Coterie Theatre News

A summer treat for the kiddies in ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY" opened Friday, June 14 at the Coterie Theatre in Kanas City. Directed by Shanara Gabrielle the children's musical written by Mo Willems concludes the 40th season for the theater. Willems author of the popular Elephant and Piggie book series wrote the script and lyrics for the stage. Deborah Wicks La Puma wrote the music for the play with musical direction is by Anthony T. Edwards.

Quality Hill Playhouse continues its BROADWAY AND ALL THAT JAZZ series with SONGBOOK OF THE 60S AND 70S at the Playhouse in Kansas City. Directed by Producing Artistic Director J. Kent Barnhart the fourth program in the series runs through May 26. The final installment in the series SONGBOOK OF THE 80S TO PRESENT begins June 14 and concludes the 2018-2019 season at the Playhouse on July 14.

"Bond, James Bond!" No, BOND the story of a soldier and his dog now playing at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City. Cynthia Levin directs one of the best dramas to appear in this performing arts season. BOND is thought-provoking and gut-wrenching with just enough humor to keep the viewer from needing a Zoloft. BOND plays at the Unicorn Theatre in collaboration with The Messner Puppet Theater through May 19.

From strawberry fields to Bug Stock BEAT BUGS to quote Crick is, "A truly magical place." BEAT BUGS a musical inspired by songs from the Beatles is now playing at The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City. BEAT BUGS directed by Producing Artistic Director Jeff Church with musical direction by Anthony T. Edwards is based on the Netflix original series, "Beat Bugs". The musical was created by Josh Wakely and written by Sean Cercone and David Abbinanti.

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, is pleased to present a staged reading of award-winning playwright John Glore's Creep. This staged reading is being directed by Artistic Director Oanh Nguyen as part of Chance Theater's OTR New Works Series. Creep will be presented for one night only on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30pm at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage.

From the opening song, the audience knows they are in for a special evening as Spinning Tree Theatre presents BILLY ELLIOT at the Just Off Broadway Theatre in Kansas City. This production directed by Michael Grayman-Parkhurst raises the bar for local theatrical performances. BILLY ELLIOT will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will forever be locked in your memory.

Presentation House Theatre (PHT) and Mexico's Marionetas de la Esquina present the highly anticipated return of their enchanting environmental tale for young audiences, Jack and the Magic Bean, at Presentation House Theatre from April 11-28, 2019. In this whimsical and enlightening adaptation of the classic fairy tale, when Jacky tries to sell her beloved toys to buy food for her family and then trades them for a magic bean, she discovers something much more valuable than money ? how to sustainably grow your own food and care for the land.

The AA Arts Incubator Program of Asian Improv Arts Midwest (AIRMW) is pleased to announce that its historic series, 'Our Perspective: Asian American Play Readings,' continues with its second reading in 2019. The next reading is the comedic full length play Lucy and Charlie's Honeymoon by Matthew C. Yee, Monday, May 13, at the Steppenwolf 1700 Theatre, 1700 N Halsted St, at 6:30 p.m. The running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are $8 for general admission seating and may be reserved online at steppenwolf.org. Seating is limited. For any additional information about the event, go to Our-Perspective.com or call 773.972.6745.

If you want to smile, laugh, and be thoroughly entertained then pop on over to MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS now playing at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center. The musical brings to life the beloved children's book of the same name by Richard and Florence Atwater. With a script by Robert Kauzlari and music and lyrics by George Howe, Heidi Van directs this highly enjoyable adaptation.

Following an extensive nationwide search, Guthrie Theater Artistic Director Joseph Haj today announced the appointment of two new members to his senior leadership team: James Haskins as managing director and Mollie Alexander Hogan as director of development.

The 40th season of live theatre for families and young audiences continues at The Coterie Theatre with a marvelous production of SECRET SOLDIERS: HEROINES IN DISGUISE. The very entertaining and highly educational show is a co-production with the University of Missouri Theatre and The Coterie Theatre. Jeff Church, Producing Artistic Director, and Bree Elrod co-direct this important interactive drama.

THE HAPPY ELF is filled with elves, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a town where everyone is the naughty list and Christmas is forbidden. These are just some of the things that face Eubie, the happiest elf at the North Pole. THE HAPPY ELF is featured at the Black Box Theatre, located in the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center in Overland Park, Kansas. THE HAPPY ELF runs thru December 23rd and is a wonderful show for the whole family.

Rediscover RUDOLPH The Red-Nosed Reindeer, the Musical, now on stage at the Coterie Theatre in Kansas City. Relive the nostalgia of childhood while introducing a new generation to one of the most joyous stories of the season with the rambunctious return of Rudolph. PARENTS: turn off the tv/computer and bring your kids to this show - they'll be happy you did! Showing through December 30th, 2018 at Crown Center in the Coterie Theatre.

The "most famous reindeer of all" from the longest-running and highest-rated holiday television special will be live on stage in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical at The Coterie Theatre in Crown Center. Directed by William J. Christie, The Coterie's critically- acclaimed production features Rudolph and the entire holly jolly cast of iconic characters, including Sam the Snowman, Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snow Monster, helping Santa save Christmas this holiday season, November 6 - December 30, 2018.

Arts leaders from the Kansas City Rep, Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre, Kansas City Actors Theatre and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival have formed Theatre Alliance Kansas City, a community wide coalition, which will be dedicated to building awareness and increasing engagement with both theatre audiences and artists. The alliance will offer membership to all metro area theatres, professional, non-professional and academic. The inaugural Board of Directors includes Angela Gieras and Jason Chanos (KC Rep), Cynthia Levin (Unicorn Theatre), Joette Pelster and Jeff Church (Coterie Theatre), John Rensenhouse (KCAT) and Sidonie Garrett of HASF.

Coterie Theatre debuts 40th season with the Premier of Kevin Willmott's play Becoming Martin. More a coming of age story than history lesson, Willmotts' play is written with families with children ages 11 and older in mind. The show performs through October 21, 2018 (75 minute run time without intermission). Performances  are at the Coterie Theatre, level one of Crown Center, at 2450 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO, June 19 through August 5th, 2018.  For tickets call the box office at (816) 474-6552 or online: www.thecoterie.org

Known for high-quality productions and successful collaborations with Kansas City and nationwide theatre companies and ranked by Hollywood Reporter as having the #17 best graduate acting program in the English-speaking world as well as being selected one of the top ten Costume Design and Technology programs in the country, UMKC Theatre announces its 2018-19 season.

Kansas City Public Theatre (KCPublic) continues "First Mondays Theatre Lab". Every first Monday of the month, Kansas City Public Theatre presents staged readings of local playwrights and small-scale performance art which reflects the unique history and concerns of the Kansas City community.  Experience the development of new work and support area artists as they put new ideas to the stage!

Starlight Theatre has announced that Broadway star and two-time Tony nominee Brad Oscar will lead the cast of the musical comedy phenomenon Hairspray, playing Starlight Theatre July 27-Aug. 2, as part of the 2018 Shawnee Mission Health Broadway Series. Hairspray's director, principal and ensemble cast will also include a number of performers with Kansas City roots, many of whom are making their return to the Starlight Theatre stage!

Welcome to the 60's, Kansas City! Hairspray, Broadway's musical comedy phenomenon, plays under the stars for six performances, Friday, July 27 - Thursday, Aug. 2, and Starlight is pleased to announce that Tony Award nominee Brad Oscar recently joined the cast. Oscar will portray the iconic role of Edna Turnblad, 16-year-old Tracy's mother who hasn't left their apartment in years - but whose life is about to change when her teenage daughter's dreams become reality.