relished the sheer ludicrousness of her performances. Glorious! is not to be missed.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
March 5, 2010 - April 18, 2010
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro, Music by Jimmy Roberts
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change celebrates the universal theme of love and pokes fun at the life experiences we've all either gone through or will go through. I Love You explores every aspect of relationships - the joys of dating, romance, marriage, lovers, babies, husbands, wives...and in-laws. Always funny and fresh, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is well-suited for the new couple looking to see what life's going to be like or for the husband and wife that have been through it all and still say "I love you, you're perfect, don't change."
The Dixie Swim Club
May 7, 2010 - June 20, 2010
Written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, Jamie Wooten
Five Southern women, whose friendship began on their college swim team, set aside a long weekend each year to recharge that friendship. Free from men, kids, and jobs, they meet every August at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to laugh, catch up, and meddle in each other's lives. The Dixie Swim Club, focuses on four of those weekends over a span of thirty-three years and demonstrates the power of teamwork and the strength of love. This is the story of five unforgettable women - a hilarious and touching comedy about friendships that last forever.
Making its Kansas City premiere, The Dixie Swim Club is sure to delight. Its cast of five finely-drawn characters will have you rooting for each to succeed and survive.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
July 14, 2010 - August 22, 2010
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by Rachel Sheinkin, Conceived by
Rebecca Feldman
This adorable tale of six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, will have audiences in stitches. The show's Tony Award-winning creative team has created the unlikeliest of hit musicals about the unlikeliest of heroes for whom a spelling bee is the one place they can stand out and fit in at the same time. This quirky yet charming group of misfits and outsiders learns that winning isn't everything and that losing doesn't necessarily make you a loser. Spelling Bee is a light-hearted, feel-good show that prompts such easy to spell adjectives as charming, sweet, endearing and quirky.
Ticket Information:
For reservations and/or information on 2009-2010 season tickets, call 816-842-9999, visit the box office in Crown Center, or visit www.ahtkc.com.
Groups of 12 or more may call 816-842-0202 for reservations (group discounts are available). Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30pm. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00pm. There are also select Sunday evening performances and select matinee & twilight performances throughout the run. Visit www.ahtkc.com for a complete schedule. Tickets have an attached coupon for discounts at several Crown Center restaurants valid for the date of the performance. Parking is inside, secure and free with theatre validation. Handicapped seating and assistive listening devices are available. In addition, an ASL interpreted performance is scheduled for each show.
City Classics,
Classical Column for April 6 - 22
Harriman-Jewell Series
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Tuesday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Folly Theater
12th and Central, Downtown Kansas City, MO
We spoke about this concert in our column last week because it was coming up so quickly after this article. But we just have to mention it again: the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is performing the Missouri premiere of Alan Smith's "Vignettes: Covered Wagon Woman" for mezzo-soprano, piano, violin, and cello.
This group is one of twelve constituents of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York, and concertizes throughout the country.
The mezzo-soprano soloist for this performance is Stephanie Blythe, who sang the first title role in Orfeo et Euridice, one of the Metropolitan Opera's movie theater simulcasts earlier this year. She will also star this summer in the Seattle Opera's celebrated Ring cycle of Richard Wagner, so she is a first-class vocalist whom we will be privileged to hear. Other performers in the evening's concert will include Lily Francis, violinist; Warren Jones, pianist; Ani Kavafian, violinist; Priscilla Lee, cellist; Anne-Marie McDermott, pianist; and Paul Neubauer, violist.
Smith's moving song cycle is based on the daily journal of Margaret Ann Alsip Frink, written in 1850, telling of her passage across the country by covered wagon toward dreams of California gold. It's an appropriate subject for our part of the country where three of the major westward-bound covered wagon trails crossed.
Also on the program are George Gershwin's "Lullaby for String Quartet," Amy Beach's "Quintet in F-sharp minor," and John Antes' "Trio in D minor for Two Violins and Cello."
Tickets available at 816-415-5025, or online www.harriman-jewell.org
Lied Center, University of Kansas
Philip Glass: An Evening of Chamber Music
Tuesday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Lied Center
19th and Iowa Streets, Lawrence, KS
Another performance coming right up is at the Lied Center at the University of Kansas where the famous minimalist composer (well, that's what he is, although we understand he hates the label) will perform chamber music, joined by cellist Wendy Sutter and percussionist Mick Rossi, and perhaps others.
Glass sprang onto the music scene in the 1970's and within a decade had captured the imaginations of lots of audiences who found resonance in his unusual musical style. Tonal in conception, it appears very repetitive and droning at first hearing, but upon further study reveals subtle and constantly changing musical nuances. You sort of have to be "into" it to get it, but those who pursue Glass' music claim to be richly rewarded by his unique scores.
Although not for every taste, Glass clearly has an audience that has grown over the years. His operas, movie scores and symphonic compositions have won much acclaim, and last year at the Metropolitan Opera his opera Satyagraha attracted sellout crowds for a string of performances that won both audience and critical praise.
If you are intrigued by Glass, but not quite ready for a whole opera, this chamber music recital may be just the thing.
For tickets call (785) 864-2787 or online at www.lied.ku.edu
UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Musica Nova
Thursday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
The Conservatory of Music has many outstanding faculty and student ensembles which give interesting performances throughout the school year. This listener has always found Musica Nova to be among the more interesting ones. The group plays contemporary music, some of it by Conservatory composers, and always turns in fine performances.
In this concert, the last of the group's season this year, the players will perform "Tableaux funebre," a work by Conservatory guest composer Claude Baker, on loan from Indiana University. Also on tap are "Vox balaenae" by contemporary composer George Crumb, and "Synthecisms No. 5" by Brian Bevelander. Kansas City audiences will most appreciate, however, a composition by Conservatory professor and local favorite Zhou Long called simply "Ding." Sounds intriguing, no?
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.conservatory.umkc.edu
The Friends of Chamber Music
Ivan Moravec, piano
Friday, April 10 at 8 p.m.
The Folly Theater
12th and Central Streets, Downtown Kansas City, MO
Ivan Moravec, a native of Prague, has been enchanting audiences for 35 years with his idiomatic style. The list of orchestras with which he has soloed reads like a Who's Who of classic music organizations: The New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia, Cleveland and Minnesota Orchestras, the Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto and Pittsburgh symphonies and the Los Angeles and Orpheus chamber orchestras, among many others. As a solo recitalist he has appeared in recital at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and on the major recital series in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Cleveland and Philadelphia, along with Kansas City, of course.
In Europe, Moravec has appeared in recital and as concerto soloist in the major music capitals, including Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Leipzig, Munich, Oslo, Rome, Milan and many others. He has recorded for the Nonesuch, Supraphon, Connoisseur Society, Dorian, Pro Arte, Quintessence, Vox and the Moss Music labels, and is one of the pianists included on Philips' historic series "Great Pianists of the 20th Century."
A review of a recent performance in London stated that Moravec "belongs to a dying breed of pianists, who devote their entire life to their instrument as well as to teaching. His self-criticism is well known and it can take years until he presents his interpretation of a specific work to an audience. The result is ultimate perfection, whereby technique is only one tool for the many facets of his insight into a composition."
For his Friends of Chamber Music recital, Moravec will present the music of his fellow Czech Janacek, along with Debussy and Chopin.
For tickets call 816-561-9999 or online at www.chambermusic.org
UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Conservatory Orchestra with Pianist Karen Kushner
Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
Pianist Karen Kushner is one of the finest local pianists, a faculty member at the Conservatory of Music and Dance, and justly popular with local audiences. This evening, in the company of the fine Conservatory Orchestra, she will perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major.
The Conservatory Orchestra will play a rarity, Ginastera's virtuosic "Variaciones concertantes," and then one of the great classics, Beethoven's "Symphony No. 8." It all sounds like good fun.
For tickets call 816-235-6222, or online at www.conservatory.umkc.edu
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
Kansas City Chorale Saturday Easter Concert
Sunday, April 12, at 5:30 p.m.
Kirkwood Hall
Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO
One of Kansas City's loveliest Easter weekend traditions is the Saturday Easter concert by the Kansas City Chorale in Kirkwood Hall. The Chorale's voices sound ethereal in the resonance of the Nelson Atkins, just the thing for the most religious of holidays.
Tickets often sell out earlier, so check today if you want a spot.
For tickets call 816-751-1ART or online at www.nelsonatkins.org
UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Faculty Chamber Music Concert with Violinist Benny Kim
Sunday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.
White Recital Hall
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
An annual event, the Conservatory of Music and Dance's Easter Chamber Music Concert has become a popular success over the past few years. This time popular faculty violinist Benny Kim will perform with some of the Conservatory faculty and some of the great artists from around the country, as they join forces to tackle Franz Schubert's "Death and the Maiden" String Quartet, one of the most profound pieces of music in the string quartet literature.
For tickets call 816-235-6222 or online at www.conservatory.umkc.edu
Mid-America Nazarene University
Classic Brass with Fountain City Brass Band
Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Bell Cultural Center
Mid-America Nazarene University
2030 E. College Way, Olathe, Kansas
No program for this concert has been announced yet.
For tickets call 913-971-3636 or online at www.mnu.edu/events/bellcenter
Carlsen Center at JCCC
Takacs Quartet and Marc-Andre Hamelin, piano
Saturday, April 18 at 8:00 p.m.
Yardley Hall at the Carlsen Center
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS
A few years ago your columnist attended a Signature Series college at the UMKC Conservatory with a Canadian pianist named Marc-Andre Hamelin, and wondering, "who is this guy?" Well, I quickly found out, as his fabulous technique and dramatic readings almost literally blew me out of the hall. I concluded that he must be the resurrection of Franz Liszt himself, that master piano showman, but with a more modest personality and lots less hair.
His recordings, several of which were promptly purchased by this listener, revealed a wealth of unknown material. He tends to specialize in almost impossible-to-perform pieces by composers not often recorded by other pianists, for understandable reasons. If piano virtuosity interests you, there is no performance who epitomizes it any more thoroughly.
Since that time Hamelin has appeared with the Kansas City Symphony and now is making a reappearance in Kansas City on the stage of Yardley Hall, in the company of the impressive young Takacs Quartet.
This performance, part of a worldwide tour that takes the five musicians to locations throughout North America and Europe, will feature the Schumann Piano Quintet. It's a piece requiring extraordinary virtuosity, and has found its match, no doubt, with Hamelin and company. It should be quite a show.
For tickets call 913-469-4445 or online at www.jccc.net.
Topeka Symphony Orchestra
Keyboard Kaleidoscope with Linda Maxey, marimba
Saturday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.
White Concert Hall
Washburn University Campus, Topeka, KS
John Strickler will conduct the Topeka Symphony in a varied program featuring Samuel Barber's "School for Scandal," Saint- Saint-Saëns' overpowering Symphony No. 3, the "Organ Symphony," and a marimba concerto by Kevin Puts.
The soloist in the Organ Concerto will be Elisa Bickers. This listener has always found the Saint-Saëns piece to be one of the most explosive in the repertoire. It might not be the greatest piece of classical music ever written, but it is definitely one of the loudest, in which the composer pulled out all of the (organ) stops to produce overwhelming sound. Bring your ear plugs.
The Marimba Concert of Kevin Puts, by contrast, takes its inspiration from the more standard concertos of Mozart and is said to be much more sedate. We'll see. In any event, this will offer one of your few chances to hear it, and we understand that the featured marimba player in the Marimba Concerto, Linda Maxey, is quite talented.
For tickets call 785-232-2032, or by e-mail at tso@topekasymphony.org. Tickets are not available online, but for information see www.topekasymphony.org.
Park University
Grand Piano Festival Series
Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 p.m.
Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel
Park University Campus
8700 N.W. River Park Drive, Parkville, MO
Park University is putting on some impressive music recitals these days, and this one will feature pianists Laurence Lesser and Hae-Sun Paik, along with some guest artists and the Quartet Accorda. As of this date, no program for the recital is available.
Free admission. For more information, see www.park.edu/calendar/arts.html
Kansas City Civic Orchestra
Sunday, April 19, 2:00 p.m.
Folly Theater
12th and Central, Kansas City, MO
The Kansas City Civic Orchestra, now under the direction of Christopher Kelts, is known for tackling large-scale works that you would think would be beyond the capacity of a community group, and performing them surprisingly well.
In this concert the Civic Orchestra plays to this theme, undertaking Dvorak's hauntingly beautiful Symphony No. 9, which he entitled "From the New World" and which is popularly known as the "New World Symphony." In it, the Czech composer, visiting American from his native Czechoslovakia, supposedly incorporated American themes into his symphony, although some have found it to be much more inspired by Czech folk music than any musical sources he might have found on this side of Atlantic.
But so what? The music is enchantingly beautiful and is one of this author's all-time favorites. Besides, it's the only major symphonic composition to have been conceived in the state of Iowa.
Joining the Civic Orchestra for the rest of the program will be classical guitarist Douglas Niedt (pronounced "Neet"), the head of the guitar program at the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and a terrific performer. His compact disc "Pure Magic" is one of this listener's favorite guitar discs, and has produced many hours of listening enjoyment.
Free admission. For information visit www.kccivic.org
UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance
Operatic Scenes
Sunday, April 19 at 2:30 p.m. and
Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Performing Arts Center, Room 116
4949 Cherry, Kansas City, MO
This concert of opera scenes by Conservatory of Music opera students sometimes reveals some young talent of surprising sophistication. The precise selections haven't been announced, but the show is always rewarding and you can't beat the price in today's economy.
Free admission. For information visit www.conservatory.umkc.edu
Northland Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, April 19, 3:00 p.m.
Park Hill South High School
4500 N.W. River Park Drive, Riverside, MO
This concert by the Northland Symphony will feature the "Roman Carnival Overture" by Berlioz, "Somerset Rhapsody" by Holst, and the Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5. Also on tap will be a performance by the winner of the high school soloist competition.
Free admission. For information visit www.northlandsymphony.org
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