Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, KC Rep 2024-2025 Season

Page 1


OCT 8 - 27, 2024

COPAKEN STAGE

WE’RE YOUR NEIGHBORS!

KCRep is a team of local artisans, administrative professionals, technicians, and creatives working together to bring you stories rooted in our community; theatre created by and for Kansas Citians. We connect artists and audiences in a welcoming environment that fosters wonder, curiosity, and understanding.

You’re invited to come take a seat, lean forward, and experience the magic of theatre at KCRep!

Then, go behind-the-scenes and discover how the magic was made by following us on social media.

LADY DAY at EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL

PHOTOGRAPHY

You may take photographs inside the theatre before and after performances only. If you post a photo of the set on social media, please add the following credits to your post:

scenic design: RANA ESFANDIARY

lighting design: JASON LYNCH

Note: the videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s) rights, and actionable under united states copyright law for more information, please visit https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

Please remember to turn off all cell phones or any other devices that could make noise and distract audience members around you.

Established 1899 | Kansas City’s Journal of Society

The first issue of The Independent was published on March 11, 1899. The magazine was the brainchild of Arthur Grissom and George Creel. Young Mr. Grissom soon returned to New York, where he was a founder of The Smart Set prior to his death at the age of 31. George Creel continued to run The Independent until 1909. (In later years, Mr. Creel would serve as chairman of the Committee for Public Information under President Woodrow Wilson. He devised much of the propaganda that encouraged Americans to support World War I.) The next owners of the magazine were Clara Kellogg and Katherine Baxter of the Kellogg-Baxter Printing Company, who lived and worked together. After Miss Baxter’s death from pneumonia at the age of 43 in 1924, Miss Kellogg published an annual tribute to her. Martha Nichols Gaylord (Mrs. Gleed Gaylord) became the editor and owner in 1939, a decade after she joined the staff. Mrs. Gaylord headed the magazine during a time when the arts were proliferating in Our Town: The Kansas City Ballet was founded in 1957, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in 1958 and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 1964. Mrs. Gaylord sold The Independent to Robert P. Ingram in 1983. Laureen Ingram, Mr. Ingram’s daughter-in-law, purchased the magazine from him in 1996. Rachel Lewis Falcon became the new owner and publisher in 2017.

The Independent Magazine Publisher

Director of Program Guide Operations Graphic Design

Rachel Lewis Falcon

Christin Painter BurningStar Studios, LLC

The Independent Magazine 2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120 • Prairie Village, KS 66208 • 816.471.2800 Christin Painter • Christin@kcindependent.com

Kansas City Repertory Theatre program guides are a publication of the Performing Arts Division of The Independent magazine. Information in this publication was carefully compiled to ensure accuracy. However, the publisher does not assume responsibility for accuracy. Editorial program content was provided by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Copyright by The Independent magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. kcindependent.com

VALUES INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY,

CRep is engaged in a deliberate, strategic, and heart-expanding process of educating and involving our board and staff in the important work of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA). An all-volunteer committee of staff and board members work to create a more inclusive company culture by identifying barriers and suggesting changes in practice and policy at KCRep.

One of the ways we practice our IDEA values is through a Land Acknowledgment: a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, a way of showing awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life.

EQUITY, AND ANTI-RACISM (IDEA) IN ALL WE DO.

Our Land Acknowledgment

You’ll hear our current land acknowledgment read before the production. This acknowledgment is ever evolving; scan the code above to read it in its latest form. We began developing our land acknowledgment after producing the world premiere of Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse’s What Would Crazy Horse Do in 2017 on our Copaken Stage. As part of our commitment to learning the stories of the people who are native to our area, we are currently working to bring more Indigenous voices to our stages. We have partnered with The Great Plains Theatre Commons (GPCT), Tofte Lakes Center, and Tulsa Artists Fellowship to create the Four Directions Playwright Residency for early career Native playwrights. Last fall, we staged

a reading of Representatives for Those at Peace, a new play by our first Four Directions recipient playwright, Madeline Easley. Additionally, we created the American Crossroads Residency program to highlight local stories and have commissioned Cherokee playwright Mary Kathryn Nagle to write an OriginKC: World Premiere play centered around Indigenous experiences in Kansas City. These residencies are multiyear investments in increasing the number of plays written by Indigenous playwrights that are available to be produced.

Get Involved

Learn more about these programs and the rest of our IDEA initiatives by scanning the QR code above to visit kcrep.org/inclusion — we have compiled a list of local and national resources there that you can use to get involved and further your own learning.

Image: (L-R) Jen Olivares DeLanna Studi, Jennifer Bobiwash, and Jennifer Attocknie in KCRep’s 2023 staged reading of REPRESENTATIVES FOR THOSE AT PEACE. Photo: Don Ipock

JA Z Z

Folly Jazz Series FOLLYTHEATER.ORG/JAZZ 24/25

SOME ENCHANTED EVENING

Starring

YELLOWJACKETS JAN. 25

KARRIN ALLYSON SEPT. 21

BENNY BENACK III & STELLA COLE

Showcasing

JABU GRAYBEAL AN EVENING WITH

SÄJE FEB. 28

HELEN SUNG Meets BACH ARIA SOLOISTS

Visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to experience Ike and Mamie’s story in their own words.

“Thethinproudest g I can claim is that I am from Abilene.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

Best U.S. Small Town to Visit TravelAwaits (2023)

Top 10 True Western Town of the Year True West Magazine (2023)

Best Historic Small Town USA TODAY (2023)

HISTORY

CRep enters it’s 61st season as source of inspiration to thousands of our nation’s best artists and to millions of Americans in Kansas City and beyond. Missouri Repertory Theatre was founded in 1964 by Dr. Patricia A. McIlrath, who is among a select few pioneers of the regional theater movement who believed that theater could change the world and could change our town. Kansas City’s citizens continue to benefit from Dr. Mac’s passionate commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, education, and community transformation. Under her direction, KC’s theatre fans enjoyed many memorable shows, including an unforgettable 1983 production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Dr. Mac’s vision for providing professional experience to early career artists continues today through our partnership with UMKC.

Following Dr. Mac’s retirement in 1985, George Keathley was appointed as Artistic Director. During his tenure, and through his partnership with Executive Director James D. Costin, MRT was established as the pinnacle of artistic achievement for local theatre artists, creating a legacy of excellence through work in the civic community and with legendary MRT productions such as Dracula and Richard III.

In 2000, Peter Altman joined MRT as Artistic Director for a seven-year tenure. His vision included laying the groundwork to promote the city more aggressively as a center for nationally recognized theatre artists, and he spearheaded changing the theatre’s name to Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 2006 to help achieve this goal. He also helped create KCRep’s second permanent performance venue, Copaken

Stage, in Kansas City’s downtown Power & Light District.

Eric Rosen was hired as Producing Artistic Director in 2007. During his tenure, he was instrumental in cultivating a national reputation and brand for KCRep and the city as a destination for reimagined classics such as Into the Woods and Evita, and critically acclaimed new works, including Clay, Venice, and Between the Lines

In 2013, KCRep returned to the co-CEO structure when Rosen was partnered with Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras. Together, they led the company through a successful campaign for, and renovation of Spencer Theatre, crafted a five-year, $5 million campaign that increased investment in audiences, new works, and education, and rebranded the organization.

In 2019, director, producer, and educator Stuart Carden joined KCRep as its fifth Artistic Director. Deeply committed to centering KCRep in this region, Stuart believes the arts play a crucial role in strengthening communities. With an eye towards creating transformative theater experiences for all, Stuart brought KCRep productions to the grounds of the World War I Museum and Memorial, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Roanoke Park. Further expanding our reach, in 2022 Stuart launched KCRep for All, our expansive community tour that takes KCRep to community centers, libraries, and other public spaces all over the region. He strives to provide greater access to our art form and to reflect the passions, curiosities, and stories of the diverse communities that make KC such a vibrant city.

Visit KCRep.org for more info and a list of all KCRep productions.

Stuart Carden
Dr. Mac
Peter Altman
Eric Rosen
James D. Costin (left) & George Keathley
Angela Lee Gieras

CONTACT US | QUESTIONS

Box Office: 816.235.2700

Email: tickets@kcrep.org

SINGLE & SEASON TICKETS

Visit KCRep.org

Call 816.235.2700

Ask about Season Ticket Holder benefits!

BOX OFFICE HOURS

KCRep’s Box Office is open Monday thru Friday, 10am-4pm, and until curtain time on performance days.

ACCESS

Both of KCRep’s theatres — Spencer Theatre and Copaken Stage — are ADA accessible and parking spaces are readily available. Infrared hearing systems and large-print and Braille programs are available free of charge at the lobby coat check counter in both of our theatres. One performance of each show is interpreted in American Sign Language.

Please visit our website at KCRep.org for dates. Live Audio Description may be requested in advance of a production. Please contact the Box Office to learn more.

LATE SEATING

When possible, latecomers will be seated toward the back of the house, at the discretion of KCRep’s House Management staff.

CELL PHONES & CAMERAS

Please turn off all cell phones/ electronic devices during the performance. For the safety of the actors and in accordance with the

GENERAL INFO

rules of Actors’ Equity Association, the use of all cameras and recording devices in the theatre during the performance is strictly prohibited.

VOLUNTEER AT KCREP

Volunteers are the backbone of KCRep, providing valuable services such as ushering and helping with special events. Please call 816.235.2780 if you are interested in joining our volunteer team.

THE MORE THE MERRIER!

Discounts are available for groups of nine or more, and many additional perks are offered, including private party spaces, assistance planning your special group event, and prime seating in the theatre. To schedule an event or for more information, please call Group Sales at 816.235.5771 or email us at tickets@kcrep.org.

EDUCATORS

Are you a teacher interested in bringing your class to a student matinee performance or participating in a custom-designed classroom workshop created around your curriculum? Call Melinda McCrary at 816.235.2707 or email her at mccrarym@kcrep.org for more info.

MAKE A GIFT TODAY!

KCRep is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which means we rely on the generosity of our fans and friends. If you are inspired by what you see on stage today, please consider making a donation by calling 816.235.5420 or online at KCRep.org/Support

Hi,

There are so many options currently available to enhance your appearance that sifting through the information is often overwhelming. I provide information on our website that I hope will help you gain a clearer understanding of expectations, procedures and outcomes.

BOARD of DIRECTORS

(Listing as of September 13, 2024)

CHAIR

Andrew Kaplan** VICE-CHAIR

Melea McRae**

TREASURER

Mary Cook Jorgenson**

COMMITTEE

CHAIRS Development

Ashlei Holznecht** Endowment

Laura E. Tucker McCubbin**

Executive

Andrew Kaplan**

Finance

Mary Cook Jorgenson** Governance

Ivan R. Batlle**

Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.)** Human Resources & Compensation

Kerri S. Reisdorff**

IDEA Committee

Stewart S. Myers**

Shawna Roath**

ADVISORY DIRECTORS

Donald J. Hall

Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.

John B. Francis (1917-2004)

William C. Nelson (1937-2014)

DIRECTORS

C. Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D.*

Becky Blades

Dr. Jennifer Collier

Bunni Copaken**

Courtney Crappell*

Douglas N. Ghertner

Brett Gray

Laura Hall**

Scott Hall**

Hayley E. Hanson

Shannon Johnson

John H. (Topper) Johntz, Jr.**

Honorary Vice Chair

LaMonica Madden

Robyn Murphy

Patricia O’Connor

Richard Singleton III

Hillary Stamper

Benjamin Stone, M.D.

Julie Towner

Michelle Webb

Sara E. Welch

Tina Youngblood

DISTINGUISHED

DIRECTORS

Debby Ballard

Irvin V. Belzer

Bill Blessing

SECRETARY

Chris Hernandez**

Scott Boswell

Rob Bratcher

Ann King Dickinson (1944-2024)

Courtney Goddard

Deanna Graves

Greg Graves

Nancy P. Hatch

Mike Lochmann

George Shadid

Myra Siegel

Jo Ann Sullivan

Bert Trucksess

Abigail Wendel

DIRECTOR

EMERITI

Emily Ballentine

Thomas R. Brous (1943-2023)

William L. Bruning

Linda Cozad

Barbara Fay

Robert Firnhaber

Mark S. Gilman

J. Gordon Kingsley

Jeannette Nichols (1925-2024)

Marvin W. Ozley

Sally Rheinfrank

Sally West

*Ex-officio, UMKC **Executive Committee

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S NOTE

step into the world of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, where history meets the present in an unforgettable blend of storytelling and song.

Picture this: It’s a cozy night in Philadelphia, March 1959. You’re not just attending a show; you’re sitting front row at an intimate performance by the legendary Lady Day herself. Billie’s voice, raw and unfiltered, echoes through the room, weaving stories of love, loss, and everything in between. But more than that, it’s a story of survival — of rising above the noise, the pain, and the barriers that tried to hold her back.

Our production aims to honor Billie’s legacy while also drawing connections to the world we live in today. Her struggles with racial injustice, addiction, and heartbreak resonate as powerfully now as they did then. In a time where we continue to confront these challenges, Lady Day’s voice is more relevant and needed than ever.

City, including as the Storyteller in KCRep’s A Christmas Carol, music director Pam Watson, who most recently music directed our production of Nina Simone: Four Women, and the star of our show, Angela Wildflower, who was last seen on our stage in Venice, and who is originally from Wyandotte County. They’ve approached Billie’s story not just with reverence, but with a fresh energy, insight and emotion that brings her remarkable story to life for a new generation.

So, whether you’re a longtime fan of Billie Holiday or discovering her brilliance for the first time, I hope tonight’s performance moves you, challenges you, and inspires you to find your own rhythm and song in the face of life’s many challenges.

Thank you for joining us. Let’s make some music together!

CELEBRATING our 20 24 / 25

SUPER season ticket holders!

SPECIAL THANKS to the season ticket holders listed below who included a donation of $100 or more with their subscription to our 2024/25 Season

We appreciate your additional support of KCRep and our ongoing mission to inspire, entertain, and open minds with transformative theatre experiences for all!

Listing as of September 19, 2024

Ellen & John Aisenbrey

Mr. & Mrs. Ted M. Berard

Patrick Berrigan

Linda Birkenmeier

Robert Butcher

Ms. Janet L. Buttery

Mr. & Mrs. Arden E. Carr

Susan Clevenger

Larry Cork

Robert & Nicolette Croskell

Margaret & Tom Cummings

Edmund & Donna Cytacki

Dennis Dobson

Mr. Brad Douglas

Mr. & Mrs. Barry Dryer

Dr. & Mrs. Alan J. Foster

Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Fowler

Mr. & Mrs. Max Gordon

Mr. & Mrs. C. Warren Green

Ms. Heather Gudgel

Beth and Chris Hafner

Richard & Merri-Ann Higgason

Edwin & Mary Hood

Mr. & Mrs. Mark W.

Huffhines

Joyce Jonasson

Nancy Kain

Martin Kostelac & Susan King-Kostelac

Kathy & Craig Laursen

Richard M. Leeson & Albert Geritz

Janet Long

Mr. & Mrs. Dev Malik

Robert & Heather Maynard

Tim J. McMulin & Emilee C. Rose

Katherine Menefee

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Merrigan

Patricia Miles

Mr. & Mrs. Joel Miller

Janice & Phillip Montgomery

Heather & Tom Morrow

Jane Olson

Candice Petersonmoon

Maggie Presson

Kelly Rawlings

Ann & John Readey

Greg & Rebecca Reid

Lindsey Rood-Clifford

Siv Si

Dr. & Mrs. Larry Snider

Ron Spencer

Kurtis L. Thiel

Margaret Thomas

Dr. & Mrs. William Topper

David & Leanna Walters

Teri Waters

Stephen Williamson

Cathy Zitnik

Since 1961, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre has been entertaining audiences with professionally produced musicals, comedies, mysteries, dramas, and classics. Join us — for an afternoon or a weekend — and explore the culture, shopping, dining, and B&Bs in the historic Village of Arrow Rock before relaxing into the brand new theatre seats in our 19th century church-turned-theatre. We can’t wait to see you! Learn about our upcoming

High Street, Arrow Rock, MO

How toys, scouting and storybooks taught a clear lesson: loyalty and commitment will win the war. NOW OPEN

presents Stuart Carden, Artistic Director

L ADY DAY at EMERSON'S BAR & GRIL L

musical arrangements by DANNY

scenic design RANA ESFANDIARY

sound design JON ROBERTSON

costume design SAMANTHA JONES

wigs/makeup consultant EARON CHEW NEALEY

new york casting KATJA ZAROLINSKI, CSA

lighting design JASON LYNCH

music director PAMELA BASKIN-WATSON

associate director ILE HAGGINS

kansas city casting ANDI MEYER

production stage manager ALEX MURPHY*

directed by

lead sponsor

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL was first produced in New York by the Vineyard Theatre.

*DenotesMembersofActors’EquityAssociation,theUnionofProfessionalActors&StageManagersintheUnitedStates.

CAST

Billie Holiday ...............................................................

ANGELA WILDFLOWER*

Jimmy Powers/Piano ...........................................................................

BRIAN WARD

UNDERSTUDY

AMBER

A.

McKINNON* for Billie Holiday

Understudies never substitute for the listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the appearance.

*Denotes Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

MUSICIANS

Bass ..........................................................................................................

Drums

AMIL M cDANIEL

TAYLOR BABB

PLACE

The action of the play transpires in a small bar in south Philadelphia. Although the bar is presently closed and abandoned, the building still stands on the corner of Fiftieth & Bainbridg e Streets. Billie Holiday appeared here in the 1950s.

TIME

The time of the play is about midnight on a night in March, 1959. There is no passage of time except that of the performance. It is obviously late in the evening, and it is equally late in Billie Holiday's life. Four months from now she will die of cirrhosis and heart failure in a hospital in Harlem on Friday, 17 July 1959.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL runs for 90 minutes, and will be performed with no intermission.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL is presented by arrangement with Concorde Theatricals www.concordetheatricals.com.

Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts

This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The Director is a member of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.

The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829 IATSE.

MUSICAL NUMBERS

"CRAZY HE CALLS ME" by Bob Russell and Carl Sigman

Copyright by

Major Songs Co. & Harrison Music Corp.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission.

"GOD BLESS THE CHILD"

by Arthur Herzog, Jr. & Billie Holiday.

© 1941—Edward B. Marks Music Co.

Copyright renewed.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission.

"SOMEBODY'S ON MY MIND"

by Billie Holiday & Arthur Herzog, Jr.

© 1947—Edward B. Marks Music Co.

Copyright renewed.

All rights reserved.

Used by permission.

"STRANGE FRUIT' by Lewis Allan

© 1939—Edward B. Marks Music Co.

Copyright renewed.

All Rights Renewed.

Used by permission.

"WHAT

A

LITTLE MOONLIGHT CAN DO" by Harry Woods

© 1934—Harms, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission of Publisher Warner Bros. Music.

"I WONDER WHERE OUR LOVE HAS GONE"

by Woodrow Johnson.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission of the publisher MUSIC SALES CORP.

"EASY LIVIN" by Robin & Ralinger

Published by Famous Music Corp.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission.

"WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN'' by Bernard Hanighen, Gordon Jenkins, & Johnny Mercer, © 1938.

All Rights Reserved

Used with the permission of Chappell & Co., Inc. & Intersong-USA, Inc. & M.P.L. Communication, Inc.

"FOOLIN' MYSELF'' by Jack Lawrence and Peter Tinturin

All Rights Reserved.

Used with the permission of Chappell & Co, Inc., Intersong-USA, Inc. & M.P.L. Communication, Inc.

"DON'T EXPLAIN"

by Billie Holiday & Arthur Herzog, Jr.

Published by Duchess Music Corp.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission of MCA Music, a Division of MCA Inc.

"DEEP SONG"

by Douglas Cross & George Cory

Published by Northern Music Co.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission of MCA Music, a Division of MCA Inc.

"GIMME A PIG FOOT by Wesley Wilson

Published by Northern Music Co.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission of MCA Music, a Division of MCA Inc.

"TAINT NOBODY'S BIZ-NESS"

by Porter Grainger & Everett Robbins

Published by

MCA Music, a Division of MCA Inc.

All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

"BABY

DOLL"

by Bessie Smith

© 1927—Empress Music,Inc.

© Renewal exclusively Empress Music, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission of Frank Music Corp.

Q & A with ANGELA WILDFLOWER

Q: You’ve been a professional actress and singer for many years. What do you like most about your career?

A: I love meeting new characters and roaming through their world. I

can’t express how much compassion and humility it’s added to my real life.

Q: What drew you to the role of Billie Holiday? What excites you about playing her?

A: I honestly never saw myself in these shoes … but as I was questioning, a friend said, “Billie Holiday is Shug Avery,” — another role I’ve loved playing (The Color Purple) — and suddenly the possibilities clicked. And as a music artist and actress this show merges my gifts so beautifully.

Q: How do you prepare to portray such an iconic figure?

A: I studied, read, watched documentaries, and listened to the artists that inspired her. I try to capture her essence — and honestly, I will welcome her spirit into my

body, mind, soul nightly. This is her story, and I think it’s important to carry her with me.

Q: If you could ask Billie Holiday one question, what would it be?

A: What was your greatest moment and deepest regret?

Q: As someone who grew up in Kansas City, what does it mean to you to be returning to the city at this moment, and to perform in this production?

A: This is a full-circle moment for me. As a young artist in Kansas City, it was a goal to work on [KCRep's] prestigious stage. Early in my career, I was privileged to be a part of the world premiere of the musical Venice, and from there, I moved to Los Angeles, New York, have done Broadway, TV, film, sung all over the world, and now I'm back home leading a one-woman show. It feels like a graduation — a celebration — and I’m so honored to be here!

Q: What’s next for you, and how can our patrons follow your journey?

A: I am a total artist, so if I’m not doing theatre, I’m auditioning or performing on TV, in film, making music, doing live concerts, or teaching artistry to the next generation through my arts program called DREAM CAMPS! Next up, I’ll be in Whitefish, Montana, for a holiday concert, then back on stage early 2025.

Please follow my journey on Instagram at iWildflower. You can also visit my websites: angelawildflower.com or awildflowerdreams.com.

turned any song into her own and made her a cultural icon. Despite lacking technical training, her syncopations, phrasing, and dramatic intensity established her as a standout jazz singer.

Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan Gough on April 7, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a superstar whose legacy still defines elegance in contemporary music. Rising to prominence in the 1930s, she reinvented modern singing with her unique style.

Billie grew up in 1920s Baltimore, singing along with Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong records in her teens. Later, she moved to New

Billie Holiday with two of her beloved dogs, Chiquita and Pepi. Photo: Public Domain
Billie Holiday with the Count Basie Orchestra. Photo: Public Domain
Billie Holiday early in her career. Photo: Public Domain

York, where she began singing in Harlem clubs. At 18, she was discovered by producer John Hammond and recorded with Benny Goodman, quickly becoming part of the vibrant jazz scene. From 1935 to 1941, she collaborated with pianist Teddy Wilson and tenor saxophonist Lester Young, who famously named her “Lady Day.”

In 1938, Billie joined the Artie Shaw Orchestra, becoming the first black woman to work with a white band. During her run at Café Society in Manhattan, she performed “Strange Fruit,” a powerful anti-lynching protest song that became a cultural spark-point despite being too controversial for her label. She

signed with independent Commodore Records to record it, and the song became a hit.

In 1944, Billie signed with Decca Records, producing more classics and duets with Louis Armstrong. She also starred as a singing maid romantically involved with Armstrong in the Hollywood film New Orleans in 1949.

From 1952, she recorded with Norman Granz’s Clef/Verve label, which marked her entry into the high-fidelity album

Billie Holiday in 1939. This photo was used for the cover image of the Columbia release, LADY DAY: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia 1933-1944.

Billie Holiday with her friend and mentor, saxophonist Lester Young. Photo: Public Domain
Billie Holiday singing her controversial hit, "Strange Fruit" with the Artie Shaw Orchestra in 1938. Photo: Public Domain

era. Her voice became more rugged and intimate, and she redefined herself as the “Torch Singer.” During this period, she appeared on TV shows and toured Europe.

In 1958, Billie signed with Columbia Records, creating her swan song album, Lady In Satin. Her final recordings were made in 1959 for MGM.

Billie Holiday passed away at age 44 on July 17, 1959. Her funeral was held on July 21, 1959 at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, and was attended by over 3,000

people including many top jazz performers of that day. She is buried at Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in New York.

Billie's emotive voice, innovative technique, and touching songs continue to inspire, and are celebrated through tributes, awards, and countless biographies. Her iconic image, marked by white gardenias in her hair, remains a symbol of her timeless genius.

Source: The official Billie Holiday website billieholiday.com

Grave marker of Billie Holiday. Due to financial burden, she was originally buried with her mother without a tombstone in a different section of St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. She and her mother were later moved to the current location, and their graves were marked with this tombstone, a gift from a wealthy fan. Photo & caption: theclio.com

Billie Holiday in the hospital with a favorite photo of Louis Armstrong and herself.
Photo: Public Domain
The cover of Billie Holiday's last studio album.

lady day at emerson's bar & grill

CAST

(In Alphabetical Order)

* Denotes Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States.

CAST

ANGELA WILDFLOWER

(Billie Holiday) (She/Her) KCRep: Venice. Broadway: Motown The Musical (Mary Wells). OffBroadway: Venice (Hailey Daisy/ Public Theatre). Regional: The Color Purple (Celie/Broadway Sacramento), The Color Purple (Shug Avery/The Denver Center, Latte Da/Geva Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin (Charmaine, Rubicon Theatre ), My Lord What A Night (CATF), Emojiland (NYTF), October Sky (The Old Globe), Avenue Q (3-D Theatrical), Crowns (Pasadena Playhouse/

Ebony Rep/ Unicorn Theatre), All Shook Up (3-D Theatrical), Dangerous Beauty (Pasadena Playhouse). Local: The Unicorn Theatre, Theatre For Young America, The Coterie. TV/Film: Blue Bloods (CBS); The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (Amazon Prime), FBI (CBS), Power: Raising Kanan (Starz), Atlanta (FX), Russian Doll (Netflix), Roxanne Roxanne Roxanne (Netflix), Education: BA, Spelman College. AEA Member AngelaWildflower. com, Instagram: iWildflower

BRIAN WARD

(Jimmy Powers/Piano) (He/ Him) KCRep: debut. Awards: Anthony B. Cius Jr. Award, KU

School of Music. Education: DMA, University of Kansas; MST, Portland StateUniversity; BM, Portland State. brianwardmusic.net Facebook: BrianWardOrganTrio Instagram: BrianWardMusic

UNDERSTUDY

AMBER A. M cKINNON (US Billie Holiday) (She/Her) KCRep: School Girls, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf. Local: The Colored Museum, The African Company Presents Richard III (Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City); The Sarah Play (White Theatre);

BRIAN WARD
Jimmy Powers/Piano
ANGELA WILDFLOWER*
Billie Holiday
AMBER A. McKINNON* Understudy, Billie Holiday
TAYLOR BABB Drums
AMIL McDANIEL Bass

Eclipsed, An Octoroon (Unicorn Theatre); Amadeus (Spinning Tree Theatre). Education: BFA in Drama, New York University, Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Stonestreet Studios.

MUSICIANS

AMIL M cDANIEL (Bass) (He/Him) KCRep: debut. Education: Current Music Performance student at Kansas City, Kansas Community College (KCKCC)

TAYLOR BABB (Drums) (He/Him) KCRep: debut. Local: Buddy! A Buddy Holly Story (New Theatre); Kiss Me, Kate (University of Kansas); Hair (Wichita State); various productions with the Lawrence Arts Center. Education: B.A. in Jazz Studies, University of Kansas.

CREATIVE TEAM

LANIE ROBERTSON

(Playwright) Lanie Robertson’s first plays, The Insanity of Mary Girard and Back County Crimes, are frequently performed by schools and community theatres. His play about Billie Holiday, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, was produced on Broadway and in London’s West End with Audra McDonald. Many of his

lady day

works are about iconic artists and the societal issues they faced: Nasty Little Secrets (Joe Orton), Woman Before a Glass (Peggy Guggenheim), Alfred Stieglitz Loves O’Keeffe (Georgia O’Keeffe), Nobody Lonesome for Me (Hank Williams), The Gardener (Claude Monet), and Blythe Coward (Noël Coward). His works have been produced at the Alley Theatre, the Alliance Theatre, Annenberg Center, Arena Stage, Barrington Stage, the Edinburgh Festival, Festival d’Avignon, George St. Playhouse, Kennedy Center, Old Globe, Primary Stages, Playwrights Horizons, Theatre de la Huchette, Theatre Petit Montparnasse, Theatre Silvia Montfort, Vineyard Theatre, Virginia Stage, the Walnut Street Theatre, Westside Arts Theatre, and Williamstown Theatre Festival. His first novel is to be published in 2024. He is a member of the Dramatist Guild, the Society des Auteur et Compositeurs Dramatiques, and the Writers Guild, East.

NEDRA DIXON

(Director) As a life-long creative artist with a rich, extensive theatrical career spanning Broadway and Off-Broadway, National tours, regional theatre stages and concert venues, White House and Kennedy Center performances, and who is currently very active in the progressive arts scene

of Kansas City, MO, Nedra no longer thinks of herself, solely, as what we in the Musical Theatre tradition refer to as a “triple threat”…an Actor/Singer/Dancer, adding Director/Choreographer to that “threat”. Rather…as an ever-evolving, ever-curious artist, Nedra joyously embraces the role of, and finding the fire of… “Griot”. Creating the rich stories, sharing the glorious sounds of her Black, definitively American history…of her Black, definitively American culture… is a compelling force that is an inextricable part of her being. It is as necessary as oxygen that these voices and stories are vibrantly, boldly expressed. Most recently, in partnership with her dear friend, colleague and writing partner, Pamela Baskin-Watson, they brought to the artistic front, in soaring music and vivid story-telling, a look at the intriguing lives of eight Black women, in their original new work, A GOD • SIB’S TALE: A Folk Opera. Currently, Nedra feels it is a gift to work with Pam to bring Lanie Robertson’s story of Jazz icon, Billie Holiday, to breathtaking, heart-piercing life, in this beautiful KCRep production of LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL. Nedra finds this ‘evolution’ to “Griot” in her artistic journey, fitting. She is a “Keeper of the Flame” of her undeniable artistic traditions.

RANA ESFANDIARY

(Scenic Design) (She/Her) KCRep: What the Constitution Means to Me, Twelfth Night, Chasing Gods, Cubic (Costume/Scenic). Regional: Love & Information, Everybody, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (University of Kansas). Costume Design: Urinetown, Sycorax, Airness (University of Kansas); The Wolves (Montclair State University). Lighting Design: The Legend of Georgia McBride, La Cage aux Folles (Kansas Repertory Theatre); Mascot (Projection, The Living Room); Sunset Baby (MeltingPot KC Theatre). Director: Gaza Monologues (Zoom production, Stanford University, Abbasi Program); Ashes to Ashes (University of Kansas). Awards: Commendation Award for Achievement in Costume Design Sycorax (The Kennedy Center of American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), 2020); Commendation Award for Achievement in Scenic Design for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (KCACTF, 2019); Kuhlke Humanitarian Award, University of Kansas, 2018; Joseph R. Roach Dissertation Research Award (University of Kansas, 2016-2017); Diversity Leadership Award, Group Category Interactive Theatre Group(University of Kansas, 2016). Education: Ph.D. (with honors, Theatre Studies) and

MFA (with honors), University of Kansas; BA in Playwriting, Art University of Tehran, Iran. Dr. Esfandiary is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas. ranaesfandiary.com/

SAMANTHA JONES

(Costume Design) (She/Her)

KCRep: For colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf. Regional: The Lonely Few (MCC Theatre); King James (Manhattan Theatre Club); POTUS, Every Brilliant Thing, Power of Sail (Geffen Playhouse); Jelly’s Last Jam. STEW (Pasadena Playhouse); Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; King James (Center Theatre Group), Once On This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Dreamgirls (McCarter Theatre); Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Huntington Theatre Company); Goodspeed Musicals, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre (Aurora), Drury Lane Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Children's Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, The Muny, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Cleveland Playhouse, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Alley Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, First Stage Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Peninsula Players Theater. International:

Harry Potter: Yule Ball.

Education: MFA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; BFA, Howard University. Upcoming: Two Trains Running (The Acting Company); Fat Ham (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). Affiliations: U.S.A. Local 829. samanthacjones.com

JASON LYNCH

(Lighting Design) (He/Him)

KCRep: Nina Simone: Four Women. New York: You Are Here: An Evening with Solea Pfeiffer (Audible Theatre/Minetta Lane Theatre); The Color Purple, How to Catch Creation (Geva Theatre Center). Regional: Inherit the Wind, Lucha Teotl, The Nacirema Society..., Layalina, I Hate It Here, Ohio State Murders, The Sound Inside, School Girls: Or, the African Mean Girls Play, Lottery Day, (Goodman Theatre); English (Guthrie Theater/ Goodman Theatre); the ripple, the wave that carried me home (world premiere/co-production Berkeley Repertory Theatre/ Goodman Theatre); East Texas Hot Links, The Island (Court Theatre); Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer (Seattle Repertory Theatre); Dream Hou$e (world premiere/coproduction, Baltimore Center Stage/Long Wharf Theatre/ Alliance Theatre); Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Huntington Theatre Company) Dreamgirls (Goodspeed Musicals/McCarter

Theater Center); Clue, Skeleton Crew (Alley Theatre); Mala (The Old Globe); A Doll’s House and A Doll’s House, Part 2 (in repertory), The Wild Party, Drag On (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); The Three Musketeers, Rent, Once On This Island, Black Odyssey, Hairspray (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); 1919 (world premiere), Choir Boy (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); cullud wattah (Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago); Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feeding Beatrice (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Awards: Equity Jeff Award, Choir Boy; Black Theater Alliance Award, cullud wattah, Kill Move Paradise; Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award, among others. jasondlynch.com

JON ROBERTSON

(Sound Design) (He/Him) KCRep: Cyrano, Evita. New York: X, or Betty Shabazz vs The Nation (The Acting Company), Lesson Plan (On Site Opera). Regional: Kansas City Swing (REP STL), Cosmic Cowboy (White Snakes Project). Composition Conferences/Festivals: New Music Gathering, SEAMUS, Electronic Music Midwest, Kansas City Fringe, UC Davis Summer Arts, Opera America, and many others. Radio Drama: Kansas City: 1924 with Forrest Attaway and Victor Raider-Wexler. Awards: 2022

lady day

Hometown Media Award in the Entertainment and Arts Series category for Kansas City: 1924. Education: MFA Sound Design (UMKC 2016), Master of Music Composition (UMKC 2011), Bachelor of Music (University of Arizona 2005). Jon is a sound designer, audio engineer and composer based in Kansas City, MO, who composes and designs for theatrical productions, radio plays, film and video. He teaches electronic music and sound design at the University of Evansville, and was recently an adjunct instructor at University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Kansas City Art Institute, and Missouri Western State University.

PAMELA

BASKIN-WATSON

(Music Director) KCRep: Nina Simone: Four Women. Regional: Nina Simone: Four Women (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre). Local: Kiss Me, Kate; Parade, City of Angels, 9 to 5, The Color Purple (Metropolitan Ensemble Theater) Billie Elliot, Once on this Island, Finian’s Rainbow, Nine, Children of Eden, Rent, Girlfriend (Spinning Tree Theater) In the Heights and Cabaret (Music Theater Heritage) Five Guys named Mo-, Memphis (Black Rep Theater of K.C-The J co-production) A God’Sib’s Tale (Black Repertory Theater of K.C. (covid cancellation). Awards: 2021-22 OPERA

AMERICA New Works IDEA grant recipient. Education: BS/ emphasis in piano @ William Jewell College

EARON CHEW NEELEY

(Wig Design/Makeup Consultant) (She/Her) KCRep: debut. Broadway: Fat Ham, Macbeth, Chicken and Biscuits, Sweat. New York: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Malvolio, Twelfth Night (Classical Theater of Harlem); Last Super (SOPAC); On Killing (Soho Rep); Hamlet, The Harder They Come, Fat Ham, Cullad Wattah, Mojada (Public Theater); Little Girl Blue (Goodspeed, New World Stages); On Sugarland (NYTW). Regional: Fat Ham, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (The Huntington) Dames at Sea, Kinky Boots (Bucks County Playhouse); Meet Vera Stark, Matilda (Colorado University); Nina Simone: Four Women (Berkshire Theatre Group); Little Women (Dallas Theater Center); Oklahoma!, Patsy Cline (Weston Playhouse); Memphis, Dream Girls (Cape Fear Regional Theater); Cadillac Crew, Twelfth Night (Yale Rep).

ILE HAGGINS

(Associate Director) (She/Her)

KCRep: debut. Local: Begetters, Stew, Like Six O’clock (KC Melting Pot Theatre); Smart People, Skeleton Crew (KC Actors Theatre); Angry, Raucous, Shamelessly Gorgeous (KC Black Repertory Theatre); Little

Shop of Horrors (TIP-Indoors). Upcoming: Jawbone Crack Quick (KC Melting Pot).

GIANNA AGOSTINO

(Associate Sound Design) (She/ Her) KCRep: Cyrano de Bergerac. Local: The Tempest (Sound Supervisor and A2, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival); The Inheritance Pts. 1 & 2, Refuge (Unicorn Theatre); Man of La Mancha (Music Theatre Heritage); About Alice (Kansas City Actors Theatre); Everybody (UMKC); Deathtrap (City Theatre of Independence); Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Bell Road Barn Players). Radio: Return to Dust, Climate Change Theatre Action (Kansas City Actors Radio Theatre). Regional: Far Away (UNC Charlotte, SETC Winner). Film: Amidst the Ripples (Production by Tova Larson.)

Education: Bachelor of Music and Communications (UNC Charlotte); Candidate, MFA in Sound Design (UMKC). @gianna_agostino

ALEX MURPHY

(Production Stage Manager) (He/ They) KCRep: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Death of a Salesman, The Tallest Tree in the Forest, The Who and the What, The Santaland Diaries, Angels in America, Sticky Traps. Local: Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer: The Musical, Justice at War (Coterie Theatre); Death and the Maiden, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Blithe Spirit,

Skylight, Sea Marks, A Lie of the Mind, And Then There Were None, The Realistic Joneses, My Old Lady, I’m Not Rappaort, At Home at the Zoo, The Gin Game (Kansas City Actors Theatre). Regional: The Prom (First National Tour); The Harder They Come, Romeo and Bernadette, Two’s a Crowd (Off-Broadway); Gem of the Ocean, The Scarlet Letter, Two Sisters and a Piano, Wine in the Wilderness (Two River Theater); American Prophet (Arena Stage); A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story, Still Ready (Actors Theatre of Louisville); How I Learned What I Learned, An Iliad (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival).

Education: MFA, University of Missouri– Kansas City.

AEA Member

KATJA ZAROLINSKI

(New York Casting) Katja Zarolinski, CSA is a New Yorkbased casting director handling productions for theater, film and television. Previous theatre casting work includes Broadway, off-Broadway and regional productions including Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Barrington Stage Company, Cape Playhouse, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Ensemble Studio Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Guthrie Theater, The Irish Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Mosaic Theater, Oregon Shakespeare

Festival, People's Light, Pittsburgh CLO, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Studio Theatre, Theaterworks Hartford, Virginia Stage Company, and many more. Film credits include Bernard and Huey, Fair Market Value, Senior Moment, Year By The Sea, Child of Grace, My Man Is A Loser, After The Sun Fell, Police State, Stalking the Bogeyman (short). Television credits include Twisted (ABC Family Pilot), Sesame Street, Saint George (NY Casting), and One Night Only (Vevo Pilot).

ANDI MEYER

(Kansas City Casting) (She/ Her) Based in Osage/Kikapoo/ Kansa/Sioux/Otoe Missouria ancestral territory (Kansas City), Andi is an award-winning Kanaka Maoli/Asian American theatre maker/activist, arts educator, and parent. She is the Producing Artistic Director of Tradewind Arts, a boutique arts organization devoted to illuminating, motivating, and amplifying the voice of Native Hawaiian, Oceanic, and Asian American artists. Andi was a 2017-18 Charlotte Street Foundation (CSF) Studio Resident. Her work has been recognized with support from ArtsKC, TCG, Asian Arts

lady day company

Initiative, The Kauffman Foundation, Charlotte Street Foundation, JOCO libraries, InterUrban ArtHouse, and the Dramatists Guild Fund, as well as two NEA award winning projects in partnership with The Coterie Theatre including Hana’s Suitcase and Justice at War. Andi’s directorial credits include Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them for Tradewind Arts; Justice at War at The Coterie; and Nomad Motel and Poor Clare at The Unicorn. She has appeared in productions at The Unicorn Theatre, The New Theatre, The Coterie, The Kansas City

Repertory Theatre, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha, with voice and on-camera clients including Hallmark, H&R Block, Sprint, and McDonald’s. AEA Member

CONCORDE THEATRICALS

(Licensor) Concord Theatricals is the world’s most significant theatrical company, comprising the catalogs of R&H Theatricals, Samuel French, Tams-Witmark and The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection, plus dozens of new signings each year. Our unparalleled roster includes the work of Irving Berlin, Agatha Christie, George & Ira

Gershwin, Marvin Hamlisch, Lorraine Hansberry, Kander & Ebb, Kitt & Yorkey, Ken Ludwig, Marlow & Moss, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anaïs Mitchell, Dominique Morisseau, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Thornton Wilder and August Wilson. We are the only firm providing truly comprehensive services to the creators and producers of plays and musicals, including theatrical licensing, music publishing, script publishing, cast recording and first-class production. With offices in New York, London, and Berlin, we have the most expert staffers in the industry.

LEADERSHIP

Stuart Carden (He/Him) is in his fifth season as Artistic Director of KCRep. An arts leader, director, deviser, producer, educator and new play specialist, Stuart has worked across the United States building new plays, ensemble generated projects, reimagined classics, multidisciplinary performance, and actor-musician driven theatrical storytelling. Including creating theatrical experiences with The Old Globe, Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Second City, New Victory Theatre, Williamstown

STUART CARDEN

Artistic Director

Theatre Festival, Silk Road Rising, Victory Gardens, People’s Light, Northlight Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, ArtsEmerson, The Wallis Annenberg Center, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Virgin Voyages and PigPen Theatre Co. He is a member of the Society for Stage Directors and Choreographers and represented by Beth Blickers and the Agency for Performing Arts. Stuart is married to public art curator Neysa Page-Lieberman, and dad to eleven-year-old twins, Dashiell and Griffin.

STAFF

ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE

Director of Finance & Administration

Jared Freemon

Associate Director of Finance

Safiyah Grant

Manager of Information Services

Michelle Blaine

Finance Manager

Caycee Garlow

General Manager

Amy M. Abels Owen

ARTISTIC

Associate Artistic Director

Morgana Wilborn

Associate Artistic Director-

KCRep/UMKC Partnership

Jason Chanos

Artistic Associate/Casting

Andi Meyer

Artistic Manager

Lillian Rider

DEVELOPMENT

Director of Development

Nancy Steinacker

Associate Director of Development

Carrie Lenahan

Development Database Manager

Marie Kocher

Grant Writer

Diana Silver

Development Associates

Jenna Nowak

Lauren Peck

EDUCATION/ COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Director of Education & Community Programs

Melinda McCrary

FRONT OF HOUSE

House Manager

Kelly Cooper

Assistant House Managers

Warren Deckert

LaVera Fleeks Snipes

Front of House Staff

Patricia Abts

Justin Balling

Samantha Balling

Dylan Cooper

Linda Fleeks

Cay Fogel

Vanessa Harper

Luigi Muscadin

Mark Noble

Lainey Obenshain

Wyatt Owen

Anthony Snipes

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Director of Marketing & Communications

Jana Liles

Creative Director &

Digital Marketing Specialist

Dayna Meyer

Design/Publications Specialist

Thaylia Smith

Social Media Manager & Content Creator

MacKenzie Turner

Public Relations (Press Contact)

Ellen McDonald

Publications Assistant

Tehreem Choudhry

PRODUCTION

Interim Production Manager

Grace Hudson

Technical Director

W.R. Shinoski

Assistant Technical Director/ Automation

Tom Gault

Scene Shop Foreman

John Owen

Materials Coordinator

Powell Brumm

Head Carpenter

Abbie Hixson

Carpenters

Luke Habjan

Jacob Maher

Griffin Rogers

Properties Director

Jamie Lindemann

Properties Artisan

Amaka Maduabuchi

Scenic Art Director

Shiloah Frederick

Scenic Artists

Adam Hooper

Missy Shinoski

Costume Shop Manager

Jenny Green

Assistant Costume Shop Manager

Mary Caitland Williams

Head Cutter/Draper

Christina HadleyDike

Cutter/Draper

Jana Jesse

Wardrobe Supervisor

Marianne Rowse

Lighting & Projections

Co-Directors

Michael Esposito

Shayna Phillips

Production Electricians

Oak Neal

Reina Makimura

Sound & Video Lead

Anakin Garner

TICKETING SERVICES

Manager, Ticketing Services

Karl Annable

Associate Manager, Community Partnerships and Ticketing Services

Courtney Klein

Ticketing Services Representatives

Tehreem Chaudhry

Andrew Fogel

Justin Gannaway

Ginger Harris

Dani Saunders

Stage Management Production Assistant

Addison Price

Stage Carpenter

Luke Habjan

Overhire Carpenter

Cameron Smith

Wardrobe Supervisor

Marianne S. Rowse

Dresser

Chelli Tillman

PRODUCTION CREW: LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR & GRILL

Hope Beyond Hunger. Addiction. Homelessness.

FreetoBE... FreetoBE...

Fewer Treatments. Better Outcomes.

The future of cancer care is here. The AdventHealth Cancer Institute will be the first and only health care provider in Kansas City to perform MRI-Guided Radiation. This advanced therapy allows us to see tumors as we treat them, resulting in pinpoint precision, fewer treatments, reduced side effects and better outcomes.

STUDENTS

“I was very amazed by the performance — the play was very cool and funny. The person who was playing the plant had amazing vocals and the other actors also did a great job. “

— Middle school student, Little Shop of Horrors

“It is wonderful to have live theater opportunities such as this one. The debate at the end of the play was extraordinary, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for the overall experience.”

— High School Student, What the Constitution Means to Me

Kicking off our 2023/24 season last summer with enthusiasm, creativity and buckets of strong talent was our 7th Summer Youth Theatre Ensemble, a free program for high schoolers. Young artists put their hearts and minds together over the four weeks (20 days!) devising, writing, moving, discussing, exploring, and collaborating to create their own original play, Here/After. The piece, both moving and hilarious, traveled to an afterlife during which characters worked to make a pitch to return to life on earth. Selfunderstanding was key and the revelations were meaningful. Led by teaching artists Raz, Sam, Em and Auryona, their final show was exceptional, joyfully-built, and a wonderful way to cap off our signature summer depth program.

Across our season we hosted over 7,500 young people — 2nd graders through college students, and their chaperones — from all over the region to our productions

STUDENTS & EDUCATION

“My students LOVED Nina! It definitely provoked a lot of great conversations once we got back to school. ”

— High School Teacher

Nina Simone: Four Women

“SYTE lets us be free and open with our thoughts and feelings. Together, we put those thoughts and feelings into a play that’s enjoyable for us and the audience. We’re all also able to connect pretty fast because of our similar interests and ideas.”

— SYTE High School Student

at a morning matinee. Close to 40% of those young people saw the play via our STARS program which offers fully free or discounted tickets. At each performance, the building shakes at the curtain calls as young people passionately applaud the stories which are now theirs forever.

Theatre director Kenny Leon said, “I’m looking for the day when every child in America can have a little piece of theatre in their daily educational lives.” This is a simple wish; a clear and joyful one towards which we work all season. Help us keep our education/ engagement work flying high! Smart, growing and vital to today’s community.

To learn more about our programs, at the theatre or at your site, or how to support them, reach out to Melinda, Director of Education, at mccrarym@kcrep.org.

Photo Credits (clockwise from top left) Melinda McCrary, Teonna Wesley, Melinda McCrary, Don Ipock, Tionna Wesley, Don Ipock.

Turning 65 soon? Medicare questions?

We are your local Medicare resource! We can help answer your Medicare questions at no cost to you.

We are an independent agency with over 14 years of experience in Medicare products and we can help answer your Medicare questions at NO COST to you.

Why deal with someone who carries ONE plan? We offer MANY plans and we will find the right coverage for you.

Contact us today to schedule a review of your health care needs. In home appointments available at your convenience.

521 N Jefferson St. Raymore, MO 64083 816-265-0859 or 866-991-7189 Toll Free

Jeffrey Adams

Season Opener with pianist Behzod Abduraimov in collaboration with Park University ICM SEPT. 20, 2024

Ingrid Stölzel: A Musical Portrait OCT. 12, 2024

Thanksgiving with NAVO NOV. 30, 2024

NAVO Chamber Orchestra with pianist Steven Spooner and violinist Véronique Mathieu

FEB. 22, 2025

The Art of Cello with Daniel Veis MAR. 22, 2025

Frontier String Quartet APR. 2025

Season Finale Fest with violinist Maria Ioudenitch MAY 7, 9, 11, 2025

ILLUMINATION

THEATRE FOR ALL —

FROM OUR STAGES TO OUR COMMUNITIES,

KCRep supporters are at the heart of all that we do.

Any way you support KCRep — with a production sponsorship, a scholarship gift through our STARS (Support the ARTs in Schools) program, or an operating gift — you make world-class productions, Student Matinees, Summer Theatre Camp, the KCRep For All Community Tour, and much more available to everyone in Kansas City.

In gratitude of your support, KCRep offers a variety of donor benefits, including sponsor recognition and exclusive events. Explore donor benefits for each giving level at kcrep.org/donor-sponsorshipbenefits.

2024-2025 Signature Series:

Fri. Oct. 11th, 7pm UNFORGETTABLE

ft. Sachal Vascandani

Sat., Nov. 16th, 7pm BRIGHT SIZE LIFE

ft. Rod Fleeman

Tues., Dec. 10th, 7pm A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

Selections from Charlie

Sat., March 1st, 7pm ALWAYS & FOREVER

ft. Brenna Whitaker Visit KCJO.org for ticket information

ft. Lucy and Bram Wijnands

Sat., April 5th, 7pm LEVEL UP!

Selections from Classic Video

Sat., May 31st, 7pm GLAMOUR OF OLD HOLLYWOOD

2024-2025 Concerts Including Works of Brahms, Parry, Rachmaninoff, Holst and many others along with American spirituals and gospels 2025 performance of Bach's immortal MASS IN B MINOR with chamber orchestra and soloists

PARK UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MUSIC

When Stanislav loudenitch first started the Park International Center for Music, he began with a simple concept. Find exceptional music teachers, and give them the time, tools, focus, and dedication needed to transform exceptional students into masters themselves. An internationally-recognized Van Cliburn gold medalist, Ioudenitch assembled a team that shared his world-class skills and his passion for teaching. Other outstanding programs have great master instructors. But no other American conservatory lets those masters devote the time to their students like they do at Park ICM.

Come experience the birth of our international stars. Visit ICM.PARK.EDU for our concert schedule today.

Stanislav loudenitch Artistic Director /Piano Studio
Ben Sayevich Violin Studio
Daniel Veis Cello Studio
Peter Chun Viola Studio

CONTRIBUTORS

$50,000+

Copaken Family Fund *

Copaken Family Foundation

R & C Charitable Foundation

2024/25 SEASON

UNDERWRITERS

ANNUAL SUPPORTERS

Kansas City Repertory Theatre is grateful for the charitable contributions of the many donors who help make our productions, community outreach programs, and youth education programs possible. The following list represents annual and event support as of September 9, 2024.

Victor E. and Caroline E. Schutte

Foundation Trust E, David W. Frantze and Bank of America, N.A., Trustees *

Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts - Commerce Bank, Trustee *

The Sunderland Foundation

$25,000 - $49,999

E. Kemper Carter and Anna Curry Carter Community Memorial Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee

John & Innes Hale

Hallmark Cards, Inc

Linda & Topper Johntz *

Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation *

Pemberton Family Charitable Foundation

Betsy Piebenga *

$10,000 - $24,999

Anonymous (2)

American Century Investments Foundation

Lynn Badaracco & Dwight Quiring

Pete B. Browne & Julie Walker-Browne

Herb & Bonnie Buchbinder

Donor Advisory Fund *

Burns & McDonnell *

Louetta M. Cowden FoundationBank of America, Trustee

The DeBruce Foundation

Ann King Dickinson

Dave & Geri Frantze

Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation *

The H&R Block Foundation

H&R Block *

Nancy P. & Robert W. Hatch *

Health Forward Foundation

Ellen & Irv Hockaday *

Enid and Crosby Kemper Charitable Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee

Judy O. Kirk Charitable Fund

Frank & Margaret G. McGee Fund

Jessica & Matt Ralston

J. B. Reynolds Foundation *

JoMarie Scaglia

The Sosland Foundation *

Jo Ann & William D. Sullivan *

UMB Financial Corporation

US Bank *

Sara E. Welch *

Sally & Robert West *

Wylie Foundation

$5,000 - $9,999

Anonymous

Dana Abraham & Chuck McCann

Chris & Sharon Baxter

Marcia H. Bailey *

Ivan & Karla Batlle *

Anne & Bill Blessing *

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City

The Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation

Cafe Trio (in-kind)

Kay & John Callison *

Chappelow Events (in-kind)

Virginia & Charles Clark *

Ron & Kim Coker

Melanie Coleman & Todd Gafney

Commerce Bank

Country Club Bank

Rick & Barbie Dierks *

Steve & Cathy Doyal

Jane & Charles Eldredge

Evergy

Brad & Linda Finkle

First Business Bank

Angela & John Gieras

Graceland University/ Kristi Hettrick & Alan Waterman

Deanna & Greg Graves

Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.) & Dr. Valerie E. Chow

Sharon & Donald F. Greenwood, Jr.

Carla Griffin

Laura & David Hall *

Hayley E. Hanson & Todd McGuire

JE Dunn Construction Company

Mary & Mark Jorgenson

Andrew & Sheryl Kaplan

Kornitzer Capital Management, Inc.

Carol & John Kornitzer

KPMG, LLP *

Mike & Candis Lochmann *

William J. & Frances Lynn *

Americo Life, Inc

Renita Mollman

Scott A. Moore

Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund

Barbara and Bill Nelson Foundation *

Graham & Margot Nelson

Meggan Newland, M.D. & Jon Henry

Jeannette T. Nichols *

Ogletree Deakins

Oppenstein Brothers FoundationCommerce Bank, Trustee

Debra & Allen Parmet

Diane & John R. Phillips

Polsinelli PC

Jami & Fred Pryor

* Shooting Stars — Donors of 10 or more consecutive years

$5,000 - $9,999 (continued)

Seaboard

Marny & John Sherman

Stinson LLP *

Drs. Jessica & Benjamin Stone

Donna Thomason

Bert & Sue Trucksess *

Jayhawk Primary Care at The University of Kansas Health System

VanTrust Real Estate

Susan & Jason Waldron

Thomas & Sally Wood Family Foundation

$2,500 - $4,999

James & Mary Jennifer Amato

American Century Investments (matching gift)

Anonymous *

Jeff Anthony & Susann Ogg

Dick & Emily Ballentine *

G. Kenneth & Ann Baum

Philanthropic FundAnn Kaufmann Baum *

Jamey Bertram

BlueScope *

Darin Brickman

James Butler

Bryan & Justina Canzoneri

Centric Projects

Craig Coen & Jeffrey Bellamy

James & Ellen Copaken

Harper Rebecca Coulson

Kevin Covington & Dia Wall Covington

Crux KC LLC

Tom & Margaret Cummings *

Joel DeBoer

Melanie & Mike Fenske

Kenneth & Vanessa Ferguson

Paul & Stacey Fischer

Francis Family Foundation *

David & Janis Francis

Douglas & Ann Ghertner *

Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Donald J. Hall *

Scott & Suzy Hall

Shirley & Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr.

Shawn & Melissa Hickey

Ryan Holmes

Edward & Camille Honesty

Joan Horan

Coleen & Chris Hotop

CONTRIBUTORS

Patrick Hughes, MD

Steven Irwin

Laurie & Chuck Jarrett

Scott & Kelly Jeffcote

Nancy L. Kain *

Robb Krumlauf & Leanne Wiedemann

Carol & Fred Logan

Beth & Gregg Lombardi

R. A. Long Foundation

Lauren E. Tucker McCubbin & Gabe McCubbin

Sharon & Michael Milens

Pamela Miller & Michael Cummings

Paul John Odum

John & Shari Olander

Joseph Podrebarac

Hillary Stamper

Mark & Dette Swanson

Julie Stotlar-Towner

Ratana & Oscar Tshibanda

Veracity Consulting, Inc

Nancy J. Viets *

Brenda & Brett Williams

George & Beverley Wilson

$1,500 - $2,499

Anonymous

Ken & Sharon Bowman

Jon & Shelley Copaken

Gill Studios, Inc. (in-kind)

The Ingram Family Foundation *

Doug Kallenberger & Lynn Blixrud

Joy & Jerry Kaplan *

Bridgette & Jason Kling

Brandon & Melissa McManamy

Marshall Miller

Stewart & Debbie Myers

Matt Nordhus

Lisa & Charles Schellhorn *

Joe & Susan Sims

Juliette & Ian Singer

Richard Singleton III

Susannah & TJ Sotos

$1,000 - $1,499

isa & Scott Adams

Anonymous

Marion & Henry Bloch

Family Foundation

Boulevard Brewing Co. (in-kind)

William L. Bruning

Timothy & Jessie Burkhalter

Jennifer Collier

FCI Advisors

Christie & Timothy Geier-Pratt

Brett Gerstenberger

Stephen & Patricia Gound

Family Foundation

Michael & Kathryn Harvel

Chris Hernandez & Paul Monteil

Marc & Nina Hollabaugh

Ashlei & Charles Holznecht

Hufft Projects

Shannon & Brent Johnson

Kim Jones

Mr. & Mrs. William S. Kanter

Brian Kaufman

Regina & Bill Kort

Bob & Meg Maffitt

McQuaid Brothers

C. Stephen Metzler &

Brian D. Williams Fund *

William Moran

Network for Good

Sara & David O'Connell / What Matters 2 Us Fund *

John & Kendal Orlowski

Janet & Jack Podoll

Joe & Lainey Puglisi

Rick & Tanya Ratliff

Roanoke Park Conservancy

Damon & Shawna Roath

Holly Streeter-Schaefer & Ken Schaefer

Lindsey Patterson Smith

Brad & Gisele Sprong

Sylvia & Laurence Tucker

Deb & Paul Turpin

Leeann & Mark Van Dyne

Sandra K. & Stanley J. Vogel*

Lynne & Carl Weilert

Kathryn Welch & John Wright

Molly & Steve Wendland

Richard Wetzel

Audrey & Thomas Wiegmann

Jon Wright

Christine Yannitelli & Dennis Manske *

$500 - $999

Joel & Elizabeth Allen

Debby & Gary Ballard

Ken Barnes & Abby Mocek

Sherrie Bell

Irv Belzer & Sue McCord-Belzer *

Robert H. & Kathleen M. Bender *

Joan & Bert Berkley

Blue Heron Foundation *

John Bleazard

Sue & George Brandt

* Shooting Stars — Donors of 10 or more consecutive years

Mary Lou & Tom Brous *

Bob & Karen Brush *

Marianne Burrell

Robert Butcher & Madelyn Rudd

James & Linda Cole

Cindy & Richard Croskell

Kit & Jay Culver *

Deborah Dibal

Omar Farias

Sandi & Ed Fried

Al Geritz & Dick Leeson

Dr. James & Christine Morgan

Glenski

Chris Glissman *

Keith Goering & Mary Ann Dvorcheck *

Anita Toby Grow

Cathi & Thomas Halberstadt

Amy & Nate Harris

Joan L. Hartung

Leslie & Martin Herst

John & Sharon Hoffman

Mary & Eric Honour

Blair & Lyn Hosford *

Carol & Dennis Hudson

Melissa Jaramillo

John & Elaine Jepson *

Arlen & Patricia Johnson

Buddy & Carolyn Jones

Stacy King

Jay & Ann Kinnamon

Liz & Warren Lewis

Ashley & Phil Mason

Patricia Ann Miles

Helen & Joel Miller

Patricia E. Cleary Miller, Ph.D.

Mark & Janette Morgan

Sheryll & Thomas Myers

Carl & Pam Nitsche / Nitsche DAF

Mark & Lynne O'Connell

Jane & Charles Olsen

Patrick O'Rourke

Scott & Robin Page

Jeff & Angela Place

George & Wendy Powell *

Kerri Reisdorff

Linda Robins

Mark & Janice Schonwetter

Lindsay & Matt Severns

George & Lisa Shadid *

Stan & Linda Shipman

Myra & Lester Siegel, Jr. *

Angela & Chris Smart

Carol Sokolenko

Nicolas Stefanescu

Kitty Steffens

CONTRIBUTORS

$500 - $999

(continued)

Sterneck Capital Foundation

Charles Sun

Swift Construction, Inc./ CEI Electrical & Mechanical

Jason & Libby Thomas

Robert & Cindy Thompson

William & Nancy Topper *

Rev. Paul Turner *

Two West Advisors

Barbara McMahon & Dennis Varble

Michael & Miranda Wagner

Michelle & Cornell Webb

Diane & Roy Whitley *

Teddi Wolff

Debra S. Wood

$250 - $499

Anonymous

Ellen & John Aisenbrey *

Kathy Anderson

Nancy Artzer

Diane & Steve Azorsky

Edward & Linda Balzano

Jolynn Bartolotta

Brian & Jessica Best Stewart

Ken & Jill Biesma

Amy Black

Fred & Cindy Bodker

Dan & Jobeth Bradbury

Larry Braddy

Cindie & Bob Buchanan

Arden & Mary Ann Carr *

Patrick & Thaylia Smith Conway

Sarah & Clayton Cook *

Betty Ann Cortelyou

Don & Pat Dagenais

Dominique Davison

Denton Family Fund

Cheryl DeShon

Amy & Jared Dirks

Mike & Elizabeth Disilvestro

David Douglass

Durkee Family Foundation *

Cindy & David Edgington

Janann B. Eldredge

EPR Properties

Margaret Fishback

Chris & Julia Frantze

SuEllen Fried

Jeff & Mary Fromm

Scott Giffen

Ronald & Susan Goldsmith

Philanthropic Fund *

Matt Gowen

Rishelle Greenlee

Allen & Gail Gutovitz

Charitable Fund *

Eileen Hand

Grant & Claire Harrison

Nancy Harrison

Richard & Julie Hellman *

George Helmkamp

Bill & Irma Lou Hirsch *

Sarah Hoestje

Justin Howard

Jennifer & Jason Ingraham *

Nathan & Megan Jackson

Chad A. Kirby

Marli Klumb

George Krebs

Erika Kuster

Eric & Emily Larson

Maurine Lenahan

Elizabeth R. Lesan &

Katsuyoshi Nishimoto

Troy Lillebo & Brian Ellison *

Sam Logan

Felicia & Venne Londre

Debra & John Mahoney

Timothy J. Marchesi &

John D. Lawrence / DeMarche

Robert & Heather Maynard

Sue McKee

Milligan Family

Koi Morford

David Nelson & Angela Turpin

Alexander Ong

Rudolph Pabon

Carolyn Phelps

Maggie Presson *

Brittany & Michael Remmert

Robert Riccardi

Tom & Cynthia Ryan

Richard & Erin Sack

James & Kathy Sear *

Michelle & Darin Shank

Rosemarie Skivers

Linda S Stevens

Phyllis Stevens

Tom Strumillo

Ann & Daniel Sweeney

Chris & Brooke Sweeney

James H. Taylor

Johnna Thomas

Russ & Maralee Thompson

Mark Thornhill & Maria Donigan

Linda S. Trout

Marcia Valera

Eileen and Tom Weir

Anne & Keith Wiedenkeller

Michele & John Wilinski *

Vanessa Williams

Terri & Blake Williamson

Elizabeth Hartley Winetroub

Pam & Bill Wishon

Dr. & Mrs. John S. Yungmeyer

$100 - $249

Anonymous (3)

Amanda Akers-Vornholt &

Wayne Vornhold

Mollie Alexander & Frank Hogan *

Kathryn & Chris Allen

Rachel Allen & Christopher Allen, KM, CFA

Pat & Lauren Amey

Marilyn & Chris Anderson

Tom Anderson

Arvest Bank

Aimee Asbury & Richard S. Starks II

Barbara & Richard Atlas *

Sonny Aust & Lauren Aust-Yen

Linda & Erik Avery

Laura & Nate Baldwin

John Ballard

Katherine & Larry Barnhart

Bradley & Wendy Barth

Heather Bath

Andrea & Will Becker

Matthew & Katharine Beem

Kimberly Benjamin

Nathan & Margaret Benjamin

Donna Bennett

Jeffrey J. Bentley

Cindy & Ted Berard

Linda Birkenmeier

Charles R. Bise Jr.

Linda & Bruce Blazek

John & Marge Bott

Kathleen Bradford

Ms. Katherine Breen

Charles & Deb Brook

David Brown

Tom & Cherie Brown

Terry Brummer

Stephen Butland

Janet Buttery

Melonee Cain

Stuart Carden & Neysa Page-Lieberman

Frank Carroll

Greg & Ann Carlson

Karen Cartlidge

Kenda Caskey

* Shooting Stars — Donors of 10 or more consecutive years

Jessica & Jason Chanos

Susan Clevenger

Lupe & Greg Clouse

Meredith Collins

Tom & Lari Ann Collins

Martha Comment

Joe Constantino

Robert Cook

Larry Cork

Jody & Bill Craig

Christopher Crenner & Katherine Levy

Robert & Nicolette Croskell

Kymberli Cutler

Edmund P. & Donna J. Cytacki

John G. Daniel

Cara David

Donald & Linda Degnan

Gabe & Lindsey Dewitte

Brad Douglas

Tim & Trisha Drape

Barry & Marilyn Dryer

Family of Eric & Katie Dufur

Susan & Jared Ebel

Kristen Ellis Johnson

Douglas & Chris Fain

Barbara Fay

Sandy Feaker

Iman Fennell

Susan Fershee

Patricia Fitzpatrick

Whitney Skye Flaska

Mick & Denise Fletcher

Rocco & Karen Florio

Dr. Alan & Cathy Foster

Dianne & R. Dennis Fowler

Kelly & Michael Fowler

Mark & Sandi Fowler *

Randy Fowler

Alberzine & Abby Freeman

Sidonie Garrett

Brag Gee

Pam & Dr. Fred Geer *

Sharon Glass

Courtney Goddard

Carol & Marvin Goldstein *

Ismael Gonzalez

Max & Harriet Gordon

Christine Granger

Doreen & Norman Greczyn

C.W. & Nancy Green

Don Grodecki & Cheryl Ricke

Heather M Gudgel

Rex & Jody Gunn

Rupal Christine Gupta

Beth & Chris Hafner

CONTRIBUTORS

$100 - $249

(continued)

Melanie Halsey

Kristen & Tyler Harrelson

Kristen Harris

John Hart & Katelyn Peter

Michael & Kathryn Harvel

Patricia Hemauer

Chris Hess

Kristi Hettrick

Zach Hickman

Lisa Hickok

Richard & Merri-Ann Higgason

Paget & Tom Higgins

Mr. Brad & Dr. Amy Hogan

Bruce & Cindy Hogle

Edward Honestly

Dick & Rose Marie Huber

Leslie & Mark Huffhines *

Amanda Humiston

Justin & Rita Huntington

Joan & Steve Israelite

Anna Jaffe & Michael Horine

Charles Johnson

Ellen Johnson

Gary Neal Johnson & Lynne Beachner

Karen Johnson & Angus Stoddart

Joyce Jonasson

Colby Jones

Katherine Jorgenson & Marc Harman

Sarilee Kahn

Paul & Connie Kamps

Kauffman Foundation

Matching Gifts

Jessica Keal

Olivia H Keller

Annie & Alan Keneipp

Joan & Chris Kennedy

Lesley Ketzel

Jenn Killpack

Susan King-Kostelac & Martin Kostelac

Christy Kinman

Elise Kirchhofer

David & Lisa Klose

Patricia Konopka

Linda & Bill Kornitzer

Patrice Krampff

Jane & Bruce Kunz

John & Patricia Kurtz

Jennifer Lane

Ryan Lane

Kathy & Craig Laursen

Joe & Rebecca Layton

Carrie & Patrick Lenahan

Gayle Levy & Whitney Terrell

Virginia Lieberman

Jana & Curtis Liles

Mark & Karen Long

Marilyn & Bruce Lowrey

Sharon Lynch & Jane Nichols

LaMonica & Christopher Madden

Sue & Dev Malik

Tom Mardikes

Richard & Lydia Marien

Carol Marks

Tiffany Marr

Michael McCawley

Laurie McCormack

P. Alan McDermott *

Tim McMulin & Emilee Rose

Gerald & Jean McNamara *

Craig McPherson

Melea McRae

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Merrigan

Julia & Dennis Meyer

Kathlene Keck Meyer

Kim Meyer

Alan & Judy Michelson

Kelsea Miller

William Sr. & Melanie Miller

Virginia Miller

Chelsea Mong

Marti Moore & John Kinsey

Patricia A. Moore

Susan Morrissey

Heather & Tom Morrow

Ann & Jim Mueller

Judy & Carl Mullins

Bailey Mae Munson

Robyn Murphy

Doris Negaard

Kathryn & Stephen Nichols

Jane J. Olson

Bonita & Thomas Oothoudt

Amy M. Abels & John Owen

Dr. Christina Marie Pacheco

Jenny Palmer

James Parrott

John Pearson

Wanda R. Perkins

Allyson & Eric Perry

Kathy Peters

Candice Petersonmoon

Dr. Andrea Picciotto

Mary Ann Pinkerton

Allison & Kevin Pinkowski

Rob & Joy Preacher

Lena Price

Angela Rabin

Don & Phyllis Ranum

Kelly Rawlings

Dr. Carl B. Reed &

Melody A. Miller

Kevin Regan & Cathy Francis

Greg & Rebecca Reid

Libby Rivers

Pat Roane

Charles & Cristine Roberts *

Julie Robinson

Melinda Rocha

Lindsey Rood-Clifford & Chris Clifford

Lucia & Christopher Rooney

Paula & Jack Rowe

Martha Russell

Anton & Barbara Schaefer *

Mary Schindler

Chris Schlenker

Donald & Martha Schlosser

Jack & Errett Schmid

Stephanie Schriock

Janet W. Sears

Darren Sextro & John Rensenhouse

Kavya Shankar

Janardana Sharma

Gail E. Shaw

The Sheppard Family

Phil & Lurae Shreves

Kurt Rasmussen &

Cheryl L. Simmons

Janet & Andrew Simonsen

Cuthbert & Severns Simpkins

Rik Siro and Teresa Woody

Thomas & Mitzi Slover

Anita Louise Smith

Elsie Smith *

Mary Susan Smith

Michelle Smith

Vicki & Thomas Smith

Kristin Smithson

Larry & Jean Snider

Tori Sodek

Diana Spare

Jonathan Specht

Betty Ann Springer

Kath Stanley

Nancy Steinacker

Eva Steinman

Mr. & Mrs. Rodger Stelter

Dr. Joy Stevenson

Linda Stinnet

Steven & Sandra Stites

Jeffrey Stitt

Annelies Stoecklin

Kim Stout

Rebecca Stowe

Mark Stuecheli & Mary Nick

Brandi Tabor

Juliann & Mark Tapko

Starr Terrell

David Terry

James Thomas &

Kathy Burke-Thomas

Kristina Thompson

Heidi Thummel

Lauren & Nick Tobaben

Diana & Tim Toman

Ann Trask

Cliff & Leslie Van Blarcom *

Linda Vande Garde

Kevin Vanderweide

Roy D Vanek

Michael & Mary Varner

Todd Vorachek

Gayla & Jon Voss

Wayne & Debora Wainwright

Christine Waldschmidt

Craig Stephen Wallace

Kathleen L Warfel

Christal Watson

Vicki Webber

Dr. Audrey V Wegst

Susie Weis

Charles & Linda Wells

Regina Wells

Blake & Lisa Wendelburg

Ronda & Bill White

Julie & Louis Williams

Richard C. Williams

Mr. Stephen & Martha Williamson

Amy Winger

Geri Wise

John R. Wise

Karen Woodbury

Michael Wright & Christa Cavanaugh *

Damon & Patricia Yurchak

Cathy Zitnik

Thank you to all of those who support KCRep with charitable donations via funds at the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City, and United Way of Greater Kansas City, as well as other donor advised fund entities and programs. * Shooting Stars — Donors of 10 or more consecutive years

CONTRIBUTORS

GIFTS IN HONOR & MEMORY

In Memory of DAVID B. BROWN from John Hogan & Amy Browne-Hogan

In Honor of STUART CARDEN'S Birthday from Virginia Lieberman

In Memory of ANN KING DICKINSON from Heather Paxton

Mary Ann Pinkerton

Bert & Sue Trucksess

In Memory of JAMES C. FITZPATRICK from Patricia Fitzpatrick

In Memory of RITA & GILBERT KAHN from Sarilee Kahn

In Memory of MOTHER HENRIE MARIE from Carolina Kraly

In Memory of DR. PATRICIA McILRATH from Barbara Fay

In Memory of BILL NELSON from Barbara & Bill Nelson Family

In Honor of ABBY & RYAN STURM from Kimberly S. Bray

In Memory of SUSAN WASKOW from Harry Waskow

MAKE AN IMPACT WITH CHARITABLE GIFT PLANNING

Partner with KCRep in producing professional live theatre for all, and potentially save on your taxes, through charitable gift planning. Examples include, but are not limited to, donor advised funds, bequests, trusts, appreciated securities, IRAs, and more. Your financial advisor can help determine the best options for you! For more information, contact Carrie Lenahan at lenahanc@kcrep.org or call 816.235.5420.

LEAVE A LEGACY

THANK YOU to the following members of our legacy society and their families. Generous commitments through estate planning ensure that KCRep will continue to thrive for the next 60 years and beyond.

Anonymous (2)

~ Dr. & Mrs. Keith W. Ashcraft

~ William W. Baker Trust

Anne & Bill Blessing

~ Mrs. W. Coleman Branton

Mary Lou & ~ Tom Brous

Cindie Buchanan

Jerry & Meghan Carpenter

Nathan Schechter MD Trust

in memory of Vicki S. Catlin ~

~ Richard R. Cawthorn

~ Ann King Dickinson

~ Estate of Joseph F. Finch

Pam & Dr. Fred Geer

Courtney Goddard

~ Elizabeth Irwin Gordon

Nancy P. & Robert W. Hatch

Ellen & Irv Hockaday

Linda & Topper Johntz

Mary & Mark Jorgenson

~ Helen Louise Kassebaum Trust

Dr. & Mrs. J. Gordon Kingsley

~ Lothar P. Krause

Rev. Susan Langhauser

Lindsay Meyer & ~ Corey Brunk

Pamela Miller & Michael Cummings

~ Dr. Mary Jo Rahatz

George & Lisa Shadid

~ Dr. Nathan & Ruth G. Shechter

Brad Voelker

Hal vonBohnhoff

~ Betty Widmier

~ In Memoriam

ONE OF A KIND.

Banking focused on you.

At FNBO, your needs take center stage. One-on-one or behind the scenes, we’re here to help you earn, save and do more.

You deserve the best care in the region. We are proud to be consistently recognized as the best, year after year.

As the best hospital in Kansas and in Kansas City, we deliver unparalleled outcomes and world-class care.

We put you first because we genuinely care. Our dedication to our patients drives us to provide exceptional outcomes and the very best service – the kind of care that makes you feel seen, heard and valued.

We are trusted experts who believe you deserve unmatched care. With unmatched care comes unrivaled outcomes. Our relentless pursuit of excellence fuels us to make a lasting di erence for patients, their families and the entire region.

We are proud to still be the No.1 hospital in Kansas and in Kansas City. We are also the only hospital in the region to have any medical and surgical adult specialties that ranked among the top 50 nationwide, with 6 nationally ranked specialties.

When you choose the best, you receive excellent care from a compassionate team of experts. Discover what sets the best care in the region apart. Schedule an appointment at 913-588-1227 or visit KansasHealthSystem.com/StillTheBest.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.