Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre Presents Fantasy Play DEFYING GRAVITY

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre kicks off the new year with DEFYING GRAVITY, a clever and uplifting fantasy written by Jane Anderson, with ear catching musings about art, religion and the outer limits of human possibility. MET's production is directed by Bob Stewart, featuring: Bailey Rose Steinke, Laura Jacobs, Robert Gibby Brand*, Lewis J. Morrow, Shawna Peña-Downing, Nancy Nail, and Tim Ahlenius.

This free structured look at the 1986 Challenger disaster artfully interweaves the past with the present and the lives of participants and bystanders, drawing parallels among painter Claude Monet's artistic quest and the zest of the teacher selected to be the first civilian astronaut. The story is told through the voice of Elizabeth, the daughter of the teacher, Ed and Betty, two retired tourists who drive their Winnebago to Florida to watch the space shot and who dream of hotels in space, C.B., a NASA mechanic, and his girlfriend, Donna, a bartender and friend to the astronauts, who (ironically) has a fear of heights. A play for everyone exploring our need to reach beyond ourselves and dare the universe.

DEFYING GRAVITY runs through January 28 at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, 3614 Main St, Kansas City, MO. Adult tickets are $39, with discounts for students, artists, young professionals, seniors, and groups. For tickets, call 816-569-3226. Visit www.metkc.org for more information or to purchase tickets online.

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre was created in 2005 after two years of planning and visioning with multiple stakeholders. In the twelve years since, MET has evolved from a start-up enterprise to a respected professional theatre that offers more than 100 performances each season and serves over 10,000 members of the community through outstanding theatre productions, education, and our community outreach programs. At its heart MET is committed to the art of story and sharing access to great masterworks and contemporary classics that delight, thrill, illumine and inspire. When the lights of the theatre go up, the walls between people fall down. We believe that great plays bring us together in exciting ways. They are the birthright of all people and remind us of what it is to be truly human.

Photo Credit: Bob Stewart