Neal Johnson

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Kansas City Repertory Theatre
by Alan Portner - Nov 22, 2023

Last night, November 21, 2023, a Kansas City tradition, the 42rd annual (almost) Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” opened at the Spencer Theater on the UMKC campus for an extended run through Christmas Eve. Except for the Covid year when the live production was replaced by a video version, audiences have gathered for “A Christmas Carol” since 1980. The house lights dim and a cast of Victorian holiday carolers appear complete with an onstage costumed orchestra. Our Storyteller (Nedra Dixon) also dressed in stunning early Victorian garb, welcomes us. Ms. Dixon is elegant and charming in this her first stint as the Storyteller.

Interview: Jason Chanos of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Kansas City Repertory Theatre
by Alan Portner - Nov 14, 2023

The Kansas City holiday season officially begins on November 21st with the forty-second annual iteration of the Kansas City Repertory Theatre Production of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol.  Director Jason Chanos is excited about this new mounting of the annual classic. Chanos is both the director of this production and the Associate Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Announces Cast For A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 17, 2023

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2023-24 season with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Geoff Elliott and directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Associate Artistic Director of KCRep/UMKC Partnership Jason Chanos.

KCRep Announces Cast For A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2021

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2021-22 season with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Geoff Elliott and directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Associate Artistic Director of KCRep/UMKC Partnership Jason Chanos. Performances run November 19 through December 26 at Spencer Theatre.

KANSAS CITY: 1924's New Episode Airing Online and On KKFI This Friday
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 10, 2020

After the shocking cliffhanger in the last episode of “Kansas City: 1924,” what seems like a break in the weather may turn out to be just be the eye of the storm. In episode 5, “Baseball Season,” the turf war between Ma Pritchett and Joey Giovanni threatens to spiral out of control as we learn what has become of Rose and George.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Partners With Kansas City PBS to Save A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2020

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Executive Director Angela Gieras today announced the partnership of KCRep, and Kansas City PBS (formerly KCPT) to produce a virtual adaptation of the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. An abbreviated version will air on channel 19.1 on Thurs., Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. CST.

Tensions Rise And A Shocking Revalation On Kansas City Actors Radio Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 6, 2020

This week on 'Kansas City: 1924 - The Way Forward,' tensions continue to rise between the mob and the cattlemen as the songstress Rose learns the shocking truth about her brother's rush to leave town. Meanwhile, Vincent's role becomes clearer... in a way.

KCRep Moves A CHRISTMAS CAROL Online For 40th Anniversary
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 29, 2020

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Artistic Director Stuart Carden today announced the return of the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for filming by Stuart Carden and featuring performances by beloved Kansas City artists Walter Coppage, Gary Neal Johnson, John Rensenhouse, Vanessa Severo, and Bri Woods whom audiences will fondly remember from past productions. 

BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Spencer Theatre is A Wonderful Gift For the Whole Family
by Steve Wilson - Dec 1, 2019

a?oePhenomenala?? is how one theatergoer, Elaine Jacobs, described the opening night of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, now a Kansas City tradition in its 39th year. Presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre the Charles Dickens classic opened Saturday, November 30 at the Spencer Theatre on the University of Missouri at Kansas City campus and runs through December 29.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre Continues Its 2019/20 Season With A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 1, 2019

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2019/20 season with a beloved holiday tradition, Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This year's production is an adaptation by Geoff Elliott with direction from KCRep Associate Artistic Director Jason Chanos. A CHRISTMAS CAROL begins previews Friday, November 22, opens Saturday, November 30 at 8 pm, and continues through Sunday, December 29. Performances take place at Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus.

BWW Review: DNR at Living Room Theatre
by Alan Portner - Sep 9, 2019

Former Navy corpsman Bud McNamara (Gary Neal Johnson) lies sleeping in the hospital bed. Amanda Kalowsky (Jen Mays), a hospital volunteer, has agreed to comfort patients who are alone and terminal. This is the basic setup to Victor Wishna's new play, a?oeDNA,a?? now enjoying its world premiere at The Living Room Theatre. a?oeDNAa?? is a dark comedy told in four scenes with a twist in the final stanza.

DNR To Get World Premiere At The Living Room
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 7, 2019

Amanda, a hospital volunteer with a guardian-angel complex, meets her newest assignment, Bud, a terminally ill patient with very little patience. She's a single mom with a benevolent soul; he's an ex-party boy Navy vet with a chip on his shoulder and one last mission to complete-and he insists it's a solo. With warmth, wit, and bite, local playwright Victor Wishna's DNR explores the complexities of human connection and asks, what does it mean to be alone? What does it mean to be alive?

BWW Review: MORNINGS AT SEVEN at Kansas City Actors Theatre
by Alan Portner - May 27, 2019

For audiences feeling the need for a pleasant, two-hour sojourn into a gentler time, Paul Osborn's 1939 comedy of manners 'Mornings at Seven' at Kansas City Actors Theatre inside Union Station will fill their collective nostalgia voids.  Dennis Hennessy's KCAT production is blessed with nine excellent actors of appropriate age to bring this stylish 1939 play-script to life. 

Photo Flash: Kansas City Actors Theatre Stages MORNING'S AT SEVEN
by Julie Musbach - May 24, 2019

Kansas City Actors Theatre presents Paul Osborn's "Morning's at Seven," which will run from May 22 to June 9 at the City Stage in Union Station.

KCAT Announces Cast And Creative Staff For MORNING'S AT SEVEN
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 10, 2019

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting for its production of Paul Osborn's "Morning's at Seven," which will run from May 22 to June 9 at the City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by Dennis Hennessy of The New Theater in Overland Park, and will star Deb Bluford, Greg Butell, Krista Eyler, Peggy Friesen, Jeannine Hutchings, Gary Neal Johnson, Merle Moores, Victor Raider-Wexler, and Mark Robbins (KCAT co-founder). The production will also feature set design by Gary Mosby, costumes by Sarah M. Oliver, lighting design by Shane Rowse, sound design by Jon Robertson, and props from Shawnna Journagan.

KCAT Announces Cast and Creative Staff for MORNING AT SEVEN
by Sarah Hookey - Apr 10, 2019

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting for its production of Paul Osborn's "Morning's at Seven," which will run from May 22 to June 9 at the City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by Dennis Hennessy of The New Theater in Overland Park, and will star Deb Bluford, Greg Butell, Krista Eyler, Peggy Friesen, Jeannine Hutchings, Gary Neal Johnson, Merle Moores, Victor Raider-Wexler, and Mark Robbins (KCAT co-founder).

Xoregos Performing Company Presents Play By Famed Hollywood Screenwriter
by BWW News Desk - Mar 14, 2019

The Xoregos Performing Company is presenting a new play at Theater for the New City by Arnold Schulman, a playwright and screenwriter who has been nominated for two Academy Awards and written for Broadway.

Theater for the New City Presents SIGN IN THE SIX O'CLOCK SKY
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 2, 2019

The Xoregos Performing Company is presenting a new play at Theater for the New City by Arnold Schulman, a playwright and screenwriter who has been nominated for two Academy Awards and written for Broadway. Schulman's Sign in the Six O'Clock Sky debuts at Theater for the New City March 14 and runs through March 31. Shela Xoregos directs the production. Tickets are $18 and $15 for seniors and students.

Xoregos Performing Company Presents Play By Famed Hollywood Screenwriter
by Julie Musbach - Feb 27, 2019

The Xoregos Performing Company is presenting a new play at Theater for the New City by Arnold Schulman, a playwright and screenwriter who has been nominated for two Academy Awards and written for Broadway.

Kansas City Actors Theatre Announces 2019-2020 Season
by Stephi Wild - Feb 7, 2019

The Kansas City Actors Theatre is proud to announce its lineup of plays for 2019-2020 at the City Stage in Union Station. This is the company's 15th season of productions showcasing Kansas City's own top theatre professionals.