Unicorn’s 37th Season opens with a new musical about a new musical.
[TITLE OF SHOW]
Music & Lyrics by Jeff Bowen
Book by Hunter Bell
Unicorn Theatre opens the 2010-2011 Season with a unabashedly self-aware and totally unique new musical creation that played on Broadway last Fall, [title of show]—and yes, that really is the title. With music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen, book by Hunter Bell, direction by Missy Koonce and musical direction by Anthony T. Edwards, the Unicorn production features Kansas City favorites Seth Golay, KC Comeaux, Jessalyn Kincaid and Natalie Weaver.
Previews for [title of show] are September 15th, 16th and 17th and plays September 18th through October 10th on the Unicorn’s Mainstage located at 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Performances Tuesdays through Thursday are at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Join us for a talk back immediately after the show with the director and actors on September 21st, 26th and 28th.
To purchase tickets, call 816-531-PLAY (7529) EXT. 10, online at www.UnicornTheatre.org or in person at the box office located at 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Regular run tickets start at just $27.50. Special discounts are available for seniors (60+), Students and Patrons Under 30.
About The Show
Imagine two hyper-talented young songwriters in New York trying to write a new musical about two hyper-talented young songwriters in New York trying to write a new musical. That’s [title of show], the deliciously smart, tongue-in-cheek musical that wowed Broadway audiences and critics last fall. Share its dizzy, unpredictable and uproarious journey from unemployment to the Great White Way.
The New York Times called [title of show] “DELECTABLE ENTERTAINMENT! A postmodern homage to the grand tradition of backstage musicals like Babes in Arms; Kiss Me, Kate and A Chorus Line.” Hunter Bell likes to call it an ”autobiofictionography” because, in his words, “It really does represent our lives, our creation. And about the title was the first question on the Festival application, that’s really where it all begins.”
As the show was accepted at the Festival, then an Off-Broadway run at the Vineyard Theatre in 2006 and an eventual Broadway run at the Lyceum Theatre in 2008, it was updated to include the excitement, frustrations and experiences the team encountered. Gathering honors and accolades every step of the way, [title of show] was honored with a 2006 Obie Award Special Citation and a Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Ensemble Cast in 2009. Additionally, Hunter Bell was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical.
In addition to [title of show], Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell have collaborated on many projects including Villians Tonight! for Disney, the web series “the [title of show] show” and a pilot for ABC. Additionally, Bowen has written music and lyrics for several shows at PS 122, as well as numerous galas, events and awards shows. As a performer, he originated the role of Jeff in [title of show] and has been seen at The O’Neill Center, Manhattan Theatre Source, Ars Nova and the Vineyard Theatre, among others. Bowen is also the co-founder of Late August Design, an internet design and marketing company that represented Wicked, Urinetown and The Full Monty.
Hunter Bell’s additional credits include the book for Silence! The Musical, the book for the 137th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, Bellobration!, as well as many benefits and events. Performing credits include originating the role of Hunter in [title of show] and appearances both on and off Broadway, at The St. Louis Rep, The Muny, Cleveland Play House, Vineyard Theatre, Stages St. Louis and Carnegie Hall among many others. In 2003, he won the Connecticut Outer Critics Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Bell is also a distinguished alumnus of Webster University’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts.
The cast of [title of show] at the Unicorn is Seth Golay as Hunter (previously appeared at the Unicorn in Grey Gardens and BatBoy: The Musical), KC Comeaux (previously appeared at the Unicorn in bare), Jesslayn Kincaid (previously appeared at the Unicorn in The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Gene Pool) and Natalie Weaver who makes her Unicorn debut.
Director Missy Koonce previously directed the Unicorn production of Speech & Debate and co-directed BatBoy: The Musical, in addition to being featured in many productions such as bare, Loving Lucy, Gene Pool and How I Learned to Drive. Musical Director Anthony T. Edwards, who also plays Larry the pianist in the show, most recently musically directed Grey Gardens, bare and The Women of Brewster Place for the Unicorn.
The creative team also includes David Hawkinson for scenic design (previously at the Unicorn Miss Witherspoon), SeifAllah Cristobal for lighting design (previously at the Unicorn Miss Witherspoon), Donna Miller-Brown for sound design making her Unicorn debut, Jon Fulton Adams for Costume Design (most recently at the Unicorn: And Her Hair Went With Her, Grey Gardens and My First Time), Gary Campbell for properties design (previously at the Unicorn 9 Parts of Desire, A House With No Walls and Rising Water) and Jinni Pike as Stage Manager (recently at the Unicorn And Her Hair Went With Her, Grey Gardens, Farragut North and My First Time).
*talk back performance with the director and actors
More information online at www.UnicornTheatre.org
About Unicorn Theatre
Founded in 1974, Unicorn Theatre exists to enhance the cultural life of Kansas City by producing professional contemporary, thought-provoking theater, which inspires emotional response and stimulates discussion. Unicorn Theatre is under the artistic and executive leadership of Producing Artistic Director Cynthia Levin, who joined the company in 1980. From a newly expanded home in the Midtown neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, the Unicorn houses two stages–The Mainstage and The Jerome Stage (added 2007). A fully professional not-for-profit theatre, the theatre operates under agreement with Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The Unicorn is a founding member of the National New Play Network, an alliance of not-for-profit professional theatres that champions the development, production and continued life of new plays for the American theatre; and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. Financial assistance for this theatre has been provided by The National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; corporate and foundation gifts; and the generous individuals throughout the community we serve.
