Some people have asked: "What do you look for as a critic?" That answer is simple: Something I can remember. Anyone who really knows me might conclude that my tastes are entirely too vulgar to really be a theater critic. The trash, in my view, is often as memorable as the art.
But theater has a split personality: One foot is in the nonprofit world of academically approved high art, the other in the tawdry, commercial world of showbiz. Sometimes the lines are blurred, but the truth is you can find as much truth and beauty in the vulgar as you can in the refined.
But at the end of the day, I look for something real -- a piece of writing, a moment in an actor's performance, an inspired bit of staging from a director that somehow conveys the emotional, pyschological or spiritual reality of being human.
Submitted by Ruth Burch from Shawnee, KS
Q: I thought I read a couple months ago that the Musical Billy Joel's Movin Out was coming to KC in October. I can not find this listed anywhere. Wanting to buy tickets. Am I crazy or was this an ad for the NY performance?? It was in the Star Movie page.
Answered 07/27/05 22:56:35 by Robert Trussell
A: Theater League is opening its 2005-06 season with Movin' Out at the Music Hall. The dates are October 4-9. You can find out more at www.theaterleague.com.Submitted by Robert Moore from Kansas City, Missouri
Q: I was wondering has any theater compnay locally produced Avenue Q or Anna in the Tropics? I know they were both produced on Broadway but I had not heard about any company doing them here in kansas city
Answered 07/08/05 16:24:59 by Robert Trussell
A: Nobody has produced either show in Kansas City. "Avenue Q" is still running on Broadway and as long as it is the rights probably won't be released to regional theater companies. Because of its adult content, it won't tour, although a second production opened in May in Las Vegas. Peter Altman, artistic director of KC Rep, has expressed admiration for "Anna in the Tropics" but the play is not on the Rep's 2005-2006 season. It's a play I could easily imagine at the Unicorn Theatre and I would be surprised if we don't see it in a local production within 2 or 3 years.Submitted by Bob from Overland Park, KS
Q: Where is the best place to find information about upcoming plays?
Answered 07/06/05 22:46:03 by Robert Trussell
A: Other than the Kansas City Star calender listings and general theater coverage, you could check out KC Stage, an online magazine, at www.kcstage.com.Submitted by Sheryl Bryant from Overland Park KS
Q: I have a news item that might be of interest to other long time theatre folk in KC. THE DINOSAUR MUSICAL is now playing at the COTERIE THEATRE in Crown Center. If I am not mistaken, the next production of THE DINOSAUR MUSICAL, being done at the Alden Stage in Philadelphia this fall, is being directed by Whit MacLaughlin, a man who grew up in Kansas City and who used to be a Tiffany's Attic Hootchie, a yoga instructor, and an actor for Theatre for Young America when it was called the Waldo Astoria Children's Theatre. Small world, isn't it?
Answered 07/06/05 22:44:27 by Robert Trussell
A: Your information is correct. A review of "The Dinosaur Musical" will appear in the Preview section on July 7. An interview with the authors will run in FYI on July 9.Submitted by Pat from Topeka KS
Q: Is the Midland Theater still open? If so, what is playing there?
Answered 07/06/05 22:42:02 by Robert Trussell
A: The Midland Theatre is owned by AMC Theaters and is still used for concerts and the occasional touring theatrical production. It will be right next to the planned entertainment district in downtown KC, but AMC has not announced longrange plans for the theater.Submitted by Lee Anne (Trussell) from Cottonwood Falls, KS
Q: Again, a question about the name Trussell. I'm a Kansas Trussell and have never seen the name except here in Chase County. Our daughter is in med school in Kansas City, I teach at Washburn University in Topeka, my father was a railroader, and my Grandpa Trussell ran a city water dept. in our county. As you can see, noone in the "BIZ." I have an uncle Robert Trussell, again here in Chase County. Can you give me any tracks to follow to learn more about our history? Thanks.
Answered 05/31/05 17:52:29 by Robert Trussell
A: Apparently there are Trussells all over the U.S. and the U.K. If you go online you can find what is alleged to be the Trussell Coat of Arms from merry old England. I'm afraid I haven't explored the family tree all that much. I come from Trussells in Texas who originally came from Virginia or West Virginia. That's about all I know. You might learn more by going to the Trussell Family Genealogy Forum at http://genforum.genealogy.com/trussell/Submitted by Erica from Kansas City, KS
Q: I was interested in the Broadway Musical "Aida" at the Music Hall and I saw that with some sort of password I can get a KC Star Discount.That will cut the price almost in half. Since I am a KC Star subscriber how do I get that discount? I would love to see that production I heard so much about with having to break the bank to see it.
Answered 04/19/05 21:38:00 by Robert Trussell
A: I'm afraid I don't have any information about this. I suggest you call Star Info at(816)234-4741 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, or contact them by email at starinfo@kcstar.comSubmitted by Anonymous from Toronto,
Q: hey there... I'm not sure why I'm doing this other than pure interest. I was wondering where you're from originally? I just find it very interesting that you're Robert Trussell who is a theatre Critic, and my name is Christopher Trussell who happends to be an actor/singer and I'm sure we have little to no relation...i've just never really heard of any other Trussell's in the "BIZ"....anyways, cheers to you and take care
Answered 04/19/05 21:28:39 by Robert Trussell
A: I am from Texas originally. My father, Jake Trussell, was an arts-and-entertainment journalist as well as a sports writer for the Kingsville Record in Kingsville, Tex. (population 30,000). My brother, Philip Trussell, is a visual artist in Austin, Tex. My nephew, Jake Trussell, is a musican/DJ/conceptual artist in Boston. It seems to me that my father was at some point sent a family tree that suggested that two Trussell brothers came over on the Mayflower or one of the other early ships. One settled in New England, the other in Virginia. The southern Trussells supoosedly all stem from the Virginia bro. If this is at all accurate, then all the Trussells in North America may be distantly related, which means you and I could be cousins 500 times removed.Submitted by Nancy from Lee's Summit MO
Q: Where can I find out about season tickets to the Rep plays outlined in your column on April 17? All the web sites list other productions at Union Station.
Answered 04/19/05 21:21:54 by Robert Trussell
A: You should check out the Rep's Web site at www.kcrep.org. If you call their box-office at 816 235 2700 and wait for a live human to come on the line he or she can tell you when season tickets will go on sale.Submitted by Steven B from Shawnee, KS
Q: I've always been a big fan of the musical "1776," I thought for sure KC would have had at least 1 (touring) production of the show back when it was revived on Broadway. Do you know if "1776" is on anybody's agenda? It really is a fantastic production with quite a bit of historical significance!
Answered 04/19/05 21:20:26 by Robert Trussell
A: I have heard nothing about a planned tour of "1776"Submitted by Paul Baker from Shawnee , Ks
Q: I didn't see a review of the musical "Swing!" if you have reviewed it . If not when are you if you are going to do a review?
Answered 04/19/05 21:19:18 by Robert Trussell
A: The review ran on March 22.Submitted by Sue from Lenexa, KS
Q: I was looking at the Ticketmaster website to purchase Aida tickets. I noticed that there was a discounted price available described as "KC Star Offer". I'm a Star subscriber, and haven't noticed that offer. Would you be able to steer me in the right direction? As a side note, I noticed another post on 1/25 that indicated this might not be the best touring production. Have you heard any more about the quality of this tour?
Answered 04/19/05 21:16:21 by Robert Trussell
A: This is not the national tour that played Starlight a few years ago. A new non-Equity tour was planned but then cancelled after producers worked out a new arrangement with Actors Equity, which is the union for actors and stage managers. This, apparently, is a tour produced by Theater League to play in some of those cities where the league regularly presents shows -- Long Beach, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks in California, Toledo, Kansas City. I haven't yet come across any reviews of the show so I don't have a clue at this stage about its quality. The show opens on Tuesday, April 26, at the Music Hall in Kansas City.Submitted by Lost from KCMO
Q: Mr. Trussel, I am from a small Black college in Louisiana, Grambling. I have been in K.C. for 4 years looking for the Black theatre community. I have seen several fine productions at the Just Off Broadway theater, put on by what appears to be a very good Black company. But I have been unable to contact the group. The last production of theirs' that I saw was 'A Raisin In the Sun'. Do you know of this company? If so, how I can get in touch with them?
Answered 03/16/05 19:28:41 by Robert Trussell
A: The company is called InPlay. One of the founders is Jacqee Gafford, a director, actor and playwright. Try calling co-founder Fran Farah at (816) 765-5767 or the Just Off Broadway Theatre at 816-784-5020.Submitted by Sheryl Bryant from overland park ks
Q: Comment about Equity theatres in Kansas City. Theatre for Young America is also an Equity theatre. Please add this to your list from 3/10/05. Many thanks.
Answered 03/16/05 19:19:58 by Robert Trussell
A: Yes, TYA also employs Equity actors.Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: Yesterday was the opening night performance of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre's production of Louisa May Alcott's American classic "Little Women," adapted by Marisha Chamberlain, at Spencer Theatre in the Performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus. Will the Kansas City Star be publishing a review of the production?
Answered 03/16/05 19:16:19 by Robert Trussell
A: The review ran on Saturday March 12. It can be read at www.kansascity.com.Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: You may wish to inform Starlight that they are mistaken about Michelle Lee making her debut --- she starred with Vincent Price in Damn Yankees in the summer of 1978 --- I was an intern in the marketing department that summer and drove her all over town for a week!! I even took her to the airport to pick up her husband at the time, James Farrentino. P.S. Saw you at Jim Costin's memorial, but didn't get the chance to say hello!
Answered 03/10/05 17:24:26 by Robert Trussell
A: You are correct. I'll have an item in my Stage Notes column on March 13 correcting the record.Submitted by Gina from Kansas City, MO
Q: I'm very interested in choosing to be a theatre critic as yourself. Only, I don't know where to start. What should I major/minor in? Should I do anything now to help me get a job as a critic after I graduate from college?
Answered 03/10/05 17:23:19 by Robert Trussell
A: Almost everyone becomes a critic through unique circumstances. Some studied journalism in college but others majored in the arts. In my case, I was a drama major at the University of Texas but was a working journalist for several years before writing a single theater review. I did, however, write movie reviews for the Star on a freelance basis while I was a working reporter. My suggestion: Major in journalism and pursue a minor in theater. The advantage of a journalism major is that most newspapers accept interns from journalism schools, which provides some real-world experience. I would also recommend getting a few years as a reporter under your belt while you look for opportunities. Critic positions don't open up all that often but when they do editors tend to value a candidate's newspaper experience.Submitted by Nick Novelly from Wamego, KS
Q: What is equity?
Answered 03/10/05 17:15:09 by Robert Trussell
A: Equity is shorthand for Actors Equity Association, which was formed in 1912. It is the labor union for stage actors and stage managers. An agreement between Equity and a theater company specifies minimum salaries for actors who belong to the union. Agreements also spell out requirements for working hours, days off and other consderations. The producers are also required to pay into health insurance and retirement funds. Theaters in the Kansas City area that hire Equity actors include Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Starlight Theatre, the American Heartland Theatre, the New Theatre Restaurant, the Coterie Theatre and the Unicorn Theatre. Sometimes touring musicals are non-Equity shows, which means the actors may be paid less than Equity performers and the producers aren't obligated to contribution to health insurance or pension funds.Submitted by Jenny from Shawnee, KS
Q: I'm new to the area and looking for a place to find local theatre schedules and upcomping events. Where would you suggest I look?
Answered 02/10/05 22:14:02 by Robert Trussell
A: We run live performance calendars in Preview on Thursday, Arts on Sunday and in Today in Kansas City inside FYI daily. There's also a local Webzine: kcstage.com.Submitted by Richard Canaday from Lathrop, MO
Q: Did you go to The Theatre last night for the Sally Struthers performance? I have not found a review today in the paper or online.
Answered 02/10/05 22:10:50 by Robert Trussell
A: I won't see the show until next week. The review will probably run in FYI on Saturday Feb. 19.