writing by Libby Hanssen
“He, who came from nothing | In his nothingness was all.” - Joaquim Fredrico de Brito ****************** Beau Bledsoe has added another new project to his one-man global take-over, one that I was pleased to help with in a very small way. Together with singer Shay Estes and guitarist Jordan Shipley, he has created out... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the third annual Prairie Village Jazz Festival for The Kansas City Star. Headliners Bobby Watson and Karrin Allyson put on a good show, with excellent performances throughout the event.
In this age of ridiculous celebrity, it was a treat to knock back a few with some of the members of Alarm Will Sound after their concert Thursday night. It was doubly so not only because we got to discuss music with artistically driven performers we respect - come on, I get to do that... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Jewell Early Music Summer Fest for The Kansas City Star. The Saturday night concert of their four-part series was performed at St. Andrew's Christian Church. It was a nice setting, but the instruments suffered from being moved about and the choice to turn off the AC during the first half wreaked havoc... Continue Reading →
I reviewed Summerfest's third program for their "An Invitation to the Dance" series for The Kansas City Star. And I have a beef: Before beginning the concert's third piece, one of the ensemble member's spoke about her thoughts during preparation. She went on to say that the piece was "weird" and "wacky," primarily in reference... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the second program for Summerfest's "An Invitation to the Dance" for The Kansas City Star. It was much livelier than the previous week, with a tremendous, invigorating performance of Ernő Dohnányi's Sextet in C major.
That’s the way to see the Bard. Nearing the end of their 20th anniversary, dual-show run, the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival has engineered a presentation that rivals the clockwork precision of a comedic double act. Despite Saturday’s record setting heat temperatures, the evening featured a cool breeze and was gratifyingly devoid of bugs. And... Continue Reading →
The Unicorn Theatre just finished a run of Everyday Rapture, a (mostly) one-woman show that (semi) documents the journey from Bible belt to Broadway. Sherie Rene Scott is the creator (co-written with Dick Scanlan) and star of the original show, a cabaret-style, Broadway-infused show that got her a Tony Award nomination. Here, it’s been reworked... Continue Reading →
I reviewed the Simon Carrington Chamber Singers for The Kansas City Star. It was an oddly chilly June evening, but fortunately the full crowd in Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral and incredible singing added warmth to the event.
I reviewed the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre's production of "Pride and Prejudice" for KCMetropolis.org. Read it here.
Proust Eats a Sandwich 