CHILDREN OF THE DAMNED CORN Opens October at Just Off Broadway Theatre

Coterie At Night presents Children of the Damned Corn, Oct. 13-30 at the newly renovated Just Off Broadway Theatre, 31st Street and Penn Valley Park (3051 Penn Valley Drive). This world premiere is written and directed by local theatre impresario Ron MeGee.

After an accident, Milt and Betty end up in Gatlinville, once home of the World's Largest Cream Corn Factory, but now a church run by a freaky child leader named Malaki. Will Milt and Betty survive? No. Can the Children of the Damned Corn be stopped? No. Will Malaki get you? Depends on how fast you can run through a corn field.

"It's a blending of The Village of the Damned and Children of the Corn because both relate to children ruling the world in any means that they can - killing, mind-manipulation, etcetera," said Director Ron MeGee. "Though our show is funny at times, the town folk massacre scenes are beyond belief. Adults beware!"

The production features 44 extras who represent the various youth and residents of Gatlinville, Nebraska. Coterie At Night audiences will see one of two rotating groups of 22 at each performance, plus the eight principals in the cast.

This Coterie at Night Production is intended for adults and teens; no one under 13 will be admitted. Patrons arriving early will enjoy finding their way through the corn maze outside Just Off Broadway Theatre before the show. Children of the Damned Corn is supported with funding provided by the Missouri Arts Council and ArtsKC Fund.

The cast includes several veteran Coterie At Night resident actors: Martin Buchanan, Kimberley Queen, Pete Weber and Cody Wyoming, who have worked with Megee before in outlandish roles. Also featured are BJ Allen, Matt Anderson,Teisha Bankston and Mark Johnson.

The two casts of Children of the Damned Corn perform in rotation.The Canned Cast will perform 10/14, 10/16, 10/21, 10/23, 10/24, 10/28 and 10/30: Anna Adelman, Paris Amory, Holland Broce, Mosha Clyma, Andrea Fantauzzi, Chris Fielder, Taylor Hulet, Alexus Jackson, Savannah Lochert, Zane Merry, David O'Kelley, Megan-Kay Pierce, Devyn Lea Post, Haley Roberts, Twylia Ross, Jordan Spatz, Kara Strickler, Emma Welch, Emma Willibey, Abby Wimbereley and Rasson Wofford.

The Damned Cast will perform 10/13, 10/15, 10/20, 10/22, 10/27 and 10/29: Terra Alexander, Skylar Bankes, Teddy Birmingham, Jordan Brazeel, Katharine Chester, Sam Danley, Georgia Dubois, Lauren Handley, Ellen Kirsch, Conner McCarson, Natalee Merola, Samantha Mills, Brandis Outlaw, Marc Patterson, Caitlyn Richards, Twylia Ross, Austin Smith, Keith Smith, Jordan Spatz, Hayley Underwood, Chloe Wells, Carley Whitt and Taylor Zimmerman.

The artistic and Production Company includes Ron MeGee (director, co-set designer/properties),Scott Hobart(co-set designer, technical director), Megan Turek (costume designer), Art Kent (lighting designer), David Kiehl (sound designer), Megan Mayo (stage manager), Anna Comiskey (production assistant) and Kristina Banton-DeMaree (intern).

Children of the Damned Corn performs October 13-30 at Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Central, 31st Street and Penn Valley Park (3051 Penn Valley Drive). For specific dates, times and directions to the theater, visit www.coterietheatre.org.

Tickets for Children of the Damned Corn are $12 for all ages; $9 for Coterie season ticket holders. Group tickets are 10 tix for $10 each for advance orders only. Tickets are available online at www.coterietheatre.org, by calling or purchasing at the Coterie box office (816) 474-6552 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday; or at Just Off Broadway Theatre, one hour prior to performance time.

Celebrating its 33rd season and named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, the Coterie Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theater for youth and family audiences. Its mission is to open lines of communication between races, sexes and generations.

Photo credit: Marianne Kilroy

 

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