Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 36 - 55 of
57 (Page 3 of 4)
Submitted by Colleen from Chili NY
Q: Hi, I recently purchased a painting by a Robert Trussell coulud that be you
Answered 02/10/05 22:09:53 by Robert Trussell
A: Nope.
Submitted by Chris Kraft from KC, MO
Q: Hello, Robert,
You will have to stimulate some memory cells to remember me, but I "worked" with you in a "Salon" put on by Melissa Moran one Sunday afternoon in her living room some 20 plus years ago. I was the one who ran my fingers along the web of string singing "The Ties That Bind", while other players interacted on the "set" with lines supplied by Melissa. Melissa went on to get her Masters in directing and moved to Chicago. I wonder what she's doing now. I've been delighted to see you move securely into the Critic's role at the Star over the years. But on to my question: do you know of any opportunities in the Kansas City area for local playwrights to put on their plays? Thanks, Chris
Answered 01/25/05 23:01:38 by Robert Trussell
A: Hi, Chris. Yes, I do recall that exercise in living room theater. There are a few smaller theater groups that specialize in original work. Contact me by email at rtrussell@kcstar.com.
Submitted by Ken Lucas from Burbank, CA
Q: Mr. Trussell,
Please advise your readers to stay far away from the upcoming touring production of Aida, currently in Pasadena, CA and scheduled for Kansas City 4/26-5/1!
I have never before witnessed such a horrible production as this. The actors are completely disconnected, the dancers incapable, the director has no sense of drama or how to create a 'moment' and, my god, the singing is utterly deplorable! Please warn the city of KC before more people are ripped off by this company! Thank you.
Ken Lucas
Burbank
Answered 01/25/05 22:56:42 by Robert Trussell
A: Thanks for the heads up, Mr. Lucas. Whether our critics ultimately agree with your assessment or not remains to be seen.
Submitted by Anonymous from Kansas City, MO
Q: Enjoyed your article about Doug Wright. Is there any chance "Wife" will be playing in Kansas City? I saw it in NY and have never been so impressed with a play and, most expecially, a performance.
Answered 01/25/05 22:55:01 by Robert Trussell
A: The Unicorn Theatre just announced that it will open its 2005-06 season of "I Am My Own Wife" in September with Robert Gibby Brand. Cynthia Levin will direct.
Submitted by Anthony Angelo from Hot Springs, Arkansas
Q: Im from Kansas City originally, and now live in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Is there a website for me to follow the progress of the new performing arts center?
thanks for your help
Anthony
Answered 01/10/05 19:13:21 by Robert Trussell
A: My suggestion is to visit www.kansascity.com and do a search for Paul Horsley's bylines. He and Kevin Collison have written most of the stories about the Performing Arts Center.
Submitted by Rick Tolliver from Overland Park, Ks
Q: Hi, I am not sure if you are the proper person to ask but I will give it A whirl! Do you know if and when the writer David Sedaris is going to be in Kansas City? I heard he was speaking somewhere.
Best Regards,
Rick Tolliver
Answered 01/10/05 19:00:41 by Robert Trussell
A: I'm told he'll be at the Uptown Theater in March of April. The Ticketmaster Web site shows him appearing at the Lied Center in Lawrence, Kan., on April 14. The Kansas City date will probably be within a day or two of the Lawrence engagement.
Submitted by Kassie from Kansas City MO
Q: Robert,
I was wondering if you have heard anything about Andrew Lloyd Webber's, Sunset Boulevard coming to KC?
Answered 01/10/05 18:46:53 by Robert Trussell
A: We've heard nothing about a return engagement of "Sunset Boulevard."
Submitted by Val Dodd from Kansas City, MO
Q: How do you chose which shows to review? I'd like to invite you to see "Xmas Marks the Spot" it closes on Thursday at the Just-Off Broadway Theatre. Do you review only professional (i.e. equity) theatre?
Answered 01/10/05 18:46:27 by Robert Trussell
A: Generally, our policy is to review productions we consider professional. Usually that means the actors are paid and that at least one of them is a member of Equity. But that's not an irono-clad rule. Some companies, including Late Night Theatre and the Martin City Melodrama & Vaudeville Co., always pay their actors even though they are not members of Equity. We review some but not all of their productions.
Some of the musicals presented at the Music Hall by Theater League are non-Equity shows, and we always review those.
Submitted by Terry Trussell from Fountain, CO
Q: Are you and I related? I have an uncle named Robert Trussell who has always lived in the KC area (it's where I come from, I was raised in KC area). Just curious if you are part of my family...
Answered 01/10/05 18:39:23 by Robert Trussell
A: Supposedly all the Trussell are related in one way or another. I'm from the Texas branch, which descended from the Virgina/West Virgina branch. I recall my father receiving a family tree from a Trussell in New Engand that indicated that all of descended from two brothers who came over on one of the early colonial ships. One settled in New England, the other in Virginia.
In Marlowe's play "Edward II" there's a minor character named Trussel (one L)who gets killed.
Submitted by Anonymous from Independence, Mo
Q: Robert do yuo write poems and did you use
to be a truck driver? Thanks
Answered 01/10/05 18:35:44 by Robert Trussell
A: I've been known to write poetry and I've never been a truck driver.
Submitted by Joyce Harp from Bella Vista, AR 72715
Q: I live in North West Arkansas and come up to Kansas City a couple of times a year.
I was wondering if "The Phantom of the Opera" would be coming back in the near future.
The movie isn't even going to show around here.
Answered 01/10/05 18:35:00 by Robert Trussell
A: We've heard nothing about a return engagement for "Phantom of the Opera."
Submitted by Richard from Kirkwood, MO
Q: Robert: I'm visiting KC over the Thanksgiving Holidays and plan to see "Santaland Diaries" at the Late Night Theatre. How would you describe that venue? Is it more like a cabaret or ???
Your comments appreciated.
Thanks.
Answered 11/17/04 20:39:48 by Robert Trussell
A: Late Night Theatre is a very small theater with an Off Off Broadway atmosphere, which is unique in Kansas City. It's an intimate theatergoing experience even from the back row, although it's not really a cabaret-style theater. There's a more-or-less conventional proscenium and the Late Night company is able to achieve some fairly impressive set designs in a very tight playing area. Hope this helps.
Submitted by Bea from Olathe, KS
Q: Dear Robert,
My mom has recently moved to the KC area and wants to see the Nutcracker. I have looked quite a few places online and not able to find a listing of local theaters running this production. Can you please help me locate this production so my mom and I can enjoy an evening out together? Thanks!
Answered 11/17/04 20:35:12 by Robert Trussell
A: The Kansas City Ballet's annual production of "The Nutcracker" opens on Dec. 3 and runs through Dec. 24 at the Midland Theatre. You can find out more by calling the box office at (816) 931-2232 ext. 375 or going to the ballet's web site at http://www.kcballet.org/performances_nutcracker.html
Submitted by Sally Pokorny from Independence, KS
Q: Will "Santaland Diaries" be produced in Kansas City sometime in December 2004? If so, where, when and how do I get tickets?
Answered 11/03/04 15:31:06 by Robert Trussell
A:
We expect "Santaland Diaries" starring Ron Megee to run Nov. 26-Dec. 23 at Late Night Theatre, 1531 Grand. According to the company's Web site, tickets will cost $18 and are available from the Central Ticket Office at 816 235 6222. For more info, check out http://www.latenighttheatre.com
Submitted by Anonymous from No location specified
Q: I would like to purchase tickets to a musical as a gift for Jan or Feb 2005, but don't know the area well. I do know the couple receiving the tickets enjoys the "Plaza" area. Any suggestions for upcoming entertainment?
Thanks
Answered 10/25/04 17:03:41 by Robert Trussell
A: Your choices for musicals after the first of the year include the following:
"Sentimental Journey," a revue of 1940s pop music, Feb. 4-March 6 at Quality Hill Playhouse. (816) 421-1700. www.qualityhillplayhouse.com.
"Mama Mia!", a musical based on the music of ABBA, Feb. 8-13, the Music Hall. (816) 931-3330. www.theaterleague.com.
"Hairspray," hit Broadway pop musical, March 29-April 10, the Music Hall.(816) 931-3330. www.theaterleague.com.
"Swing!", a revue of World War II-era popular songs, March 4-April 17, American Heartland Theatre, Crown Center. (816) 842-9999. www.ahtkc.com
Unfortunately, all of these venues are in the Downtown era, although none are more than a 10-minute drive from the Plaza.
Submitted by HYM8NS from KANSAS CITY MO
Q: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF BISHOP TD JAKES MOVIE WOMAN THOU ART LOOSE WILL BE SHOWING IN THE KC AREA? AND IF SO ABOUT WHEN? AND IF NOT ANY IDEA WHY?
Answered 10/12/04 16:45:22 by Robert Trussell
A:
Our film critic Robert Butler tells me that "Woman Thou Art Loose" is scheduled to open in area theaters on Oct. 22. The could change. Keep an eye on the movie listings in the Friday FYI section and in Arts on Sunday. Bulter tells me that the film, though having an inspirational message, is rated R for violence and sexual content.
Submitted by David Eidelkind from Fort Lauderdale, FL
Q: We will be in Kansas City late April, early May 2005, and are interested in Broadway shows. Anything showing then?
Answered 10/12/04 16:37:42 by Robert Trussell
A:
You have two good bets in that time frame. Theater League will present the national tour of "Hairspray" at the Music Hall, March 29 through April 10. The League will then present a tour of "Aida" April 26-May 1. Check out the League's Web site at www.theaterleague.com.
Submitted by Doris FWA from Kansas City , Missouri
Q: I enjoyed your article on "Merging" very much however there are a couple of Kansas City artist that seam to get overlooked quite a bit. I fail to hear mention of Oueen Bey, Benny Moten, Ben Kanard, Orville (Piggy) Minor, Carmel Jones or even Claude (Fiddler) Williams not just your article but other articles as well. It's not easy I'm sure to write what is a lot easier in conversation to do. I just felt like these people needed to be recognized as well. There are others I feel that may not have received national acclaim however they are and were crucial to the preservation and continuation of Jazz & its legacy in this town, this state, this country and the world! Perhaps this can be another day/time? Thank you!
Answered 10/12/04 16:32:45 by Robert Trussell
A:
I frequently interviewed some of the people you mentioned in the 1980s and I LOVE the jazz history in Kansas City. However, these days I write about professional theater and only occasionally cover jazz-related events.
I might add that Kansas City Repertory Theater next spring will premier a brand new play, "Carter's Way," that depicts the city's jazz era.
Submitted by Barb from Lenexa, KS
Q: Robert,
I have a business associate coming to the KC area week of Oct 17th. She is from France. This is her first visit to the midwest. Any suggestions for entertainment on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, Oct18-20th?
Answered 10/12/04 16:30:29 by Robert Trussell
A:
My area of expertise is professional theater and I have no idea what kind of entertainment you or your associate might enjoy. Among the possibilites are "The Pirates of Penzance" at Kansas City Repertory Theatre; "Topdog/Underdog" at the Unicorn Theatre; and "Driving Miss Daisy" at the New Theatre Restaurant.
If you're in the mood for alternative theater, you might consider "Mother Trucker," a satire spoofing the CB radio craze, at Late Night Theatre. It's for an adult audience.
Check the listings in Preview on Thursday and Arts on Sunday. A daily calendar runs in FYI with Brian McTavish's "Today in Kansas City" column.
Submitted by Leslie from Joplin, Missouri
Q: Will the production of "Menopause, the Musical" ever be in Kansas City?
Answered 10/12/04 16:26:22 by Robert Trussell
A:
"Menopause the Musical" was staged by the American Heartland Theatre last spring and was a huge hit. I wouldn't be surprised if someone decided to bring the show back at some point but there's been no announcement of a return engagement.
