Now Playing Onstage in Wichita - Week of 2/24/2013

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WAGNER'S PARSIFAL
Murdock Theatre
3/2-3/2/2013
Act I A forest near the castle of the brotherhood of the Holy Grail. The old knight Gurnemanz and two esquires perform their morning prayers, while other knights prepare a bath for their ailing ruler Amfortas, who suffers from an incurable wound. Suddenly Kundry appears, a mysterious, ageless woman, who serves as the Grail's messenger. She has brought medicine for Amfortas. The king is carried in. He reflects on a prophecy that speaks of his salvation by the hands of a "pure fool, enlightened by compassion," then is borne off. When the esquires ask about Klingsor, a sorcerer who is trying to destroy the knights of the Grail, Gurnemanz tells the story of Amfortas's wound: the Holy Grail, the cup Christ drank from at the Last Supper, and the spear that pierced his body on the cross were given into the care of Titurel, Amfortas's father, who assembled a company of knights to guard the relics. Klingsor, wishing to join the brotherhood, tried to overcome his sinful thoughts by castrating himself but was rejected. Seeking vengeance, he built a castle across the mountains with a magic garden full of alluring women to entrap the knights. Amfortas set out to defeat Klingsor, but was himself seduced by a "terribly beautiful woman" and stabbed by Klingsor with the holy spear, which he then took from Amfortas. The wound can only be healed by the innocent youth the prophecy has spoken of. Suddenly a swan plunges to the ground, struck dead by an arrow. The knights drag in a young man, who boasts of his archery skills. He is ashamed when Gurnemanz rebukes him, but he cannot explain his violent act or even state his name. All he remembers is his mother, Herzeleide, or "Heart's Sorrow." Kundry tells the youth's history: his father died in battle and his mother reared the boy in a forest, but now she too is dead. Gurnemanz leads the nameless youth to the castle, wondering if he may be the prophecy's fulfillment. The knights assemble in the hall of the castle. Titurel bids Amfortas uncover the Grail to give strength to the brotherhood, but Amfortas refuses: the sight of the chalice increases his anguish. Titurel orders the esquires to proceed, and the chalice casts its glow about the hall. The nameless youth watches in astonishment but understands nothing. The ceremony ended, Gurnemanz, disappointed and angry, drives him away as an unseen voice reiterates the prophecy. Act II In his castle, Klingsor summons Kundry, who, under his spell, is forced to lead a double existence, to seduce the young fool. Having secured the spear, Klingsor now seeks to destroy the youth, whom he knows can save the knights of the Grail. Hoping for redemption from her torment, Kundry protests in vain. The nameless youth enters Klingsor's magic garden. Flower maidens beg for his love but he resists them. The girls withdraw as Kundry, transformed into a beautiful young woman, appears and addresses him by his name-Parsifal. He realizes that his mother once called him so in a dream. Kundry begins her seduction by revealing memories of Parsifal's childhood and finally kisses him. Parsifal suddenly feels Amfortas's pain and understands the idea of compassion: he realizes that it was Kundry who brought about Amfortas's downfall and that it is his mission to save the brotherhood of the Grail. Astonished at his transformation, Kundry tries to arouse Parsifal's pity by telling of the weary life she has been forced to lead ever since she laughed at Christ on the cross, but he resists her. She curses him to wander hopelessly in search of the knights of the Grail and calls on Klingsor for help. The magician appears and hurls the holy spear at Parsifal, who miraculously catches it in midair, causing Klingsor's realm to perish. Act III Gurnemanz, now very old and living as a hermit near the Grail's castle, finds the penitent Kundry exhausted in the forest. A strange knight approaches and Gurnemanz recognizes Parsifal bearing the holy spear. Parsifal describes his years of wandering, trying to find his way back to Amfortas and the Grail. Gurnemanz tells him that he has come at the right time: Amfortas, longing for death, has refused to uncover the Grail, the brotherhood is suffering, and Titurel has died. Kundry washes Parsifal's feet, and Gurnemanz blesses him and proclaims him king. As his first task Parsifal baptizes Kundry. He is struck by the beauty of nature around them and Gurnemanz explains that this is the spell of Good Friday. The distant tolling of bells announces the funeral of Titurel, and the three make their way to the castle. Knights carry the Grail, Amfortas on his litter, and Titurel's coffin into the Hall of the Grail. Amfortas is unable to perform the rite. He begs the knights to kill him and thus end his anguish-when suddenly Parsifal appears. He touches Amfortas's side with the spear and heals the wound. Uncovering the Grail, he accepts the homage of the knights as their redeemer and king and blesses them. The reunion of the Grail and spear has saved the community.
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FOOTLOOSE
Christian Youth Theater Kansas City
2/28-3/3/2013
One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.Music by Tom Snow; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford; Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie; Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford; Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman
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FOOTLOOSE
Christian Youth Theater Kansas City
2/28-3/3/2013
One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. To the rockin' rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated top 40 score (the soundtrack album reached number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies!) and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, FOOTLOOSE celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.Music by Tom Snow; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford; Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie; Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford; Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman
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DON PASQUALE
Wichita Grand Opera
2/8-5/17/2013
Based on a concept by William Powers ACT I. Don Pasquale is the proprietor of Pasquale's Garden Restaurant, one of Wichita's most popular night spots! Pasquale can always count on his nephew Ernesto to turn up for Karaoke Night at the restaurant. Annoyed that Ernesto has resisted all of his attempts to fix Ernesto up with a "nice girl," Pasquale decides to marry and have children so he can cut Ernesto out of his will. Fortunately for Ernesto, Dr. Malatesta - Pasquale's psychiatrist - has a foolproof plan to help out. Dr. Malatesta offers to set Pasquale up with his sister Sophronia, a sweet Catholic girl who just graduated from Newman University. What Pasquale doesn't know is that "Sophronia" is Ernesto's girlfriend Norina in disguise! Norina grasps Malatesta's plan quickly: enchant old man Pasquale, pretend to marry him, and then make his life completely miserable. Norina takes to her new role with gusto, bossing the befuddled old man around and transforming his happy little restaurant into a gaudy nightclub. The plan works so well that Pasquale begs the Doctor to help him get rid of "Sophronia". ACT II. Malatesta tells Pasquale that "Sophronia" and Ernesto will be having a secret rendezvous late that night. Since it's Karaoke Night, it should be easy to follow Ernesto there. When they confront "Sophronia," Malatesta - on Pasquale's orders - tells "Sophronia" that Pasquale's nephew Ernesto will be marrying a girl named Norina soon, and the new couple will be moving in with Pasquale. Outraged, "Sophronia" refuses to live in the same house with another woman, and threatens to move out. But first, she demands proof that the wedding isn't just a trick to get rid of her. Pasquale happily consents to a wedding on the spot and asks Malatesta to go fetch Norina, only to learn that Norina has been there the whole time!
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