I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

at the American Heartland Theatre
A Review by Robert Parris MacLean

No April Fools here. The American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center put on a wonderful musical comedy about love and life. Even the title brings a truth-infused laugh: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. With the book and the lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, you’ll need to have your laughing muscles in good shape.

The show consists of twenty “scenes,” each complete with a song. There are only four remarkably capable actors, two men, two women, who spoof all the aspects of relationships between the sexes, from beginning flirtations to growing old together. There were many clichés, but you welcome them. I did not experience a single lull in the activity on stage. What a delight; I laughed or smiled all evening. I can’t remember a stage production that brought that kind of response from me in years, if ever.

Of the four performers, I enjoyed the sparkle of Jessalyn Kincaid most. She has appeared on most stages in the area, but it was here that she shined the most. She told me she was delighted by a number she performed addressing a TV camera that projected her image on a large screen. This close-up allowed her to express subtleties that are almost never found on a stage. It’s something reserved for movies. Unfortunately, at a performance a few nights earlier, the camera failed and all the intimate opportunity was lost. However, look for her to do more significant things here in K.C.

One unsung hero of the evening was Anthony T. Edwards, who performed the piano accompaniment for the actors/singers. This takes a lot of skill and stamina. He performed seamlessly and we knew the music was in good hands.

Heartland Theatre is a delight. There are no bad seats. The intimate surroundings belie that the theatre seats quite a few people. Parking is inside, just steps away from the theatre and all of Crown Center. You also get a ten percent discount at Crown Center restaurants with your ticket. Don’t let the Heartland slip off your radar. This show was wonderful and the next one, The Dixie Swim Club, is expected to be a fun non-musical comedy.

(Now playing through April 25; The Dixie Swim Club, May 7 to June 27)

Review from the Johnson’s County Gazette
April 1, 2010

AMERICAN HEARTLAND THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR ITS 2010-2011 SEASON

Open auditions will be held for American Heartland Theatre’s 2010-2011 Season. All auditions will be held by appointment only at the theatre.

Dates are as follows:

Tuesday, April 6, 2010
2:30 - 4:30pm Acting
4:30 - 6:00pm Singing

Friday, April 9, 2010
2:30 – 4:30pm Acting
4:30 - 6:00pm Singing

Sunday, April 11, 2010
4:00 – 6:00pm Singing
6:00 – 7:30pm Acting

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.

For more information on American Heartland Theatre, visit our website at www.ahtkc.com.

Our Youngest Fans

Something that has become increasingly important to me is teaching kids to love the arts and giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in this crazy theatre world we live in. So, when the head teacher from Community School #1 called me back in October about the possibility of bringing their small school to AHT for a tour, I was pretty stoked.

We worked out a visit date that fell during It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. That day, Tech Director Shane and I greeted the kids and gave them an all-access tour of AHT. We went backstage, we let them in the costume shop, they saw Shane's office and the Green Room... even the "Vodka Spray" area, which they found fascinating... until we explained that vodka is a pretty amazing smell-remover, so some nights when costumes that are a little stinky, they will get a quick spray-down with Vodka to keep them fresh until laundry day.

We answered many questions from 6 to 12-year-olds that were clever and thought-provoking, then we let everyone come up on the stage and see what it looks and feels like to be an actor under the hot stage lights. Shane and I were both amazed at how bright the group was, and how observant (i.e. the vodka spray area) they were.

Fast forward to this morning, when I unlocked the door to the offices and proceeded through my morning routine. Sign in... grab the items in my mailbox... turn on the lights in my office... turn on my computer... sit down and sift through my mail. Today there was a big white envelope from the CS #1 kids, and I tore into it. It was stuffed full with a beautiful chain of hand-written thank you notes cut and pasted into heart shapes! Each kid had written about what they liked best about the tour, and thanked us for taking the time to show them the theatre. How sweet!

I promptly hung the chain in our hallway so everyone can look at it. Every once in a while when you work in the arts, something like this happens that reminds you why you toil away creating something for people that is so fleeting. This was one of those moments for me.

Hopefully we created some theatre-lovers solely through the simplicity of showing them "how the magic happens".

AIDS Walk Fundraiser A Success!

Participating in AIDS Walk Kansas City is an annual thing for us at AHT. We love taking part in the walk and seeing all of the people who care about the same cause that we do. This year we held off on doing our fundraiser at AHT until summer (well after the walk in late April) so we would have a cast of local, well-known actors that we knew would love having the chance to be a part of our effort.

We are pleased to announce that, with the help of the Are We There Yet? cast and the generosity of our patrons, we raised $5,345.12! In only 3 weeks! This money will go to the AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City, whose mission is to assist in funding organizations which provide food, shelter, medical care, and other services to the diverse communities dealing with HIV/AIDS, their families and friends, and, which promote public education about HIV infection.

If you'd like to join us next April at the Walk, check back here in late March/early April for details - we'd love to see you there!

Special Discount Helps KC Area Communities

American Heartland Theatre is teaming up with Harvesters, Kansas City’s only food bank, to make this holiday season a little merrier for Kansas City residents in need. From November 6 through December 28, any patron who brings a can of tuna or other canned, non-perishable food item to the AHT Box Office will receive $5 off their ticket for A Tuna Christmas. This discount is available for the entire run of the production, which is special as discounts are not typically available between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve at AHT.

Harvesters is a clearinghouse for the collection and distribution of food and related household products in and around Greater Kansas City. By providing food they give sustenance and hope to those in need. Harvesters also works toward long-term solutions through nutrition education, hunger awareness and advocacy. Their network includes more than 550 not-for-profit agencies throughout the 13-county direct service area, including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes, homes for the mentally disabled and shelters for battered persons. Their network provides food assistance to nearly 60,000 different people each week.

We're proud to be able to offer this discount to our patrons and partner with Harvesters to make a difference in the lives of Kansas City area residents.

AHT walks for AIDS Education

On April 26 the AHT family will gather together and participate in the 2008 AIDS Walk Kansas City. in 2006, with the help of our patrons, AHT raised $10,000 for AIDS Walk - this year we hope to exceed that amount. In addition to fundraising individually as members of the walk team, there will be donation boxes located in the AHT lobby throughout the run of I Love You Because. Please help us reach our goal! If you would like to walk with us, please register as a member of the team "AHT Family". Check back for more updates...