Time once again for weekend calendar picks from KC Studio editor Alice Thorson. Friday night, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre begins its production of The Invisible Hand, which continues through November 12. Saturday night, The Stranger’s Notebook opens at H&R Block Artspace. Saturday will also be busy with several performances: Renee Fleming at the Kauffman Center, Bob James and Fourplay at the Folly, and La Boheme at Yardley Hall, presented by the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College. On Sunday night, see heralded pianist George Winston at the Kauffman. For more performances going on this weekend, check out Kansas City’s most comprehensive arts calendar at kcstudio.org/events.
THE INVISIBLE HAND
October 14 @ 8:00 pm
October 15 @ 8:00 pm
Kansas City Repertory Theatre-Copaken Stage
Forget what you know about global terrorism and human nature, and prepare for a new perspective that’s equally frightening and enlightening. Like a game of chess, two captors and their American hostage maneuver through life in a holding cell, where the hostage tries to negotiate his way out using stock market secrets. This intense show reveals the complicated truth behind our simple perceptions of good versus evil, as we discover the invisible hand that moves the global market and shifts the power to those you least want to have it.
Dawit L. Petros: The Stranger’s Notebook
October 15 – December 14
H&R Block Artspace
Opening reception: Friday, October 14, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
In a new body of work that includes photography, video, and sound, Eritrean-born artist Dawit L. Petros explores the relationship between African histories and European modernism, tracing ideas about borders and narratives of migration, past and present.
The Stranger’s Notebook is the first museum exhibition for Dawit Petros in the midwest and a US premiere of recent work that chronicles the artist’s research on the timely topic of shifting identities and migration.
Renée Fleming, soprano in recital
October 15 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
One of the most acclaimed singers of our time, Renée Fleming is the recipient of the National Medal of Arts, America’s highest honor for an individual artist. Winner of the 2013 Best Classical Vocal Grammy Award, Fleming has sung in the world’s greatest opera houses and concert halls, and will make her fourth Series appearance.
BOB JAMES AND FOURPLAY
October 15 @ 8:00 pm
Folly Theater
The career of Bob James is long, varied and continues to evolve at every turn. From his first days of piano recital in Marshall, Missouri to his own trip while at the University of Michigan to New York City and beyond, the music of Bob James has captivated audiences throughout the world. Mr. James will be on the Folly stage with the contemporary jazz quartet known as Fourplay who have continued to explore the limitless dimensions of jazz while appealing to a broad mainstream audience.
WICHITA GRAND OPERA ‘LA BOHÈME’
October 15 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm | $38 – $55
Carlsen Center – Yardley Hall
“The audience roared its approval with a standing ovation through endless curtain calls.” — Belgian Opera Guide
Hey, the opera that inspired the musical “Rent” has to be on your bucket list, right?
It is 1830 in Paris and the rent is due, but the money is not there. Puccini’s unforgettable tale of love, youth and tragic loss returns in a classic production of “La Bohème,” starring legendary baritone and Kansas-born Samuel Ramey. Young Parisian lovers (Zvetelina Vassileva and Stefan Cifolelli) appear in the bohemian setting that brings the Latin Quarter to life and twists a tale of love that sparkles with merriment and ends wracked with despair. Puccini’s magical music will fascinate and move.
HERALDED PIANIST GEORGE WINSTON
October 16 @ 7:00 pm
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
George primarily performs three styles of music: melodic folk piano, New Orleans R&B piano, and stride piano. He also incorporates a few pieces on solo guitar and solo harmonica into his live performances.
Since 1972, George has released thirteen solo piano albums including the Grammy Award-winning Forest in 1994. Other titles include: Autumn, the beloved December; Winter Into Spring, Summer; Linus & Lucy-The Music of Vince Guaraldi; and Plains, which was inspired by his Eastern Montana upbringing, as well as Love Will Come-The Music Of Vince Guaraldi Vol 2, Night Divides The Day–The Music of the Doors, Montana-A Love Story, and Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions-A Hurricane Relief Benefit, and Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions Vol 2-A Louisiana Wetlands Benefit. He also recorded the solo piano soundtrack for the children’s story The Velveteen Rabbit narrated by Meryl Streep. He is currently putting the finishing touches on two new full-length recordings, Bay Of Gold-The Music of Vince Guaraldi and Spring Carousel.
George’s show in Kansas City will feature his SUMMER SHOW, which will be spring and summer songs, including melodic folk piano songs from his recordings, Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces, pieces inspired by the New Orleans R&B piano tradition & the Harlem stride piano tradition, and songs from his upcoming releases.
Since 1986, George has been raising money for food banks and service organizations and will continue to do so by working with a local food bank in every tour market to hold a canned food drive at the show and also by donating 100% of proceeds from the sale of his merchandise to the organization. The food bank for this show is The Harvesters Community Food Network.
