A Barn Alternative Series Production
Production Support provided by: The Credit Union of Johnson County & The Francis Family Foundation

The Barn Players Theatre is proud to bring Patrick Marber's Closer to the stage, which opens this weekend, Friday, April 25. The show has been described as a work which "gets under its audience's skin, and...is not for the emotionally squeamish." In fact, Variety called it "bruising and beautiful, shatteringly funny and devastatingly sad...full of bitter, intelligent, unvarnished truth."

Set in contemporary London, Closer features only four characters - a simple quartet of two men and two women. All of the characters work in the "body business": Dan the obituary writer; Alice the stripper; Anna the photographer; and Larry the dermatologist. The story covers the relationships between the characters over an extended period of years, leaping months and even years forward from one decisive moment to the next. The action is carried forward in short, staccato scenes in which the things that are unsaid are often as loud as the things that are. The show's title is a reflection of the inability of all the characters to be closer - even during their most intimate moments.

Closer premiered at the Royal National Theatre on May 22, 1997. It has won the 1997 Evening Standard Best Comedy Award, and 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play, the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Foreign Play, and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in 1999.

The production is directed and designed by Nathan Norcross, with stage management by April Kobetz, and lighting design by Sean Glass, and features Greg Butell (as Larry), Erin Jevons-Lee (as Alice), Christina Martin (as Anna), and Dave Martin (as Dan).

Showtimes are 7:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, April 25 and 26, and May 2 and 3, with matinee performances on Sundays, April 27, and May 4, at 2:00pm. All performances are at The Barn Players Theatre, located at 6219 Martway, Mission, Kansas. Tickets are $12 for regular admission; $10 for seniors (age 65 and older); $5 for students with a valid student ID; and $8 for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased at the box office, which opens one hour before curtain time.

The Credit Union of Johnson County is one of Mission's oldest financial institutions and a well-known fixture in the local community. Less well-known, perhaps, is the fact that the Credit Union actually owns the facility which houses the Barn Players Theatre, located right next door. As part of its community outreach, the Credit Union leases the building rent-free to The Barn Players. Earlier this year, the Credit Union and the Barn renewed a lease agreement for continued use of the facility as a permanent home to The Barn Players Theatre.

"The Credit Union of Johnson County is a great supporter and partner of ours," said Eric Magnus, President of the Barn Players Board of Directors. "Like community theater, the credit union recognizes and values the importance of local connections."

Both organizations have roots that date back to the mid-1950's.

The Barn Players started in 1955, and the organization has had many homes over the years. They have been at their current location since 2004. They are one of the only larger theater company's in the metropolitan area that holds local auditions and has regular shows for the public.

The credit union was started in a classroom at Shawnee Mission North High School in 1953.

"From the beginning, we've always had a strong presence in northeast Johnson County," said John Beverlin, President and CEO of the Credit Union of Johnson County. "We purchased our existing Mission property in 1978 to serve as our corporate headquarters, and recently completed an expansion and renovation project in the community we've long called home."

According to Beverlin, credit unions, by tradition, are very community focused.

"That continues to be a significant role we play throughout Kansas City," said Beverlin, whose credit union is actively involved with organizations such as Johnson County Meals on Wheels, the Children's Miracle Network benefiting KU Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital, the Shawnee Mission School Foundation and the Johnson County Community College Foundation.

"We know the community has been a foundation of our success, so supporting it in ways we can is important to us," he said. "We'v e planted deep roots in the area we serve."

The Barn Players Board of Directors is proud of its strong partnership with the Credit Union of Johnson County, and expresses its sincere appreciation for CUJC's continued support.

The Barn Players Theatre & MelBee's Restaurant are proud to team up to bring you a great deal: Dinner and a Show!!!

MelBee's has recently partnered with the Barn to bring audiences great food and great entertainment for a terrific price. Beginning with this week's opening of Closer, you can purchase a MelBee's Theatre Package, which includes two theatre tickets and a three-course meal, all for just $50 per couple. Plus, following the May 3 Saturday evening performance of Closer, MelBee's will host a "meet the cast" party at the restaurant. Delicious complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served, and cocktails and wine will also be available for purchase.

For details, see the Barn Players website at www.thebarnplayers.org or call for reservations at (913) 432-9100. We'll see you at the Barn!!

By George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
Directed by Jessica Franz
Performances: July 11-13, 18-20 & 25-27, 2008

AUDITIONS: Sat., May 3, 1-4 p.m. & Mon., May 5, 7-10 p.m. at Colonial Church, located at 71st Street and Mission Road in Prairie Village, KS.

***Please bring a headshot and resume, and be prepared with a short monologue. Thank you. ***

CALLBACKS: Tues., May 6, 6:30-10 p.m., at Colonial Church

SYNOPSIS: The Man Who Came to Dinner is a classic American farce written in the late 1930's that tells the story of Sheridan Whiteside, noted orator and cultural critic, who, while on a lecture tour in a small Ohio town, slips on the ice and injures his hip. Until his bones heal, his hosts are forced to put up (and put up with) the imperious Whiteside, enduring his unending whims, caprices, and vitriolic bon mots. Meanwhile, Maggie-Whiteside's Girl Friday-falls in love with the local newspaper editor, forcing Whiteside to enlist the help of Broadway siren Lorraine Sheldon in a plan to keep Maggie from leaving him. It's a three-ring circus, with everything from Lizzie Borden axe-murderesses to a library that's filled with exotic creatures.

• If you've attended our two most-recent productions-Nine-the Musical or Macbeth-then you've had the pleasure of sitting in our new padded seat, lumbar-supporting chairs. The chairs were purchased through the generous donation of Vida Bikales and Pfizer. If you haven't had the chance to test-drive our new seats, be sure to make plans now to reserve one for our upcoming production of Patrick Marber's Closer. Many thanks to Ms. Bikales and Pfizer for their continued support.
• Coincidentally, the Barn has a number of blue plastic, stackable chairs for sale at a reasonable price of $10 each. (We're thrilled to have new seating!!) If you know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing the chairs, please contact Tamara Kingston at (913) 432-9100.
• Prior Attire, a strong Barn supporter and friend, will celebrate its two-year anniversary in May. A special anniversary party is planned for this Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to noon featuring "live mannequins" provided by the Barn Players. Prior Attire has been donated more than $23,000 during the past two years to the Barn Players Theatre. So, stop and shop at Prior Attire this weekend, 4024 W. 95th Street in Prairie Village. Help us support Prior Attire.
• Schlotsky's has been providing fresh-baked cookies for Barn productions. Next time you visit the Barn, come and enjoy their delicious cookies. Or, stop by for freshly made sandwiches, soups, salads, or pizzas-in addition to cookies!-at 6350 Johnson Drive.