Matt Rapport News

Last night, November 21, 2023, a Kansas City tradition, the 42rd annual (almost) Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” opened at the Spencer Theater on the UMKC campus for an extended run through Christmas Eve. Except for the Covid year when the live production was replaced by a video version, audiences have gathered for “A Christmas Carol” since 1980. The house lights dim and a cast of Victorian holiday carolers appear complete with an onstage costumed orchestra. Our Storyteller (Nedra Dixon) also dressed in stunning early Victorian garb, welcomes us. Ms. Dixon is elegant and charming in this her first stint as the Storyteller.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary season, The Heart of  America Shakespeare Festival will once again produce a live performance this summer.  

This is the final classic Suspense episode of the first season before the company presents the final three episodes of 'Kansas City: 1924' in March.

Audiences are feeling the SPARK! Watch KCRep ArtSpark episode 1 now. Episode 1 is streaming now at KCRep.org.

After the shocking cliffhanger in the last episode of “Kansas City: 1924,” what seems like a break in the weather may turn out to be just be the eye of the storm. In episode 5, “Baseball Season,” the turf war between Ma Pritchett and Joey Giovanni threatens to spiral out of control as we learn what has become of Rose and George.

a?oePhenomenala?? is how one theatergoer, Elaine Jacobs, described the opening night of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, now a Kansas City tradition in its 39th year. Presented by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre the Charles Dickens classic opened Saturday, November 30 at the Spencer Theatre on the University of Missouri at Kansas City campus and runs through December 29.

They may be serving up dry martini's in the show, but this  production of Blithe Spirit is a fluid concoction of frenetic farce and frolicking fun. Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward at the Kansas City Actors Theatre in Union Station Kansas City Aug 8-25, 2018 starring Cinnamon Schultz, Margaret Shelby, Coleman Crenshaw, Matt Rapport, Cheryl Weaver, Jan Rogge, & Vanessa Severo

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting for its production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," the first show of its fourteenth season, which will run from August 8th to the 26th at the City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by Doug Weaver and will star Cinnamon Schultz, Coleman Crenshaw, Vanessa Severo, Jan Rogge, Matt Rapport, Cheryl Weaver, and Margaret Shelby. The production team includes Kelli Harrod (Scenic Designer), Bill Christie (Properties Designer), Sarah M. Oliver (Costume Designer), Kylor Greene (Lighting Designer), Shelbi Arndt (Co-Lighting Designer), Jonathan Robertson (Sound Designer), Matthew Schorr (Co-Sound Designer), Alex Murphy (Stage Manager), and Kyle Dyck (Technical Director).

When a successful novelist hires a psychic as research for his new book, he ends up encountering the unexpected - the ghost of his first wife! Now he must balance his new (and very-much alive) wife with an increasingly incensed ghost in this classic witty comedy of manners from Noel Coward.

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting for its production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," the first show of its fourteenth season, which will run from August 8th to the 26th at the City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by Doug Weaver and will star Cinnamon Schultz, Coleman Crenshaw, Vanessa Severo, Jan Rogge, Matt Rapport, Cheryl Weaver, and Margaret Shelby. The production team includes Kelli Harrod (Scenic Designer), Bill Christie (Properties Designer), Sarah M. Oliver (Costume Designer), Kylor Greene (Lighting Designer), Shelbi Arndt (Co-Lighting Designer), Jonathan Robertson (Sound Designer), Matthew Schorr (Co-Sound Designer), Alex Murphy (Stage Manager), and Kyle Dyck (Technical Director).

Kansas City Actors Theatre has completed casting for its production of Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," the first show of its fourteenth season, which will run from August 8th to the 26th at the City Stage in Union Station. The production will be directed by Doug Weaver and will star Cinnamon Schultz, Coleman Crenshaw, Vanessa Severo, Jan Rogge, Matt Rapport, Cheryl Weaver, and Margaret Shelby. The production team includes Kelli Harrod (Scenic Designer), Bill Christie (Properties Designer), Sarah M. Oliver (Costume Designer), Kylor Greene (Lighting Designer), Shelbi Arndt (Co-Lighting Designer), Jonathan Robertson (Sound Designer), Matthew Schorr (Co-Sound Designer), Alex Murphy (Stage Manager), and Kyle Dyck (Technical Director).

The 2018 edition of the 'Heart of America Shakespeare Festival' offers a very nice production of Shakespeare's 1599 comedy 'Much Ado About Nothing.' 'Much Ado' is a comedy/farce in many ways similar to other Shakespearian comedies 'Taming of the Shrew,' and 'The Merchant of Venice.' All three plays depend on misdirection and romances somehow gone way awry.

The Kansas City Actors Theatre is proud to announce its lineup of plays for 2018-2019 at the H&R Block City Stage in Union Station and the Spencer Theater on UMKC's campus. This is the company's 14th season of productions showcasing Kansas City's own top theatre professionals.

Chicago playwright Jerry Hickey offers a first-time production of his pleasant and entertaining new play entitled 'The Mascot' at 'The Living Room Theatre' in the Crossroads near downtown KC.  

Agile Rabbit Productions has announced casting and creatives for the world premiere original new comedy, THE MASCOT. Written by Jerry Hickey, the production is helmed by esteemed director (and KU professor) Peter Zazalli. Kansas City favorite Sam Cordes assumes the title role and is joined by Emma Carter, Coleman Crenshaw, Jen Mays, Matt Rapport, and Hollis Wilhoit, along with Alisa Lynn, Jake Gillespie, and Matthew Michael.

Agile Rabbit Productions has announced casting and creatives for the world premiere original new comedy, THE MASCOT. Written by Jerry Hickey, the production is helmed by esteemed director (and KU professor) Peter Zazalli. Kansas City favorite Sam Cordes assumes the title role and is joined by Emma Carter, Coleman Crenshaw, Jen Mays, Matt Rapport, and Hollis Wilhoit, along with Alisa Lynn, Jake Gillespie, and Matthew Michael. The play will also feature an original score composed by Jon Robertson.

Disgraced is a compelling drama that sorts through many of the background stories that make up today's headline news. Its timeliness will resonate with audiences as this talented cast swiftly maneuvers through a script that shows a world filled with many religions in a time when nationalism is front and center. It is today's world with the veneer pulled back so the raw foundation is revealed.

Pulitzer Prize-winning DISGRACED by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Sidonie Garrett, is coming to the Unicorn Theatre this fall.

Pulitzer Prize-winning DISGRACED by Ayad Akhtar, directed by Sidonie Garrett, is coming to the Unicorn Theatre this fall.

KCAT's current production of Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' grips the audience with a suspenseful quickly paced mystery. Ensemble shines in this timeless tale of accusation, guilt, judgement, and murder. The attention to detail from costumes, to set, to lighting provides a sensory experience that everyone will enjoy. This fresh take is a perfect way for those new to theater to discover what great story-telling is all about.