The Barn Players to Present THE ELEPHANT MAN

"The Elephant Man" is the next production at Kansas City's Barn Players - opening Friday evening, July 29 playing through Sunday matinee August 14 at The Barn Players Theatre, 6219 Martway in Mission; the play is rated "PG-13".

"The Elephant Man" traces the life of Joseph Merrick (first name is John in the play), born in 1862 in England, who was so physically deformed that few options were open to him. He spent most of his early life in workhouses and became an attraction in traveling sideshows. Merrick was befriended by Dr. Frederick Treves who was determined to help him lead as normal a life as possible; Merrick became the toast of society and began a love story with a beautiful actress as unique as the man himself. Merrick soon finds that normality isn't something he can ever achieve or something that he even necessarily doesn't want.

The play is directed by Mark Hamilton and features: Coleman Crenshaw as John Merrick, David Innis as Fredrick Treves, Stefanie Stevens as Mrs Kendel, Jeph Scanlon as Gomm, Richard J. Burt as Lord John / (Will) Porter, Sean Leistico as Ross, Scott Turner as Bishop How / Belgium Policeman, Dee Dee Diemer as Miss Sandwich / Countess / Pinhead, Lindsay Lovejoy as Princess Alexandrea / Pinhead, Meghann Deveroux as Duchess / Pinhead / choreographer, Sara Platt as Nurse / Lady-in-waiting, Eli Biesemeyer as Snork / Pinhead Mgr. and Daniel Yung as cellist.

Performance dates are: Friday evenings July 29th, August 5th and 12th at 7:30 p.m. --- Saturday evenings July 30th, August 6th and 3rd at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday Matinees July 31st, August 7th and 14th at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $18.00 and are available on the theatre website www.thebarnplayers.org or at the theatre box office prior to each performance - discounts for seniors and students - credit cards accepted.