Defying Gravity at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre kicks off the new year with DEFYING GRAVITY, a clever and uplifting fantasy written by Jane Anderson, with ear catching musings about art, religion and the outer limits of human possibility. MET’s production is directed by Bob Stewart, featuring: Bailey Rose Steinke, Laura Jacobs, Bob Brand*, Lewis J. Morrow, Shawna Peña-Downing, Nancy Nail, and Tim Ahlenius.

This free structured look at the 1986 Challenger disaster artfully interweaves the past with the present and the lives of participants and bystanders, drawing parallels among painter Claude Monet's artistic quest and the zest of the teacher selected to be the first civilian astronaut. The story is told through the voice of Elizabeth, the daughter of the teacher, Ed and Betty, two retired tourists who drive their Winnebago to Florida to watch the space shot and who dream of hotels in space, C.B., a NASA mechanic, and his girlfriend, Donna, a bartender and friend to the astronauts, who (ironically) has a fear of heights. A play for everyone exploring our need to reach beyond ourselves and dare the universe.

DEFYING GRAVITY runs through January 28 at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, 3614 Main St, Kansas City, MO. Adult tickets are $39, with discounts for students, artists, young professionals, seniors, and groups. For tickets, call 816-569-3226. Visit www.metkc.org for more information or to purchase tickets online.