Showing posts with label James Wright. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Wright. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2009

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!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

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 12th 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 8th grader and enjoys music, martial arts and Boy Scouts. Aubrey is in the 4th 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


Monday, September 14, 2009

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.


Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Kansas City Premiere!

Murder by the Book - Actors

The AHT production of Murder by the Book stars Cheryl Weaver as Imogen Piper. Cheryl has been seen at AHT in The Dinner Party, The Mousetrap, and Play It Again, Sam. Other theaters include Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Unicorn Theatre, New Theatre Restaurant, and The Coterie. Regionally, Cheryl has performed all over the country from Dallas, Houston and Detroit to San Francisco. She also has many film and commercial credits, and is represented in Kansas City by Exposure Agency.

James Wright stars as John Douglas. James is a veteran of local stages and returns to American Heartland where he was last seen in the world premiere of Married Alive! Other AHT performances include Twigs; Sylvia; The 1940’s Radio Hour; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and Funny Money. Other area performances include appearances at Quality Hill Playhouse, New Theatre Restaurant, Starlight Theatre, Kansas City Repertory, Musical Theatre Heritage, Metropolitan Ensemble, and The Unicorn. James has just released a new CD entitled Center Stage: Songs of Spirit which is available now throughout the city and at http://www.absolutelywright.com/.

Jennie Greenberry stars as Christine Scott. A recent graduate from Stephens College, Jennie was previously seen at the Coterie Theatre in Seussical and Once on This Island. Jennie has also performed at the Okoboji Summer Theatre in Leading Ladies and Godspell.

Scott Cordes stars as Selwyn Piper. A native of Nebraska, Scott has been a professional actor and director in Kansas City for more than 20 years. His Kansas City acting credits include work with The Unicorn, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Shakespeare Festival, The Coterie, New Theatre Restaurant, and Actor's Theatre of KC. His directing credits include work for AHT (What the Butler Saw, Sherlock's Last Case), The Unicorn (Eyes Wide Open), and UMKC (Carvings for Princess Squid, TymeWork's Killer Joe, and Pig Farm). A member of all three acting unions, Scott also works in commercials and film.

Pete Weber stars as Peter Fletcher. He was recently seen in Liquid Morality at the Unicorn Theatre's Jerome Stage and in the Coterie Theatre's production of Night of the Living Dead. Pete graduated from Avila University with a BFA in Acting in 2007.

Murder by the Book was written by Duncan Greenwood and Robert King. The production is directed by AHT Director of Production Paul Hough.

Killer Entertainment is Coming!

Murder by the Book
An evening of killer entertainment is coming to AHT!
Kansas City Premiere

THE SHOW: Witty barbs exchanged between master thriller writer, Selwyn, and his estranged wife, Imogen, turn fatal ... or do they? When the writer is found dead by his loyal secretary, and the amateur detective neighbor insists on solving the crime, the twists and turns begin. Crisp and funny, this light-hearted and inventive thriller unfolds with a series of deadly games. This is one mystery that will keep you guessing and laughing as it unfolds to its sinister conclusion.

LOCATON: American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center
DATE: January 9, 2009 through February 22, 2009
SHOW TIMES: Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30pm. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00pm. Sunday matinee performances begin at 2:00pm. There are also select Sunday evening performances as well as select Wednesday matinees. Select Saturday matinees begin at 2:00pm & select Saturday twilight performances begin at 4:00pm.

FOR MORE INFO: Visit http://www.ahtkc.com/ for a complete listing of show dates and times.
RATING: THIS SHOW IS RATED PG
PRICE: $17.50 - $33.50
RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION: Call 816-842-9999; visit the Box Office on the 3rd floor of Crown Center, or visit http://www.ahtkc.com/. Groups of 12 or more may call 816-842-0202 for discounts.
DINING DISCOUNT: Coupon attached to theatre tickets valid at various Crown Center restaurants on performance date
PARKING: Free, inside, and secure with theatre validation
HANDICAPPED/HEARING IMPAIRED: Handicapped entry and seating, as well as assistive listening devices, are available at all performances. An ASL-interpreted performance is scheduled for February 18, 2009 @ 7:30PM.