Happy Closing to the wonderful village it took to bring BRIGADOON to life at @mththeater ! I did this show 20 years ago in 2006 and the absolutely gorgeous music has stayed with me ever since. So proud to bring it back to MTH in this presentation featuring a 10-piece orchestra center stage. Couldn’t have asked for a better group of people, on stage and off. The voices, the creative elements, and the audiences have been absolutely wonderful.
All photos by me
🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴 🏴
ARTISTIC CREDITS
directed by TIM SCOTT
music directed by TY TUTTLE
lighting design SHELBI ARNDT
projection design DANNY LAWRENCE
sound design THOMAS NEWBY
costume design STRIPES WILSON
choreography EMILY SHACKELFORD
technical director IAN MILLER
production manager BRIAN PADAVIC
stage manager LACEY WILLIS
asst stage manager KAT JACKSON
production assistant BETSY ELIZA
a1/mixer FELECIA CHANCE
a2 KATELYN GILETTE
electricians RIO MORGAN, LOG PERALEZ, STRIPES WILSON
production intern JACOB MOONEY
dialect coach PHIL FIORINI
lighting supervisor SHELBI ARNDT
audio supervisor GIANNA AGOSTINO
wardrobe/soft goods supervisor STRIPES WILSON
FEATURING: Lauren Braton, Catera Combs, Marcel Daly, Drew Duncan, Phil Fiorini, Vaughan Harrison, Malik Hughes, Maggie Hutchison, Bryson Kendall, Patrick Lewallen, Kirsten Myers, Catherine Rae, Keenan Ramos.
with Alyssa Bell, viola; Kyle Brown, percussion; Kassie Ferrero, bass; Lawrence Jackson, trumpet; Damon Pelto, woodwinds; Mike Prucha, woodwinds; Ty Tuttle, piano; Alla Wijnands, violin; Brian Vaughn, trombone, Dana Woolard, cello.
I’m not entirely sure how to put into words what I’m feeling as we head into the final performance of Moby Dick: a Sea Shanty.
This show only exists because I got turned down for so many other shows and thought - eh, I’ll do this instead! I stumbled into sea shanties (thx to my daughter, Sophia) thinking it might be a fun experiment and had no real sense of what it could become. And somewhere along the way, it turned into something far more meaningful and alive than I ever anticipated.
What I do know is how grateful I am.
To Fritz and Elaine, who have been in this with me for months, shaping it, challenging it, and building it piece by piece. To Daniella, Shelbi, Gianna, Jack, Emily, and every single member of this cast, crew, and band who took something raw and made it breathe. You made it better than I knew how to make it. To the entire team at @mththeater for what they do everyday. And of course Bella (who saw it 5 times) and @jeskincaid who makes magic out of everything.
This is the kind of theater I love. Immediate, musical, and made right in front of you everyday. I’m deeply grateful it turned out the way it did and with the people it did.
And so happy closing MOBY DICK: a Sea Shanty. You’ve come a long way since all the iPhone notes and scribbling as I re-read the novel and then listened to the 25 hour audio book. That’s right, 25 hours 🌀
Cheers, mates! 🐳
Crazy that this production was 10 years ago. Such an honor to be included in this insanely innovative production helmed by Eric Rosen, at KC Rep. I learned so much about what theater could be during that time. And… I’m pretty sure this number was on the chopping block until the very last minute — I guess we made it work 😜 Yes, I used to be in plays. HAIR: Retrospection, 2015.
Quick recap of my time last week in NYC where my Tony nominated friend — since we were teenagers (!!!) — Kristin invited me in to watch tech rehearsal for her new show ROMY & MICHELE: The musical! I also got to see my love and dearest Alyson 💗 as well as my pal Nate, whom I love for different reasons:) Add to that our tremendous group of MTH patrons that joined us for 4 Broadway shows and some late night pizza 🍕 at JOES! My takeaway from the whole trip: grateful for the people I love and grateful for what we are able to do in KC.
CATS was the very first, full scale show I directed @mththeater back in 2018. To say we have come a long way since that time is more than an understatement. I’m grateful to the CATS (then and now), and all the CATS along the way that believed in me and gave me opportunities. I’m thankful to the folks who came out to see our show and to the Artists that helped shaped what it has become. Thankful to my favorite collaborators who all know who they are and Thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow. One more trip to the Heavyside Layer today at 2pm.
- all pics by me
It’s Opening night for GUYS & DOLLS at The Hot Box @mththeater . When people ask me “what’s your favorite musical?” It’s tough not to answer G&D. It’s perfect. It’s funny. Every song is a hit, rich and colorful characters, and it’s just damn entertaining. When I was 15 years old and the computer programming class was full, my 2nd choice (for an elective) was drama class. Because I thought it would be fun. And man, it was. FUN is what got me into theater and (for the most part) what has kept me here for so long. It’s still ok to go to theater for fun and this show delivers on that over and over and over again. It’s a helluva good time! I’m so proud of everyone involved and I’m grateful to my collaborators and everyone on stage and off!! Extra special shout outs to @tntpiano for his exceptional musical work, @elaine_kimble for her dynamic and astonishing choreography, @lace_willis for… well everything, @shelbiarndt for their artistry and working way too long just b/c she’s that committed, Brian Padavic and the entire production team — and, of course @emilyareti for not only delivering such a beautiful and heartfelt performance, but for also designing and curating such an incredible and stunning lobby experience! The Hot Box Club is open for business. You have until June 29 to see it all!
All photos by me 🤗
This is the greatest photograph ever taken and the only proof you need that I was in attendance at BUBBLES & BROADWAY at @mththeater 🫧
Photo by Cory Weaver
I did want to make sure and get CAROUSEL on the grid! We closed Sunday and it was a true pleasure to collaborate with kind, talented, open-hearted people. Thank you to all who came. Thank you to all that collaborated. Collaborative art truly is the most special, very best 💗🎠
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ARTISTIC CREDITS
directed by TIM SCOTT
music directed by TY TUTTLE
scenic design MARA ISHIHARA ZINKY
lighting design MICHELLE HARVEY
costume design SHANNON REGNIER
sound design GIANNA AGOSTINO
choreography MICHAEL BLAKE
technical director IAN MILLER
production manager BRIAN PADAVIC
stage manager LACEY WILLIS
asst stage manager KAT JACKSON
asst stage manager ANNALEE DORSEY
asst director ASHLEE LaPINE
programmer SHELBI ARNDT
a1/mixer FELECIA CHANCE
scenic paint charge: ALY BATES
painter: ARI HERNANDEZ
carpenter: CODY BURGOON
electricians: STRIPES WILSON, LOG PERALEZ, ALEXA EDMONDS
FEATURING: Calvin Arsenia, Sydney Chow, Leah Dalrymple, Malik Hughes, LaTeesha Jackson, Kayli Jamison, Patrick Lewallen, Kirsten Nicole Myers, Tony Pulford, Molly Sloan, Gavin Tanner, Marc Wayne, and Thomas Yambo-Rios.
MUSICIANS: Ty Tuttle on piano, Calvin Arsenia on harp, Tod Barnard on percussion, Nsikoh on bass, Zak Pischnotte on clarinet and flute, and Jonathon Schriock on violin.
photos (except #3) by Cory Weaver
Happy Opening to all the lovelies responsible for the breathtaking beauty on display in CAROUSEL at @mththeater 🎠 More words later - for now, gratitude. I hope you have a chance to see their STUNNING artistry in person.
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ARTISTIC CREDITS
directed by TIM SCOTT
music directed by TY TUTTLE
scenic design MARA ISHIHARA ZINKY
lighting design MICHELLE HARVEY
costume design SHANNON REGNIER
sound design GIANNA AGOSTINO
choreographer MICHAEL BLAKE
technical director IAN MILLER
production manager BRIAN PADAVIC
stage manager LACEY WILLIS
asst stage manager KAT JACKSON
asst stage manager ANNALEE DORSEY
asst director ASHLEE LaPINE
programmer SHELBI ARNDT
a1/mixer FELECIA CHANCE
scenic paint charge: ALY BATES
painter: ARI HERNANDEZ
carpenter: CODY BURGOON
electricians: STRIPES WILSON, LOG PERALEZ, ALEXA EDMONDS
FEATURING: Calvin Arsenia, Sydney Chow, Leah Dalrymple, Malik Hughes, LaTeesha Jackson, Kayli Jamison, Patrick Lewallen, Kirsten Nicole Myers, Tony Pulford, Molly Sloan, Gavin Tanner, Marc Wayne, and Thomas Yambo-Rios.
MUSICIANS: Ty Tuttle on piano, Calvin Arsenia on harp, Tod Barnard on percussion, Nsikoh on bass, Zak Pischnotte on clarinet and flute, and Jonathon Schriock on violin.
photo by me 🤗
Although my 5 year stint ended in 2012 — THIRTEEN years ago — I still get asked pretty often: “Are you the guy from the Royals games??”
Yes. Yes, I am. ⚾️
Wrote, produced, and performed the musical opening for the College Baseball Hall of Fame NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS ceremony last week. Among the honorees were Mike Schmidt and Roger Clemens. Surreal seeing The Rocket in person. Also happy that this costume I bought from a show I did 6 years ago is still paying dividends 💵
shout out to @ddotprofessor on the 🎹 and MD’n the hell outta that, as usual! @5678tina comin through with the choreo 💃🏻 @laurenbraton , @linnaia_ for the sweet BGVs, and the entire band, which was 🔥
