American Heartland's 25th Season to Include WONDERETTES, BINGO!, & More

By: Mar. 31, 2011
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American Heartland Theatre in Crown Center has announced its 2011-2012 Season, celebrating the theatre's 25th season of productions. To commemorate AHT's silver anniversary, they have proudly continued the tradition of providing variety in live theatre by showcasing three Kansas City Premiere musicals, two World Premiere plays and one classic theatrical masterpiece. Productions include Nobody Lonesome For Me, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Beer For Breakfast, The Importance of Being Earnest, As Long As We Both Shall Live and BINGO! A Winning Musical. This new season of productions will feature local and out-of-state performers. For more information on the theatre, visit www.ahtkc.com.

Nobody Lonesome For Me: A Hank Williams' play with music
September 9, 2011 - October 23, 2011
Written by Lanie Robertson
Kansas City Premiere

"Ev'rybody's lonesome for somebody else, Nobody lonesome for me." - Hank Williams

It's New Year's Eve 1952, and country music legend Hank Williams is stranded in a gas station. During this fateful night Hank shares his wit, his stories and his music. Hank Williams created one of the most enduring musical legacies with classics like "So Lonesome I Could Cry", "Cold, Cold Heart", "Ramblin' Man",and "Your Cheatin' Heart". This revealing look at America's greatest troubadour celebrates his musical genius, his journey to stardom and his demons. Starring Matthew Brumlow, who is reprising his much-lauded role as Hank Williams.

See clips of Matthew's performance from the World Premiere at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre on YouTube.

"A must-see show" -Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Robertson has masterfully captured the country-western legend's profane joy and self-doubt" -ThirdCoastDigest.com


The Marvelous Wonderettes
November 4, 2011 - December 24, 2011
Written and Created by Roger Bean
Kansas City Premiere

Everyone wants the perfect prom night, but when the entertainment fails to show up to the 1958 Springfield High Prom, it is up to The Wonderettes to save the night! The Wonderettes make the night sizzle with their huge voices and hits such as "It's My Party", "Alleghany Moon", and "Dream Lover". Follow their wise-cracking antics from prom night to their ten-year reunion where we catch-up on their lives and hear fabulous songs such as "Respect", "You Don't Own Me", and "Son of a Preacher Man." The Marvelous Wonderettes is an unforgettable musical trip down memory lane for the whole family!

"Charming and Funny" -Variety

"An irresistible musical ... an utter charm" -NY Times

"The fun never stops! Hilariously inventive and highly entertaining! Bubbly and irrepressible! Fast-paces, clever and delightful!" -Associated Press


Beer For Breakfast
January 6, 2012 - February 19, 2012
Written by Sean Grennan
World Premiere

Four middle-aged buddies reunite for a "guy's weekend" complete with old music, cheap beer and enough cholesterol to stop Superman's heart. These guys are out to prove they've still got it, so they are going to party like it's 1978! It's all going well until one of them doesn't show up...but his wife does. Snowed in over night, an epic struggle ensues: Will man be judged the superior sex or will woman prevail? Will love triumph or will old grudges win? And finally, perhaps most importantly, if Doritos are made from corn, why can't they be considered a serving of vegetables?! Starring Kansas City favorites, Cathy Barnett, Scott Cordes, Martin English and playwright Sean Grennan.


The Importance of Being Earnest
March 2, 2012 - April 15, 2012
Written by Oscar Wilde

Currently a smash-hit on Broadway, AHT is delighted to bring Oscar Wilde's famous farce, The Importance of Being Earnest, back to Kansas City. In this glorious comedy of mistaken identities, traditional rules of propriety and etiquette are mocked. Dashing men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities-not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen's mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell, played by Kansas City favorite Jim Korinke! It's a comedic masterpiece about class and name-dropping.

"Funny as hell and absolutely perfect" -New York Magazine

"profoundly funny" -Vogue

"A comic masterpiece" -Associated Press


As Long As We Both Shall Live - A Mystery Farce
May 4, 2012 - June 17, 2012
Written by Sean Grennan
World Premiere

Addison Ashe is smart. Like, insanely smart. She got perfect SATs, mastered psychology, quantum and auto mechanics, mixed martial arts, yodeling and more - all in a matter of weeks. Despite all that, she's never had too much luck with guys...until now! She's set to marry the man of her dreams, but mysterious murders threaten to cancel their nuptials.What do you do when you're one of the smartest people alive, it's your wedding day, your mother-in-law hates you, the priest is shady, the wedding planner has been killed (leaving you the prime suspect) and now someone is out to get you, too? You'll find out that it's murder to make marriage work these days! See if you can solve the Addison Ashe Mystery, As Long As We Both Shall Live!


Bingo! A Winning Musical
July 6, 2012 - August 19, 2012
Book Michael Heitzman and Ilene Reid
Music and Lyrics by Michael Heitzman, Ilere Reid and David Holcenberg
Kansas City Premiere

Bingo! is a splashy, zany, outrageously funny new musical. Come meet Vern, Honey and Patsy: three pals that weather a terrible storm to play their weekly obsession - bingo. In between the number calling, strange good-luck rituals, and fierce competition, love blossoms and long-lost friends reunite! It's a great night out for the entire family or all of your gal pals. Come play bingo from the comfort of your own seat, win prizes, hear fabulous voices and have great fun!

"Extremely Funny and Whimsical" -Associated Press

"Fun-Loving Musical Theatre" -NY Times

"Songs to bring down the house" -LA Times

"Really Fun" -Newsday


For reservations and/or information on 2011-2012 season tickets, call 816-842-9999, visit the box office in Crown Center, or visit www.ahtkc.com. Groups of 10 or more may call 816-842-0202 for reservations (group discounts are available). Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30pm. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00pm. There are also select Sunday evening performances and select matinee & twilight performances throughout the run. Visit www.ahtkc.com for a complete schedule. Tickets have an attached coupon for discounts at several Crown Center restaurants valid for the date of the performance. Parking is inside, secure and free with theatre validation. Handicapped seating and assistive listening devices are available. In addition, an ASL interpreted performance is scheduled for each show.



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