Changeover Time Lapse Video

I'm a little biased, but this is one of the coolest things we've done in a while.

It started as an idea that our Tech Director, Shane, and I were throwing around. "What's the possibility of taking photos during changeover and making them into a little movie?" We started a few shows back just by taking photos with our camera phones of various times during the changeover process that showed the set being torn down and rebuilt for the next show, but what we wanted was for the photos to be able to tell a story.

So, after the purchase of a special cord that allows Shane to plug our digital camera into the wall, he set the camera on day one of changeover from I'll Be Back Before Midnight into It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and allowed it to take one photo every 2 minutes throughout the week. After a few hours of editing, here's the finished product. Be sure to watch closely at the end, where you can see our Shop Foreman, Alex, and one of the carpenters, Dan, in the shots. Alex moves back and forth in the front row of seats and Dan spins around on his back on the stage.

Video Clip from I'll Be Back Before Midnight

I'll Be Back Before Midnight so much fun. I saw it last night for the first time with lights, costumes and special effects - it was wonderful! I was laughing one moment then genuinely spooked the next. It's the perfect show for this season!

Answers from AHT Actors - James Wright

I'll Be Back Before Midnight

1. How many times have you performed at AHT? I’ll Be Back Before Midnight is my 12^th AHT show over the years.

2. What is your favorite place to eat in Kansas City? Lydias. Oh, and Sweet Tomatoes. Oh, and the Sonic on 50 Highway in Raytown.

3. How long have you lived in the KC metro? I have lived virtually my entire life in the Kansas City area. I moved here from Dallas at the age of two. I hope I never have to go anywhere else.

4. Which role has been your favorite? So many parts have been special for different reasons. I loved the roles of Ron in Married Alive and The Big Bopper in Buddy here at AHT. I also enjoyed playing Johnny in Frankie and Johnny at The Met, Eddie Lawrence in Shear Madness at The New Theatre and King Herod in Superstar at Starlight. But I think my favorite of all was Greg in Sylvia at The American Heartland. It is such a sweet play and I just loved the relationship he and Sylvia had. It was a highlight for me.

5. Who is your favorite actor? Of all time, Jack Lemmon. He could do anything. Comedy, drama, musicals, stage, film, television, it didn’t matter. He was the best. My mentor in the business, however, is Kansas City’s own Jim Korinke. I have watched him work for over 25 years. His skill and commitment to the theatre is unmatched by anyone in town and he has taught me a great deal. He is a professionals professional.

6. What three words best describe you? Driven, Honest, Spiritual

7. What is your favorite book? I love nonfiction. There’s nothing better than a good biography. I think my favorite was Stephen Sondheim: A Life by Meryle Secrest.

8. Do you have children? If so how many? My amazing kids are Andrew, age 13 and Aubrey, age 9. Andrew is an 8^th grader and enjoys music, martial arts and Boy Scouts. Aubrey is in the 4^th grade and enjoys gymnastics and singing.

9. How about pets? We don’t have any pets. I am allergic to most, actually.

10. What is your favorite movie? Depends on my mood and what I am craving. My favorite film is The Deer Hunter. Young Frankenstein is a close second.

11. Pet Peeves? Passive Aggressive Behavior, Unjustness

12. Do you have anything special in your dressing room? I always have a picture of my wife and kids nearby – and my script.

13. Is there anything special you do right before you go on stage? I spend just a moment or two with a breathing exercise. I don’t have any rituals or superstitions, but I do take several cleansing breaths right before curtain. It settles me.

14. Do you have a nickname? A good friend gave me the nickname of Max while in college. It truly has no origin. I have no idea why he gave it to me. He probably doesn’t either. But it stuck.

15. What got you started in theatre? I never had a desire to play many sports as a kid. I loved sports and am a big fan, but I never played them. Once I got into high school, I discovered performing and from that point on (1976), I knew I wouldn’t do anything else.

16. Is there anything else you'd like to share with the AHT audience? I’m delighted to have a chance to say this: Thank you for supporting me over the years and for supporting Kansas City theatre. Visit me online at www.absolutelywright.com

I'll Be Back Before Midnight opened Friday!

I'll Be Back Before Midnight began on Friday and had audiences laughing out loud then gasping in horror! One audience member stated after the show, "I kept thinking I had it figured out, then I didn't!" Come and see if you can figure it out before the house lights come up!

Darren Kennedy, Vanessa Severo and James Wright fight for their lives in I'll Be Back Before Midnight.

Vanessa Severo, Jan Chapman and Darren Kennedy star in I'll Be Back Before Midnight.

Photos by Shane Rowse.

Tour of Missouri Poses Parking Problems for 9/13 Patrons

The Tour of Missouri Bicycle race will be taking place this Sunday, September 13, with the finish line being in front of Crown Center. This race will close off streets all over the downtown area between 1pm and 6pm that day, so if you have tickets to either performance of I'll Be Back Before Midnight that day, please be aware that you may have trouble getting to Crown Center. Allow additional time for delays caused by the race. Below are some instructions given to us by Crown Center and the Tour of Missouri folks that should help you get to the show on time!

The best way to avoid the road closures is to arrive before 1pm to Crown Center. The streets surrounding the Center will close at 1pm and will not re-open until 6pm. After 1pm you may have extreme difficulty getting to the Crown Center parking garages. Come early and enjoy lunch at one of the fine restaurants in Crown Center using the discount coupon on your tickets.

If you are not able to arrive before 1pm, approach Grand from the east. The police will allow crossover traffic on Grand from 9th to 20th Street (AHT is at 25th St). Once the bicyclists pass (there will be 7 passes), traffic will be allowed to proceed through Grand for a limited amount of time. Proceed through Grand to Main then go south on Main to Pershing. Turn east on Pershing. The Westin garage on the south side of Pershing will be available with signs in the garage to direct you to the Crown Center retail garage.



The blue and yellow dashed line on this map indicates the route the bicyclists will be taking and roads that will be closed.

Click for an enlarged version









If you have any questions, please contact our box office or Crown Center for more information.

See you at the show!

AHT Box Office: 816-842-9999
Crown Center Customer Service: 816-274-8444