Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage, who won for Ruined in 2007 and Sweat in 2017, is the 2020 honoree for the Distinguished Achievement in American Theater Award, presented annually by the William Inge Theater Festival in Independence, Kansas.
The Inge Festival is a gem of an experience, featuring performances, workshops, and events for students as well as the public, across four days in May. Mark your calendars now.
In a few weeks, at Roxy's Downtown, the musical-comedy Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits takes a comic aim at the plots, characters, and songs from popular contemporary Broadway musicals. This show debuted in its original form in 1982, and has been regularly updated to keep the material fresh. This is a “G” rated show, and is onstage at Roxy's beginning July 12 and running through August.
And Music Theatre Wichita presents Chicago, a jazz-era musical that satirizes corruption in the justice system and the creation of “celebrity” criminals. The plot is based on a play of the same name, created from the experiences of crime reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. The book for the musical is by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse; Ebb also wrote the lyrics to the music by John Kander, and in the original production, Fosse also directed and choreographed the show. Chicago is onstage at Century II July 24 through July 28.
Today's commentary marks five years for me at KMUW. I've so much enjoyed talking opera, theatre, playwrights, and plays with you. I hope you don't mind if I keep on doing it.
