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Art Scene

TRADITION IN MOTION: The Evolution of Native American Dance

SEND THE VERY BEST: Intrepid company brings cheeky holiday show to Crown Center

EBENEZER, WE HARDLY KNEW YE: Actor’s farewell is part of an era of change for KC Rep

PAEAN OF THE BELLS: Neglected choral works help form a more complete view of Rachmaninoff

SAMPLE THE RICHES: Ten Latin-American composers to explore

VAMOS A BAILAR: Dance group shows how the culture of Mexico enriches our lives

REVIEW: Pianist performs with an elegance that calms and excites

PAUL’S AUTUMN SPOTLIGHT

COFFEE WITH YOUR CANTATAS: Cafés have served as live-music venues for centuries

VAUNTED VANYA: Newly streamlined Chekhov adaptation underscores our shared humanity

PRINCIPLED PRINCIPAL: Symphony soloist finds his place among music’s finest

A PLACE IN THE SUN: Local theater commits exclusively to LGBTQ+ storytellers

Celebrating excellence

INCUBATE THIS: Dance festival occupies a central place in Kansas City’s summer

WITH THIS WALTZ I THEE WED: Dance lessons can help calm reception jitters

LOVE UNFOLDING: Stealth helps couple cement arts-centered bond

BEST OF SUMMER: From Beethoven to the Bard, Fringe to Frog & Toad, KC arts sparkle all summer

LET’S DANCE: KCB II artist is energized by Kansas City Ballet’s bracing environment

TOO ASIAN/NOT ASIAN ENOUGH: Actor-playwright-singer-songwriter wants to keep all channels open

KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY: Musical Club is one of the oldest performing arts groups in the Midwest

CHARADE’S THE THING: Shakespeare riff is a tale of grilled meats and party games

FULL PARTNERSHIP: Pianist is one of the busiest women in town

BUILDING BRIDGES: Stage management proves ideal training for dream job at KC Rep

NEW NORMAL

PRESENTING PINTSCHER: newEar introduces conductor’s music to Kansas City

DEFYING CATEGORIES: Emara Vonae’ Neymour Jackson

A PLACE IN THE KANSAS SUN:

ABILITY TO ACT: Coterie introduces musical based on Sotomayor’s children’s book

Paul Horsley’s Best of Spring

JOSQUIN HERO: Ensemble brings out the vitality of music’s first “world-famous composer”

PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES: Company reemerges after blaze in historic theater poses existential threat

SING WE NOW: Local choral groups draw enthusiastic audiences year-round

SPEAKING PLAINLY: Preservation initiatives reveal shift in attitudes toward Native American languages

LIVES UNMANAGEABLE: Public Theatre and non-profit group use theater to address addiction

MUSICAL OFFERING: Ensemble opens 25th season with a brilliant glimpse into Bach’s world

DEEP ROOTS: Actor-playwright yearns to steer theater into a diverse new era

FOR EVERYTHING A SEASON: Mezzo-soprano seeks joy in each phase of life

LEADERSHIP IN ACTION: Four Kansas City Latino/a performers who are making a difference

SINCERELY YOURS: Song cycle recreates epistolary exchange between artistic giants

PERFECT TEN: Plucky ensemble celebrates a decade of chamber music and more

Art Scene: The Goblet Invitational

RIDING TO NEW HORIZONS: Coterie and American Royal join forces for new play

Best of Fall 2024: Music, theater, and dance

NEW WORLD: Symphony strides into the Pintscher era

‘TIS A GIFT: Students, teachers, and local organizations spur a bounty of youthful talent

JUST IN TIME: Actors Theatre presents long-neglected American classic

MAKING STRIDES: Artists from the LGBTQ+ community share thoughts on Kansas City and its progress

LET FREEDOM SING: Choirs address a nation still making up its mind on LGBTQ+ issues

PEARL OF GREAT PRICE: Summerfest to perform gem created in the worst of times

Folly Theater – 10th Annual Garden Party

InterUrban Art House – Identity: Whose?

FAR FROM HOME: Shipboard romance forges path toward hope, hearth, home

SOLSTICE DREAMS: Kansas City fills summer months with great music, theater, and dance

SIMPLE TWISTS OF FATE: Symphony couple finds niche in the heartland

A LIFE FULFILLED: Entrepreneur finds joy in the arts and a knack for giving

PASS IT ON: Master teacher explores broader purposes for dance

LADIES WITH LATITUDE: Five women making a difference in Kansas City performing arts

BUILDING A FUTURE AND LEAVING A LEGACY

LIFE LESSONS THROUGH SONG: Local choirs reach new heights

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE: Dancer forms company with the broadest of missions

FREE TO ROAM: Actor thrives onstage and behind the scenes

WHEREFORE ART THOU? Lyric Opera presents renowned tenor with KC roots in role debut

Best of Spring: 35 events in music, theater, and dance you will not want to miss

MAHLER AND BEYOND: Stern and DiDonato contemplate the composer’s far-reaching vision

GREAT MOMENTS: Highlights of Kansas City’s arts year 2023

TEAM PLAYERS: Artists find that everyone gains from collaborations

BUT THE FIRE IS SO DELIGHTFUL: Chamber Orchestra underscores the joy of the Baroque

KEYBOARD COUPLE: Musical teamwork enhances wedded bliss

EARTH TONES: New generations of American Indian composers are steeped in classical and Native cultures

WYANDOTTE WAYS: Public Theatre co-founder brings family roots to bear in his work

FRESH START: Spinning Tree launches third season of newly framed company

TEACHING EMPATHY: Lyric Opera asks: Why add one-hit wonders when you can innovate?

TRAILBLAZERS: A scrapbook of Kansas City performing artists whose impact is being felt throughout the region and beyond

VOCES DIVERSAS: Arts groups lay groundwork for stronger Hispanic voices

TRAILBLAZING: Local ensemble explores how Latino music was formed from a confluence of voices

NOW’S THE TIME: UMKC Conservatory is ready to spring forward

NO SECOND GUESSING: Classical pioneer brings solo Bach to Kansas City

Best Of Fall 2023

BUILDING FORWARD: Ballet School continues ongoing success story with new studios

CONQUERING CONCORD: Broadway musical confirms wide appeal of Alcott classic

“‘TILL LOVE HAS ALL HIS RITES”: For theater couple, marriage just felt like the right thing to do

FINDING BALANCE: Ballet’s new executive is here to serve

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS: LGBTQ performing-arts collective is ready to tackle big issues

Art Scene – #PRIDE

BEST OF SUMMER 2023

#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Jun Iwasaki

#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Andi Meyer

Art Scene – #AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Allan Chow

A BIT OF EVERYTHING: Symphony’s associate conductor causing a stir

#AAPI TRAILBLAZER: Naomi Tanioka

DIVA DOGS: Local pets continue to energize Kansas City stages

TEN CENTURIES AND COUNTING: Students defy declarations of classical music’s demise

TRAILBLAZING: Kansas City opens arms to woman conductor as her renown grows

TRAILBLAZER: Amaya Rodriguez

Art Scene – Kansas City Trailblazers

THE ROUND PEG: The alchemy of collaboration continues to attract artists seeking the unexpected

ALL WORK AND NO PLAY: Lyric Opera finally brings the Torrances to town

PLAYING WELL WITH OTHERS: New program for young chamber musicians stresses collaboration and fun

BEST OF SPRING 2023

Art Scene – Dean Mitchell