In the effort to resurrect my blog’s posting schedule, today I am writing what was usually my Thursday “look ahead” events calendar. Though late in getting it up, there are many worthwhile things going on this weekend, and were I to wait until next Thursday to commence, many of of those items would be unavailable.
Noon, Today, Saturday, October 20 — Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Kearney, MO High School Musical
See this link to the school’s Facebook page for information on tickets for today’s final shows. I attended this production on Tuesday evening this week. It was a fabulous production. I didn’t see any performances that said “watch out, this person is going to Hollywood, or Broadway.” But what I did see was an excellent ensemble cast having fun and giving us an insightful take on a show we knew, but could yet experience new again through their eyes. The way they bridged the movie and Broadway stage versions to their own cast and resources, while keeping it alive, fresh, and new, is a testament to Community Theater and the ability of any group to be able to take a story and perform and tell it well.
Friday’s and Saturdays through October 27 — Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun
As darkness falls, fear rises when the Overlord calls his army to transform the park into Halloween Haunt. Experience the thrills of your favorite rides and the chills of Extreme Haunts as you navigate the fog-filled midways where over 400 monsters lurk to feed off your screams. All you fear is here select nights in the Fall.
Not recommended for children under 14.
October 21 — Church Anniversary Sunday Celebration, Avondale United Methodist Church
During both services and a celebration brunch afterwards, the church will be celebrating its anniversary with special music from both the bell and cathedral choirs, among other special observances.
October 21 at 5 p.m. — Evensong Service by Songflower Chorale, Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City
The service will include a complete freshly-composed liturgical setting by SongFlower’s artistic director, Dr. Geoffrey Wilcken. The presentation is free and open to the public; donations are always welcome and accepted. Come join us as we contribute to this long-standing choral tradition, to which our art owes so much!
October 23 at 7 p.m. — Songflower Chorale Rehearsal, Jane Sullivan Choral Resource Library, Roeland Park, KS
This isn’t an open event, but any interested singers are encouraged to contact director Geoff Wilcken. Rehearsals are 7-9:30 p.m. I am one of the members of this group, and can attest to the musical challenge and insight brought to singing and the great works, new and old, by our director. Currently we are rehearsing for a concert on “The English Tradition” on Nov. 18, and an Evensong Service on Oct. 21.
To contact Songflower Chorale your may use our website or our mailing address\
Songflower Chorale
PO Box 140366 Kansas City, MO 64114 USA
https://www.songflower.org/donate
The Songflower Chorale is a 501c3 non-profit, and contributions are
tax deductible where allowed by law.
October 24 at 6 p.m. — Rehearsal, Jubilee Ringers Handbell Choir, Avondale United Methodist Church
Under the direction of Mark Keeney, the handbell choir rehearses Wednesday night’s in the church’s choir room, and performs during services one Sunday a month.
October 24 at 7 p.m. — Rehearsal, Avondale United Methodist Church Cathedral Choir
Under the direction of John Livingston the choir rehearses Wednesday night’s in the church’s choir room, and performs during services each Sunday.
Through Dec. 2 — Always … Patsy Cline at New Theatre Restaurant
(I went to a matinee performance of this show, and highly recommmend it. When I get the chance I hope to add some additional personal notes of review about this show.)
Always…Patsy Cline is more than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically at age 30 in a plane crash in 1963. The show is based on a true story about Patsy’s friendship with a fan from Houston named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961, and continued a correspondence with Patsy until her death. The musical play, complete with down home country humor, true emotion and even some audience participation, includes many of Patsy’s unforgettable hits such as CRAZY, I FALL TO PIECES, SWEET DREAMS, WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT. The show’s title was inspired by Patsy’s letters to Louise, which were consistently signed “Love always… Patsy Cline.”
November 18 — The English Tradition, Songflower Chorale Concert, Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City
This fall, Songflower Chorale will present a concert titled The English Tradition, celebrating the landmarks of British composers through history, from Renaissance
masters to the Romantics, which have radiated their influence back to
the rest of the world, along with some modern outgrowths of the Anglican choral tradition, alive and well in our community. Admission is free, donations are accepted.
Those wishing to support the choral are welcome to contribute financially; this allows it to meet rehearsal expenses and hire guest artists at need, and is greatly appreciated!
Donations can be mailed to
Songflower Chorale
PO Box 140366 Kansas City, MO 64114 USA
Or you can contribute through our website, https://www.songflower.org/donate
The Songflower Chorale is a 501c3 non-profit, and contributions are
tax deductible where allowed by law.
December 5-February 17 — Shear Madness at New Theatre Restaurant
SHEAR MADNESS is America’s most popular and longest running comedy (now in its 31st year at Washington D.C.’s prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts). More than 12 million people worldwide have seen the hilarious whodunit and there is no end in sight; its success just keeps going and going.
In this hilarious whodunit, a renowned classical pianist is murdered in her apartment above the SHEAR MADNESS beauty salon and you, the audience, along with Inspector Nick O’Brien, interrogate the suspects, evaluate the clues and solve the mystery. The wacky, spontaneous comedy never has the same ending twice, so you can see it again and again.
February 20-April 2019– Biloxi Blues at New Theatre Restaurant
The laughter rarely stops in this Tony Award-winning “Best Play” that tells the story of Eugene Jerome and his experiences as a 19-year-old draftee who, with a handful of other recruits must endure ten weeks of boot camp and a tough as nails, hard-drinking platoon leader in the steaming swamps of Biloxi, Mississippi in 1943.
April 25-July 7 — The Buddy Holly Story at New Theatre Restaurant
It’s Back! One of our most popular productions of all time! BUDDY-THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. This joyous musical tells the story of Buddy Holly’s short yet explosive career and features his classical hits: PEGGY SUE, THAT’LL BE THE DAY, NOT FADE AWAY, OH BOY, MAYBE BABY, RAVEON and many more. This show Rocks!
July -Sept. 15 — Joseph and the Amazing TechniColor Dreamcoat at New Theatre Restaurant
Based on the “Coat of Many Colors” story from The Bible’s Book of Genesis, this upbeat musical is filled with a cornucopia of musical styles. From country-western to calypso to bubblegum pop & rock ‘n’ roll, this Old Testament tale emerges both timely and timeless. With its family-friendly storyline, universal themes and catchy music, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT is a musical theatre event not to be missed. From the composer of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, EVITA, CATS AND SCHOOL OF ROCK.@
At The Rainbow 