Backstage And Beyond | Page 2 | The Independent

Backstage And Beyond

IN TRANSITION: In Kansas City and throughout America, women playwrights are telling new stories in new ways

THE SNOWY PATH LESS TRAVELED: Local arts groups present an increasing array of holiday offerings

I’VE FALLEN BUT I CAN GET UP: Lyric Opera offers fresh view of Verdi’s most complex woman

IT HAPPENED IN SÃO PAULO: Kansas City to witness collaboration of pioneering American conductor with brilliant Brazilian orchestra

IF THESE TREES COULD TALK: Symphony’s paean to nature includes valiant new compositional voice

FACETS OF AMERICA: The Rep’s new associate artistic director aims to bring theater to all Kansas Citians

THE HEAT IS ON: Symphony completes first season of guest conductors

BEST OF FALL 2022

NAVO MEANS NEW / NAVO MEANS MUSIC: Performing-arts ‘collective’ vies for attention

KISS THE BRIDE, THEN EXIT LEFT: Top 10 stage weddings (that actually have happy endings)

BECOMING ONE: Dance artists craft unprecedented ‘collaborative choreography’ for Moving Arts

Flight Paths And Footwear: Chance meeting on airport jetway sparks lifelong romance

METTLE FOR MEDALS: Winners of international competitions bring prestige to area music schools

MUSIC TO OUR EARS: Youth orchestra inspires hope, spurs students to broad-based achievement

IN PLAIN ENGLISH: Festival marks 30th anniversary with Shakespeare’s most vibrantly accessible play

BREAKING THE FUR CEILING: ‘Animal work’ trains actors to become their whole selves

BACH TO THE BAYOU: Trumpeter follows famous kin into halls of greatness

LADIES, WITH AN ARABESQUE: Local dance companies defy national odds with increased gender parity

BOYS’ CLUB NO LONGER: Women are brightening up classical music locally and globally

JOBS WELL DONE: Tech giant is subject of Lyric Opera’s path-forging new production

BEST OF SPRING 2022

PULLING THE STRINGS: Local groups use puppets for youth initiatives and standard theater

GIRLS JUST WANNA SOLVE CRIMES: Rep presents new female-centered Holmes play

SLEEPERS, AWAKE: New composition inspires inclusion while challenging classical status quo

VIEW FROM THE TOP: Kansas City violinist’s career takes a giant leap with three competition victories in a row

FALSETTO THAT’S ANYTHING BUT FALSE: Series presents countertenor who is radically altering expectations

BUILDING BRIDGES: Friends concert will use transcontinental technology to join choirs and audiences

POPCORN WITH YOUR PUCCINI: Lyric celebrates opera’s long-standing connection to film

A NEW HOPE: Kansas City Symphony celebrates the composer who redefined film music

NEW WINE IN NEW BOTTLES: Midwest Trust Center and Opus 76 Quartet team up for unprecedented residency

DANCING INTO A NEW ERA: Local company marks 30 years of the best contemporary American choreography

LIVING, BREATHING DANCE: Company remains firm in its resolve to use live musicians

SING, PLAY, MOVE: Charlotte Street makes bold new commitment with music-composition contest

HEART OF THE COUNTRY: Local creators strive to make Kansas City a hub for film and television

LOVE IS LOVE: As same-sex weddings gain acceptance, rampant growth shines on the horizon

‘ONE GREAT GOOD TRUE THING’: Theater’s love-couples can school us in the art of romance

MAHLER AND MOONLIGHT: Orchestra love stories begin with shared values

HIGH-STRUNG: As it celebrates 20 years, local chamber music organization gains momentum

A MOTHER’S WORRY: Chamber opera by two Kansas City-born women is exerting national impact

START SPREADIN’ THE NEWS: KC Rep becomes first major arts group to announce a full 2021-2022 season

BOLD NEW CAREERS: Musicians adapt abilities to fresh situations and needs

FROM GRASSY FIELD TO CULTURAL HUB: Midwest Trust Center celebrates 30 years as primary force in local arts scene

HOWL ME A TUNE: As composers evoke animals in their music, orchestral musicians draw symbiotic sustenance from their own pets

LIGHTS, CAMERA, JETÉ: Film is offering local performers new means of expression

IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK: KC Rep’s web initiative reveals intricate connections among art forms in Kansas City

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Performers reveal whose opinions matter to them when the applause subsides

BEST OF 2020: Local performing artists brought thrills to an anxiety-filled year

WINNING TEAM: Nationally renowned arts program brings hope to children, families

WHAT’S ON THE WEB TONIGHT, DEAR?

JUST FOLKS: They’re not exactly normal suburbanites (but almost)

SIMPLY THE BEST: Symphony rejoices at landing one of America’s finest

STRONG ENOUGH: Performers find resilience and innovation in the midst of crisis

GIFTED AND BLACK: Kansas City’s performing artists strive toward new levels of equality

LIFE AFTER GEORGE: Former New York City Ballet dancer finds niche right here in her home town

SEND THE VERY BEST: Lyric to make history with fresh version of holiday classic

BEING FRANK: Sky’s the limit for Kansas City-born actor

MIRACLE ON THE MUDDY: Kansas City surprises nation with bold new venture

MAKING LEMONADE WITHOUT LEMONS: Despite challenges, arts groups have plenty to offer this fall

SING, DANCE, REJOICE: Choir with ambitious goals celebrates 25 years of success

CANE MUTINY: Symphony principal shows the saner side of being an oboist

GET ON YOUR FEET: A top-notch live band can make your reception into the party of a lifetime

LOVE IS A MADNESS: Actors find Kansas City ideal for career and for ‘happily ever after’

AT A CROSSROADS: Conservatory finds ideal leader by following one simple rule

A SECRET NO LONGER: International fame is shining light on sleepy Parkville

BUCKLE UP: After COVID-19’s bumpy stretch, Kansas City is in for the ride of a lifetime

FROM OUR TOWN TO YOURS: Kansas City Musicians Continue To Change The World

ART IN TIME OF CRISIS: Kansas Citians suggest balsam for wounded souls

COUNT THE WAYS: Six things you can do right now to support local arts groups (in the comfort of your own ‘quarantine’)

PAWS IN THE ACTION: Pets both real and invented make their way onto local stages

BALANCING ACT: Performing-arts groups battle daily to thrive and grow

SHINE ON: Lyric Opera presents groundbreaking Stephen King opera

CAGED BIRDS: Tale of family conflict continues to reveal shared values

ODE TO JOY, PEACE, UNITY: Kansas City marks Beethoven’s 250th birthday with a fresh take

MUSICAL ALCHEMIST: Kansas City-based composer creates magic from diverse elements

THE NEXT STAGE: Ballet hires major talent to lead Second Company

CALL IT WHAT YOU WILL: Singer wins hearts while defying categorization

A ‘MESSIAH’ LIKE NO OTHER: Spire employs unique model to build world-class performances

WEB OF TRADITIONS: Guitarist formed local group to explore a myriad of styles

STUCK IN A LOOP: Fugard play speaks to America’s racial stalemate

ROADS LESS TRAVELED: ‘Yule’ not want to miss these four holiday offerings

TOP CLEF: Harriman presents local debut of refreshing new star

ONE GIANT LEAP: Symphony opens season with world premiere commemorating American milestone

RIGHT HERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER: New Dance Partners builds bridges of innovation

THREE, BY THREE: New companies join the Lyric Opera in presenting audience-friendly fare

KNOCK KNOCK: Theater companies embark on daring collaboration

SOUL OF THE CELLO: Cathedral series begins with that warmest of instruments

DEATH & DESPAIR IN DES MOINES: Metro Opera continues its remarkable ascent

ANYTHING GOES: Musical conventions for weddings are all over the map

LOVE AT FIRST PLIÉ: Dancers find love through artistry and understanding

TELL ME A STORY: Summerfest makes new friends (but always keeps the old)

GREEN GRASS, GOLDEN JUBILEE: Theatre in the Park celebrates 50 years with big musicals

IN REVIEW: ‘Hamilton’ finally takes the stage in Kansas City (and good luck getting a ticket)

SHADOWS ON THE PLAIN: MTH ‘clarifies’ classic musical by paring it to basics

IN REVIEW: With a single program, the Kansas City Ballet has altered the tone of the performing arts in our community

HUMOR IN THE MIX: KC Ballet nabs world-renowned local hero for commission

WHAT CRISIS? Kansas City bucks national odds with ever-new, ever-fresh arts groups

REVIEW: Visually appealing ‘Pearl Fishers’ entertains by embracing the opera’s conundrums

BELIEVING IN DOG: Unicorn transforms one-man ‘short’ into full-length drama

‘BASTA!’ Heartland Men’s Chorus’ world premiere marks 50th anniversary of gay-rights milestone

ANALYZE THIS: Lyric’s ‘Così’ is scintillating fun that spares us needless exegesis