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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Known for high-quality productions and successful collaboration with Kansas City theatre companies, UMKC Theatre announces a stellar line-up of productions for the 2011-2012 season. Back by popular demand are the design-your-own ticket packages and Monday Industry Night performances. For the second consecutive year, UMKC Theatre will co-produce an American masterpiece about war with Kansas City Actors Theatre and The National World War I Museum. 

“We have an exciting season planned this coming year. We will continue our theme of ‘Kansas City’s Best Kept Secret…The Word is OUT!’ by presenting three graduate and two undergraduate productions in addition to four co-productions with professional theatres,” said Tom Mardikes, Chair of UMKC Theatre. “For over 30 years, UMKC Theatre has produced innovative, top-notch plays for theatre-loving KC audiences. The word is OUT – so come see what you’ve been missing!” said Mardikes.

The Graduate season opens in October with the hilarious Roman classic “Comedy of Asses” under the direction of Theodore Swetz and Stephanie Roberts. UMKC Theatre will pull out all the stops with two productions in February: “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” at Studio 116, Feb. 3-19, and the musical “Billy Bishop Goes to War,” Feb. 10-26, at The National World War I Museum. Three additional co-productions with Equity theatres are scheduled, and the season ends with William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” in April at the Helen F. Spencer Theatre.  

Successfully launched last season, theatre goers may design their own ticket package by choosing from any of the MFA and Undergraduate shows at UMKC Theatre the productions, dates and times that best fit their schedules. Four show options are available, ranging from $24 to $45 per package (see the Ticket Information section for options and prices).

Traditionally on Monday nights, the stage is “dark” with no performances. However, UMKC Theatre will feature back-by-popular-demand Industry Night on Mondays so that theatre professionals and others will have the opportunity to see UMKC Theatre performances. Tickets are only $10 each for all UMKC Monday night campus shows and are open to the general public.

MFA Productions
“Comedy of Asses”
This Roman comedy classic still has audiences laughing 2,200 years after it was written by the “Father of Comedy,” Titus Maccius Plautus. There will be singing, dancing, pranks, and puns as audiences see the world upside down in this tale of greed and debauchery. The production will preview Oct. 21-25; open formally Oct. 26 and run through Oct. 30 at the Helen F. Spencer Theatre, Olson PAC.

“The Last Days of Judas Iscariot"
This daring and wildly comic play by Stephen Adly Guirgis was a sensation in New York and London.  Director Barry Kyle will put his own brand of creativity on this performance as the courtroom drama plays out in “God and The Kingdom of Heaven and Earth vs. J. Iscariot.”  The production previews Feb. 3-7 and runs Feb. 8-19 at Studio 116, Olson PAC. 

“The Winter’s Tale”
Written by William Shakespeare, this tale of two kings who are childhood friends turns dark as deceit and misunderstanding threaten one king’s family and the other’s life. Directed by Barry Kyle, the show previews April 20-23 and runs April 24-29 at the Helen F. Spencer Theatre, Olson PAC.

Undergraduate Productions
“The Farnsworth Invention”
Written by Aaron Sorkin who also created “The West Wing,” this story is about the race between a ruthless East Coast media mogul and a self-taught Idaho farm boy on the West Coast to be the first to invent the television. Directed by Ron Schaeffer, the show previews Nov. 10-16, and runs Nov. 17-20 at Studio 116, Olson PAC.

“A Yorkshire Tragedy”
This Jacobean tragedy by Thomas Middleton is based on a true story about Walter Calverley who murdered his children and wounded his wife in 1605. This action-packed play is considered one of the most notorious examples of domestic violence in English history where the language is rich and the sword fights are bloody! The show previews on March 9-13 and runs March 14-18 at Studio 116, Olson PAC.

Co-Productions
UMKC Theatre will co-produce four shows this season with several distinguished Kansas City theatre groups:

“Billy Bishop Goes to War”
Co-produced with Kansas City Actors Theatre at The National World War I Museum
The successful partnership continues with KCAT and one of Kansas City’s true treasures, The National World War I Museum, in this musical drama and one-man show about the Canadian WWI fighter pilot Billy Bishop. Written and composed by John Gray in collaboration with Eric Peterson, it will be directed by John Rensenhouse. Previews are Feb. 10-15, opening night is Feb. 16, and the show runs through Feb. 26. 

“God of Carnage” Co-produced with the Unicorn Theatre and KCAT
by Yasmina Reza This production previews Oct. 19-21 and runs Oct. 22-Nov. 13;
Performances are at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St.

“The Salvation of Iggy Scrooge” Co-produced with the Unicorn Theatre
By Larry Larsen and Levi Lee
This production previews Nov. 30-Dec.2, and runs Dec. 3 to 24; performances are at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main St.

“The Wrestling Season” Co-produced with the Coterie Theatre
by Laurie Brooks The production runs Jan. 24-Feb. 19 at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center, 2450 Grand Blvd.

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).

About UMKC Theatre
UMKC Theatre has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top graduate theatre training programs in the country. The program trains a select group of highly talented actors, designers, stage managers and dramaturgs for careers in the performing arts. Graduates from the UMKC program are invited to the most prestigious New York competitions and auditions to exhibit their work and secure positions with national and international performing companies. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) and is a member of the University/Resident Theatre Association (U/RTA).

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.  UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a three-part mission: visual and performing arts, health sciences, and urban engagement. UMKC has been designated as Missouri’s Campus for the Arts. More information is available online at www.umkctheatre.org.