September 2008 Newsletter
The Barn Players Theatre
E-Newsletter - September, 2008
Inside This Issue:
Opening September 19...
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, Book by James Lapine and William Finn, Vocal arrangements by Jason Robert Brown
Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
September 19-21, 26-28 & October 3-5, 2008
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm
Join us for our upcoming production of A New Brain, written by William Finn & James Lapine, opening on September 19.
From the Tony-award winning authors of FALSETTOS, A New Brain is an energetic, sardonic, and comical musical about a composer who confronts a life-altering medical emergency. One day Gordon collapses into his ziti and awakens in the hospital surrounded by medical staff, his maritime-enthusiast lover, his mother, and a co-worker.
Prior to his collapse, Gordon was composing a song for a children's television show that features a frog named Mr. Bungee. The specter of this large green character and the unfinished work haunts Gordon throughout his medical ordeal. Fortunately, he recovers, grateful for a chance to compose the songs he yearns to produce.
Join director Barb Nichols, vocal director Martha Risser and an amazing cast: Darin Parker, Sarah Lamar, Kristin Leathers, Jennifer Cannady, Mark Murphy, Nick Uthoff , Brad Torres, Rob Reeder, Kipp Simmons, and Janelle Grimes as they sing and dance their way through the journey of life.
For some fascinating facts about Lapine and A New Brain from The Barn dramaturge, Ross Harmon, go to http://www.thebarnplayers.org/currentshow/
For showtimes and ticket prices, call (913) 432-9100, or see the website at www.thebarnplayers.org.
Special Notice:
Parking for September 19th and 20th Performances of A New Brain:
Opening night, Friday September 19th, for A New Brain will coincide with the City of Mission's Arts and Eats Festival. Event booths will be located around the Sylvester Powell Community Center. There will be many exhibitors and the annual barbeque Battle of the Brisket. Come early and enjoy some great food and visit some of the booths with wonderful arts, crafts, local businesses and vendors.
Our Barn Player entrances will be closed off for the event for our patrons. You will need to enter The Barn Players parking lot and identify yourself as attending the theatre production. There will be people to guide you to park.. Additional parking will be available across Lamar around the Johnson County offices building.
The Barn Players are thrilled to be a supporter of Mission's Arts & Eats Festival.
Upcoming Special Event...
The Barn Players are delighted to announce a special fund raising event entitled, Lights, Action, Sing! A Musical Revue at The Barn on the evenings of October 10 & 11. This event is to raise money for our electrical up grade. The upgrade will enable us to continue doing the quality community theatre productions you have come to know and love.
Lights, Action, Sing! will feature songs from the past 53 years of musicals at The Barn and a few more from future shows. It will be fun event. There will be food and a silent auction with some intriguing items up for bid.
Eric Magnus is directing the show; Darin Parker is the musical director, and Casey Carl is the accompanist.
Lights, Action, Sing! cast will include:
- Jake Borowski
- JC Dresslaer
- Chris Gleeson
- Laura Jacobs
- Kristin Leathers
- Patrick Lewallen
- Kristi Mitchell-Sweazey
- Darin Parker
Tickets are $20.00 a person. Dates are October 10 & 11, 2008 at 7:30pm
We hope to see you there!
It's A Wrap...
Congratulations to the Director Darren Sextro and the cast, crew and volunteers for their success in our most recent production, Wonder of the World by David Lindsey-Abaire.
Hats Off to the Cast:
- Gayle Grooms as Cass
- Erik Finch as Kip
- Shelly Stewart as Lois
- Heather Austin as Barbara, Helicopter Pilot, Waitresses, Janie
- Pam Haskin as Karla
- David Belz as Glen
- Bill Case as Captain Mike
September Auditions...
Director Eric Van Horn and musical director Marsha Canaday will be holding auditions for the upcoming musical Jekyll & Hyde on September 21st (7pm), September 22nd (7pm), & September 23rd (7 - 7:15pm), at The Barn Players Theatre, 6219 Martway, Mission, KS. More information about roles are posted on our website at www.thebarnplayers.org
New Artistic Director...
Eric Magnus
The Barn Players are pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Magnus as the new Artistic Director for, effective September 1, 2009. Magnus succeeds Beate Pettigrew, who has held the position since 2005. Pettigrew's increased involvement with Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival has necessitated the move, but, fortunately for The Barn Players, she will continue to serve us in an advisory capacity. Magnus will also be assisted ably by Lynn Reddick, who will step into the role of Associate Artistic Director for the theatre.
"I look forward to carrying on Beate's vision of meeting and exceeding expectations as to affordable, quality Community Theatre here in the K.C. metro," states Magnus.
Eric Magnus has been a stage actor since 1985, appearing in local community and equity theaters. He has been a theatre educator and director since 1991. Eric is a published playwright with Eldridge Publishing Company, featuring his adaptations of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew, which have been performed all across the country.
Beate Pettigrew is the Artistic Coordinator for the Theatre Department at Johnson County Community College. She is the immediate past chair and the current Dramaturgy Coordinator for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region V. She is honored to serve the Kennedy Center as the National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Audition Coordinator.
Lynn Reddick is a Data Architect at Sprint Corporation where he has worked for the past 21 years. Lynn has served on the boards of the Kansas City Boys Choir, the Heartland Men's Chorus and recently completed his term as chairman of the Theatre Council for The Theatre in the Park. He has appeared onstage in numerous productions, and has also served on many production staffs as a stage manager and an assistant director.
Get Your Season Tickets for 2009!
The Barn Players Theatre is now offering season tickets for 2009…so take advantage of this great deal. If you've reviewed the list of productions in the 2009 Season, you'll want to guarantee you have seats reserved for you and your guests for all of the upcoming shows.
How does the season pass work? You pick any five shows you would like to see during our 2009 Season, and you pay only $50 for all five shows. Just send a check or stop by the box office to purchase your tickets.
This is a great way to save some money, enjoy great entertainment, and benefit your favorite local community theatre…all at the same time! How clever of you!
News & Tidbits
Prior Attire Call of the Wild! Go on a safari through September's collection of animal prints clothing and accessories. Find fierce fall fashions that won't bite your pocketbook at Prior Attire -- 4024 W. 95th St. Check out the new jewelry creations by Rebecca Francis. When you shop, donate your gently used clothing and accessories or volunteer you are helping to support The Barn.
VOLUNTEER!!! Interested in volunteering? We have lots of opportunities for you! You can volunteer as an usher or assist with the box office, or even work the concessions booth for one of our upcoming performances. Bonus: you get to see the show for free!!! If you're interested, please email your name and contact information to Mandy Lagoski at theatremandy@yahoo.com for information about volunteer opportunities at the Barn.
For the "latest and greatest" at The Barn Players Theatre, check our website regularly for information about upcoming productions, auditions, and a calendar of future events-or to join our email subscription list-at www.thebarnplayers.org.
