Robert Trussell

May 3, 2019

A Break With Tradition

Funny what a difference just a few words can make. Not long ago Sidonie Garrett, executive artistic director of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, and the organization’s board of directors agreed to alter the theater company’s mission statement. It marked a major shift.

April 28, 2019

Man and Dog: ‘Bond’ at the Unicorn is Heartfelt and Moving

Actor/playwright Logan Black’s “Bond” is, among other things, a tale of service, bravery, fear and endurance in a time of war. But beyond that, this..

April 8, 2019

Strong Performances Boost “Shawshank Redemption” at the MET

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre continues its season with the North American premiere of “The Shawshank Redemption,” taken from the same source material on which writer/director Frank..

March 11, 2019

“The Humans” at the Unicorn Balances Humor and Dread

Stephen Karam’s “The Humans,” a big hit in New York and London, is a play with an intriguing premise, detailed characters and a palpable sense..

March 6, 2019

Arts News: A Bigger, Better Fishtank

Heidi Van has a new creative home in the West Bottoms. Van wears many hats as a Kansas City theater artist — actress, director, producer,..

March 3, 2019

Women of Color: “School Girls” at KC Rep is a Serious Comedy

Virtually every emotional trauma and competitive humiliation we associate with high school is on full display in Jocelyn Bioh’s “School Girls; or, the African Mean..

March 1, 2019

Women Playwrights Ascendant at KC Rep

In 2010 an arts journalist at the “Denver Post” interviewed theater experts and compiled a list of the 10 most important American plays of the 20th century. The playwrights included all the usual suspects: Arthur Miller (two of his plays were on the list), Tony Kushner, Tennessee Williams (also represented twice), Edward Albee, Eugene O’Neill, Thornton Wilder and August Wilson.

February 25, 2019

The MET Dives Deep with August Wilson’s ‘Seven Guitars’

August Wilson was a great chronicler of human behavior, one who worked on a wide canvas in subtle colors but always with a sharp eye..

February 18, 2019

Race, Gender and History: “Green Book Wine Club” at KC Melting Pot Packs a Punch

Some outstanding performances and a playwright’s audacious approach to history make the latest production at KC Melting Pot Theatre one that will linger in memory...

Author: Robert Trussell