TeenTix KC Blog

Devon Carny’s stunning adaptation of this classic ballet tells a tale of two lovers in an enchanted world that is trying to tear them apart.  

The Kansas City Symphony took Tchaikovsky's music and amplified it through the entire building. The orchestration was graceful enough by itself but with the KC Ballet company's gorgeous performance the whole thing was an amazing experience.   

A Wrinkle in Time was originally published in 1962 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux and written by Madeleine L'Engle. Since then, it has been recognized around the world, and even is now a movie and plays. Recently it has been adapted by The Coterie Theatre, and stars Phoenix Storm. This adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time did a wonderful job showing every aspect of the story in a one hour play. Not only did each actor show amazing talent, but they took on each character in a beautiful way. From Meg's quiet and safe personality to Mrs. Whatsit’s, played by Erdin Schultz-Bever, outgoing and eccentric personality. Many of the characters were taken over by the “Red-Eyed man” at some point during the show. Yet Charles Wallace, played by Ceci Sellers did an exceptional job transitioning personality, and showing different emotions, when being taken over by the “Red-Eyed man” and embracing the audience in those feelings as well. Erika Baker, the props master did an amazing job creating the huge red eyed man prop, not only did it come to life, but it represented the character well. During the time Charles was overtaken by the “Red-Eyed man” he tried to get Meg to come with him because “everyone was always happy there.” Meg countered with “Maybe if you aren't unhappy sometimes you can’t be happy.” This quote really stuck and shows how you must be sad sometimes so you can truly appreciate the happiness you have in your life. This scene really enchanted and struck the audience. 

I especially enjoyed how the director, Khalia Davis Philp, decided to have actors walk through the seats and audience, giving more to the setting and more for the audience to feast their eyes upon. I’d also like to recognize how each actor - excluding the actors portraying Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin as they were not background characters - was a background character at some point also. These people were Erdin Schultz-Bever, Andrea Hobley, Kisha Henry, Francisco 'Pancho' Javier Villegas and Erik J Pratt. It’s extremely impressive how easily they were able to go from one character to another so smoothly. 

Kansas City Ballet brings Swan Lake to the Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kaufmann Center for the Performing Arts from Oct. 17-26 for the first time since 2020. I attended the show on opening night, Oct. 17, to watch the iconic ballet come to life. KCB’s artistic director, Devon Carney, choreographed the ballet on the KCB dancers after the original choreography done by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov in the late 1800s. I have been doing ballet for the last 14 years, and as a ballet dancer, I can confidently say that this performance was phenomenally put together and a must-see for all ages of artistic performance lovers. 

Swan Lake follows the story of Prince Siegfried, who, upon hunting, falls in love with Odette, a swan by day and human by night, as she is under the sorcerer Von Rothbart's spell. Later, Siegfried attends a grand ball where he must choose a princess to be his bride. He only wants Odette, who is stuck on the lake as a swan. However, the mysterious Odile, who reminds Seigfried of Odette, arrives at the ball. After being transfixed by the wrong girl, chaos erupts between Siegfried, Von Rathbart and Odette. 

“I want you to be a story for me that I can believe forever.” That line echoes the heart of The Color Purple and for me, Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production at the Spencer Theatre became exactly that: a story I can believe forever. It’s not just a show; it’s a legacy, a narrative woven for generations.

Directed by Daniel J. Bryant, with choreography by Heather Beal and music direction by Pamela Baskin-Watson, KCRep’s staging shines as both intimate and epic. Scenic design by Eli Sherlock grounds the production in engraved lines from the show, while Bentley Heydt’s lighting design washes the stage in emotion cloaking moments of despair in shadow and flooding scenes of triumph with radiance. Jarrod Barnes’ costumes, Jon Robertson’s sound design, and Kelley Jordan’s hair and makeup design enrich the storytelling, ensuring every detail reflects the world of Alice Walker’s novel.

This piece was written by a TeenTix KC teen who is learning about arts journalism. TeenTix KC seeks to engage teens in the arts and amplify their voices. This may be the first time this teen has publicly expressed their opinion about an arts experience. Thank you for reading this, and in doing so, supporting this teen’s development as an arts journalist.

There’s something special about the ferocity of women in opera. The bigness of the medium, all the lights and music and murder adds to the image of a woman who is almost divine in her nature. From Carmen to Tosca, a well-executed opera can make the audience feel as though they’re living the story themselves. I’m so glad TeenTix KC gives me the opportunity to attend them.

This piece was written by a TeenTix KC teen who is learning about arts journalism. TeenTix KC seeks to engage teens in the arts and amplify their voices. This may be the first time this teen has publicly expressed their opinion about an arts experience. Thank you for reading this, and in doing so, supporting this teen’s development as an arts journalist.

Just Ask! at the Coterie Theatre is a new play about a group of friends trying to save a community garden. In my experience, it’s not typical for children's theater to have such a powerful message but this show really changed my opinion on that. I recently saw Just Ask! and I really enjoyed it, despite being a bit older than the intended audience. The message of just asking instead of judging is very powerful and was delivered in a simple but unique way, which I believe is hard to achieve. 

This piece was written by a TeenTix KC teen who is learning about arts journalism. TeenTix KC seeks to engage teens in the arts and amplify their voices. This may be the first time this teen has publicly expressed their opinion about an arts experience. Thank you for reading this, and in doing so, supporting this teen’s development as an arts journalist.

If you like good fiction, you will like Electric Poe…