STAGE TUBE: Highlights of UMKC Theatre/The Acting Company's X/JULIUS CAESAR

UMKC Theatre and The Acting Company presents a new artistic and educational collaboration as part of its 2016-17 season and 44th national tour featuring two new gripping dramas in repertory -- the world premiere of Marcus Gardley's X: Or, Betty Shabazz vs. The Nation and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

Check out highlights below!

Both will be staged in an exciting artistic and educational collaboration with University of Missouri-Kansas City, as well as the University of Kansas, University of Central Missouri, University of Missouri-Columbia and area high schools and community partners. Performances at the University of Missouri-Kansas City will be Feb. 21 through 23 at the Spencer Theatre, Olson PAC.

The assassinations of Rome's great ruler of the Republic and the revolutionary leader Malcolm X share the stage when The Acting Company pairs Shakespeare's Julius Caesar with X, a compelling new play by lauded playwright Gardley. The two gripping dramas examine the charismatic leaders who rise only to fall victim to rivalry, resentment and retribution. Gardley is a multiple award-winning playwright whose works include Desire Quenched by Touch (The Acting Company Off-Broadway production), The House That Will Not Stand and The Gospel of Lovingkindness. Ian Belknap, The Acting Company's artistic director, directs X and Devin Brain, The Acting Company's associate artistic director, directs Julius Caesar.

In addition to the performances at UMKC Feb 21 through 23, The Acting Company's 15-city tour comes to the Missouri/Kansas region on February 15-16 at the University of Kansas Lied Center, February 18-19 at University of Missouri-Columbia's Rhynsburger Theatre, and February 24-25 at University of Central Missouri's James L. Highlander Theatre.

Single tickets for The Acting Company productions are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $15 for UMKC faculty and staff and $10 for all students. Packages for both plays are available: $45 for adults, $35 for seniors and $25 for UMKC faculty and staff. For tickets, call the Central Ticket Office at (816) 235-6222 or purchase online here.

Parking for Grant Hall Theatre ticketed productions is available on level 4 only of the multi-level parking structure at 52nd and Rockhill. Parking for Performing Arts Center ticketed productions is available on level 5 only of the multi-level parking structure at 50th between Cherry and Oak (Park near the Northeast Tower and use the elevated crosswalk back to the PAC.)