FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE to Play Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City This Spring

Five Guys Named Moe, a musical by Clarke Peters featuring Louis Jordan's greatest hits, will be directed by Damron Russel Armstrong at The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas this spring.

This musical comedy is based on an earlier musical short of the same name by Louis Jordan from 1943. it had its UK debut in 1990 a the Theatre Royal Stratford East, running for over four years in the West End and then premiering on Broadway in 1992.
The story: features Nomax (played by Damron R Armstrong making a surprise appearance in the last show of his inaugural season) whose broke and girlfriend has left him. He's then aided back to soberity by the band Five Guys Named Moe ( Big Moe - Douglass Walker, Four-eyed Moe- Nathaniel Rasson, Eat Moe - Rodney Thompson, No Moe - Christopher Barksdale and Little Moe - Francisco "Pancho" Villeage) who seem to emerge from his radio to take him on a comedic musical journey of self- awareness.

Directed by Executive Artistic Director Damron R Armstrong, and Assistant Director Shon Ruffin. The show features Christopher Barksdale Burns and No Moe and Francisco "Pancho" Villegas as Little Moe. Also with Nathaniel Rasson as Four-eve Moe and new to the Kansas City professional stage Rodney Thompson as Eat Moe and Douglass Walker at Big Moe.

Executive Artistic Director Damron Russel Armstrong chose this piece to close the inaugural season because it speaks to exactly what the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City is all about. It gives new-comers the opportunities not before afforded to them in the past. Building a bridge to work on the stage that did not previously exsist. Producing shows that have never been produced locally. Shining a spotlight on contributions made by African-Americans this time in the world of music.Though his name my be unfamilliar to audiences Louis Jordan was quite the accomplished saxophonist and songwriter

Five Guys Named Moe will be performed at the newly renovated Arts Aslyum 1000 E 9th St., KCMO 64106. The show have a LIMITED 2WK RUN March 30th - April 9th, 2017. Thursday thru Sunday performances. Tickets are now on sale, online at www.brtkc.org. Special discounts are available for seniors (65+), students. Group discounts available 10+

About the Cast and Creative Team:

*Christopher Barksdale-Burns (No Moe)
was a dancer with the Kansas City Ballet for 21 years. He was a member of the First National Touring Company of The Will Roger's Follies as the Indian of the Dawn and the Ensemble. He later went into the chorus of the Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway and on tour. He has worked at Los Angeles Opera, Royal New Opera of New Zealand , and many other opera companies throughout the country around the world. He now teaches dance at Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice in Overland Park as well as stages works and choreographs for schools, theaters and companies around the country.

*Francisco Javier Villegas (Little Moe) is thrilled to be making his BRTKC debut in 5 Guys Named Moe. Francisco, known by most as Pancho, was last seen in Starlight Theatre's production of "First Date" and will be seen this summer at the Unicorn Theatre in the upcoming production of "Priscilla Queen of the Dessert". He encourages everyone to "Go Fast, Take Chances."

Nathaniel Rasson (Four-eyed Moe) has previously been seen in productions of The Dramatic Health Education Project, Shrek! The Musical,andThe Wizat the Coterie Theatre,and performed with Borderlands Theatre in the National New Play Network Rolling World Premier of River City. Rasson is a graduate from Lincoln College Prep, Alumni and Associate of the Kansas City Boys Choir, and a member of Team Inspired, responsible for the organization of the annual "Inspired by Darrell 5K"; raising awareness about Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Douglass Walker (Big Moe) is a native of Kansas City, MO and has been singing since the age of 10. He started singing in church and his love for singing grew from there and transitioned to the stage. He has appeared in the local productions of Black Nativity, Live at the Gem, Between Me and God, and Fear of a Ball and Chain. Douglass is thrilled to be making his debut with the Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City. Douglass would like to thank his family for their support. A special thanks goes to my beautiful wife Melonnie Walker.

Rodney Thompson (Eat Moe) a Kansas City native, is very excited to be portraying the role of "Eat Moe" is this production of "Five Guys Named Moe." Rodney studied music education at Langston University. When not acting Rodney enjoys kite flying, family gatherings, and teaching.

* Assistant Director - Shon Ruffin is ecstatic to be joining Black Repertory theater once again. She most recently played TAYLOR in Lydia R Diamonds' STICK FLY and opened the inaugural season as Effie in Dreamgirls in Concert. She has received her Bachelors of Arts in Theater Performance from Kansas State University. Other productions in the KC area include A Christmas Carol at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, Heathers at Unicorn Theatre, West Side Story at Spinning Tree Theater, Hairspray at The New Theatre Restaurant, Jitney at the MET, and Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott at The Coterie. Shout out to her wonderful supportive friends and family! You can find her singing with her band Proud2Beg http://shon8yes.wix.com/kcactress.

Damron Russel Armstrong - Director / Executive Artistic Director (Nomax)
is excited to be taking the stage in this final show of the inaurgual season of The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City. A nascent dream, to bring never before locally produced shows to Kansas City. Shining a spotlight on the contributions made by African-American is key to the mission of BRTKC. Understanding that we ALL play a part in making the world around us one that advances, is cruial to our continued exsistance as a species.

This has been a full year of being an adminstrator, director and actor. Damrons work has been seen all over town as Director of An Octorooon at the Unicorn Theatre and then immediate following that production he showed his skills as an Actor in the rolling world premiere of How to Use a Knife also at the Unicorn Theatre. Pulling double duty some folks were able to catch him by night at the Unicorn and by day at Theatre for Young America in Curious George.

*Denoted Actors Equity Union members

To post a comment, you must register and login.