Photo Flash: First Look at Kansas City Actors Theatre's Production of at SEA MARKS

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting for its production of Gardner McKay's "Sea Marks," the fourth show of its thirteenth season, which will run from January 10th to the 28th at the H&R Block City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by Jan Rogge and will star Darren Kennedy and Cinnamon Schultz. The production team includes Gary Mosby (scenic designer), Elizabeth Sampley (properties designer), Sarah M. Oliver (costumer designer), Shane Rowse (lighting designer), Jonathan Robertson (sound designer), and Kyle Dyck (technical director). This will be Darren Kennedy's first appearance with Kansas City Actors Theatre and Jan Rogge's first time directing for the company.

"Sea Marks" is an Irish romantic comedy that is a callback of sorts to the classic romance films of the 40's and 50's. It's the story of a fisherman from a remote Irish island who falls in love with a woman he's seen only once. As he attempts to woo her by mail, she falls in love with his words. As these two people from very different worlds meet and fall in love, they realize they must also reflect on what it is to know who they are and where they belong.

Winner of the Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play of the Year and the National Regional Theatre Award in Canada, "Sea Marks" examines loving relationships in all their complications. "I'm a sucker for romance, especially by the sea," says director Jan Rogge when speaking of what drew her to the project. "I'm especially thrilled to be directing two exceptional actors, Darren Kennedy and Cinnamon Schultz, who will breathe life into this charming and poetic love story."

This production continues Kansas City Actors Theatre's mission to bring renowned-but-unperformed writers to Kansas City audiences. The playwright, Gardner McKay, was not only an award-winning writer who taught at UCLA and other educational institutions, but was also an editor, actor, professional skipper, photographer, and an accomplished sculptor with works on display in the Museum of Modern Art, NYC and the Whitney Museum. His other works include "Masters of the Sea" (a sequel of sorts to "Sea Marks"), "Toyer," "In Order of Appearance," and "Untold Damage," which was written and produced for PBS and starred Richard Dreyfuss.

"Sea Marks" will perform at Union Station's H&R Block City Stage. Previews start January 10th, opening night will be January 13th, and performances will conclude on January 28th Audience talk-backs will follow performances on January 14th, 17th, and 26th.

Tickets are between $15 and $40 and are available by contacting the Central Ticket Office at 816-235-6222 or online at www.kcactors.org.

Photo Credit: Brian Paulette