First Look at "The 39 Steps"

Starring Emily Peterson, Jerry Jay Cranford, Doogin Brown and John Wilson
Rated PG

This is not your typical Hitchcock of Psycho or The Birds (although you may find homages to his classics), rather a zany ride of pure theatrics. Four versatile actors take on the classic spy-thriller by Alfred Hitchcock - The 39 Steps - the challenge: they need to bring 150 characters to life - with only the 4 of them and the props on hand.

3 men and 1 woman tell the entire story of The 39 Steps at a break-neck speed, with minimal sets or costumes. But don't let that fool you; this is a complex and thrilling story with just the right amount of romance! Achieved through fearless engagement with the audience, and a full embracing of theatricality, The 39 Steps is a delightful production that never takes itself too seriously. This is an approach to theatre that says "look, we know we're in a theatre, and we know you're there, so let's just have a good time shall we?" And that is exactly what audiences should expect - a good time!

The New York Times calls The 39 Steps "Absurdly Enjoyable."

You Could Be A Star! AUDITIONS AT AHT!

AMERICAN HEARTLAND THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR ITS 2011-2012 SEASON

Open auditions will be held for American Heartland Theatre’s 2011-2012 Season.

All auditions will be held by appointment at the theatre.

Dates are as follows:

Sunday, April 17, 2011
4:30-6:00pm Singing
6:00-8:30pm Acting

Tuesday, April 19, 2011
2:00-5:00pm Acting
5:00-6:00pm Singing

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
1:30-4:00pm Acting
4:00-5:30pm Singing

Acting auditions should consist of two contrasting monologues, not to exceed one minute each. Singing auditions should consist of two contrasting songs no longer than 32 bars. An accompanist will be provided.

To schedule acting and singing auditions, please call the theatre at 816-842-9999 Monday through Friday, between 10:00am and 5:00pm. The theatre is located in Crown Center at 2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 314, Kansas City, Missouri 64108. For more information on American Heartland Theatre, visit our website at www.ahtkc.com.

Wow, this show is one of the technically-tightest-tuned shows I've ever worked on!

By Guest Blogger Jan Kohl - Stage Manager

I'm Jan Kohl, one of the two swing-stage managers employed by American Heartland Theatre. My job is to come on board after Opening weekend and take over the show from Resident Stage Manager William Christie. So in a matter of a few days, I learn the mechanics of calling cues and running the light board for any given show, and I prefer fast-paced musicals which keep me very busy in the booth. This show certainly falls under that category.

And this show keeps me very busy in the booth, keeps the Sound Operator busy in Sound Bay, keeps the 3-person crew backstage very busy, and, of course, keeps the actors very, very busy.

Typically, we run with 1-or-2- person crews; rarely are our shows big and/or busy enough for 3 members. But with literally hundred of props, a turntable to keep different sets arriving and departing smoothly, and lots of costume and wig changes, we need our 3 able crew members. They set all the props and furniture, and this production walks such a fine line that everything must be set exactly right. If not (as we've discovered), one misplaced prop, just slightly misplaced, can wreak havoc. We found that a chair, almost-but-not-quite tucked under the table, can get caught in the turntable. A prop set a titch differently on the shish-kabob cart can alter the entire cart and all its props. So the crew checks and double checks, from their preshow checks until the very end of the show. We speak after each show, making sure that everything ran according to plan, and take notes on anything needing mended or changed. For this show, there are almost always postshow notes which need the attention of various people, whether the set crew, properties designer, costume designer, or all three.

It's an exciting and rewarding show.

First Peek at Maybe Baby, It's You!

Young Couples


Older Couples


And everything in between!

Finding your soul-mate has never been more fun and more complicated!

We Wish You a Very Merry Christmas!

From all of us at AHT to all of you!

Have a very Merry and Safe Holiday this year!

Chirstmas Music

By Guest Blogger: Ian Jordan Subsara
Ian plays Jinx in Plaid Tidings

Christmas is a very special time of year for me! My favorite part of the holidays is always Christmas Eve in my hometown on the outskirts of Buffalo, New York. I go to church with my family for the Christmas Eve service at 6pm; it has become a yearly tradition for me to play piano and sing a Christmas song or two at this service.

After wards, my mom’s side of the family always comes over to our house for a Christmas Eve celebration; we have dinner, exchange gifts, and spend the whole night laughing while some of my favorite Christmas music plays in the background. I love the music at Christmas time and I think that’s why I prefer Plaid Tidings to Forever Plaid. We cover SO many traditional Christmas songs in Plaid that I was surprised to find that my favorite wasn’t in it!

I would have to say my all time favorite Christmas song is “Some Children See Him” by Alfred Burt. Here is a rendition sung by James Taylor if you’ve never heard it before; the lyrics and that piano part ARE SO BEAUTIFUL (click here to have a listen!).

My two favorite songs to sing in the show are by far “The Christmas Song” and the closing number, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. The 4-part arrangements of these songs are truly gorgeous. Come see the show and comment on the blog – let me know which song was your favorite!!

It Is Great Being A Plaid!

By Guest Blogger: Ian Jordan Subsara
Ian plays Jinx in Plaid Tidings

I LOVE being in Plaid Tidings! I have performed in Forever Plaid twice, and it is always such an exciting rehearsal process for these Plaid shows! I enjoy a challenge, and those 4-part harmonies are REALLY hard to learn – although, I usually have it the easiest because the top line is frequently the melody. I have to hand it to those guys who are singing lines that make no sense by themselves – but when put together sound beautiful!!

We all get along really well, which is great because we have to work really hard together as a team to make it a truly solid performance every time. I am tremendously fortunate to have three really talented and hard-working guys to sing with. They are all good musicians and made the process of learning the material very smooth.

And we wouldn’t be what we are without our magnificently brilliant music director Anthony Edwards – who knows everything there is to know about music! During warm-ups before every show, we go over the most difficult parts of the score to keep it fresh in our minds and voices. I adore the music in Plaid Tidings and sincerely look forward to singing it every day!

Bassist Brian Wilson and Musical Director and Pianist Anthony Edwards
provide the accompaniment for The Plaids;
Ian Jordan Subsara, Adam Branson, Grant Golson and Seth Golay