Author: Rebecca Smith
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Arts News: A Bigger, Better Musical Theater Heritage
Heading into its 16th season, Musical Theater Heritage is in growth mode. Specializing in productions of American musicals, the Crown Center-based theater company has been a popular presence in Kansas City since its founding in 2003. And no wonder. There’s a show for every taste, with the typical season offering one or two “heritage” musicals, as well as a couple of less well-known or untraditional shows like “Next to Normal” and “Sunday in the Park with George.”
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Artist to Watch: Julia Haile
Julia Haile is taking Kansas City by storm. “Her voice and stage presence are second to none, and her body of work is growing to be some of the best to come out of this city,” said Bill Sundahl, special events coordinator of KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio. Haile performed with well-known singer-songwriter Barclay Martin at the June 30 “Collaborations” fundraiser event for KKFI at the Folly Theater.
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Honors: Vanessa Severo
Over the past decade and a half, Vanessa Severo has emerged as one of the hardest-working actresses in Kansas City, appearing in “Lot’s Wife” and “Cabaret” at KC Rep, “Venus in Fur” at The Unicorn and “Annapurna” and “Blackbird” at The Living Room. And much more. Severo played in “The Miracle Worker” at The Coterie, “Black Pearl Sings” and “West Side Story” for Spinning Tree Theatre [...]
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Ministering to Musicians
Sore muscles, instrument wear and tear, tax challenges and stress. Musicians deal with all of them on a regular basis. Fortunately, there is a world of professionals — from luthiers and massage therapists to chiropractors and vocal coaches — to minister to musicians’ needs, and these experts and craftsmen are every bit as remarkable as those we see on stage.
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Students and Audiences Alike Reap Benefits of UMKC Graduate Theatre Program
Area theatergoers who haven’t experienced productions by UMKC’s graduate theatre program are missing out on some great shows, such as the funny but shocking “Oh, Beautiful,” by Theresa Rebeck, and William Congreve’s “The Way of the World.” As theatre professor Ted Swetz announced in the planning for Congreve’s Restoration-era comedy, “Get ready, for the shackles have been hilariously thrown off.”