The musical style known as ragtime swept the nation, rolling over performers, composers and audiences with an infectious syncopated beat that took over piano halls and Main Street parlor’s during the early 1900s. With roving composers and musicians such as Scott Joplin, ragtime became a calling card as well. In many ways, ragtime created the beat upon which social change moved to.

Göran Gentele, a Swedish actor, director, and opera manager who briefly served as director of the Metropolitan Opera of New York said, “Opera is an 18th and 19th century art that must find a 20th century audience.” The Lyric Opera of Kansas City has taken that adage to heart and is learning how to find that 21st century audience.

There’s almost a sweet tune that could be titled Irony with She & Her’s coming production of A Feminine Ending by Sarah Treem. Director Taylor St. John has been beating the drum for this piece since he moved to the area three years ago. While acting in the She & Her production of The Reindeer Monologues, he spoke with Artistic Director Tiffany Garrison-Schweigert and Producer Jennifer Coville-Schweigert.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Rob Leigh came to Kansas City to live at age 5. He was educated in the public school system and graduated..