Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its season with the emotionally-intimate Broadway sensation, INDECENT, by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel. Running January 18 to February 10 at Spencer Theatre, INDECENT is a co-production with Arena Stage and Baltimore Center Stage, and is directed by former KCRep artistic director, Eric Rosen, with choreography by Erika Chong Shuch, and music direction and original music by Alexander Sovronsky.
Inspired by the 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s Yiddish drama GOD OF VENGEANCE and the controversy swirling around its themes and censorship, Vogel explores timely topics such as immigration, anti-Semitism as well as the behind-the-scenes story of the courageous artists who risked not only their careers, but their lives in bringing the play to the stage. Infused with traditional Yiddish folk music of the early 20th century including klezmer, INDECENT is the kind of story that demonstrates the power theatre can have on our lives.
“Paula Vogel isn’t just one of America’s greatest female playwrights, says KCRep interim artistic director Jason Chanos, she is one of America’s greatest treasures, period. We’re thrilled to welcome Eric Rosen back to Kansas City to direct and excited to bring this beautiful, important play to life that will speak to audiences of all backgrounds and all ages.”
Director Eric Rosen has a unique perspective as the outgoing artistic director of KCRep, “Over 20 years ago, I encountered and became fascinated by the masterpiece of Yiddish drama GOD OF VENGEANCE and its extraordinary place in the history of both Jewish and LGBTQ theatre history. I followed the development of INDECENT which chronicles the history of that play, and the ways in which it changed the world. As a proud member of Kansas City’s vibrant LGBTQ, Jewish, and theater communities for ten years, I can think of no better play to say goodbye, for now, to our incredible audiences and artists. Creating this production has been a high point in my career, and to be able to share it with KC audiences is a great end to a thrilling tenure at the helm of KCRep.”
Paula Vogel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose plays are produced throughout the world. INDECENT opened on Broadway in April 2017 and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE received the Pulitzer Prize, Lortel Prize, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and the NY Drama Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, and her second OBIE Award. Other plays include THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME, THE MINEOLA TWINS, THE BALTIMORE WALTZ, DESDEMONA, AND BABY MAKES SEVEN, THE OLDEST PROFESSION, A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS and DON JUAN COMES HOME FROM IRAQ.
INDECENT celebrates its opening night on Friday, January 25th and runs at Spencer Theatre through February 10th. Tickets are available through the box office at 816-235-2700 or at bit.ly/2PgoiIE
Photo of cast members Emily Shackelford and Max Wolkowitz by Cory Weaver
