Paula Makar - Page 2

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LARRY AND SHARLA MICHAEL ACTOR ENDOWMENT FUND at Roxy's Downtown

Kechi Playhouse’s second play in their 43rd year is the beloved classic comedy, Charley’s Aunt by Brandon Thomas. First produced in London 1892, this farce has been a Kechi Playhouse favorite for many years. It was last performed on our stage in 2016.

Roxy’s Downtown Theatre, Inc. proudly presents the wildly popular, side-splitting British farce The Play That Goes Wrong, running July 9 through August 10, and starring seven of the original eight cast members from Roxy’s first smash-hit production—plus a brand-new twist with the uproarious addition of Sam Warner to the cast.

Ken Ludwig has adapted his wonderful comic hit, Lend Me A Tenor, into another madcap farce switching the Tenor for a Soprano. The play takes place in 1934 in a hotel room where the Cleveland Grand Opera Company nervously waits for the one-night only performance by world-famous soprano Elena Firenzi.  Ms. Firenzi is a diva in the true sense of the word. She arrives late and tempers explode, chaos begins, with a whirlwind of slamming doors, mistaken identities, and bigger than life egos. Directed by Mark Schuster.

Cowley College’s Summer Theatre Program is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Disney’s Freaky Friday, a heartfelt and hilarious musical comedy that explores the challenges of growing up—and parenting—with a magical twist.

The Cover of Life, by R.T. Robinson, is based on his family’s true story about three women and their struggle for self-worth in rural Louisiana in 1943. Tood, Weetsie and Sybill each married a Cliffert brother who are engaged in World War II. A local reporter with the Louisiana Times Picayune writes story about these young wives, which piques the interest of Life Magazine’s Henry Luce. Luce assigns Kate Miller to the story, who has been covering the war in Europe. Kate spends a week with the Cliffert women to cover their life while the men are away, and unexpectedly explores the reality of the women as they struggle to find their own identity.  The piece is so well written, with complex characters working through intricate relationships, delicious subtext, prose filled with images and powerful emotions, strong rhythm, and subtle humor.

Roxy’s Downtown is thrilled to present its upcoming production of the Tony Award-winning musical Urinetown playing June 5 to 21, 2025. Urinetown is a darkly comedic musical that satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism,environmental collapse, privatization of natural resources, bureaucracy, municipal politics, and musical theatre itself.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, “Into the Breeches” tells the story of a group of wives who decide to put on an incredibly ambitious male-centric production of the “Henriad” (“Henry IV” and “Henry V” combined) while their husbands are off fighting the Axis.

Roxy’s Downtown is thrilled to present the regional premiere of Michael Ogborn’s musical Café Puttanesca playing May 1 to 17, 2025. This sizzling, delightfu show takes you on a musical journey to a charming café where secrets simmer and love brews.

It’s a shame that this is my first time attending the William Inge Theatre Festival at Independence Community College in Independence, KS. This Festival has hosted some top notch playwrights over the years, with recent featured playwrights including Lauren Gunderson, Lynn Nottage, and Paula Vogel. This is the 42nd year of the Festival, which celebrates the legacy of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright William Inge, a native of Independence, KS. It is also the official theatre festival of the state of Kansas. The event is not only a retreat for playwrights, but for any theatre practitioner who is looking for an inspirational and communal experience in a relaxing and welcoming environment. It is safe to say I will be attending next year, and if you are interested in the future of theatre, you should, too!

OMG what a fun time I had experiencing BEETLEJUICE at Century II last night! The audience was having a blast, whooping and hollering, and gave the cast a standing ovation at the end of it all!

I had the privilege of interviewing Patrick Oliver Jones, who plays Otho Fenlock, Delia Deetz’ closest friend and Interior Designer who helps her remodel her new home. Patrick also has several ensemble tracks, and understudies the roles of Charles and Maxie Dean. His many stage credits include the original cast of First Wives Club in Chicago, and the North American tours of The Addams Family and Evita. His television credits include co-starring roles on Blue Bloods and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Patrick is also the award-winning podcast producer and host of Why I’ll Never Make It and Closing Night.

Roxy’s Downtown is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's acclaimed musical, Company, running from March 26 to April 12, 2025. This Tony Award-winning classic offers a witty and sophisticated exploration of love, life, and the complexities of modern relationships.

ICTRep (Wichita Repertory Theater) concludes its 2024-25 season with Agatha Christie’s classic courtroom thriller WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, opening Friday, March 28 and performed in the iconic setting of the Historic Sedgwick County Courthouse at 510 N. Main.

Acclaimed by Frank Rich as 'a writer who illuminates the deepest dramas of American life with poetry and compassion,' Lanford Wilson is one of the most esteemed contemporary American playwrights of our time. Nowhere is this more evident than in his latest play, Book of Days, which has won the Best Play Award from the American Theater Critics Association.